red moscow

Chapter 3133

“The area controlled by the Odessa Military District is not small, but arranging for more than 200,000 veterans at once is probably not an easy task.” Sokov paused for a moment before slowly saying, “Although the principle is that they should go back to where they came from, I estimate that many people will not obey the arrangements made for them. After all, many people’s mentality has changed after the war. They have seen the outside world and are no longer content to return to their original life trajectory.”

“You’re right, Misha.” Lukin nodded in agreement after Sokov finished speaking. “Indeed, many soldiers who were supposed to return to the collective farms felt that life in the village couldn’t compare to that in the city, and they refused to comply with the arrangements, choosing to stay in the city and thus becoming a destabilizing factor. This situation has occurred in many areas under the jurisdiction of the military district, especially in large cities like Odessa, which have attracted a large number of veterans to stay.”

"Destabilizing factors?" Sokov looked puzzled. "Lukin, I don't quite understand what you mean. These soldiers fought for their country, so why are they now a problem?"

Lu Jin responded seriously, “These veterans, once they stay in the city, often lack stable employment opportunities and housing. In their impoverished circumstances, some may become involved in criminal activities such as theft and robbery, threatening social stability. Their military training and experience, if not properly guided, will only exacerbate the difficulty of urban management.”

Sokov cast an inquiring glance at Asya, his eyes filled with caution and uncertainty. He wanted to confirm with her whether what Lukin had just said was true, given the current complex situation and the potential for unforeseen consequences from any misjudgment.

Asya caught his gaze almost immediately. A certain understanding had long since developed between them; often, no words were needed, a single glance was enough. She nodded slightly, her tone calm yet clear, and said, "Comrade Deputy Commander is right." She paused briefly, as if gathering her thoughts, before continuing, "The security situation in Odessa is indeed very bad right now; robberies and violence occur almost daily."

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if to emphasize the truth of the matter. "Just yesterday morning, one of our hospital's nurses was attacked on her way to work. The group robbed her of all her belongings, not even a brooch or an old pair of gloves. When she arrived at the hospital, she was trembling all over."

Sokov listened quietly, his brow gradually furrowing. He had initially harbored a sliver of doubt, but Asya's detailed and vivid description forced him to confront the chaotic reality of the city.

He looked at Lukin and asked in a deep voice, "I wonder if the relevant departments have taken any measures to solve the city's security problems. To be honest, these soldiers shed blood for the country, but now they have become marginalized people in society. If the resettlement department could solve their housing and employment problems, I think the security situation in Odessa would be much better."

Lukin sighed, a helpless look on his face: "We've tried, but resources are really limited. Odessa has been ravaged by war, and the houses are severely damaged, so there are very few habitable places to begin with. As for employment, most factories are still resuming production, and there are very few jobs available. Many veterans have no professional skills and know nothing but fighting, so companies are unwilling to hire them easily."

“Could we organize them to participate in the city’s reconstruction?” Sokov suddenly looked up, a glint of light in his eyes. “For example, repairing bombed buildings and clearing rubble—this would give them something to do, help the city, and earn them a living.”

Asia's eyes lit up with agreement: "That's a good idea. If they can have stable jobs, at least they won't go back to crime. Besides, rebuilding the city is another way they're contributing to this land."

Lukin pondered for a moment, then nodded: "This plan is worth a try. I'll report this to Marshal Zhukov immediately and see what his thoughts are..."

Upon hearing Lukin mention Zhukov, Sokov interrupted him, asking curiously, "Isn't Marshal Zhukov holding an important meeting right now? As his first deputy commander, why didn't you attend?" "I was informed about the meeting," Lukin said, "but I was inspecting the military camp outside the city at the time and couldn't make it back for the meeting. After the inspection, I received news of your awakening, so I rushed over immediately."

Sokov felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Looking into Lukin's bloodshot eyes, he knew the man was telling the truth—this First Deputy Commander, always decisive and efficient, had rushed to visit him the moment he learned of his awakening. This gesture left him speechless for a moment. After a long pause, he whispered, "Thank you, Mikhail Fedorovich!"

Lukin waved his hand, a tired but sincere smile on his face: "Why are you being so polite with me? The most important thing is that you've woken up. By the way, the meeting I just mentioned was precisely about the resettlement of veterans. Marshal Zhukov has been having a lot of headaches about this. Soldiers from the front are returning in batches, and the local areas simply can't handle it."

"What a coincidence?" Sokov's eyes lit up. "Then the reconstruction plan we just discussed might just fit the agenda of the meeting. If we can promote the pilot experience in Odessa, it will be good for the resettlement of veterans throughout the country."

“Yes,” Lu Jin nodded, “I was worried about how to report to the Marshal, but now that I have a concrete plan, I feel more confident. I’ll draft a detailed report later, with specific implementation steps—for example, rebuilding the troops according to the original unit structure, having officers from the military region in charge of management, with remuneration calculated based on workload, and prioritizing the use of materials salvaged from the ruins to build temporary prefabricated houses to solve the accommodation problem…”

Asya added, "The rubble on the street behind the hospital has been piled up for almost a month, and ambulances have to take detours every time. If we let veterans do the clearing, it would both clear the road and make room for building temporary housing, killing two birds with one stone."

Sokov looked at Asya with approval: "That's a good detail. Recycled wood and bricks can save costs and speed up the process."

Lukin patted Sokov's hand, which was resting on the edge of the bed: "It seems we're on the same page. I'll go back to headquarters to write a report and try to get it to the Marshal first thing tomorrow morning. You take good care of your injury; once you're fully recovered, you might even be able to lead the troops yourself."

Sokov smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I'll get better soon. I also have a responsibility for the reconstruction of Odessa."

After Lukin left, Asya brought warm water and handed it to Sokov: "Your suggestion was really good. I hope it can help those veterans."

Sokov took the water glass, looked out at the gray sky, and said softly, "They have sacrificed so much for the country, we cannot let them down. Even the smallest effort must let them know that the motherland remembers their contributions."

Asya sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand: "It will be alright, everything will be alright." Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, falling on their clasped hands, as if foreshadowing the city's impending rebirth.

(End of this chapter)