General Secretary Stalin had intended to hold a meeting to discuss the *Pacific Charter*, but was interrupted by the latest changes in the European situation. There were quite a few intellectuals in Britain who looked forward to communism, and many of them held positions in the British government. The news of the negotiations starting between Britain and Germany made these communists very angry. This group of British intellectuals, who believed that the Soviet Union represented the future of mankind, passed the news to the CPSU.

The CPSU had long been accustomed to suddenly receiving intelligence provided by these "bring-your-own-dry-provisions" communists (volunteers), so much so that Stalin initially dared not quite believe this intelligence. According to the analysis of the Soviet intelligence department, this channel that sent the intelligence had also sent very detailed intelligence about Germany attacking the Soviet Union on May 15, providing even the basic organization and commander list of the German army.

This intelligence was not an isolated case; several intelligence sources that the Soviet Union trusted very much provided the same content. Under mutual corroboration, the CPSU intelligence department believed that the credibility of this intelligence was very high.

Regarding the latest progress of the secret negotiations between Britain and Germany, the two sides had already reached many consensuses. Germany would withdraw from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. Those important ports that could launch attacks on Britain would not become the starting points for German attacks on Britain. Correspondingly, although Britain also demanded a solution to the Polish issue, it no longer demanded an immediate solution.

Correspondingly, Britain would lift the trade blockade against Germany. It was said that Britain accepted Germany's trade list and allowed Germany to import a large amount of rubber and a certain amount of oil.

Britain proposed that only after Germany withdrew from France and allowed France to become completely independent could Britain restore diplomatic relations with Germany. It was said that Germany expressed agreement, but Germany wanted to sign a new peace and friendship treaty with France before withdrawing its troops.

At the CPSU Politburo meeting, the members were both surprised and disdainful of the compromise between Britain and Germany. It was normal for imperialist countries to maneuver among political groupings, but in the face of the *Pacific Charter*, the reconciliation between Britain and fascism could truly be counted as a classic case.

At this time, the secretary distributed new documents to the members. The content on these documents was either not yet certain or content on which Britain and Germany had not yet reached a consensus. The first item surprised the CPSU members. Britain actually demanded that Germany must not take the initiative to attack the Soviet Union. Once Germany took the initiative to attack the Soviet Union, Britain would form an anti-German alliance with the Soviet Union.

Anglo-Soviet relations were not good. As early as the tenure of the late former Prime Minister Chamberlain, Britain had formulated a military plan named "Operation Thunderstorm." Britain believed that the Soviet Union was very likely unable to withstand a German attack. In order to prevent Germany from getting the oil fields in the Baku region of the Soviet Union, Britain deployed bomber formations in British colonies such as the Middle East, ready to destroy the Soviet Union's Baku oil fields at any time.

There were a large number of pro-Soviet people in Britain, and this plan was leaked to the Soviet Union. What the Soviet Union obtained was not only the news but also a photographed version of this plan. The purpose of the plan and the execution plan were fully grasped by the Soviet Union. Many people in the CPSU knew about this matter, but they didn't expect that Britain would actually demand that Germany not take the initiative to attack the Soviet Union.

Mikoyan suddenly spoke. "I think Britain's demand is enough to prove that the Soviet Union is already a key force in maintaining European peace. Under the leadership of General Secretary Stalin, Britain has to respect the Soviet Union very much."

The CPSU members were all very clear about Mikoyan's skill in flattery. Mikoyan would not flatter hypocritically; every time, he would praise the achievements obtained by the Soviet Union relatively realistically, and then praise the wise leadership of General Secretary Stalin. Also flattering, Mikoyan did it with great style. With Comrade Mikoyan as a shining example before them, how could the other members be willing to lag behind? Regardless of their level, they praised General Secretary Stalin's wise leadership in unison.

