Moscow, Kremlin

Just as Aiden and Rathenau hurried home with Chang Ruiqing's reply, the great leader of the world revolution shook hands with the French guests with great vigour, and said in fluent French: "Welcome Monsieur Reynaud and General de Gaulle to Moscow, and your arrival will reopen the great Franco-Russian friendship that has been interrupted for a long time." ”

"Thank you, Mr. President, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us, President Lebrun and Prime Minister Daladier have always attached great importance to developing relations with the Soviet Union and to mediate the conflict between the Soviet Union and the Anglo-German and Chinese countries."

The one who spoke was Paul. Reynaud, who is the current Minister of Defense of the Daladier coalition government, although he is a right-wing politician, has always regarded Germany as a great danger to France, and resolutely opposes France's attack on the Soviet Union with Germany, so he has become an old friend of the Soviet people. After the news of the "Chamberlain Hitler Agreement" was confirmed, Renault secretly visited Moscow through Syria (French Trusteeship) for the first time, and was accompanied by his friend, French Undersecretary of War Charles. Major General de Gaulle.

"Mediate conflicts?" Trotsky could not help but ridicule the naivety of the French in his heart, he had never thought of uniting with France, after all, the French had a close relationship with Kolchak and Krentzky, and they had been holding on to the debts of the former Tsarist government and insisting on the Soviet Union to repay them. However, after reading the copy of the "Chamberlain Hitler Agreement" sent by the British GCD, he already realized that the two imperialist countries of Britain and Germany were going to move seriously this time, so he instructed the representative in Paris to intensify his contact with France. It was hoped that an anti-German alliance could be formed with France and that the forces of France and the Soviet Union would be gathered against Germany. Renault's visit at this time could be said to have played into Trotsky's hands. But the idea of the French seems somewhat unrealistic. He was a little embarrassed, and he didn't know how to answer for a while, so he looked at Litvinov and Tukhachevsky around him.

The new People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR Maxim. Litvinov, an obese Jew, was one of the few high-ranking officials within the Soviet GCD who did not approve of a simultaneous war with the entire capitalist world. However, he did not lose Trotsky's trust, because the Red diplomat was a notoriously "honest man" who never concealed his views and even told the truth to his face. Such qualities could be very dangerous if they were placed on an ordinary Soviet citizen. But in the core of Soviet power, which was full of people. There is still a place for such "honest people", after all, Trotsky did not want to be left without a truth-teller around him, right?

And although Litvinov is honest, his diplomatic talents are no worse than his predecessor Checherin, who is good at brain teasers. His diplomatic style is to say one thing and say two things, and he does not play clever, nor does he exert any flashy diplomatic wisdom. But it is very tough on issues of principle. See Trotsky's eyes. The honest man Litvinov coughed lightly, took the question and said: "Mr. Renault, you just said that President Lebrun and Prime Minister Daladier want to mediate the current war?" So is there any feasible solution? ”

Renault glanced at de Gaulle, who took out a copy of his briefcase. Litvinov took the text and read it at a glance, then immediately handed it to Trotsky and introduced it to him in a low voice in Russian. It turned out to be a letter drafted in the name of French Prime Minister Daladier, in which a peace plan was proposed. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from British colonies and spheres of influence was demanded in exchange for Britain's withdrawal from the current war. However, there is no mention of Northern Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey, or how the war between the Soviet Union and China and Germany should end. Renault looked very serious when he saw Trotsky. With a sigh of relief, he said: "Britain's withdrawal from the war is only the first step towards achieving peace, and without Britain's support, China and Germany believe that they will also adopt a more pragmatic attitude." Especially Germany...... Now that they have Austria and Czechoslovakia, as well as Hungary and part of Romania, they should be content with the status quo. As long as our country and Britain exert joint pressure, I believe that peace in Europe can be achieved very quickly. This will allow the Soviet Union to concentrate on solving the challenges it faces in Asia......"

Listening to Renault's vision, Trotsky's mind suddenly came alive. The current war situation has shown that the Soviet Union does not have the strength to defeat Britain, Germany and China at the same time, if it can first cease war with Britain and Germany, and then concentrate its forces on China, perhaps it will have a chance to achieve its set goal! Thinking of this, his eyes couldn't help but look at Tukhachevsky.

Tukhachevsky frowned, he also knew that this war was a bit difficult to fight. However, he did not believe that Britain would withdraw from the war as long as it took back its colonies in the Middle East and India, and he did not believe that Germany would give up its eastward ambitions. If Renault had come a month earlier, what Daladier said in his letter might have succeeded, but now, Britain, Germany, and China have probably agreed on the conditions for the elimination and partition of the Soviet Union, how could they break up because of the Soviet Union's concessions? Perhaps as soon as the Soviet Union retreated, the arrogance of Britain, Germany, and China will become even more arrogant!

