Chapter 1589 Promoting peace through war

The meeting of the Politburo of the Russian Provisional Government ended, and Andreev left the meeting room surrounded by his party members with a victorious attitude. In his opinion, he has already won this meeting. Molotov has been nailed to the stigmata. Next, Molotov could no longer pose any threat to him.

It's a pity that Andreev seemed to be happy too early. Kalinin and Mikoyan were not depressed by this. Instead, they still had a smile on their faces, as if everything was under their control.

Marshal Shaposhnikov was about to leave the meeting room when Kalinin stopped him.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov, do you have time? Shall we go for a drink?"

Marshal Shaposhnikov was about to refuse, but then he thought of something, so he nodded.

Marshal Shaposhnikov was also a very smart man, and he knew that both Andreev and Molotov wanted to enlist his support. However, in order to ensure his own interests, he has always been in a neutral position where the two do not want to help. Only in this way can he have both ways.

It's just that this time Andreyev's method seemed too stupid to Marshal Shaposhnikov, which made Marshal Shaposhnikov have other ideas.

Kalinin and Mikoyan, together with Marshal Shaposhnikov, returned to their lodgings.

After a bottle of vodka, their topic gradually got to the point.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov, what do you think of Comrade Andreyev's decision?" Kalinin asked.

Comrade Shaposhnikov thought for a while, and then said: "The conditions put forward by the Germans are indeed too harsh. But now, in the face of the strength of the Germans, do we still have the right to refuse? To rudely reject the Germans' conditions, this will only make the Germans even more angry. At that time, we will pay a greater price."

"Yes, Comrade Shaposhnikov, we think so too. Comrade Andreyev's decision will bring Russia to its end." Mikoyan also said.

After a while, Kalinin continued to ask: "Comrade Shaposhnikov, the situation in the Politburo is now very clear. Comrade Andreev and Comrade Molotov are vying for the position of supreme leader. No Do you know who Comrade Shaposhnikov supports?"

Marshal Shaposhnikov knew that Molotov and the others wanted to win him over. It is not surprising that they would ask such a question. However, Marshal Shaposhnikov still does not want to make a statement so early.

"Comrade Kalinin, the army does not want to get involved in this conflict." Marshal Shaposhnikov said.

Kalinin smiled, and he was not surprised that Marshal Shaposhnikov would answer like this.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov, if you support Comrade Molotov, Comrade Molotov promises to let you serve as a member of the Politburo, People's Commissar of Defense and Chief of the Russian Army's General Staff!" Kalinin said chips.

There is no doubt that this undoubtedly put Marshal Shaposhnikov in charge of the army. However, such a bargaining chip is still not enough to make Marshal Shaposhnikov tempted. He also wanted to put it up for sale to see what conditions Andreyev would propose.

Seeing Marshal Shaposhnikov's unmoved look, Kalinin and Mikoyan knew that they had to add more fire.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov, maybe you don't know yet. Comrade Molotov's trip to Moscow this time has already won the support of the Germans. German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop has already promised, and the German side We will fully support Comrade Molotov in leading Russia," Mikoyan said.

"What?" Marshal Shaposhnikov was stunned for a moment. He never thought that Molotov would move so quickly and get involved with the Germans so simply. When Andreev made a foolish mistake, Molotov chose to fall to Germany and get Germany's support. Then, the two of them have undoubtedly reached a verdict. With the support of the Germans, Andreev wanted to compete with Molotov for the position of supreme leader, and it was simply useless.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov, this is a secret, I hope you can keep it a secret." Kalinin said solemnly.

Marshal Shaposhnikov nodded, knowing that Andreev had absolutely no chance.

"Comrade Kalinin, Comrade Mikoyan, I am willing to support Comrade Molotov to become the supreme leader of Russia!" Marshal Shaposhnikov made a choice under such circumstances.

Both Kalinin and Mikoyan couldn't help laughing. They all knew that Shaposhnikov was a smart man. Under such circumstances, Shaposhnikov would naturally make the right choice.

Knowing that Molotov had the support of the Germans, Marshal Shaposhnikov made the right choice. This made Andreyev's desire to compete with Molotov for the supreme leader of Russia into a delusion.

The news that the Russian Provisional Government had rejected the conditions proposed by the German side was conveyed to the German side by Molotov the next day. Ribbentrop didn't care about that at all. In other words, before putting forward those conditions, the German side had already expected such a reaction from the Russians. However, Germany has already made plans for this.

On the afternoon of July 4th, Imperial Prime Minister Vacht reported to the Imperial Emperor that the Russian Provisional Government formally rejected all the conditions put forward by the German side.

Kaiser Qin Tian immediately summoned Marshal Manstein, Minister of War and Chief of the General Staff, and Marshal Albert Kesselring, Minister of Air Force.

"The self-righteous Russians have rejected our terms and at the same time rejected peace. At this point, they still think they can resist our attack. If this is the case, let the Russians wake up. Let them know After rejecting the good intentions of the empire, what kind of consequences will there be!" Qin Tian said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Marshal Manstein and Albert Kesselring both replied.

Obviously, when the Russians are ignorant, they can only use other means to make the Russians more sensible.

"Marshal Kesselring, is the Air Force ready to attack?" Qin Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Air Force is ready to launch an attack early tomorrow morning!" Marshal Albert Kesselring replied.

"Very well, then proceed according to the scheduled plan!" Qin Tian ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Marshal Manstein and Albert Kesselring replied.

The next day, the German army made an offensive in the direction of Chelyabinsk in Moscow and Josephgrad. However, the real strike was done by the Air Force.