red moscow

Chapter 2916

If Khabarov had given other reasons, Alekhin could still find a way to persuade him, but staying on the front line and fighting the enemy to find inspiration for developing firearms was too powerful a reason. Even if Alekhin wanted to persuade him, he didn't know where to start.

"Comrade Alekhin," Sokov asked Alekhin tentatively, "Now that we have the detailed drawings, how long will it take to produce a prototype?"

Alehin thought for a moment and replied, "Now is war time, the military industry is working very efficiently. As long as we have detailed drawings, it will take at most two days to make a sample gun. But Comrade Khabarov also said that this new rifle uses a new high-powered bullet that is between pistol bullets and rifle bullets, which will take more time. I think we can make a sample gun and the matching bullets in about a week."

"It takes a week to produce the prototype gun and the matching bullets?" Sokov had "developed" the AK47 in his previous life, so he knew that the one week mentioned by Alekhin was relatively fast. However, he still pretended to be puzzled and said, "That's a pity. We won't be able to equip the troops in time."

Alehin looked at Sokov in confusion and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, although we now have complete drawings, we haven't even manufactured the sample guns yet, let alone checked their performance. How can we possibly equip them to the troops?"

"Comrade Alekhin, have you forgotten that there is an important day in a week?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Alekhin looked at Sokov and said word by word: "Everyone in our country should remember what day it was. Every year on that day, a grand celebration and military parade is held on Red Square."

At this point, he paused for a moment, sighed heavily, and then said with regret: "But given the situation this year, there may not be any celebrations, let alone a grand military parade."

When everyone heard what Alehin said, they all felt the same way and a sad expression appeared on their faces.

Sokov and Khabarov, who came from the future, naturally knew that this year's October Festival was still a grand military parade like in previous years. After leaving Red Square, the infantry participating in the parade boarded the trucks parked by the Moscow River and headed directly to the front line.

Sokov and Khabarov smiled at each other and said to Alekhin: "Comrade Alekhin, you are too pessimistic. The more serious the situation is, the more we need to hold celebrations and military parades to inspire the people of the country to defeat the enemy and achieve final victory. Maybe this year's celebrations and military parades will be held as usual."

When Sokov said this, everyone's faces showed surprise.

Karsokov, in particular, could not help asking, "Comrade Brigade Commander, you went to Moscow to carry out a special mission some time ago. Did you hear any gossip?"

"There is no such thing as gossip." Although Sokov knew that everyone was looking forward to this kind of exciting good news, only a limited number of people knew about the Red Square parade this year. If he leaked the news too early, it would certainly help stabilize the military and boost morale, but it would also cause him some unnecessary trouble. So he shook his head and denied it, "This is just my speculation."

Hearing what Sokov said, Alehin's face was immediately filled with disappointment, and the others were similar.

Only Khabarov showed a look of astonishment after hearing this. He didn't understand why Sokov didn't say it when it was such exciting good news. However, he was no longer as reckless as he had been a few days ago, rashly expressing his doubts in public. He just looked at Sokov in confusion and said nothing.

After seeing off Alekhin, Khabarov couldn't help but ask Sokov: "Misha, why didn't you tell him the truth? You know, this is good news that can help stabilize the army's morale and boost morale."

Sokov turned his head and looked at Khabarov, and said seriously: "Anton, answer me a question first."

Khabarov panicked and asked nervously, "What's the problem?"

"It's still a week before October Festival." Sokov asked expressionlessly, "Who do you think knows this news now?"

"Of course, it must be someone from the Supreme Command." Khabarov said thoughtfully, "Not only the main person in charge in Moscow knows about this, I'm afraid even Zhukov knows about it."

"And what about Rokossovsky? Does he know?"

After Sokov asked this question, without waiting for Khabarov to answer, he continued, "Comrade Zhdanov, the head of Leningrad, does he know this news?"

After hearing Sokov's second question, Khabarov pondered for a long time, and finally shook his head slowly, then said: "I remember reading in a book that it was mentioned that Zhdanov only found out the day before October Day that this year's celebration and military parade would be held as usual."

"Anton, do you know what this means?"

At this point, Khabarov finally understood what Sokov meant. "Misha, I understand. Due to the outbreak of the war, especially after October, all the important factories, enterprises and institutions in Moscow were moved to Kuibyshev. Under such circumstances, most people believed that this year's celebration and military parade were cancelled. In order to confuse the enemy and prevent bombing on that day, the Supreme Command kept the matter strictly confidential and limited the number of people who knew about it to a very small range."

Seeing that Khabarov had figured out what was going on, Sokov nodded and said, "That's right. We know that the October Day parade will go on as usual because we come from the future. For us, this upcoming event is history that has already happened. If we rashly leak this matter out and our superiors investigate, it will probably cause unnecessary trouble for you and me. That's why I deliberately said that this was my own guess."

Although it was already cold November, Khabarov was still scared and broke into a cold sweat. He took off his cotton military cap, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with lingering fear: "Misha, you are thoughtful, otherwise we would have been in trouble."

Sokov waved his hand, signaling Khabarov not to worry about it, and then asked: "Besides the AK47, what other weapons are you going to design next?"

The last time Sokov traveled through time, he invented AK47, anti-tank rockets, 107 rocket launchers, and a not-so-successful hovercraft. Now, Khabarov, who is more familiar with weapons, has traveled through time with him. I wonder what weapons he can "invent" in advance?
Khabarov thought for a while and said, "Misha, after observing for some time, I found that fighting against the German army is actually an anti-tank battle. Today's anti-tank weapons are a bit powerless against German tanks. I plan to draw the blueprint of the RPG-7 rocket launcher as soon as possible and try to get the military industry to mass-produce it as soon as possible..."

