To tell you the truth, it is really difficult to move Yegorov. People are already considered high-level leaders in the Red Army, so why should they come to the small temple of the border police force? When people go to high places, water flows to the places!

First of all, as mentioned earlier, Yegorov was a veteran leftist socialist-revolutionary, and the Bolsheviks and the leftist socialist-revolutionaries had a complete falling out over the Brest Pact. The status of a Socialist-revolutionary like him, who served in the Red Army, was rather awkward.

To put it bluntly, even if the Red Army had to appoint an old officer, even if he himself was a member of that review committee, Yegorov would probably face a certain amount of criticism. Joining the border police force under the direct command of the Cheka under the name of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is undoubtedly a very good choice.

It is well known that Dzerzhinsky, the boss of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is a master who cannot rub sand in his eyes, and any old officer in question will not be able to pass his level. And as long as he passes that level, then there is basically no problem. Moreover, the upper Cheka is the first agency responsible for suppressing the rebellion, and being able to serve in the Cheka itself means that it is reliable. Under double insurance, who would dare to question Egorov?

This is still one thing, and the second is that the work that Yegorov is doing now is not necessarily what he likes to do, most of it is policy work, clerical and rip-off work. And what he yearns for more is to lead troops to war. Day after day, he was in the middle of the case, and to be honest, he really felt a little moldy.

Of course, these two factors can only say that Li Xiaofeng may have persuaded Yegorov, but it is very difficult to say whether he will succeed in reality. For the sake of foolproof, but also to show sincerity. Li Xiaofeng decided to go to the door to do Yegorov's work himself.

"Alexander. Comrade Ilyich. Sorry to bother you so late! ”

Li Xiaofeng was not prepared to come to meet Yegorov so late. But this man is a workaholic, and he is very upright, and he handles his work wholeheartedly during working hours. Moreover, the examination and appointment of old officers was complicated and important, and Yegorov could only devote all his energy to it, and he had no time to deal with Li Xiaofeng, an idler, during the day.

Only when he has finished the work at hand and returned home will he have time to receive foreign guests. However, this does not mean that Yegorov likes to meet foreign visitors at this time. In fact, since he accepted the post of chairman of the old military appraisal committee and political commissar of the All-Russian General Command, he has been annoyed by the fact that countless people want to go through the back door.

As mentioned earlier, Egorov is very upright, and what he hates the most is the villain who sneaks around and walks through the back door, which also makes him have a close relationship with Stalin, but he is not the same as Voroshilov and Beria.

So when he saw that the person who came was a certain immortal, he was taken aback: "Andre. Comrade Petrovich? Is that you? ”

Before that, he had dealt with Li Xiaofeng twice. It's all because of the identification of the old officers, to tell the truth. He didn't particularly like the Cheka and didn't like the eerie institution at all.

And now, a member of the party committee of this institution, who is also the boss of the Cheka of the Petrograd region, visits his apartment late at night, and Yegorov feels a bit like a night owl coming to the door. If it weren't for the most basic courtesy, he wouldn't have wanted some immortal to come in at all.

After the guests of honor were seated, Egorov couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Andrei, is there something wrong?" ”

Li Xiaofeng could see Yegorov's vigilance, and he smiled and said, "That's the case, Alexander. Comrade Ilyich, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cheka are going to create a border police force......"

Yegorov had heard of this, and Trotsky was wary of this unit, which was independent of the Red Army, and at one point even suggested to the Military Council that jurisdiction over this force should be withdrawn. Later, however, the Politburo seemed to hold a meeting devoted to this question, and Trotsky did not raise it again.

Yegorov felt that since the Bolshevik Politburo had agreed on this question, he certainly did not need to be idle. Naturally, he left the question behind. And now, Li Xiaofeng came to the door late at night to talk to him about this issue, it seems that there is something to say here?

Yes, Egorov was full of doubts, he felt that the border police forces had nothing to do with him at all. If the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cheka wanted to form this force, and neither the Central Committee nor the Soviets had an opinion, then it would be established, anyway, there has never been a shortage of secret police in Russia. However, since someone mentioned this, there must be something to say, so it is better to listen to it first.

Li Xiaofeng has been observing Yegorov's expression, the future Marshal of the Soviet Union is really not a man with a city government, even if he pretends to be as quiet as possible, but his doubts can be said to be completely on his face.

Li Xiaofeng asked slowly: "Do you have any views on the establishment of a border police force?" ”

Egorov wanted to scold his mother in his heart, "What kind of bullshit is this." What do I think? What can I say about the secret police? I don't want to go to Peter and Paul Prison to squat in the black kiln! ”

Yegorov just wanted to blurt out that I don't have any opinion. But when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back. The reason is that he thought of a possibility - could it be that the other party is really a weasel to give a New Year's greeting to the chicken. Apparently asking me if I had any opinion of the border police force, but in fact they were probing me to the bottom of me, scaring and scaring me, and arresting me as a counter-revolutionary if I showed concern or fear?

