Red Moscow

Chapter 2597

“Misha, is this the new general-purpose machine gun you designed?” Ustinov asked after reading the sketch Sokov gave him.

"Yes, Comrade People's Commissar." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "I plan to use this machine gun to replace the various light machine guns currently installed in our army. According to my vision, this machine gun It is suitable for a variety of combat environments, including complex terrains such as jungles, mountains, and cities, and can provide powerful fire support for infantry in various tactical settings such as offense, defense, and encounters.”

“Comrade Andrei,” Ustinov waited for Sokov to finish, but did not express his position immediately. Instead, he asked a bald military expert next to him: “What do you think?”

"Judging from the design drawings, the design of this machine gun is quite novel." A military expert named Andre said cautiously: "But before the prototype gun is manufactured, it can be said that it can replace the current situation of our army. It’s a bit premature to install machine guns.”

 “How long does it take to produce a prototype gun?”

Regarding the question raised by Ustinov, Andrei thought for a long time before he said cautiously: "Comrade People's Commissar, if the parts of this new weapon have detailed dimensions, you can have it within three days at most. I saw a prototype gun. But now there is only a sketch. To make a qualified prototype gun, it will take countless trials and errors, and it may take half a year.”

"Half a year is too long." Ustinov shook his head and said: "It is impossible for our superiors to give us that long time." After a pause, he tentatively asked Sokov, "Misha, can you give us Do our military experts provide specific parameters of parts?”

Seeing everyone's eyes staring at him, Sokov began to think about whether he should directly draw the three views of each component and the specific dimensions in front of them, or wait for a while and give them to them.

After repeated weighings, Sokov felt that he could not come up with the specific parameters of weapon parts prematurely. Otherwise, after he entered the General Ordnance Department, his superiors would arrange countless design tasks for him. Therefore, after pretending to hesitate, he said slowly: "It will take at least two weeks before I can provide you with the specific parameters of the parts."

“Comrade Andrei, can you wait for two weeks?” Ustinov asked again.

Seeing that Sokov could not provide the specific parameters of the new weapon's parts in a timely manner, Andrei was still somewhat disappointed. But as a military industry expert, he knew very well that designing a new weapon could not be accomplished overnight. So when Sokov said it would take two weeks to provide specific drawings, he quickly nodded and replied: "If it takes two weeks, we can definitely wait."

After he paused for a moment, he further explained to Ustinov: "With specific component parameters, we can avoid unnecessary waste when manufacturing prototype guns, thus reducing the cost of weapon development. ”

“Okay.” Since military industry experts said so, Ustinov also understood that he couldn’t eat hot cheese in a hurry, so he nodded in agreement. However, he still asked Sokov with concern: "Misha, if you have any difficulties, just ask them and I will try my best to solve them for you."

“Can you provide me with drawing tools and special drawing paper?” Sokov asked Ustinov tentatively: “You know, drawings are crucial in the development of new weapons.”

"No problem, no problem." Ustinov said with a smile: "You can have as many of these things as you want, and we will try our best to meet your needs."

Just when Sokov was secretly happy, Ustinov said something that made his heart freeze: "Before the drawings are completed, I hope you can stay here at the General Ordnance Department, and I will order someone to You arrange a separate office with a bedroom. If you are tired, you can rest in the bedroom.”

“Ah, Comrade People’s Commissar, if I guess correctly, you plan to let me stay here until the drawings are completed before I can leave. Is that right?”

"That's right," Ustinov said in an amiable manner: "If you go home, design the drawings, and send them over in person, it will take a lot of time. So I decided to let you live here. , when the design is completed, you can go home.”

Sokov did not expect that Ustinov would actually come up with such a skill, but he had just said that it would take him at least two weeks to provide a complete design drawing. At this moment, he could only remain silent and eat Coptis chinensis: "Okay then. Well, I’ll just stay here and draw the design drawings.”