Facing the tide of eulogies, General Secretary Stalin felt quite pleased despite his disdain. This kind of statement was necessary, but what General Secretary Stalin cared about was still national affairs. He waved his hand, and the comrades immediately quieted down. General Secretary Stalin said, "Comrades. If this intelligence is true, Germany is very likely planning to attack the Soviet Union. regarding this matter, we must treat it with caution. In addition to accelerating the construction of fortified regions, the Red Army must not give Germany an excuse to start a war."

These words fully accorded with the thoughts of the CPSU members. In the Western European campaign, the Maginot Line was completely useless, and the field defense system was like a sham under the sharp attacks of the German army. Although the offensive Red Army proposed by Tukhachevsky was indeed too theoretical and exceeded the Soviet Union's current industrial strength, the overall line of thought was not wrong.

At this time, Stalin's handling of simply letting Tukhachevsky stand aside won the praise of everyone again. Traditional Russian struggles were very cruel; once one lost power, one's life might not be preserved. Since Stalin came to power, he had adhered to the bottom line of not killing people. Now, Tukhachevsky's concept was considered to have certain correctness, and Tukhachevsky himself was only sidelined, so the development of the Red Army in offensive aspects was not interrupted.

At this stage, the construction idea of the Soviet Red Army turned to building fortified regions in large cities of the homeland, while equipping a large number of armored units. The mobile forces would rely on the solid fortified regions to fight. Such an idea received high recognition.

The CPSU members generally believed that as long as they waited until the completion of the Third Five-Year Plan, the Soviet Red Army could be in an invincible position in a war of homeland defense. And the demand Britain made to Germany was enough to prove the importance Britain attached to the Soviet Union.

The meeting discussed the current European situation. The CPSU members generally believed that Britain would not go to war with China at this stage, and expressed doubts about whether Germany would withdraw from France. France was already a dead dog now; even if Germany withdrew from France, it would take France at least ten years to possess the ability to resist a German attack.

Once Germany withdrew from France, the new French government would have complete sovereignty, and the Free French government would lose its legitimacy and appeal. Britain not only dismantled China's grip on using France through diplomatic means but could also maintain colonial rule together with France. This had huge benefits for Britain. France had to join the camp opposing China, which also reduced the possibility of France taking revenge on Germany. And while Germany would not attack the Soviet Union, Germany would definitely guard against the Soviet Union, guarding the eastern gateway of Western European capitalism and offsetting the Soviet Union's external influence.

The United States very much wanted to provoke a European civil war to profit for itself. Once the European continent formed a balance of power again, the opportunity for the United States to intervene in Europe would also disappear. When Britain negotiated with the United States again, it would not have to be coerced by the United States.

Analyzing the whole situation, Britain was still able to balance the world by relying on its own means, highlighting Britain's strength.

As for whether China would declare war on fascism and colonialism in accordance with the *Pacific Charter*, the CPSU Central Committee believed it was impossible. The European upper class had a very high evaluation of He Rui, and the Soviet upper class also recognized He Rui's ability. However, the Soviet upper class believed that He Rui was a leader who knew very well how to judge the hour and size up the situation, a shrewd realist. Therefore, the CPSU Central Committee believed that He Rui would not choose to go to war with the entire Europe and America.

The final decision of the CPSU Central Committee was to wait for changes. They would not only watch the changes in the European situation but also wait for the qualitative change in the Soviet Union's development.

In Britain and Germany, there were a not-insignificant number of socialists who believed that China represented the future of the world. The news of the Anglo-German negotiations was sent to China by these people, and the Chinese intelligence agencies sent the analyzed intelligence to the Central Committee.

If the *Pacific Charter* had not been proposed by He Rui, the comrade who proposed it would have inevitably suffered huge pressure. Looking only at the results, the Pacific Charter stimulated fascism represented by Germany and colonialism represented by Britain. Now the two were beginning to approach negotiations, and soon a new alliance might be formed.

