The Entente group was caught by surprise by the surprise of the Russians, who had sworn that the ultimate goal of the Russians was to annex the three Baltic states, and that the three Baltic states would be eaten to the ground with their bones and skins. All of their response plans are designed entirely for this situation.

And now the situation is something else, the reality is out of touch with the plan, which has forced them to urgently adjust the plan. Because the guys are worried about the conditions on which Latvia and Lithuania promised the Russians. Because, at least, it seems that the conditions of the Russians are not entirely unacceptable to those two countries.

"Gentlemen, I must warn you sternly that Bolshevik Russia is quite dangerous, that they never cease to be ambitious for your country, and that if you choose to give in, they will eat you up like a frog in warm water! Now only by aligning yourself with the Entente can you regain control of the situation and truly ensure that your territory and sovereignty are inviolable! ”

Truth be told, the attitude of the Entente bloc was a dilemma for Latvia and Lithuania, which in essence did not like the Russians and agreed that boiling a frog in warm water was indeed a problem. But let them follow the orders of the Entente, completely ignore the threat of polar bears, and go all the way to the dark, and they are really not so stupid.

As the minutes ticked by, there was no progress in the negotiations. Hesitantly, Latvia and Lithuania finally "provoked" the polar bear. On 28 July, on behalf of the Soviet Russian government, Tsicherin issued an official ultimatum to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

"In view of the suffering being suffered by the people of East Prussia, the Russian people, who have always been committed to the preservation of peace in Europe, are compelled to make one last plea to your three countries, on the basis of a humanitarian position. Please open the border. Humanitarian relief for the Russian people to be delivered to East Prussia. and the safe passage of armed forces to the peacekeeping...... I sincerely hope that you will not refuse our final request, for if you choose to refuse, it will undoubtedly greatly damage the good relations and traditional friendship between our four countries, and will also disappoint millions of East Prussian people...... The Russian people love peace, and we will never give up the right to defend it. We ask you to agree to our request to the fullest extent possible, otherwise we will have to exercise the above rights......"

This is a very special ultimatum, although there is no mention of force or war, but rather a lot of humanitarian and peaceful talks. But the three Baltic states that received this ultimatum really felt the pressure of war.

"The Petrograd Military District is undergoing a large-scale transfer, the Bolshevik Red Army, with more than two corps, is moving closer to the border, and the Eastern Front is already massing in the direction of Velikiye Luki and Smolensk, and the front is already aimed at us (Latvia)."

"The Jewish People's Liberation Army in East Prussia is also massing towards the border, and the preliminary estimate is that the strength of about one corps (Lithuania)."

Compared to the nervous counterparts of Latvia and Lithuania, the Estonian counterpart is much calmer, not only because the Russians have not pressed the Estonian border, but more importantly because the Russians have given Estonian assurances.

"The Russian people do not want to meet with the Estonian people, but the position of Latvia and Lithuania is very dissatisfying to the Russian people, and we only want to use the road to rescue the people of East Prussia. There is also a solemn guarantee that the sovereignty of Latvia and Lithuania will not be violated. In this case, they still had to act as lackeys of the Entente bloc and make enemies of the Russian people. I have to say that the Russian people are very angry and regretful. We can only prepare for the worst and hope that the Estonian people will make a final effort, and we ask you to try your best to persuade the governments of Latvia and Lithuania to come back and not to do what is good for those who are close to each other! ”

"Of course, the Soviet Russian government also solemnly assures the Estonian people that even if the worst or worst happens, the great Red Army will not invade Estonia, and peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation will be the main theme of future relations between the two countries!"

The assurances of the Russians and the situation on the border reassured the Estonians, who only saw that the Russians were targeting Latvia and Lithuania, and that the Russians were still very "reasonable". So the Estonians are doing their best, trying to convince Latvia and Lithuania.

"Are you crazy? Why not accept the Russians' terms, they only need three months of military harmlessness, why not give it? This is the only way to avoid war! Are you really stupid enough to believe those promises of the Entente! ”

Latvia and Lithuania, of course, were not so stupid, and the promises of the Entente were indeed a bit of a mist in the water, and God knows when they would fulfill their promises. And the threat of the Russians is real, and it is already on the bow.

It seemed that it was the right thing to do, but Latvia and Lithuania really couldn't fully trust the Russians, and the attitude of the Estonians made them quite unhappy. They feel that the Estonians' buttocks have been completely crooked, they are simply helping the Russians to speak, and the so-called military power has nothing to do with Estonia a dime, no matter how you look at it, Estonians are a little bit standing and talking without backache and schadenfreude.

