Voroshilov had never intended to retreat, much less to Trotsky's tactics, and he intended to stop the enemy in his own way, to fight a vigorous resistance battle in the city of Luga, to hold the enemy firmly to death in Luga, and not to allow them to continue to advance.

He drew up a special plan for the battle - the tributaries of the Luga River divided the city of Luga into two parts, east and west, and there were four bridges connecting the east and west towns, and it was necessary to master these bridges in the direction of Veliky Novgorod. According to Trotsky's plan, after gradually abandoning Luga, it was necessary to destroy all the bridges and cause as much trouble as possible to the enemy.

Voroshilov did not intend to do so, because it would be the best way for him to disobey Trotsky's orders in the open, and he could have claimed that he was trying to destroy these "highly dangerous" bridges by not retreating.

For this reason, the bastard deliberately abandoned the southernmost and largest road bridge in the first place, in order to stay in Luga. Now that the course of the battle is really developing according to his script, he can openly disobey the orders of his superiors.

"According to the battle plan, we must destroy all the bridges! But that road bridge to the south was taken by the enemy, and I had to destroy it before I could retreat! Voroshilov shouted at Frunze on the phone with confidence, and then pretended to command: "Please tell Comrade Trotsky that if I organize another assault, I will definitely destroy that bridge!" ”

Then, without saying a word, Voroshilov hung up the phone and returned to the battle in the city. His assistant asked weakly, "Comrade Kremiant, I'm afraid we won't be able to draw up our forces to destroy that bridge!" ”

Voroshilov said nonchalantly: "I know the way! ”

The assistant was surprised: "Then you promised Comrade Frunze ...... just now."

Voroshilov said impatiently: "Leave them alone, those cowards have completely forgotten the honor of the Bolsheviks and do not know how to fight!" Our mission is to fight the enemy to the death in Luga! ”

The assistant asked, "But what about the bridge?" ”

Voroshilov said nonchalantly: "Don't care about the unlucky bridges, they don't matter at all, as long as Luga is under our control, the enemy will not be able to turn to Veliky Novgorod!" Now, please stop talking nonsense and let's turn our energies back to the battle in the city! ”

At the same time that Voroshilov was dreaming of heroes. Kozhemiaka's company also stumbled back to Luga. However, they could not enter the city at all, and the whole of Luga was surrounded on three sides, east and west, and there were enemies everywhere, and fierce battles broke out everywhere.

"Company commander, we're late!" Kozhemiyaka said with annoyance.

The company commander rubbed his face fiercely, he was also at a loss for the situation in front of him, and if he wanted to report the news, he had to cross the river. And in order to cross the river, it is necessary to pass through the enemy's defenses, and now, this is simply not possible.

"Company commander, you're talking!" Another soldier urged, "No, let's fight them!" ”

The company commander raised his hand and gave this reckless ghost a violent shudder, and scolded: "Fool. Our most important task is to convey information to our superiors, so what's the use of fighting the enemy? ”

Xiao Bing touched his head aggrievedly and said, "But this is impossible at all!" ”

The company commander did not know that this was impossible, but he had to do it, otherwise the arrival of the enemy from the direction of Veliky Novgorod would have a fatal impact on the situation of the battle.

What to do? What to do! Just as he was forcing himself to come up with a solution, Kozhemyaka suddenly spoke: "Company commander, can we pretend to be the group of enemies from Veliky Novgorod, maybe we can get away with it!" ”

"Is this possible?" The company commander was a little worried. After all, it's quite risky. If you are not careful, you may be wiped out.

Kozhemiyaka said confidently: "As long as we take off the red scarf, and then play the enemy's banner." It should be doable! ”

The company commander thought about it and thought that he could give it a try, anyway, the Red Army and the White Army wore the same uniform and spoke the same language, and it was really simple to want to impersonate each other. What's more, they got a lot of useful information from the mouths of those unlucky captives, including the number of the unit and the name of the superior.

"That's it!" The company commander slapped his face and ordered: "Tell all comrades that we are now going to pass through the defense line by pretending to be the enemy, and everyone must change their names and don't show their feet!" ”

After a simple disguise, which was actually the removal of the red scarf from his neck, the second company swaggered closer to Luga, encountering several units of the White Army along the way, but none of them were interested in their actions, let alone thinking that they were enemies.

"My dear, it's too easy, isn't it?" The soldier of the second company muttered incredulously.

However, their whispers were only exchanged for the company commander's glare, "Shut up, you guys are crazy, let the enemy find out, we are all doomed!" ”

A soldier nonchalantly pointed to the white army not far away: "How is it possible, they don't care at all, you see, they are still greeting us!" ”

The company commander turned his head to look, and sure enough, an officer at the intersection in front of them was waving to them, as if to signal him to pass.

"Hello, Major, is there anything I can do to help you?" The company commander pretended to greet in a respectful tone.

The major grinned and asked, "Whose troops are you?" How did you get to my zone? ”

"Major, we are the third battalion and one company of the fourth regiment of the thirty-fifth division, and the regimental commander ordered us to go to Petrograd as the vanguard."

