USSR 1991

Page 202

When Masao Iwasato issued a more radical declaration, the Chinese side showed an unusual silence. They did not send the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Li Daoyu, to convey the news of the strong protest to the US Secretary of State, nor did they send the Minister of National Defense Chi Haotian to visit the United States. On the contrary, his righteous words became a little calm.

Except for the sentence that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the previous statement, it should not be said that it was unpredictable.

Everyone knows what the words of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mean. This political term once appeared when the United States launched the Korean War. In the end, the United States delineated the scope of the [-]th Parallel at a tragic price.Maybe the short-sighted Taiwan government still hasn't figured out why China suddenly stopped all its exercises, but the superpowers who have gathered on the Taiwan issue have already agreed. This is probably the prelude to the storm. A lit match has already Close to that Asian powder keg filled with black powder and brimstone, now waiting for a fuze to go off.

No movement on the surface does not mean that no action will be taken in private. The Soviet Union and China, which had already reached a tacit agreement, finally began to formulate a counterattack strategy. China's superpowers are looking for an opportunity to strike back.

The Chinese delegation visited Moscow in secret, and General Zhang of the Navy, who was the spokesperson of the Chinese Navy and the Chinese Ministry of Defense, was present together. They gathered with senior officials of the Soviet Ministry of Defense to hold a secret and special meeting.

This secret meeting will change the pattern of the entire world in the future, so everyone present showed an extremely cautious attitude. Even Yanayev also participated in this special meeting and made the decision to participate in the joint military exercise. It is him, and this also means that for a long time to come, as long as the United States does not decline, the alliance between China and the Soviet Union will not stop.

The meeting room was not bright, and it could even be said to be a little dark, with a hint of secret conspiracy.The meeting this time is on the fourth floor of the Kremlin's Senate Building, which has been redesigned and will serve as a parliamentary venue for the Soviet Union's top secret meeting.

Portraits of Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and Gorbachev hang on the walls around the parliamentary occasion, well-arranged oak tables and chairs, absolutely soundproof walls, and the highest-level confidentiality measures.It all means that Yanayev expressed a high degree of concern about this meeting.

"Gentlemen, I would like to attend this meeting on behalf of the Chinese government." General Zhang looked around. Almost all senior officials of the Soviet Ministry of Defense gathered in this meeting, including Comrade Yazov, Minister of Defense, Navy Comrade Commander-in-Chief Smiryev, Commander of the Pacific Fleet Rear Admiral Sergey Avakyants.Everyone's face was more or less gloomy. After all, no one thought that the Soviet Navy would actually fight the opponent one day with real swords and guns.

In the past, no matter how fierce the trouble was, even if it was in the form of a warship collision, everyone knew that friction between the United States and the Soviet Union was impossible. Now it is different. An issue related to national sovereignty may be caused by a careless move at any time. , causing the situation to get out of control.Even Yazov had complained to Yanayev before that the Soviet Union should not be involved in this other version of the "Cuban Missile Crisis", which is China's own war.However, Yanayev did not think this was a bad thing, but instead joined this war that did not belong to the Soviet Union with a game mentality.

If the Straits crisis can force the United States to make concessions, then it can be verified that Yanayev’s move is correct. The strength of the Sino-Soviet alliance is indeed strong enough for the United States to carefully look at the other side.

"This joint military exercise is not only a deterrent, but also a demonstration of the determination of the Soviet Union and China. We are ready to deal with the conflict from the US Navy." General Zhang has become familiar with some officials of the Ministry of National Defense present , so he doesn't beat around the bush when he speaks, but is straightforward.

"You have to give me a reason to convince me, General Zhang. Because the Soviet Union does not need to join the dispute between you and the Americans, I want to see what is the point of the Soviet Union joining this dispute." Yazov also did not Unceremoniously embarrassing General Zhang, "Just like when the Cuban missile crisis happened, will China suddenly join the Soviet camp and confront the United States together?"

General Zhang deliberately smiled and shook his head, he raised his head to stare at Yazov, and asked word by word, "I want to ask, if China loses in this game, can the Soviet Union, which is confronting the United States, be able to stand alone? Before China was sanctioned, the Soviet Union was already in jeopardy. Does the Soviet government want to repeat the same mistakes?"

Yazov shook his head, and held back for a long time before saying no.

But the aggressive General Zhang did not stop there, "Then I would like to ask, is the Taiwan crisis and the Cuban missile crisis the same meaning? You were the ones who set up tactical missiles on the US territory, but the situation is different now." Well, if the United States loses, there is not much loss. If China loses, then only the Soviet Union will be left to deal with a powerful United States. Don’t forget, we also helped you attract part of the American firepower.”

The corner of Yazov's mouth twitched, but Yanayev remained silent.

