In the next few days, Sokov and Yakov rushed back and forth to the engine factory and machinery factory, paying attention to the improvement of the rocket propulsion system and a series of tests of the new assault rifle.
On the first weekend of April, considering that there was no work, Yakov planned to call Sokov and go to a coffee shop in the city for a drink. Unexpectedly, when the two of them arrived at the ground floor and were about to leave the guest house, the waiter on duty hurried over and said to Yakov: "Comrade Captain, I have your phone number."
"Looking for my phone number?" Hearing someone calling him, Yakov asked in surprise: "Do you know who it is?"
Upon hearing Yakov's question, the waiter said in an uncertain tone: "It seems to be the call from Engineer Kurk."
When he learned that the call was from Kurk, Yakov's first reaction was that there was new progress in the development of rocket rocket systems. He hurriedly went over, picked up the microphone, and said loudly: "I am Yakov, engineer Kurk? What do you want from me? Have you made any progress in your research work? ... No, what is that? ?...Someone is waiting for me in your office, who is it?...I understand, I will be there right away."
After Yakov put down the phone, he said to Sokov: "Misha, a leader has come from Moscow and is now in Engineer Kurk's office. Let the two of us rush over to see him as soon as possible."
Although Sokov wanted to know who the leader from Moscow was, since Yakov didn't say it, it might be to keep it secret, so even if he asked, it would be in vain. So, he just nodded and said, "Then let's go to Engineer Kurk's office."
The two of them came to Engineer Kurk's office with familiarity. As soon as they entered the door, Sokov saw an officer sitting at his desk, chatting with Kurk. Based on the three gold stars on the opponent's diamond-shaped collar badge, Sokov immediately recognized that he was a lieutenant general, but he could not figure out what department he belonged to.
Yakov quickly walked up to the general, raised his hand in salute and said: "Comrade General, Captain Yakov is here to report. I am following your order, please give instructions!"
"Hello, Captain Yakov!" The general stood up, shook hands with Yakov, and said politely: "Nice to see you here."
While the two were shaking hands, Yakov smiled and asked again: "Comrade General, when did you arrive in Nizhny Novgorod? Why wasn't I notified?"
"I decided to come to Nizhny Novgorod on a temporary basis, so I didn't inform you." After saying this, he turned his attention to Sokov again, "This must be Major Sokov."
Although Sokov did not know this general, judging from Yakov's attitude towards him, he must also be from the Weapons and Equipment Department. He raised his hand and saluted him, and said respectfully: "Hello. , Comrade General!"
"Major Sokov," the general continued after shaking hands with Sokov: "I think you may not know me yet, so let me introduce myself to you. My name is Bragon Lavov. Weapons Planning Committee’s…”
Before the other party could say anything, Sokov remembered who the other party was. While shaking hands, he asked excitedly: "Are you the dean of the Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy?"
"Yes, I am the dean of the Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy." Lieutenant General Bragonlavov heard Sokov mention his other position and couldn't help but asked in surprise: "You used to Ever heard of me?"
Sokov remembered Bragonlavov's name entirely because of Kalashnikov. After designing the first automatic rifle, the father of the AK47 went to the Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy for testing and review, but was rejected by the review committee. However, this unsuccessful automatic rifle caught the attention of Lieutenant General Bragon Lavov. He admired the unique design of the rifle and personally recommended Kalashnikov to the Advanced Infantry Firearms School for professional further study. Only then did the classic Wuqiang ak47 come into being.
But at this moment, in front of Bragon Lavov himself, Sokov could only say perfunctorily: "Yes, I once heard General Kazakov, the artillery commander of the 16th Army, mention you."
After listening to Sokov's words, Bragonlavov really thought that the major had heard his name from Kazakov. After nodding, he said to Kurk who was sitting aside: "Comrade Engineer, we have important things to talk about. Can you stay away for a while?"
After hearing what Bragonravov said, Kurk knew that he had important matters to discuss with the two young officers, so he stood up and said: "Comrade General, I just want to go to the drawing room next to it to see the new drawings." I won’t accompany you anymore. You can chat slowly.” When he left the office, he closed the door.
When there were only three people left in the room, Bragonlavov pointed to the empty chair next to him and said: "You two sit down first, I have something to say to you."
After Sokov and Yakov sat down, Bragonlavov looked at Yakov and said: "Captain Yakov, as a representative of Comrade Ustinov, I am here to learn about rocket propulsion. System improvement and new rifle development. After researching the two companies, I am very satisfied with your work. Although we have encountered some minor difficulties in the improvement of the rocket propulsion system, I I believe that relevant technical personnel will soon be able to overcome these difficulties."
After saying these words, he turned his attention to Sokov again and said: "Comrade Major, what surprises me most is your performance. The new rocket launcher you designed is surprising enough; I didn't expect it. After coming to Nizhniy Novgorod, you actually developed a new type of rifle. It's called...what's it called? I forgot the word for a moment."
"Automatic rifle." Sokov reminded him quickly.
"Yes, yes, that's what you call an automatic rifle." Bragonlavov nodded and said, "Yesterday Comrade Ustinov informed me that Major Sokov has developed a new type of rifle that allows I came to Nizhny Novgorod to find out the situation. As soon as I got off the train, I rushed to the machinery factory and personally observed the shooting of this automatic rifle in their test range. The effect greatly exceeded my expectations. If Unless I saw it with my own eyes, I would have thought that Ustinov’s words were a bit exaggerated.”
"Comrade General," Yakov waited for Bragonravov to finish and then asked, "Do you think this kind of automatic rifle can be installed in the army as soon as possible?"
