331 Negotiations

Noggen's inclination represented a trend, and Lenin could clearly feel that the morale of the party members was declining, and after an afternoon of fierce fighting, the already excited party members began to re-examine the choices they had made: were we too impatient?

No one can give an answer to this question, including Lenin, who is thinking about the possibility of fighting to the death if the armed struggle cannot be won quickly.\\

To tell the truth, the current situation made Lenin feel extremely entangled, saying that the armed struggle had failed, and it was not enough, although it was impossible to take the Winter Palace, but the heads of the Provisional Government were not having a good time, and it was not good to say that they had been completely surrounded, and could only do a death struggle.

But the problem was that Lenin lacked the last straw to crush the Provisional Government, and with his forces at hand, he could not take down his opponents, and the whole act of armed insurrection became a chicken rib that was tasteless and discarded.

"Comrades, this is the case with the current situation, and everyone can express their opinions on the next step!"

At ten o'clock that evening, after careful consideration, Lenin once again gathered the members of the Central Committee from the front and convened an enlarged meeting of the Central Committee.

Stalin was the first to speak: "At present, the troops have suffered certain setbacks, but I think it is too early to speak of defeat, although our situation is difficult, but the enemy's situation is even more difficult than ours, if we try a little harder, we can crush them!" ”

Lenin was quite satisfied with Stalin's speech, although he thought that Stalin's ability to do things was a little flawed, and sometimes he would do some inexplicable stupid things, but it was very worthy of recognition that he could stick to his principles at a critical moment.

"Comrade Stalin's statement is commendable," Lenin nodded, "but we must be prepared with both hands, and we must take into account the danger that the enemy's reinforcements are moving closer to Petrograd." If you persist to the end regardless of gains and losses, will it cause more serious losses? ”

Lenin's speech was exactly what the members of the Central Committee present were worried about, and they were all worried about the reality that perseverance would not necessarily lead to victory. Everyone is worried that continuing to fight will damage the strength of **, in order to preserve strength, can you choose a more decent way to temporarily end the struggle.

However, no one dares to say this opinion easily, and the responsibility and influence are too great. However, for Dzerzhinsky, he was not afraid of responsibility, and even less about his reputation, and when everyone was silent, he stood up categorically: "We can think about contacting the Soviets and ending the fighting by negotiations......

Dzerzhinsky pierced the window paper, and the rest of the bigwigs naturally had no worries, and opened the conversation box one after another.

"Comrade Felix's opinion is very important, although there is still hope for the armed struggle, but it does not hurt to get in touch with the Soviets in advance!"

"If we can reach a more decent agreement with the Soviets that we will not hurt the **, we can stop fighting!"

Opinions such as these emerge one after another, looking at the bigwigs who speak their minds one by one, although Lenin is silent on his face, he still sighs in his heart. The Mentor was indeed a little disappointed, and although he was also worried about failure, he didn't want to surrender so early.

Sverdlov seems to have noticed the displeasure of his mentor, and he did not echo those who were in favor of surrender or wanted to negotiate, and he thought: "I don't think it is advisable to negotiate with the Soviets, who from the very beginning were on the side of the Provisional Government and repeatedly put pressure on us. Now, in such a grim situation, it is quite naïve to put all your hopes on them! ”

Sverdlov's words silenced the whispering crowd in the room, and he cleared his throat and continued: "I don't think those who control the Soviets have any credibility at all, and even if we can agree on an armistice with them, what guarantee will they use to abide by this agreement? ”

Nogan did not quite agree with this, he stood up and retorted: "I don't think the situation is as pessimistic as Comrade Yakov said, yes, the Soviets really do not support us. But we must see that this is what they have always been the person who has always taken their position. In a way, they're just standing their ground. And, as Comrade Stalin said earlier, our situation is difficult, and the situation of the enemy is just as difficult, and I think that the Soviets will accept it if an olive branch is handed over. ”

Speaking of this, he suddenly changed to a mocking tone: "I would like to ask Comrade Yakov, if we want to put an end to all this in front of us, is there any other way than to negotiate with the Soviets?" Shall we negotiate with the Provisional Government? Isn't that a joke! ”

There was another murmur in the room, and even Lenin's face showed a solemn expression, and he turned to Sverdlov to see how the right-hand man could refute Nogan.

Sverdlov stood up again unhurriedly: "I don't think negotiating with the Provisional Government is a joke, on the contrary, it is the only feasible option at the moment. ”

Nogun exclaimed, "You're crazy, Yakov! ”

Sverdlov looked at him and said with certainty: "I'm normal!" Comrade Nogan, please think about it, what strength does the Soviets have now? In today's conflict, they have shown any ability to influence the situation? For what happened today, they just watched dryly, and then issued a few innocuous statements. I ask you, can they command the Provisional Government? ”。

"I can't." Nogan replied wistfully.

