Chapter 1509

The expression on Zhukov's face didn't change when he heard the award. After all, his chest was covered with medals. Even if he had one or two more, it didn't matter to him. However, out of politeness, he casually asked, "Comrade Antonov, I don't know what medal the supreme command has decided to award me?"

"After the study of the supreme command," Antonov said slowly, "in recognition of your excellent command ability in the war and your great victory, I have decided to award you the medal of victory, which represents the highest military merit."

"What? The medal of victory? " When Zhukov heard that Antonov had said the types of medals, he could not help being moved: "Comrade deputy chief of general staff, are you right? As far as I know, no one has received such a medal so far. "

"Yes, comrade marshal." Antonov said with a smile: "the medal of victory was set up on November 8, 1943 on the order of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. This is the commander's medal, which is specially awarded to the most senior commanders of the Soviet armed forces who successfully completed one or more large-scale campaigns participated in by the front forces and whose strategic situation has changed in favor of our army. The number of the medal you received is that Zhukov, who was in a good mood, stood up, took the hand that sokolovsky extended, and said friendly, "thank you, Vasili danilovic!"

Then kleinukov went forward to congratulate Zhukov, and said with a smile: "marshal, I have seen the pattern of the medal of victory, which is a shining five pointed star with a white edge and a red background. In the middle is the design of the Kremlin surrounded by oak leaves. The top of the design is the abbreviation of" Soviet Union "and the bottom is the abbreviation of" victory ". It is said that the cost of the medal of victory is very high. The design of the Kremlin is made of gold. The blue sky is sapphire, the red ground is ruby, and the white edge and light are made of white gold bars inlaid with diamonds. "

"Thank you, comrade military Commissar." Zhukov took kleinukov's hand and said with a smile, "I like the oak tree on the medal. The oak tree is a symbol of courage."

As they spoke, I tried to recall in my mind what I knew about the medal of victory. I soon summed up two characteristics: one is that the medal is the one with the least number of people among all the famous medals in the world. All the people who are awarded the medal are at a high level. Without exception, they are all senior commanders or heads of state of the army, and the lowest level is the general. By the time I crossed, I had awarded 20 medals to 17 people, including Stalin, Zhukov and vasilevsky.

Just when I was thinking in my heart, if I could cross back, whether I should take Zhukov's medal away and sell it at a high price for later generations, so as to feel the feeling of becoming a rich man. Suddenly I heard sokolovsky calling me in a low voice: "Comrade oshanina, comrade oshanina!"

I was so absorbed in my thoughts that sokolovskilian called several times, which awakened me from my meditation. I looked at him blankly and asked, "chief of staff, what's the matter?"

Sokolovsky did not speak, but toward the direction of Zhukov nuzui. Seeing his little action, I knew immediately that it was my turn to congratulate Zhukov. I coughed softly, then walked quickly to the table, reached out to Zhukov, and politely said, "Comrade marshal, I wish you a" thank you, Rita, thank you! " Zhukov covered my hand with his warm and powerful hand. After shaking it hard for a few times, he stopped and said to me apologetically, "Rita, you are from rokosovsky. Originally, I wanted you to exercise here for a period of time to prepare for you to take over a certain army in the future. But... But... "

Although Zhukov only said half of what he said, I understood what he meant. He was worried that people would leave and I would not be able to gain a foothold in the first front army of Ukraine after he left. It is not realistic for me to go back to the sixth group army, because the higher authorities have officially appointed chisjakov as commander; If after Zhukov left, my superiors would also transfer me, and my only place to go was to work in a certain city.

However, in front of Zhukov, I still pretended to be indifferent: "marshal, thank you for your concern. But don't worry. I think you're going back to Moscow this time because the Supreme Commander himself intends to let you have a good rest out of his love for you. It won't be long before you command the troops again and launch a new offensive campaign. "

Zhukov was stunned for a moment when he heard my answer. Then he asked in a low voice, "will the second battlefield really be opened up?"

I nodded and answered in the same voice: "Britain and the United States see that the German army is a little overwhelmed by our strong attack. If they don't open up a second battlefield in Europe as soon as possible, their interests will be affected. " Although I understand the reasons why Britain and the United States are reluctant to open the second campaign through the later declassified materials, at this time, I can only use other reasons to deal with Zhukov.

After listening to my opinion, Zhukov pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Rita, you have a good point. I guess that's the real situation."

I took a sneak look at sokolovsky and kleinukov standing nearby. They were talking in a low voice. They didn't seem to notice what Zhukov and I were talking about at all, and they were a little more stable. At this time, a staff officer walked up to us quickly, straightened his back and reported to Zhukov, "marshal, I just received a call from the airport saying that marshal konev's plane landed five minutes ago, and they are coming towards the headquarters."“ Is konev here? " After listening to the staff officer's report, Zhukov's face immediately became serious. He said to me with a wry smile, "I didn't expect him to come so soon!"“ Marshal, "sokolovsky also heard the staff officer's report, so he stopped talking with kleinukov, went to Zhukov and asked," do you need to send someone to meet them? "“ No, comrade chief of staff, no need to meet. " Zhukov waved his hand and said, "konev doesn't care about these superficial articles. You'd better get ready to hand over the work to them as soon as possible."