"Of course you are not obligated to help us. Of course you can also watch us being eaten away and gradually reduced to a vassal of the United States. Now you don't need to speak up, but there may be no one to speak up for you in the future."

"So now, can we continue the topic of our joint military exercise?" General Zhang asked very calmly.

"Okay." This time Yazov was refuted and had nothing to say.

"very good."

General Zhang opened the documents and files around him, and confided his plan to everyone present, "It's like this, China's East China Sea Fleet has been equipped with Kiev-class aircraft carriers, and the Kenda-class cruisers and Modern-class destroyers purchased from the Soviet Union are all They have arrived in China one after another, and I think in the near future, China will have its first aircraft carrier battle group to deal with the threat from Taiwan."

Yanayev frowned. The East China Sea Fleet is currently the second most powerful among the three major fleets, but there is a huge gap in strength compared with the North Sea Fleet. Of course, the North Sea Fleet shoulders the responsibility of defending the capital in a special geographical location. It is a heavy responsibility, but four wrath-class destroyers bought from the Soviet Union were allowed to stay in the naval port until they were decommissioned in 1992.

If it weren't for the Taiwan crisis this time, if it wasn't for the Soviet Union's elimination of old ships on a large scale to allow China to take advantage of it, I am afraid that the East China Sea Fleet would not have built a fleet that is not an aircraft carrier battle group so quickly. The lack of ships has led to having to bow before the strength of the United States.

Think about the fact that the main force of China's navy is still 15 Luda-class destroyers, with only 37mm anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft combat capabilities, which is outrageously inefficient.

However, this crisis also opened the door to arms sales in the Asia-Pacific region for Soviet ships. When those land power countries realized that the issue of sea power was equally important, they set their sights on the ships that the Soviet Union was about to eliminate.At the same time, the Soviet Union can also use the funds obtained from selling second-hand ships to speed up the construction of new ships.

In terms of coastal defense, Yanayev regards land defense as important, at least on land, the Soviet army's European rollers and bulldozers, if he does not provoke other countries, Europe should be popular.

General Zhang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Now the USS Independence and Nimitz aircraft carrier battle groups are deployed in southern Taiwan, so I think this Sino-Soviet joint exercise is also in Taiwan." in the eastern seas, yes, right under the noses of the two aircraft carrier battle groups of the United States."

The entire meeting room was silent, and even Yanayev closed his eyes and thought about this crazy plan.

But in the eyes of Defense Minister Yazov, this is more than madness. China simply wants to use the crisis in the Taiwan Strait to start World War III!

Chapter 451 Another Purpose

"And this is a live-fire exercise, General Secretary Yanayev." General Zhang spoke the craziest words with the calmest attitude.Using a retired Soviet aircraft carrier and the East China Sea Fleet composed of light frigates to provoke the most powerful Nimitz aircraft carrier battle group in the United States, this is how to do the same thing as a car, oh no, it is a feat of hitting a stone with a pebble.

Yanayev couldn't believe that a certain party had the courage to think about conducting a live-fire exercise in the waters near the US aircraft carrier fleet. What does this mean?The slightest mistake in the exercise may lead to a misfire. At that time, a Sino-Soviet-US Pacific naval battle may really break out. The Soviet Union cannot afford such a risk, so Defense Minister Yazov was the first to stand up and say be opposed to.He did not want the Soviet Union to be drawn into this endless conflict.

Yazov stood up, put his hands on the table, and said angrily, "We agree to joint operations, but we don't agree to joint military exercises! Is this playing with fire and self-immolation, or is your country's military exercises just a cover, and you actually want to pass joint military exercises?" To achieve the goal of recovering Taiwan?"

Yanayev was not as excited as Yazov, but he thought about it very seriously. What is the purpose of China holding such a highly risky operation?Presumably it is definitely not as simple as face-to-face. Yanayev even thinks that the joint military exercise is just a cover.There are other ulterior motives hidden in it.

"The Chinese side will take such a rash action, must have already thought about the way out? I never believe that you did not think carefully when you made this move. This situation is the same as we were in 1962. It is a dangerous situation. A Khrushchev-style decision." Yanayev's tone was still not salty, as if every move he made was just a chat after dinner.

As an excellent politician, Yanayev can keep his face calm even if his heart is turbulent.It is also a means of putting pressure on the opponent.

"Or are you just taking advantage of this crisis and using us as a pawn to complete your great cause of unification?" Yanayev narrowed his eyes halfway. Then the Soviet Union wanted to add fuel to the flames and shift the attention of the United States from Europe to the Asia-Pacific, so that the Soviet Union would have the opportunity to attack Eastern Europe.