This possibility existed in Yegorov's view, and since the establishment of the Cheka, a large group of so-called counter-revolutionaries has been arrested, and it is not possible to say that there are no counter-revolutionaries in this group at all, but it is certain that there is definitely a wrongful injustice among them.

At least Yegorov knew that after a part of the conservative wing of the Left Social Revolutionaries fell out with the Bolsheviks, many of them were invited by the Cheka to Peter and Paul prison for coffee. There were even a number of good friends of Yegorov, who, with Yegorov's knowledge of them, could only be regarded as politically at odds with the Bolsheviks. Not a counter-revolutionary.

And as an important member of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party in the All-Russian Military Council of Soviets. Yegorov had every reason to suspect that the Bolsheviks did not like him. It is even possible that he has long been on the blacklist of the Cheka and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In this case, Li Xiaofeng's sudden visit, can there be a good thing?

Egorov felt his heart pounding, and he knew that the next conversation might be very important to him, and that if he didn't deal with it properly, he might be doomed. So he took as much poise as he could and asked, "I don't understand the point of this question?" I worked in the Military Council and the All-Russian General Command, and I did not know much about the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. ”

Li Xiaofeng sensed that Yegorov seemed to have misunderstood his intentions. However, he did not mean to explain, sometimes misunderstandings are also good, and being able to put a little more pressure on Yegorov with the help of the Cheka can help him make the most correct choice.

Li Xiaofeng continued to say unhurriedly: "The border police force is a military unit subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and under the direct command of the Cheka. The purpose of its existence is to defend key people, materials and other resources of great importance to Soviet power. ”

Yegorov became more and more confused, Li Xiaofeng's explanation of the border police force, he understood the literal meaning, but he couldn't understand it with him. However, Egorov grasped the key point - firstly, the border police force is a military unit, and secondly, the tasks of this unit are of a protective nature.

But I figured out these two points. It still doesn't help Yegorov to analyze Li Xiaofeng's intentions, God knows the so-called protection of this military unit. Is it to put suspicious elements in prison. Because literally, this interpretation also makes perfect sense.

Egorov thought for a moment, he really didn't want to continue playing this kind of word game, he was a soldier, he liked to go straight and have fun. Therefore, even though he was very worried about Li Xiaofeng's intentions, he still asked very simply: "I don't understand what the border police force has to do with me." Comrade Andrey, can you tell me what you are here for? You've confused me! ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled again and said with a pleasant face: "Alexander. Comrade Ilyich, you don't have to be too nervous, I have no ill intentions. Just asking you for a favor! ”

However, Yegorov, who was sitting opposite him, did not mean to breathe a sigh of relief at all, the other party just said very clearly, don't be too nervous, the fundamental meaning is to make you nervous, it's just a matter of degree. As for what is not malicious, lie to the ghosts, the big bad wolf said the same thing to Little Red Riding Hood.

Of course, Yegorov also figured out one thing, that is, Li Xiaofeng seemed to be looking for him for help. But how can it help? It's hard to say how you can help. In case this guy has something to do is tricky and he loses his head if he doesn't get it right, can this favor help?

So, Yegorov hurriedly replied: "Comrade Andrei, I'm afraid that my abilities are very limited and I can't help you......"

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry to refuse, because you are fully capable of helping with this favor." And at this stage, I think you are the only one who can help me! ”

Yegorov's face instantly became ugly, and he knew that once the other party said such a thing, it meant that he was being targeted and couldn't run at all.

Yegorov sighed in his heart, and said in his heart: "It seems that sticking out the head is also a knife, and shrinking the head is also a knife." A manly man, Lao Tzu is gone...... Hmph, I'll hear what you want me to help you with! You can scare me to death! ”

Egorov straightened his color and asked in a gesture of generosity: "Tell me straight, what do you want me to help me with!" ”

Li Xiaofeng held back a smile in his heart, but he didn't directly say the purpose, but asked rhetorically: "So you agreed to help?" ”

Egorov was speechless for a while, he just wanted to get to the bottom of it, who thought that the other party would not leak, and he would not say the purpose, which made him feel more and more dangerous. After thinking for a long time, he gritted his teeth and replied: "As long as it is beneficial to the Soviets, as long as it does not betray the revolution, as long as it is acceptable to the Bolshevik Central Committee, I can help with such a favor!" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled, what he was waiting for was this sentence, with this sentence, it was equivalent to trapping Yegorov in half, and the next work would be much simpler.

"Of course!" He nodded and said, as he spoke, pulling documents from the briefcase he was carrying, "I said earlier that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cheka are going to set up a border police force. The mission of this force is very important...... At present, we are desperately short of military professionals......"

