Past events in Beicheng

Chapter 15

The high-ranking officer got out of the car, greeted a few words, and left. The warehouse door was empty, and the afterglow of the setting sun outlined a beautiful vista. If it wasn't for the rumbling gunfire, Wang Yao almost thought he had returned to the peaceful age. That time was not counted. Farewell, farewell, he had already prepared for a farewell, so the reunion now gave him an almost shocking surprise.

"It's the gunfire of the Baltic Fleet." Ivan explained to the dazed Wang Yao.

"You," Wang Yao was still a little excited: "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Ivan knew what he wanted to ask, so he moved his hands and feet exaggeratedly: "Very good."

"Well," Wang Yao lowered his eyelids: "I met a seriously injured Ivan on the first day I arrived at the factory. He is also the commander of the armored company."

Ivan stretched out his hand and patted Wang Yao's back: "Don't worry, I'm fine, but is that Ivan similar to me? You can admit your mistake."

Wang Yao's expression became a little ugly: "No, he was severely burned, I can't recognize who he is, not at all."

"..."

"..."

"Did the doctor revive him?"

"No, he's dead, in my office."

The two were silent for a moment.

"Why did the United Front Work Department arrange for you to cooperate with me?" Wang Yao suddenly thought of this question: "The officer seemed to know that we knew each other just now, and he said that I would have a little surprise."

"Because I was promoted to the military rank, of course, in order, I made meritorious service, and then I was promoted to the military rank. The United Front Work Department believes that our company may be the best person to protect you. In the later file investigation, they may find out We came from the same school, the same class."

"Same dormitory." Wang Yao answered with a smile.

"Probably." Ivan also smiled.

The two were silent for a while, Wang Yao lowered his head, watching the shadows on the ground intertwine in the setting sun, he wondered if Ivan was also looking at this shadow, looking at these two unidentifiable shadows.

At this time, the door of the warehouse opened, and Torris's face appeared: "Mr. Wang Yao, are you here? Why don't you come in? Are you chatting at the door?"

"Torris?" Wang Yao looked at Torris and called out, "You're here too! Are you okay?"

"Very good, Mr. Wang Yao, we are in the same company, and I'm the instructor! What's the matter with your surprised expression! Put it away!" Torres opened the door, and there were more than 30 tank soldiers standing inside.

Torres warmly greeted everyone to come and get to know Wang Yao. The boys were all young, and they warmed up after a short introduction. Another person ran to carry a case of wine: "The logistics sent it to us just now."

Now the crowd is completely boiling.

"Half a bottle per person, don't drink too much, we have to gather here at ten o'clock!" Torres smiled and slapped away a few hands reaching for the wine box.

"Would you like something to drink? Comrade Wang Yao." Someone had already opened a bottle and handed it over.

"He won't drink, you can drink." Ivan pushed the man's hand away, and the man seemed to just look at him before shrinking back silently.

"It's okay, it's okay, I can have a drink." Seeing the young man's embarrassed face, Wang Yao felt a little guilty.

"Don't drink, you have stomach problems."

"No, no, Comrade Wang Yao, don't drink, your health is the most important thing." The young man hurriedly smoothed things over.

Only then did Wang Yao realize that the other party's face wasn't embarrassment at all, but fear!

"Hey, is your company commander scary?" After everyone got acquainted, Wang Yao secretly asked a tank soldier next to him.

The other party glanced at Ivan in the distance, and nodded cautiously.

Wang Yao snickered.

"But the company commander is very good!" The tank soldier's eyes suddenly burst into enthusiasm again: "We have destroyed a total of 46 enemy tanks in this month! Our company has no casualties! This is a miracle on the front line!" The tank soldiers gestured: "Can you think of it? We lie in ambush on both sides of the road, and when the enemy crosses the border, we first destroy the two tanks at the lead and the rear respectively, and then destroy the enemy in the middle one by one. During this period, the enemy's machine guns And shells are constantly exploding around our armor! The smoke from the explosions often obscures my view! But so what? As soon as the smoke clears, I can aim again! One shot kills one! You know, go Before, I thought I wouldn’t survive 24 hours! The company commander is really amazing.”

"It's scary, though."

"Well, only the few people in the car with him dare to joke with him, but we don't dare," the enthusiastic tank soldier retracted his neck again: "The instructor is not scary, fortunately there is an instructor, hehe."

