PS: Chinese New Year, Ah Long wishes all Mengshan Jun's book friends a happy New Year, a happy family, and a great fortune and good luck in Sanyang in the Year of the Goat!

On October 11, 1917, the day after Van der Ping received the latest instructions from the country, Lieutenant General Van der Ping immediately drove to the headquarters of the Ksheshinskayab Party and asked to meet Ulyanov. But Ulyanov went to Moscow, and it was not Mr. Ulyanov who met Van der Ping, but Trotsky, who was in charge of military issues in the party.

After the party took power, its central organs had not yet moved and were still working in the old place.

While waiting for the meeting with the leaders of the party, Fan Deping was deeply puzzled by the importance that the party attached to the party. Now it seems that the country is convinced that the Cloth Party is about to become the ruler of Russia. The places controlled by the Brux were only two cities, Petersburg and Moscow, and even if the main Russian factories, especially the munitions, were concentrated in these two places, what would they be? How can we take power in the whole country? Why does the country believe that the Cloth Party can represent Russia? In Van der Ping's view, the rule of the Cloth Party was in jeopardy, and as long as the communication lines from Petersburg to the outside world were cut off, the gains made by the Cloth Party would be wiped out. True, the Cloth Party did capture the psychology of the soldiers and workers of Petersburg, but was the soldier who did not want to fight still considered a soldier? If you were yourself, you would have shot the officers long ago, and the soldiers were dismissed. The cloth party relied on these sloppy troops to pacify the world? Nicholas II has already gone to Omsk, why does the country think that the tsar will not make a comeback?

The Kshessinskaya building was in disarray, and there were always loud shouts in the corridor on the third floor where the reception room was located. Van der Ping has been in Russia for a long time, but his tongue does not roll. As a result, he basically does not speak Russian and can only understand a little bit of everyday conversation. The attaché who followed Fan Deping to the party headquarters was his guard and interpreter, Xiao Zhu, who whispered to the lieutenant general the conversation in the corridor he heard, "They are busy moving, saying it's too crowded here. ”

Fan Deping thought of the beautiful Winter Palace, and the murals hanging in the corridors of the Winter Palace. Fan Deping didn't know how to paint, but he felt that the paintings were extremely beautiful, both the landscapes and the figures were extremely realistic, and they were completely different from the Chinese painting style. Maybe they will move into the Winter Palace, there are many royal palaces in St. Petersburg. Since the tsar chose the Winter Palace. It must be the most beautiful.

He acknowledged that Russia had many things that he admired. With its vast expanse of territory, endless forests and beautiful cities, he loved Petersburg, its architecture and its canals. Growing up in the Yinan Mountains, he loves water. Because the Yimeng Mountains are too short of water. But there is no shortage of water. In addition to the bitter cold, Fan Deping likes the qiē here. If it weren't for Long Qian, Fan Deping didn't think he would have had the opportunity to represent China in dealing with world-class figures such as the Russian emperor and the prime minister. Fan Deping, who studied in private school for four years, read through "A Concise History of Modern China". It was a 100,000-word popular book on modern history compiled by the Ministry of Culture and Education after the founding of the People's Republic of China, from the Opium War to the establishment of the Mengshan Army. Half of the pages are devoted to the history of the aggression of the great powers against China. From 1840~1910, it is a completely humiliating history. However, in just seven years, seven years, China will be able to talk to the foreign powers on an equal footing. This is entirely because of the rise of the Mengshan Army. Fan Deping came to the conclusion that the army is the key factor that dominates the fate of the country, and as long as there is an army, there will be political power, and as long as the political power is in place, there will be people, money, and money. The Mengshan Army, which has only been established for 20 years, can go abroad to fight for the interests of the country, so why can't it seize more territory? The Ministry of Culture and Education has also compiled a booklet, "China's Population Problem," which is based on a census of a market town in Qingzhou and describes the current situation of Chinese population growth and possible problems in the future, from which the author of the booklet deduced that if the state does not adopt a policy of controlling births, China's population will double within 30 years, and the total number will exceed 800 million. The pamphlet also talks about the distribution and geography of Chinese population, arguing that although China is a vast country, there are only a limited number of places to live and live, half of the areas are unsuitable for human habitation, and the proportion of deserts and plateaus is too large. The pamphlet caused a lot of controversy in China, when he was the mayor of Shanghai, and he came to Shanghai to study the demographics of Shanghai, and found that Shanghai's population was growing faster than the market town of Qingzhou, which the pamphlet describes. Perhaps this is the basis for Long Qian's proposal to control the population? However, Long Qian's mention has never formed relevant laws and regulations, and few people support his views. Since ancient times, one of the achievements of the government has been the growth of household registration. Moreover, Fan Deping believes that the national border is demarcated according to the strength of the country, and Russia can cede millions of square kilometers of land from China, so why can't China rely on the army to get it back? Isn't that what the army does? Fan Deping felt that the leader he had followed for more than ten years had an extremely contradictory personality, and this contradiction was becoming more and more manifested, such as the implementation of the Russian strategy...... After the success of the uprising and the brazen demand for an armistice, one can imagine the anger of Britain and France, why not take advantage of this excellent situation to pacify Russia in one fell swoop? The Russian army is no longer what it looks like, as long as he is given an army group and guarantees adequate supplies, he is sure that he will occupy Moscow and Petersburg in two months, and this will not be over? By propping up a pro-China regime, wouldn't Russia become a vassal of China? Look at Siberia, you can't see a single person for dozens of miles, where is there any need to worry about population growth?

