Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

"Mr. Minister!" The secretary hurried to the balcony, "The Ambassador of the Bird Empire to China, Hilko, and the diplomatic envoy von Seeckt want to see you. They are already at the door of the embassy."

Sergei almost dropped the glass in his hand: "What? Sekt?"

The name instantly sobered him up. Hans von Seeckt was a diplomatic veteran of the Bird Empire. They had fought many battles on the European battlefield over the past two years, and each one was a life-and-death struggle.

Andrei Ivanov immediately said angrily: "I absolutely cannot see them! These damn Bird people defeated us step by step on the Western Front, and now they come here to show off their power?"

Sergei put down his glass and slowly stood up. He was still dizzy from the alcohol, but his eyes had regained clarity: "No, let them in."

"Minister!" Ivanov said anxiously, "We are at odds with the Bird Empire..."

"Because we are at war," Sergei interrupted him, "Sekt's visit at this time is even more interesting." He straightened his collar and said, "I know this old fox too well. He won't come here for no reason."

Soon, Hilco and Sekt were taken to the reception room.

Seckt still looked reserved and elegant, as if they were not diplomats from warring enemy countries, but old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

"Sergey, long time no see," Sekt said in his usual tone, "The last time we met was at the negotiation table in Warsaw, right?"

Sergei sneered: "Yes, and then you tore up the armistice agreement and launched a new attack."

"Let bygones be bygones," Sekt waved his hand. "I came here today to talk to you about... the future of the Far East."

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Sergei narrowed his eyes and stared at his old rival: "Oh? The Bird Empire is also interested in the Far East now?"

"More than interested," Sekter said with an inscrutable smile, "we might be able to... help."

Sergeimer's heart skipped a beat. He knew Sekt too well. Every time this old fox smiled like this, there must be some amazing plan behind it.

Sekt sat down on the sofa gracefully, as if he was back home. He picked up Sergei's vodka and poured himself a glass.

"Ah, Russian vodka," he took a sip, "I have to say, this may be the last thing you can come up with." He looked meaningfully at the night view of Beilong City outside the window, "I heard that Su Zhengyang asked for 34 million square kilometers? Including Lake Baikal?"

Ivanov's face turned pale in an instant: "You!"

"Don't be angry, dear Andre," Seckt chuckled, "I'm just telling the truth. You've already lost 34 men on the Western Front, and now you have to cede territory and pay compensation in the Far East... Tsk tsk, your glory days are gone."

He shook his glass and said, "I remember how arrogant you were in Warsaw last year. What about now? You have to bow your heads and bend your waist in front of the Chinese..."

"That's enough!" Sergei interrupted him coldly, "Sekt, if you came here just to see us laugh, you can leave now."

"Don't get so excited, old friend," Seckt put down his glass, "I'm here to help you."

&34；帮我们？&34；谢尔盖默冷笑，&34；就像你在华沙时&39；帮&39；我们那样？&34；

Seckt shook his head: "This time is different. We all know that the situation in the Far East is changing. And this change is not only related to the interests of Tsarist Russia, but also to the interests of the Byrd Empire."

Sergei stared at his old rival. He knew Sekt too well from countless encounters. This cunning diplomat never did anything he was not sure of.

"Go ahead," Sergeimer finally said, "what do you want?"

Sekt smiled his trademark smile: "That's right. Let's talk about how to get what we need from this great change."

"I don't understand what you mean," Sergei said coldly, "Shouldn't the Byrd Empire be celebrating the victory on the Western Front now?"

Seckt put down his glass and looked serious: "Führer Hitler believes that the threat from China is far more dangerous than the anti-Will Alliance."

"Oh?" Sergei raised his eyebrows silently.

"Think about it," Seckt leaned forward, "While we were fighting each other in Europe, what was Su Zhengyang doing? He first took the opportunity to take back Hong Kong City, then Macau City. Now, he wants to swallow up the entire Far East."

He sneered: "This man is too smart. He is waiting for us to both lose."

"So what?" Sergei asked, "You're not trying to convince us to stop the war?"

&34;Why not?&34;

"Impossible!" Sergei stood up suddenly, "Sekt, do you think I would believe that the Bird Empire would give up the victory that was in hand?"

"Victory?" Sekter shook his head. "Sergey, don't you see it? Who is the real winner? It's China! While we were fighting in Europe, they have already recovered all the lost territory, and now they want to take Lake Baikal."

He stood up and walked to the window: "Look at this city. This is our future opponent. And we are fighting for some European land."

"You sound as if you would take the initiative to stop the war." Sergei sneered.

"The Führer has made his decision," Seckt turned around, "as long as Russia is willing to talk, we can return to the negotiation table at any time. Of course, the price is..."

&34;The price?&34;

"You must stand on the same side as us on the Far East issue," Seckt said meaningfully.

Sergei was stunned. This proposal was too crazy, but it seemed to contain some possibility.

Ivanov stamped his feet anxiously: "Minister, don't listen to this liar!"

But Sergei Mo has fallen into deep thought. In this rapidly changing era, the boundaries between enemies and friends seem to be being redefined.

"Sekt," Sergei stared into his old rival's eyes, "The Bird Empire doesn't seem to have any direct interests in the Far East. You don't even have any territorial borders with China."

Sekt chuckled: "You are still so short-sighted, Sergei." He put down his glass and said, "Can't you see? China is gradually encroaching on the entire Far East. It is your territory today, but what about tomorrow?"

&34;What do you mean?&34;

"What I mean is," Sekt lowered his voice, "be tough at the negotiation table. Don't let Su Zhengyang lead you by the nose. One million six hundred thousand square kilometers? The entire Lake Baikal region? His appetite is too big."

Sergei sneered: "It's easy to say. Do you think we don't want to be tough? But the reality is..."

"The reality is that you're fighting a war on two fronts," Seckt interrupted, "but what if... what if the Byrd Empire's advance on the Western Front stops?"

The room suddenly became quiet.

"What did you say?" Sergei's voice trembled a little.

"It's very simple," Seckt walked to the window, "If you can be tougher in the Far East negotiations and don't let China get too complacent, then... we can consider temporarily suspending military operations on the Western Front."

Ivanov was incredulous: "You...you are willing to give up the victory you have achieved?"

"This is not giving up," Seckt turned around, "This is a strategic compromise. It will free up your hands and gain a firm foothold in the Far East."

Sergei was lost in thought. Sekt's proposal was too tempting, but there must be a deeper plan behind it.

"Are you so afraid of China becoming stronger?" he asked tentatively.

"I'm not afraid," Seckt shook his head, "I'm preparing for a rainy day. China is no longer the weak country that can be bullied by others. If we let them dominate the Far East, you and I know what will happen next."

Sergei stood up and walked to the window. The night view of Beilong City was brilliant and dazzling, as if silently telling the rise of this country.

"Give me a moment," he said finally. "I need to report to Moscow."

"Of course," Seckt smiled triumphantly, "but don't take too long. In front of Su Zhengyang, we can't afford to lose time."