Red Moscow

Georg had been sent away, and if nothing unexpected happened on the way, he should have arrived in Moscow. Therefore, Sokov had no time to care about him, and instead focused on the work at hand.

"Deputy brigade commander, chief of staff," Sokov said to Belkin and Cherkasov, "Since the total number of the brigade has exceeded 3,000, we should immediately form the fourth battalion."

"If we want to form another fourth battalion, there will be no problem with the soldiers," Belkin reminded Sokov, "but what about the commanders? Where do you plan to select people to serve as the battalion commanders of the fourth battalion?"

Sokov glanced at Lieutenant Colonel Cherkasov next to him, then smiled and said, "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, aren't we still taking in the scattered officers and soldiers? Can't we select suitable candidates from among them to serve as the battalion commander of the Fourth Battalion?"

Belkin was about to refute Sokov's statement, but suddenly he saw Cherkasov standing beside him. He immediately changed his mind and thought that since he could find the brigade chief of staff, it should not be a big problem to select a few officers from the officers and soldiers who were taken in to serve as the battalion commander and company commander of the Fourth Battalion.

Belkin nodded and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, you are right. We can select suitable commanders from among the officers and soldiers we have received to serve as battalion and company commanders of the Fourth Battalion. Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think?" The rest of his words were addressed to Cherkasov.

"Comrade brigade commanders," Cherkasov, who had just assumed the position of brigade chief of staff, said cautiously, "Based on the current situation, we can at least accommodate two to three thousand officers and soldiers in the next two days. If we only form a fourth battalion, I think it should be good. At least we need to form a fifth and sixth battalions."

Sokov knew that in the Soviet military system, the difference between a regiment and a brigade was the number of subordinate battalion-level units. An infantry regiment usually had three battalions under its command, while an infantry brigade had four to six battalions under its command. Therefore, Cherkasov's suggestion to form the fifth and sixth battalions was worth considering.

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov looked at Cherkasov and said, "Your proposal is good. But whether we can finally form the fifth and sixth battalions depends entirely on whether we can find suitable commanders in the subsequent reception work."

"I think there should be no problem." Cherkasov said confidently: "During the breakout, I met many commanders of high rank. If they choose to pass through this area to return to our defense zone, then we can accommodate more officers and soldiers and select suitable candidates from them."

"Comrade Brigade Commander, who do you think would be best to be in charge of this matter?" Belkin asked Sokov.

Sokov knew that this kind of thing was too time-consuming and laborious, so he simply handed it over to Belkin: "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, you are more familiar with the reorganization of the troops than I am. I will let you be responsible for the formation of the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions."

"What about me, Comrade Brigade Commander?" Seeing that Sokov had assigned Belkin a job, Cherkasov became impatient and asked, "What is my job?"

Sokov thought about it. Although his troops might participate in the counterattack that would begin soon, he could not rule out the possibility that Rokossovsky would order him to lead his troops to hold on here. So he said to Cherkasov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, there are no decent fortifications in the area where our brigade is located. I think you should lead the soldiers to build defenses and prepare to resist the German attack."

When Belkin and Cherkasov were about to leave the tent, Sokov said from behind: "Remember, we may have to participate in the counterattack in the near future, so we don't have much time. You must hurry up to organize the troops and repair the fortifications."

Hearing this, Cherkasov couldn't help but interrupt and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, didn't you say that we might participate in the counterattack that will be launched soon? Then why do we still need to build fortifications?"

"The reason is very simple." Sokov looked at Cherkasov and said, "If our counterattack is ineffective and the enemy takes the opportunity to launch a counterattack, do you think our troops, who have no positions to rely on, can stop their crazy attack?"

Cherkasov thought about it carefully, then shook his head and said, "I think it should be unstoppable."

"Since you all understand this, I won't say anything more. Just get busy."

…………

While the reorganization of the infantry brigade and the repair of fortifications were in full swing, Georg had already arrived in Moscow.

He walked to an intelligence department with ease and walked into one of the offices. After exchanging secret codes with the intelligence officer sitting inside, the officer stood up and asked politely, "Comrade Georg, I wonder what important intelligence you have obtained that you would risk exposing your identity and come to the intelligence bureau to report it?"

"Comrade Lieutenant, I am lurking in the headquarters of the German 24th Motorized Army." Georg said with a serious expression, "After discovering a shocking secret, I wanted to send this information out through an intelligence agent, but the intelligence agent suddenly disappeared. Considering that this information is extremely important, I had no choice but to take the risk and come here."

"What information?" the officer asked.

But Georg shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, Comrade Lieutenant, your rank is too low, I can't tell you."

The officer was somewhat annoyed when he heard what George said, but considering that the other party had just escaped from the German defense line, he asked sincerely: "Comrade George, I wonder who you plan to report the intelligence you have?"

"It would be best if it was Comrade Beria," Georg said in a shocking tone, "because it is only natural to report such news to him."

"Comrade Georg," the officer said bitterly after hearing what Georg said, "I'm really sorry, my rank was not good enough to contact Comrade Beria at all."

"Comrade Lieutenant, I beg you to find a way to help me contact Comrade Beria, okay?"

Seeing that Georg looked nervous, the officer thought for a moment and then said to Georg: "Comrade Georg, I can contact my superiors, but whether they agree that you go to see Comrade Beria is not something I can influence."

"Comrade Lieutenant, please tell them that my information is very important and I hope they will let me see Comrade Beria."

Georg's request was reported layer by layer and soon reached Beria's ears.