The major frowned and asked, "Isn't the thirty-fifth division supposed to be in Veliky Novgorod?" How did you get to Luga? ”

The commander of the second company continued to laugh and said: "The Veliky Novgorod mud legs are making a lot of noise, the brothers can't move forward at all, and the division commander is in a hurry to Petrograd to support the commander-in-chief, so he can only change the route......"

The Major nodded silently, "I see, but you're going to go north like this?" Don't you see that we're fighting a mob? ”

The commander of the second company pretended to be stupid and said: "I received an order to go to the Luga railway station, occupy there, and provide support to the follow-up troops......"

The Major chuckled, "The train station is still in the hands of the mob. If you want to go there, you'll have to fight with us! ”

Of course, the second company commander had no opinion on this, and saluted respectfully, "Then, please give an order!" ”

The major seemed to be satisfied with the obedience of the commander of the second company, and seriously, fought fiercely for several hours. His troops were already quite tired. He couldn't ask for a team of fools to come and share his pressure now.

The major pointed to the end of the street: "See that bridge?" My vanguard is fighting the mob across the river, and it's your job to support them, eliminate the mob as quickly as possible, and get moving, Captain! ”

The second company commander saluted respectfully, and then hurried back to his team. He was very frightened just now, for fear that the major would see the flaws, but fortunately, the other party was very stupid and naïve, and really believed his lies.

"Good news, guys, our team is just across the bridge. Now our mission is to cross the bridge, destroy the enemies on the other side of the bridge, and then return to our team! The company commander said excitedly, "Take action, hurry up!" ”

Under the encouragement of the company commander, the second company, which had been worried after entering the city, quickly began to move, and one by one they seemed to rush towards the direction of the bridge, which was really scrambling. So much so that the major was surprised.

"The thirty-fifth division's will to fight is so high?" He asked his lieutenant. "It's been a long time since I've seen such an excited young man! What kind of ecstasy soup did their division commander pour into them? ”

The adjutant couldn't say anything about this, so he could only ignore the second company and run past them with his commander. Rushed onto the bridge as fast as he could. Of course, in his heart, he felt that the second company was a group of big fools, and he was so active on the front line that he couldn't wait to go to heaven!

The 2nd Company, which had boarded the bridge, was soon confronted by another team, a chubby sergeant who was directing his men to dismantle something on the piers.

"What are you doing here?" Kozhemiyaka asked curiously.

The sergeant replied angrily: "The damned mob has installed explosives on the piers and is ready to blow up the bridge...... Hahaha, but we're moving faster than them......"

Kozhemiyaka immediately turned to his company commander and cast a consultative look, the second company commander frowned slightly, then nodded firmly, and whispered a few words to the herald beside him, and immediately sent the commanding soldier to run forward and convey the order to the three platoon commanders.

Soon, the second company was ready, and as soon as they crossed the bridge, they immediately formed a formation, and with a gunshot rang out, the fat sergeant major who commanded the bomb disposal plunged headlong into the river, and after a short shootout, all the unprepared White Army sappers were wiped out.

"The second and third platoons continue to move forward, destroy the enemy, find our large forces, and the first platoon will be stationed with me to guard the bridge, so that the sappers will immediately pick up the detonator and blow up the bridge!"

The second company's action was too sudden, and it was too unforeseen, and the major, who was still at the intersection, was completely stunned by this scene, and when Kozhemiyaka unceremoniously gave him a shuttle bullet, Mr. Major reacted, and shrank into the corner of the wall with his head in his hands, and hysterically yelled at his adjutant: "Enemy! They are enemies! We were scammed! ”

In this regard, his adjutant shook his head secretly, what is the use of saying this at this time? Retaking the bridge as soon as possible is the best policy. But just as he was saying this advice to his somewhat crazy boss, the sound of a landslide and an explosion came from the direction of the bridge, and the blown rubble fell in front of them like rain.

"Yay!"

Frunze, who had been watching the battle in Luga with a telescope, slammed his fist hard, to be honest, he didn't expect Voroshilov to complete the task of blowing up the bridge, he always thought that the reason why the guy didn't destroy the bridge right away was because he wanted to play tricks.

But now, the damn bridge is finally finished, and whether he Voroshilov wants to play tricks or not, there is no excuse to stay in Luga.

"Pick me up and tell him that I congratulate him from the bottom of my heart on his full assignment...... Now all he needs to do is take the lads out of Luga before the enemy completely surrounds Luga! ”

"Shit!" Compared to Frunze's happiness, Voroshilov was simply crazy, he was like a tyrannosaurus, spewing flames like crazy, "Didn't I tell you not to care about that damn bridge?" Who deliberately blew up that bridge against my orders! Who is it? I'm going to shoot that bastard! ”

No one could answer Voroshilov's question, because his troops were holding the city with great difficulty, and it was impossible to blow up the bridge.