"Anton, although our troops are in urgent need of anti-tank weapons, it seems a little early to launch the RPG-7 rocket launcher now."

"What, you think it's a bit too early to launch this kind of weapon now?"

Sokov nodded and explained to Khabarov: "You just drew the blueprint of AK47, and a few days later, you drew the blueprint of RPG-7 rocket launcher. Do you think this will arouse suspicion from others? Even the most outstanding weapons experts can never design two such excellent weapons in such a short time." "Then when do you think it is appropriate to launch this weapon?"

"I think the best time is during the second Battle of Kharkov next year," said Sokov. "As you know, after the disastrous defeat in Kharkov, the German army quickly advanced eastward, and two months later, the famous Battle of Stalingrad broke out. If the troops defending Stalingrad had a batch of anti-tank rockets, it would be relatively easy to defend the city."

"Well, you make sense." Khabarov nodded. "Then I won't draw the blueprints for the rocket launcher for now. It won't be too late to draw new weapon blueprints after the AK47 assault rifles are deployed in a small range."

After Sokov and Khabarov chatted for a while, they turned around and returned to the brigade headquarters.

Seeing Sokov enter the tent, Karsokov couldn't help but smile and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I see that you have a good relationship with Comrade Khabarov. You often chat there, and sometimes you chat for most of the day."

Sokov laughed and explained, "I think he is a talent. Didn't you notice that he designed a new rifle just two days after joining the army? And judging from the tone of Comrade Alehin's words, after he returns to the Armament Department and verifies the drawings, he will be able to start manufacturing the prototype gun immediately. I chatted with him only to provide him with some inspiration for designing weapons."

"Oh, I see."

"How is the situation in front of the positions of the several battalions?" Sokov changed the microphone in time: "Have you found any signs of enemy activities?"

"No, there are no traces of the enemy in front of the positions of several battalions." Karsokov replied: "The Second Battalion has laid new minefields in front of their positions and repaired most of the fortifications."

Sokov nodded and continued to ask, "What about the fourth battalion's position?"

"The position of the Fourth Battalion is under enemy surveillance," Karsokov said. "According to Major Vasya's report, the engineers responsible for laying mines were bombarded by enemy mortars or machine guns as soon as they left the fortifications, resulting in several casualties..."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov immediately ordered Karsokov after hearing this: "Tell Major Vasya that the minefield in front of the position must be restored as soon as possible, otherwise the enemy can rush directly to the front of their position in one breath when launching a new attack."

"Comrade Brigade Commander, I haven't finished what I was saying yet." Karsokov waited for Sokov to finish and continued to report: "Major Vasya said that the soldiers laying mines during the day are vulnerable to enemy attacks. He plans to arrange personnel to lay mines after dark."

While we were arranging the defense, the phone on the table rang.

Sokov picked up the microphone and put it to his ear. Rokossovsky's voice immediately came from the receiver: "Misha, this is Rokossovsky!"

After recognizing Rokossovsky's voice, Sokov, who was sitting, immediately stood up and said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Commander, what instructions do you have?"

"It's not really an instruction. I just want to ask, is that weapons expert still in your brigade?"

"Comrade Commander, I have arranged for someone to take him back to the headquarters. I believe he will appear in front of you soon."

"That's good, that's good." Rokossovsky said with a smile: "The Armament Department sent someone to me to look for him. Since he has returned, I will tell that comrade about this."

Sokov heard that someone from the Armaments Department had come to the Army Headquarters to look for Alekhin, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He chatted for a few words and was about to hang up the phone. Suddenly, Rokossovsky asked, "By the way, Misha, did the soldier who designed the weapon come back with Comrade Alekhin?"

"No, Comrade Commander, the soldier did not go to the army headquarters with Comrade Alekhin."

Rokossovsky frowned when he heard this: "Why?"

"Comrade Commander, the soldier told me that he wanted to stay at the front." Sokov quickly brought out the explanation he had discussed with Khabarov in advance: "He felt that only by seeing the enemy and us fighting on the battlefield could he be inspired to design new weapons."

Rokossovsky didn't expect Sokov to come up with such an irrefutable reason. After a long silence, he said, "Okay, Misha, since the soldier doesn't want to go to the weapons and equipment department, I won't force him. I remind you that he is an amazing talent. You must protect your eyes and ensure his safety. How about it, can you do it?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sokov thought to himself, even if something happens to me, I can't let anything happen to Khabarov. If anything happens to him, his plan to return to the future will be completely ruined. So he patted his chest and assured the other party: "Even if I sacrifice my life, I will ensure his safety."

The conversation between Sokov and Rokossovsky was heard clearly by Karsokov who was standing next to them.

As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he immediately asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you think the commander also wants Comrade Khabarov to go to the Armaments Department?"

"He does have such a plan, but I cannot agree with it." Looking at Karsokov's surprised expression, Sokov explained to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't forget. Comrade Khabarov, in addition to designing new weapons, is also responsible for searching for hidden arsenals and solving the important task of supplying us with ammunition and materials. If he goes to the weapons and equipment department, then we will not get any replenishment from our superiors, and we will soon be in a dilemma of running out of ammunition and food."

After Sokov's reminder, Karsokov immediately remembered that Khabarov had another identity, that is, the captain of the search team. His mission was to search for the dense arsenal hidden in the forest and solve the problem of supplying combat materials for the troops.

"That's right, that's right." Karsokov nodded vigorously and agreed with Sokov's statement: "Khabarov has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. If he leaves, there will be no one in the brigade who can replace him."

(End of this chapter)