Seeing that Tukhachevsky did not speak, Trotsky understood that he was not optimistic about this French mediation. To be honest, if you think about it carefully, this matter is indeed a bit of child's play, and now it is a world war, and it is not a playhouse! Britain and Germany finally gained the upper hand, how could they stop because of the temporary retreat of the Soviet Union, and then watch the Soviet Union liberate China? In the unlikely event that Britain backtracked after recovering its colonies in India and the Middle East, the Soviet Union would not even be able to cry!

Trotsky smoked his cigar vigorously, and the white smoke drifted round and round, and in a moment it made the living room smoky. Litvinov and Tukhachevsky, who were well acquainted with Trotsky, knew that the revolutionary prophet was hesitating. Although he did not believe that he could reconcile with Britain and Germany, he hoped to win over France as a potential ally. Sure enough, Trotsky slowly put down the text, put away the hesitant look in the corner of his eyes, and asked lightly: "Mr. Reynolds, if we agree to retreat from Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Najd, Hejaz, etc. How sure is France that it will bring Britain back to the path of peace? ”

This sentence disappointed Renault for a while, and it seemed that Trotsky was not willing to give up India! And India is the crown jewel of the British Empire. If Britain wants to regain its former prestige. Then you must not give up. However, in addition to his disappointment, Renault also knew that his trip to the Soviet Union had to be fruitful, because the Chamberlain Hitler Agreement clearly stipulated that Britain would not participate in the struggle between France and Germany! Other words. Britain had abandoned France to ally with Germany "wholeheartedly".

If Britain cannot be drawn back to France, then France's security can only be guaranteed by Russian-German cooperation. Although the Soviet Union was an evil GC country, it was the only force that could contain Germany, and once the Soviet Union fell, it would be absolutely impossible for France to confront the German Empire, which occupied all of Central and Eastern Europe!

"Mr. Renault, I don't think you came all the way to Moscow just to mediate this world war, right?" This is Litvinov speaking. It's still the kind of honest style, and it's not minutical at all. "Did France want to cooperate with the Soviet Union in creating an alliance aimed at opposing German aggression and expansion? In the face of a re-emerging world power. And Germany, which has once again embarked on the road of imperialism, should our two countries join forces to deal with it, as they have done historically? ”

Seeing that the other party proposed so directly to join forces against Germany, Renault no longer hid anything, but nodded very seriously and said: "It is indeed France's consistent national policy to contain Germany. But France is a democracy. Moreover, the French people have always cherished peace and will not take up arms until the last moment. ”

"But there's never been a better time!" Tukhachevsky suddenly interjected: "All the forces of the Germans are against us on the Eastern Front, there are only symbolic forces on the Western Front, and you have 1.5 million to 2 million well-equipped land forces, as well as at least 15 armored divisions and 2000 well-performing aircraft, and with a single surprise attack, France can nip the danger in the bud!" ”

Renault's face changed a few times, and he turned his head to look at de Gaulle. This tall and somewhat bizarre undersecretary of the War proposed to him the same idea, since Germany was going to war with France sooner or later, why couldn't France strike first?

Renault scratched his head. France is not a dictatorship of the proletariat like the Soviet Union, and the matter of attacking Germany is not something that can be decided by Prime Minister Daladier after casual consultation with himself. It is necessary to go through the procedures of the parliament, which in turn takes into account the will of the people and the will of the big capitalists. Obviously, the former was reluctant to fight, and the latter was unwilling to help the Soviet Union destroy Germany. So he could only look at Trotsky with regret: "Mr. President, although the people of insight in France are aware of Germany's wēixié, it is not France's choice to wage war now, and we hope to adopt the method of containment...... I believe that restoring the traditional Franco-Russian friendship is the best way to deal with Germany. ”

Trotsky nodded, this was indeed the only feasible way at present, as long as the war between the Soviet Union and Germany was still evenly matched, France could not enter the war on the side of the Soviet Union. Even if the Soviet Union was at a disadvantage, France would not immediately enter the war, but would take some measures to aid the Soviet Union to balance the war. And this kind of assistance was also urgently needed by the Soviet Union, but he still wanted to get a guarantee from the French to enter the war. So he asked: "Monsieur Reynaud, what if the French means of containment do not work?" During this time, Germany's power was becoming stronger and stronger...... According to the information we have, in the last week alone, 200,000 heavily armed German ** troops entered Sweden, forcing the country that had maintained neutrality for 120 years to get on the German chariot. ”

"But the Soviets occupied Finland before the Germans entered Sweden!" Renault's face turned a little yellow. "Mr. President, as far as I know, it was your country's attack on Finland that was the most important reason for the signing of the Chamberlain Hitler Agreement." His tone was solemn, with some obvious dissatisfaction.

