Chapter 798 We All Have Political Commissars

Everything depends on your decision.

That's true, but Malashenko would rather not hear this sentence at this moment.

"There are too few artillery pieces, Uncle Peter. Combined with what you just said that the German Air Force will pay special attention to Mamayev Kurgan, I estimate that the actual artillery support we can get may not even reach a base number. Moreover, the situation is too unfavorable for our comrades."

Looking down at the earth from the sky, the fire and smoke of the intensive firing of the artillery positions are so easy to find.

Malashenko is right. As long as the pilots of the German Air Force are not blind, they can even count down the minutes to destroy the artillery positions on Mamayev Kurgan. Once the target is exposed after firing, there is almost no possibility of survival.

Compared with Malashenko's slightly helpless expression, Political Commissar Petrov's indifferent expression seems to be more open-minded.

"This is a war, Malashenko. If it is a war, there will be heavy casualties. The only difference is how much the actual cost of these heavy casualties is."

"The death of a group of people may not help the reality. Conversely, sometimes the death of one person can rewrite the outcome of the war. You, me, our 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment, the 62nd Army, and the entire Stalingrad Front may all die. Will all these great sacrifices make sense? No one knows until the result comes, but what we have to do is to make these wavering sacrifices meaningful."

"Even for those artillery comrades on Mamayev Kurgan, the truth is the same. The key always depends on your own decision."

Commissar Petrov's words always bring Malashenko contemplation and enlightenment, and even often have double meanings and hidden meanings.

There are two kinds of death, lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Tai. Although Commissar Petrov did not point it out directly, his words with hidden meanings were obviously hinting at Malashenko.

To die for a good cause is not only a personal wish, but also the wish of the entire Soviet Red Army that fought to defend the motherland, including all the heroes who fought under the red flag.

It is impossible for Malashenko, who has been with Political Commissar Petrov for so long, to say that he did not understand the hint of Political Commissar Petrov.

But some things are easier said than done. Malashenko has always been reluctant to be the indirect executioner who cuts off the fate of others with his own hands. Even if this is for "justice", it is still too reluctant to push those poor artillerymen into the fire pit because of his own orders.

But even if Malashenko does not call for artillery support, the artillery positions that will eventually launch artillery attacks on the industrial zone in the north of the city will eventually be destroyed. Moreover, the lack of artillery support will cause greater losses to the troops under Malashenko's command. It is not impossible to lose the position or even the whole army.

Uncertain answers, diverse choices

All of this makes the multiple-choice question in front of Malashenko extremely difficult to answer. Even though Political Commissar Petrov has hinted at the real answer to Malashenko, he still feels disappointed when he thinks that many people will almost certainly die because of his decision.

After a long time, Malashenko, who has remained silent, finally sighed.

"I am too tired, Comrade Political Commissar, both physically and mentally."

"After the victory of Stalingrad, I may have to take a long vacation, if I can really live to that time."

It takes a long process for a young heart and soul to truly grow up, and Political Commissar Petrov is willing to be the guide and leader of this process. Political Commissar Petrov has always firmly believed that Malashenko deserves to do so.

"You will survive, return to Moscow with the honor of a hero, and share this honor and joy with all the people of that great city. Natalia will be proud of you."

"But before that, you still have your own mission to complete, to protect this city!"

"Everyone has intermittent moments of weakness, and the human heart always needs a temporary haven to rest, and strong men are no exception. But now we need your persistence as the head of the regiment, comrade Malashenko, it is not time for you to settle down and rest."

Poets who are often sentimental say that language is the only irreplaceable existence that allows humans to survive and strengthen their beliefs in the long history of evolution. Being able to communicate in language gives people a bridge to fill the gaps in each other's hearts, and gives the most needed comfort to those close to them when they are lost and helpless.

Malashenko is neither sentimental nor a poet. He is just an ordinary person who struggles in a hellish city and constantly struggles to survive with his comrades from the pile of corpses. The honor of a hero is not a death-free gold medal on the battlefield. Malashenko will die if he is shot or shelled. This is the nature of a common yet legendary traverser from another world.

Fortunately, Malashenko is surrounded by a group of the most trustworthy comrades and comrades who are united together and can give him the comfort that can save everything when his soul, which has been severely damaged by the war and has been bruised and battered, needs it most.

The loss of people's hearts often comes unexpectedly in that unconscious moment, but it is also fast to dispel this loss, and at this moment, Malashenko can be sure that this process has begun.

"I'm sorry to make you laugh again, Uncle Peter. For a moment, I even felt that I was too tired to live. Is this fate playing tricks on me?"

In front of Political Commissar Petrov, Malashenko had to tell many lies out of goodwill and protection, but it is certain that the childish question this time will not be included.

"There is no predetermined fate, only a tomorrow of struggle, Malashenko."

"If fate was predetermined from the beginning, you and I would not be sitting here, and those Nazis would have done what they wanted to do long ago. Everything within reach is exchanged for generations of Red Army martyrs with sacrifice and struggle. The road we are walking is the road they wanted to witness, but they fell halfway and paved for us with their remains."

"Do you know who told me these words?"

The sudden question was a bit unexpected. Malashenko shook his head subconsciously, and how could Malashenko know who said these meaningful words.

As Malashenko shook his head, Political Commissar Petrov looked deeply into the distance outside the tent, and a smile of relief and reminiscence appeared on his face as he spoke slowly.

"The most fortunate thing for me is that we were accompanied by Political Commissar Comrade Malashenko when we were young."