Chapter 1918 Just Like Us Back Then

Malachenko was worried about whether Iushkin could psychologically bear the fact that he had to carry Kirill's ashes back with him and bury Kirill's ashes next to his mother.

But unexpectedly, Iushkin's tone was unusually calm.

"Well, it's decided. Since this is Kirill's final wish, I must help him fulfill it."

"It would be better if you could go with me, but orders are orders. You are in an important position and have more things to deal with personally. So this is nothing. I understand. I am also ready to go alone. Don't worry, I will be fine. After all, I still have a great revenge to avenge, and there is a reason for me to return to the battlefield."

""

War itself is the cruelest test in the world. The strong who can survive this cruel test will gain all kinds of growth and transformation, which cannot be compared with all the original deformations given to any creature by nature.

Iushkin's transformation is obvious, from the slightly unfamiliar T34 commander at the beginning to one of Malashenko's most capable men. Iushkin's changes are so great that Malashenko can see and marvel at them. Even Iushkin himself often laments that he has become a little unrecognizable.

As for whether this change with gains and losses is good or bad, it is even more unclear, and only time can prove it all.

"Take care of yourself. I don't want to lose any more brothers before the end of the war. Remember this."

The emotional expression between men does not require too many words. Everything is unspoken and overflowing. Just a touch of the eyes is enough to understand everything.

"You too, we must live together until the day of victory!"

"Then it's a deal!"

Malashenko stretched out his big hand. The past time when they held each other tightly in 1941 reappeared in Iushkin's mind at this moment, but the other figures at that time were no longer the same as before.

"Then it's settled this time! It must be a deal!"

As Malashenko said to Ivushkin, the late-morning flight forced Malashenko to get up in less than two hours after a hasty sleep, packing up his packed luggage and personal belongings and preparing to set off.

"Give my regards to Natalia. I haven't seen this little girl for a while. If you have time when you go back, spend more time with her. The letters in the past few months have been more frequent than before."

It was not only Malashenko who got up early, but also the political commissar who was ready to see him off.

Some materials and documents that Malashenko might use when he went back to teach were sorted out and prepared by the careful political commissar, just as they were thoughtful and comprehensive at any time in the past.

Taking the folder handed over by the political commissar while laughing and talking, Malashenko suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in his heart, feeling the heavy weight in his hand.

I have gotten used to the life with Comrade Political Commissar around me, and to every little bit of this kind of life.

Kirill's sudden departure made Malashenko once again clearly realize how huge and difficult to fill a hole would be in a person's heart if an important person suddenly disappeared. Such a heart is like anything poured in will flow out again, and there is always a gap that can never be filled.

"You should also take care of yourself. Take care of yourself when I'm not around. Don't stay up late or smoke too much when no one is watching. When I come back in half a month, I want to see you standing in front of me intact. This is an order, an order given specifically to you by Comrade Division Commander, and only you can complete it, understand?"

Speaking of which, Malashenko has never spoken to Comrade Political Commissar in such a tone or issued so-called orders. It has always been "We are talking to each other, let's discuss it."

But because of this, the more it is at this time, the more it is like this, the more people feel an indescribable taste and an indescribable feeling in their hearts.

In the end, it was Comrade Political Commissar who answered and broke the silence.

"I will persist until the day of final victory. This is not only a promise to you, but also a promise to myself. I have come this far for so long. There is no reason to give up halfway. I believe I can continue to persist. Just wait and see."

Knowing that Comrade Political Commissar will definitely give such an answer, this is predictable.

But somehow, it is precisely this expected answer that makes people feel inexplicably at ease, and they will feel the encouragement of an invisible force in the dark, just like a warm sunshine shining on people. It is beautiful but invisible.

No longer think about those things that will inevitably be lost in the future. People who live in the shadow cannot move towards the future.

Malashenko, who knew this well, finally just left the still resolute back to Comrade Political Commissar, turned around, carried his luggage and strode out of the division tent, got on the guard company escort convoy that had been ready at the door, and left in the vast night, disappearing in the thick night. Only Comrade Political Commissar stood at the door of the division tent, looking at the distant night, and stopped for a long time.

"He has really grown up, just like us back then, brother."

Except for the two guards who accompanied him on the plane, helped carry the luggage and provided security, Malashenko, who was wearing a brand new tank major general uniform that he rarely wore, did not bring anyone else back. The arduous task of dealing with the Americans and John Bull would be completed by him alone.

When the Li-2 transport plane that took off at dawn landed again, the sun was shining brightly. The weather was particularly good and there were no clouds in the sky over Moscow. Even the strong winds that had come back several times in the past stopped at the empty airport.

Malashenko took a deep breath and walked down the gangway. Before he could do anything, a figure who had been waiting for a long time in the crowd immediately strode forward and hugged him with open arms.

"Haha, my good brother is back. I've been waiting for so long! Let me see if the parts on his body are all complete. The great hero of the motherland is back again."

No need to guess, there could only be one Moscow acquaintance who could wait at the airport for Malashenko's return at this time, except Natalia.

He was an old subordinate of the political commissar, a good NKVD comrade who loved the party and the country, a middle-level manager of the Lubyanka Hotel, and Colonel Malokov of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Intelligence Department who had already held the rank of colonel.

Malashenko was a little out of breath after being hugged tightly by Malokov. When this guy, who was as strong as an ox and only slightly shorter than him, let go of his hand, Malashenko, with a familiar smile on his face, spoke.

"I guessed on the plane that you must be arranged to pick me up. Only you would rush to do this. Others might not even have time to hide because it's too troublesome."

Malokov, who was disdainful of Malashenko's Versailles on the spot and pouted his lips in a pretentious manner, seemed very disapproving.

"What are you saying? Do you really think that people wearing two medals of the Hero of the Soviet Union land at Moscow Airport every day? There are many people who want to take this job, but don't compete with me. I will be angry with anyone who dares to compete with me! They are picking up comrades, and I am picking up brothers and comrades. How can we compare? It must be incomparable, right?"

"Hahahahahahaha"

The guy in front of him who was startled and suddenly laughed out loud, how could he look like a colonel in the intelligence department of the NKVD? If you say he is a rough man who just sobered up but not completely sober and still has some intoxication after taking off his military uniform, Malashenko probably believes it.

However, this is also the most powerful part of this kind of people. You never know how many unknown faces are hidden under this seemingly real appearance.

Fortunately, such a person is not an enemy after all, but an old friend that he can absolutely trust. At least when he is in front of him, he is absolutely real and not false. Malashenko is very clear and sure of this, which has been tested by many things and time.

Having said this, Malokov did not say anything more. He turned sideways and made an inviting gesture to Malashenko and spoke boldly.

"Let's go, hero~ I have prepared the car for you for a long time. Today I will be your driver in person."

Malashenko smiled. If nothing else, at least when it comes to getting things done, Malokov has never let you down.

"Then I will trouble the Colonel Comrade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to drive the car. Let's go."