The gentle instructor led everyone to sing, which was the most popular song in Leningrad before the war. When everyone sang happily, they danced with wine bottles. Ivan just looked at everyone from the sidelines, watching silently. Everyone.

Wang Yao, who was peeking at him from the side, thought to himself—it's not that the company commander is not gentle, it's that you didn't notice when the company commander was gentle.

"Why do you keep looking at me?" Ivan walked over and said in a low voice.

"If you don't look at me, how will you know that I'm looking at you." Wang Yao started a boring sophistry.

"Yes, I'm watching you, I've been watching you." Ivan smiled and then returned to seriousness: "Tomorrow, remember, don't leave the tank, and don't leave the tank under any circumstances."

"But I have to leave the tank," Wang Yao shrugged, "Didn't they tell you the mission?"

"You can also see the enemy through the scope, you just need to check it visually."

"You asked me to give the United Front Work Department the data I saw visually from the scope? Are you crazy? The United Front Work Department gave me the investigation plan, and I have to complete at least 40.00% of the measurements to be considered as effectively completing the task."

Ivan frowned: "Wait a minute." He pushed aside the crowd and said a few words to Torris, who nodded at him.

"Come with me." Ivan patted Wang Yao's shoulder: "I have something for you."

Ivan led Wang Yao around the front yard. There was a large open space behind the warehouse. Ivan took out a gun and handed it to Wang Yao: "This is Tokarev, can you use it?"

"No." Wang Yao took the gun and looked at it.

"Here is the clip, there are eight rounds in total, and here is the safety, which is used in this way." Ivan helped him pull the safety catch: "You fire one shot."

"Ah?" Wang Yao didn't quite understand.

"Don't point towards the ground, as the bullets will bounce off easily, shoot towards the sky." Ivan held his wrist: "Shoot."

Wang Yao frowned, and tentatively pulled the trigger.

He was a little surprised by the recoil of Tokarev's gun.

"Don't stop, keep shooting."

After the seventh shot, Ivan said, "Stop."

Wang Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Look, this is the safety catch. You have to put it back gently like this, otherwise this kind of gun is easy to go off." Ivan pulled the safety catch back in an exemplary way: "You don't need to remember this point. , you just fire eight bullets in one go."

"Light up? What should I do if I light up?"

"Don't worry, I will definitely rush to you before you fire eight bullets." Ivan put the gun back into his hand.

"Oh." Wang Yao blushed a little: "How do you aim this gun?"

"You don't need to aim, as long as you find danger, don't worry about it so much, just shoot in that direction." Ivan also handed him the holster: "To be honest, when I saw your name, I would rather not You, but when the Ministry of Command told us to protect you with our lives, I felt very honored. I will protect you with my life."

"Well, it's not that exaggerated...it's not that exaggerated." Wang Yao lowered his head and stuffed the gun into the holster: "I will be very smart, and I know all the data by heart, just give me 10 minutes. gone."

Ivan suddenly smiled: "Suddenly I look forward to seeing you in military uniform."

"Huh? Are you really going to give me a military uniform?"

The next day, Wang Yao in military uniform appeared in the team, he really looked like a soldier.Torres announced the outline of the mission to everyone: this time there will be six vehicles, four kv tanks, and two t-34 medium tanks with better mobility. The target vehicle is expected to appear in the early morning, and four kv tanks will be responsible for ambushes. One t-34 tank is responsible for luring the target vehicle, and the other is responsible for escorting.The heavy tractor is parked half a kilometer away from us, so everyone should try to avoid the enemy approaching the tractor.

At ten o'clock in the morning, everyone boarded the car and set off. Wang Yao sat on Ivan's KV, and Torres boarded the T-34.After getting in the car, Ivan adjusted the radio: "Car No. [-] is ready, please answer."

"Car No. [-] is ready, please answer." Torres' voice came from the receiver.Then came the voices of the captains of cars No. [-], No. [-] to No. [-].

"Let's go." After Ivan ordered, he hung up the radio.

Wang Yao had never been in a tank before, and he couldn't help but lean forward the moment he started it, and almost fell out. The little Peter next to him couldn't help laughing at him: "Mr. Wang Yao, your hat is crooked."

"Okay." Wang Yao straightened his hat: "The noise is really loud."

