"Joseph, you must contact the Germans soon. We need to procure various machines and equipment from them. The civil war has dealt a heavy blow to Russia's already fragile industry. Now that the war is nearly over, we must seize the opportunity to develop our industry, restore it, and even make it stronger," Ulyanov said.
"Yes, Comrade Chairman. However, do we have the funds to purchase these machines from the Germans? The Germans only care for gold and silver," Joseph replied, his voice laced with uncertainty.
The Bolsheviks had always been financially strained, and even now, they had not been able to resolve the basic needs of the people. Although they had seized a great deal of wealth in the overthrow of the Romanov dynasty, a portion had been embezzled by those involved in the revolution, and another part had been paid as war reparations to Germany. The remainder had been spent on military expenses during the civil war. If not for the rationing system the Bolsheviks had implemented, they would have been bankrupt by now.
In such a situation, procuring machinery from Germany seemed an insurmountable challenge.
"Could we take a loan from the Germans? Perhaps we can use that loan to purchase the machines we need," Gamenev suggested.
"That seems unlikely," Joseph responded. "Before our revolution succeeded, the Germans supported us in order to use us against the Tsarist regime. But now, the situation has changed. If we grow stronger, we may pose a threat to them. It's hard to imagine that the Germans will continue supporting us as they did before."
Ulyanov nodded, acknowledging the validity of Joseph's concerns. Before the Bolsheviks overthrew the Tsar, they were merely pawns to be manipulated by the Germans. Now, they had transformed into potential adversaries.
"Kaiser Wilhelm III is a shrewd man. I truly cannot fathom why he would continue to support us. If we want to procure machinery from the Germans, we'll likely have to pay in hard cash," Joseph added.
"If the Germans won't do, what about the Americans? Could they lend us money?" Gamenev asked.
"The American military has just withdrawn from Russia. Moreover, Americans are first and foremost businessmen; securing a loan from them would be even more difficult," Joseph shook his head.
The Bolshevik leaders and military officers in the room fell into a somber silence. Although the revolution was on the brink of success, the crises they faced showed no signs of abating. For them, the road ahead remained uncertain.
"Comrades, the situation is indeed critical, but I firmly believe that with the support of the people, we will prevail!" Ulyanov rallied, unwilling to let them lose hope.
"Though we lack funds, we still have other resources to trade with the Germans. We have an abundance of grain, timber, and other mineral resources. Whatever the Germans require, we can provide! As long as we can exchange these goods for machinery, we will quickly grow stronger. At that point, we won't have to fear the Germans," Ulyanov continued.
"Indeed, we can barter with the Germans. Joseph, do you think they will agree?" Trotsky asked.
"I don't know, but I am willing to negotiate with them. Comrade Chairman, I will do my utmost to facilitate this deal with the Germans," Joseph replied.
"Excellent, Joseph. I hope you succeed. The people will not forget your contributions," Ulyanov said.
"Comrade Chairman, it is my duty," Joseph answered, though inwardly, he was pleased. He did not care whether the people remembered his efforts, as long as Ulyanov did. With that recognition, once Ulyanov was gone, Joseph would be in line to inherit his position. Power and status were all that mattered to him.
"Comrade Chairman, there is another matter I must report. The partisan forces we established in the German-occupied areas have sent word that large German troops are being dispatched to those regions. We believe that the Germans are planning to crush those partisans. The Germans are too powerful, with superior equipment. Our partisans will likely be no match for them. I suggest we withdraw them to preserve our strength," Trotsky advised.
"Withdraw?" Ulyanov frowned.
"If we withdraw, won't all our previous efforts be in vain? I want our partisans to establish themselves in that land, to continue resisting the Germans. Only then will the people there remember they are Russian. Otherwise, they will quickly forget their identity and our cause. If that happens, how will we ever hope to reclaim that land?" Ulyanov's tone was firm, clearly opposed to the withdrawal of the partisans.
After signing the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, Ulyanov had begun to regret the concessions made in that agreement. The losses were significant, and this made him obsess over that territory. That was why he had ordered Trotsky to form partisan groups there—to secure local support, and when the time came to strike Germany, these partisans could aid in an internal and external assault. Another reason was to maintain their influence over the people; if the people forgot them, they would lose the chance to regain those territories.
"Very well, Comrade Chairman," Trotsky replied with a nod, though he inwardly sighed. He knew that the partisans would likely face devastating losses. Against the fully armed German forces, how could they possibly hold out?
The next day, Joseph departed from Moscow, heading for Berlin to meet with the German government in secret, to discuss the possibility of exchanging grain and other agricultural products, as well as mineral resources, for machinery. Joseph took the task Ulyanov had assigned him seriously. The more Ulyanov valued him, the greater his chances of succeeding him in the future.
Even so, Joseph felt uncertain about the success of this mission. Would he truly be able to accomplish Ulyanov's objectives in Germany? Only time would tell.