Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

But this time, Chairman Mao really lowered his posture and placed himself in a position lower than that of the Soviet Union. This was because Chairman Mao understood that during his visit to the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union needed China, but China needed the Soviet Union even more.

That evening, Stalin met with Chairman Mao in the Kremlin. This was the first meeting between the leaders of China and the Soviet Union. Chairman Mao, once again, put himself in a humble position, first expressing admiration for Comrade Stalin's leadership of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany and for the astonishing industrial achievements it had achieved. He then expressed gratitude for the Soviet Union's support for China and the Communist Party of China over the years.

He also highly praised the agreement reached between Comrade Wu Hao and the Soviet Union last year.

Thanks again to the Soviet Union for its assistance.

Of course, Stalin was not ignorant.

He also highly praised the significance of the victory of the Chinese Revolution and the Chairman's tremendous contributions to both the Chinese Revolution and the world revolution. He stated that the Chairman was the leader of the Chinese Revolution and that its victory was inseparable from the Chairman's leadership. Of course, these were all polite remarks. In their first meeting, the two men were testing each other. Stalin wanted to know if China was truly willing to accept the Soviet Union as its big brother and be a compliant member of the socialist camp. The Chairman wanted to know Stalin's plans for East Asia.

Also, what did Stalin think about the treaty signed with the Nationalist Government, and how much support he could provide for the economic development of New China.

After the pleasantries, the Chairman probed, "For the newly born Chinese government, the most important issue is safeguarding peace. China needs three to five years of peace to restore its economy and stabilize the domestic situation. Whether many domestic issues can be resolved depends on whether there is a peaceful future. Many problems can only be solved in a peaceful environment. Therefore, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has entrusted me to inquire with you about the extent to which international peace can be safeguarded. Is World War III unlikely to occur in the near future?"

Stalin smoked a cigarette and listened to the Chairman's words.

After the Chairman finished speaking, Stalin smiled and said, "China currently faces no direct threat of war, nor does Asia as a whole face any power that could directly threaten China. International peace depends on our efforts. As long as we work together, we can guarantee peace not only for the next five to ten years, but even for the next two millennia to the year 2005, or even longer."

"We hope for a long-term international peace environment."

The Chairman echoed Stalin, then changed the subject, saying, "It's a good thing that there aren't major wars internationally. But Comrade Stalin, what is the Soviet Union's attitude toward the Chinese Communist Party movement in Asia? What does it require of us, China?"

"Currently, the world's Communist Party movement is thriving, and we are attacking imperialism. At this time, we must exert even greater strength to enable the world's Communist Party movement to continue to move forward. As for the Communist Party movement in Asia, we should actively support it. We must incorporate Asian countries into the Communist Party movement. If we can expel imperialism led by Britain and the United States, that would be even better. But these are just wishful thinking, and it will take time to realize them.

This is just the first meeting.

The chairman only touched upon the subject briefly and ended the discussion.

Then he said, "Comrade Stalin, now that New China has been established, is it necessary for us to sign a Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance?"

Stalin did not answer immediately.

He paused and said, "Don't we already have a Sino-Soviet Friendship and Alliance Treaty? It's up to us to declare that we will retain this treaty, or to amend it." However, the Sino-Soviet Friendship and Alliance Treaty signed in 1945 was concluded in accordance with the Yalta Agreement and was agreed upon by Britain and the United States. If we help to amend the terms, it will give the United States an excuse. "They will think we are not adhering to the Yalta Agreement, and then they will propose amending the terms related to the Kuril Islands and South Kugong Island." Therefore, we should be cautious in this regard.

The Chairman immediately understood that Stalin did not want to change the terms.

After all, the treaty signed between the Soviet Union and Chiang Kai-shek was very beneficial to the Soviet Union. But the Chairman did not lose his temper.

Instead, he said, "The treaties we sign must be in line with the interests of the people. We have overthrown the reactionary rule of the Chiang Kai-shek clique in China and established a new China where the people are the masters of their own destiny. Therefore, Chinese public opinion believes that since the Chiang Kai-shek clique has been destroyed, the treaties it once signed have lost their necessity."

"I understand the feelings of the Chinese people. But we must look at the problem from a higher perspective, from the perspective of the world Communist Party movement." The Chairman understood that Stalin did not want to talk about this issue.