"Don't complain, hold on to the handle, and be careful not to hit your head on the shell." Ivan said while looking out the window while looking at his watch.

It took at least an hour for the tanks to reach their destination. After the refueling truck refueled the tanks, the tanks continued to drive for more than ten minutes before stopping.

Ivan climbed out of the turret and looked at the surrounding environment: "It should be here, ambush at these points. The commander is in charge of guarding, and the others dig holes."

"Teacher Wang Yao, are you okay?" Peter saw Wang Yao's expression was not good.

"It's not very good, I really want to vomit." Wang Yao didn't just want to vomit, his watch almost turned upside down.

After climbing down from the tank, Wang Yao vomited, and stood with the support of a tree for a long time before recovering.

"Are you okay?" Torres came over with a water bottle.

"Okay, okay." Wang Yao took a sip from the kettle.

"It's okay, you have a good rest." Torres glanced at his watch: "It's summer now, and the German target vehicles may not come out until early in the morning. It's only past three o'clock, so you can have a good rest."

"Are you going to be the bait tonight?"

Torres nodded: "Don't worry, Teacher Wang Yao, Ivan is not the only one who can fight well, I am also an instructor, please put away your worried expression?"

"Okay, okay, you are the best."

The fortifications are almost done, the three kv heavy tanks have been half buried by the roadside, and Ivan's No. [-] vehicle is hidden in the woods, and now everyone is cutting branches to cover the gun barrel.

"Teacher Wang Yao," Torres hesitated to say, "Actually, I have always wanted to ask, why don't you go back to China?"

It was this question again, Wang Yao handed him the kettle back, he didn't know how to answer, in fact he didn't have an answer either.

"I think……"

"Instructor! The company commander said that dinner is served on the spot now!" Little Peter ran over and gave a military salute.

"Can you eat now?" Torres saw that Wang Yao's expression was still not good.

"You can eat, let's go eat." Wang Yao glanced at Peter gratefully, and dragged Torres to eat.

Lunch was just some dry bread and jerky. After eating, someone went to boil some hot water and filled everyone's kettles. Ivan checked all the vehicles again: "At seven o'clock, everyone is having dinner in the car. At eight o'clock, car No. [-] leaves, and the other cars are on alert."

So everyone went back to their respective tanks and began a long wait.

"Do you want to sleep for a while? Teacher Wang Yao?" Peter pulled out the leather cushion from under his buttocks: "You can use the two together as a pillow."

"..." Wang Yao took the cushion: "It's so narrow, I might not be able to sleep on it."

Laughter came from the cab: "Peter, you are too small."

"It's obvious that the company commander is too big." Peter muttered.

"Teacher Wang Yao, have you ever been the instructor's teacher?" The person in the cab spoke again.

"I teach mechanics, but I'm just a teaching assistant, so I'm a teacher."

"No wonder he called you teacher. Come to think of it, wow, you have also been the company commander's teacher!" The two pilots exclaimed exaggeratedly: "Would you beat him with the whip? Hahahaha."

Ivan kicked at the cab, and the laughter grew wider.

Peter laughed for a while, and suddenly complained: "Who farted? Company commander, can I open the lid for a while?"

Everyone laughed again.

"I also want to breathe." Wang Yao has also learned to ask for instructions now. He feels that the tank is too stuffy. It's not just a question of whether to fart or not.

Ivan didn't speak, but straightened the lookout and made a sign to go.

After the top cover was opened, Wang Yao poked his head out and took a deep breath.

"Teacher Wang Yao, look." Peter tugged at Wang Yao's sleeve.

"what happened?"

"Look," Peter pointed to the sky, "Look, it's so beautiful!"

Wang Yao raised his head and saw the fiery red clouds in the sky, like a still burning flame, spreading to infinity.The brilliant light changes at the edge of the clouds, and the whole sky is like a scene in a mirror, which is astonishingly beautiful, magnificent and turbulent.Wang Yao has never seen such a beautiful scenery. Although this is the sky he is familiar with, the war has changed too much. After a long absence, he smells the wind, which is the smell of summer leaves. The green leaves of the birch forest rustle The sound was so peaceful that it made him intoxicated.He just stared blankly at the scene in front of him, wishing he could keep looking at this scene.

