Lenin could only wait for change, and Trotsky was happy to wait, so that the situation in Russia had become more and more strange since mid-January. The middle and lower class members of the people and the Bolsheviks quarreled over the issue of peace talks, and the Socialist-Revolutionaries, the Cadets, and the Mensheviks were constantly fanning the flames of the wind and flames, lest the world be in chaos. However, the core of the Bolsheviks was like sitting firmly on the Diaoyu Tai, and there was no movement.

This situation is too strange, anyway, the Germans are in their hearts, they don't know what the Bolsheviks want to do, and there are originally two opinions on the issue of peace talks, one is in favor of negotiations, and the other is in favor of the use of force to destroy Russia, and these two opinions are inextricably quarreled.

As a direct result of this quarrel, Akimovich once again approached Li Xiaofeng, "Mr. Andrei, my country is very dissatisfied with the protracted process of negotiations, and a considerable number of people already doubt the sincerity of your negotiations!" ”

Li Xiaofeng actually couldn't understand it, and he had also asked Qi Qilin to deliver a message to his mentor, suggesting that he should exert pressure. However, judging from the actual situation during this period of time, it seems that the Mentor did not mean this.

In this regard, he was also secretly anxious in his heart, but he couldn't show it in front of Akimovich, so he could only reply calmly: "Negotiations can't be achieved overnight!" We in the Bolsheviks also need communication and consultation internally, so how can we give you an answer at once? ”

However, Akimovich disagrees with this explanation: "I do not agree with you, as far as I can see, your problems are not in the area you mentioned. You're a total dragger right now. I often struggle with trivial details. It makes me wonder if you're stalling for time! ”

Li Xiaofeng snorted his teeth. He was quite surprised by this answer, after all, the mentor had not explained the reason to him, and Zicherin's attitude was very positive before, so what was the reason why Qicherin suddenly became slack?

Li Xiaofeng had the heart to call Chichelin directly to ask for an understanding, but it was not a good choice to do so, and after thinking about it, it was more appropriate to call Sverdlov for this goods.

"Comrade Yakov. I have a question I want to consult you," Li Xiaofeng didn't bother to go around in circles, and asked straight to the point: "Is the contact with the German side still smooth?" Why did they report to me that the negotiations were progressing very slowly! ”

Sverdlov was speechless for a while, the tutor had an explanation for this question, and he didn't want anyone to be involved blindly. And now it is also a strategy to remain silent, whether Trotsky or the Germans cannot hold on first, the result is in the favor of the Mentor. The problem is that he can't tell anyone the answer directly, after all, the mentor has told him to keep it secret. So he can only wake someone up around the bush.

"About the peace talks!" Sverdlov laughed dryly, "On this subject. The central authorities have already made a decision, and given the complexity of the issue, it cannot be rushed......"

Li Xiaofeng didn't know what was going on, so he had a big opinion about not being in a hurry, interrupted Xiao Si's words, and said urgently: "But the Germans are already impatient, if they don't hurry up, I'm afraid they will ......."

Sverdlov was overjoyed when he heard this, and the impatience of the Germans was good news, and this was the result they wanted, as long as they terminated the negotiations with Trotsky, then the mentor would be able to take over the situation in an open and honest manner. What a hurry you kid has!

How could Li Xiaofeng not be in a hurry, "What I'm worried about is that the Germans may jump off the wall in a hurry!" ”

Well? Sverdlov immediately understood what someone meant, and he asked: "You mean that the Germans will tear up the armistice and start the war again?" ”

Although Li Xiaofeng wanted to say that this was a nail in the coffin, he couldn't say it all: "It's very possible!" ”

Sverdlov fell silent, and after a few seconds he said: "I will inform Comrade Lenin of the situation, you should be calm for a while!" ”

Sverdlov's movements were not usually fast, and when he put down the phone, he dared to go to Lenin's office, and it was a coincidence that it was just in time for Tsicherin to inform him of the negotiations.

"I have tried to delay as much as possible on some details, but I can see that the Germans are impatient, and if they continue to delay, I am afraid that the situation will change......"

At this time, Sverdlov also hurriedly interjected: "Comrade Andrei also called just now, claiming that the Germans are already very impatient, and there is a possibility that the dog will jump off the wall in a hurry!" ”

Lenin, who was sitting behind his desk, gently rubbed his swollen temples, raised his head and said, "What do you think?" ”

Zicherin naturally didn't dare to speak, now he was not even a member of the Central Committee, he really didn't dare to intervene on such a big issue, and he also understood that just now it was the mentor who gave him face, and what his old man really wanted to know was probably only what Sverdlov had to say.

