In the cities on the western side of the Ural Mountains, a large number of Russians are walking the streets, but it can be seen that the people walking on the streets are usually dressed like soldiers, like ordinary people or others, and there are significantly fewer people.

In particular, merchants and others have become very rare in this city. It's not that no one notices this, it's just that not many people have the ability to solve this problem...

Ufa, since the capture of Yekaterinburg by the Wehrmacht, after losing the two large cities of Yekaterinburg and Omsk at the same time, could not become the capital of the Russian Provisional Government, and at the same time the temporary capital of the dreadnought General Kolchak ...

Since Russia was stabbed in the back by Yan Shao's 'treacherous' and lost almost two-thirds of its territory, it has become one of the core areas of Russia's two major political policies, along with Moscow in Soviet Russia.

In fact, after gaining the recognition of Denikin and Yudenich, especially the British and French governments, Kolchak also officially became the leader of all the White Army―――――― just a few months ago, at the appeal of the Russian generals, the parliament of the Provisional Government has ceded both title and substantive rights to Kolchak, and now Kolchak is the leader of the White Army, and has become the supreme consul of the Provisional Government, with almost all the rights of the Provisional Government.

Without the restraints of the cabinet, Kolchak can naturally let go of his hands and feet.

It's just that...

Even though Kolchak had become the leader of the Provisional Government, this could not change the facts. That is, under the siege of many parties, Soviet Russia was not exterminated, but thrived. Even as its power grows larger, especially now, in 1919, Kolchak is almost too strong to resist.

And after several successive defeats of the intervention army, the Russian army has also advanced to a place not very far from Ufa.

At this point, Kolchak was faced with a very real question―――――― whether to remain in Ufa?

If they remained in Ufa, Kolchak and his White Army would have to face the threat of Soviet Russia. And as for whether it can hold on to Ufa. Not to mention the officers and generals below, even Kolchak himself was not very confident.

There's no way, who called the previous Soviet Russia really beautiful. Defeated the Intervention Army several times in a row. Moreover, almost every town and town along the way of Soviet Russia was surrendered to the wind, and the troops below were also warless.

After all, the original Tsarist Russia was not very popular with ordinary people and soldiers at the bottom. Moreover, the people of the Hereafter will know very well. The demagogic ability of the party that Soviet Russia believed in was very strong. And it is precisely the best place to deceive ordinary people, workers, and the army...

In addition, the current situation of the provisional government is very bad, and Soviet Russia has the upper hand, and those soldiers are usually nothing, but how much loyalty they have to Kolchak, the new leader, is really only God knows.

And not to mention holding on to Ufa, even how long it can be held, Kolchak is not very confident ...

Only, if you don't stay in Ufa and hold on. Then Kolchak had to face another problem, a very serious problem. At the same time―――――― the crucial question is where they can go if they evacuate Ufa.

This is a very important question, after all, if they don't even have a place to go, then it is better to continue to stay in Ufa, at least they can continue to fight against Soviet Russia, as for the future, at least they can kill more Soviet Russia if they stay in Ufa, right?

And if he had to find a removal, Kolchak didn't seem to have much to choose from.

Where is Denikin in South Russia? Not to mention that Denikin himself was also defeated, and the way had already been blocked by Soviet Russia, and Kolchak and they could not reach Denikin's territory in South Russia at all.

Heading north? The power of Soviet Russia there can only be said to be stronger than in South Russia ...

As for heading west? cough, don't think about this, after all, if you go west, you will directly bump into Soviet Russia.

And after the three directions of north-south and west cannot be chosen, it seems that there is only one path in front of Kolchak, and that is to the east...

To be exact, over the Ural Mountains to the vast expanse of Siberia.

Although the strength of Soviet Russia is already very strong, but now Denikin and the intervention army have not been defeated, most of Soviet Russia is still entangled in several other regions, at this time Kolchak they retreated in the direction of Siberia, as long as the time is right, it is very likely that they have reached the Far East, or even the Vladivostok region before Soviet Russia has reacted...

When I got there, no matter how powerful Soviet Russia was...

It's just that...

――――――――――――――――――――

"To the east?" After hearing Kolchak's thoughts, Pepelyaev showed a surprised expression. "Are you crazy, it's already occupied by the Chinese..."

As prime minister, Pepelyaev can be said to be the second person in the provisional government below Kolchak―――――― he was originally the number one, but after he gave up his position to Kolchak, he could only serve as the number two. However, he has no opinion on this, after all, Pepelyaev himself knows very well that in the current situation, Russia needs a commander-in-chief more than a politician who only knows how to intrigue in the cabinet.

Therefore, after Kolchak became the supreme consul of the Provisional Government, Pepelyaev became Kolchak's virtuous helper with peace of mind. Merely...

