Soon, a group of senior leaders of Soviet Russia gathered in Stalin's office, and on the way they already knew why Stalin had summoned them. Like Stalin www.biquge.info they also felt that this time was really difficult for them to choose. The conditions offered by the Americans are too tempting for them, and if the target of the attack is not the Chinese, but other countries, they may not be so entangled at all. It was really the shadow cast by the Chinese Empire that was too great for them to forget.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think you already know why I summoned you. The Americans have made a condition that if we attack the Chinese Empire, they will recognize our ownership of Iraq and Iran in the Middle East. In addition, they will provide us with a lot of fuel and engines to help us attack. However, we are well aware of the strength of the Chinese Empire. So, let's talk about whether we should accede to the Americans' demands or not. Stalin asked.

"Comrade Stalin, Iraq and Iran are too rich in oil. The Chinese have invested in a large number of oil fields in Iraq and Iran over the years. The amount of oil they receive each year from Iraq and Iran alone is staggering, accounting for more than 60 percent of the oil consumed by the Chinese Empire each year. Because of the staggering reserves, these oil fields also completely equate to great wealth. If we had access to Iraq and Iran, we would not be short of oil, nor would we be short of the money needed for industrial development. Mikoyan said. Obviously, he is very aware of the oil in the Middle East, and at the same time very coveted.

"However, if we want to take the Middle East, we have to fight all the way from the Don River to the Persian Gulf. The Chinese built a strong defensive line on the Don River. It's not easy to defeat them. Andreyev said. In the minds of these leaders of Soviet Russia, the Chinese Empire was a lingering nightmare. It would be best if war with the Chinese Empire could be avoided. However, they also know that it is almost impossible to avoid this. Between the Chinese Empire and Soviet Russia, there will eventually be only one country that will exist.

"The Chinese Empire did not deploy many troops in the Caucasus and the Middle East. According to the information we have now, the Chinese have only deployed a total of more than 600,000 people in this area. Kaganovic said. Compared to Soviet Russia, which had an army of 5 million, more than 600,000 people were indeed nothing. But if you take into account the gap between the combat effectiveness of the armies of both sides, everything is difficult to say.

"Comrade Voroshilov, if we launch an offensive south of the Don, will it be possible for our army to defeat the Chinese?" Stalin asked. He was undoubtedly very keen to get an answer that would satisfy him.

"Comrade Stalin, if we want to attack south, first of all, we must deploy at least 1.5 million to 2 million troops on the Volga defense line to prevent the Chinese from crossing the Volga to attack our hinterland. In addition, we need to deploy a million more men on the Western Front to guard the Germans. Excluding the armies elsewhere, the number of troops we can commit to attacking the south is probably only 1.5 million to 2 million. Although, the number of troops we put into it, far exceeds that of the Chinese. However, given the disparity in strength between the two sides, we may need more troops. Voroshilov said. It's no wonder that he is so cautious, it's because he has been defeated so many times that he has already had a psychological shadow. Even if the Soviet Russian army had several times the superiority of the Chinese Empire's army, they did not dare to act rashly!

"Our Volga defense line is strong enough, and if the Chinese want to attack, it is not so easy to break through." Coupled with the fact that the Chinese did not have many troops deployed in Eastern Europe, one and a half million people, it was enough to resist the attack of the Chinese. As for the Western Front, the Germans were on the offensive in Northern Europe. Soon they will also turn their offensive against Western Europe. In such a situation, they will not come to attack us. Therefore, the deployment of half a million people on the Western Front would be sufficient. After deducting other troops, it is completely possible to invest 2.5 million men on the southern front. Stalin said. If 2.5 million men were invested, then the chances of victory for the Soviet army would seem to be much greater.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Voroshilov nodded, not refuting. Although, according to Stalin's plan, this would have made the Soviet army weak. However, now Stalin has a prestige that no one dares to question. Therefore, Voroshilov did not dare to say anything more.

In addition, everyone else had a general understanding of what Stalin meant from this answer. So they know how to answer next.

