"My opinion is that at this sensitive moment, it is better not to fight or not to fight, and everything is preferable to stability!" Voroshilov said in an unquestioning tone.

Both Li Xiaofeng and Sverdlov understood that it was not so much that Voroshilov's attitude was unquestionable, but that Stalin's attitude was unquestionable. Because Voroshilov has long served as Stalin's royal microphone. What Stalin wanted to say, but it was not convenient to say, was left to Voroshilov. This made it easier for Stalin to change what he said if he was wrong, thus avoiding the dilemma that what he said could not be recovered.

To put it bluntly, Voroshilov is just a pawn thrown by Stalin to test the attitude of Li Xiaofeng and Sverdlov, in fact, the big guys know that the "big man" can only do this.

In fact, it is not only Voroshilov who has such a function, but also others, including Li Xiaofeng. You can't just charge the boss behind the scenes from the beginning and expose it to the direct fire of hostile forces with ulterior motives, right?

However, the slight difference is that Voroshilov can only be used as a microphone in his heart, and in other respects this product is a waste, while Li Xiaofeng has other "functions" and uses.

"We can't be stable now!" Li Xiaofeng immediately made his attitude clear, "Now the Politburo, the Central Committee and the Military Commission, and even the people of the whole country are watching our performance. If we act too weak, we will lose points. We managed to take control of the Military Commission, and as soon as we lost points, the Trotskyists would immediately fight back! ”

Voroshilov sarcastically said: "Won't we lose points if we go to war with the Japanese?" ”

Mikoyan echoed the words: "As long as the war starts." It doesn't matter if we behave well or badly. Trotskyists will deliberately pick a bone in the egg. will try to attack us in any way. This loss of points is even more serious than maintaining restraint! ”

Stalin nodded heavily, and it could be seen that he agreed with this conclusion very much, and even Sverdlov, although he did not say anything, felt that this statement was reasonable. But Li Xiaofeng didn't see it that way, he suddenly raised his voice and said: "This kind of thinking is too simple and superficial!" Please note that the reason why we have been able to enjoy broad support in the Central Military Commission is very simple. That is, the generals of the three armed services think that we are more concerned about armament building and can win more support for them! ”

After a moment's pause, he continued: "So, comrades, I ask you, are our Red Army, especially those generals, happy to go to war, or are they against? ”

Stalin and Sverdlov fell silent, and Voroshilov was even more stunned. Because what Li Xiaofeng said is right, whether it is the army, the air force, or the navy, they are all gearing up. I want to have a good fight with the Japanese. After a break of more than ten years, the desire for honor in the top echelons of the Red Army became stronger and stronger, and special attention should be paid to the fact that the opponent was Japanese. For the Russians, especially for the Russian soldiers, the shame of the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War has always been stuck in their throats like a thorn, and now there is an opportunity to wash away the shame in front of them, do you think they are willing to give up?

In fact, whether it is Voroshilov or Li Xiaofeng, they have already received more than one invitation from senior generals to fight. Before, Voroshilov thought that Trotsky was playing tricks, and that he was deliberately instigating the generals to put pressure on them, but after Li Xiaofeng had reminded him, he had regained a little bit of the almost forgotten military honor and sense of mission.

"We must attach great importance to the opinions of military commanders!" Li Xiaofeng said solemnly, "They represent the choice of all the commanders and fighters of the Red Army, and if we turn our backs on them, it will be tantamount to destroying our own foundation and giving them to the Trotskyists, which is the most dangerous thing!" ”

"But war is always risky," Stalin finally said himself, "if it is not fought ideally......

"I don't think there's a need to worry about that!" Li Xiaofeng replied with confidence, "First of all, since 1930, the KGB has focused on Japan's military trends, and through several years of observation and analysis, it can basically be considered that the Japanese Army is only an army at the level of World War I, with extremely outdated military thinking and advanced military equipment. However, our Red Army has undergone earth-shaking changes in the past ten years, we have a completely new tactical concept, and we are also carrying out the process of mechanization in an all-round way. Compared with the two armies, they are the sunset, while we are the sunset. So we don't have to fear them at all. ”

Li Xiaofeng took a breath and continued: "Secondly, Comrade Blyukhel was an excellent military commander, and throughout the twenties and thirties, when most of the Red Army generals were resting, he did not stop to rest. In China, he led a successful Northern Expedition with an extremely poorly equipped army. He was well acquainted with the situation in China, and since 1933 he has been working in the Far East, well prepared, and we should have every confidence in him! ”

It should be said that these two articles reassured Stalin and Sverdlov a lot, and Li Xiaofeng had a third: "Finally, although the Trotskyists are constantly launching a public opinion offensive, they have the idea of stumbling on us before the congress begins. However, I believe that although the situation in the Far East is tense, the Japanese should not start a war before May. From January to March, the weather in the Far East and Mongolia was not conducive to the operation of large corps, and it was simply impossible to conduct large-scale operations with the logistical support capabilities of the Japanese Kwantung Army. I think that during these three months, they were more prepared, at most they carried out small groups of military harassment, and after entering April and May, as the weather improves, large-scale battles may break out! ”

Li Xiaofeng's words brightened the eyes of Stalin and Sverdlov, who had previously feared that the outbreak of fighting before the opening of the congress would make them more passive, but now it seems unlikely that a large-scale battle will break out before the opening of the congress, or even before the congress closes. In other words, the Trotskyist public opinion offensive is basically an empty cannon, what else is there to fear?

