Age of Rebirth

The autumn of [-] was the most unhappy day for Stalin, the supreme leader of the Soviet Union. After Tang Qiuli abruptly cut off the Outer Mongolia and Lake Baikal regions from the Soviets, the Japanese launched a new campaign in the Far East. A large-scale offensive was launched, and within twenty days, locust-like soldiers of the Kwantung Army swept the Soviet army in the Far East.

The main military group of the Soviet Union in the Far East, after the troops of Lieutenant General Zhukov of the First Army, was besieged by Tang Qiuli in the Uliasutai area of ​​Outer Mongolia, the troops of General Timoshenko of the Second Far East Army were again The Japanese Kwantung Army troops encircled Arsenyev and were in an extremely dangerous situation.

The First Army, no matter how you say it, the Soviets saved the lives of 10,000+ soldiers and General Zhukov after paying a huge price, but the situation of Timoshenko’s Second Army was different. The Japanese deliberately wanted to destroy the Soviet Union. , the last military group in the Far East was completely wiped out.

From Stalin to the senior generals of the Soviet Army's General Staff, they all knew very well that in the current situation, even if the Soviets took an olive branch and desperately shouted to stop, the Japanese would never give up, but would fight even harder, unless The Soviet government paid an unacceptable price. The Japanese are gaining the upper hand in the Far East. It is not easy to stop the Japanese.

Obviously, the way to deal with the First Army is not suitable for the Second Army at all. Although Tang Qiuli did not kill Zhukov and 10,000+ Soviet soldiers in the end, the senior generals from Stalin to the Soviet General Staff They, no one is grateful. In the minds of the Soviet decision makers, Tang Qiuli is as hateful as the Japanese, and even Tang Qiuli is more hateful. [

Looking at the entire situation in the Far East, Tang Qiuli is the instigator in terms of that aspect. Without him instigating war in Outer Mongolia, the Japanese would not have taken the opportunity and would not have the guts to launch an attack. Also, Tang Qiuli was in Outer Mongolia. The profits obtained must have stimulated the greedy Japanese and given confidence to the envious Japanese. All of this is inseparable from this newly rising strongman in China.

Whenever he thinks of this, Stalin's teeth itch with hatred, and what makes Stalin even more headache is that he will never know what this devil-like Chinese is thinking, what he needs, and where he will put the chess pieces next, but One thing made Jin Dalin quite gratified. His judgment was correct. Tang Qiuli had not reached some kind of secret agreement with the Japanese. The information from the Far East Intelligence Bureau can prove this point.

The most urgent task is to solve the danger facing Timoshenko. Stalin called the members of the Politburo together to discuss this issue. , giving the most thorough and heaviest blow.

Let these yellow-skinned monkeys always remember this lesson. Moreover, all the generals were angry and volunteered to lead the Soviet army of one million to the Far East of Asia. The mainstream view in the Soviet military circle has made the Japanese He and Tang Qiuli are regarded as the most important opponents, and they will not hesitate to fight with the power of the whole country.

The other members of the Politburo were much calmer and more apprehensive. They believed that mobilizing all the Soviet troops to Asia would be a way to sacrifice everything. They might as well try their best to seek peace with the Japanese, and they could even cede the Soviet Union in Asia A small part of the territory in the Far East was given to the Japanese as an expression of sincerity.

The battle clouds over Europe are densely covered, like a gunpowder keg. At some point, a spark will explode suddenly. At that time, the Soviet Union's forces will be concentrated in the Far East far away from Europe. Once invaded, the consequences will be disastrous. The danger of subjugation.

The two opinions were at odds and quarreled fiercely. Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, usually kept silent, and these Soviet decision-makers were arguing red-faced. It should be said that the political atmosphere in the Soviet Party in the 30s was still More normal, perhaps Stalin realized that his anti-revolutionary policy had hurt the country, and began to consciously cultivate a democratic atmosphere within the party.

The opinions of the members of the Politburo were seriously considered by Stalin, and the opinions of the think tanks were solicited more than once. The suggestions of the military were obviously too extreme. They forgot that the main industrial cities of the Soviet Union were all in the European part, which was the Soviet Union. It is impossible to ignore the national foundation.

The suggestions of other members of the Politburo are even more unacceptable. Stalin has not yet had the habit of ceding territories for peace. This is a disgrace that the Soviet Union and even Stalin himself will never accept. Of course, except for Tang Qiuli. Thinking of Tang Qiuli, Stalin There was another sharp pain in my heart. Now, that Chinese man stands still, who knows what is going on in his heart?When will you jump over and take a bite?

So far, Stalin still doesn't know that the Pacific Fleet, which made him feel so distressed that he almost fainted, has more than 100 warships, including two aircraft carriers, which are sailing in the Yellow Sea of ​​China and will soon arrive at the Qingdao Army Base. It is about to become a fleet under Tang Qiuli's command. If he knows the news, whether he can still be so calm is unknown.