Sverdlov was not polite either, and directly stated his opinion: "If the negotiations break down, if the Germans launch a full-scale attack, we will not be able to resist it...... I think that if the Germans come up with an ultimatum, then we can only say yes. ”

Lenin nodded slowly, and instructed Tsicchelin: "According to the previous negotiation strategy, you continue to negotiate with the Germans, and as soon as they lose patience and put forward the ultimatum, you must inform me immediately!" ”

Titchhelin was a little dumbfounded, and with his political wisdom he couldn't figure out what the Mentor and Sverdlov meant, as if they meant to provoke the Germans.

To tell the truth, this is exactly what Lenin and Sverdlov meant, and judging from the developments of events during this period, Trotsky had made up his mind to delay the grinding of foreign workers, and he probably wished that the negotiations would have been deadlocked, preferably until the day when the Germans were finished.

Of course, if such a possibility existed, Lenin would have been happy to see it happen, but as long as people of normal intelligence knew the truth, this was impossible. The Germans would not allow Trotsky to stall for time, and if the end could not be achieved at the negotiating table, they would resort to other means – such as force!

And once the fight begins. With the current appearance of the Russian army. To put it mildly, it's a flock of frightened birds. Originally, they had no intention of fighting. In addition, the right wing of the Socialist-Revolutionaries, the Mensheviks, and the Cadets worked desperately to get the officer class to release water, hoping to destroy the Bolsheviks by the hands of the Germans. The two evils are combined, and a total rout is inevitable. And the defeat, if it happens, should wake up a little bit to a group of hot-headed fellows within the Bolsheviks, and then the words of the Mentor will make them listen.

So the situation went in a ridiculous direction, and for the Leninists a defeat was not a nightmare. For the bourgeois parties, it was even more desirable to see the jokes of the Bolsheviks, and only the naïve Trotsky and Bukharin thought that everything was under control. But they soon find out that the situation is worse than they imagined!

On January 17, Akimovich again approached Li Xiaofeng, "Mr. Andrei, I regret to tell you that, in view of your procrastination, we consider it necessary to put an end to such pointless negotiations. Here I convey to you in advance the ultimatum if it is not possible to accept our conditions by 12 noon tomorrow. We will terminate the armistice and resume the state of belligerence between the two countries! ”

Li Xiaofeng was a little stunned. He wanted to leave Akimovich behind for a good talk, but after passing the news, Akimovich left without looking back, and that kind of decisiveness finally made him a bit like a Germanic for the first time.

Li Xiaofeng sighed, grabbed the phone casually, and conveyed the news to Lenin, what made him wonder was that the mentor seemed to be a little happy with the news?

However, Li Xiaofeng quickly put this idea behind him, for him, he can do everything, since history has to follow the old road, his thin arms and legs are not as lame as the wheel of history.

At 11 a.m. on 18 January (it is to be noted that this is not the time in history), just when Trotsky felt that he had wasted another morning and completed half a day's work. Kuhlmann, head of the German negotiating delegation, suddenly stood up with great seriousness and announced: "In view of the procrastination of the negotiations and the lack of any progress, I would like to solemnly present to you the ultimatum on behalf of my Government......

Trotsky was a little shocked when he heard the news, but he immediately calmed down, although the result was somewhat unexpected, but it was reasonable, the negotiations broke down, and he was really tired of these days. But he had to send the news back to Petrograd for Lenin's opinion.

In fact, Lenin had been waiting all morning, and as soon as he received news from Trotsky, he replied to Trotsky, in his capacity as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars: "Promise the Germans an ultimatum!" ”

This was also largely consistent with the course of history, and Trotsky reacted the same as he did in history, rejecting Lenin's proposal and saying no to the Germans!

Then the war resumed on the Eastern Front, and the Allied bloc launched a fierce offensive, and almost every day bad news was delivered to the Politburo, and words such as rout, collapse, and total annihilation weighed heavily on their hearts.

"The situation is already obvious," Stalin cried out bitterly at an emergency meeting of the Central Committee, "the front has collapsed, Petrograd has opened its doors, and we can no longer withstand the German offensive!" ”

Just as he was about to continue, Bukharin, who was sitting in his seat, sarcastically said: "You mean surrender to the Germans, don't you?" ”

Stalin waved his hand and loudly emphasized: "I didn't say that, I mean, given this bad situation, we can only agree to the conditions of the Germans." Otherwise, not to mention the continuation of the revolution, it is a big question whether our party can continue to exist! ”

Bukharin jumped up as soon as he kicked his legs, and said menacingly: "In my opinion, your meaning is no different from surrender, this is betrayal!" ”

Stalin was not convinced, and said angrily: "How did this become a traitor? It's expedient! Only by agreeing to the conditions of the Germans first, first preserving our party, preserving the flame of the revolution, and then ......"

Bukharin interjected: "Then we will become slaves!" ”

"You ......" Stalin was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, but he was indeed no match for Bukharin than eloquence, and his theoretical level was much higher than his. However, Stalin also had advantages in other areas, he was much stronger than Bukharin in terms of force value, and he was. But you can do anything.

