Li Xiaofeng had actually been waiting for Mannerheim for a long time, and judging from the old man's overall performance in 1918, he had completed the transformation from a soldier to a politician. A qualified politician should play a key role at the right time.

In fact, Li Xiaofeng also felt that Mannerheim's grasp of the timing was a bit poor, and he should have taken the initiative to throw an olive branch when the Entente expeditionary force was destroyed. At that time, the situation of the Finnish interim government was not as passive as it is now, at least Helsinki was still in its hands, so why was it so embarrassing as it is now? It has only appeared now, a little late, and he will be completely passive in the negotiations, and I am afraid that there will be no good fruit to eat.

Mannerheim walked into someone's office with a little uncomfortable and emotional, a year ago, he could talk to someone, but a year later he could only see the real thing on the battlefield. This kind of change made him a little uncomfortable.

Li Xiaofeng saw the old man's discomfort in his eyes, but he didn't take the initiative to break the silence, he hadn't seen him for nearly a year, the old man had changed too much, and Li Xiaofeng also needed to readjust his emotions and think about how to face him.

After a while, Li Xiaofeng asked, "Are you here for an official visit?" Or a private meeting? ”

Mannerheim is actually also observing Li Xiaofeng, and compared to the changes in himself, he feels that Li Xiaofeng's changes are greater and more significant. The young man who was a little ruffian and a little clever before, and a little immature has completely disappeared, replaced by a little fox who is very oppressive in his momentum, and the city is very deep, and he can't see his emotions.

Mannerheim sighed in his heart, politics is indeed too much to change people, and a year's training is worth ten years of social experience. However, he still thinks that the little second kid before is cuter.

Mannerheim breathed. Quietly asked, "Is there any difference?" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "If you are visiting officially. That's where business comes in. Naturally, I can't be at my own expense; On the other hand, if you are here to catch up, then we will only talk about feelings, not business. ”

Tut!

Mannerheim sighed again, he felt that even if Li Xiaofeng had made great progress, there was still a gap with him in details, and he was still thinking about whether he could play the emotional card. And now it seems that the loophole has been plugged with a single sentence. It seems that this trip is not so easy today.

Mannerheim replied quietly, "Let's talk about the old days first, and then we will talk about business." ”

Li Xiaofeng was a little funny, it seemed that the old man's face had also been honed, he couldn't say such shameless words before. But this kind of trick didn't work for him, he shook his head and said: "If you want to catch up, don't talk about business and hurt feelings." I suggest you make your choice quickly, or I won't have time for you. ”

Mannerheim sighed and said, "Then let's talk about business first, and then talk about the past, that's all right?" ”

Li Xiaofeng shook his head and said, "You really don't give up, okay." For the sake of you being an elder, I give you this face! ”

Mannerheim smiled wryly. Someone really took advantage of it and said cool things. But he didn't care about that much. "The present international situation is quite unfavorable for you Bolsheviks, the defeat of the Allies is already here, and it is only a matter of time before it collapses." In the event of the defeat of Germany and Austria, Russia would inevitably become the next target of the Entente. It would be unwise for you to go around attacking in such a situation. ”

Li Xiaofeng looked at Mannerheim calmly, with no expression on his face, so that the old man couldn't see what he was thinking.

After a long time, Li Xiaofeng asked, "And then?" You're not just trying to tell me that, are you? ”

Mannerheim cursed in his heart: "Little fox." Of course, this is not what he really wants to say, the subtext of this statement is clear to everyone, it is nothing more than to say how dangerous it is for Russia to interfere in Finland's internal affairs, and it should be stopped as soon as possible.

The problem is that sometimes the subtext can't be spoken, and when it is spoken, the meaning is discounted. For example, if Mannerheim continued to talk about Finland, he would have to mention Finland, but Finland really can't be said today. The situation in Russia is certainly dangerous, and the prospects are not good, but Finland is probably even worse, because the crisis in Russia is in the future tense, and the crisis in Finland is in the present tense, and the mention of Finland is timid.

Mannerheim can only say half of it, and when it comes to Russia, it has to be stopped, which is a negotiation technique. And Li Xiaofeng naturally can't let the old man get his way, and talk to me about the future, then I will talk to you about the present tense. Of course, the crisis is approaching the door of Russia, but you Finland is a crisis that has already entered the door, and even destroyed the entrance and living room, and if the crisis continues to deepen, your toilet will not be saved.

So, don't be scared of Young Master Ben, it's pointless to talk about what you don't have, the initiative on the battlefield is in the hands of Young Master, old man, you better be obedient and soft!

Mannerheim naturally couldn't give in, and he said with a straight face: "I'm a good one!" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "I understand it." But you'd better take care of your own side! ”

Speaking of this, the two sides have completed the first round of testing, although there has been no substantial progress, but both sides can understand a little bit of each other's psychological bottom line. It laid a solid foundation for the next second and third rounds of testing.

