No matter how difficult the choice is, there is no other way to go, but to make the necessary sacrifices. No matter how bumpy or unsatisfactory the road ahead is, it has become a fact, and choosing a road that is more favorable to the future is a choice that Stalin must make now.

In order to be able to go further in the future, in order to maximize the interests of the USSR itself. Stalin did not let Chen Shao wait too long, perhaps saying that Stalin himself did not want to wait any longer. Only now a peaceful Far East can maximize the interests of the Soviet Union.

As Stalin's confidant and right-hand man, Molotov immediately set off for Hanjing, and went to China as the second person in the Soviet Union to start a dialogue on the border issue between the two sides. Sending Molotov was enough proof that Stalin attached great importance to this matter, otherwise it would be enough to bring a few diplomats at random, and there was no need to use the second leader of the Soviet Union at all. However, Stalin not only needed to start a peaceful dialogue with China, but also hoped to sign some terms with China to ease the military pressure on both sides. The main thing is that Stalin wanted to know Chen Shao's thoughts, and in order to prevent Sino-Japanese alliance or other problems, he had to be sure of it.

Just as Molotov was on his departure, Germany also sent Colin as an envoy to China to conduct military exchanges and friendly visits in the name of the commander of the Luftwaffe. Originally, Hitler was going to go there himself, but he had too many things to do at this stage. And this matter came more urgently, and I couldn't get out of it for a while. Germany's visit to China was not decided by Germany unilaterally, but at the invitation of China, and Hitler originally planned to visit China in person after the signing of the non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Germany, and discuss some matters with Chen Shao face-to-face. It's just that the smell of gunpowder between China and the Soviet Union is getting stronger, and he doesn't want to stimulate Stalin's nerves. This decision was aborted, but the Soviet Union wanted peace talks within a few days, which made him begin to look down on the Soviet Union in his heart. However, the itinerary has changed, and he can only send his right and left hand Colin. As for Andri, Hitler did not want him to come to the forefront. It's better to stay in the shadows.

The world situation has become even more confusing in the midst of the hectic diplomatic maneuvers in the Far East. Following the high-profile visit of the Chinese Vice Premier to Japan, the visit of the Soviet Union's No. 2 man to China, and the visit of the Luftwaffe commander to China, all of these revealed a very unusual message.

Such a scene is the last thing Britain and France want to see. In the previous Sino-Soviet border conflict, both countries wished that the two land powers would fight to the death. Since the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Germany, it will drag China down. Turn your attention to the Far East and stop looking at Europe. So that they did not have to worry too much about Hitler being in cahoots with the Soviet Union.

As for whether the Soviets and Germany will join forces, even if Hitler used to show that he hated the Red Party very much, the British and French leaders had enough reason to believe that the Soviets and Germany could also join forces. Interests are the first, and in the face of interests, anything is possible.

The Sino-Soviet border conflict made them see the two land powers fighting, but things changed too quickly, not only did the two countries not declare war, but even the military conflict was manifested in the Siberian region. Moreover, both countries have shown considerable restraint, refraining from escalating the conflict or declaring war on each other. This disappointed both Britain and France, but Zong's visit to Japan and the Sino-Japanese Far East border directly threatened the security of the Soviet Far East. Let this matter become gunpowder again, and the powder keg of the Far East looks like it could detonate at any time.

The peak turned around, and the situation, which originally seemed very serious, suddenly came to a 180-degree turn, and even before Britain and France wanted to fan the flames, things were reversed. Molotov's visit to China was still under the pretext of openly visiting China on border matters, and he no longer said in the media that China was slandering the Soviet Union, but somewhat acquiesced in China's accusations against the Soviet Union. Britain and France also saw at this time that Stalin was impotent and did not want to fight with China.

Before the matter was over, Luftwaffe Commander Colin also paid an open visit to China, and directly specified that he would visit China to carry out military exchanges between the German side and the Chinese military on behalf of the German side. Britain and France also smelled an unusual smell from this. At this moment France had received news from elsewhere that Germany might invade Poland, but this news was still to be studied. The French side did not attach much importance to this news, but Colin's visit to China on the grounds of military exchanges made France's already tense nerves even tighter. Britain is much more simply, and before the matter is clear, Britain does not want to stand against Germany.

Britain and France have their own calculations, and although Colin's visit to China is unusual, neither country can say anything. It is normal for Sino-German relations to be good, and every time German officials visit China publicly, they will feel that there is no conspiracy. Such suspicions have already cost them too much energy, even if Colin is an important member of the German side, but until the matter is clear, the two countries will not take action. Maybe things aren't going in a bad direction, maybe there's some good news this time.

