Chapter 42

"Perhaps you don't believe that the establishment of the blockade has nothing to do with the Soviet Union!" Actually, I don't believe it either, but Kirov didn't say that out loud. "The issue of West Berlin's status, the Soviet Union bears some responsibility. It was our failure to communicate well with the representatives of the United States, Britain, and France. After all, we cannot agree to the reunification of the two Germanies and their joining NATO. Any clear-eyed person knows what NATO is. Today, the Berlin incident has escalated to a situation that none of us want to see. The United States and other imperialist countries are to blame. But personally, I have some sympathy for the citizens of Greater Berlin, as they have become the victims. I'm sorry..."

As he said this, Kirov lowered his head and wiped his moist eyes. Sometimes such situations are very annoying, as being too emotionally invested can even move oneself. He didn't know if his words moved anyone, but at least when he was saying them, Kirov really forgot his own purpose, thinking he was an internationalist warrior who had traveled a long distance to seek welfare for the Germans, forgetting that he originally just wanted to embarrass the Americans...

All of this was recorded by the cameras in the hands of the journalists present, and would likely become the best shot for the newspaper. "Mr. Kirov, but this means that all of West Berlin is under blockade. Can't the Soviet Union make concessions?"

"Why don't you ask the United States to make concessions?" Kirov pointed at the journalist who asked the question, his face calm. "We hope Germany can become a neutral country, while the United States wants Germany to join NATO. Whose proposal is more reasonable? If your IQ is at least sixty, I believe you can make the right judgment. But given that you've asked this question, I now have doubts about your IQ. If you're willing to listen to my advice, I hope you can take a test..."

"Actually, I don't need to say all this to you. If the four countries—Soviet Union, United States, Britain, and France—withdraw their troops from Germany, I believe the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic can easily resolve the current issues. But from the proposal by Beria five years ago to the goodwill of General Secretary Khrushchev now, the United States, Britain, and France have ignored everything! They only keep pushing the Soviet Union back, back, and back. There is no need for further negotiations because the issue has exceeded my capabilities! Don't come to me about this in the future. As the head of this negotiation delegation, I have no effect!" Kirov sighed deeply at the end, putting on a tired look, as if handing over the issue to the GDR was like getting rid of a troublesome burden.

"From today on, the Berlin issue will be handled by us!" Markus Wolf, standing beside him, drew everyone's attention and said slowly, "Both the GDR and the FRG are Germans! The heavy burden of initiating World War II still weighs on Germany. All the problems in Germany today originated from that time. Now, I am very unwilling to admit that reunification as a single country may not be possible in the short term, as our fate is not in our own hands!"

Markus Wolf paused, as if making a great decision, and said with difficulty, "As a member of the socialist family, the GDR cannot remain aloof in the current world environment. I don't want to bring up such a heavy topic, but I have to. The compatriots in the FRG, we are now in two different camps! Let's not talk about the future, let's fight like men! Although we are of the same ethnicity, we now serve different masters..."

"General Markus Wolf, do you mean we are already enemies?" A choked female voice sounded, the journalist speaking German, likely from the FRG. The thing she least wanted to hear had happened. Markus Wolf's words were undoubtedly declaring that the situation was irreparable.

"We are not enemies, but since we are in this environment, we must fully respond. In future confrontations, the GDR will not hold back. This is a sign of disrespect to the FRG, and we are not wrong; it is the environment that is wrong!" Markus Wolf coughed several times before finishing his sentence.

Everyone could see that this was a heart-wrenching scene. For a moment, no journalist asked any more questions, as people were moved by the declaration that seemed to signify a split within the nation.

Kirov had drafted this speech. Sometimes, being straightforward is better than vague policies. It highlights the feeling of being caught in a situation beyond one's control and clearly states one's position and determination. This statement was already the best possible. If he were to rewrite it, Kirov couldn't guarantee it would be better.

Just like in 1953 when he woke up in the Soviet Union, it was a perfect starting point. Too late, and the collapse of socialist countries would be inevitable, as he needed time to develop. Too early, and he couldn't even save himself. 1953 was just right.

At this moment, a KGB colonel walked up to Kirov and whispered something in his ear, changing his calm demeanor. He left Markus Wolf there and hurriedly left the city hall.

"Are American soldiers causing trouble on the streets inside the blockade?" Kirov, sitting in the back of the car with his fingers interlaced, said with a smile, "What a bold move. The U.S. has one division in West Berlin, the UK has one division, and France has two understrength battalions, totaling no more than 10,000 men and a hundred tanks. They dare to come and provoke us?"

About ten minutes later, the car stopped at the confrontation site. On both sides of a barbed wire fence, American and British soldiers were facing off against the GDR's internal troops, with some Berlin citizens visible nearby.

"General, the American and British soldiers are tearing down the barbed wire, and our soldiers have noticed!" Kirov was informed of the situation as soon as he got out of the car. "I know. Do we have a megaphone?" Kirov came to the front line, looking at the confrontation scene separated by the barbed wire, and said into the megaphone, "Stop your foolish actions. If you take another step, you may not be able to bear the consequences!"

Kirov's arrival in his major general's uniform made the confrontation pause, and the GDR side's morale immediately rose. But at that moment, a sound very familiar to Kirov echoed from the opposite street. It was the sound of tank tracks. Indeed, two Sherman tanks slowly drove up from the end of the street, making Kirov's eyes narrow with a dangerous look, but he then smiled and said, "Look what I see, two large American-made lighters!"

The appearance of the two Sherman tanks made the atmosphere even more tense, with both sides' soldiers gripping their guns tightly. "Go to the city hall and bring all the journalists here!" Kirov called over his assistant and whispered, "Bring the 65th Guards Tank Regiment here. We must eliminate the idea of West Berlin breaking the blockade today, or the problem will never end..."

[Thank you to all the readers for your support, your encouragement is the driving force for Green Mountain to move forward.]