"Taiwan issue? Don't be joking, Chairman Yanayev." General Zhang shook his head. "So far, there is no possibility of solving the Taiwan issue except by force. As long as Masao Iwasato is not legally independent, then China will not Attack him. Force is only a helpless way to solve the problem. Now that China is facing a critical period of political and economic reform, we cannot really tear ourselves apart from the United States. Even if Taiwan is recovered, there will still be a lot of mess Waiting for us to clean up."

Yanayev understood that China really just wanted to force the United States to take a step back so that they would back down on domestic affairs.But the price was much higher than Yanayev imagined.

"I understand, the Soviet Union will cooperate with your actions in the East China Sea, but we also have a request, that is, the Soviet Union will not send the entire Ulyanovsk aircraft carrier battle group, we will send part of the fleet. It's our request."

Yanayev did not want to expose the true strength of the Pacific Fleet in advance. The reform of the Soviet army has already achieved initial results, so Yanayev wanted to show his hand in front of the US aircraft carrier battle group, which surprised the US government.

After the meeting, Yanayev left the conference room beforehand. Defense Minister Yazov walked out immediately and followed Yanayev's pace. He didn't understand why Yanayev would agree to such a risky investment, let alone It could also be an investment with low or no return.

Yazov said angrily, "We have already made a lot of money in the arms sales, so we don't need to participate in such a high-risk political investment. Let the Chinese and the Americans consume each other as much as possible, and then let the Chinese and the Americans consume each other. Whether it is China or the United States, the ultimate winner is our Soviet Union."

Yanayev's footsteps stopped, he turned his head and said to Yazov, "If we do this, our arms sales will be cut in half, Comrade Yazov."

"What do you mean?" Yazov froze for a moment, he didn't understand what Yanayev meant.

"The meaning is very simple. During this exercise, China will realize the gap between its East China Sea Fleet and our Pacific Fleet, as well as the U.S. Seventh Fleet. If there is a gap, they will naturally want to make up for it. When they cannot create What will they think when they come out with the same tonnage and level? What will they think when they realize that their fleet is not even comparable to Japan. "

At this time, Japan's four 42th fleets have almost been built, and the Kongo-class destroyers of the Aegis system are also gradually serving. Japan's 50 destroyers have been equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, and all destroyers are equipped with anti-submarine missiles. The worst is the Chuxue class. Both are much more successful than China's closest modernized Luhu-class destroyer.Japan's latest spring tide-class submarine is preparing for the final stage of testing. The conventional submarines in service in China are still R-class. The conventional submarines we designed in the [-]s are already several levels behind in terms of advancement. Although China has five nuclear submarine, but the launch cannot launch anti-ship missiles underwater.Not to mention the Soviet Navy and the US Navy, which are more powerful than Japan.

The psychological gap brought about by the gap in strength will make a country strive for strength, and Yanayev uses this psychological gap to sell his own destroyers and frigates to achieve the purpose of selling all obsolete products.

"Through foreign trade?" Yazov understood what the General Secretary meant and why he tried to encourage the Soviet Navy to participate in this joint military exercise.

"I understand that the profits from this bet are long-term. Countries from China to Southeast Asia will become customers of Soviet warships. The Black Sea Shipyard and the North Sea Shipyard will usher in a new spring. When the time comes, they will all receive A large number of overseas orders, with the inflow of funds, the expected service time of our latest model 11356R cruiser will be shortened, and it will also speed up the replacement of the Soviet Navy."

"Finally understand what I mean, Comrade Yazov." Yanayev breathed out, since Yazov had already understood what he meant, there would be no further resistance.Moreover, Comrade Smiryev, the commander-in-chief of the Navy, and Rear Admiral Sergey Avakyants, the commander of the Pacific Fleet, have already greeted them, so they know what to do and what the Soviet General Secretary means.

"Comrade Yazov, now we should be on the same front with China, and it is not time for internal strife. The only loser in this conflict is the United States, and the Soviet will not fall here." Yanayev patted Yazov shoulder, said earnestly.He turned his head and looked out the window. The sky over the Kremlin was overcast, with a faint tendency to rain, just like the gloom over the Pacific Ocean.

Yazov nodded, "I understand, General Secretary Yanayev. But it's still too dangerous, a live ammunition exercise. Such a danger is really... What if the situation gets out of control in the end?"

"I know." Yanayev didn't know how to answer him, so he could only ask, "But the Soviet Union has gambled so many political crises, which one did we lose? When everyone thought we would lose, in the end Always turn the corner. Don't you believe we're going to win this crisis?"

"But……"

"How about Comrade Azov, let me make a bet with you? I bet that the United States will lose this war in the end, and they will choose to back down." Yanayev threw the Chinese information to Yazov and took a deep breath. Take a deep breath, and then walk away without looking back.

"Why?" the Minister of Defense shouted from behind.

"Because the United States has scruples, how can a country that is unprepared and just wants to take advantage of it win the war!"

Yanayev only left a mysterious back in the corridors of the Kremlin.