Chapter 1480 The Fewer People Who Know, the Better

After receiving the battle report submitted by Malashenko, Vatutin studied it carefully for a long time. At first, he was also very curious about how Malashenko got this batch of so-called new assault rifles.

However, after our comrade Ma explained the whole process of the matter to Vatutin, the commander, who thought he had seen enough of the world and the ups and downs, was still frightened by Malashenko's audacity.

"Comrade Marshal, this batch of guns was made by Malashenko himself, who found a young designer named Kalashnikov and brought him to Comrade Kotin's tank factory in Chelyabinsk. There, they used lathes and equipment originally used to build tanks to test and make a batch of weapons."

"I know this sounds unbelievable or even crazy, but Malashenko really did it, and he also dragged Comrade Kotin into the water. I don't know what method he used to persuade Comrade Kotin."

"Fortunately, this batch of new assault rifles has achieved extraordinary results and has been proven to be a successful weapon. Otherwise, I really can't imagine what kind of results are waiting for Malashenko. This kid is so bold."

As Malashenko expected, after knowing the whole process of the incident, Vatutin's evaluation of Malashenko was also "audacious" as the core keyword.

Bypassing the National Light Weapons Competition, making guns privately without winning the selection, without the permission of superiors and without production targets, he made hundreds of them at a time, enough to arm an infantry battalion.

Any of the key factors mentioned here is enough to put Malashenko in jail. He made so many guns without any quota, and he might be beheaded.

Zhukov was also shocked when he heard such news. Comrade Zhu knew that Malashenko, whom he had built up, had a personality similar to his own, who dared to speak and act, and was determined to do all kinds of outrageous things.

But making hundreds of guns in private was too outrageous, right? Compared with this matter, it seemed that even his quarrel with Comrade Stalin was nothing. Zhukov, who suppressed the storm in his heart, spoke again.

"Who else knew about this besides you and me? Let's not talk about Malashenko for now. I mean people at the same level or higher than us."

The higher the position, the more serious the consequences will be once the person knows about this matter. Zhukov is no longer considering how to hold Malashenko accountable. It is too late now.

Zhukov's real purpose in saying this was to quickly find out if there were other powerful people who knew about this. If a stranger who disliked Malashenko or had no personal relationship with Malashenko knew about it, it might be bad for Malashenko and he might face jail time.

It was strange that even Zhukov himself didn't realize that his first reaction after hearing this was to protect his son and find a way to deal with the aftermath and end of things for Malashenko, so as to prevent Malashenko, who had caused a big mess, from ruining his future. Zhukov had never been in this state with other people.

"Not yet, Comrade Marshal."

"I know this is a serious matter, so after receiving the report, I was the only one who read it and did not make it public or spread the news. I have always carried the report with me. My chief of staff and political commissar did not know about this matter. At present, you should be the highest-ranking person who knows about this matter."

"Malachenko was promoted by you. I think it is most appropriate to tell Comrade Marshal about this matter. You have to decide what to do next."

Vatutin, who has a good impression of Malachenko and has won many victories due to the participation of Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division, naturally would not harm Malachenko in such a critical matter.

As long as it is within the scope of his authority and does not do anything out of the ordinary, Vatutin can keep this matter secret for Malachenko for the time being.

This matter is so serious that it is not something that Vatutin, a front commander, can decide. This matter must be handled by someone with a higher position and more power. Vatutin thought about it and felt that the best person was Malashenko's "mentor", Marshal Zhukov was the most suitable, and he had been waiting for the opportunity to tell Zhukov about this matter in person until today.

Zhukov, whose heart was in his throat, was relieved and reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that this matter had not been spread yet.

He wanted to blame and scold Malashenko, but when he thought that this kid could actually use such a bold method to solve a difficult task that was originally very complicated and tedious, and even impossible to do, in such a short time.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Malashenko was really "talented". Comrade Zhu actually laughed out loud at the report handed over by Vatutin in his hand. Since it was not right to scold or not to scold, it was more appropriate to just smile to express his truest mood at this moment.

"You are right, Vatutin. The fewer people who know about this, the better, at least before Comrade Stalin knows about it."

Vatutin's eyes lit up after catching the key words in the words. Feeling that this matter suddenly had a clue, Vatutin immediately responded to Zhukov.

"Do you plan to tell Comrade Stalin about this in person, Comrade Marshal?"

"Yes, I have this plan. I am thinking about how to do it."

Faced with Vatutin's subconscious inquiry, Zhukov, who had been planning to do so, admitted it directly without any hesitation.

"If someone else were to tell Comrade Stalin about this matter in person, I'm worried that right and wrong would be reversed and that personal subjective tendencies would be unfavorable to Malashenko. This matter itself is very serious. If this happens again, then our Red Army tank hero might have to go to jail to repent for his crimes."

"Let me tell Comrade Stalin about this matter in person after I return to Moscow. My view on this matter is that since it has already happened and the result is so good, the process is no longer important. Let me convince Comrade Stalin. I am still confident about this matter. With such a good result, I believe Comrade Stalin can also make the right decision."

"Oh, by the way, Vatutin. Have you seen this new assault rifle with your own eyes? After reading the report you gave me, I am now very interested in this new weapon that Malashenko has come up with."