The meeting of the Politburo of the CPSU, as usual, was set by Stalin. The reason why the Transcaucasus Front Army of General Paulpilyuski made slow progress was because of the full resistance of the Japanese Kwantung Army. This shows that the strength of the Soviet Union in the Far East , is still far from being achieved, enough to reverse the situation on the battlefield, and increasing troops is an inevitable choice.

Mobilized 40 troops from Europe, formed the Far East Front Army, and rushed to the Far East as quickly as possible. The commander and political commissar candidate, Stalin unexpectedly, chose Lieutenant General Zhukov who had just suffered a defeat, and Zhukov's The rank was promoted from lieutenant general to general.

All the members of the Politburo of the CPSU were astonished by Stalin's decision. Could it be that among the generals of the Red Army, there is no general who is more suitable for this position than Zhukov?Why did Comrade Stalin insist on handing over the important task of changing the situation in the Far East to Tang Qiuli of China, who lost Outer Mongolia, lost 10,000+ troops, and made the Soviet government pay a heavy price?

Facing the puzzled and puzzled eyes of the members of the Politburo, Stalin did not explain a word. He almost determined like a nightmare that Zhukov was the best candidate for the Soviet to solve the crisis in the Far East. There was no reason or basis, just a kind of intuition , almost morbid intuition.

Stalin's intuition was still very accurate, and Zhukov lived up to expectations. On the Far East battlefield, he won the most favorable situation for the Soviet Union. Later, on the Soviet-German battlefield, he repeatedly made outstanding achievements. He became a legendary figure in the Soviet Red Army. God of War.

As for the suggestion of ceding part of the territory as a bargaining chip for peace with the Japanese, Stalin did not consider it at all. Besides, from the perspective of historical grievances between the Soviet Union and Japan, the Japanese will never satisfy this piece of territory. Their appetite It is so big that it wants to smell the whole Asian part.

If the Japanese invaded the Ural Mountains and peeped at the territory of the European part of the Soviet Union, once the European war broke out, the Japanese, who had always taken advantage of the fire, would be absolutely happy to cooperate with any European army that invaded the Soviet Union. , can be traced back to the era of Tsarist Russia.

The Russo-Japanese War that broke out in Northeast China at the beginning of this century is a good illustration of this point. Stalin’s vigilance against the Japanese has never been relaxed. Therefore, for the members of the Politburo who made such suggestions, Stalin’s heart Full of unhappiness, with the idea of ​​sending them to a labor camp.

In the name of the General Staff, he issued an order to General Paul Piliuski, who was fighting bloody battles with the blocking Kwantung Army in the Khabarovsk region of the Far East, "Paul Piliuski, commander and political commissar of the Transcaucasian Front, Comrade, at any cost, within five days, your department must break the blockade of the Japanese army and meet Timoshenko’s Second Far East Army to break through. This order cannot be changed, Joseph, Stalin.”[

This is an ultimatum-style order, and it has also been handed over to General Paulpilyusky. Even if you wiped out all the troops of the Transcaucasian Front Army, being able to rescue Timoshenko is also a great achievement. You just fight as hard as you can. If you fail to fulfill the orders of the supreme commander, the consequences are more serious than you should know. It is very serious, so serious that you will lose your head.

After the meeting, Stalin summoned General Zhukov, who had been staying in Moscow, in his office, and informed him of the decision of the Politburo. Zhukov was obviously very surprised and surprised, so surprised that he stood up from the sofa. More than those members of the Politburo who attended the meeting.

After returning from the besieged area of ​​Uliasutai in Outer Mongolia, Zhukov was placed in the guest house of the General Staff Headquarters. Zhukov is also aware of his situation, which is similar to squatting in confinement.

What is waiting is the final ruling of the Politburo. After all, a defeated general should be punished. The difference is not the degree of punishment. The best result is that he cannot serve in the Red Army and leave his beloved army. , However, in Zhukov's heart, he is absolutely not reconciled.

He was reflecting on the battle of Outer Mongolia every day, every detail of his battle with Tang Qiuli, and came to the conclusion that if he had another chance to fight against that Chinese, he would definitely not lose so badly , and there is absolutely no certainty of winning. A tie should be the best ending.

And Comrade Stalin now told him that he will command an army of 40, and his military rank will be promoted to general, and he will assume full command responsibility in the Far East. Zhukov feels like he is in a dream. Really feel the truth.

However, Zhukov is not a person who is good at expressing emotions with words. He moved his lips a few times, but without saying a word, he just solemnly saluted Stalin and turned away.

Seeing Zhukov's slightly pudgy back disappearing at the end of the corridor, Stalin smiled. He could clearly see the tears in Zhukov's eyes. hopefully.