"But please pay attention," noticing the change in the expressions of Stalin and Sverdlov, Li Xiaofeng hurriedly reminded: "Large-scale battles will not break out." But small-scale attacks are likely to erupt frequently. That doesn't mean we can rest easy. Don't be careless! ”

Stalin nodded and said happily: "Comrade Andrei's advice is very critical. We must remind Comrade Blyukher of this situation, and my opinion is that it is necessary not only to fight back in passive self-defense, but also to take the initiative in attacking, and we must not allow the Japanese to take advantage. ”

Steel took a puff of his cigarette and continued: "We must be ready for battle, and we must adopt a battle plan to punish the Japanese at the Military Commission. It's tentatively scheduled for May! Trotsky's foul mouth must be stopped, and he must not be allowed to continue to play on the subject! ”

Not to be outdone, Sverdlov put forward his own proposal: "It is clear that it is necessary to fight, but we must also paralyze the Japanese." I suggest that the Central Military Commission pass a resolution prohibiting some people with ulterior motives from continuing to exaggerate this matter, that it is necessary to guard the threshold of public opinion, and even release some smoke bombs diplomatically if necessary to numb the nerves of the Japanese! ”

As a matter of fact, Xiao Si's proposal focused on the first half of the line, and to guard the gate of public opinion was to shut Trotsky's mouth, and Trotsky did not use this to create public opinion to exert pressure on the Military Commission, so he should shut up by normal means. The next mandatory confidentiality resolution. If someone pushes it again, then slap the girl's mouth.

Soon the Military Commissar adopted the proposals of Stalin and Sverdlov. When the proposal to launch a military campaign against the Japanese in May was on the Politburo's desk, the pressure on Stalin and Sverdlov was all gone.

It can even be said that the pressure is already on Trotsky and Lenin, and the CMC has decided to go to war, so the attitude of the Politburo is crucial. Now that Trotsky and Lenin have the upper hand in the Politburo, if they reject this proposal, then the hats of "loss of power and humiliation of the country" will definitely not fall on the heads of Stalin and Sverdlov, on the contrary, they will be able to launch a public opinion offensive to put Trotsky on wax.

In fact, Trotsky was already sitting on wax by this time, because he had always thought that Stalin and Sverdlov would seek stability and would be inclined to a peaceful settlement. That's why he created a lot of public opinion, ready to make Steel and Xiao Si disappoint.

Who would have thought that those two would be ruined, and through the Military Commission, they directly made a military proposal to punish the Japanese in May. This proposal was too unfavorable for Trotsky, first of all, he and Lenin did not make up their minds whether to fight or not, and it was indeed just a high-pitched pressure on Steel and Xiaosi before; Secondly, the proposal to start fighting in May made him feel so painful, and the conference would end in less than March. On the contrary, those Red Army generals who were in charge of the main battle now looked at him and Lenin with blank eyes, and as long as they refused, it would definitely be a great loss of military morale.

"Then let's agree to fight!" "Even if the war starts in May, if they make a mistake, clean them up in the same way!" ”

Trotsky sighed in his heart, Pydakov said too simply, the meaning of picking bones in eggs before the congress and picking bones after the congress is closed, is not at all the same, okay or not. After the congress was opened, everything was settled, and at that time Stalin and Sverdlov could turn a blind eye and ignore whatever they picked, so what was the point?

"Then order them to go to war in February!" Pidakov said again.

Now not only Trotsky couldn't listen to it, but even Ulitsky couldn't help it: "The climate in the Haraha region in February is harsh, and it is not suitable for war and military operations at all!" ”

Pidakov replied assummatically: "Wouldn't that be better?" ”

Ulitsky couldn't help it: "Better what? When the time comes, we will be passive, and all the responsibilities will be borne by us! ”

Pidakov stopped talking, scratching his ears and cheeks as if he was embarrassed. Trotsky was also speechless about this, look at the intelligence of his followers! It is no wonder that Lenin had always admonished him: "As a leader, especially a core leader, your most important task is not to take the lead in the charge, not to do everything yourself, but to unite your comrades in the broadest possible way and let them give full play to their ingenuity...... That's the worst you'll ever do! ”

Trotsky was a little unconvinced when he first heard this, but now he looked at the Ulitsky, Pidakov, Preobrazhensky, and Radek around him. Looking at the group of people around Stalin and Sverdlov, I have to say that he failed in employing people. Except for Radek and Ulitsky, the others are like the soy sauce party. Even soy sauce is not qualified!

Come to think of it. Trotsky could not help but be a little depressed. It's even a little incredible, look at what he's done all these years? I can't even find a qualified right-hand man. And what about Lenin? Before the October Revolution there were Kamenev and Zinoviev, and after the October Revolution there were Stalin and Sverdlov, no matter which combination can throw off his current little brother a few streets.

