After the room returned to calm, Sokov felt extremely tired, so he closed his eyes and wanted to rest for a while, but the burning pain from the wound made him feel particularly awake.
Since he couldn't sleep anyway, he began to think about how to deal with this crisis: for whatever reason, hundreds of commanders and soldiers surrounded the new brigade commander. The nature of this thing was really bad. If the internal affairs personnel of the group army's special service section knew about this and wanted to pursue the matter, I'm afraid it would be difficult to save the lives of those battalion commanders even if they personally begged Chuikov.
Seeing Sokov's eyes closed, Asiya said softly to Yakov who was sitting beside the bed: "Comrade Major, I'm going to take care of the wounded. I'll ask you to take care of me here."
Yakov quickly stood up and said politely to Asiya: "Asiya, go ahead and do your work, I'm here." After hearing Yakov's reply, Asiya smiled and nodded at him. Then he walked out of the ward quietly.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Asiya walked out of the ward, Sokov opened his eyes and asked Yakov in a low voice: "Yakov, you know everything. Tell me how your superiors will deal with it." ?" Sokov knew very well in his heart. Even though he had thousands of people under his control now, he really didn't know how to deal with such crimes. The only person who could turn to him now was sitting in the office. Yakov beside his bed.
Although Sokov's question was confusing, Yakov knew what he was asking about. He stared at Sokov lying on the bed, and then said slowly: "What if in the past few years? If something like this happens, both the battalion commander and the soldiers below will be sent to a military court."
"Yakov, I'm not asking about the past few years." When Sokov heard what Yakov said, he muttered to himself: even the future Marshal Rokossovsky was affected by the great purges in the past few years. He almost lost his life on an unfounded charge, let alone an ordinary cadre and soldier. He was eager to come up with a solution before Belkin arrived, so he urged the other party: "I'm asking about this matter, how will they deal with it after the superiors find out about it?"
Yakov was silent for a long time before he said: "The situation in Stalingrad is not optimistic now. Once the German army captures Mamayev Heights, they may cut off the connection between the city and the other side. At that time, the city will be destroyed." It may not be able to be saved. In this case, as long as the city can be defended, even if something bad happens, I think the people at the Ministry of Internal Affairs will turn a blind eye to such a thing."
After listening to Yakov's words, Sokov's heart in his throat finally returned to his stomach. He couldn't help but think to himself: As long as the superiors don't pursue this matter, there will be room for change. After Belkin arrives, I will discuss with him how to deal with the aftermath.
A few minutes later, Belkin came in from outside, but he was not alone, and was accompanied by a colonel. Sokov had been to the Army Headquarters many times, and naturally knew the people around Belkin, who was Colonel Vitkov, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army. He couldn't help but be secretly surprised: "What's going on? How long did it take for the commanders and soldiers to surround the new brigade commander? Why did the commander send the deputy chief of staff to handle the matter?"
"Comrade Brigadier," Belgin said with a surprise expression on his face when he saw Sokov lying on the bed: "You look good. I believe it won't take long for the injury to heal."
After Sokov and Belkin exchanged polite words, he turned to Vitkov who was standing aside, and asked with some guilt: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, why are you here? Do you have any new instructions from your superiors?"
"Comrade Brigadier, I forgot to introduce you." When Belkin heard Sokov's question, he quickly answered before Vitkov: "Colonel Vitkov is the newly appointed acting brigade commander. He will I will take over your command while you recover."
"I'm sorry, Colonel Vitkov." When he learned that the deputy chief of staff of the group army in front of him was actually the new brigade commander who came to take over his post and was besieged by the soldiers, Sokov couldn't help being shocked. He said with some embarrassment. : "I heard that you were surrounded by some commanders and fighters when you first took office. I apologize to you for their impolite behavior."
Unexpectedly, Vitkov waved his hand and said magnanimously: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, this matter has been clarified. It is a complete misunderstanding. They thought that my superiors sent me as the brigade commander to remove you." , so he led his people around the brigade headquarters and asked me for an explanation."
