Erikson admits that Victoria has a point, and asking Henry to help dredge up the relationship may indeed lead to passivity, and if he lets that person know his importance, he will definitely have to desperately pull the benefits into his arms. It is not even ruled out that this commodity will threaten to use this at every turn to occupy the majority of other interests.

Such a situation that even Eriksen did not want to see, let alone Victoria and a certain immortal. But the problem is clear, as an isolated and blockaded Russia, it is too difficult to open up a channel for foreign trade, and without Sweden as a springboard, it can be said that everything is in vain. However, the presence of the three of them in Sweden is very weak, and it seems that it is no fun to find another way!

"That can't put all hope on Henry, I can't trust that guy!" Victoria emphasized.

"Why don't we find another neutral country and dredge up relations?" Erikson offered his opinion.

Li Xiaofeng snorted angrily: "You said it simply, there are only a few neutral countries in Europe, which have a certain amount of national strength, and those who are not afraid of the power of Britain, France and the United States, can you find a second one?" ”

In fact, strictly speaking, Sweden is not qualified, although he is very influential in Northern Europe, but in terms of the world, it does not have the strength to wrestle with Britain, France, the United States and Germany, and the reason why Sweden was chosen is because this country's position in this war is very delicate.

Britain, France, and the United States were worried about pushing the Swedes too quickly, and sent them into the arms of the Germans, and it would be better to keep Sweden neutral because of its industrial capacity, resources, and geographical location. So, some small gestures to the Swedes. For example, the act of transporting grain, machinery, coal and iron ore to Germany. You can only open one eye and close one eye. And the Germans needed Sweden's help in this big war. It was the presence of Sweden that allowed it to bypass the blockade of the Entente and obtain a certain amount of vital supplies.

It is this special political status of Sweden that determines that it is the best springboard. If you look at other neutral countries, such as the most famous Switzerland, even if Switzerland agrees to help, it won't help much.

"Aren't you connected to Finland?" Victoria suddenly said, "Anyway, now they're independent." Let them help, it should be fine, right? ”

Although this idea is good, only Li Xiaofeng knows that although Finland will have such a role in the future, the current Finland will really not be able to help.

First of all, although Finland declared independence, there was no less chaos in their country than in Russia, the contradictions between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie were so acute that civil war could break out at any time, and it was difficult to use it as a springboard to ensure the safety of transportation.

Secondly. Finland's national strength is so poor that it has basically no military strength when it has just become independent. In particular, the safety of sea traffic cannot be guaranteed, but the Atlantic Ocean is blocked by Britain and the United States, and all ships are strictly inspected, and important areas such as Finland, which is directly adjacent to Russia, are even more strict in maritime raids and searches. Importing grain under the banner of Finland may be intercepted by the British and Americans, which is equivalent to spending real money on the water.

Eriksen said in frustration: "Sweden can't do it, Finland can't do it, won't it be impossible!" ”

Victoria also found it tricky: "In addition to these two countries, are there any neutral countries adjacent to us?" ”

The answer is no, in the second half of 1917, the countries surrounding Russia either joined the Entente or the Central Powers, and there were very few neutral soy sauce players.

"Looks like we're going to have to work with Henry!" Victoria let out a long sigh, and it looked like she was about to accept reality.

"That's right, I can only let that bastard take advantage!" Erikson also said through gritted teeth.

However, a certain immortal did not see it that way, and he felt that there was a second way to go, "We should walk on two legs." He said.

"There's no second way!" Erikson and Victoria complained in unison.

"Yes," Li Xiaofeng nodded heavily, "Victoria, after you get out of prison, you go to contact Henry and ask him to clear up the relationship, but pay attention, you must have confidence, and you can't let that bastard lion open his mouth; Erik, you are trying to register a trading company in Finland......"

Victoria asked puzzled, "But didn't you just say Finland ......?"

Li Xiaofeng stretched out his hand to stop her, "I have a way to solve this problem, and I can ensure that the grain arrives in Russia smoothly!" ”

"Do you have a solution?" Not only Victoria, but even Erikson was shocked, "Impossible! ”

Li Xiaofeng said impatiently: "How can I joke about this kind of thing, you just have to prepare...... Also, hurry up and get 5,000 tons of wheat ready! ”

Although Victoria and Erikson did not believe that someone could solve this difficult problem, someone still counts when it comes to talking, and even if there is doubt, they selectively believe someone and start to actively prepare.

So what is Li Xiaofeng's so-called method? To put it bluntly, it's not worth mentioning, that is, the cornucopia's express delivery function, although it still only has a single sending function, but if someone can seize the time to upgrade to another level, then the two-way express function can be turned on.

When the time comes, grain will be imported directly from the main grain-producing countries in South America and delivered directly to Russia, and the blockade between Britain and the United States will directly become a joke. However, some comrades asked, in this case, why cooperate with Henry?

