Steel Soviet Union

After this unpleasant episode ended, Malashenko, who was in a hurry, finally got his wish and saw Zhukov who was busy in the command room with compasses, pencils and other drawing tools and working in front of the war zone map. General, the courage currently weighing on the shoulders of the Red Army God of War is much heavier than most people expect.

The sound of gentle footsteps entering the office quietly interrupted the thoughts that were constantly running in Zhukov's mind. A pair of thick panda eyes outlined by dark circles immediately raised his head and saw the visitor in front of him.

"Sit down, Comrade Malashenko, this way."

Silently, he raised his hand and saluted the Red Army God of War in front of him. The haggard and extremely tired look on Zhukov's face made it difficult for Malashenko to even speak loudly in his report. I can't bear it.

For a long time, Zhukov, who has appeared in the photos and memories of later generations, has always shown his strong and perseverance to the world. As long as he sees the portraits and photos of this Red Army God of War who led the Soviet Red Army to defeat all enemies in his way, it seems that he Can give people strength.

But now Zhukov, who looked exhausted in front of Malashenko, had gone through countless sleepless nights. His still determined and brave heart could not hide his physical toil, and he stood up the Leningrad Front Army alone. The flag-bearing Zhukov is working day and night to defend the motherland at the expense of his body.

"Comrade Commander, you should pay attention to rest and take care of yourself. You look like you are several years older than the last time we met. The Red Army soldiers in Leningrad still need your leadership."

Since arriving in Leningrad, he has heard such kind advice countless times in just a few days. Zhukov, with a tired look on his face and a forced indifferent smile, then spoke softly.

"Compared to you front-line soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the front line, my work in the headquarters is nothing. Fatigue and fatigue will never be sharper than the bayonets of Nazi fascism."

The slightly hoarse voice and the already cold water glass on the table made people feel extremely bad. After changing the subject, Zhukov immediately returned to the topic.

"Colonel Donskoi repeatedly emphasized the bravery and tenacity of you and your troops in the telegram. Chief of Staff Khozin told me that he was a very brave and tenacious Cossack. His father and his uncle were both of us. A previous generation of cavalrymen in the Red Army, you obviously have his friendship and recognition."

The Cossack cavalry, who are brave and unafraid of sacrifice, have been relied upon as the mainstay of the Red Army since the day it was established. To be recognized by this group of brave men galloping on the grassland, this is very important for an army that respects the strong. It's an honor.

"I am very grateful to Colonel Donskoi for recognizing me, Comrade Commander. The 21st Border Guard Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also fought bravely and tenaciously on their positions. I witnessed with my own eyes Colonel Donskoi and the political commissar of their division. They personally went into battle and commanded the troops to repel the Germans who invaded the position. I admire them extremely for their fearlessness and courage."

Zhukov, who was listening to Malashenko's words, had already taken out a document that was not too thick from his desk drawer. The dark yellow cardboard cover had obvious signs of repeated turning and was already somewhat wrinkled.

Without letting Malashenko, who was wondering whether he should accept the document, hesitate for too long, Zhukov, who spoke quietly, immediately revealed the real purpose of summoning Malashenko to report to the front army headquarters.

"Supreme Leader Comrade Stalin instructed me to make a summary of our Red Army's future tank development plan. At the same time, we must also judge and predict the possible future development and improvement directions of the German armored forces based on the frontline battle conditions."

"Your words on analyzing the future development of the German armored forces are still fresh in my memory. This summary document will be related to the design ideas and development direction of the next generation of tanks of our Red Army. It will also be of great help to the subsequent armored forces against the Germans. will be particularly important.”

"I hope you can boldly write down your true inner thoughts and inferences in this document, just like the things you told me personally last time."

The words from Zhukov made Malashenko, who had never expected the result to be like this, a little stunned. This kind of summary document related to the future development direction of the Red Army tank force actually came to solicit his opinions, affecting The future strategic posture of the Soviet and German armies and even the success or failure of the war came too suddenly.

He stretched out his hands and solemnly took the document, which seemed to weigh as much as a thousand kilograms, from Zhukov's hand. Malashenko, who felt as if he had knocked over a spice box, had mixed feelings in his heart. After thinking for a long time, Malashenko finally raised his head. He came to speak uncertainly to Zhukov in front of him.

"Comrade Commander, I am not sure whether my analytical inferences are absurd in the eyes of our Red Army tank designers and experts. I can only make inferences based on the suggestions I think are correct based on the German armored forces I have come into contact with. I hope this doesn’t have any negative impact.”

He could hear the worry in Malashenko's hesitant words. Knowing what Malashenko was worried about, Zhukov waved his hand casually.

"You don't have to worry about this issue. After all, no one can know what will happen in the future now. We can only try our best to speculate on possible situations and results."

"Bold suggestions and inferences based on reality and actual combat conditions on the front line are necessary. In this regard, your suggestions will play a very important role for the tank designer team in the rear. They also want to know about the elite Red Army tank units on the front line. What are your thoughts and analysis of the German armored forces?”

The words he spoke to Malashenko were full of confidence. Zhukov, who had already learned the truth from his loving father, Comrade Stalin, had reason to feel confident.

"So you don't have to worry about the rumors and the persecution of villains. After all, the times are different now. My signature will also be signed on this document. Just go ahead and do it, Malashenko."

Being able to speak like this as a high-ranking general commander undoubtedly shows Zhukov's support for Malashenko. The phone call urging Zhukov from his loving father Stalin already hinted that the Red Army Tank Seminar promised by Stalin himself was imminent.

A new tank produced a week earlier and put into mass production may change the duration of a battle or even the final outcome.

Zhukov, who has an unusually accurate grasp of battlefield timing, naturally knows how important time is.