The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

Stalin's ideal candidate was Molotov.

Because he had just held alliance negotiations with the Lion Kingdom and the Gallic Kingdom.

Moreover, he is calm, quick-witted, and has excellent speaking skills, making him the perfect negotiator.

Unexpectedly, Molotov, who had remained silent until now, stood up on his own initiative.

"Comrade Stalin, I am willing to go to negotiate with the Dragon Flame Legion as our representative."

Molotov's willingness to volunteer delighted Stalin.

“Very well, Comrade Molotov, then I’ll trouble you to make the trip.”

Molotov nodded and made a request.

"Comrade Stalin, my negotiation delegation needs someone to join us."

"Just tell me who you want."

"I want Zhigarev."

"Who is Zhigarev? I've never heard of him."

Molotov quickly explained, "Comrade Zhigarev participated in the air force aiding China a few years ago and was promoted to Air Force Major General after returning home."

"He was once rescued by the Dragon Flame Legion in China and knew this Long Fei, and they had some acquaintance."

Stalin picked up his pipe, took a few puffs silently, and then nodded.

"I know what you mean. You want to use their relationship to help you complete this negotiation smoothly."

Molotov did not deny it, but nodded slightly and added.

"Chinese people value relationships very much. I sent Zhigalev because I wanted to play the emotional card and hopefully achieve good results."

Stalin nodded emphatically: "Alright, I agree. Get ready and leave as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for your good news."

"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Zhigarev was inspecting the pilots' daily training at the airport when he suddenly received an urgent phone call instructing him to get to Moscow as quickly as possible and report to Molotov.

Although he didn't know what it was about, Zhigarev knew it must be something serious when he was told to report to Molotov, so he didn't dare to delay and rushed to Moscow immediately.

After being led into Gamolotov's office, he quickly stood at attention and saluted.

"Comrade Molotov, this is Zhigarev reporting for duty."

"Comrade Zhigarev, please have a seat."

After the two sat down, Molotov went straight to the point and asked, "How much do you know about Long Fei?"

Zhigalev was somewhat bewildered. He hadn't expected that the reason he'd been sent on such a whirlwind journey was to inquire about Long Fei.

Zhigalev paused for a moment, then immediately answered truthfully.

“I didn’t know him for long. He saved me and then escorted me safely to Jinling City. After that, we said goodbye.”

"However, judging from his words and actions, I think he is a commander who is very courageous, upright, and intelligent."

"May I ask why you are asking me about Long Fei?"

Molotov didn't intend to hide it from him; after all, the news was flying around, and he was going to join the negotiating team anyway.

"Didn't you watch the news?"

"No, I've been inspecting pilots' training at frontline airports recently, so I haven't been paying attention to the news in the newspapers."

Molotov sighed and continued, "Comrade Zhigarev, your savior is amazing! He has defeated the Japanese army in China and now his troops have grown to hundreds of thousands."

Zhigalev was genuinely happy for Long Fei and blurted out excitedly, "Really? That's amazing!"

"But after he conquered Liaoning Province, it would definitely affect our interests in the three northeastern provinces. So Comrades Stalin and Zhu Kefu sent representatives to warn him."

“Ah…” Zhigalev exclaimed in surprise.

Molotov paused for a moment, then continued.

"As a result, Long Fei not only ignored our explanation, but also threatened us, saying that his Longyan Legion did not recognize the treaty signed between the former Qing government and us, and that he wanted to take back the ceded land."

"As a result, the talks broke down, and then Comrade Stalin instructed Comrade Zhu Kefu to teach Long Fei a lesson."

"Zhu Kefu first dispatched more than 200 aircraft to bomb Liaoning, but unexpectedly, only a few of these aircraft returned, and the rest were all shot down by Long Fei."

"Wow...is it that amazing?"

Zhigarev's reaction was normal; anyone would have reacted the same way upon hearing the news, so Molotov wasn't surprised.

"That's not all. Afterwards, Comrade Zhukov mobilized 500,000 troops from the Transbaikal Front, preparing to pass through the country on horseback and Suiyuan Province to directly attack Liaoning Province."

"Unexpectedly, the 500,000-strong army was completely annihilated by Long Fei's troops. According to news reports, tens of thousands of our troops were killed, and the remaining 400,000 were all captured."

"Wow...this is too...unbelievable!"

Zhigarev's reaction this time made Molotov somewhat impatient.

"Just listen to me quietly, don't keep saying 'ah...ah...' all the time."

Zhigalev hurriedly nodded apologetically.

"This Long Fei has now occupied Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Hailanpao, and has also wiped out our Far East Regional Command."

"Comrade Zhukov and all the personnel of the headquarters were captured by him."

Although Zhigalev opened his mouth wide in terror, he managed to keep quiet.

Molotov concluded, "Longfei's men also occupied Ulaanbaatar and declared the return of sovereignty over the horseback kingdom."

Zhigarev then realized that Molotov had summoned him in such a hurry because he knew Long Fei and wanted him to do something.

But despite his speculations, Zhigarev remained silent, waiting for the other party to speak first.

Molotov then stared at Zhigarev and said something meaningful.

"Comrade Stalin has decided to send a negotiation delegation to negotiate with Long Fei's side. I know that Long Fei saved you, so I suggested that you join."

"We will depart for Khabarovsk tonight. Long Fei has received our telegram and has already sent people to repair the airport runway."

"Comrade Zhigalev, the time has come when the motherland needs you. I hope you will do your best to get Long Fei to make concessions, release all prisoners, and withdraw from the cities we have occupied."

"what……"

Zhigalev never expected to be given such a difficult task.

To be honest, he wasn't really confident that if he had saved Long Fei back then, he might be able to get Long Fei to back down based on the life-saving grace.

But now it was clearly Long Fei who saved him, and he already owed the other party a huge favor, so how could he possibly persuade the other party to make concessions?

"Stop 'ah'ing. Think carefully about how to communicate with Long Fei. This mission is very important, and you must do your best to complete it unconditionally."

Zhigalev felt as if he had been pushed into the crater of a volcano, and that he would most likely fall in and turn to ashes.

But in this situation, there is absolutely no possibility of refusing.

Zhigalev had no choice but to agree, resigned to the thought of "do or die trying."

"Comrade Molotov, for the sake of the motherland, for Comrade Stalin and for you, I will do my best."

After a long flight, the negotiating delegation led by Molotov landed safely at Khabarovsk Airport.

Long Fei did not go to the airport to greet them, but instead sent a monk with a platoon of soldiers to meet them.

Although Molotov had no military rank, he was very dissatisfied when he got off the plane and saw that Long Fei had only sent a colonel to greet him.

Molotov, with a stern face, refused to shake hands with the monk, while threatening him.

"Have your Dragon Legion Commander come to greet us personally, otherwise we will cancel the talks and return immediately."

The monk had already received instructions from Long Fei, so after listening to the translation, he immediately raised his hand and made a gesture of invitation.

"You requested to come here for negotiations. Since you want to go back now, then go back. Take care, and don't bother seeing me off."