On the same day that China conducted nuclear tests, Stalin also received a message from Zhukov.

Things went so fast that Stalin was caught off guard. In just one night, the political workers who entered Mongolia lost contact with Zhukov. This news clearly told Stalin that your political workers were targeted as soon as they entered China. Otherwise, it is absolutely impossible, and all the news will be lost in one night.

Stalin was not too disappointed with this news. Although these political workers were trained for many years, Stalin only wanted them to test China, and of course, Stalin would be happier if there were good results. Now, even if it fails, it can be regarded as having a certain role.

After receiving this news, Stalin instructed Zhukov to strengthen the border defense. At the same time, he also ordered the Far Eastern Railway Department to speed up the transportation of materials, and it was necessary to ensure that the follow-up military supplies could reach Zhukov's hands faster.

In Stalin's view, war was the only way. It's just that Stalin didn't know Chen Shao's plans, and if he knew Chen Shao's plans, then the so-called conflict planned by Stalin would not have broken out. China can be tested at any time, as long as the goal of reducing the border forces of both sides can be achieved.

Before Stalin intended to start friction with China, he had to settle the German question first.

In Stalin's office in the Kremlin, Molotov strode into Stalin's office at Stalin's call.

Molotov, Stalin's confidant, always wore the same pants as Stalin. Behind his back, he was called Stalin's butcher's knife, because he was a staunch supporter of the Great Purge, and at the same time an executor. He presided over the purge work in the thirties.

In the same way, he had always insisted on a non-aggression pact with Germany, and as the second task of the Soviet Union at that time, the chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, he was responsible for holding talks with Germany on various matters related to the non-aggression pact, and also presided over the talks between the Soviet Union and Britain and France.

After the October Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union, the Chinese Empire was established on the heads of Japan, Britain and France. Due to ideological and grievances between various parties, the contradictions between Western countries, led by Britain and France, and the Soviet Union and China have intensified. By the end of the 30s of the 20th century, the main strategic rivals of Britain and France were the Soviet Union and China, and they clashed with Nazi Germany on the issue of Eastern Europe. Nazi Germany has always hated ** and is friendly with China, but in order to take military action against the Soviet Union, it must also pass through Eastern Europe. As far as the Soviet Union was concerned, Britain and France were "old imperialist countries," with obvious ideological conflicts, long borders with China, and territorial enmity between China and the Soviet Union. Thus began the game and struggle between the West, Germany, China and the Soviet Union.

On the one hand, Hitler claimed that he wanted to destroy the socialist Soviet Union, and on the other hand, he stepped up preparations for aggression and expansion into the West. In the face of Germany's aggressive trend, Britain and France blindly backed down and pursued a policy of appeasement. Attempting to "bring disaster to the water". The signing of the Munich Agreement on 29 September 1938 marked the culmination of the policy of appeasement between Britain and France.

As soon as Molotov came in, Stalin asked: "How is the Anglo-French question going?" ”

"There has been no progress, and now German Foreign Minister Penttrop has arrived in Moscow to hold talks on military issues such as Soviet-German non-aggression." Molotov said.

As early as when Britain and France learned that the Soviet Union and Germany had started negotiations on mutual nonaggression, they actively contacted the Soviet Union in an attempt to unite with the Soviet Union to stabilize the situation in Europe.

Britain, France, and the Soviet Union took the lead in holding military and political talks in Moscow. During the negotiations, the USSR made a number of proposals to Britain and France:

1. To conclude a treaty of mutual assistance against aggression between Britain, France and the Soviet Union with a period of 5 to 10 years, including military assistance.

2. The three countries guarantee the security of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

3. Conclude specific agreements on mutual assistance among the three countries.

Hitler repeatedly told the Soviet Union through Foreign Minister Ribbentrop that Nazi Germany had no intention of invading the Soviet Union and wanted to improve relations with each other. Because Hitler had decided to invade Poland at this time, he was deeply worried when he learned that negotiations were taking place in Moscow between Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. He immediately ordered Pentrop to leave for Moscow, and never allow the Soviet Union to negotiate with Britain and France.

"Then there is no need to continue to talk with Britain and France, hum, the old power, grind and chatter." Stalin snorted coldly and said: "Immediately start negotiations with Germany, as long as we can sign a non-aggression pact, we can let go of the competition with China." ”

In order to protect the security and interests of the Soviet Union, Stalin's most important thing was to not allow China and Germany to truly form a flank against the Soviet Union. It was decided to abandon the joint struggle with Britain and France against Nazi Germany and its neighbor China, and instead maintain superficial friendly relations with Germany in order to gain time and space to deal with possible military operations by Nazi Germany in the future, and to begin to resolve the current and Chinese problems.

