"Who?" I asked Livinov alertly without waiting for Livinov to finish. "Who wants to see me?"

Seeing my vigilant expression, Livinov smiled, and calmly said a name that made me startled: "Eleanor Roosevelt, President Roosevelt's wife, first lady of the United States."

Although I always wanted to meet the first lady in my heart, when Livinov said that the other party wanted to see me, I couldn't help but feel a little flustered. I quickly weighed the pros and cons in my heart, and finally asked cautiously: "Comrade Ambassador, I don’t know about this. Have you reported to the People’s Committee for Foreign Affairs?"

Hearing my mention of Molotov, the expression on Livinov’s face was stagnant, and after a while, he smiled bitterly and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, this time the first lady invited you to meet, it is private. Yes. As long as you want, I will arrange your meeting as soon as possible. As for Molotov, you only need to say hello to him. I don’t think he will be good at this kind of good thing that can enhance the friendship between the Soviet Union and the United States. Obstructive."

After listening to Livinov's words, I still asked worriedly: "Is it really appropriate to meet the first lady in private like this?"

Livinov laughed, "Comrade Oshanina, when you went to the Norfolk Naval Base today, did you see the commander of the Atlantic Naval Command, or the commander of the base? If not, you This trip to Norfolk is also personal."

I savored Livinov’s words carefully, and thought it made sense. Although Marshall offered to let me go to Norfolk, Colonel Henry, who accompanied me, did not take me to see any base or fleet at all. The senior commander of the United States, even the visit of the Eldridge, was also hindered by a lot of obstacles. Perhaps it was only Marshall thanking me for the help I provided in the formulation of their "Overlord Plan" that Colonel Henry accompanied me to the Norfolk Naval Base in a personal capacity, and the right was to return my favor.

Mrs. Roosevelt sent a message through Livinov, hoping to have a private meeting with me. If Molotov would say this, he would definitely hate him in the future. After all, he is one of the most trustworthy people around the Supreme Commander, and he has the ability to easily solve me. In contrast, Livinov sitting in front of me is a marginalized figure. Although Stalin still has a good impression of him, from all indications, he may not have any chance to be reused again. Too close to him will bring disastrous consequences to me.

Thought of this. I took a deep breath, and then resolutely said to Livinov: "Ambassador Livinov, I am grateful that you can give me a chance to meet Mrs. Roosevelt. But whether this is a formal meeting or a personal one. When you meet, you must consult Comrade Molotov in advance, and I can give you a definite answer after getting his consent."

My remarks complicated the expression on Livinov's face, and he thought it over and over again. Finally reluctantly nodded, and said with difficulty: "Comrade Oshanina, since you must persist in this way, then do what you said."

For this kind of thing, I always advocate strike while the iron is hot. Seeing that Livinov has agreed, I quickly urged him politely: "Since this is the case, Comrade Ambassador, let's go and see Comrade People's Committee immediately. Talking with Minister Khrulev. I will not rest for the time being."

Livinov could not refute my proposal, so he followed me to Molotov's room.

When I came to the door, the two security guards stared at me with surprised eyes, seeming to be surprised that I had gone and returned. I don't have time to guess what they are thinking. He said to the person who just opened the door for me: "I have an urgent matter and need to see Comrade People's Committee immediately. Please inform me."

The man glanced at me and Livinov, turned around and knocked on the door twice as before, then pushed the door open a crack and poked his head in. Almost at the same time, I heard Molotov's stern voice: "What's the matter?"

"It's General Oshanina." The security guard replied, "She said that there is an important matter and she must report to you immediately."

After hearing the report from the security personnel, Molotov was silent for a while, and then said: "Please come in."

The security personnel retracted their heads, pushed open the door, and said to us politely: "Please come in!"

Molotov was the only one left in the room, and Khrulev was not seen. Maybe he went back to his room. When Molotov saw Livinov next to me, his face couldn't help showing a look of surprise. He got up from the sofa he was sitting on, and asked in a stern tone: "Oshanina, is there anything important for you to come here at this time?"

"Comrade People's Committee for Foreign Affairs," I first addressed him politely, then turned to look at Livinov and said, "Comrade Ambassador just told me that Mrs. Roosevelt wanted to meet me in a private name. This is the most important thing. , I think it is necessary to report to you and wait until your permission before deciding whether to meet with the President's wife."

"Is that so? Comrade Livinov." After hearing what I said, Molotov turned his gaze to Livinov.

"Yes, Comrade People's Committee for Diplomacy." Livinov replied in a humble manner: "Today I received a call from the White House office, saying that the President's wife would like to meet with General Oshanina in private. "

After getting Livinov's confirmation, Molotov looked at me again and asked noncommitantly: "Comrade Oshanina, how do you think about this matter?"

"Comrade People's Committee for Foreign Affairs, I am fully obedient to your instructions!" I respectfully said to Molotov, "If you think I should meet, then go meet; if there is no need to meet, I will be gone. ."

My respectful attitude softened the expression on Molotov’s face. He took off his glasses, breathed a sigh on the lenses, took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, and slowly wiped the lenses. . From his reaction, I judged that he was still very satisfied with my attitude. If there were no surprises, he would definitely agree to me to meet with Mrs. Roosevelt. After all, this is also a way to enhance the friendship between the two countries.

When Molotov put his glasses back on, the previous look of beating was gone, and a rare smile appeared on his face. He smiled and said to me: "Oshanina, since I am from the United States The first lady asks you to meet, but the kindness is difficult, so you should try to make time to meet with her."