Forget about the rest, but now he can't understand Kolchak's words anyway...

After all, if you go east, over the Ural Mountains, there is...

"I'm not crazy..."Kolchak, of course, knew very well why Pepelyaev was so surprised, if it was him. I'm afraid he will also be surprised, after all, after crossing the Ural Mountains, there is the region of Siberia that is now under the control of the Wehrmacht.

In the past. Perhaps the relationship between the Belarusian government and the Nationalist government is relatively good, but since Russia was stabbed in the back by Yan Shao, the relationship between the two countries has become sinister.

If Kolchak had been sent to the door at this time, at least in Pepelyaev's opinion, it would have been a complete act of sheep in the mouth of a tiger, and it would have been a suicide attempt.

However...

"We have no other choice...", standing up from his office chair, Kolchak's handsome face was full of exhaustion. Several attacks by the intervention forces ended in failure. We can't get through to Denikin, and the front line has suffered one crushing defeat after another, if it goes on like this. If we can't find a way out, I'm afraid that sooner or later we will be given by those people in Soviet Russia..."

"But if we do this, I'm afraid that before Soviet Russia comes to destroy us, those Chinese will already be..."

"Don't worry. No," Kolchak said with some confidence. "Don't forget. Those people in Soviet Russia were a very serious threat to everyone, including the Chinese, of course. Especially them, after all, they have scraped two-thirds of the territory from Russia, although the most barren part, but the people of Soviet Russia will not rest on their laurels, in other words, if Soviet Russia unifies Russia. Then the Chinese need to worry about the security of their borders, this time. Our zài is like a card to the Chinese that can be used, and they will never deal with us casually..."

When he said this, Kolchak's face was full of confidence.

At least in his opinion, the Chinese would never want a strong Soviet Russia to appear around them, so leaving them and creating some trouble for Soviet Russia is almost the only option ...

Compared to these, the other problems are not much of a problem...

Especially in relation to Siberia, although it is indeed a big problem, at the moment Kolchak they are not capable of threatening the Chinese. The Chinese obviously won't turn their faces abruptly for these little guys who are not threatening.

I have to say that Kolchak's abacus is still relatively loud, but there is one thing that he doesn't seem to know very well. That is, the reason why Moscow's Soviet Russia was able to defeat the intervention army formed by the great powers, on the one hand, was of course because of the Soviet Russia's own ability, but on the other hand, it was not because of Yan Shao's help.

At least, if it weren't for the arms provided by the Nationalist government, even if Soviet Russia could win, it would definitely not be as smooth as it is now...

However, it is no wonder that Kolchak did not know about this matter, after all, almost all of the weapons and equipment that Yan Shao provided to Kolchak were Russian-made. That is, the weapons and equipment left by the Russians in Vladivostok, even later, the equipment that Yan Shao ordered to support Soviet Russia was all Russian-made equipment secretly produced by some domestic arsenals.

If you look at the appearance alone, it is absolutely impossible to distinguish the difference between the two―――――― I don't know if the Chinese-made Mosin Nagant rifle is of better quality than the Russian-made rifle, and at the same time more detailed, is this considered a flaw?

Maybe not...

It is precisely because of these hidden methods that no one would have imagined even now that it was the Nationalist government, which seemed to have the greatest enmity with Soviet Russia, supporting this nascent organization that was almost a global public enemy...

If this were not the case, I am afraid that Kolchak would never have risen to the idea of going to the area controlled by the Nationalist government...

Of course, Kolchak would never have done this if he had not been forced to do so, but their situation was too dangerous at the moment. There is no room for Kolchak to hesitate...

"So, what should we do after we are within the control range of the Chinese?"

"It's easy," said Kolchak, after a moment's thought. Two options, one is to start from Yekaterinburg, take the Guò Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Vladivostok, and then call ships to South Russia, which is now in the hands of General Denikin, and use it as the latest political center, and continue to call on all Russia to resist Soviet Russia..."

"What about the other option?"

"Another option is to stay in Siberia, and then seek the help of the Chinese, through the help of the Chinese, to 'recruit troops' to expand armaments in Siberia and Central Asia, and then find a way to defeat Soviet Russia under the silhouette of the intervening army." Reclaim what belongs to us and exterminate these damned reds..."

Speaking of which, Kolchak said with some regret. "Actually, I'm more inclined to the second point. After all, if the Chinese wholeheartedly support us, it is very convenient for us to get support from the Chinese, and China's strength today may not be much inferior to Britain and France, if the Chinese are willing to directly send troops to support, considering the hundreds of thousands of troops deployed by the Chinese government on the front line of the Ural Mountains, it is even capable of crushing the Soviet Russian regime entrenched in Moscow. But alas, I'm afraid the Chinese will not allow us to stay in Siberia to build resistance. Because their vigilance against us is not necessarily much smaller than that of Soviet Russia. In the same way, they may not want to see us deal with Soviet Russia, after all, for the Chinese. Soviet Russia was the best barrier that could separate them from Europe. And until Soviet Russia is settled, Britain and the United States and other countries will not be able to go to trouble China in any case..."

