Eagle Sauce: The 055 destroyer was launched into the sea just after the founding of the country?

Joseph's sharp eyes pierced Beria.

"It's not a surrender, Comrade Beria, but a strategic adjustment."

He walked over to a large map hanging on the wall and pointed with his cane at the European region.

"Think about it, comrades. Where is the core of the Mao Bear Empire?"

“Will it be in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Vladivostok or Khabarovsk?”

No need to answer, everyone knows the answer.

"Where are our industrial centers?" Joseph continued, "the coal mines in Donbass, the steel mills in the Urals, the military factories around Moscow, or the small mining sites in the Far East?"

His cane moved toward the Asian part of the wooly bear.

"The Far East occupies nearly 40 percent of our land area, but its population is less than 1 percent of the total population. Its industrial output is less than 5 percent of the national total."

"And most importantly, what does the strategic depth there mean to us? If Moscow falls, can the Far East hold onto the Russians?"

Joseph paused, letting these questions settle in everyone's minds.

"But on the other hand, if we temporarily give up some interests in the Far East in exchange for our elite troops returning to the Western Front to stop NATO's advance and preserve Moscow and Leningrad, then we will still have a chance to regroup and regain lost territory in the future."

The atmosphere in the conference room changed subtly.

Even the most staunch opponents of negotiation had to admit that Joseph's logic had some merit.

“Specifically,” Malenkov asked cautiously, “to what extent are we prepared to compromise in the negotiations?”

Joseph's expression became more serious. "As long as the Far Eastern Corps can be safely withdrawn, we can make appropriate concessions in areas such as border demarcation, resource extraction rights, and special economic zones."

“If necessary, the sovereignty of certain disputed areas can also be discussed.”

This vague statement has caused some people to feel uneasy.

Serdyukov frowned. “Does this mean we will give up our territory in the Far East and even our only port in the East?”

Joseph did not answer directly, but asked: "Comrade Serdyukov, if NATO occupies Moscow, can we still keep the Far East?"

This sharp question left Serdyukov speechless.

"I want to emphasize," Joseph continued, his voice filled with undeniable authority, "that this isn't surrender, but a strategic retreat. Historically, the Russians have repeatedly used strategic retreats to conserve their strength and ultimately defeat invaders."

"From Kutuzov against Napoleon to facing the Hans in the early days of the Great Patriotic War, we have all given up land in exchange for time."

"Now, we also need to make a difficult choice, trading some of our interests in the Far East for the security of the core of the alliance."

Marshal Zhukov nodded. As a military strategist, he deeply understood the necessity of this strategic choice.

"From a military point of view, Comrade Joseph's decision was correct."

"Once the Far Eastern Corps returns, it will significantly enhance our defense capabilities on the Western Front. In particular, their tank units and air force are exactly what we lack the most at present."

Molotov, the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, although he had strongly opposed negotiations earlier, was now forced to accept reality.

"If this is Joseph's decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully implement it."

“But I must point out that negotiations with the Dragon Kingdom will be extremely difficult. They will exploit our predicament to maximize their benefits.”

Joseph's eyes sharpened. "Comrade Molotov, that's exactly why we need your diplomatic skills."

"You must make Longguo understand that excessive greed will ultimately only harm their own interests. Moderate concessions can bring about long-term cooperation between the two countries, while excessive demands will only sow the seeds of future conflict."

Khrushchev, as the representative of the negotiation faction, was extremely cautious at this moment.

"Comrade Joseph, I fully support your decision."

"But do we need to consider the question: What if Longguo demands not only territory and resources, but also recognition of their leadership in the international community, and even adjustments to our domestic policies?"

This question touched a sensitive nerve for Joseph.

As the absolute leader of the Russians, he never tolerated any external forces interfering in internal affairs, even if they were allies of the Red Front.

"We can be flexible on territorial and resource issues,"

Joseph's voice grew hard.

"But on issues of political principle, we will never compromise. The Russian bear has always been the leader of the Red Front, and this cannot be challenged."

“If Longguo attempts to take advantage of our predicament to change this fact, then there is no need to continue the negotiations.”

Beria, the usually gloomy security minister, suddenly raised a question that everyone was worried about but had not said clearly.

"If Longguo rejects our terms or makes unacceptable demands, do we have a backup plan?"

The conference room suddenly fell silent.

Everyone knows that the Russian bear currently has almost no room for bargaining.

If Longguo refuses to negotiate or puts forward harsh conditions, the Far East Corps will face the danger of annihilation, and the collapse of the Western Front will be inevitable.

Joseph's expression grew more severe, but his tone remained firm.

“We must prepare for the worst. If the talks fail, we will be forced to take more radical measures to defend Moscow.”

He didn't say it explicitly, but everyone present understood the meaning behind this sentence.

The bears may be forced to use mushroom eggs as a last resort deterrent.

"In any case," Joseph concluded, "the most urgent task is to immediately send a negotiation delegation to Dragon Country."

"Comrade Molotov, you will lead the diplomatic team to the imperial capital as quickly as possible."

"Remember, time is our most precious resource. Every day of delay increases our danger on the Western Front."

He looked around at everyone in the conference room, his eyes flashing with steely determination.

"Comrades, the Russians have experienced more difficult times than this. We defeated Napoleon and the Hans Empire. We can also overcome this crisis."

“History will remember the decision we take today not as a capitulation, but as a necessary step to preserve the core of our alliance and ultimately achieve total victory…”