Xu Jun had no intention of purging Ribbentrop from the beginning, and as Ribbentrop had expected at first, he felt that the Foreign Minister of the Third Reich was of great use.

This man's political ability is extremely mediocre, and his ability to judge the international situation is even more mentally retarded and pitiful, and let a guy like a rookie serve as the Reich's foreign minister, and Hitler can be regarded as blind to his dog's eye.

However, this man possessed abilities that a career diplomat did not possess, and his early business experience gave him a keen sense of smell and superb social skills like a businessman, and of course inherited the shallow moral concept of a businessman.

If it were in peacetime, Xu Jun would definitely not hesitate to put this kind of person out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The so-called diplomacy is no trivial matter, and it is simply a joke to put this guy who has never taken the code of diplomatic ethics into account for Germany's foreign affairs.

However, at this time, Xu Jun just needs such a person to solve some headaches for himself in diplomacy, as the so-called wicked people have their own wicked people to grind, scoundrels are even more scoundrels, current affairs create heroes, troubled times create characters, and if used properly, it is also a force that cannot be underestimated.

However, Xu Jun will not be naïve enough to directly take the champagne merchant and use it, this guy has always regarded himself as Hitler's hardcore confidant, in fact, Hitler does regard him as a right-hand man and trusts him, and pulls this kind of guy directly into his team, maybe he will be secretly sold by him one day.

So, Xu Jun decided to give Ribbentrop a knock before activating him, so that this clever guy would know what would happen if he was in the wrong position.

Now it seems that His Excellency the Führer's hammering plan was very successful, at least in terms of the surveillance reports of the Ministry of Intelligence.

When Ribbentrop learned from Newright that it had been Xu Jun who had issued his amnesty and had given him the post of Reich Deputy Foreign Minister, he removed the portrait of Hitler hanging from the fireplace in his home that night and hung it with a bust of Reinhardt's military uniform.

The next day, Ribbentrop wrote a touching letter of allegiance to Xu Jun in Paris, in which, in addition to being full of cliché flattery, he also expressed his gratitude to Xu Jun for not attacking his family, and was extremely excited about Xu Jun's willingness to use someone with such a background as him, and in return for Xu Jun's leniency and respect, he vowed to be extremely loyal to His Excellency the Führer.

Xu Jun was not dazzled by this ornate letter of allegiance, he only believed in his own vision and the wisdom of Ribbentrop, and as long as the man saw the substantial benefits, his loyalty would be unquestionable.

Now, Xu Jun sat behind his huge black desk, silently watching the German diplomatic genius foaming at the mouth of his indignation while his mind ran to the distant Baltic Sea.

The document in front of me is a diplomatic memorandum of understanding, more like a proclamation in substance, full of lame lies and contrived bluffs, and even a hint of threat if you look closely.

This made Xu Jun feel very uncomfortable, especially when he knew this history very well, and the remarks in that memo and the truth behind it made him feel disgusted.

"Now it is necessary to put an end to all the intrigues of Britain and France to spread Soviet-German discord and mistrust on the Baltic coast. Did Molotov really think that we would believe this nonsense? ”

Keitel, the chief of staff of the High Command, who had been sitting on the side and had not said a word, put down the copy of the document in his hand and shook his head.

"He doesn't care if we believe that, Your Excellency. Molotov is a veteran of telling nonsense with his eyes open, I have dealt with him several times, this guy is extremely ignorant, and has no diplomatic skills or brains (which sounds like talking about himself), and only climbed to his current position by virtue of extreme loyalty to Stalin (which is also strikingly similar in this regard), this kind of opponent is not difficult to deal with, but the key now is ......"

Ribbentrop turned his face to look at Xu Jun.

"The point now is that we don't have the energy to meddle over there. The Russians had long expected this, which is why they dared to send this ridiculous memorandum so justifiably. ”

Xu Jun tapped his fingers lightly on the document on the table, and said lightly.

"It's frustrating that Lithuania has been occupied, Latvia and Estonia are putting up their last resistance, and that the Russians are building their "western defence" with it, and that we can only sit here and watch this happen before our eyes. ”

Xu Jun stood up and walked over to the map hanging on the wall of his office and drew a line on the map with a red pen.

"With the annexation of the three Baltic states, Russia could easily cut off our maritime ties with Finland and control the entire Baltic Sea inland sea route. The three Baltic states, together with Belarus and Ukraine, have begun to take shape in the structure of Russia's "Western Defense Line", which is indeed a huge strategic defense system. But ......"

