red moscow

Chapter 2597

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

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

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

"From the design drawings, this machine gun has a very novel design." The military expert called Andre said cautiously, "But before the prototype is manufactured, it's a bit premature to say that it can replace the machine guns currently in service in our army."

"How long will it take to produce a sample gun?"

In response to Ustinov's question, Andrei thought for a long time before cautiously saying, "Comrade People's Commissar, if the parts of this new weapon had detailed dimensions, you would be able to see a prototype in three days at most. But now there is only a sketch. To make a qualified prototype, 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, "Our superiors can't give us that much time." He paused for a moment and asked Sokov tentatively, "Misha, can you provide our military experts with the specific parameters of the parts?"

  Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Sokov began to wonder whether he should draw the three-view drawings of each component and the specific dimensions right in front of them, or wait a while before giving them the drawings.

After repeated considerations, Sokov felt that he couldn't provide the specific parameters of the weapon parts too early, otherwise his superiors would assign him countless design tasks after he entered the General Armament Department. So he pretended to hesitate and said slowly: "It will take at least two weeks for me to 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 time, Andrei felt somewhat disappointed. But as a military expert, he knew very well that designing a new weapon was not something that could be done overnight. So when he heard Sokov say that it would take two weeks to provide the specific drawings, he nodded and replied, "If it takes two weeks, we can definitely wait."

He paused for a moment and then further explained to Ustinov: "With the specific parameters of the parts, we can avoid unnecessary waste when manufacturing the prototype gun, thereby reducing the research and development costs of the weapon."

"Okay then." Since the military experts said so, Ustinov also understood that you can'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 let me know, I will do 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 to the development of new weapons."

"No problem, no problem." Ustinov said with a smile: "We can give you as many of these things as you want. We will do our best to meet your needs."

Just when Sokov was secretly delighted, Ustinov said something that made him feel disappointed: "Until the blueprint is completed, I hope you can stay here at the General Armament Department. I will have someone arrange a separate office for you with a bedroom. If you are tired, you can rest in the bedroom."

"Ah, Comrade People's Commissar, if I am not mistaken, you intend for me to stay here until the drawings are completed. Is that correct?"

"That's right," Ustinov said amiably, "If you go home and finish the design, you have to deliver it in person, which will take up a lot of time. So I decided to let you live here, and you can go home when you finish the design."

Sokov didn't expect Ustinov to do this, but he had just said that it would take him at least two weeks to provide a complete design. So he could only swallow his anger and say, "Okay, I'll stay here and draw the design."

Ustinov was very happy to see that Sokov had agreed. He quickly rang the bell to call an officer and said to him, "Comrade Captain, from now on, you will be responsible for taking care of General Sokov's daily life until he finishes his work. Do you understand?"

"Yes, 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 have anything to do, just press the bell on the table. I'll be on standby in the next room."

"Comrade Captain, I'm planning to start drawing the blueprints now. When can I get the paper and tools for drawing?"

"Comrade General, I will arrange this right away," the officer replied. "In half an hour at most, what you need will be delivered to you."

Sokov nodded and walked into the room, and 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 need to start work for the time being, so he walked to the sofa and lay down, intending to close his eyes and rest.

Unexpectedly, just as he closed his eyes, there was a knock on the door. Sokov opened his eyes and thought that the captain was very efficient. In just a few minutes, he brought the drawing paper and tools he wanted. He quickly got up and opened the door.

But after he opened the door, he found that the person standing at the door was not the captain, but a second lieutenant wearing a blue hat, followed by two soldiers with live ammunition. When the second lieutenant saw Sokov appear, he raised his hand to salute, and asked in a stern tone: "Excuse me, is this General Sokov?"

"Yes, I am Sokov." Sokov asked back, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm Lieutenant Shurik from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I'd like you to come back with us to assist in the investigation."

Sokov had not expected that soon after he arrived at the General Armaments Building, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would come to his door and even ask him to go with them for investigation. They said he was assisting in the investigation, but Sokov was worried that it would be difficult for him to come back, so he said with a stern face: "Lieutenant, please tell me, who wants me to go with you for investigation?"

"I can't tell you the specific name." Lieutenant Shurik said expressionlessly, "I can only tell you that it was an order from a superior."

"Where do you plan to investigate me?" Sokov asked.

