In March 1945, Eisenhower led the British and American Allied Forces to successfully reach the Elbe River, dozens of kilometers west of Berlin.

The million-strong Soviet Red Army led by Zhukov also quickly pushed to the line of the Neisse River, only a few dozen kilometers east of Berlin.

The two armies had formed a two-sided attack on the capital of Nazi Germany, and the two sides were once almost equidistant.

With the weapons and equipment of the United States, Britain and other countries, especially the advantages of the air force, it is possible to try to capture Berlin before the Soviet Union.

In fact, the British commander Montgomery also had this plan. The 21st Army led by him launched an attack formation on Berlin in March 1945, as if he wanted to pick the peaches first.

But at this moment, Montgomery received a telegram that stunned him.

The telegram was sent by Eisenhower, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied European Theater, and stated that the Allied forces' combat plan had changed and that the main direction of attack had been changed from Berlin to Munich and Leipzig in the southeast.

As for the "capture of Berlin" that the British were obsessed with, Eisenhower said freely in his letter:

"Let it be done by the Soviets."

Eisenhower's telegram was an explosive event.

Not only was Montgomery furious, the leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States also expressed their incomprehension.

After learning of the news, Truman commented that he had "no political sense."

British Prime Minister Churchill bluntly criticized: "Once the Russians enter Berlin, there will be extremely serious political consequences, all of which will give the world the illusion that 'the Russians conquered the world.'"

"Eisenhower is crazy." Tian Qi shook his head and said: "Berlin is the heart of Nazi Germany. Conquering Berlin is undoubtedly of extremely important political significance, but now, Eisenhower has given up this honor to others."

"Really?"

Meng Shaoyuan was holding a pipe. He asked someone to get it for him. He had seen that many US military generals, including MacArthur, liked to use pipes. Master Meng also thought it was fun, so he asked someone to get one for him:

"Everyone thinks that Eisenhower is a political idiot, but in my opinion, not only is he not a political idiot, but he can see further than his colleagues. Do you know what the price is to pay to capture Berlin?

The imprisoned Germany, which is still fighting, has built Berlin into a steel fortress covered with bunkers and barbed wire. In my opinion, conquering Berlin will cost the Allies at least 100,000 soldiers. I think Eisenhower’s idea, now that the war is a foregone conclusion,

It is not in line with American values ​​to waste soldiers' lives to fight for illusory honors, and it will not help one's political future.

As for politics, Eisenhower actually saw further. He realized that after the war, the division of German occupied areas between the eastern and western camps must be bounded by the Elbe River, which bisects Germany from south to north. In this way, even if

The Allies worked hard to capture the city of Berlin, and it will inevitably be handed back to the Soviet Union after the war. In this case, why bother making wedding dresses for others?"

"What?" Tian Qi was surprised: "Germany will be divided into two?"

"Definitely." Meng Shaoyuan was very sure: "There is another very important point. At this time, the US military has begun to bargain with Nazi Germany on the surrender issue. The German army will definitely take the lead in surrendering to the Americans unconditionally when they are desperate.

As a result, the surrender ceremony to Germany will still be dominated by the West, and Berlin, which the Soviet Union fought so hard to conquer, will be an empty city without political significance."

The course of events completely confirmed Eisenhower's judgment.

In terms of political sense and judgment, Eisenhower far surpassed MacArthur.

Just a few days ago, on April 12, U.S. President Roosevelt died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage in a hot spring in Georgia.

On his deathbed, he wrote these two sentences:

"The only thing holding us back from achieving our goals tomorrow is our doubts about today. Let us move forward with strong and positive confidence!"

Vice President Truman took over as President of the United States.

As President of the United States, Roosevelt led the Allies' desperate counterattack against the Fascists.

And he fell on the eve of victory.

Meng Shaoyuan stuffed tobacco into his pipe: "Lao Qi, when we go to the United States in the future, how to stay politically sharp and how to judge American politics is also a very important link. To put it bluntly, we need to be on the right team."