Stalin was not a fool, and even if he united Britain and France, it would be difficult to stand alone. If one day, the Soviet Union had to face a flank attack from China and Germany, Stalin would not have to think about the outcome. At that time, even if the Germans were blocked, the Soviet Union would not be able to block a powerful military bloc that could expand its army by tens of millions at any time.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the large land area, especially in the current Soviet Union, although a large area of land in Siberia can be defended, but the most prominent problem is that there is no way for military supplies to arrive quickly. A million army can barely sustain itself, but once it faces a few million troops, there is only one result, and the rear supplies are absolutely not available. When the time comes, the weapons in the hands of the soldiers become burning sticks, it is better to give them to reach and spears.

On the other hand, China, Northeast China and Mongolia have established a huge transportation network, and it is very convenient to transport materials. And unlike Siberia, which is all ice fields, there are many restrictions on transporting supplies. Moreover, it is very close to China, and the follow-up support forces can reach it quickly, and it does not need to be thousands of kilometers to reach it like the Soviet Union.

And the most immediate problem with the Soviet Union's alliance with Britain and France was that the Soviet Union placed itself on the opposite point of China and Germany. Even if Britain and France want to help the Soviet Union, they will not be able to save the fire from far water, and besides, when the time comes, Germany will be opposite Britain and France, and whether they can withdraw their hands to deal with China are all questions. In addition, Germany was not alone, the Axis treaties were there, as well as Italy and Japan.

In other words, once the Soviet Union and Britain and France signed a military treaty, the most immediate problem would be to face the world's four major military powers at once. It doesn't matter whether Italy and Japan are strong or not. It was enough for Stalin to know that Japan's ambitions for the Soviet lands were enough. The issue of Sakhalin remained unresolved, and the dispute between the Soviet Union and Japan was only a matter of time.

"I see." Molotov said.

"Did Germany say its intention to negotiate?" Stalin Road.

"It's the same questions as before. Germany has repeatedly claimed that China and Germany have not signed any military alliance treaty, nor will it help China to fight against the Soviet Union, and stressed that the problems between China and the Soviet Union will be resolved by the two countries themselves, and Germany will not help each other. At the same time, Germany once again raised the question of carving up Poland with us. and promised to help the Soviet Union restore the borders of the Russian Empire in 1913. Molotov said.

"Did Germany say anything about the Japanese side?" Stalin Road.

"The intention of the talks indicated that Germany would try its best to restrain Japan and avoid any friction with the Soviet Union, but the German side also pointed out that on the issue between the Soviet Union and Japan, Germany would only remain neutral and would never take sides as long as the contract was signed." Molotov said.

Molotov's words made Stalin frown unconsciously, and then it began. The issue between the Soviet Union and Japan can be left to be resolved later, and this matter is not something that can be rushed now. Anyway, the war of words is still fought, and the most important thing now is to face China.

"It's okay to carve up Poland with Germany, but it will have to be after a while." The restoration of the territory of the Russian Empire was a great attraction for Stalin. It's just that now is not the time to think about this, so don't worry. Now that they have put on a posture and are ready to fight with China, we will talk about the European problems later. And Stalin also needed to liberate the military power of the Far East, so that the Soviet Union could have more energy to play in Europe.

Molotov nodded, in fact, these intentions were almost discussed. The German Foreign Minister came to Moscow only to sign the contract as soon as possible and to discuss some details further. Now that Stalin was planning to abandon talks with Britain and France, things were much simpler for Molotov. Once the details are finalized, the contract can be signed immediately.

"If nothing happens, I will immediately start negotiations with the Germans on the final details." Molotov nodded. He also did not want to continue negotiations with Britain and France, he had already talked with Germany for a long time, and he also supported the signing of a non-aggression pact with Germany, and did not want to unite with Britain and France.

Stalin nodded and motioned for Molotov to go out.

After Molotov left the Kremlin, he immediately went to the hotel where German Foreign Minister Bentrop was staying, and immediately started a half-day meeting, and in the later stage of the talks, even Stalin participated in the talks with Pentrop.

That same night, the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact was signed, and there were many secret clauses in the treaty that only the two countries knew. Now, both sides have achieved their desired goals.

Chen Shao, who was still in the Lop Nur base, received the news as soon as possible.

After holding a grand celebration with all the staff in the base to celebrate the success of the nuclear test, he was helped back to the lounge by Xie Yuxin. Wang Jie immediately conveyed to Chen Shao this piece of information sent by spies and the German side.

After seeing this telegram, Chen Shao, who was still a little confused, came to his senses as soon as possible. Looking at the burning telegram, Chen Shao sighed in his heart, and his thoughts were full for a while. Because this treaty and those secret clauses have always been Chen Shao's backs.

(To be continued)