In order to avoid the Central Committee turning into a fighting committee. Trotsky hastened to step up and play the round. "Don't quarrel yet, on this issue, we can vote first, comrades who agree to agree to the conditions of the Germans, please raise your hand!"

1，2，3…… 6……

There were about 30 members of the Central Committee plus alternate members, but only 13 of them in Petrograd at the moment had the right to vote. There were six people who supported Lenin's opinion. To be honest, the number is quite subtle, close to 50 percent, to be more specific, 46 percent. If there were one more vote in favor of Lenin, the proposal would have been adopted.

Unfortunately, it did not pass, as the proposal was narrowly rejected by a margin of seven votes. Truth be told, when it comes to several votes of the Central Committee on the Brest Pact, there is always a saying. That was when the proposal was adopted, and Lenin had only a slight advantage.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. But it must also be noted that on the first two occasions when this proposal could not be adopted, Lenin only narrowly failed. All in all, the two opinions were evenly split within the Bolsheviks at that time. And as the situation gradually deteriorated, the support for Bukharin's opinion finally collapsed, and, most interestingly, it was Trotsky himself who was the first to waver.

Lenin also seemed to see Trotsky's vacillation, but he did not choose to continue his work as he did in history, but to rest for the time being, because there were some tasks that he had to do first.

"Judging from the events at the meeting just now, Trotsky's attitude has softened, and the fierce offensive of the Germans has made him realize how ridiculous the previous advocacy of no war and no peace will be!" Lenin summed it up and then said: "It follows that if the situation continues to deteriorate, it will only be a matter of time before Trotsky's attitude changes. Therefore, the important work we need to do next is to actively work hard to do the work of persuasion! ”

Sverdlov, Stalin and others nodded frequently, and they could see just now that Trotsky was indeed hesitant when he raised his hand to veto it at the last time, and if the offensive against him was intensified, this guy should have changed.

But that's not what Lenin really wanted to say, "but it's not enough to do that, it only guarantees the adoption of the proposal, but whether the Germans will accept it or not is another matter!" So we must be mentally prepared for the fact that the Germans, who have a huge advantage, may raise the asking price! What should we do then? ”

As soon as this question was raised, everyone in the meeting pondered, if the Germans raised the asking price, would they accept it or not?

"We can only accept it!" Sverdlov answered the question first, and then Stalin added: "There is no other way!" ”

Under their leadership, the Leninists also had a preliminary ideological unity, and ensured that the will of the teacher would be carried out to the end. Lenin, however, was not satisfied, and after the meeting he commanded Sverdlov: "Inform Andrei that he should immediately make contact with the Germans, and tell him that the Germans must see our sincerity!" ”

Li Xiaofeng, who got the notice, almost dropped the phone on the spot, sincerity your sister, although his political vision is not long-term, but after these days, after seeing the direction of the gaffe, he understands that the emotional mentor is ready to use external pressure to resolve internal differences. That's why I was struggling with negotiations at that time.

It's not that this method can't be done, it should be said that the effect is very good, but Li Xiaofeng always feels that the price is a little heavy. Especially now, the Mentor told him to contact the Germans and agree to the other party's terms, which made him very painful.

Because, these days, he has seen not only clearly the intentions of the Mentor, but also the intentions of the Germans. The Germans' calculations were actually very simple, and the Germans were certainly not very satisfied with the intention they had reached with him before, and I am afraid that there were a group of people who did not know whether to live or die were very suspicious of his power as an immortal.

Therefore, the abrupt suspension of the negotiations and the assuming of a tough posture are just to test his attitude, if he is as resolute and tough as before, then the Germans will accept it when they see it, if not, then they will probably kick their nose in the face.

And this is what makes Li Xiaofeng embarrassed, to be honest, the previous threat, he was just to scare and scare the Germans, it is impossible to really carry out assassination, this guy can't get away at all. And now, let him go to Akimovich to negotiate peace with a shy face, he really can't afford to lose this person. And it's a small shame, and it will be blackmailed.

So, there was a very acute question in front of Li Xiaofeng, how to let the Germans know that he was not a paper tiger? Really let him go to the front line to kill the Germans, either it can't be, or it's too inefficient, how can you say that the Germans also have a million troops on the Eastern Front, let him kill alone, then when will he have to kill?

Or really go and kill a few high-ranking generals? This is Li Xiaofeng's second choice, but the German generals of World War I really don't know a few of them, and it is very difficult to find them in a million-strong army and a vast front of thousands of kilometers.

What a headache! For the first time, Li Xiaofeng discovered that in the World Realm War, the strength of an individual was too limited, even if he was an immortal, he was really not powerful.

But some people don't see it that way, and when Princess Anne learns of someone's troubles, she laughs at him, "How easy it is to let the Germans know that it is difficult to retreat!" (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to the comrades of the French team!