So he changed the subject: "Comrade Stalin, China has just emerged from the war. Domestic construction urgently needs support from the Soviet Union. We hope to obtain more loans from the Soviet Union." "Loans are easy to discuss."

After all, it was the first time we met.

Stalin also didn't want to fall out with China. He already had a disobedient younger brother in Europe. Tito's relationship with the Soviet Union was currently very strained. While not a complete breakup, it was no longer as close as it once was. Many within the Soviet Union called Tito a scum of the socialist state and a traitor to the global Chinese Communist movement.

At this time, Stalin did not want such a thing to happen with China.

So, on the issue of the loan, Stalin was quite pleased. He said directly, "If the Chinese comrades want to sign the loan agreement now, we have no objection. We are comrades, and it is natural for comrades to support each other. If China develops and the Chinese people become prosperous, we in the Soviet Union and the Soviet people will be happy for China."

Thank you, Comrade Stalin, for your generosity. On behalf of the Chinese people, I thank Comrade Stalin and the Soviet people. ” The two men exchanged some views.

The Chairman roughly understood Stalin's thoughts.

Stalin was willing to support China in many areas, including signing aviation agreements, providing loans, opening trade, and helping China develop its industry and defense. This support was substantial. Malenkov even stated on Stalin's behalf that the Soviet Union could lend China one billion rubles if needed.

However, Stalin was ambiguous on the issue of changing the Sino-Soviet Friendship and Alliance Treaty to the Sino-Soviet Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty. In fact, the Yalta Agreement was very beneficial to the Soviet Union, allowing the Soviet Union to gain huge benefits in the Far East. Therefore, Stalin was unwilling to give it up.

But he didn't want to fall out with China, so he was very willing to make concessions in other areas, just to give China face.

The Chairman also did not want to antagonize the Soviet Union, so some sensitive issues were not raised. After the talks, the Chairman returned to Stalin's villa where he was staying.

"Chairman, what if Comrade Stalin does not agree to change the 'Sino-Soviet Friendship and Alliance Treaty'?" Wang Jiaxiang was a little nervous.

"fine."

The Chairman was a little angry, but not that angry.

Chairman Mao has been repeatedly watching Wei Hongjun's analysis of the Cold War and the situation in East Asia. Wei Hongjun's reports have given Chairman Mao great inspiration.

After several simulations, the Chairman had a deeper understanding of the Cold War. So, while Stalin's attitude had angered the Chairman somewhat, he was generally satisfied with the meeting. He had already grasped some of the Soviet Union's thinking, as well as Stalin's.

So the Chairman smiled and said, "The Soviet Union is the leader of the international Chinese Communist movement and the leader of the socialist camp. It needs to be concerned not only with the Soviet Union's own Far Eastern interests but also with Sino-Soviet relations from a higher perspective. Compared to uniting with the countries of the socialist camp to counter the United States, the Soviet Union's interests in the Far East will become a secondary shield. Stalin will weigh whether China's joining the socialist camp is more important or the Soviet Union's Far Eastern interests are more important. Negotiations with the Soviet Union are not a matter of one or two days. We must be patient."

After Stalin met with Chairman Mao, he understood China's intention: China wanted to sign a new agreement.

But Stalin hesitated.

It wasn't that Stalin couldn't compromise. While Port Arthur and the Changchun Railway were important, with the founding of the People's Republic of China, China's control over Northeast China grew stronger. China wasn't like those small Eastern European states, which relied on Soviet support to establish their nation. But the People's Republic of China was single-handedly built by the Communist Party.

Therefore, the Soviet Union's control of Dalian, Lushun, and nominal control of the Changchun Railway did not actually bring as much benefit as one might imagine. Compared to winning over a country as large as China as an ally, Stalin could have easily discarded these benefits. However, he could not give in after just one or two negotiations.

Where would the Soviet Union put its face?

Stalin needed a more precise understanding of China's attitude.

Stalin had originally intended to give Chairman Mao some time to discuss this matter, letting China know that the Soviet Union would not yield easily. China, in turn, had to demonstrate its own value. Unfortunately, at this time, the greatest crisis since World War II occurred.