"In that case, we are going to China?"

"Of course." Kolchak rightfully said. "The Chinese just hope that Soviet Russia will stand in the way and act as a buffer. Isolate them from the contradictions between them and the Entente. This does not mean that they are willing to see a strong Soviet Russia, after all, Soviet Russia not only has a great threat to China on the Siberian issue, but also has a strong threat on other issues, so having such a storage zài as ours can weaken Soviet Russia from a certain point of view, which is indispensable for the Chinese..."

Seeing that what Kolchak said seemed to make sense, Pepelyev nodded. "Since you've said so, I won't say anything more. It's just that you have to think about one thing clearly, if the Chinese know about it. Even if the benefits you say are more, the Chinese will find a way to swallow us in one gulp, and not even a single bone will be spit out. ”

"I know that, too—" Golchak's face once again showed a hint of suspicion as he paced back and forth in the office. That's what I'm worried about..."

"As you said, if the Chinese discover what we carry, even if our role is great, I am afraid it will be useless, after all, it is a very large wealth, and if the Chinese know, it is absolutely impossible to let go of such a fortune." Therefore, we must think of a proper way to hide from the eyes of the Chinese, and only in this way can we ensure our safety and our hope of making a comeback..."

"yes," Pepelyaev nodded. Whether or not we end up choosing to go to southern Russia, as long as we want to make a comeback, we can't do without these things..."

"Hmm..."

The things that Kolchak and Pepelyaev spoke of were actually the gold stored in the Kazan treasury by the former Tsarist government.

Of course, if it was just ordinary gold, it would not have made Kolchak and Pepelyaev so cautious, and the real reason for them was that these things were not only gold, but also a large batch of gold, and the amount of it was very large, about five hundred tons―――――― at least some of the 'history'...

(There is also a theory that this gold is actually 1,600 tons, but considering that the figure of 1,600 tons is too exaggerated, it is better to take the relatively less exaggerated figure of 500 tons.) ）

Five hundred tons of gold, this is definitely not a small amount, even if it is left in the future five hundred tons of gold is a very large amount, let alone in such an era. And as Kolchak said earlier, this gold is their last hole card, and at the same time their last trump card.

Because as long as there is such a sum of gold, even if they go to the ends of the earth, they can make a comeback with this gold and raise the banner of anti-Soviet again...

Five hundred tons of gold...

With so much gold in your hands, no matter what you buy, you can easily buy it...

The question is...

These 500 tons of gold are also easy to attract the attention of evil wolves.

In such an era, one ton of gold is equivalent to about a million dollars, and five tons of gold is worth about half a million dollars. At the same time, according to the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound, this $500 million is probably equivalent to more than 100 million pounds...

In a way, this is almost the same as the annual revenue of the United States before the outbreak of the war. With such a huge amount of money, I believe that no matter where it is placed, it will attract greedy eyes. And as Pepelyaev said, if the Chinese know about the deposit of this money, I am afraid that they have just entered Siberia. There is no place to bury him.

Historically, Kolchak died because of the drag of this gold.

In the original history, there was certainly no such role as Yan Shao, and similarly, without Yan Shao, the Russians would not have lost Siberia. So in the original time and space, the real capital of the Provisional Government was not actually Ufa. Rather, it is located in Omsk, Siberia.

As for this gold...

In fact, it was transferred from Petrograd to Kazan in fear of German invasion during World War I, and then transported eastward into Siberia during the Civil War, and the last custodian of this gold was Kolchak. It's just because of Yan Shao's appearance in this time and space. That's why Kolchak transferred the gold not from Kazan to Omsk, but to Ufalai.

In November 1919, Omsk was about to be captured by the Red Army. In order to preserve his strength, Kolchak decided to lead his troops across Siberia, which is more than 6,000 kilometers. Flee to the Pacific coast. There he sought Japan's support for a comeback.

Kolchak was accompanied by more than 500,000 troops, accompanied by 750,000 exiles who opposed Russia and the Tsar, including bishops, monks and nuns, 270,000. In addition, there are more than 200,000 noble ladies and their children. In fact, there is an astonishing secret hidden in the more than 1.2 million vast fugitive contingent, and this secret is what has just been said. 500 tons of gold nuggets worth $500 million, which was allocated by the tsar to Kolchak for military purposes. Packed in 28 armed escort vehicles.