When Beria learned that an intelligence officer who had returned from the German defense zone had important intelligence to report to him in person, he said disapprovingly: "An insignificant little man wants to see me. It's just wishful thinking. Tell him, I won't see him!"

Seeing that Beria was unwilling to meet George, the officers below also seemed very embarrassed. If they did not go around this person to see Beria, he would probably not take the initiative to provide the intelligence he brought back.

Just when he was in a dilemma, Lunev, Deputy People's Commissar of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, happened to pass by the door.

Lunev had no idea what had just happened. After hearing what the officer said, he cautiously said to Georg, "I am Lunev, the Deputy People's Commissar of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If you have any important information, you can report it to me truthfully."

Georg knew that it was unrealistic for him to meet Beria. The person who appeared before him was the Deputy People's Commissar of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Although his position was not as high as Beria's, he was also a person with weight.

"Comrade Lunev," Georg stepped forward and said to Lunev, "I can report the intelligence I brought back to you. But in order to avoid being eavesdropped, can you arrange a quiet office for me to listen to my detailed report?"

"Of course, of course." Lunev nodded and continued, "My office is upstairs. I'll take you there."

Soon, Lunev brought Georg to his office. After closing the door, he asked directly: "Comrade Georg, there are only two of us in this room. Can you report the intelligence you brought back to me?"

Georg looked around warily, then lowered his voice and asked, "Comrade Deputy People's Commissar, there are no bugs in your office, are there?"

"How could I have something like that here?" Lunev pointed to a sofa next to him and motioned for Georg to sit down. Then he walked to the desk and sat down. Looking at Georg, he continued, "Now, you can report to me."

After hearing Lunev say that there would be no bugs in the office, Georg said boldly, "Comrade Deputy People's Commissar, the Germans have sent a special team, disguised as our wounded soldiers, into Moscow, and are planning to assassinate Comrade Stalin in two days!"

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Lunev, who was originally sitting, was shocked when he heard Georg tell him important intelligence, that someone was going to go deep into Moscow to assassinate Stalin. He stood up suddenly and asked urgently: "Comrade Georg, is what you said true?"

"Of course it's true." Georg nodded vigorously and said in a decisive tone: "I can guarantee with my life that this information is true."

"Aren't you in the 24th Motorized Army?" Lunev asked in confusion, "That's the German field army. If the Germans wanted to assassinate Comrade Stalin, why would they take personnel from the army?"

"Comrade Deputy People's Commissar?" Seeing that Lunev had doubts about what he said, Georg quickly explained to him: "Because at the headquarters of the 24th Motorized Army, there is a strictly trained unit, the Brandenburg Regiment of the German Army. I accidentally saw their plan. They plan to send a special team to sneak into Moscow and choose the right time to assassinate Comrade Stalin."

"You said the 24th Motorized Army has a special unit. How many people are there?"

"15 to 18 people." Georg went on to say, "This assassination team is different from previous teams. Not only have they undergone rigorous training, but the equipment they use is also very special."

"Then tell me, what is so special about their equipment?"

"It's a kind of clothing that can block bullets." Georg said, "After putting on this kind of clothing, not only can bullets from pistols, but even bullets from submachine guns can't penetrate it. They call this special clothing a bulletproof vest."

When Lunev heard this, he realized the seriousness of the problem. He quickly turned around and picked up the phone on the table. After dialing a number, he said into the receiver: "This is Lunev. I have something important to do and need to contact Comrade Beria immediately. Can you arrange it for me?"

A few minutes later, Lunev put down the phone, sighed softly, and then said to Georg: "Maybe Comrade Beria wants to see you. You should be mentally prepared first."

After the two chatted for a while, the phone on the table suddenly rang. Lunev picked up the receiver and put it to his ear: "This is Lunev. How is it? Have you contacted Comrade Beria? Did he say when we can go to see him?"

When Lunev put down the phone, a relieved smile appeared on his face: "Come on, Comrade Georg, I'll take you to see Comrade Beria."

Led by Lunev, the two came to Beria's office.

An officer was sitting in the outer office. When he saw Lunev coming, he stood up and saluted: "Hello, Comrade Deputy People's Commissar. The People's Commissar has been waiting for you."

Lunev took Georg into Beria's office, nodded to him, and then said straight to the point: "Comrade People's Commissar, this is Comrade Georg. He escaped from the direction of the German army and has important things to report to you."

Beria's eyes stayed on Georg: "Comrade Georg, I wonder what kind of intelligence you have obtained that you are willing to risk exposing your identity and escape to us. What is going on?"

"Comrade People's Commissar," Beria looked like a kind middle-aged man, even a little timid, but he controlled the lives of countless people. So when he stared at Georg, the latter felt uneasy. Georg said cautiously: "I brought back a top-secret document, which mentioned that the Germans might send a special action team to assassinate Comrade Stalin."

Georg's words made Beria break out in a cold sweat. He asked nervously, "Comrade Georg, is what you said true?"

"Of course it's true, Comrade People's Commissar." Georg was still worried that Beria would not believe it, so he swore and said, "I swear on my life that what I say is true."

"Do you know how many people are in the assassination team? How strong are they?"

Georg could not answer either of Beria's two questions. She could only shake her head vigorously and said helplessly: "I'm sorry, I really don't know how many people there are. As for when they sneaked into Moscow and sneaked into the Kremlin, I have even less idea."

Beria was somewhat disappointed to hear that Georg's report was vague. He waved his hand at Georg and said, "Comrade Georg, you must be very tired after escaping from the enemy's defense zone. Go and have a rest with Comrade Lunev first. We can talk later if there is anything else."