The arrival of the master interrupted Fan Deping's cranky thoughts.

Trotsky, with his thick black hair, was the first to apologize, saying that an urgent official business had delayed time, and that the Chinese guests would forgive him. Van Deping went straight to the point and gave a frank answer to the question of war raised by Van Depin, "Russia is grateful to the Chinese Expeditionary Force, but we have determined the policy of ending the war, the people do not want to fight any further, we have issued a call for peace to the belligerents, if the Germans are willing to make peace, then the war should be ended!" ”

"Of course we have taken note of your statement," Vander's tone grimaced, "but you understand the consequences. If a ceasefire is concluded between the Germans and yours, our army will be threatened by the superior military strength of the German army! It has a bearing on the safety of the millions of soldiers of our expeditionary force and on the relations between our two countries. On behalf of my Government, I declare to you that in the event of a unilateral truce on your side, our army will have to move freely. ”

Fan Deping did get a domestic authorization.

"Dear General Fan, the agreement signed by Kerensky's traitorous government is no longer null and void, our party has taken control of all-Russian power, and we are willing to establish friendship with China on an equal footing, provided that your country recognizes the new Russian government and respects the choice of the Russian people." Trotsky understood the threat in Van der Ping's words, but he was not at all in a position to take into account the situation in Ukraine and Poland, and how the Chinese expeditionary forces in Ukraine and Poland would act, Trotsky could neither care nor care. His first task was to build a credible armed force of its own. Before. When he and Ulyanov exchanged views on the issue of the Chinese expeditionary force, Ulyanov made it clear that it is not in our interest for the Chinese to stay in Ukraine or anywhere in Russia, and the best outcome is to let them withdraw from Russia. Even if the Germans occupied those places, it would not be a big deal.

Trotsky fully agreed with Ulyanov. They understand. After the United States entered the war, it was only a matter of time before Germany surrendered, even if the Germans took advantage of the situation to invade and occupy large swathes of southern Russia. It will also be taken back after the defeat of Germany. The key now is to establish and consolidate power, especially the Red Army, which is the key to consolidating it.

Under this guiding ideology, the Chinese Expeditionary Force's stay in Russia was not conducive to the Brux.

"Respect the choice of the Russian people? Which Russian? Is it the result of a referendum? The entry of our army into Russia to fight was signed with your country, and we must respect history. The President of our country has authorized me to explain to you the basic principles of our country with regard to the Russian question, that our country respects the change of regime in Russia, and that we are willing to establish formal diplomatic relations with you, but the Chinese Expeditionary Force, in order to protect Russia from the ravages of Germany, was invited by His Majesty the Emperor of your country, and since entering Russia last autumn, it has fought continuously to recover Romania and Bonan, saved the southern front of Russia, and paid hundreds of thousands of heavy sacrifices, and you have disregarded the interests of our country and the safety of the officers and men of the expeditionary force, It is a blatant betrayal to seek an armistice from an enemy country without consulting our country! Think about it from the standpoint of China, Mr. Trotsky! ”