The average winter temperature in Omsk is minus 22°C. An army of 1.25 million embarked on a journey of 6,000 kilometers under the leadership of Kolchak, and minus 20 degrees Celsius is not uncommon for people living in the European part of Russia, but no one expected that after just a few days of walking, the temperature dropped sharply from minus 30 °C to minus 60 °C at the time of departure. The small city of Tomsk, more than 1,000 kilometers east of Omsk, where the disaster began, was the coldest town on earth in those years.

The bitter cold wind roared, and the blizzard pierced the body like a tug-of-war, bringing unspeakable suffering to the people of the Great Migration, which was rare in history. It wasn't long before the endless snowfields of Siberia were covered with frozen people, discarded sleighs, frozen horses, dead bodies and a never-ending snow all around.

In the midst of the cold winter, Kolchak's troops paid a terrible price, and a large number of people froze to death. 200,000 people froze to death in just one night near the city of Nikolaevsk. By the end of February 1920, the number had been reduced from 1,250,000 to 250,000.

A general's wife was about to give birth on the ice, but there was no one who could go over to help, and the general used his body to block a partition wall, originally to prevent people from seeing his wife give birth, but he really froze motionless like a wall. The general's wife froze to death along with the soon-to-be-born child...

Of course, it didn't take long for everyone to freeze to death...

In the cold winter, Kolchak's remaining strength could no longer continue to deter the Czech legions, which had little loyalty to him. The gold in Kolchak's ranks had long been known to them. By this time, Kolchak was no longer the object of their allegiance, but the biggest obstacle to their access to gold...

Moreover, there was no way for them to escape at that time, and those in the Czech Legion did not intend to die with Kolchak, so in the end they made the decision to betray Kolchak in exchange for the opportunity to return home...

In the end, Kolchak, the general known as the fearless general, died at the hands of Soviet Russia.

But where the 500 tons of gold went, this is something that no one can tell. Some people once claimed to have found these golds, but whether it was Kolchak's 'treasure' or not, no one knew what it was...

But if Kolchak really decided to go east, then there was at least one thing that would be more convenient for him than on another plane, and that was the problem of transportation.

In another time and place, for various reasons, Kolchak was certainly able to go in the direction of the Far East via the Guò Trans-Siberian Railway. But most of the followers can only walk on their own legs, which is one of the reasons why so many people are frozen to death...

But in this era, Yan Shao has the ability to provide enough trains to Kolchak...

――――――――――――――――――――

As Soviet Russia got closer and closer to Ufa, Ufa's shape became worse and worse.

At the beginning, Kolchak only told several senior members of the provisional government, including Pepelyaev, that he had decided to abandon Ufa and go to Siberia. But later, it seemed that they had only one choice.

In the end, after consulting everyone, although some people were opposed to going to Siberia, the vast majority of people were relatively realistic. Having determined that they had no way to resist the Russian offensive at all, these people had bowed to reality.

Soon, Kolchak and the cabinet of the Provisional Government had already made a decision to get in touch with the National Commune Government and try to get the support of the National Commune Government by all means. One of the most important of these supports was to allow them and their exiled party to enter Siberia, then to Vladivostok via the Guò Trans-Siberian Railway, and finally to the United States by boat, or to the South Russia where Denikin is now located...

Of course, Kolchak will never divulge the matter of gold, and the news of gold can even be said to be an absolute secret of the entire Provisional Government. Those who knew about the gold, apart from Kolchak and Pepelyaev, were only cabinet officials and a handful of generals under Kolchak ...

There is only one thing that Kolchak obviously does not know, that is, the current provisional government has been made like a plug by the intelligence network of the Special Affairs Bureau, and there is no secret at all for the Special Affairs Bureau, and similarly, the matter of the five hundred tons of gold quickly fell into the hands of Yan Shao...

500 tons of gold, more than 100 million pounds, such a large sum of money is basically about the same as the annual revenue of the national government. Although the financial pressure on the government is not very great, it is clear that there is no one who will be unable to get along with money. Especially in today's situation where the national government needs money everywhere, it is even more necessary to find a way to 'open up sources and reduce expenditures'...

More than 100 million pounds, open source is definitely no problem...

Therefore, Yan Shao can almost be said to be determined to get this money...

It's just that there is one thing that makes it a little difficult for Yan Shao to do, that is, if you want to get this money, you must first let Kolchak and them enter the territory of Siberia. The problem is that if Kolchak is doing something in Siberia, then in any case, the reputation will still be very bad after all.

After all, Kolchak and them were in China's 'territory' at that time, and they had already said that Kolchak and them were allowed to enter Siberia, but now they are backtracking, no matter how you look at it, this seems to be a bit unusual...

But if they didn't do anything to Kolchak, it seemed a little difficult to get their hands on these 500 tons of gold, more than 100 million pounds... (To be continued......)