"We were forced into Finland." Trotsky sighed and said: "We have received information that the Finnish warlord Manohheim has entered into a secret agreement with Germany to enter the war in 1935 to cooperate with the German attack on Leningrad. ”

"It's just a rumor!" Renault shook his head, now in Europe, there are really a lot of such rumors! There have also been recent rumors that Hitler was preparing to support the pro-German Spanish royalist and Falangist rebellion to overthrow the republican regime, and that he was also preparing to sign a secret treaty with Italy aimed at opposing France...... Could France be able to send troops to Spain and Italy because of this? He sighed: "France hopes that there will not be a second 'Finnish incident', otherwise it will be difficult for the French government to convince the population to accept such a friend as the Soviet Union." ”

"There will be no second Finnish incident. I promise. Trotsky glanced at the two Frenchmen with his hands folded. But I would also like to remind France that the Germans are very strong, and ours is pinned down by Britain and China. There is no force to take the initiative on the Bode battlefield, perhaps...... The Germans will first think about solving this French worry! As soon as he finished speaking, a Kremlin official in military uniform hurried in and leaned over Trotsky to say something. The latter's face changed slightly, and he immediately stood up, and smiled apologetically at the French guest: "There are some small troubles that need to be dealt with immediately, let's talk again at dinner." "After that, together with Tukhachevsky and Litvinov. Walked away.

Looking at the back of Trotsky leaving, Renault let out a long sigh: "It seems that the Soviets do not want real peace, let alone give up the interests they have in hand. De Gaulle nodded. Germany wants to dominate Europe. The Soviet Union wanted to liberate all mankind, both of which were enemies of France, but only a little farther and one closer.

Come to think of it. De Gaulle leaned into Renault's ear. He whispered: "Mr. Minister, when the trip to the Soviet Union is over, should we go to Washington?" ”

……

Washington, White House, Oval Office.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. MacArthur saw Franklin in a wheelchair. Roosevelt, taken aback. The president, who won the election in a wheelchair and put America in order, and who brought the country into wartime by the way, looks so haggard and tired today. The tall and burly body shrunk weakly in the wheelchair, and there was no look in his eyes. It also gives a lethargic feeling. Standing next to him was the new Chief of Naval Operations of the United States, William Brown. Admiral Raisi and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Harry. Hopkins. William. Leahy was familiar with the former, he was one of the most prominent naval officers in the United States, he was not tall, his face was a little blue, his lips were as thin as paper, his two large eyes were slightly sunken, and he looked a little funny with two thick and short eyebrows. And the latter was a confidant of President Roosevelt, and he didn't have much intersection with a career officer like MacArthur, and now his face is also ugly, I don't know if there is any bad news?

"Hello!" The president listlessly shook MacArthur's hand, his hands were cold and a little wet, a clear sign of poor health. "Harry, tell Admiral MacArthur the latest news." Roosevelt looked at the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and showed a wry smile: "It's very bad news, the worst since the United States entered the war." ”

Startled by Roosevelt's words, MacArthur hurriedly turned his head to look at the diminutive Hopkins. Hopkins sighed, "The British Empire has given up on their pride and dreams...... Last week, Chamberlain and Hitler held a secret meeting in Berlin and reached a "Chamberlain-Hitler Agreement" in which Britain recognized German hegemony on the European continent! Three days ago, British Foreign Secretary Eden and German Foreign Minister Rathenau held talks with Chinese Premier Chang Ruiqing in Nanjing, and it is believed that China, Britain, and Germany have reached an agreement to divide up the Soviet Union and jointly lead the world! ”

MacArthur was stunned for a moment, he didn't know what this news meant for the United States? So he looked at his old friend William. Leahy. The U.S. Navy's global vision must surpass that of the U.S. Army, which is similar to the militia. Leahy explained with a wry smile: "It was supposed to be the United States and Britain signing an agreement to divide the world, but now China and Germany have taken the lead. ”

"Could it be that China, Britain and Germany plan to carve up the world behind the back of the United States?" MacArthur seems to have understood a little, how can such a thing as carving up the world be without the participation of the United States? It's really unbearable for aunts and uncles!

Roosevelt sighed and stroked back his thin, unkempt gray hair, the direction of the world war was clearly beyond his expectations. After giving up the unrealistic illusion of maintaining world hegemony, Britain actually reached a compromise with the two imperialist countries, China and Germany! This means that after the end of the world war, the system of colonialism will not only not collapse, but will be further strengthened! This is very detrimental to the development of the United States...... Moreover, the combination of China, Britain, and Germany was enough to suppress the United States, and what was even more troubling was that the war with Japan made it difficult for the United States to establish an alliance or partnership with the Soviet Union. The American people will not agree to the government's assistance to Japan's "masters"! So it seems that the United States can only watch itself be excluded from the game of world power reshuffle, unless the Triple Alliance of China, Britain and Germany suffers a heavy setback in the war......

"Admiral," Roosevelt said, looking at MacArthur, "America cannot be excluded from the new order of the future world...... I want you and Harry to travel with them to Paris, Berlin and London, before the Berlin conference officially begins. The president paused for a moment and said in a strengthened tone: "General, your task is to comprehensively investigate the land forces of France and Germany. I wonder, if France and Russia join forces, what are the chances of Germany winning? ”