Burning Moscow

When I returned to the embassy, ​​neither Molotov nor Khrulev had come back. Only Livinov stayed in the embassy. Seeing me coming back alone, Livinov quickly and politely greeted me to sit and drink tea in the hall, waiting for the other two persons in charge to come back by the way.

Anyway, we were idle, so we two chatted while drinking tea. From the content of his conversation, coupled with the sporadic historical memory in my mind, I have a more detailed understanding of the old man in front of me.

After the October Revolution, he was appointed by Lenin as the representative of the Soviet Union in Britain. With his efforts to mediate, the British government ended the economic blockade of the Soviet Union, and several European countries signed trade agreements with the Soviet Union. After being appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by Stalin in 1930, for the sake of national security, he did his best to create a leading international atmosphere with Britain and France, and successfully persuaded the United States to officially recognize the Soviet government as a legitimate government in 33 years.

He also actively promoted the process of the Soviet Union's accession to the League of Nations, and served as the Soviet Union's representative in the League of Nations for four consecutive years. He also tried to unite European countries against Hitler's Germany, but his efforts were in vain, because Europeans did not trust Stalin just as they did not trust Hitler.

At the 60th birthday in 36 years, he was awarded a Lenin Medal by Stalin. Stalin also wrote in Pravda: "Comrade Livinov is one of the most important representatives of the great era of the October Revolution and socialist construction. He embodies the Soviet Union’s foreign policy and the Soviet Union’s role in protecting the people of all countries. His name will go down in the annals of history."

But the good times did not last long. Following the signing of the Munich Agreement between Britain, France and Germany in September 1938, Germany annexed Czechoslovakia, Stalin decided to form a strategic alliance with Hitler, the Soviet Union’s foreign policy began to adjust, and Livinov began to adjust in 1939. He was dismissed at the beginning of May, and Molotov took over his job. Stalin did this because Livinov had Jewish ancestry, which was not conducive to signing the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Treaty.

Wait until Livinov finished talking about him after the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War. After coming to the United States as an ambassador, I suddenly remembered that since he had been in so many places, he might have some understanding of the General Morgan I will see tomorrow, so I took advantage of the gap between his words and asked: "Comrade Livinov . Do you know General Morgan of the United Kingdom?"

"General Morgan?" Livinov frowned and thought after repeating the name. After a while, his brows stretched out, and he suddenly realized, "Oh. I see, the General Morgan you mentioned must be Sir Frederick Morgan?"

I remember when I left the war room, I heard Marshall mention Morgan's full name, so I nodded and said affirmatively: "I think it should be."

After getting my confirmation, Livinov briefed me on Morgan's situation: "Lt. Admiral Sir Frederick Morgan is a British officer. He served as a member of the Royal Army's 1st Army in October 1942. Commander, under the command of Eisenhower. He was prepared to carry out the task of landing in the western Mediterranean to strengthen the initial landing of the German army into Spain. This spring, he served as the deputy chief of staff of the Allied Supreme Command and was responsible for designating the attack on the West. The Nordic combat plan."

I guess Livinov may have his own dedicated channel of intelligence sources, so there is no doubt that what he said will be different from the facts. The only thing that puzzles me is that since Lieutenant General Morgan is responsible for the formulation of the Normandy plan, why he is just an alliance The deputy chief of staff of the Supreme Command of the Army, you must know that he is not the only person in this position. When I asked my question, Livinov shrugged. Some reluctantly said: "Almost everyone thinks that the position of chief of staff of the Supreme Command of the Allied Expeditionary Force is none other than him, but General Eisenhower insisted that Smith be the chief of staff. And Morgan would be Smith's deputy. For this. For his appointment, many people who are at odds with Morgan think he will not accept this position. But who knows, Morgan said happily: "I don't care about the high ground, I only want to be able to perform my duties in my position." "

Although I have never heard of Morgan before, but through a brief introduction by Livinov. I can't help but feel good about Morgan. I thought to myself that if Morgan was really like what Livinov said, then he must be a good person to get along with.

At this moment, an embassy staff member walked into the lobby from outside, walked quickly to Livinov's side, and whispered to him: "Comrade Ambassador, the convoy is back."

Livinov looked up at the staff in front of him and asked, "Is it Molotov or General Khrulev's convoy?"

The staff member was taken aback for a moment, and then replied: "The convoy of the two of them is back together!"

Livinov nodded and said to the staff politely: "I see, thank you!" After saying that, he stood up and said apologetically: "General Oshanina, I'm going out to meet Mo Comrade Lotov, I can’t accompany you to drink tea anymore, please sit here for a while.

I heard that he was going out to meet Molotov and Khrulev. I definitely can’t continue to sit here without moving, otherwise Molotov would see him and sued me in front of Stalin, saying that I was too brazen. I can't eat it and walk around. So I stood up, smiled and said to Livinov: "Comrade Ambassador, I will go out with you to meet them."

When the two of us came to the door, the convoy had already reached the door. After the two guards drove past, the luxury car I saw at the airport stopped in front of us.

As soon as the car stopped ~www.NovelMTL.com~ Livinov took a few steps forward, opened the rear door, and Molotov, who was sitting in the back row, helped get out of the car. At the same time, like a secretary, he picked up After passing the briefcase in his hand, holding it under his armpit, respectfully invited him into the embassy.

When I saw this scene, I couldn't help but shook my head secretly, knowing that Molotov was dissatisfied with Livinov because Stalin often praised him, and tried every means to put him to death. Regarding this situation, Livinov should be well aware, so he tried his best to be humble in front of Molotov, trying to eliminate the other's murderous intentions.

Seeing Molotov getting out of the car, I took a step forward and raised my hand to salute Molotov. Molotov looked at me and asked faintly: "When will you be back?"

After a quick estimate of the time, I replied, "It's been more than an hour since I came back."

Molotov nodded, standing still without speaking. He turned his head and watched quietly as Khrulev came out of the car that had just stopped and walked to our side. Then he said, "Comrade Khrulev, and you, Comrade Oshanina, Come to my room and report to me on the progress of the matter." (To be continued.)

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