This was a small farewell party at Smolny Palace. In a very gorgeous restaurant, there were exquisite tableware and food. Hessman could see that Lenin and his comrades were indeed full of expectations for making peace with Germany. Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukharin and Corente (Ms. A glass of water have a high status, and are a member of the Central Committee and the People's Committee) all came to participate, and Lenin's wife and lover also came. Trotsky's wife Natalia and his father Bronstein also came to join in the fun. The former was the daughter of a banker. Although he was a little older, his style was still the same. The latter looked like a farmer, a rich rich farmer from Ukraine (he claimed to own 300 Russian acres of land, equivalent to 5,000 Chinese acres). Five young and beautiful ladies came to dance with everyone in turn.

In the corner of the restaurant, there was a very beautiful piano. The Palace of Smolny was originally a noble girls' school, with many very high-end instruments inside. Chloe von Heinsberg was sitting there playing. The female diplomat had never shown her musical talent, but this time she performed Beethoven's "Dedicated to Alice".

Ludwig von Hessman took off his yellow-green Russian military uniform. His era as a Russian revolutionary has ended. Now he is a friend of Lenin and the Bolsheviks. His friendship with them is not a disguise, because he is very clear that Russia and Germany are not real enemies... At least before the Third Reich in the future overthrows the British Empire, Germany must maintain relations with the Soviet Union - to go to war on two fronts, fight Britain and the United States and the Soviet Union. The Germans have tried twice in history, but there is no good ending! So Hessman is determined to stop the second adventure of going to war on two fronts!

And for the Soviet Union, the same was true. When Germany, which pursued nationalism, was destroyed by Britain and the United States, two countries manipulated by capital, the tragic ending of the Soviet Union was actually destined - the international capital group controlled most of the world, and had overwhelming advantages in population, capital, resources and technology. It was only a matter of time to destroy the Soviet Union!

In the restaurant, the cocktail party and dance party took turns, Chloe and two other Russian girls played the piano one after another. Hessman danced with every lady present, and was also filled with a lot of wine - perhaps because he wanted to talk to him about something, the Russians did not take out vodka, otherwise Hessman would have been drunk now.

"Maybe it's time for us to go out and blow the night wind," Lenin told Hesman, who also drank a lot of alcohol, but wasn't much drunk. "It's very warm tonight, and when you come back from Germany, you'll get to know the taste of Russian winter."

From the spacious large stone balcony, there is an empty square, opposite the blue Smolny Monastery, solemn and luxurious, showing the once glorious and prosperous Russian Empire, and also indicating the potential of the future Red Empire. This is the largest territory (local) in the world and the most populous country in the white world. It was initially industrialized before World War I, and the total railway operating mileage was second only to the United States. Once such a huge country is integrated by the Bolsheviks with an iron fist, any idea of ​​easily defeating them is very unrealistic. If the United States and the British Empire were added, it would be more difficult for Germany to win than to climb to the sky!

Moreover, Hessman was very clear about the outcome and weakness of the Soviet Union. This country had no advantages in an era of peaceful development. If Germany could replace the United States and become the master of the world, it would not be difficult to disintegrate the Red Empire.

"Ludwig, I know you really want to make peace." Lenin sat in a comfortable easy chair, and a solemn look appeared on his face. "And I am willing to make peace, which is good for you and me, so I have also given quite good conditions, which is already our bottom line."

The conditions given by Lenin are composed of two parts: light and dark, and there are six things on the surface:

1. Both sides abandon the annexation of the territory occupied during the war and withdraw their occupying troops quickly.

2. Completely restore the political independence lost by the people of all countries during the war;

3. Ensure that nations that have not obtained political independence before the war enjoy the right to self-determination;

4. Use legislative forms to stipulate the cultural independence and administrative autonomy of each ethnic minority;

5. Give up claiming compensation and "war expenses" from other countries;

6. Give colonies autonomy and political independence according to the principles of points 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Such conditions are of course a fool. If Kerensky's offensive, he might be able to talk about it. In this situation, if he has such conditions, it can only be said to be politically insulting.

So the Bolsheviks also offered secret terms of peace talks, which were also six:

1. The two sides immediately cease fire and retreat 5 kilometers from their respective fronts;

2. Referendums will be held in Russian Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Livonia, Livran, Kurland and other places on the principle of national self-determination to decide whether to break away from Russia to establish an independent state;

3. Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire may not annex the Russian Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Livonia, Livran, Kurland and other places, and shall not make new territorial claims against Russia;

4. The borders between Russia and Türkiye and Romania resumed their pre-war state;

5. Germany and its allies withdraw troops from Russian territory except Russian Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Livonia, Livran and Kurland;

6. Russia pays 600 tons of gold in one lump sum to Germany.

Hessman knew that the Bolsheviks still had room to make concessions, such as agreeing to independence between Ukraine and Finland. But this would be meaningless for Germany, which would be defeated in more than a year.

For Germany today, there are only two meaningful things. One is to get a draw on the Western Front. When the US military is about to arrive in large numbers, Britain and France will definitely fight to the death. With the style of static war in one battle, it is impossible to make a quick decision. You can only delay and lead to a draw. Of course, this is difficult to do!

The second is to plan for the revival after the defeat. If Germany is defeated, then the treaty signed with Russia before will be waste paper. For Germany, only the benefits that can be guaranteed after the defeat are meaningful, such as the gold that has been obtained; for example, Germany's interests in Estonia and Latvia - Hessman remembers that the Soviet Union did not annex these two small countries on the Baltic coast until World War II.

Hessman thought of this and replied in a very sincere tone: "I understand the concessions made by the Bolsheviks... Given the tensions on the Western Front, we Germany should restore peace on the Eastern Front as soon as possible! Back to Berlin, I will definitely do my best to convince my superiors. If they want anything else, I will advise them to ask for the treasures of the Tsar rather than the territory of Russia."

It is easy to say that treasures are like the gold in Kazan. It is normal to lose them in the chaos of wars. It is impossible to blame the Bolsheviks, but if the territory is lost in large areas, its nature will be completely different.

"Well, I know you are our true friend, but unfortunately you are just a captain." Lenin said in a melancholy bass, "If your efforts are not successful in the end, you are still our friend, and I hope you can go back to Russia again."

At this time, Lenin stood up, stretched out his right hand, and held it with Hessman.

"A word is determined!" Hessman felt that Lenin's hand was very strong, as if he could not bear to leave. "And I will not come back empty-handed... I will bring cannons, machine guns and ammunition to your army! If you need it, I will also bring military consultants and engineers to help you train the army and help Petersburg factories resume production as soon as possible!"

Lenin suddenly emphasized his tone, "And, I hope you will become the leader of Germany one day in the future!"

The silence on the balcony lasted for a long time, and Hessman said nothing, as if he was shocked by Lenin's words. Then Lenin said: "Ludwig, you participated in a real revolution and played a huge role. Without you, the August Revolution would not have succeeded. In terms of political means, you are much more skillful than Karl Liebknecy!"

———
Chapter completed!