This time, Mannerheim was the first to speak: "Since you have turned a deaf ear to my kindness, then I have no choice but to take matters into account." ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Is your so-called kindness just intimidation?" Didn't I make it clear before, public before private? You don't have a bad memory, do you? Or are you deliberately playing dumb? Then I'll remind you again, don't expect to fool things. ”

Mannerheim was once again pushed back to his face, but he was not discouraged, and said indifferently: "Who's who is the ...... of the unliberal judges"

However, Li Xiaofeng immediately interrupted him: "No need to judge, anyway, if you expect to talk to me about business with this attitude, then there are only two words I can say - see you again!" ”

As he spoke, Li Xiaofeng was about to serve tea to thank the guests, but Mannerheim could only smile bitterly: "You really don't talk about it at all!" ”

Li Xiaofeng replied as a matter of course: "If you want to talk about friendship, let's not talk about business!" ”

Mannerheim let out a long sigh. Frustrated, he said, "Okay then." You point directly. Tell us what exactly you want! ”

Li Xiaofeng laughed secretly, Mannerheim is indeed a bad learner, if you are confused by his depressed appearance, then you are fooled. This old guy pretends to want to get to the bottom of him, how can it be so easy.

Li Xiaofeng smiled slightly: "This is funny." Don't you think it's a bit too much for you to come to my office to talk to me about business, and when you open your mouth, you can ask me about my bottom line of negotiation? ”

Mannerheim replied with a sense of pity: "How can this be excessive? Just now, I have told you the bottom line of our negotiations, and you have clearly expressed your disagreement. In order to return the two countries to a state of peace. I ask you, why is it too much? ”

"Of course it's excessive!" Li Xiaofeng was even more straightforward than Mannerheim, and said very politely: "Our request was clearly told to you in the previous stage of formal negotiations. Do you have such a bad memory? Need us to repeat what we've already said over and over again? ”

Mannerheim is out of line again, no matter what he says, Li Xiaofeng just won't let go, which makes him feel like a mouse has nowhere to put his mouth.

After a long time, he finally said: "Finland's independence and sovereignty must be fully respected!" We won't back down! ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "You are so direct, how good is it?" Waste so much of my time! Finland's independence and sovereignty are of course fully respected, precisely because of respect for Finland's independence and sovereign integrity. Our volunteers will enter Finland to fight ......"

Mannerheim couldn't help it at this time, and complained: "Don't you think this statement is shameless? ”

"How do you call shameless?" Li Xiaofeng also complained unceremoniously: "When your government becomes a puppet of Germany. When used as a tool to enslave the Finnish people. In order to guarantee the basic political rights of the Finnish people and to ensure that the Finnish people fully enjoy their right to freedom, we sent troops against the German invaders! ”

Mannerheim said: "The Germans have been driven away!" ”

Li Xiaofeng nodded and said: "But you have boarded the chariot of the Entente bloc again, and under the instigation of these evil imperialist blocs, you have once again played the role of the vanguard of interference in Russia's internal affairs, and in order to defend ourselves and protect ourselves, we can only choose to fight!" ”

Mannerheim was amused and sarcastically said, "So it's all our fault." You Bolsheviks are saints! ”

Who would have thought that Li Xiaofeng's face would not blush and his heart would not beat: "Of course, we Bolsheviks are full of internationalism and humanitarianism. Nothing like you evil imperialist lackeys! ”

Mannerheim was so angry that he didn't know how to fight back for a while. Li Xiaofeng said with a smile: "If you talk to me about these useless things, I can talk to you for a day and a night, and the final result is the same as what I just said." It's all up to you! ”

"Don't you think it's too much of a deception?" Mannerheim is on fire.

"Too much deception?" Li Xiaofeng snorted coldly and asked rhetorically: "It is we Bolsheviks who allow you to be independent and give you freedom. But how did you repay us after that? He was willing to act as a lackey of the Germans, tore up all agreements, and tortured and killed our Red Navy officers. It's not too much of a deception! ”

The angry Li Xiaofeng was really a little terrifying, even Mannerheim couldn't help but feel a sense of oppression coming over him, and he felt that it was difficult to support it for a while.

But Li Xiaofeng still didn't let him go: "What? Stopped talking? It's useless to pretend to be deaf and dumb! ”

Mannerheim opened his mouth several times, but he was speechless, and he really had nothing to defend himself in the matter of the Red Navy. Compared with the prisoner policy of the Volunteers, the White Finnish Army's treatment of prisoners was primitive and barbaric.

Li Xiaofeng looked at him and sneered: "Since you don't say it, then I'll say it." Don't you want to get to the bottom of my negotiations? Yes, I'll tell you all. Our demands are, first, that the perpetrators of the mistreatment of the Red Army soldiers be punished and that they must be brought to justice. Second, the Finnish government has set up a memorial in the name of the state to the Red Army soldiers who died and has pledged to commemorate them once a year; Third, east of the 28th parallel, it is designated as a demilitarized zone. No conscription, garrisoning or military activity of any nature shall be allowed in this area; Fourth, a special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy will be established east of the 28th parallel. The district has an independent administrative and judicial system. Fifth, lift the wanted and persecuted members of the Finnish Social Democratic Party and their leaders, and allow them to operate openly......"