When I heard Molotov say this, I couldn't help but slander myself. It should be said that I am waiting for the first lady to arrange a meeting time, OK? But on the surface, he had to pretend to be happy, and promised: "Yes, Comrade People's Committee."

Molotov coughed and cleared his throat. Then he said to Livinov: "Comrade Livinov, I will give you full responsibility for this matter. When you reply to Mrs. Roosevelt, you must set a meeting time as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade People's Committee." Livinov reluctantly agreed, and then cast a reproachful glance at me.

I understand that I forcibly brought Livinov to see Molotov. It’s a bit inappropriate, but the paper package won’t stop the fire. If this matter is not reported to Molotov in time, even if it is delayed until the next day, as long as the intelligence personnel in the embassy complain to him in private, Li Wei and I Nove will be in trouble.

After we left Molotov’s room and walked along the corridor for a while, I saw that the security guards at the door were far away. They should not hear what we said. He whispered to Livinov: "Comrade Ambassador, come and sit down with me?" Although Livinov has been marginalized, his status is far higher than mine. I don't want to erect this. Enemy, so I had to make things clear to him, and then I invited him to my room.

Regarding my invitation, Livinov hesitated for a long time, and then slowly nodded, and said in a nonchalant manner: "Okay, let's go and sit down. It just so happens that I still have some diplomatic etiquette matters. Need to explain to you."

After entering the room, I asked him to sit down, poured him a cup of hot tea from the teapot, and placed it in front of him with both hands. He smiled and asked, "Comrade ambassador, are you still blaming me for thinking that you should not report the matter to Comrade Molotov so soon?"

"Huh!" Livinov snorted heavily from his nose, and said grumpily: "I didn't expect you to bow down in front of Molotov. I really saw you wrong."

Because Livinov's voice is louder. I was taken aback. I was afraid that someone outside would hear me. I quickly walked to the door, opened the door quietly and looked out, and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that there was no one in the hallway. When I closed the door and walked back to Livinov's side, I kindly reminded him: "Comrade ambassador, don't be too loud, otherwise it will be heard by others."

"Tell me, why are you in such a hurry to report this to Molotov?" Livinov took a sip of tea and said with great dissatisfaction, "Can't you and Mrs. Roosevelt have set a meeting time? , Do you report again? Isn’t it a matter of morning and evening."

When I heard Livinov’s words, I couldn’t help but sigh. No wonder he was squeezed from the position of the People’s Commissar of Foreign Affairs and was demoted as Ambassador to the United States. As expected, he lacked political wisdom. If it were not for Stalin's usefulness, it is estimated that he would have been lying in the cold soil.

"Ambassador Livinov," I waited for him to finish, and did not answer his question directly. Instead, I changed the subject and asked calmly: "Do you think there are secret agents from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in this embassy, ​​or Talk about the staff of Cheka?"

"Cheka!" Livinov shivered at the words I uttered, and he hesitated for a long time before saying: "Theoretically speaking, it must be indispensable in these foreign institutions. Because of them. It is responsible for collecting intelligence and monitoring the words, deeds and actions of personnel stationed abroad."

"It seems that you are also very aware of the existence of such a frightening person in the embassy." When I saw that he seemed to understand something now, I went on to say: "Perhaps these staff members have long understood from their way. The matter that Mrs. Roosevelt intends to meet me privately. If we do not report the matter to Molotov in advance, but wait for these people to finish the small report and then report, then the nature of the whole matter will completely change. At that time, both you and me will be in big trouble."

After listening to me, Livinov raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then stood up, leaned forward slightly, and stretched out his hands to me. When we held our hands tightly, he gratefully said: "Comrade Oshanina, I blamed you. Or you are thoughtful. If this matter is not reported to Molotov in time, we will still There is a real possibility of big trouble. I may be transferred back to China immediately and idle; and your career will be stopped because of this."

Seeing that Livinov understood my difficulties, I let go of his hand and said casually: "Well, comrade ambassador, next should you explain to me the necessary diplomatic etiquette, lest I see Mrs. Roosevelt? Make a fool of yourself."

Hearing what I said, Livinov raised his hand and patted his forehead heavily, and said repeatedly: "Yes, right, right, next, I should explain to you some precautions when meeting Mrs. Roosevelt."

Seeing Livinov standing on the spot, I planned to tell me about diplomatic etiquette. I quickly pointed to the chair next to him and said to him politely: "I guess what you are going to talk about will not be finished for a while. Why not sit down and talk."

After he sat down and took a sip of the tea on the table, UU reading www.uukanshu.com first told me not about the necessary precautions, but about the snipers Lyudmila and Mrs. Roosevelt. "Comrade Oshanina, you may know that last year there was an amazing female sniper Lyudmila who accompanied our youth friendly delegation to the United States. She became the first Soviet citizen to be received by President Roosevelt. And I met Mrs. Roosevelt. Because the first lady liked the young female soldier very much, she treated her as her own daughter and took care of her. For Lyudmila to get the friendship of the first lady, this is what everyone wants to see Arrived. But unfortunately, her level is too low. Apart from getting Mrs. Roosevelt’s special attention, she is of no help in calling for the Allies to open up a second battlefield."

"Comrade ambassador," I heard this and couldn't help but interject: "Can I meet Mrs. Roosevelt to make up for Comrade Lyudmila's shortcomings and successfully urge the allies to open a second battlefield quickly?"

"Yes, you can do this." Livinov said with a smile, "Because you came to the United States with the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs as a representative of the base camp. You are far more important than Lyudmi. Pulling is even heavier. As long as you can gain the friendship of Mrs. Roosevelt, it will be very helpful to the diplomatic relations between the two countries." (To be continued.)

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