It can be heard from Stalin's tone that he did not believe that Yezhov had any way, and he was completely a casual attitude.

However, Yezhov was very excited, and after joining the Stalin clique, he remained very low in the clique and belonged to the margins. But he never thought that his abilities were inferior to those old guys that Stalin trusted, and he believed that the reason why it was difficult for him to open up the situation was simply a lack of opportunities.

And now, the opportunity was in front of him, and suddenly he cleared his throat and said: "To solve the current dilemma, I have three ways!" ”

Stalin would have been interested if this had been said by strategists such as Mikoyan and Zhdanov, but it is clear that Yezhov did not reach that status. In Stalin's eyes, Yezhov was always just a blue-collar coolie. Do you think Stalin was interested in listening to the nonsense of a blue-collar coolie?

It can only be said that Yezhov was self-defeating, because Stalin impatiently urged: "Long story short! ”

Yezhov saw that the boss's face changed, and he no longer dared to show it, so he hurriedly said: "Let's talk about the next strategy first, Trotsky has only reached a preliminary agreement with Britain and France, and there is still a considerable distance from truly reaching a complete consensus, which means that we still have time." During this period of time, we can step up the work of the Central Committee and let the Central Committee do its best to understand our plan. As long as we can get the first thing to do, Trotsky's plan will naturally be abandoned. ”

How about the idea? To be honest, it's really not good. It's not that it doesn't work, it's that the likelihood of achieving it is low. Because the bigwigs of the Central Committee were not fools, the strength and weakness of the Anglo-French alliance and the German-Italian-Japanese axis were clear. If you let the bigwigs choose. That would definitely choose to stand on the same side as the former.

Other words. Yezhov's construction could not have been communicated by the Central Committee at all. In fact, this dwarf himself knows that this construction is a bit nonsense, and he admits: "This is the best policy, and the probability of success is very low!" ”

Stalin glared at him angrily, as if to say: "Since you know that it is not good, why do you say it!" Wasting Lao Tzu's precious time? ”

Yezhov hurriedly said: "The middle strategy is to create trouble for Trotsky and find fault in his plan." All efforts were made to prevent his draft from becoming an agreement. ”

Yezhov explained his thoughts in detail, anyway, it can be summed up in one sentence. The tricky means of Guò aborted Trotsky's programme. Of course, this is also quite difficult, because the bigwigs of the Central Committee are not fools and are not so easy to fool. They can easily distinguish what is rationalized and what is nothing to do.

"This building is not very good!" Stalin snorted, and could see that he felt more and more that Yezhov was wasting his time.

However, Yezhov was not in a hurry at all, and continued confidently: "Then only the best strategy remains. It seems to me that the only person who can push for an alliance with Britain and France is Trotsky, who is the greatest enemy of Comrade Joseph's line. In this case, instead of going to great lengths to deal with him, it is better to eliminate him directly! ”

Boy. Yezhov's words fell, and Mikoyan and Zhdanov's eyes widened like goldfish. Stalin, who had been smoking cigarettes all the time, was choked, and Ordzhonikidze, Shao Wumian and Kalinin could all stuff apples in their mouths!

After a short silence, Ordzhonikidze broke out, pointing at Yezhov's nose and scolding: "Mean! It's appalling! This is shameful political murder! This is the only way that the most shameless and lewd villain can think of! I strongly disagree with such an approach! ”

Ordzhonikidze slapped the table hard to show his rage. I have to say that Ordzhonikidze still sticks to the final bottom line, which is also an important reason why he chose to commit suicide in history.

Because he has never approved of Cheng Dù, who escalated the debate within the party to a dispute between friend and foe, and even less liked the practice of killing people when they disagreed. So as soon as Yezhov began to have no lower limit, he immediately became surprisingly angry.

There was silence in the conference room, and everyone was digesting Yezhov's earth-shattering construction and Ordzhonikidze's rage. At this time, no one dared to speak, not even gasp, and everyone looked at Stalin intently, wondering what the choice of steel would make.

After a brief silence, Stalin glared at Yezhov fiercely, and without being angry, he said: "Comrade Yezhov, you have disappointed me too much. I always thought you were a good comrade with integrity, but today I was shocked by your speech! What kind of behavior is it to assassinate one's comrades by means of assassination? Do you still have the slightest sense of being a member of the Communist Party? Aren't you ashamed? Get out of here, get out of my office now! Now I don't want to see your ugly face! ”

Yezhov was frightened, he thought that he had seen through Stalin's inner world, and thought that this master was a mercenary who could not hesitate to do anything for the sake of political status. He thinks that such a hero must need a villain like him, so he dares to announce his idea in public.

Who would have thought? Who would have thought that Stalin would turn his face? Am I mistaken about Stalin's character?

When he walked out of Stalin's office, Yezhov's mind went blank, and he couldn't believe that he had been kicked out like this, like a lost dog. Of course, what scared him even more was whether Stalin would make any follow-up moves, whether he would be arrested or simply handed over to the KGB as a counter-revolutionary.