"Check it out! Check it out now! Voroshilov roared hysterically, "I want the result now!" ”

At this time, his assistant reminded in a low voice: "Comrade Klimante, Comrade Frunze just called again to urge you to retreat, are we ......?"

Voroshilov slammed the table and roared: "I will not retreat!" Don't pay attention to his orders! Now, find out who blew up that bridge! ”

The officers and men of the second company were warmly welcomed by the garrison troops. It's not just because they have sent a knife in the back of the enemy. All the more because they blew up the damned bridge, without which the enemy on the other side would have to swim across a fifty-metre stretch of river to get there, and they would be excellent targets for the time being. For the defending troops, these major ones relieved their pressure.

"Guys, it's not time to celebrate. Don't forget our mission! "The second company commander was not carried away by the victory, and the bombing of the bridge could only withstand the enemy for a while, after all, they had the advantage in strength, and it was not difficult to force the crossing of that damn gutter. Moreover, reinforcements from the direction of Veliky Novgorod were about to arrive, and staying in Luga at that time would be tantamount to waiting for death.

The second company commander roared and said, "Take me to your superiors, I have important information to reflect!" ”

Ten minutes later. The commander of the second company rushed to Voroshilov's command post with Kozhemyaka, by this time the enraged commander had already destroyed the tables, chairs and benches in the command post, and if he delayed a little longer, he was afraid that he would have to demolish the house.

"Is that the bridge you blew up?" Voroshilov asked angrily.

The second company commander and Kozhemiyaka were dumbfounded, they didn't expect to be greeted by an interrogation, and just as they wanted to say something, Voroshilov rushed to them in a frenzy, raising his hand and two mouths.

"You idiots. Idiot! "Voroshilov insulted them with the most vulgar and obscene adjectives in Russian." You fools have ruined my whole plan, and you are committing a crime! I'm going to shoot you. Shoot your company, shoot your battalion, hang you all on a telephone pole! I want everyone to know that this is what disobeys my commands! ”

Voroshilov's foul language infuriated Kozhemiyaka, who had never known that a man could be so rude and indecent, and that such a person was not worthy of the title of Bolshevik.

He angrily asked, "Comrade Kliment, I don't understand why you should treat us so rudely...... There was nothing wrong with our actions, and by order of the superiors, that bridge had to be destroyed, I don't understand......"

Syllable!

Another loud mouth, and the furious Voroshilov knocked Kozhemiyaka to the ground and kicked it three times in a row, "You dare to talk to me!" I don't care what shit the orders of my superiors! Here I have the final say! ”

"Guards!" He shouted, "Drag these two bastards down and shoot them on the spot!" Immediately he added: "Also, he shot all of our companies!" Tell the troops at the front that this is what will happen if you go against me! ”

"You madman!" The second company commander was also enraged, and he was about to fight Voroshilov with his fist, but the swarming guards immediately held him down, and Voroshilov unceremoniously rushed up and slapped him in the mouth.

Voroshilov said in annoyance: "Drag it down, drag these two pigs down!" ”

"Comrade Klimant, I'm afraid it's not good to do this!" His assistant stubbornly stepped up and persuaded, "They are from the 1st Machine Gun Regiment, and they are not under our command, and we can't talk to Grigory. Ivanovich's confession ......"

"He's a fart!" Voroshilov said contemptuously, "Tell Grigory. Ivanovich, his subordinates are deserters, we are just enforcing battlefield discipline! ”

"But ......"

Voroshilov glared at his assistant viciously, "But what? ”

"But they have brought important information that the enemy of Veliky Novgorod has turned to our side......"

"What's the big deal about this!" Voroshilov said nonchalantly, "Even if they come, they will only bleed in front of us...... More likely, it's fake news that they've made up. Yes, it's fake news! ”

The assistant looked at Voroshilov dumbfounded, he had been defeated by the shamelessness of his superiors, but he still had to do his duty, and he said hesitantly: "I think...... It is still necessary for us to inform Comrade Frunze of this news! ”

"There's no need for that!" Voroshilov categorically rejected the proposal, "Comrade Frunze will agree with me, it doesn't matter!" ”

"It doesn't matter if it's up to you!" A cold snort appeared at the door of the command post, Frunze, whose face was covered with frost, stared at Voroshilov, and behind him, Kozhemiyaka and the second company commander with a blue nose and swollen face appeared in Voroshilov's sight again, and he stammered: "You...... How did you come, Comrade Frunze? ”

"Why am I here!" Frunze sneered, "If I don't come, I don't know how many decisions someone will have to make on my behalf." Comrade Klimente, that's how you carry out the orders of your superiors. ”

Voroshilov stammered and explained: "I was preparing to retreat, but the enemy was very close to us, and for a while the comrades could not retreat......

Frunze yelled at her: "I don't want to listen to you, now, I officially dismiss you from all your duties!" Go to the Commission for Discipline Inspection to report and explain all your problems! ”

"But...... I! Voroshilov still wanted to quibble, but Frunze's anger was already full, and he exploded in an instant: "Get out!" (To be continued.) )