"It's impossible to stand right every time." Tian Qi muttered: "Who knows how to choose."

"With me." Meng Shaoyuan's voice was full of confidence: "I will help you and help my organization make the most correct choice."

How to choose?

Are you on the right side every time?

That's really difficult.

Who dares to guarantee this?

But if you think about it carefully, the young master has really never made a wrong choice in all these years!

"Okay, I get a headache just thinking about these things." Tian Qi changed the topic: "According to your order, I have deployed manpower to monitor Manila. In the past two days, many mysterious people have entered Manila."

"They are planning to assassinate Marcos." Meng Shaoyuan finally lit up his pipe.

"Krahan Papa also arrived in Manila this morning." Tian Qi continued: "But the trouble is that we cannot arrest him directly, and it is also difficult to monitor him in all directions."

This is the first time Tian Qi has performed such a troublesome task.

He knew clearly what Crahan Papa and his people were doing in Manila, but they still couldn't touch him.

You even have to protect this person.

Once something goes wrong with Crahan Papa in Manila, I'm afraid it will cause quite a political turmoil.

"What the hell."

Meng Shaoyuan was not used to smoking a pipe, so he took out his cigarette again: "Where does Crahan Papa live now?"

"Manila Hotel." Tian Qi said immediately: "After emergency repairs, Manila Hotel has officially opened to the public."

"Walk!"

Meng Shaoyuan stood up: "Old Seven, come with me to pay a visit to this 'venomous snake'!"

…

Meng Shaoyuan's trip was still majestic.

Two jeeps.

As soon as they arrived at the Manila Hotel, the American troops in the car in front immediately jumped out.

At this time, Meng Shaoyuan unhurriedly got out of the jeep behind him.

A guy wearing a windbreaker and smoking a cigarette approached Tian Qi:

"He's on the fourth floor. He hasn't gone out yet."

This is an agent of the Office of Strategic Services.

Tian Qi didn't say much, and walked into the Manila Hotel with Meng Shaoyuan.

It seems that this Crahan Papa is quite impressive.

The entire fourth floor was occupied by him.

"stop."

Two fierce-looking men blocked their way: "Take the elevator, we've reserved it."

Meng Shaoyuan smiled.

Li Zhifeng on the side didn't say a word, he took out a pistol and put it to the head of one of the guys.

The two big men changed color quickly.

"I think you are mistaken, this is Manila." Meng Shaoyuan said unhurriedly: "Here, I am the only one who has the final say."

Probably used to being arrogant and domineering in their hometown, these two people didn't even notice that the people coming were all American troops.

And two of them are actually colonels.

To be honest, this is really something they can't afford.

"Step aside!"

With Li Zhifeng's cold voice and the black muzzle of the gun, the two big men did not dare to make any rash move.

Having already identified Crahan Papa's room, Meng Shaoyuan walked to the door of the room and knocked politely.

The door opened and a guy with tattoos all over his face appeared: "Who are you?"

Tian Qi kicked the door open.

The tattooed man took several steps back.

Meng Shaoyuan then walked in calmly.

In the room, five or six guns were pointed at him.

Meng Shaoyuan didn't seem to see it at all: "Krahan Papa."

The person he was talking about was the short middle-aged man standing at the window.

"Yes, sir." Crahan Papa turned around: "Colonel Charles?"

"Look, it seems that you have a certain understanding of me." Meng Shaoyuan turned a blind eye to the muzzles: "This will make it much easier for us to communicate."

"What are you doing with your guns?" Crahan Papa said coldly to his men: "Do you know who the person is pointing the gun at? You know that as long as he gives the order, all of you will be thrown into the sea.

inside?"

His men put away their guns unconsciously.

"Everyone, please go out. I will talk to Colonel Charles alone." Crahan Papa sent all his men out: "Colonel, what do you want to drink?"
To be continued...