Although Vitkov behaved so grandly on this matter, Sokov couldn't help but express a little. He turned his head to Belkin and said to him: "Comrade political commissar, call me all the battalion commanders who are making trouble. Come here and let them apologize to Colonel Vitkov in front of me.”
"Comrade Brigadier, the battalion commanders are here, they are outside." Belkin seemed to have guessed what Sokov would say. As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately replied: "I will tell you right now." Call them all in." After saying that, Sokov walked directly to the door without waiting for instructions, and said to the outside, "Don't stand in the corridor in a daze, everyone come in."
Following a rush of footsteps, several officers walked into the ward, filling Sokov's ward of only about ten square meters. Sokov counted the officers who had just come in. There were six of them. He couldn't help but frown slightly and thought to himself that there were only five battalion commanders in the brigade. Why did six of them appear? His eyes swept over the faces of the six newly arrived officers one by one, and found that except for the five battalion commanders, the remaining one was the political deputy commander of the fourth battalion.
"Let's talk about it," Sokov stared at the battalion commanders and asked with a straight face: "What happened today? Who gave you the right to besiege the superior commander?"
"Comrade Brigadier, it's all my fault." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, the deputy commander of the fourth battalion stepped forward and took the initiative to admit his mistake to Sokov: "I made a mistake. I saw that my superiors sent another A new brigade commander has arrived, and I thought they were going to remove you from your post, so I contacted the battalion commanders and went to find an explanation from the new brigade commander."
The words of the political deputy battalion commander caused a look of surprise on Sokov's face. He thought to himself: As expected of a person engaged in political work, he was able to summon the battalion commanders together in such a short period of time to take measures. Join forces to seek justice for yourself. Thinking of this, he turned to ask Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, didn't you remind me some time ago that the brigade political department should be established as soon as possible?"
"Yes, I did say that." Belkin didn't know why Sokov suddenly mentioned this matter, so he nodded and said: "There are enough political workers, but there is no suitable candidate to serve as director. If you want to do it as soon as possible, If the political department of the brigade is in the city, I can temporarily serve as the director."
"No need, I already have a suitable candidate." After Sokov said this, he turned to look at the political deputy battalion commander and asked: "I'm sorry, comrade deputy battalion commander, what is your name? "
"My name is Dmitri." The deputy political battalion commander replied quickly.
"Our superiors have ordered us to establish the brigade political department many times. Since we have not found a suitable director, the establishment of the political department has been delayed again and again." Sokov looked at the other party and said: "From now on, you will act as deputy director." Director of the Brigade Political Department, the formal appointment will be officially issued after approval by superiors. As for the personnel of the Political Department, you will be staffed by Comrade Political Commissar."
Dmitry never imagined that he would be suddenly appointed as acting director of the Political Department. He couldn't help but be so surprised that he didn't know what to say for a while. It was not until the battalion commanders standing nearby extended their hands to him and shook hands to express their congratulations that he gratefully said to Sokov: "Thank you, Comrade Brigade Commander, I will work hard to live up to your trust in me. "
After the special appointment, Sokov looked at the battalion commanders standing beside the hospital bed and said: "Comrade commanders, when I heard that you took your soldiers to find justice for me, When the new brigade commander asked for an explanation, I was really moved. I would like to express my gratitude to you!" After speaking, he raised his right hand to his forehead and saluted everyone with a solemn military salute. The battalion commanders did not expect Sokov to salute them, so they hurriedly raised their hands to return the salute.
After Sokov removed his hand from his forehead, he straightened his face and continued: "I am very grateful for what you have done, but I still want to criticize you a few words here. The 73rd Infantry Brigade is The army of the Soviet motherland is not the army of Sokov alone. Whoever is appointed by the superiors to serve as brigade commander must have their reasons. As a subordinate, he can only unconditionally execute the orders issued by his superiors. Vitkov The colonel doesn't want to argue with you. Let's forget this time. If a similar incident happens next time, or if anyone dares to violate the orders given by Colonel Vitkov, I will personally take him to a military court. You guys Do you understand?"
"I understand!" several battalion commanders replied in unison.