"Teacher Wang Yao," Peter interrupted his imagination, "We have to retreat, I heard the sound of bombers."

Wang Yao vaguely saw a black spot on the horizon, and quickly followed Peter back to the turret. About 2 minutes later, the scream of the bomber passed over his head, which lasted at least a few dozen seconds.

"It's Stuka again," Ivan raised the sight glass: "The direction is towards the Baltic Sea. It seems that bombing the Baltic fleet may be their new plan."

Everyone fell into silence, and no one spoke again.

In the dullness, time passed more slowly. Peter fell asleep leaning on Wang Yao's shoulder with a plop. After a while, there was also the sound of snoring from the cab.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" Wang Yao watched as Ivan kept looking at the binoculars.

"Go to sleep when you're sleepy, I won't sleep."

"You are so powerful that you can stare outside for hours."

Ivan looked back at Wang Yao, and suddenly stretched out his hand to help him press down the raised hair on the side of the hat: "Be good and rest for a while, don't let me be distracted."

Wang Yao looked at the back of Ivan's head and said "Oh".

In the silence, the late drowsiness finally struck, and Wang Yao fell into a dream with the support of the sub-caliber armor-piercing bullet on the side.

After an unknown period of time, it was the sound of radio communication that woke him up.

"It's seven o'clock, each car is ready to eat, the captain please answer."

Wang Yao moved his arm that was sore from Peter's pressure, and took the dry food he handed over: "Ivan, don't you want to eat?"

"I'll eat after the driver of No. [-] car finishes eating," Ivan continued looking into the lookout mirror, but added an explanation: "At that time, he will be in charge of guarding."

"Oh." Wang Yao agreed, and took a bite of the dry meatloaf.

At eight o'clock, Torres' No. [-] car set off on time, and all the vehicles were put on alert. Instead, Ivan was free. He carefully opened the turret cover, pulled Wang Yao out, and pointed to the open space not far away. Explained to him: "Did you see that place? When the target vehicle gets there, the three KVs on the side will attack his side armor. Once I give the order, Peter will help you open the top cover, and you will start from Run over this road." Ivan pointed to a direction in front of him: "Run over as soon as possible, don't hesitate, I have explored this small area, there is no problem. Once you finish the measurement, wave to us and we will drive Come and pick you up. Remember, the battlefield is dangerous, don't run around like a fly."

Wang Yao, who was compared to a fly, did not dare to refute, but nodded honestly.

Ivan wanted to say something more, but maybe he felt that he was a bit long-winded: "Anyway, don't be too nervous. If 10 minutes is not enough, continue. It will be a little cold at night. I will give you the gloves." Ivan took the gloves from his pocket. He took out a pair of woolen gloves and stuffed them into Wang Yao's hands.

"It's too big." Wang Yao complained.

Ivan ignored him and just pushed him back into the turret.Wang Yao learned to be smart this time, and instead of talking to Ivan, he found the roundest cannonball and fell asleep leaning on it.

This time when he woke up by himself, there were only him and Peter in the turret.Wang Yao rubbed his eyes: "Where is Ivan?"

"The company commander is out." Peter watched the quiet radio.

Wang Yao looked at his watch, it was already one o'clock in the morning.

"Torres hasn't come back yet?"

"Yes." Peter also showed a puzzled expression: "Didn't you say to act in the early morning? Has it changed?"

Wang Yao also squeezed to the side of the observation mirror and looked out. It was finally dark outside and he couldn't see anything clearly. No wonder Ivan wanted to run out.This wait lasted for two hours, and when it was almost three o'clock, there was light on the horizon, the earth showed a strange blue-gray color, and the edges of the woods and swamps could gradually be seen clearly.

In the silence, Wang Yao finally heard two or three dull sounds from the outer armor, and the top cover was knocked.Peter shouted happily: "The company commander is back!"

Wang Yao's tense heart relaxed, and Ivan got into the turret covered in morning dew: "Is there any news on the radio?"

Peter shook his head.

Ivan showed no expression, just turned on the flashlight and looked at a small map.Gradually, the sound of birds chirping came from outside the tank. Morning is coming. Could it be that this night was in vain?Where is Torres?And what about car No. [-]?Where are they?

Sudden!There was a squeaking electric current on the quiet radio.

"...the number two car is calling...the number two car is calling...the target vehicle has appeared...please pay attention."