Britain, this "shit-stirrer," was very proficient in the continental balance of power policy. According to Britain's line of thought, France was now very weak. Britain used Germany to contain the Soviet Union, used France to contain Germany, and conversely used the Soviet Union to contain Germany, using Germany to balance France. On this balance, an anti-liberation imperialist force was formed.

Before seeing it happen with their own eyes, the comrades really didn't expect that Britain could actually push the situation to the current stage. Regarding Britain's means, the comrades had a kind of egoistic annoyance.

Seeing the comrades holding back their silence, He Rui took the initiative to say, "The last time Britain fought us, they used a million troops. Britain is doing very well at this stage, but when will Britain be able to send out its million troops?"

Seeing the comrades' expressions improve slightly, He Rui continued, "Colonialism, fascism, and white supremacy uniting together is a good thing for the Global Liberation War. The higher the clarity of the war concept, the more valuable the victory or defeat of the war. The more the reactionaries gather, the more the people of Europe and America can recognize the situation."

He Rui had spoken, so the comrades said no more. Although war was dangerous and no one dared to be sure of a so-called certain victory, since He Rui had spoken, the comrades were willing to believe that He Rui could lead them to win this seemingly very difficult war. In the past twenty-plus years, the national liberation that the comrades longed for, He Rui led the comrades to complete. The national dignity that the comrades looked forward to, He Rui led the comrades to obtain. The prosperity of the country and the strength of the people that the comrades imagined, He Rui led the comrades to realize.

What the comrades thought of, He Rui realized. What the comrades dared not think of, He Rui also realized. Now, He Rui told the comrades that China wanted to become the leader of the future world order and needed the comrades to continue to follow He Rui forward. The comrades could not find any reason to refuse. Even if the comrades could not imagine what the world order led by China would be like, the comrades believed that it would inevitably allow China to reach an unprecedented height and obtain unprecedented benefits.

He Rui did not continue to encourage the comrades; he turned to more realistic matters. "At present, we must observe the future of the current British Prime Minister Churchill. Given Churchill's character, he is very likely not to agree to an Anglo-German compromise. If Churchill prevents Anglo-German peace, he will be forced to step down."

The Central Committee members of the Civilization Party had little interest in Churchill; even after He Rui said this, the comrades didn't have much interest. War required massive amounts of materials and equipment. Seeing that He Rui was not prepared to talk about the gathering of reactionary forces anymore, the Minister of Finance began his work report. The Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Land and Resources, completed the latest report on China's raw materials situation. As the lead person, the Minister of Finance reported China's import situation to the Central Committee.

He Rui said nothing this time, just concentrating on the lines representing trade routes on the huge map hanging there. For a moment, He Rui really wanted the comrades of the Military Commission to take a good look at this map. As long as they could understand this map, they would have the line of thought for formulating campaigns.

In addition to China's commercial map, the Ministry of Commerce also had a map regarding the trade content of countries around the world. If one understood these, one could understand the blow given to the enemy by every liberation campaign. Even the United States, with its vast territory, sparse population, and abundant resources, could not obtain all important resources on its own. Europe's resources were even less sufficient to maintain the current operation of the European economy.

If Hitler was genuinely willing to make so many concessions, what he sought was only the lifting of Britain's restrictions on Germany's input of raw materials and output of finished products. Looking at the future war from this angle, the more colonies China liberated, the fewer resources the enemy would have in their hands. In order to obtain resources, the enemy would have to send troops to fight for key regions. Those key regions were very far away for China, and equally far away for the enemy. This was China's opportunity to win. When the enemy's elite were exhausted in these regions, the strength the enemy used to guard their reactionary centers would be weaker, and their troops would become fewer and fewer.

This time, China had accumulated rich experience in the independence process of the four southern countries. After the new order was established in the four southern countries, it could at least maintain the manpower source and financial expenditure for at least four ordinary infantry divisions joining the World People's Liberation Army. Although these liberated colonial troops could not yet undertake tasks such as main attacks, as long as politically reliable personnel could be selected, their ability as line-filling infantry was no problem. Moreover, every country had personnel with good physical health and sufficient education; they could also form air forces and navies to join the war.