As Britain, the United States, and France implemented currency reforms in their occupied zones and prepared to establish West Germany, the Soviets immediately dispatched troops to cut off access to West Berlin, which was now surrounded by the Soviet zone. This severance of the Mayer Strasse left West Berlin's 250 million residents without a complete supply of goods.

The Soviet idea was simple.

Either Britain, the US, and France would abandon the idea of ​​forming West Germany and cancel the currency reform. Failing that, they would withdraw from West Berlin. However, Truman was more hawkish than Stalin intended and opted to airlift supplies to West Berlin. He then began to counter the Soviet occupation zone.

The Berlin crisis breaks out.

Chapter 776 Turning point

"What's the situation in West Berlin now? Can the Americans really use air transport to guarantee West Berlin's material needs?" Stalin was now in a difficult situation.

He had originally assumed that if the Soviet Union blocked West Berlin's sea routes, the city, now isolated and lacking essential supplies, would be forced to submit. He had no choice but to either yield to the Soviet Union, abandon currency reform, and abandon the establishment of West Germany. Or he could simply abandon West Berlin and hand it over to Soviet administration. But who could have imagined that the United States would actually open an air link?

The Soviet blockade of West Berlin was a gamble.

The Soviet Union believed that Britain and the United States would not actually go to war with the Soviet Union over West Berlin. Without ground troops, West Berlin could not withstand the blockade, as the entire city was short of supplies. However, the US response was more forceful than the Soviet Union had imagined. While it did not send troops to open up sea routes, it did open up air routes.

The Soviet Union's judgment was correct in some aspects.

Although the US and the Soviet Union were engaged in the Cold War, Britain and the US did not intend to fight the Soviet Union. Of course, the Soviet Union also did not intend to fight Britain and the US. The Soviet Union suffered a terrible defeat in World War II.

In fact, the Soviet Union has yet to recover. The casualties among young and middle-aged people were so severe. It would take at least ten or twenty years to fully recover from such an incident. Therefore, the Soviet Union was very cautious.

Looking at the British and American transport planes, they dared not really fire. They could only watch the British and American transport planes flying under their noses every day.

Comrade Stalin, according to news from Berlin, British and American transport planes initially carried around 2000 tons of supplies per day. But after a few days of adaptation, their daily supply volume has surpassed 5000 tons. Currently, at least 700 transport planes land at the airport daily. And their transport capacity is constantly increasing. With their current capacity, they can fully guarantee West Berlin's material needs.

Beria answered, and his answer was very direct.

Stalin's face looked serious.

After World War II, Stalin had not had such a solemn expression for a long time.

The British and American reactions completely caught Stalin off guard. While he had expected Britain and the US to not easily abandon West Berlin, he hadn't anticipated their choice of such a confrontation. Furthermore, Stalin was quite surprised by their transportation capabilities.

Very impressive and powerful.

To gather so much supplies and even use air power to transport them requires tremendous mobilization and transportation capabilities.

If Stalin had been in a bad mood, he would have wanted to use anti-aircraft guns to shoot down all those British and American transport planes. However, Stalin knew that it was not yet time for the Soviet Union to go to war with Britain and the United States. Moreover, at the beginning of the Berlin Crisis, the Soviet Union was caught off guard by Britain and the United States.

Now, for the sake of face, the Soviet Union cannot retreat.

"Comrade Stalin, Britain and the United States have imposed a blockade on us in terms of steel, coking coal, electricity, etc. East Berlin currently needs our support." Malenkov said.

Stalin nodded, and both sides imposed a mutual embargo.

It's not obvious now. In a few months, the gap in power between Britain, the US, and the Soviet Union will become apparent. The Soviet Union had just experienced World War II and hadn't recovered in many areas. In comparison, the US boasted unrivaled industrial might, overwhelming the current Soviet Union. Playing a war of attrition with Britain and the US would be a significant disadvantage for the Soviet Union.

But it’s not obvious at this stage.

"When will our atomic bomb explode?" Stalin looked at Beria.

Beria was the Chairman of the Special Committee of the Soviet Defense Council and was currently in charge of the Soviet atomic bomb project. Beria said, "Comrade Stalin, I will submit a detailed report later. Given the current state of atomic bomb development, it will take at least a year before it can explode."