To put it bluntly, Britain and France were only worried that China would also join the so-called Axis powers. As long as China did not join the Axis for a day, then they were at ease.

However, Britain and France did not blindly wait, and it was when Colin announced his visit to China. Britain and France formally concluded an alliance agreement, and the two countries formed an alliance, and Canada, Poland, Nepal, Australia and other countries immediately announced their participation in this alliance. At the same time that the alliance treaty came into effect, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain personally visited the United States for the simple purpose of wanting the United States to join the organization.

Originally, Britain adhered to the policy of "appeasement", and as long as Germany did not touch Britain's bottom line, Britain would not enter into a written contract with France. However, a few years ago, led by Germany, Germany, Italy and Japan signed the "German-Italian-Japanese Triple Alliance Treaty" to form the Axis Alliance. This gave Britain a very bad impression, and the failure to win over the Soviet Union, on the contrary, the signing of the "Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact" between the Soviet Union and Germany made Britain gradually feel a crisis. Under the leadership of France, the Pact of the Alliance was signed, which was aimed at containing the Axis powers and China in the Far East. And the United States is their main target. Because now in the world, the only countries that have strength and have not formed an alliance with anyone are China and the United States, and Germany's move to win over China is obvious, so Britain and France can only try to win over the United States as much as possible. Regardless of whether the United States will agree to such an alliance request, what should be done is still to be done.

1938, December 11 afternoon.

Zong Li, who had just stepped off the plane, did not stop, and rushed directly to the Forbidden City, he wanted to report the results of this trip to Chen Shao as soon as possible. When he walked into the imperial study, before he could speak, Chen Shao took the lead and said:

"Our vice premier just got off the plane and rushed to see me, you must know that you are not in a hurry to combine work and rest."

"Your Majesty, this trip ......."

"Don't talk about that now, I see you look tired. Let's go back and take a shower, get some rest, recuperate, and come back tomorrow to talk to me in detail. Chen Shao waved his hand to stop Zong Li from blurting out the words. said with an unquestionable face.

Although Chen Shao's words had a sense of coercion, Zong Li felt warm in his heart. He was satisfied with having such a leader. He was originally tired from a few days of travel, but at the moment he felt a sense of momentum all over his body. But since Chen Shao said so, then he didn't stick to it.

"In that case, then I'll go down first."

"Hmmm! Go back and wash off the dust and get a good night's sleep. Chen Shao waved his hand and signaled that he could leave.

After Zong Li left, Chen Shao nodded, and continued to look at a long, long document. Zong left this trip to Japan, what was the result, Chen Shao had already guessed a rough idea. That's why he wasn't in a hurry, and the border matter could have been said to have been resolved when Molotov openly visited China. As for other questions, Chen Shao was not in the slightest hurry.

Chen Shao was not worried about the Olympics at all, when Zongli set off, in the eastern suburbs of Hanjing, the venue for the Olympic Games had already broken ground. For this extremely politically charged Olympics, Chen Shao did not plan to spend too much money. As long as the scale is sufficient, ignore everything else that can be ignored! Now is not the time to rely on those things to fight for face, everything is based on practical effects.

As for whether the Japanese side will give up the quota for holding the Olympics to China, and whether the Olympic organizing committee will agree, these things are not a problem. China has the ability to make them loosen their mouths and dare not come to embarrass China. Whether it is money or other interests, it is a small problem compared to the interests of China here.

And this matter is not an event that Chen Shao needs to focus on now, he cares more about the actions of Britain and France than such a thing with a handle. The document in his hand is some of the contents of the Allied contract, which is the latest intelligence sent by the spy from Europe, and the details of the contract are not obtained, but some details of the contract have been spied out by the spy.

After reading the contract, Chen Shao got up and paced back and forth in the imperial study. Once again, history has deviated, and not only did the Axis appear years in advance, but now even the Allies appeared very early. Moreover, Chamberlain also openly visited the United States, and the purpose is self-evident, except to win over the United States, there is no other purpose worthy of the British Prime Minister's personal visit to the United States. After all, Britain still claims to be the world leader, and whether others admit it or not, the British themselves think so. Letting the British Prime Minister, who has always been bullish, personally try to win over the United States is already very revealing.

Chen Shao does not need to worry about the attitude of the United States, as long as the United States is not a fool, it will not agree to the British to win over it. He is only sighing to himself now, and now in addition to the Red Police base, his other advantage has gradually disappeared. History has changed, and it is unpredictable how the road of World War II will go.

(To be continued)