Feeling that he had guessed someone's intentions, Egorov interjected and asked: "Do you want me to introduce a group of politically qualified officers to work in the border police force?" ”

It's no wonder that Egorov thought so. Because now he's presiding over that. Indeed, many Red Army generals had already greeted him. Let him introduce a group of politically reliable and militarily qualified officers to enrich their troops. And the border police force that someone has made up must also face this problem, and it is normal to come to him for help.

At this time, Yegorov breathed a sigh of relief, if someone was just here to ask for someone, then he didn't need to worry too much, at least he didn't have to go to prison if his life was not in danger. However, this ease of relief was only temporary, because Egorov quickly thought of another point:

Today, it is not only the border police force that lacks officers, almost all Red Army units lack commanders. If the back door of the border police was opened once today, the Red Army commanders rushed up. How does he cope?

What's more, this so-called border police unit did not belong to the Red Army sequence, and the command was not in the military council, but under the command of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You're welcome, we're just two people. Trotsky, the chairman of the Military Commission, had an opinion on this, and he Yegorov opened the back door again, isn't that self-inflicted?

Thinking about it, the sweat on Yegorov's forehead came down, and he knew that this back door was not easy to open and could not be opened. But it's the Cheka boss who came again, if he doesn't sell face at all. It doesn't seem to work out!

Speaking from the heart, Yegorov at this time was extremely entangled. As a decent, upright person, he dislikes going through the back door. But this time the situation is so special, not to mention that people go through the back door for work, not for private individuals, let's just say that the power of other people's representatives, he Yegorov can't afford to provoke it! What's more, the leaders of the people's departments visited in person late at night, and they have already given enough face, so it seems inappropriate to refuse directly?

Yes, Yegorov is indeed upright, but this does not mean that he is pedantic, the egg touches the stone, knowing that he can't stop the car with his mantis arm, he will not do this kind of stupid thing. This can also be seen from what happened during the purge later, when Tukhachevsky was purged, although Yegorov was very unhappy and unhappy, but he knew that his arm could not twist his thigh, and as one of the presiding judges, he could only ignore Khachevsky's conviction and execution.

Therefore, at this time, what he was thinking about was how to politely reject a certain immortal. Of course, he would never have imagined that a certain immortal's appetite was much greater than he had imagined.

"There is a real shortage of officers in the border police force, and it would be great if you could recommend some politically qualified and militarily competent officers." Li Xiaofeng said with a smile, but as soon as he changed his words, he completely exposed the fox's tail, "Of course, in addition, what I hope is that you can accept my invitation to personally command the border police force......"

Egorov was directly stunned, he thought that something was wrong with his ears and asked incredulously: "What did you say?" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said: "I have come to invite you to be the commander-in-chief of the border police force, and I hope that you will command and train this unit...... This force is of great importance to the Soviets, and it will definitely be in the interest of the Soviets if you are willing to deign to come to the post, and I have already reported to the Central Committee of the Bolsheviks and the Politburo on the relevant issues......"

Yegorov's head was dizzy, and he knew that he had fallen into the trap of the other party, and the conditions he had put forward before could not cause any trouble to the other party at all. Even the work of others has been done before, so that he can hardly refuse.

So say yes? Yegorov was a little unwilling, because he didn't understand what a border police force was at all. Because he didn't understand, naturally he was not optimistic about the future of this army.

Or do you want to refuse? But Yegorov had already said it to death before, and the other party was still looking at him very sincerely, so it didn't seem appropriate to refuse directly!

Li Xiaofeng completely saw through Yegorov's inner activities, and handed over a stack of documents with a smile: "Don't be busy refusing first, let's take a look at these plans for the border police force...... I must remind you that you are completely ignorant of the border police force, which does not have the functions you imagined...... In a sense, this is a real army, not some police ......"

Yegorov took the documents in disbelief, and carefully read them page by page, line by line, word by word, and I have to say that after reading these documents, he had a certain understanding of the border police force, at least what it really was.

Of course, having a sense does not mean that Yegorov will accept Li Xiaofeng's invitation, on the contrary, he feels that this army building plan seems to be very unrealistic, and according to the current reality in Russia, it is simply impossible to form such an army with a large number of people and extremely well-equipped.

To tell the truth, Yegorov felt that this plan was almost a child's play of a young man's whimsy, and there was no possibility of any operation. He had no interest in having a man like him who respected the facts and build a force around a family-like plan.

Again, Li Xiaofeng had a complete insight into Yegorov's psychology, and when Yegorov was about to refuse, he suddenly said: "I know how you feel about this plan, and I know how you think this plan is too whimsical...... However, Alexander. Comrade Ilyich, I must say, seeing is believing, if you are interested in accompanying me to Finland tomorrow, I will speak with facts and tell you that this plan is completely possible! (To be continued......)