Stalin nodded, but said nothing.

The atomic bomb was a thorn in Stalin's side.

The atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Japan had a profound impact on Stalin. The heavy casualties suffered by the Soviet Union during World War II were a major reason why Stalin didn't dare to risk a war with Britain and the United States. But the atomic bomb was also a major factor. Without it, there was always a sense of something missing.

Stalin stood up and approached the map. He looked at Europe, then at West Berlin, frowning. The British and Americans had put the Soviet Union in a dilemma. Stalin's gaze shifted from Europe to Asia. "What has Comrade Li Desheng been doing lately?" Besides visiting Chinese students, he's been spending most of his time at the villa. I heard he brought a number of translators with him, who have been translating Chinese newspapers. His daily workload consists mainly of reading these papers. "Nothing else?"

"Yes."

Stalin suddenly laughed.

Said: "This Oriental man is interesting."

Stalin had been giving the Chairman the cold shoulder for several days. He had expected the Chairman to be anxious, but he hadn't expected him to be so patient. Instead, he was leisurely strolling around the Soviet Union, as if recuperating. Stalin understood that this Chinese Communist Party leader was testing his patience.

Both sides knew that a cooperation agreement would be reached. They needed each other. But each side was testing the other's limits. The biggest worry at this point was losing patience.

Apparently, the Chairman was more composed than Stalin had imagined. What Stalin didn't know was that while the Chairman appeared to be enjoying his daily life, he was actually using his rare time, reading Soviet newspapers, to understand and analyze the Soviet Union. The Chairman was indeed calmer than Stalin had imagined.

Because he had guessed this result long ago.

"Where are the rest of the Chinese delegation?"

"Not much has been done. The most active member of the Chinese delegation is Comrade Xu Xiangqian, representing the military. However, he's mainly focused on implementing the previously signed agreement on light weapons for 20 divisions." "Don't make things difficult for the Chinese comrades on this matter. Since the agreement has been signed, we will provide them with weapons according to the agreement. And we will also provide them with the military advisors they need."

Stalin did not attach much importance to this batch of weapons.

China attached great importance to the light weapons equipment for the 20 divisions, but the Soviet Union was not concerned. Although the Soviet Union agreed to provide China with a batch of weapons, it was all under the small arms agreement. Even the Soviet army's current rocket launchers were something the Soviet Union was reluctant to include in the equipment of these 20 divisions. "Yes."

“What is the current situation in North Korea?”

Relations between the two Koreas are currently strained. South Korea's Syngman Rhee, with US support, has suppressed numerous political groups that previously advocated for the unification of the peninsula. We have intelligence that the Rhee clique is intensively preparing to establish a new regime. "With the US and the Soviet Union confronting the great powers, smaller nations have no way to resist."

Whether it was the Berlin Crisis or the Korean Peninsula, they were ultimately the result of the US-Soviet confrontation. Stalin's gaze kept shifting between Europe and Asia, finally landing on China. "The Korean Peninsula is unstable."

"Comrade Stalin, originally, all political parties and groups on the Korean Peninsula supported the establishment of a unified state. However, as soon as the Syngman Rhee group established a state in the south, the situation on the Korean Peninsula would suddenly become tense."

"kindness."

Stalin had not really considered the issue of the Korean Peninsula carefully before, but now he had to think about it carefully.

Stalin knew what was going on.

The Soviet Union, with its current strength, was far from capable of confronting Britain, the United States, and France. It was merely a nation with a group of weaker allies. The socialist states of Eastern Europe were able to establish themselves with Soviet aid. The Chinese Communist Party in those countries was not nearly as powerful. Simply stabilizing their domestic situation was already a challenge. They were far from strong enough to assist the Soviet Union.

But besides the United States, there are also former world hegemons like Britain and France. Although Britain and France suffered heavy casualties and losses in World War II, they have sufficient foundations. With a little financial support from the United States, their industries can quickly recover.

Stalin had not felt this before.

But now Stalin clearly felt that the Soviet Union could not fight alone. The Soviet Union also needed help, and helpers of sufficient weight and strength. Stalin had originally been worried and wary of China, but the current situation made it impossible for him to think too much.