Trotsky shrugged his shoulders and looked at Van der Ping indifferently, "Unfortunately, this is a decision made by the Central Committee of the Party, and in the present situation, we consider it the only correct one. The fate of your army can only be decided by your army itself. ”

"That's a pity!" Fan Deping said coldly, "It was you who ended the friendship that was cemented by the blood of both sides, not us." Farewell, Mr. Trotsky. ”

After reporting to Beijing about the attitude of the Central Committee of the Brucellos Buenos Aires and receiving instructions from Beijing, Van Deping, after making the final arrangements, withdrew from Petersburg in batches with all the personnel of the Liaison Office of the Expeditionary Force, including the reinforced company that was used to defend the liaison office.

The diplomatic establishment remained in Petersburg.

Because of domestic instructions, Van der Ping's desire to officially fulfill the chief of staff of the expeditionary force was once again frustrated. He will report to Wang Mingyuan on the situation in Petersburg and then go to Omsk to continue to be his "military diplomat."

On the special train to Lublin, Van der Ping learned about the situation of the 9th Army from Lieutenant Colonel Menenfan, who led the team to St. Petersburg. This is a unit that Fan Deping liked very much, and Fan Deping always considered himself a member of the Northern Military System, although he left the army after the founding of the country. However, Lieutenant Colonel Meng is not from the 9th Army, he should be regarded as a soldier of the Southern Army. Now Meng Enfan's old army, the 1st Army, has come up and changed to the front line.

After reporting on Fan Deping's inquiry, Lieutenant Colonel Meng made a request to the chief of staff, could he be transferred back to the 1st Army?

"Although the 'Yuan Commanders' is the starting unit of the Mengshan Army, the 9th Army is the same as the 1st Army, the 25th Division is the trump card of the 9th Army, and the 73rd Regiment is the trump card of the 25th Division, are you still not satisfied as a battalion commander in the 73rd Regiment?" Fan Deping stared at the good-looking lieutenant colonel officer, "I ask you a question, and you have to answer it truthfully." Which do you think is stronger, the 9th Army or the 1st Army? ”

"This ......" Meng Enfan was obviously unprepared, "this is not easy to compare." When I was a company commander in the 1st Army, my equipment couldn't be compared with what it is now. ”

"Equipment is secondary, and it is people who fight wars."

"I still like the 1st Army."

"Is the 9th Army bad?" Fan Deping stared at the lieutenant colonel.

"The discipline of the 9th Army was inferior to that of the 1st Army. The 25th Regiment is good, but the 27th Regiment is much worse, and beating and scolding soldiers is commonplace. As far as I know, the 1st Army basically did not have these phenomena. The organization of the Youth Army Alliance, the 1st Army is better than the 9th Army. ”

"Well," Vander's tone was calm, "what do you think of the tactical comparison between the two forces?" If you once served in the Fathers Regiment (1st Division, 1st Regiment) against the 73rd Regiment in which you are now serving, who will win? The armament of the two regiments was essentially the same. ”

"I think the 1st regiment is stronger."

"Haha." Fan Deping laughed, "Okay, I remember you." Can I transfer you back, it depends on the situation. Again, how do you think we compare with the Germans? ”

"The 9th Army fought in Romania so that the Germans had no power to fight back, but in Poland. then evenly matched. In the summer campaign last year, our regiment suffered a little loss. I think it's a little stronger than the Germans in a movement war. Positional warfare is the opposite. Our artillery was inferior to the Germans, but the infantry companies were superior in tactics and firepower. ”

"Well, that's good. What else? ”

"Positional warfare, or trench warfare, became the main mode of warfare. The troops did not like this way of fighting. Rely on existing firepower. It was difficult to break through the defenses of the Germans, and the Germans were no different. ”

"Well, go ahead."

"Chief of Staff Kong once came to our division and gave us a lesson. The point is to talk about how to deal with the tanks of the Germans. But we haven't seen anything like this until now. Chief of Staff, I wonder if we have such artillery that can move on its own? ”

"Kong Dongyuan? The tanks of the Germans were mainly on the Western Front, and it is said that they were also very few. But we'll have it, and we will. What do you mean by tanks? ”

"I think tanks are the best weapon for trench warfare. If what Chief of Staff Kong said was true. ”

"Of course it's true. Do you think we are sure that we will fight the Russian army? ”

"To fight the Russians?" Meng Enfan was taken aback.