"Comrade General," Shurik took the initiative, noticing Sokov's worry, "It's right here in this building. I'm just asking a few simple questions."

Although Shurik said this, Sokov still remained vigilant: "Does Comrade Ustinov know about this?"

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

Shurik fell into deep thought about Sokov's proposal. He was only ordered to ask Sokov to assist in the investigation, but his superior did not say whether this matter needed to be reported to Ustinov, so he seemed very embarrassed.

Seeing that Shurik was still silent, Sokov continued, "If you do not agree to my request, I'm sorry that I cannot assist you in the investigation."

Although Sokov said he didn't care, he was actually very nervous. He didn't understand why the Ministry of Internal Affairs suddenly sent people to investigate him. Was there something wrong?

Fearing that Shuri might take coercive measures against him, Sokov emphasized, "General Lunev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and I were once partners and good friends. Do you know what the consequences would be if he knew about this?"

When Shurik saw Sokov had mentioned Lunev, he knew that he could not afford to offend him, so he said with a bitter face, "Okay, Comrade General, then you call Ustinov and let him know so that he can understand what is going on."

Sokov picked up the phone and heard a voice coming from inside. He quickly said, "Hello, comrade operator! Please put me through to Comrade Ustinov's office. I have something important to talk to him about."

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 didn't expect Sokov to call him so soon. He asked in surprise, "Misha, what's the matter?"

Sokov glanced at the MVD officers and soldiers standing outside the door and said into the microphone, "It's like this, Comrade People's Commissar, there is a lieutenant in the MVD named Shurik who wants to take me to assist them in the investigation. I'm telling you this specifically so that you won't be unable to find me when you need help."

"What? You have an officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs with you?"

"Yes."

"Let the officer come over to answer the phone." Ustinov said angrily, "This is simply nonsense. How can they investigate you casually?"

"Lieutenant Shurik," Sokov said to Shurik, "Comrade Ustinov wants to speak to you."

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

"Nonsense, absolutely nonsense." Ustinov raised his voice: "General Sokov is the military expert I invited. If you take him away and affect the development of new weapons, who will bear the responsibility?"

"Comrade People's Commissar," Shurik said cautiously, "We are only asking General Sokov to come to us to get some information. He will not leave this building. As long as we have asked all the necessary questions, we will let him come back."

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

Shurik did not dare to neglect it and quickly handed the microphone to Sokov: "Comrade General, your call."

"Hello, Comrade People's Commissar," Sokov asked. "What should I do? Should I follow them?"

"Misha, it's okay, it's just a general inquiry, nothing serious." Ustinov said, "I still have work to do. When I'm done, I'll come to you. I don't think they dare to do anything to you."

With Ustinov's endorsement, Sokov's worries disappeared. He put down the phone and said to Shurik, "Come on, 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 three people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs following behind Sokov, the captain couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Comrade General, what's 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 to assist in the investigation." Sokov said to the captain, "Comrade People's Commissar also knows about this. He will come to see me after he finishes his work."

"Comrade General, do you need me to go with you?" asked the captain.

Sokov shook his head and said, "I don't think it's necessary. I'm just going to answer a few questions and will be back soon. You stay here and prepare the tools and paper for drawing. When you come back, I can officially start my work."

Under Shurik's lead, Sokov came to the ground floor. He thought that Ustinov had deceived him and said that he would not be taken out of the building, but when he was about to go out, a staircase leading to the underground suddenly appeared in front of him. Seeing this, Sokov suddenly realized that the office of the Internal Affairs Department personnel stationed in the General Armament Department was in the basement of this building.

Walking down the stairs to the end, there were two closed doors. Shurik went forward and knocked on the small window. The small window opened, revealing a face. He knocked outside and then closed the small window. After a while, a big door opened. Shurik turned around and called 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 in Berlin when Zhukov took him to meet the fake president? Could it be that the purpose of the lieutenant bringing him here was related to the fake president who accompanied him to Moscow?

If it was really related to the fake president, Sokov guessed that the result might be: the fake president would disappear from the face of the earth, and as someone who had seen the real face of the fake president, even if he was not in danger of being silenced because of his high military rank, he would probably sign a confidentiality agreement to prevent himself from leaking the secrets of the fake president.

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