Not even Lenin, compared to Sverdlov, Trotsky felt that he could not compare. Look at Sverdlov, all of them have Li Xiaofeng and Ruzutak to help. In this comparison, he is simply a lonely man in the political arena, and he can continue to mix until today. It has to be said that luck was too good and Lenin was too merciful.

Trotsky, on the other hand, was sighing and self-reflecting, while Stalin and Sverdlov, who made him envious and hateful, were not having a good time. Since it has been decided to fight, then for them, who are in control of the Military Commission, how to fight is a big problem.

The main reason is that the generals of the Red Army are too excited and active, and the generals of the army, navy, and air force who have a little seniority and status are clamoring to go to the Japanese copy, if it weren't for Blyukhel's qualifications and military exploits there, there are not a few people who want to grab his position. Budyonny, for example, made a strong request to personally take his cavalry to pacify the Japanese dwarfs.

Fortunately, Stalin and Sverdlov both knew that changing the battle on the spot would be taboo, so there was no nonsense. However, the fact that the senior generals can't go doesn't mean that the troops under their command can't go. In order to teach the Japanese a hard lesson, the Military Commission is preparing to kill chickens with knives this time. At least one or two reinforcements were prepared for Blyukhel, and the air force sent all the most advanced fighters and bombers. Even naval aviation was drawn in a batch.

Even the Air Force and Navy are so active, and the Army, as the main force in combat, is naturally even more excited. For example, the cavalry units of Stalin's descendants were very active, and at the strong request of Budyonny and Voroshilov, the 1st Cavalry Corps, consisting of the 1st, 2nd and 4th Cavalry Divisions, under the leadership of Commander Timoshenko, had already stepped on the flatbed train heading east.

Stalin was active, and Sverdlov's side was naturally not far behind, but there were a little problems with the troops on the side of the Sverdlov, because the Sverdlov side supported mechanization, and the only mechanized unit of the Red Army at that time was the First Mechanized Infantry Army. As everyone knows, Tukhachevsky had considerable influence on this force, and the conflict between this force and the navy officially opened the prelude to the decisive battle between the Iron and Steel Alliance and the Trotskyists.

For Stalin, this First Mechanized Infantry Army was very annoying, very unpleasant, and it was also the object of key "care" in the future. Now that a group is formed to brush up on dungeons, how can such a nasty army be allowed to enter the field?

In Voroshilov's words: "Isn't this just letting Tukhachevsky take advantage?" If they fight well, the Trotskyists will definitely have to avenge Tukhachevsky, and then we will be very passive?! ”

This concern seems reasonable, but it is actually unreasonable, at least in Li Xiaofeng's view. The 1st Mechanized Infantry Army does have a lot to do with Tukhachevsky, but this unit is not surnamed Tu or whether the surname is good or not. And now that Tukhachevsky has been removed from all his posts and forced to go to the reserves to play soy sauce, what else is there to fear?

Besides, even if the First Army of the Mechanized Infantry really fought well, some people were stunned to lean on Tukhachevsky and Trotsky's side, and it would depend on whether he, the immortal, Blyukhel, Ubolevich, and Triandafilov agreed, after all, it was not Tukhachevsky who directly commanded the battle, and if he rushed to the top, it could only be said that Tukhachevsky had done a good job in military training and had trained a group of good soldiers. And this, even if Tukhachevsky falls, no one denies it, Tukhachevsky's mistake is to attack the correct leadership of the Military Commission without organization and discipline, and no one denies whether his training and military thinking are good!

In Li Xiaofeng's view, Stalin and Voroshilov made a fuss about this issue, in fact, they still wanted to suppress the idea of mechanized army building, and in the final analysis, they still wanted to make a fuss about their beloved cavalry. How could he say yes?

For Li Xiaofeng, it is very necessary and urgent to test the real combat effectiveness of Tukhachevsky's mechanized troops through actual combat. Historically, Tukhachevsky's set was very problematic both in terms of tactics and the establishment of troops. In both Poland and Finland, the mechanized units he built up were problematic (among other things, of course, the Great Purge and Voroshilov's poor command skills).

According to Li Xiaofeng's idea, taking advantage of the fact that the formation of mechanized troops has not yet been fully popularized and rolled out, problems were discovered as soon as possible and the first round of adjustments was carried out, and then in 1936 he went to Spain to brush up on his experience and then carried out the second round of adjustments. By the time World War II broke out, the Red Army's mechanized units would be more mature and easy to use, both in terms of tactics and establishment.

Therefore, he strongly insisted that he must bring the First Army of Mechanized Infantry, and for this reason he directly slapped the table with Stalin. And at his insistence, this mechanized seed unit of the Red Army finally caught up with the battle.

However, at that time, within the First Mechanized Infantry Army, there were still doubts and debates about this participation in the war, because the situation of this unit at that time was not particularly good...... (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to Comrade hzwangdd and Comrade Juventus!