Sverdlov smiled contemptuously: "That's right, just can't!" Then I continue to ask you, even if we can agree with the Soviets on the armistice, will they be able to get the Provisional Government to abide by this agreement? If not, what kind of consequences will it be if we unilaterally stop fighting and retreat unilaterally?! ”

Nogan could not say a word, but Sverdlov's words were completely unassailable, and no one could guarantee that the Provisional Government would abide by the agreement. If not, putting hope in the Soviets is undoubtedly self-defeating. But how could Nema, according to Sverdlov's suggestion, negotiate with the Provisional Government, Nima?

Not only did the participants feel awkward, but I am afraid that the thousands of party members and cadres who are fighting on the front line will also feel awkward, and the hundreds of thousands of people in Petrograd will feel even more awkward. What a storm the Bolsheviks who were determined to overthrow the Provisional Government and then reached a compromise with their enemies!

There was a dead silence in the room, and everyone felt that their hearts were heavy, they really did not want to have anything to do with the Provisional Government, but the reality now was that the Soviets were really useless.

Dzerzhinsky once again stood up at a critical moment, and he first affirmed Sverdlov's opinion: "Comrade Yakov's opinion is very pertinent, we must not be gullible to the Soviets, and we must be vigilant against their anti-** tendencies. ”

At the same time, however, he said: "However, it is absolutely not advisable to negotiate with the provisional government, which will greatly hurt the feelings of the masses and tarnish the party's image." So my opinion is, let's, let the Soviets, let the Provisional Government come to the negotiating table at the same time, with the Soviets as intermediaries, and we all three of us will solve this problem together. ”

In essence, Dzerzhinsky's proposal was to negotiate with the Provisional Government, but to turn direct negotiations into indirect ones. His views were soon unanimously agreed, and even Lenin thought that this was the only feasible option at the moment.

However, Sverdlov warned: "Although this plan is feasible, I must remind my comrades that now is only the beginning of negotiations, and this does not mean that we must stop the offensive!" ”

Nogan immediately objected: "Will this make the Soviets feel that we are too insincere, and if we don't stop firing, how can we convince them that we are ready to negotiate?" ”

Sverdlov retorted without giving an inch: "If we stop the offensive, then the Provisional Government in the Winter Palace can take the opportunity to strengthen its defenses, and this will make the afternoon of bloody fighting of our comrades completely meaningless!" I strongly demand that pressure on the Soviets and the Provisional Government must continue until they do not give reliable guarantees! ”

Nogun wanted to say something, but Lenin agreed with Sverdlov: "Comrade Yakov is quite right, until an agreement is reached, never stop the attack!" On the contrary, we must be more resolute to exert more pressure on the enemy and force them to make concessions! ”

With Lenin's final word, the new plan was immediately implemented, and Sverdlov and Nogan went to the Tavrichher Palace as special envoys to meet with the Soviets and propose a package for a peaceful settlement of the current crisis. There was also a concentration of radically different opinions within the Soviets about the sudden arrival of the Bolshevik envoys.

"We don't need to meet with them," Tsereteri said categorically. There was no need to negotiate with the Bolsheviks, they were already at the end of their rope and could not hold on. At such times, they try to fool themselves by tricks again. Gentlemen, we cannot afford to make the mistake of the night of June 9 again! ”

His opinion had a certain market in the Soviets, but it was not mainstream, at least the center-left represented by Martov and Donn opposed it.

"I think the Bolsheviks should accept the offer and start negotiations," Martov said. A peaceful settlement of the crisis would greatly demonstrate the authority of the Soviets and help us in our future work. And the masses of Petrograd will definitely remember our contributions, which is a good thing to kill two birds with one stone! ”

Of course, Tseretiri would not agree, and immediately quarreled with Martov, but Plekhanov, who really dominated the mainstream in the Soviets, did not say a word, and looked like an old god at ease.

"Did you think of something?" Aksherry Rhodes asked.

Plekhanov smiled slightly: "There is a little. He leaned back in his chair and said slowly: "Judging from the information I have just received, the fierce fighting on the Hermitage Square continues, and the situation in the cabinet seems to be very bad, so I wonder why at such a time Lenin would suddenly hand over an olive branch to ask for negotiations." ”

Akherrall thought for a moment and asked, "This is indeed strange, is it that Lenin is going to play some trick again?" ”

"I don't rule it out! But ......"

Aksherro asked eagerly, "But what?" ”

Plekhanov smiled slightly: "However, this is an opportunity for us!" ”

With that, the old man jumped to his feet and interrupted the quarrel between Tseretiri and Martov, "Gentlemen, please listen to me. As Comrade Martov said, this is indeed an opportunity for us Soviets, and we should show more influence and try our best to mediate and bring Petrograd back to normal as soon as possible! ”

But Celetieri was not convinced: "I am resolutely opposed! We must not negotiate with the rebels, it will only fuel their arrogance! ”

Plekhanov knew that this was a fool, so he ignored him at all, and said to himself: "I think that since peace talks are going to be launched, then the two sides of the negotiations must show sufficient sincerity, and an immediate truce is quite necessary!" ”

Tselietieli was still angry, and he was even ready to threaten him with resignation, but what he heard, the old man actually took an immediate truce as a prerequisite for negotiations, and it is needless to say who is benefiting from the armistice now. If the Bolsheviks could really stop the offensive, then an armistice would be a good idea.