Yakov's words silenced Bragonlavov. After a long time, he said: "Captain Yakov, it is undeniable that this new automatic rifle will be of great help to improve the combat effectiveness of our army after it is equipped with troops. However, our current production capacity is seriously insufficient. It is very difficult to put this kind of weapon into mass production in the short term.”
Bragonravov might be afraid that Sokov would be too preoccupied, so he specifically explained to him: "Major Sokov, although not long after the war broke out, many of our military-industrial enterprises lost their machinery and equipment and factory backbones. , have been transported to the original area. However, these equipment cannot be put into production as soon as they are unloaded. There is also a process of resite selection and installation. As a result, the production capacity of many military industrial enterprises that have moved eastwards has so far not been enough. to one-third of that before the war. Therefore, the production of this new automatic rifle may be delayed indefinitely."
Sokov strongly agrees with Bragonravov's statement. Many posts he had read before said that the equipment of Soviet military industrial enterprises was put into production immediately next to the railway as soon as it was unloaded. This was just the author's imagination. Not to mention that many equipment cannot work without reinstallation. Even the most common equipment such as lathes, milling machines, and planers will still be unable to produce if they cannot provide stable power supply.
It was out of this consideration that Sokov waited for Bragonlavov to finish speaking and then immediately continued: "Comrade General, I understand the difficulties that military-industrial enterprises are facing today. As far as I know, don't say this The newly developed automatic rifle cannot be mass-produced in the short term, and even the production of Popov submachine guns that continue on the front line is very limited. So far, only a few troops are equipped with this powerful weapon."
Seeing Sokov being so reasonable, Bragonlavov had another smile on his face. He looked at Sokov and said: "Major Sokov, judging from the new rocket launchers and new automatic rifles you designed, you are a genius in the military industry. What do you think, are you interested in working in the Weapons and Equipment Department?"
Ustinov had originally proposed to let Sokov work in the weapons and equipment department, but Sokov refused. Bragonravov is bringing up old matters now, simply because he values Sokov's ability and hopes to arrange him to work in a place where he can better utilize his abilities.
However, Sokov had already made up his mind that he would not work in the Weapons and Equipment Department under any circumstances. Not to mention that there are no opportunities to make achievements here. No matter how outstanding you are, in the end you will just be a general. It is better to stay in the field army and have more opportunities to make achievements. More importantly, there are only these two new weapons under his command. If he really goes to the weapons and equipment department, he will not be able to "design" new weapons that surpass this era.
It was based on this consideration that Sokov immediately rejected the suggestion put forward by Bragonlavov: "Comrade General, I design weapons just on a whim. You want me to be a designer in the weapons and equipment department. I’m really not that material. Relatively speaking, I think I prefer to stay on the front line.”
"Comrade Major," although Sokov had clearly stated that he did not want to go to the weapons and equipment department, Bragonlavov still reluctantly persuaded him: "the two weapons you designed are enough to prove that you ability. If you are worried that you will not be able to design better weapons in the future, I can arrange for you to study at a high-level military mechanical college. After you have mastered more professional knowledge, you can then work in the weapons and equipment department. You see, How about this arrangement?"
"Comrade General, I still stick to my original opinion." Sokov was afraid that Bragonravov would misunderstand his meaning and think that he was retreating in order to advance, so he explained: "I think I am more suitable to stay here. On the front lines, fighting the fascist invaders face to face.”
Seeing Sokov's stubbornness, Bragonravov did not give up his last effort. He said: "Comrade Major, this is related to your future. I hope you can think about it carefully when you go back. Let's do this. I will take the opportunity tomorrow afternoon. The two o'clock train returns to Moscow. If you change your mind, tell me your final decision before we set off."
After saying all this, Bragonravov told Yakov: "Captain Yakov, call over the officers who are traveling with you. I want to ask how their work is progressing."
Yakov was about to leave the office, so Sokov naturally couldn't stay. He raised his hand and saluted Bragonravov, then turned and walked out of the office.
Since Yakov cannot leave yet, Sokov can only leave alone. When he just reached the stairs, he met Kurt head-on. The engineer looked around and saw that there was no one around, then lowered his voice and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Major, does General Bragonravov want you to go to the Weapons and Equipment Department?"
Sokov raised his eyebrows and asked: "Comrade Engineer, who did you listen to?"
"Who else can I listen to? Of course I can guess it myself." Kurk shrugged his shoulders and said to Sokov: "I have known Bragonlavov for not more than a year or two, and I have no idea about his character. , I know it very well. And before you two came to the office, he mentioned you several times when chatting with me, saying that you are a rare talent. If he cannot call you to the weapons and equipment department, it will be his biggest problem. dereliction of duty……"
Kurk's words made Sokov realize that Bragonlavov was inevitable for him. If he didn't have a suitable reason, the chance of returning to the army would be very slim. Sokov didn't hear what else Kurk said later, and he couldn't even remember how he got back to the guest house.
Sokov was lying on the bed in the guest house, thinking in his mind: How should he reject Bragonlavov tomorrow so that he would give up the idea of pulling him into the weapons and equipment department?
Leaving him overnight without saying goodbye and secretly returning to the army? This idea was rejected by Sokov as soon as it came up. He is currently on a business trip in Nizhny Novgorod as a temporary representative of the Weapons and Equipment Department. If he sneaks away quietly, if he is caught, he may be regarded as a deserter. If you deal with it, you may become an unjust ghost.
But if he continues to stay, Blagonlavov will try every means to persuade him to join the weapons and equipment department, and even ask Yakov to be a lobbyist. What should he do then?