In fact, this is also Li Xiaofeng's insurance, although he can import grain under the banner of Finland, but if this line is exposed, after all, it is difficult to keep the bulk transaction of grain secret in the international market, and it is very likely that Britain, France and the United States will put pressure on Finland, and even directly sanction this company, and then there will be no food at all.

Therefore, the existence of Sweden is needed, in order not to put all the eggs in one basket, a certain immortal not only asked Eriksen to come forward to establish a shell company in Finland, but also planned to let his cheap Lao Tzu and his brother set up shell companies in neutral countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Portugal, etc., ready to bloom in one more point. Anyway, Li Xiaofeng doesn't believe it, even if a company can only import grain once. Building a dozen of them can always meet the needs, right?

Basically, after planning has been made to solve the food problem. According to Li Xiaofeng's original plan. He was going to rush back to Moscow immediately, after all, it was the big one over there, and although Frunze was watching with help, he was really not at ease.

However, someone wanted to leave, but some unexpected event forced him to stay, and when he was about to board the train to Moscow, he was left behind by an order from the Mentor.

"According to the news from Comrade Yue Fei. On the question of the armistice, we were quite divided with the Germans! The Mentor said worriedly.

Why did the Politburo ask me to sit in on the issue of negotiations with Germany? Li Xiaofeng was very happy when he heard that the Politburo held a meeting for him to attend, thinking that this was a sign of his improved status in the party, after all, the Politburo meeting is not for anyone to attend, and if you can be an observer, you must at least be a member of the Central Committee.

And he is not even an alternate member of the Central Committee, he actually has this honor, how can someone not be a little proud. Of course. He wasn't too proud, because he thought that the mentor had asked him to sit in on it. It is the Politburo that wants to discuss the solution to the food problem, and with him as the direct person concerned, many problems can be solved face-to-face.

But Li Xiaofeng didn't expect that the mentor had no intention of discussing the grain issue at all, but discussing the issue of negotiations with Germany, which had nothing to do with his business! Why should he be allowed to attend this meeting?

In fact, it is not only a certain immortal who has doubts, but also several serious bigwigs of the Politburo, such as Trotsky, such as Stalin, these two rivals can finally think of a piece of together, they do not understand why such a major decision should be listened to by a little child, it is completely meaningless!

Fortunately, the tutor quickly gave the answer: "The Central Special Section is in charge of intelligence work, and Comrade Andrei has been presiding over this work. The negotiations with Germany are inseparable from intelligence support, and it is very necessary for him to participate. ”

This excuse should be said to be reluctant, at least in the eyes of Trotsky and Stalin. It is true that someone is engaged in intelligence work, but the Special Branch has not been established for a few months, and the intelligence work capacity in most parts of the country is blank, let alone any foreign intelligence work. They thought that the reason why Lenin had asked someone to attend the meeting was to send a signal - I was going to raise Andrei's position in the party!

Truth be told, neither Trotsky nor Stalin wanted to watch someone's position rise in the party, and for them this was definitely not a good thing. So these two goods immediately made a plan in their hearts, and they must focus on someone for the next period of time.

Poor Li Xiaofeng was inexplicably targeted by the two old foxes in the Politburo, if he knew this, I am afraid that the little smug emotion just now would be thrown out of the clouds immediately.

However, he didn't have the time to think about it so much, because the mentor got to the point on his own: "Comrade Yue Fei's contact with the German negotiating delegation was not particularly smooth, and according to his reaction, our estimate of the Germans' willingness to armistice has deviated greatly......

This is not false at all, at least Li Xiaofeng knows that what the Germans want is not an armistice at all, but under the guise of an armistice, to force Russia to sign an extremely humiliating treaty, that is, they plan to take advantage of the opportunity of Russia's civil strife to make a big profit.

At the same time, the Bolsheviks were a little naïve about the idea of an armistice, they did not expect the Germans to open their mouths at all, and they only had in their minds the image that the Germans were exhausted by the two-front battle, and they were very hopeful or eager to get out of this unfavorable state of affairs.

Therefore, the bigwigs of the Bolsheviks felt that, based on this, they would not fall into a unilateral and passive situation in the negotiations, and they felt that this was the greatest reliance. If the Germans were smart enough, they wouldn't have put forward too harsh conditions, and they could have ended this damn war with dignity. And the so-called decency is two points - no land and no compensation. Everyone went to their respective homes according to the original borders of the country and went back to their respective homes.

The big guys can see that the Bolsheviks really thought too simply on the armistice issue, whether it was Trotsky, Stalin, or the Politburo or other bigwigs of the Central Committee, they all wanted this kind of decency, and they also wishfully thought that this decency was within reach. So in the initial negotiations, their bottom line was set quite high, a bit like a fairy tale.