"Who said they were going to fight the Russians? I'm just asking you. ”

"I think it should be fine. At least in terms of equipment, we are much better than them. Whether it is individual weapons or artillery and air force, we surpass the Russian army. Not to mention morale, our troops have Russian liaison officers, who admit that our weapons are better, especially rifles and machine guns. ”

"Haha, yes, yes." Fan Deping likes this old-looking lieutenant colonel a little.

After Fan Deping came to Lublin, he reported to General Wang Mingyuan about the situation in Petersburg, and Wang Mingyuan also informed Fan Deping about the situation of the troops, and had already received instructions from the country, and the expeditionary force once again adjusted the establishment of the group army, which in Fan Deping's opinion was entirely for the purpose of retreating.

"That's right, for retreat." Wang Mingyuan lost a lot of weight, his appetite was not good, and he kept hiccups during the conversation, "I'm going to Vinnytsia soon, and I'll hand it over to Xiong Xun here, his ability has been proven, and the Northern Army has killed a group of generals...... By the way, the situation in South Russia has become complicated recently, and General Kornilov, who was removed by Kerensky, ran over here and organized a motley unit dominated by Cossacks, which has now been organized into 12 regiments, but they are not satisfied with the number of personnel and lack weapons. He was elected commander-in-chief and openly raised the banner of supporting the restoration of Nicholas II......"

"Chosen commander-in-chief?"

"You can't help but admit that the Russians have a much stronger base in this regard than ours. Kornilov now went to Rostov to continue recruiting, and all the Cloth Party elements he caught were hanged or shot...... The commander was right, Russia was about to enter a civil war, and the war with the Germans was over. Can we do it without retreating? ”

"Do you want to support this Kornilov?"

"Yes. This man met with me about twenty days ago. Hoping for our support, especially in the area of arms, he specifically offered artillery and shells, but I did not agree at the time. The family instructed him that the first step was to hand over to him all the weapons we had seized since we entered Russia, and I have instructed the Logistics Command to do so, and now, they have probably received this batch of weapons. ”

"Do you think he can do it?"

"It's hard to say. He's confident. However, against Petersburg and Moscow, it will not work without a stable source of arms, and the industrial base of the Don steppe is very poor, unless he actually controls the cities of Kharkiv, Kiev and other cities. However, we must control these cities, and the 11th Army has already moved towards Kiev...... Kornilov offered us to go directly to the war, but I refused. ”

"To be honest, it would be a loss if we just went back like this."

"But it must be done in accordance with the President's instructions, and the issue of repetition must not be done on its own. Long-distance and close attack are the basic principle, we can't build an enclave in Ukraine, right? ”

"It is not only the Far East that can make a fuss, but also Central Asia is of greater significance. Every time I think of the great cause of the Han and Tang Dynasties to open up the Western Regions, now is the right time. The history of Russia's annexation of Central Asia is not long, and its rule may not be stable, so why can't we take the opportunity to make a fuss? ”

"The president is much smarter than you and me. You think of it, the president will definitely think of it. The Lanzhou-Singapore Railway was opened to traffic early, and there were no railway lines, so it was too dangerous for the army to enter the Central Asia-Pacific region, and it was still safe to try to the Far East. The Russian strategy has entered the final stage, and there are not many cards to play, Kornilov is one, and the other is the weak and incompetent emperor. After you go to Omsk, you will strictly implement the president's instructions, and I have telegraphed Wu Nian to accept your command. If the tsar offered assistance in terms of weapons and ammunition, he could be satisfied as much as possible, which was approved by the president. When are you going to leave? ”

"Listen to your orders."

"Then do it. I don't want to fight anymore. As long as the Germans do not provoke, I will not return fire. Look at the Germans on the other side, they have little interest in us anymore, they are waiting for further instructions from the Russians, why should we give the Russians to defend the land? I'm going to move everything that can be relocated here! Da Shou has already returned to Vinnitsa to organize this matter, and there is nothing to be polite about. Kornilov may not be able to do it, and even if it does, it may not be in our favor. (To be continued......)