Chapter 281: The Finns
"No, no, Boris. You have misunderstood me."
Stalin's voice came through the receiver, calm but faintly dissatisfied.
"We can obtain support from the Finnish Communist Party inside Finland. That provides the necessary conditions for a quick war."
"If I wanted Germany to intervene in the Finnish war, why would I not simply send troops to Poland?"
"What I want is to take Finland before German troops arrive."
"And what you need to do is formulate a perfect quick war strategy."
The line fell silent.
Although Boris was neither a master of politics nor espionage, he understood one thing very clearly.
If the actions of a political party could influence the outcome of a war that would determine the territorial division of two countries, then even without this war, they could still achieve what they wanted through that political party.
However, it was Comrade Stalin who supported a quick war.
Out of respect for the leader, Boris did not make his words too harsh.
"I apologize, Comrade Stalin."
His voice remained measured.
"But I am more familiar with protracted warfare and long-term offensive campaigns."
"For a quick war strategy, perhaps you should find someone else."
The call ended.
Stalin was very displeased with Boris's evasive attitude, but he did not say much.
After all, Boris did not understand his deployment inside Finland.
This mistaken perception was still within reason.
Just as Soviet Russia began preparing for the Soviet-Finnish War, officials of every level were arguing endlessly inside the Presidential Palace in central Helsinki.
They were not arguing about whether to confront Soviet Russia.
On that point, there was no disagreement.
They were arguing about internal affairs.
Lighter flames flickered again and again.
The steam rising from hot tea mixed with thick cigarette smoke, enveloping the entire conference room in a hazy gray.
A middle-aged man in military uniform sat in a prominent position. He had a short beard, and although he had not yet expressed any opinion, the atmosphere around him was impossible to ignore.
He took a sip of pine needle tea, then raised one hand.
"Gentlemen, may I say a few words?"
The noisy conference room immediately quieted down.
Everyone, including the President, yielded the floor to this middle-aged man.
This was the hero who had once led Finland out of the quagmire of war.
Mannerheim.
Mannerheim slowly stood.
Then, in his slightly hoarse voice, he began to speak.
"First, the Russians' demands are unacceptable."
"We can give up a buffer zone to avoid being drawn into conflict."
"But that buffer zone does not include the ice-free port in the Arctic Ocean."
"It does not include the entire Karelian border region."
"It does not include the Hanko Peninsula."
"And it certainly does not include that shameful military mutual defense treaty."
"If Russian troops are stationed in Finland, then what would Finland become?"
His gaze swept across the conference room.
"A Russian protectorate?"
"We once gained our independence from the Tsar."
"This time, we will also stand tall before another giant bear."
"We will raise our rifles and face a new threat, a new challenge."
Mannerheim's inspiring words drew unanimous applause throughout the conference room.
He pressed both hands downward, signaling for silence, then continued.
"But we must also recognize the real military disparity between Finland and Soviet Russia."
"Over the past few years, we have purchased a large number of weapons from Germany."
"However, compared with Soviet Russia's vast industrial system, our weapons reserves remain far from sufficient."
"Therefore, I believe it is time to fully align ourselves with Germany."
"Mr. Mannerheim."
A diplomatic official immediately questioned him.
"If we fully align with Germany and allow Germany to provide manpower and resources, they will inevitably use this opportunity to demand that we join their war plans."
"That does not conform to Finland's long-standing neutral policy."
"And what of the domestic leftists and the Finnish Communist Party?"
"Many gentlemen believe that once war breaks out, these pro-Russian elements will inevitably become an obstacle to us."
"Once war breaks out, there is no such thing as neutrality."
Mannerheim's reply was firm.
"If we do not align ourselves with Germany, the Russians will inevitably win."
"The German-Soviet War is imminent."
"All of Europe knows that Britain can no longer stop Germany."
"When that time comes, we will certainly be drawn into an even larger war."
"Neutrality itself is a false proposition."
He crossed his arms and continued.
"As for the leftists, my opinion is that leftists are also Finns."
"In the face of war, in the face of national interests, I am willing to place a certain degree of trust in them."
"If given the chance, I would rather speak with them than destroy them."
"Executions and imprisonment would only push these vital forces toward the Russians."
"Unity."
Mannerheim's voice grew heavier.
"Only unity can lead Finland out of its predicament."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And we must act quickly."
"Winter ends in April."
"If I were Soviet Russian, I would not launch an offensive in April, nor would I attack in the snow-melting months of May and June."
"That means we still have three months."
"In these three months, we had better obtain enough aid and enough support."
Holsti raised his hand and took over the conversation.
"Mr. Mannerheim, there is currently a bridge that will allow us to communicate with other European countries."
Holsti took a black box from his briefcase.
He pressed a knob.
An entirely black invitation card decorated with golden floral patterns appeared before everyone.
"A Swedish diplomat handed this to me when I returned from Russia."
"He said Germany is preparing to form a European Alliance."
"This may be our last window of opportunity."
Taking the invitation, President Ervind leaned over and asked Mannerheim for his opinion.
"Marshal Mannerheim, what do you think?"
Mannerheim accepted the invitation without hesitation.
No one understood the extent of the Soviet Russian threat better than he did.
"This is a good opportunity."
He looked at the President.
"If Mr. President does not mind, I would also like to go in person."
"After all, the personal attendance of a marshal can make Europe and Germany feel the seriousn
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