After seeing off Ribbentrop, Germany's representative to Buru, Molotov immediately headed to the Kremlin to report the matter to Joseph.
"Comrade Joseph, the Germans' attitude is extremely hard-line. If we do not give them a satisfactory answer, they will certainly use this opportunity to stir up trouble. When that happens, it will be very disadvantageous to us," Molotov said.
Joseph clenched a pipe between his teeth, his brow tightly furrowed and his expression grim. There was no doubt that he had known nothing about the Border Guards crossing the border without authorization to attack the Kingdom of Ukraine. Even now, he had not received the slightest report. If Molotov had not come to brief him, he would have remained completely in the dark.
After the Great Purge, Joseph had believed that Buru was entirely under his control. His will could be carried out to the letter. But now it seemed he had taken things too much for granted. There were still many areas beyond his control.
Such an outcome was undoubtedly unacceptable to Joseph. After all, the military was one of a nation's most important foundations—far too important. Whoever controlled the military could control the regime. Back when he had competed with Trotsky, if Trotsky had not been foolish enough to hold the military in his hands yet not know how to use it, Joseph could never have won. Trotsky at the time possessed strength that utterly crushed his own. This made Joseph resolve that the Great Purge had to continue. Only then could he further strengthen his control over the military and even all of Buru.
"Comrade Molotov, this is indeed a major matter. You have done well. No matter what, at this time we cannot fall out with the Germans. That would be extremely disadvantageous to us. Over