The Russian Provisional Government's Politburo meeting ended. Andreyev left the conference room surrounded by his followers, wearing the air of a victor. In his view, he had already won this meeting. Molotov had been nailed to the pillar of shame. From now on, Molotov could no longer pose any threat to him.
Unfortunately, Andreyev seemed to have celebrated too soon. Neither Kalinin nor Mikoyan was discouraged by this. Instead, they still wore smiles, as though everything remained firmly in their grasp.
Just as Marshal Shaposhnikov was about to leave the conference room, Kalinin called out to him.
"Comrade Shaposhnikov, do you have time? Shall we go have a drink?"
Marshal Shaposhnikov had just been about to refuse, but then something occurred to him, and he nodded.
Marshal Shaposhnikov was also an exceptionally clever man. He knew that both Andreyev and Molotov wanted to win his support. Yet, in order to safeguard his own interests, he had always maintained a neutral stance, helping neither side. Only that way could he play both ends against the middle.
However, Andreyev's methods this time appeared far too foolish in Marshal Shaposhnikov's eyes, and that gave him other thoughts.
Kalinin and Mikoyan returned to their residence with Marshal Shaposhnikov.
Only after a bottle of Vodka did their conversation gradually get to the heart of the matter.
"Comrade Shaposhnikov, what do you think of Comrade Andreyev's decision?" Kalinin asked.
Comrade Shaposhnikov thought for a moment before replying, "The conditions put forward by the Germans are indeed too harsh. But in the face of German strength, do we still have the right to refuse? Bluntly rejecting the Germans' terms will only make them even angrier. When that happens, we will pay an even greater price."
"Yes, Comrade Shaposhnikov, that is what we think as well. Comrade Andreyev's