In He Rui's ideal, when the World People's Liberation Army approached the reactionary ruling centers of Europe, one-third of the World People's Liberation Army would be Chinese troops, one-third would be liberated former colonial troops, and one-third would be European revolutionaries. Moreover, the commander of the coalition forces liberating Europe had better not be Chinese.

After the meeting, He Rui went to the Military Commission. Zhong Yifu, Minister of the General Logistics Department, presented the latest equipment situation to He Rui. Zhong Yifu's voice was a bit hoarse. "Chairman, by October, there can be 20 aircraft carriers entering active service. regarding the Air Force, we finally completed the recruitment of 300,000 pilots. Those kids who fought with Germany didn't let us down. I've watched the exercises between them and other units; it's the difference between a sharpened blade and a wooden club."

"It must be so," He Rui replied decisively. He Rui had seen the human air combat rankings; most of the top 100 were German pilots. Facing such an air force, the Chinese Volunteer Army could still generally come back alive after more than 100 sorties. Part of the reason was indeed that the German Air Force at this time did not have that much experience yet, but if the Chinese pilots themselves lacked sufficient quality, they certainly could not have come back alive.

Seeing that He Rui remained very calm, Zhong Yifu felt very reassured in his heart. With a feeling of reassurance, he continued, "Chairman, both the General Logistics Department and the General Staff Department believe that even if we launch the liberation war at this stage, we can still win the war."

"Can't wait?" He Rui teased.

Zhong Yifu didn't smile. He asked, "Chairman, I think at this stage we can absolutely strike first before Europe completes its adjustment."

"Yifu, the reason for war must be very clear and have sufficient justice. This war is initiated by us, so we need to let the people understand this even more. Although the enemy's adjustment will increase the difficulty of the war, it can also let the people better understand our justice. Different degrees of understanding determine the will to fight. You commanded the Sino-British War; at what stage did our side's will to fight reach a very high level?"

Zhong Yifu thought for a good while before saying, "Chairman, purely from a time perspective, it was after we captured the ANZAC Corps and sent them to trial."

He Rui nodded. "I know what you mean. At that stage, our logistics problems were also greatly improved. Let me ask you a question: Can the improvement of our equipment raise the comrades' will to fight to that level?"

Zhong Yifu recalled for a while again and then sighed, "Indeed! After the comrades received sufficient supplies, they had the confidence to defeat the enemy. Moreover, the comrades saw the massacre of the Burmese people by the imperialist army, and their will to fight became even firmer."

"This war will be unprecedented in terms of intensity, severity, and duration. Our army will certainly be able to get sufficient supplies, and the enemy will also have sufficient supplies in the early stages of the war. At this stage, whoever has a firmer will to fight will be able to achieve better results. Personally, I don't think an army shouting white supremacy can win in will to fight against an army that firmly believes in world liberation.

"Yifu, white people are also human; their reactions are no different from normal humans. The so-called sense of superiority of white people is based on the fact that white people have acted recklessly all over the world for hundreds of years without being punished. Once they also die in the hundreds of thousands or millions, this groundless self-confidence will be shaken and shattered.

"At that time, what on earth will these people use to inspire their spirit to fight to the death?

"When we fought the Sino-Japanese War back then, the officers and soldiers at least had simple feelings of home and country. After driving away the Japanese invaders, the Chinese people could live their lives in peace. When our army starts to attack the base camp of reactionary forces, they won't even have such determination. As long as our political work is in place, those officers and soldiers who want to protect their own countries will also realize that their good days cannot continue to exist. Because their so-called good days were originally built on invading other countries, killing and enslaving other people. Losing colonialism, if they still want to maintain their old life, that is basically impossible. How desperate do you think they will be at that time!"