As an old man who had worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a long time, Yezhov knew very well what would happen to the counter-revolutionaries, and no one would pity him, and soon a large group of "enterprising" and bright-eyed "masses" would come and expose him. In the end, he may die in some unknown labor camp, and his body will be left unattended if it is decomposed.

At the thought of this, Yezhov shuddered, and he began to think about whether to quickly find a way to save himself, or go to Sverdlov, no, there is Andrey. Petrovich, there will be no good fruit for him to eat, or. Or simply go to Trotsky?

Just when Yezhov's heart was going up and down. The meeting in Stalin's office continued. The enraged steel scolded Yezhov's back for a while, and then began to "gently" comfort Ordzhonikidze: "Georgy. Konstantinovich, this is a mistake in my work, I never imagined that Yezhov would be so vile and shameless that he would let a shameless scum into our ranks. This fully shows that my work is not in place, and I must apologize to all the comrades here! ”

Saying that, Stalin sincerely apologized and made a review, which moved Ordzhonikidze so much that it was a surprise. Ordzhonikidze and Shao Wumian were excited. I think that the current steel is still the same comrade who made a revolution with them in Georgia decades ago.

In this harmonious atmosphere, two people looked at each other silently, and both Mikoyan and Zhdanov saw a hint of ridicule and sarcasm in each other's eyes. The two nodded slightly, and soon covered up the slightest hint of unusual expression, and replaced it with a deeply "moved" color.

Of course, Zhdanov and Mikoyan can fake their faces, but they can't fake their hearts. Both of them knew very well that Stalin was just putting on a show, just a fake model to clear himself, and the real thoughts of this tyrant were probably quite interested in Yezhov's mention. It's just to hide people's eyes. and shirking responsibility, he was deliberately angry just now. only then did he deliberately drive away Yezhov in public, and then apologized pretendedly. To put it bluntly, it's nothing more than buying people's hearts.

Such a trick can only be fooled by the solid-eyed Ordzhoni Keze and Shao Wumian, while Zhdanov and Mikoyan are like mirrors in their hearts. I am afraid that after the adjournment of the meeting, Yezhov, who had just been driven out, will be called back, and the plan to assassinate Trotsky will be unstoppable!

But Zhdanov and Mikoyan will not be stupid to debunk Stalin's tricks, what good is this. If Trotsky can be eliminated, it will naturally be of great benefit to the Stalin clique, and even if the matter is exposed, it will be Yezhov who will bear the blame in the end. Why stop this kind of harmless thing?

Zhdanov and Mikoyan were not right in their guesses, and after the meeting, very in the evening, Yezhov was re-invited to Stalin, although nominally under the pretext of criticism and education, but in reality it was clear to everyone for what purpose.

"Comrade Yezhov, in order to preserve the peace and future development of the Soviet Union, some revisionist elements who are bent on defecting to British and French imperialism must be eliminated. Only by removing these cancers can our regime be stable and peace sustainable. I hope that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will take this responsibility and go free to do it! ”

Although Trotsky's name is not mentioned in Stalin's words, the meaning of the words is very clear, that is, to instruct Yezhov to get rid of Trotsky. To be honest, after learning what Stalin meant, Yezhov was greatly relieved, he was ready to defect before, especially when Stalin sent someone to invite him, he was almost scared!

At this moment, Yezhov was surrounded by ecstasy, he saluted respectfully and promised: "Rest assured, I promise to complete the task!" ”

However, Stalin was not very at ease with Yezhov, he motioned for Yezhov to sit down and speak, and on the other hand, he said: "Comrade Yezhov, this mission of yours is extremely arduous, and you must be prepared to gnaw bones." In addition, I must remind you that that part of the revisionists in the party has a huge prestige, and if it is not done skillfully, its influence will be unprecedented. I hope that you will use appropriate means to reduce your influence and never make public opinion boil. Do you understand? ”

Yezhov nodded repeatedly, he had fully understood what Stalin meant. That is, it is necessary to get rid of Trotsky, but it is necessary not to assassinate him openly, the truth of the matter must be concealed, and it is better to make the world think that Trotsky's death was nothing more than an accident.

To be honest, it's difficult. But Yezhov likes to be difficult, not that this dwarf likes to challenge the limit, he doesn't have such a high pursuit, but he thinks that the higher the difficulty, the more he can show his ability, if he can do things seamlessly, then Stalin's status in the future is not rising?

With a hint of joy and pride, Yezhov left Stalin's office in a hurry, and overnight gathered his henchmen and began to plot an intense assassination of Trotsky. Looks like this bloody dwarf is ready to show off his skills.

But Yezhov, who was very energetic, did not know how well he would get things done. Stalin would not have looked down on him. Not long after he left Stalin's office. Steel took out a notepad from his safe. Below Yezhov's name there was another line of remarks: It must be cleared!

Let's look at Stalin's secret notepad, there are not a few people who have the same words, such as Trotsky, such as Sverdlov, such as Li Xiaofeng. To be honest, being able to be juxtaposed with these names, Yezhov can be regarded as dying without regrets.

