"Your Excellency Joseph, your country ceded those territories in the East European plains to our nation, and this was done under the terms of a treaty. The treaty is sacred and inviolable. However, now your country is secretly engaging in covert actions. Such behavior is absolutely unacceptable to us. Therefore, I demand an explanation from your country. Otherwise, this will undoubtedly have severe consequences for the relationship between our two nations!" Qin Tian declared vehemently.
Immediately, Joseph felt an immense pressure. He understood that if this issue were not resolved, it would undoubtedly affect the relations between Germany and the Soviet Republic of Russia. Such a development would not bode well for the Soviet Republic.
"Your Majesty, this is not the position of our government or my party. It is only a small faction within the party that harbors such thoughts. We fully recognize the Brest-Litovsk Treaty. Since it has been signed, we are committed to honoring it!" Joseph hastily explained.
Of course, Joseph secretly resented that the very reason the Brest-Litovsk Treaty had been signed was merely to secure German support, allowing them to focus more on consolidating their power. Had they not bowed to the Germans at the time, the entire Bolshevik party might have faced extinction. They had done so out of necessity. Had they possessed enough strength, they would have torn up the treaty and reclaimed the lost territories.
But now, Germany had emerged victorious in the Great War and was the world's dominant power. In the face of the German Empire, the Soviet Republic was undeniably weak. Expressing dissatisfaction with the treaty at this juncture would be tantamount to courting disaster. Should they offend Germany and provoke war between the two nations, the consequences would be dire.
Qin Tian's expression remained grim. "Comrade Joseph, I advise your country. If you wish to tear up the treaty, you should do so openly and honestly. If you are able to defeat the German Empire, then you may freely tear up the treaty. However, if you continue with these underhanded actions, the German Empire will take the most severe retaliatory measures!"
"Your Majesty, we absolutely will not tear up the treaty. Please believe us!" Joseph said, his forehead now drenched in sweat. He felt as though a mountain were pressing down upon him, almost suffocating him.
Seeing Joseph in such a discomfited state, Qin Tian secretly felt a sense of satisfaction. After all, in another timeline, this man was one of the "Big Three" of the Second World War!
"Very well, Your Excellency Joseph. I trust you and your country. The friendship between our two nations will not be affected by such trifles!" Qin Tian remarked.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. The friendship between our two nations will be unbreakable!" Joseph quickly responded.
"Your Excellency Joseph, to preserve the friendship between our two nations, I have a proposal that may effectively resolve the current issue!" Qin Tian suggested.
"Your Majesty, what proposal do you have?" Joseph inquired.
"Next spring, our country can offer your nation an opportunity. It is also an opportunity for those Russians who oppose the Empire. As long as they are willing, they may leave Germany and go to the Soviet Republic. The Empire will not interfere. Regardless of how many of your party members there are, they may leave the Empire. However, once they leave, they may never return. Should they attempt to return, the Empire will show no mercy!" Qin Tian stated.
Joseph immediately began to ponder. The reason they had sent a large number of Bolshevik agents to infiltrate was to cause trouble for Germany, preventing Germany from consolidating those territories. This way, when they counterattacked, they would benefit greatly.
But now, it seemed their original plan had been a grave mistake. The military actions taken by the Germans had caused them substantial losses. If they continued with their operations, their losses would only increase. Perhaps the best course of action would be to withdraw those agents back to their homeland.
"Your Majesty, this is an excellent idea. I personally agree with it. However, I need to report this to my country. I believe Comrade Ulyanov will also agree with it," Joseph said.
Qin Tian nodded. "If that is the case, then it could not be better!"
Though this proposal would lead to a significant loss of the German population in the territories of the East European plains, and possibly a severe labor shortage, the only benefit was that, without the interference of Bolshevik agents, Germany would be able to better absorb and consolidate those territories. In ten or twenty years, those territories would completely belong to Germany.
"However, Comrade Joseph, I must remind you that no matter how many of your people are in the East European plains, they must all be withdrawn. If they do not leave, they will be considered loyal citizens. If it is discovered that they are engaging in activities against the German Empire, the Empire will eliminate them all!" Qin Tian warned.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will ensure that they all leave!" Joseph immediately promised.
Of course, Qin Tian knew this was merely empty talk. The Bolsheviks would not be so obedient. Many of their agents would remain hidden.
Moreover, Germany would not allow them to get away with it. Qin Tian had mentioned that the evacuation would begin in the spring. The spring in the East European plains would not arrive until April or May. By that time, Qin Tian believed very few guerrillas or Bolshevik agents would still be alive.
"Your Excellency Joseph, the Empire places great importance on our friendly relations with the Soviet Republic. We hope that such matters will not occur again!" Qin Tian said.
"Your Majesty, I guarantee that nothing of the sort will happen again!" Joseph replied. He was already quite satisfied with this resolution. He believed that Comrade Ulyanov would also be pleased.
"Your Majesty, the Soviet Republic has only just defeated the White Army. Everything is in disarray. We hope to receive more support from Germany," Joseph said eagerly.
Joseph's other mission was to seek more support from Germany to aid in the rapid development of the Soviet Republic's industry. Before the revolution, Russia's industry had been the weakest among the great powers. The Great War and the Civil War had dealt devastating blows to their industrial base. In truth, the Soviet Republic's industry now resembled nothing more than a barren wasteland. To rebuild and even create a stronger industrial base, they needed more support.
"Your Excellency Joseph, Germany is willing to provide all the assistance it can to the Soviet Republic!" Qin Tian responded, without hesitation.