When Li Xiaofeng said all the conditions in one go. Mannerheim's brow furrowed. After a long time, he said, "These conditions are too harsh. We can't accept it! ”

Li Xiaofeng waved his hand: "Then it's up to you." Let's keep fighting. But my ugly words also said ahead, these are my conditions today, and tomorrow, even in an hour, it is very likely that I will prescribe more harsher conditions. ”

Mannerheim said angrily: "This is Chiguoguo's blackmail, do you think we Finns don't have the determination to fight to the end?" ”

Li Xiaofeng sneered: "I really don't think you have any so-called determination. You are now waiting for two things, one for foreign aid and the other for the Germans to attack us. As an old friend. Friendship tells you that you don't have to wait for the first one, there will be no more help, and as for the second point, you will soon be able to see who is attacking whom! ”

The result of the meeting can be said to be inconclusive, Mannerheim left the office of a certain immortal in a rage, seemingly angry, to which Li Xiaofeng just said indifferently to Ubolevich: "He will come back!" ”

Whether Mannerheim will return or not, no one except a certain immortal is sure, but this is not a confidential meeting. It caused a series of repercussions. First, the Entente began to warn the Finns not to negotiate peace with the Bolsheviks. Otherwise, all aid agreements will be torn up; The Germans reacted immediately, and the Germans were in a similar manner, sternly warning the Finnish government not to negotiate peace with the Bolsheviks, otherwise the new accounts would be settled together.

Under the double pressure, the Finnish government held back and chose to continue to wait. In this regard, Li Xiaofeng said with a smile: "They (the Finnish government) still want to take advantage of the fishermen, so let's wait and see who will not be able to hold on first!" ”

At that time, no one was optimistic about Li Xiaofeng, because the situation was indeed not in his favor, the deadline given by Lenin was approaching day by day, and the Germans in Estonia were always making small moves, and there was no intention of retreating at all. Some people in China, who are afraid that the world will not be chaotic, have begun to say strange things and spread rumors, although the intensity is not too great, but the words are quite unpleasant. Even Krestinsky, who had been a straw chicken, kept sending telegrams to Li Xiaofeng, asking him to lift the border alarm as soon as possible and restore peace in the Petrograd region.

"It turns out that Andrey. Petrovich could not solve the problem of the Germans," Krestinsky wrote in a somewhat triumphant telegram to Trotsky, "and the Germans had no intention of calming things down, and the border was still tense." You can see it, he can't end it! It is even possible to suffer a crushing defeat in Finland at the same time! ”

Trotsky was not happy when he received the telegram, and although he did not have good relations with Lenin and Li Xiaofeng, he was always a Bolshevik. As a Bolshevik, his primary concern was to defend the interests of the party, and if the situation was unfortunately criticized by Krestinsky, it would be a disaster for the Bolsheviks. How could he gloat over such a major issue of right and wrong?

It has to be said that at the critical moment, Trotsky was still able to take care of the overall situation and adhere to his principles, and in his reply he gave a serious warning to Krestinsky, ordering him not to cause trouble, not to cause trouble, and if necessary, to cooperate with Li Xiaofeng in his work as much as possible.

He said: "This is a major issue about the overall situation, and in this difficult moment, we must not gloat or tear each other down, we should work together to overcome the difficulties!" ”

He even took the initiative to send a telegram to Lenin, asking if he would like to return some troops from the front to Petrograd in order to cope with the unforesee.

To this, Lenin replied: "The situation in the Petrograd region is still under control, and it must be seen that the Germans have not made any real moves, except for some small provocations, which shows that they are only tentative." Andrei also said that he did not need additional support and that he was sure that the current crisis would be resolved...... The Ural front is the most important thing, and if you win there, the situation in the whole country can be reversed! So, at this moment, you must not be distracted by the enemy, even if the Petrograd region is really occupied by the Germans, first of all, resolutely destroy the Kolchak bandits! ”

Trotsky saw Lenin's determination in the reply, and if Lenin could get out of it, so could he!

At the end of January, as Kolchak's offensive became more and more discouraged, the Red Army's counterattack finally began, with Tukhachevsky's Fifteenth Army first engaged in the counteroffensive, followed by Blyukher, which was operating behind enemy lines, baring its fangs......

"The counterattack on the Ural front has begun." Li Xiaofeng muttered, then walked to the windowsill, glanced at the sea in front of him, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

No one could have imagined that he would appear in Königsberg, an enclave that would later belong to Russia and which at this time was still the territory of the Germans. Soon, though, the city will have a different owner.

"Is everything ready?" Li Xiaofeng asked Pavel.

"Everything is ready, according to the previous plan, the uprising will start in the early hours of the morning." Pavel replied cautiously, but he quickly asked: "Your Excellency, will the uprising at Königsberg anger the Germans?" ”

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "What about anger? The Germans are now dead dogs, and your uprising may be the beginning of the collapse of the Second German Reich! (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank Comrade Wanghai Siben and Comrade Juventus!