So. After real contact with the German negotiating team. These stupid and naïve bigwigs suddenly found out. The real world is so cruel. The Germans are wolf ambitions, they just want to take advantage of the opportunity, that is, after severely invading the polar bear, they will also smoke a tube of blood.

In the first round of negotiations, Germany's terms shocked the entire Politburo, and the heads of the Bolsheviks woke up a little and began to feel that peace negotiations might not be as easy and beautiful as they imagined.

Of course. Some things must be said earlier, and among the many dizzy high-level leaders of the Bolsheviks, Lenin always had a relatively clear understanding of negotiations. He seems to have known that the conditions offered by the Germans would be very harsh, even unacceptable. He was mentally prepared for this, so he didn't act particularly shocked.

"Judging from the conditions of the German armistice that we have seen now, it is quite harsh." "But from another point of view, these conditions are also very normal! ”

His words caused the crowd to ponder, of course. There was also a lot of shock, for example, Stalin and Trotsky wondered in their minds - did Lenin intend to accept these harsh conditions?

Let's be honest. As soon as this idea came out, it frightened them, because they always thought that such conditions were unacceptable, and if they accepted it, it would be tantamount to betraying the country! In any case, they absolutely did not think that Lenin would be willing to wear the hat of a traitor. So they prefer to wishfully believe that this is a strategy adopted by Lenin, but they do not understand what the strategy is.

Lenin, who did not take into account the ideas of Trotsky and Stalin, said to himself: "I do not see any chance of turning the tide of the war in the present situation against us, our northern gateway has been penetrated by the Germans, the enemy's front is only a few hundred kilometers from our capital, and more importantly, the army on our front is in disarray, the soldiers are already extremely tired, and they are eager to end the war at once, and I do not see any chance to turn the tide of the war in this situation......"

Well, when the Master said this, Trotsky and Stalin finally realized that they had not been mistaken, that Lenin had indeed intended to accept the Germans' terms.

Suddenly, they became excited, and Stalin was the first to jump out and say: "Comrade Lenin, I think you are too pessimistic, although the war situation is not in our favor, but it is not entirely favorable to the Germans, they are facing a two-front battle, and they are deep in the territory of our country, and the supply lines behind are too long, as long as we grit our teeth and persevere, they will definitely not be able to drag it out!" ”

Stalin was right, the Germans were really having a hard time, and they really couldn't afford to drag it out, otherwise they wouldn't have survived even 1918 in history, and they would have collapsed because of the internal revolution just like Russia.

But Stalin also made a mistake, the Germans could not afford to delay, they could not drag it out more than Russia or the Bolsheviks, and if they continued to grit their teeth and insist according to his strategy, it was very likely that a third revolution would break out in Russia, and the Bolsheviks would probably be ousted at that time. After all, the situation in Russia was worse than in Germany, and the soldiers who had previously supported the Bolsheviks to power did not necessarily have much patience, and did they also support the Mensheviks and the Socialist-Revolutionaries after the February Revolution? But what about later? It's not that they didn't hesitate to abandon them.

And this is the most profound lesson, at least Lenin knew better than Stalin that the soldiers under his command were unreliable, and if they could not end the war and demobilize them quickly, they would quickly turn back.

It was precisely because he saw this clearly that Lenin knew that even if the conditions of the Germans were very harsh, it was better to agree first, and that the Bolsheviks must first stabilize the basis of power, and if they could not firmly control the power, they would not be able to wait for the day when the conditions for negotiations would become reasonable, and it would be more likely that they would marry others.

However, he could not say these words directly, because many comrades in the party had great hopes for peace talks and hoped for an honorable end to the war. If he tells the truth at this time, he may gain incomprehension, and it is more likely that he will damage his prestige.

Therefore, he could only make a very vague statement: "But the desire of the comrades of the workers and soldiers to stop the war is quite urgent, and they may not have so much patience!" ”

"I think this can be changed through advocacy and education!" Stalin confidently said, "We are a proletarian party, and we will inevitably be supported by the broad masses of the proletariat, and as long as we explain the truth to the comrades of the soldiers at the front, they will also choose to safeguard the interests of the motherland!" ”

Stalin's speech made Li Xiaofeng sneer in his heart, your grandson's true face has been exposed, right? To put it bluntly, you are a protector, and the reason why you stood with Kamenev after the February Revolution was because you sincerely wanted to continue the war, and you did not agree with the line of your mentor to turn the imperialist war into a civil war.

Listen to all this nonsense you just said, what is the essential difference between this and the Cadets and Social Revolutionaries who fooled the front-line soldiers to continue fighting? You just changed your banner, do you really think that under the banner of the Bolsheviks, you can fool around casually? Naive!

Li Xiaofeng can be sure that Stalin's method will be foolish for a while at most, and it will take a little longer, at most half a year, and there will be big problems immediately. When the soldiers on the front line rose up again, they didn't regret taking the medicine! (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank the three comrades of the dead regiment, the king of horses, and ivanyu!