Chapter 182: Reward From a Loving Father

Stalin, who was familiar with Zhukov's way of dealing with things, was not surprised by Zhukov's logical answer. However, Stalin, who was in a good mood, still smiled after hearing this.

"This incident has a positive effect on the morale of our entire Red Army frontline troops and on mobilizing the people's tenacious will. I have asked Beria to investigate this tank major named Malashenko. His background and past experience are completely in line with our Soviet political program. How do you plan to reward him for this action?"

Faced with this not-so-small problem thrown to him by Stalin, Zhukov, who was in a state of contemplation for a while, raised his head and spoke firmly to Stalin.

"According to past experience, those who have made great contributions to the motherland and the Red Army should be rewarded with high rewards. In this case, it is not excessive to promote Malashenko to the position of colonel."

"But Malashenko was only a lieutenant just a few months ago, and he is too young. If he is promoted too quickly, I am worried that young people may become complacent and impetuous."

Zhukov thought again after thinking about it for a while and made the final decision soon.

"If you allow me, Comrade Stalin, I plan to promote Malashenko to the rank of lieutenant colonel and award him the Order of the Red Banner."

"I have had a face-to-face conversation with Major Malashenko before. He is an outstanding young man with quick thinking and long-term vision. If he is properly trained, he will hopefully become a new star in the tank army. I hope he can move to a higher position after training in the grassroots units for a long enough time."

Stalin, who was holding the soup spoon in his hand and tasting the delicious food on the plate, did not comment on Zhukov's reward plan.

After a while, Stalin, who was full of soup and rice, finally spoke again while gently wiping the food residue on his lips after finishing his meal.

"I basically agree with your award plan, but you can replace the Red Banner Medal with a Lenin Medal. I think this is better. After all, it is a bit unreasonable to award two identical medals in a short period of time."

The difference between the Red Banner Medal and the Lenin Medal is not just a superficial difference in rank and honor. The proposal from the Soviet supreme leader Stalin is almost equivalent to the affirmation and praise of Malashenko by this fatherly comrade. Zhukov, who is well aware of the meaning, immediately gave Stalin a positive reply after a slight pause.

"I understand, Comrade Stalin, I will arrange this matter immediately after returning to the front line."

After spending just a few minutes chatting about this small episode on the front line to win glory for Stalin, Stalin, who had finished his meal, did not stay in the restaurant any longer.

After ordering the people who had accompanied him to dine and discuss issues to leave, Stalin, who still had important matters to discuss with Zhukov, returned to the office in silence with Zhukov behind him.

As soon as he sat down at his desk in his office, Stalin, who always insisted on being resolute, spoke calmly to Zhukov who was sitting on the sofa next to him.

"I plan to send you to Leningrad, Zhukov, to replace Voroshilov to command all the fronts and the Baltic Fleet in the Leningrad direction."

I thought that my return to Moscow was just a routine report, and I never expected that Stalin would assign me a new stage right after Yelnya. After a little surprise, Zhukov quickly returned to normal.

"I am willing to accept any task assigned to me by the motherland and the Supreme Command, and I have the determination and confidence to do my best to complete it."

Stalin was obviously very happy with Zhukov's firm and convincing answer.

"That's good, Comrade Zhukov. But before you set off, there is only one thing you need to pay attention to."

After saying this, Stalin pondered for a while, and the expression on his face froze instantly, as if he thought of something very bad and annoying.

"The situation in Leningrad is very bad right now. The northern army group of the invaders has surrounded the birthplace of our Soviet communism on three sides. Currently, only the waterway traffic of Lake Ladoga can maintain contact with the outside world."

"The German air force controls the sky over almost the entire Leningrad theater, even the sky over Lake Ladoga is not spared. The shore-based aviation units of the Baltic Fleet can only make limited attacks to ensure the existence of air supremacy in some important areas. You can only reach Leningrad by crossing the area controlled by the German Air Force."

After saying that, Stalin quickly wrote a few lines of handwritten orders on the notebook beside him without waiting for Zhukov to answer. After tearing it off, he handed it to Zhukov beside him with one hand.

"Give this to Comrade Voroshilov when you arrive in Leningrad, and then you will be responsible for taking over everything there."

After taking the note handed over by Stalin with both hands, Zhukov looked closely and saw a handwritten order from Stalin.

"Please hand over the front and the Baltic Fleet to Comrade Zhukov for command, and then fly back to Moscow immediately to report."

Then there was Stalin's authentic handwritten signature.

After putting away the handwritten note from the leader, Stalin, who was worried, continued to add to Zhukov.

"Regarding your appointment order in Leningrad, the Supreme Command will wait until you officially arrive in Leningrad before sending a telegram to the front headquarters. After all, the current situation is different from the past."

Zhukov, who has many old acquaintances in the Moscow high-level, has actually heard about the German intelligence department and the intelligence agency of the vassal country Finland to eavesdrop on and decipher the telegrams between the front front fronts and the Supreme Command.

In this special situation where the highest order transmitted by telegram may be deciphered and leaked by the enemy at any time, sending the appointment telegram to Leningrad before Zhukov has set off is actually pushing Zhukov into the fire pit.

The German army, which had deciphered Zhukov's itinerary, might have strengthened the air blockade over Leningrad. The quality, quantity, and pilot quality of their fighter planes were far inferior to those of the German Air Force's Baltic Fleet's shore-based aviation, and they were simply unable to protect Zhukov's plane.

Stalin's decision was actually the best protection for his beloved general.