"We ask in conclusion, Mr. Foreign Minister, whether your government has reached some kind of agreement with Russia in private, and such an agreement will greatly hinder the legitimate rights and interests of our two governments! Has the Estonian government decided to sit idly by? Please you must give us a positive answer! ”

Is there a private agreement? Of course there is, otherwise the Estonians would not have been so calm, Russia would have promised not to use force against Estonia, and Estonia would try its best to persuade Latvia and Lithuania to compromise, even if the worst had happened, and Russia would have to use force against Latvia and Lithuania, it would also promise not to eliminate the existing regimes of Latvia and Lithuania as the main goal, and would ensure that the war would be limited to Latvia and Lithuania in the vicinity of the main communication route from southern Latvia to East Prussia.

Of course, these secret agreements cannot be put on the table, once they are exposed. Estonia's international reputation is completely stinky. will be a shameful betrayer. Latvia and Lithuania will probably never forget what Estonia did. They will go from being close friends to bitter enemies.

In Trotsky's words, as long as Estonia signed the secret agreement, Russia would have achieved its goal. This agreement will fundamentally shake the friendly relations of the three Baltic states, who can no longer make trouble for Russia in a group.

In the face of questions from Latvia and Lithuania, the Estonians, of course, flatly denied it: "This is groundless speculation and slander, and it is impossible for our government to reach a similar agreement with Russia......

It should be said that the first half of the sentence made the foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania very comfortable. But the second half of the sentence made them quite unhappy: "However, our government has always emphasized that the alliance between the three countries is defensive in nature, and we must not take the initiative to provoke, let alone act as a pawn of other interest groups." And now, my government believes that your two countries are using this precious alliance to make the most dangerous provocations! An attempt was being made to win the favor of the Entente in a way that hindered the interests of the Estonian people, and to be honest, this behavior was an act of betrayal by Chiguoguo in the eyes of our people! ”

The foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania were almost vomiting blood, and it was clear that the Russians were pressing the border. It's clear that the Russians have been stirring up trouble, how did it get into the mouths of you Estonians. It's us who are making trouble? As for the Entente, that's an umbrella or not!

"The so-called protection of the Entente is nothing more than using us as cannon fodder!" The Estonian Foreign Minister shouted angrily and emphatically emphasized: "All their promises are blank slates, nothing can be fulfilled immediately, and the Estonian people refuse to act as their thugs and substitutes for Russia's internal affairs!" ”

Naturally, nothing came of this quarrel, and the Russians' conditions seemed "tolerant" to the Estonians, because their interests were not harmed in any way, and if they were to be placed in the position of Latvia and Lithuania, I am afraid they would not have agreed to the Russians' terms.

For a time, Lithuania and Latvia entered a state of emergency, and all servicemen were put on combat readiness duty and sent to the border areas to confront the Russian army. The shadow of war hangs over every corner of the sky over the two countries, and it seems that with just one Mars, the war will break out in full force.

"Latvia and Lithuania are rushing to repair their fortifications, and they are in the first round of national mobilization, we have to buy them a little more time!"

Naturally, the Entente bloc would not be idle, and it was precious for Latvia and Lithuania to hold out for an extra hour, and soon they began to use diplomatic channels to constantly speak harshly about Russia, constantly cheer up Latvia and Lithuania, and even actively did Estonian work, hoping that Estonia would return to the trenches against Russia.

Their work seems to have had a certain effect, although the Russians still exert strong military pressure on the border of Latvia and Lithuania, but they do not take the initiative to provoke, and the Russians are quite a bit of a wanderer!

"This state of affairs is extremely abnormal, according to our analysis, the Russians are not necessarily ready for war, they are ready to use intimidation to force Latvia and Lithuania to comply. They may consider the use of force only if the intimidation is completely ineffective. ”

Speaking of this, the analysts of the Entente countries were excited, and one by one they blushed: "For us, this is an opportunity." The Russians have made a mistake, and we can use this to stall for time. It is conceivable that once Latvia and Lithuania have a 'compromise and concession' posture, the Russians will probably not mind waiting at all. ”

Thus, at the request of the Entente, Latvia and Lithuania suddenly softened their tone, and constantly used various formal and informal channels to publish information, consciously or unconsciously revealing that they were considering the conditions of the Russians, and that there was a high probability that they would agree to them. Of course, the real situation is that their army is hurrying to the border and is building a large number of fortifications.

"These naïve fools," Li Xiaofeng threw the telegram in his hand on the table, stretched his waist, and then lay back on the rocking chair, and after eating a bunch of grapes deliciously, he said to Yakov: "Those fools of the Entente always think that they are the smartest people in the world, that everyone else is a fool, that they can fool the whole world. Their arrogance and self-aggrandizement have deprived them of the ability to properly analyze events. The conclusions drawn are naturally wrong! ”

Truly. When Latvia and Lithuania released smoke bombs at the behest of the Entente. Playing the timing of the delay, they definitely did not expect that the Russians were just like the smoke, but they were playing the trick of attacking the west. When Latvia and Lithuania were intensifying their defenses near the borders of Russia and East Prussia, they could never have imagined that they would soon be stabbed in the back.