At the same time, Trotsky, who was far away in Warsaw, did not know that his life was about to be threatened by the greatest threat of his life, and that he was still fighting for the greater national interests of the Soviet Union. After a preliminary agreement with Britain and France. The two sides engaged in painstaking negotiations over specific details, the most important of which was the issue of war against Germany.

At this time, Britain and France once again seemed to be very chicken thieves, and they refused to attack as soon as Germany attacked western Poland under the pretext that they were not well prepared for the war, and instead asked the Soviet Red Army to aid western Poland as quickly as possible.

To be honest, this is excessive, Britain and France were not ready for war, then the USSR was ready for war? According to Trotsky's temper in the past, he would never have accepted such discriminatory conditions. But at this time. In order to take care of the overall situation, he gritted his teeth and agreed while bargaining.

"When will you be ready for war? Can you give a specific deadline? Never after the German attack on West Poland. You're always in the preparation stage, aren't you? It is necessary to give a specific deadline, and Western Poland and the Soviet Union cannot be left alone with the obligation of war, right? ”

In the face of Trotsky's cross-examination, Britain and France dodged and evaded the truth, and shirked it with all kinds of funny excuses, until they could no longer shirk it, and then they said very "generously": "We need three years to prepare." ”

"Three years!" Trotsky squirted saliva in Chamberlain's face, and he sarcastically said: "You want to say that if tomorrow Germany attacks West Poland, and then wait until three years later, you will not go into battle." Why don't you say thirty years? At that time, the war was absolutely over! ”

Chamberlain replied with a red face: "This time is a figure that has been carefully calculated and deduced by our domestic experts and scholars, and it is scientifically credible. In fact, the initial number was five years and we did our best......"

Trotsky really wanted to take off his shoes and slap Chamberlain in the face - can you be more shameless?!

Trotsky immediately said: "In this case, the more backward Soviet Union naturally needs more time to prepare, and after five years we will be ready for war." From the time of the entry into force of the treaty, if Western Poland were attacked by Germany within five years, there would be nothing we could do! ”

"You're not sincere!" Chamberlain was still angry, you say magic is not magical. Trotsky, however, retorted: "It is you who have no sincerity in the first place!" In three years, the Soviet Union might as well sign a non-aggression pact directly with Germany, and at that time I would like to know how long you will need to prepare for war under the guns of Germany. ”

"One year!" Chamberlain gritted his teeth and gave another number.

Trotsky replied very forcefully: "Not a single day, our three countries must declare war on Germany at the same time, and once war is declared on Germany, the armies of our three countries must immediately attack Germany, there are no conditions to speak of, this is the last bottom line of the Soviet Union and my personally!" ”

Naturally, the negotiations were once again deadlocked, and Trotsky resolutely refused to budge, no matter how hard and soft Britain and France tried to do so. Trotsky said to Viet Fei, who accompanied him in the negotiations: "Britain and France are still fighting with the idea of making trouble, and if we give in, they will watch us openly against the Germans, and then reap the benefits of the fisherman...... I will never allow such a thing to happen, even if the negotiations break down, even if our line fails, and I must not let these despicable imperialist robbers get their way! ”

On 20 August, Britain and France formally issued an ultimatum to Trotsky, demanding that the Soviet Union either accept a six-month period of preparation for war between Britain and France, or the negotiations would be terminated. Faced with pressure from Britain and France, Trotsky, after snorting coldly, categorically ordered: "Go home!" Return to Moscow! ”

In the afternoon of the same day, Trotsky and the Soviet negotiating delegation went directly to the meeting hall, packed their bags, and prepared to board the plane and return home. Just as Trotsky was about to get on the plane, Britain and France finally relented: "Britain, France, and the Soviet Union can enjoy half a year of preparation for war at the same time." At the same time as the German invasion of Western Poland, the three countries would unite with West Poland to declare war on Germany, but within the first six months of the war, the government of Western Poland would resist the German invasion alone. Six months later, the three countries simultaneously switched to offensive operations against Germany! ”

It seems that Britain and France have finally acquiesced to the fact that the Soviet Union is on an equal footing with them, but in fact it can still be seen that the two still want to play tricks. I am afraid that after the Germans occupied western Poland, it was more likely that they would continue to fight eastward, and that their troops would be directed at the Soviet Union. As long as it can fool the Soviet Union into declaring war on Germany, it can still end up in disaster.

Of course, there are also reasons why Britain and France overestimate the combat effectiveness of the Polish army, and in the eyes of Britain and France, as long as West Poland is ready, the Germans will have to take West Poland at the earliest, and half a year is a conservative estimate. Maybe half a year later, the Germans will be almost consumed, and at that time, the Soviet Union will resist the German troops head-on, and the two of them will poke chrysanthemums in the back, and they may not be able to deal with Germany.

So did Trotsky agree to the final terms of England and France? agreed, because this is already the best result, and even if Western Poland is not fought, there is still a barrier between the Soviet Union and Germany, East Prussia and East Poland, and after half a year, it seems that it is not a big problem to counterattack Germany together...... (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to the old students, Kamen Angel 555, agz00025, Spike Potato, hzwangdd and Comrade Juventus!