Shaposhnikov believed that if he dared say even half a word of opposition to Joseph's plan, an exceedingly miserable fate awaited him. By nature, Joseph was suspicious; he would surely suspect that Shaposhnikov's loyalty to him had begun to waver. Once such a beginning took shape, Shaposhnikov's subsequent fate was naturally easy to imagine.
After these possible outcomes flashed through his mind like lightning and sparks, Shaposhnikov immediately made his choice.
"Comrade Joseph, this is indeed an excellent opportunity. We Russians have lived year-round amid such ice and snow; our resistance to the cold is absolutely beyond comparison with the Germans and their Puppet Troops. In weather this cold, they can only hide in their camps and shiver, utterly incapable of fighting. Our soldiers, on the other hand, are completely different. The Germans may not even expect us to launch an attack at a time like this. When the time comes, we will certainly catch them off guard. Therefore, I completely agree with your view!" Shaposhnikov immediately said, against his own conscience.
Although he knew what the consequences would be, Shaposhnikov no longer cared in the slightest in order to preserve his power.
Joseph nodded repeatedly after hearing this. Shaposhnikov's words even made him more resolute in his decision. He increasingly felt that this was an exceptionally rare opportunity, and that missing it would be deeply regrettable.
"Someone, go invite Comrade Voroshilov here. There is no better place for this counterattack than the Western Front!" Joseph said. The Western Front was currently the largest army group in the Russian military, with an enormous force of more than three million men. Joseph believed that if the Western Front could achieve victory in this Winter Offensive, it might turn around the unfavorable situation facing Buru in one stroke.
The secretary immediately phoned