Xu Jun turned his face to look at the subordinates standing behind him.

Is this really a "line of defense"? I personally doubt it. ”

Xu Jun drew a few circles on the map.

"My Führer, you mean that the Russians are not building a line of defense...... So...... O merciful God. ”

Army Chief of Staff Halder immediately understood what Xu Jun meant, and he couldn't help but exclaim.

"My Führer. You mean that Russia will attack us? How is this possible, we have been trying our best to maintain relations with Russia, and they are also like us, they are constantly transporting the strategic material resources we need, if they want to attack us, why do they do this. I don't believe that there will be a war between the Soviet Union and Germany, unless Stalin is crazy......"

Ribbentrop also exclaimed.

"Can you guarantee that he won't suddenly go crazy? Ribbentrop. ”

Xu Jun looked coldly at the frightened Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"If they want to preemptively destroy Germany, the primary goal and greatest threat to Russia's expansion of its sphere of influence in Europe, we will be powerless.

I saw Stalin's ambition and determination in Russia's annexation of the three Baltic states. It's an elusive and terrifying opponent, and no one knows what he's thinking or what he's going to do in the next moment.

This man and Hitler had many things in common, the same conceit, the same self-confidence, the same adventurousness. Therefore, I would not be at all surprised if Russia suddenly launched an attack on Europe one day. ”

Xu Jun said lightly with his hands behind his back.

"But, my Führer, I still have doubts that Russia will attack us. Of course, I don't mean to question your judgment, but I think it's a little ...... that you are making such an assertion on the basis of a "Western line of defense" that none of us know about Lose sleep over something.

If your judgment is correct, then we must immediately make corresponding adjustments to Germany's strategy and foreign policy in the later period, which will inevitably cause damage to the friendly relations we have established with Russia and Germany's diplomatic reputation, and more seriously, it will likely lead to a direct armed confrontation with Russia, which I do not think is a wise decision at this time. ”

Halder said hesitantly.

"You're right, it's just my speculation at this point, and I don't have any information on that yet. However, I think in the current situation, we still need to be prepared for that kind of unexpected situation.

As you said, I know that it is too early to judge, and I personally hope from the bottom of my heart that friendly relations between Germany and Russia will be maintained, because this is the best outcome for the Soviet Union and Germany.

However, now we cannot take this lightly, who can guarantee that they know what the Russian side really thinks. What I can guarantee now is that in six months' time there will be no change in the relations between our two countries, and that they will need time to digest the three Baltic states and build this line of defense.

As for the information on the "Western Defense" I mentioned earlier, the Eye of Odin is collating and will soon be in your hands. ”

Xu Jun slowly walked back to his desk and stroked the table.

"Don't think of me as a madman like Hitler, I have no interest in the slightest madness in the conquest of the Slavs and the capture of the empty and barren land of Russia. I am only concerned about the security and stability of Germany and Europe, and the revival of great Germany is my only goal. ”

"I will order the General Staff to assess the questions you have raised, my Führer. As you said, we need to be prepared for any eventuality, especially Russia, which now seems to be a somewhat unreliable ally. ”

Seeing that Xu Jun was a little unhappy, Halder hurriedly said respectfully.

"Remember to submit a report to me as soon as possible, and the Eye of Odin will give you full intelligence support."

Xu Jun sat back in his chair, he looked up at Ribbentrop and said, "You know how to reply to the Russians, and the matter over there will be left to you." Remember, you didn't hear anything earlier, and we are still the closest allies of Russia. ”

"Of course, my Führer, we are the closest allies between us."

Ribbentrop nodded in reply.

"Speaking of the 'closest allies', this is also something you handed in, can you tell me what this group of guys thinks, and do you need to think about such a simple question for so long? ”

Xu Jun pulled out a document from the pile of papers next to his desk and handed it to Ribbentrop.

"This ...... My Führer, in fact His Excellency Mussolini has already arrived in Munich, so ......"

Ribbentrop looked at the paper and replied hesitantly.

"Where do I have time to go to Munich and talk to him, let him come to Paris to meet me, and tell him that if he fails to give Germany a satisfactory explanation this time, all the consequences will be borne by him personally." Xu Jun frowned and said coldly.

"Ah, isn't that too ...... Yes, my Führer. ”

Ribbentrop bowed his head respectfully under Xu Jun's two cold gazes.