So he immediately changed his mind: "I agree with Comrade Plekhanov that if the Bolsheviks are really sincere, then all illegal actions should be stopped, and this will help solve the problem!" ”

In a dramatic twist and turn, Sverdlov and Nogan were soon brought into the hall without the opposition of Tsereteri, and the two sides met in the first round under the watchful eyes of hundreds of Central Committee members.

The first to attack was Tseretieri, presumably because Mr. Chairman felt that Plekhanov had just stolen the limelight, and he was determined to show his ability in front of the Central Executive Committee, and if he could overwhelm Sverdlov and Nogan in momentum, he would be able to pull back a few points.

"I'm surprised that you Bolsheviks actually have times when they beg for mercy, have you come to confess your sins?" Tselietie asked haughtily.

Sverdlov didn't want to bird him, and coldly touched it back: "I don't think there is anything wrong with acting according to the will of the people, only those who oppose the people need to confess!" ”

"The people are on the side of the Soviets!" Tseretieri was furious.

"Humph!" Sverdlov smiled contemptuously, "Mr. Chairman, you can ask the unwilling crowd gathered outside at Tavrichher Palace to see whose side they are on!" ”

"You ......"

As soon as Tseretiri was about to have a seizure, Plekhanov grabbed the conversation: "We don't want to talk about responsibility now, let alone who is right and who is wrong. We Soviets just want to restore peace as soon as possible. I guess that's what you're here for, isn't it? ”。

Sure enough, the ginger is still old and spicy. Sverdlov sighed, Plekhanov is much more difficult to deal with than Tsereteri, and a simple sentence has the upper hand in momentum. If he admits this, it is undoubtedly them Bolsheviks who are praying for peace with the Soviets. Then it will be passive in the later talks.

As soon as Nogan was about to agree, Sverdlov gently pulled him by the hand, stepped forward and replied: "We are here for a very clear purpose, that is, to give the Soviets a little of their due duty in today's conflict, and the masses in the streets have had enough of your inaction and insensitivity to you, and we Bolsheviks have always believed that all rights belong to the Soviets." We do not want to see the image of the Soviets in the minds of the people plummet! ”

Plekhanov glanced at Sverdlov in surprise and began to pay attention to this young opponent, but Tseretieli beside him was angry and sneered: "So you still have good intentions!" ”

Sverdlov replied as a matter of course: "Of course we have good intentions, otherwise we would have been able to negotiate directly with the Provisional Government, which would have been more beneficial to our party to a certain extent." We don't need to pay attention to those of you who don't want to do anything but sit and wait! ”

Plekhanov sighed secretly, he was completely speechless about the "retardedness" and immaturity in Tserete, you stupid*, why don't you open your mind? The Bolsheviks are willing to negotiate, what a good opportunity, as long as we can fool them into a truce, what do we gain by suffering a little loss of face!

"We don't need to fight with our tongues!" Plekhanov hurriedly interjected, "It seems to me that it is completely unnecessary to discuss who is right and who is wrong now, and it is a crime!" The masses of Petrograd are suffering, and the most important task before us is to give them back a peaceful life! ”

Nogan finally found a chance to speak, and couldn't wait to interject: "We agree with this too, and we are here for this!" ”

"Good!" Plekhanov finally breathed a sigh of relief and said impatiently: "Then I think you should immediately lay down your arms!" ”

"It's not realistic!" Sverdlov said categorically, "The precondition for us to lay down our arms is that the troops of the cabinet first lay down their arms, and we will not accept any unilateral truce!" ”

"It's you who are besieging the Winter Palace, how can you make the cabinet lay down their arms first?" If the Cabinet lays down its arms, you will naturally take the opportunity to attack...... To put it mildly, you're trying to play tricks! We will never be fooled again! ”

Sverdlov snorted contemptuously: "It's you who are tricky, and in the same way, if we had first used weapons, the army of the cabinet would not have launched a surprise attack?" ”

"Of course not!" "You were the first to start the rebellion, and the cabinet was only defending itself!" ”

"Self-defense?" Sverdlov sneered, "So shooting at the bare-handed crowd in the afternoon is also self-defense?" ”

"I have not heard of all this, and the cabinet has assured us that they are not the ones who provoked it!" ”

Sverdlov sneered, "Then I advise you to buy a copy of the pro-cabinet 'Exchange News', which they have rewritten in their special issue tonight as a description of the tragedy that took place on Garden Street this afternoon!" ”

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