Seeing that Sokov agreed, Ustinov was very happy. He quickly rang the bell and called an officer and told the officer: "Comrade Captain, from now on, you will be responsible for taking care of General Sokov's daily life." , until he finishes his work, got it?”

“I understand, Comrade People’s Commissar.”

The captain took Sokov to a room on the fifth floor and said to him: "Comrade General, this is your studio. If you need anything, just press the bell on the table. I will be in the next room." "Stand by."

“Comrade Captain, I plan to start drawing now. I wonder when can I send the drawing paper and tools?”

“Comrade General, I will arrange this immediately.” The officer replied, “In half an hour at most, what you need will be delivered to you.”

Sokov nodded and walked into the room. He found that there was not only a bedroom, but also a bathroom. There was also a set of sofas in the workroom. Sokov thought that he didn't have to work for the time being, so he walked to the sofa and lay down, intending to close his eyes and rest.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I closed my eyes, there was a knock on the door outside. Sokov opened his eyes and thought to himself that the captain was really efficient in his work. In just a few minutes, he delivered the drawing paper and tools he wanted, and he quickly got up and opened the door.

Unexpectedly, after opening the door, he discovered that the person standing at the door was not the captain, but a second lieutenant wearing a blue hat. Behind him were two soldiers with live ammunition. When the second lieutenant saw Sokov appear, he raised his hand and saluted, and then asked in a prim tone: "Is this General Sokov?"

“Yes, I am Sokov.” Sokov asked: “What do you want?”

"I am Second Lieutenant Shurik from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I would like to ask you to come back with us to assist in the investigation."

Sokov did not expect that not long after he arrived at the General Ordnance Department building, people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs came to the door and even asked him to follow them for investigation. It was said that he was assisting in the investigation, but Sokov was worried that it might not be so easy to come back after he left, so he said with a straight face: "Second Lieutenant, please tell me, who wants me to go back with you to accept investigation?"

"I can't tell you the specific name." Second Lieutenant Shurick said expressionlessly: "I can only tell you that it is an order from a superior."

“Where are you going to investigate me?” Sokov asked.

“Comrade General,” Shurik noticed Sokov’s worry and said proactively, “I’m in this building, just asking a few questions.”

Even though Shurik said this, Sokov still remained alert enough: "Does Comrade Ustinov know about this?"

Shurik shook his head: "He doesn't know." "Second Lieutenant, Comrade Ustinov asked me to come here today." Sokov said to Shurik: "If you want to take me there, To assist in the investigation, I have to at least say hello to him so that he won’t be worried if he can’t find me.”

Regarding Sokov's proposal, Shurik fell into deep thought. He was just ordered to ask Sokov to assist in the investigation, but his superiors did not say whether he needed to communicate with Ustinov about this matter, so it seemed very strange. It's difficult.

 Seeing Shurik's delay in speaking, Sokov continued: "If you don't agree to my request, please forgive me for not being able to assist you in your investigation."

Even though Sokov said he was nonchalant, he was uneasy in his heart. He didn't understand why the Ministry of Internal Affairs suddenly sent someone to investigate him. Could it be that something went wrong?

Worried that Shuri would take coercive measures against him, Sokov emphasized: "Your Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, General Lunev, and I used to be partners and good friends. What would happen if he knew about this?" Do you know the consequences?"

Seeing Sokov move out of Lunev, Shurik knew that the other party was someone who could not be offended, so he could only say with a grimace: "Okay, comrade general, then you can call Ustinov and tell him , let him know what he is doing.”

Sokov picked up the phone and heard a voice coming from inside. He quickly said: "Hello, comrade operator! Please help me pick up Comrade Ustinov's office. I have important things to see him."

Soon, the call was connected, and Ustinov's voice came from the receiver: "I am Ustinov!"

“Hello, Comrade People’s Commissar.” Sokov said: “I am Sokov!”

Ustinov did not expect Sokov to call him so soon, and asked with some surprise: "Misha, what can I do for you?"