In Königsberg, the 2nd GRU Brigade, which had just arrived, was once again loaded en masse on a ship, along with two other brigades of the East Prussian People's Liberation Army. Escorted by the Far German High Seas Fleet that set sail at Danzig. They will go straight to the Gulf of Riga, where the Red Baltic Fleet will join them in a beautiful surgical attack to take Riga!

It is conceivable that thanks to the Entente, the center of gravity of the Latvians was on the Russian border, and Riga was not an ordinary emptiness, and when their main force was attracted by the pretentious Tukhachevsky on the border, their hometown was copied.

If Li Xiaofeng's calculation is not wrong, the fall of the capital will be a heavy blow to the Latvians, and it is very likely that it will collapse in an instant. And as long as Latvia falls, both Estonia and Lithuania will have to weigh it carefully, and then the Estonians will probably have to act as ostriches and pretend not to see anything. And the Lithuanians are afraid that they will immediately and obediently agree to the previous conditions. Of course, even if they don't agree, they won't make any waves. Just crush them. To tell the truth, Li Xiaofeng wished that they would die to the end.

Anyway, a certain immortal is very proud of his plan, and with a little trickery, he can play with the Entente and the three Baltic states between applause, and let them obediently go to the end step by step, this feeling is really wonderful.

Yakov was not as optimistic as one of the immortals, and he asked the question: "Will the Estonians react, and will they re-align themselves with Latvia and Lithuania once we occupy Riga?" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled: "I can't rule out this possibility, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Estonians did it." I have considered all possible possibilities quite thoroughly, and the attitude of the Estonians is no longer relevant to the big picture. Judging by the current situation, the Estonians have not entered into combat readiness, they have not done anything, the army is grazing sheep, and the politicians are happy to think that Latvia and Lithuania will compromise with us. I have to say that the Entente's delaying tactics really helped us a lot! After we take Riga, the Estonians will be too late to react, they will not have time! ”

Yakov asked again: "Lithuania and Latvia will not explain their true attitude to the Estonians?" It can't be, right? ”

"Why can't it be?" Li Xiaofeng smiled, smiling very happily, "Do you think Latvia and Lithuania still consider Estonia to be allies?" Still think Estonians are reliable? It seems to them that the Estonians are already wearing a pair of pants with us, and they think that the Estonians will definitely reveal their true intentions to us. So they won't tell the Estonians anything, and it's even quite possible that they want to see the Estonians panic when war breaks out...... Sue sù you, Yakov. No one will forgive a traitor, and no one will be polite to a traitor! ”

Yakov thought about it and had to admit that someone had analyzed it quite correctly, and I was afraid that Latvia and Lithuania would have liked to see the jokes of the Estonians, and that they would have made a fool of themselves and suffered. And who made them traitors?

It was then that Yakov understood Trotsky's assessment of the secret agreement, which, as he claimed, had indeed severed relations between the three Baltic states, and that they would never be able to play as happily as before.

Yakov sighed inwardly, reluctantly admitting that this time a certain immortal was going to get what he wanted. Speaking from the heart, he doesn't have a good feeling about a certain immortal, and he has always felt that the code of conduct of a certain immortal is too uncompromising. Emotionally, he sympathized with the three Baltic states, and the three poor countries were toyed with between applause by an evil immortal, which touched the scene and hurt the scene, which made him more or less uncomfortable in his heart.

Fortunately, Yakov is not the kind of angry young man with an excessive sense of justice, and after so many years of crawling in society, he is no longer the simple young man he used to be. He has accepted the darkness of this society, has learned to adapt, and although he occasionally has a little inappropriate feelings, this does not affect his judgment.

As early as two years ago, Yakov understood that he had already boarded the thief ship of a certain immortal, and there was no possibility of getting off the ship. And as far as it is for a certain immortal to avenge his family, and finally be able to arrange a good home for Natalia as much as possible, he must serve a certain immortal with all his heart. That's his fate!

"What do we do next? Taking advantage of the distraction of the Entente by the three Baltic states, to solve the problem of gold in one fell swoop? Yakov asked suddenly.

Li Xiaofeng has actually been paying attention to Yakov, he knows very well that this guy has a little affection for him, and he can't get used to some of his methods. Originally, he thought that this guy would be awkward for a while, but who would have thought that his self-control and self-regulation skills would be much stronger than expected.

Li Xiaofeng is very satisfied with this, he likes Yakov in this state, and such Yakov is trustworthy.

"That's right," Li Xiaofeng smiled and said very easily: "The good drama here should also be played!" (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to the fish in the sky over the city, the Southern Wanderers and Comrade Juventus!