Sokov waved his hands at them and said: "Now that you understand everything, let's go to our respective troops. Explain the matter clearly to the soldiers to avoid similar extreme behavior in the future."
After sending the battalion commanders away, Sokov once again apologized to Vitkov: "Colonel Vitkov, I promise you that nothing like this will happen again in the future."
Vitkov saw that the battalion commanders were like docile little sheep in front of Sokov, which was completely different from the attitude of loudly questioning him, and he understood Sokov's status in the hearts of the battalion commanders. How high is it. At this moment, seeing Sokov repeatedly apologizing to himself, he still didn't understand what the other party was worried about, so he smiled and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I really didn't expect that your prestige in the army is so high. I don’t even dare to show my anger in front of you. Don’t worry, now that I have figured out that this is just a misunderstanding, the matter ends here, and I will not report it to my superiors.”
After receiving this assurance from Vitkov, not only Sokov but also Belkin breathed a sigh of relief. Although this matter is a bit excessive, as long as the person concerned does not pursue the matter, the superiors will not have the energy to intervene.
Perhaps in order to improve his relationship with Sokov, Vitkov asked about his injury with concern, and then continued: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, is there anything I can do for you?"
Without waiting for Sokov's answer, Asya, who was worried about Sokov's injury, returned to the ward. When she saw the political commissar standing in the room, she quickly greeted: "Comrade political commissar, you are here!"
"I'm here." Belkin nodded, and then asked Asiya curiously: "Where have you been? Why don't you stay in the ward to take care of Comrade Brigade Commander?"
"I just went to take care of the patient." After Asiya said this, she suddenly found a colonel standing in the room. She quickly stood at attention and raised her hand to salute: "Hello, comrade colonel."
Seeing Asiya standing there in a daze, Sokov quickly explained to her: "This is Colonel Vitkov, deputy chief of staff of the group army. While I am recovering from my injury, he will temporarily command the troops on my behalf."
"Hello, Comrade Asiya." On the way to the ward, Vitkov heard Belkin talk about the relationship between Sokov and Asiya. While shaking hands with Asiya, Vitkov habitually said Ask: "Is there anything I can do to help?"
If Witkov hadn't asked this question, Asya might have had a small chat with him, checked Sokov's injury, and then turned around and left. But now that he asked, Asiya thought for a moment and actually made her request: "Comrade Colonel, can you provide us with a batch of gas lamps for lighting?"
"Gas lamp?!" Upon hearing Asiya's request, Vitkov asked in surprise: "What do you want a gas lamp for?"
Asiya pointed to the gas lamp hanging on the wall, and then said: "What else can be done, of course, it is used for lighting. In addition to the gas lamps used for lighting in the wards, these gas lamps are also used in the operating room. "At this point, Asiya turned to look at Belkin and continued, "Comrade Political Commissar, there are only four gas lamps in the operating room, and the light cannot reach the light required for the operation. For example, if Misha is undergoing surgery today, under normal circumstances Under this condition, the operation could be completed within an hour at most, but due to insufficient lighting, it took military doctor Pavlov almost an extra hour to find the location of the bullet..."
Asiya's words made everyone in the ward understand why today's operation took so long. It was because the light was too dark and the military doctor couldn't see the position of the bullet clearly, which led to the extension of the operation time. Fortunately, Sokov's injury was not too serious. If he encountered a seriously injured person, he might lose his life due to the delay in the operation time.
After Vitkov figured out what was going on, he took the initiative to express his position without waiting for Sokov or Belkin to say: "Comrade Asiya, don't worry, I will have someone replenish your gas lamps as soon as possible. Even if there are no gas lamps in the brigade, , I will also ask the Army Headquarters to supplement us."
Perhaps because he was worried that Sokov and Belkin had other ideas, he specifically explained to them: "Under the current situation, no one can guarantee that they will not be injured, because it is still necessary to improve the environment of the health team. Yes. I don’t want to see the wounded die on the operating table because of insufficient lighting in the operating room. Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, Political Commissar Belkin, do you think I’m right?”