Sokov glanced at the officers and soldiers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs standing outside the door, and said into the microphone: "That's it, Comrade People's Commissar, a second lieutenant of the Ministry of Internal Affairs named Shurik said that he would take me to their place to assist in the investigation. I’m telling you this specifically so that you can’t find me if something happens.”

 “What, are there officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place?”

"Yes."

"Let the officer come and answer the phone." Ustinov said angrily: "This is just nonsense. How can you be investigated casually?"

“Second Lieutenant Shurik,” Sokov said to Shurik, “Comrade Ustinov wants to speak to you.”

Shurik quickly came to Sokov, straightened his appearance, then took the microphone from Sokov's hand and put it to his ear: "Hello, Comrade People's Commissar!"

"It's nonsense, it's nonsense." Ustinov raised his voice: "General Sokov is the military expert I invited. If you take him away and affect the subsequent development of new weapons, this responsibility lies with you. Who will bear it?”

"Comrade Comrade People's Commissar," Shurik said cautiously: "We are just asking General Sokov to come to our place to understand the situation, and we will not leave this building. As long as we ask the questions that need to be asked, we will let him come back. ”

Hearing Shurik say that he would not leave the building, Ustinov remembered that there were indeed officers and soldiers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in this building. As long as Sokov did not leave the door, there should be no problem. It was out of this consideration that he said to Shurik: "Second Lieutenant, please give the phone to General Sokov. I have something to say to him."

Shulik did not dare to neglect, and quickly handed the microphone in his hand to Sokov: "Comrade General, your phone number."

“Hello, Comrade People’s Commissar.” Sokov asked: “What should I do, follow them?”

"Misha, it's okay. It's just a general inquiry. It's no big deal." Ustinov said: "I still have work in hand. After I finish my work, I will go over to find you. I forgive them. Dare to do anything to you."

With Ustinov’s endorsement, Sokov’s worries disappeared. He put down the phone and then said to Shurick: "Let's go, Second Lieutenant, take me there."

 After walking a few steps out of the house, the captain sent by Ustinov to protect Sokov came over with his men.

Seeing Sokov followed by three members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the captain couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Comrade General, what is going on? Why are there people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

"Comrade Captain, it's okay. The comrades from the Ministry of Internal Affairs just asked me to go back and assist in the investigation." Sokov said to the captain: "Comrade Comrade People's Commissar also knows about this. He will come to me after he finishes the work at hand. of."

“Comrade General, do you want me to go with you?” the captain asked.

Sokov shook his head and said: "I don't think it is necessary. I just went to answer a few questions and will be back soon. You stay here and prepare all the drawing tools and paper. When you come back, I will Then we can officially start work.”

 Led by Shurik, Sokov came to the ground floor. He originally thought that the other party had deceived Ustinov and said he would not take him out of the building, but when he was about to go out anyway, steps leading to the underground suddenly appeared in front of him. When Sokov saw this, he suddenly understood and entered the office of the internal affairs personnel of the General Ordnance Department in the basement of this building.

Going down the stairs to the end, there are two closed doors. Shurick stepped forward and knocked on the small window. The small window opened, revealing a human face. He knocked outside and then closed the small window. After a moment, a door opened, and Shurik turned around and called to Sokov: "Comrade General, let's go in."

When Sokov followed Shurik into the iron gate, he felt that this scene was very familiar. Wasn't it the same scene where Zhukov took him to see the fake president in Berlin? Could it be that the second lieutenant brought him here for the purpose? , has anything to do with the fake president who accompanied him to Moscow?

If it is really related to the fake president, Sokov guessed that the result may be like this: the fake president disappears from the world, and as a person who has passed the real face of the fake president, even if he is not in danger of being silenced because of his high military rank, I am afraid that He will also sign a confidentiality agreement to prevent himself from leaking the secrets of the fake president.

After walking a few dozen meters along the dim corridor, Shurik, who was leading the way, stopped in front of a closed door. Then he turned to Sokov and said, "Comrade General, we are here."