"However, our army is still not enough, so let's find a way to arm a million people. The aid received from the Americans was enough to arm a million troops. Stalin said.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Voroshilov has now completely turned into an echo worm, and only knows how to nod.

"Comrade Stalin, if we are going to attack south, it is better to wait a little longer. Our T-34 tank and Yak-1 fighter jet are expected to be finalized and start mass production in September. The performance of these two weapons and equipment is excellent, even if it is inferior to the tanks and fighters of the Chinese, the difference is not too big. If we have these two weapons to help us fight, then our chances of victory will be greater. Voroshilov continued.

At the top of Soviet Russia, many people attributed the last fiasco to the fact that the weapons and equipment of the Chinese Empire were much stronger than those of Soviet Russia. Therefore, they believed that if they had advanced weapons and equipment, then they would not have been so embarrassed by the Chinese Empire.

"Will it be finalized in September? By the time enough quantities are produced, it's already too late. Tell the Arsenal to find a way to finalize it next month. Then in July and August, at least a thousand T-34 tanks and a thousand Yak-1 fighters were produced. In that case, our odds are greater. Stalin said.

"Okay, Comrade Stalin, I'll rush to the arsenal." Voroshilov said. Although, time has become more pressing. But if you compress it, there shouldn't be any problems on the arsenal side. Besides, Soviet Russia's weapons and equipment have always pursued quantity and power, and whether they are easy to use or reliable is another matter.

"What about other people's opinions?" Stalin asked.

"Comrade Stalin, I think we should accept the Americans' conditions, and if we can take the Middle East, it will be of great help to Soviet Russia and our liberation cause." Kalinin said.

The other participants also expressed their approval. They expressed their support for accepting the Americans' terms.

"Very well, since everyone agrees, let's do it. We can accept the Americans' terms and launch an attack on the Chinese Empire. But Americans have to do more for us. Comrade Molotov, tonight I will host a banquet in the Kremlin for Hopkins envoys, and all comrades should come and attend. Stalin said.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Molotov and other senior Soviet and Russian officials all nodded their heads.

After coming out of the Kremlin, Molotov rushed directly to the hotel where Hopkins was staying and told Hopkins about the banquet that Comrade Stalin had hosted for him. This made Hopkins very happy, and he knew that since Stalin was going to entertain him. Well, this means that this time the thing has basically succeeded. If nothing happens, then Soviet Russia will be cannon fodder for the United States.

I didn't expect the Russians to be fooled so easily, which made Hopkins feel relieved. He could finally give Roosevelt an account. With Soviet Russia to hold back the Chinese Empire, then it will undoubtedly be able to buy enough time for the United States. As for the current promises, except for those materials to be given to Soviet Russia, the rest can be repented of.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Hopkins, accompanied by Molotov, arrived at the Kremlin, and Stalin personally greeted him at the door of the banquet hall, which made Hopkins feel even more flattered. You must know that in the country of Soviet Russia, Stalin's status is undoubtedly very high, almost equivalent to a dictator.

"Your Excellency, Special Envoy, welcome to Moscow, and I hope that you will have a pleasant meeting this time." Stalin held his trademark large pipe in one hand and shook hands with Hopkins in the other.

"Your Excellency, you are so polite." Hopkins had a smile on his face.

Although the lives of ordinary people in Soviet Russia were very difficult, for the leaders of Soviet Russia, it was as if they did not know about this situation at all. It was all good stuff to entertain Hopkins.

At the banquet, the two sides frequently toasted and interacted, and the atmosphere was very good. This dinner can be described as a joy for the guests and hosts.

After the dinner, Stalin spoke with Hopkins for a while.

"Your Excellency the Special Envoy, I agree in principle with the proposal of the United States Government. However, the Chinese Empire is too strong, and I hope that the United States will provide more support to Soviet Russia. In this way, it will be possible for us to defeat the Chinese Empire. Stalin said. Now that he had decided to accept the Americans' proposals, Stalin also wanted to get more benefits from the Americans.

"Your Excellency Stalin, we can discuss this in detail. I don't think that's a problem. Hopkins said. (To be continued.) )