I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 7 Someone is fighting for you!

It was already the next morning when Nekrasov received Mikhail's manuscript.

Although he had been busy with some matters for almost the entire night, after hearing the name of the sender from the maid, Nekrasov still perked up and took the manuscript solemnly, and then began to read it eagerly.

Only God knows how sad, excited, and happy he was for the future of Russian literature after reading "Vanka".

Otherwise, he would not have gone to Mikhail's house at four in the morning.

When he reflected on his words and actions afterwards, Nekrasov felt more or less regretful.

After all, this young man had only completed a novel of a few thousand words. Even though this novel was good and amazing, he still came to his door and took his hand and shouted, "A new Gogol is born!"

It not only brings honor and recognition to a young man, but it may also bring him a lot of pressure invisibly.

What worried Nekrasov even more was that he was not sure whether the young man would be so overwhelmed by the sudden surprise that the articles he wrote later would be distorted and become a means to gain recognition and fame.

Because of this, while Nekrasov was full of expectations for this new novel, he was also worried.

But this worry did not last long. Soon, Nekrasov sat at his desk and immersed himself in the novel.

When he came to his senses, Nekrasov first felt a strong sense of sadness, and then inevitably became excited.

He couldn't sit still any longer, so he suddenly stood up from his chair and started walking around the room.

"God, my God! No, no, no, there is no God. He might be able to go further than Gogol! No, no, no, it's too early to say that now, but who can say for sure about the future?

What should I do now? Belinsky! Yes, I should go to Belinsky! "

After talking to himself excitedly for a while, Nekrasov, who had barely recovered from his excitement, hurriedly took both of Mikhail's manuscripts and then walked out without stopping. Along the way, many people greeted Nekrasov, but Nekrasov was obviously absent-minded and only responded hurriedly.

After walking onto the street, Nekrasov quickly stopped a coachman. After he explained the location and the coachman started on his way, Nekrasov finally calmed down his excitement.

Looking at the thinly dressed coachman in front of him, Nekrasov thought of the novel just now and suddenly felt his heart softened. So he finally couldn't help but speak:

"Good morning, sir! How are you feeling today?"

"That's a bit bad, sir." Although he was surprised that the guest took the initiative to talk to him, the coachman still replied loudly:
"The winter in St. Petersburg has become a little colder. Even in such weather, after I finish my job as a coachman, I still have a lot of work waiting for me when I return."

Before the abolition of serfdom, many coachmen in many Russian cities were serfs from landlord families. After all, the so-called flexible employment required renting out vacant houses, and private cars could be used to run Didi. But what about the idle serfs?

Of course, it can be used as a coachman, an apprentice, or even various other roles!
Compared to other places, St. Petersburg is actually a little better.

After all, the current Tsar Nicholas I can indeed be given a nickname to some extent: Big Sadi.

After experiencing the Decembrist Rebellion, Tsar Nicholas I naturally paid attention to the issues of serfs and serfdom.

Paying attention is one thing, but solving the problem is another.

Ultimately, after Catherine II, Russia effectively became a state ruled jointly by the nobility and the Tsar. The Tsar might have decision-making power in many matters, but if he attempted to influence the nobility's vitals, he would likely be inexplicably assassinated and face his father's death. In a sense, the Tsar and the peasants were actually their closest allies. To the Tsar, the nobility were contenders for power, while the serfs were those to be won over and cared for.

For this purpose, the Tsar issued orders more than once to reduce the working hours of serfs, prohibit violence against serfs, pay serfs for a few days of labor each week, and so on.

Many serfs also treated the Tsar with the same affection as they treated their father. Firstly, this was because they were educated in loving the country and the monarch, and secondly, it was a group of nobles rather than the god-like Tsar who oppressed them.

But to put it bluntly...

Forget it, let’s not talk about it.

In short, although Nicholas I was often hesitant on the issue of serfdom during his reign, some of his activities laid the theoretical foundation for the serfdom reform in 1861.

Such as: there must be a transition period for the liberation of peasants, the refusal to use redemption as a method to enable peasants to obtain personal freedom, the liberation of peasants without land, and the formulation of rules for distributing land to peasants under the premise of protecting aristocratic estates.

At this stage, Tsar Nicholas I had actually started a large-scale land distribution model in the area near St. Petersburg. Of course, many times he distributed land to the nobles, although nominally, all land ownership in Russia belonged to the Tsar.

As a result, there were actually many free people near St. Petersburg in those years.

Getting back to the point, after Nekrasov started talking, the coachman, who seemed to be quite talkative, also began to complain a lot, mostly about trivial matters in life.

It can be seen that he is not the kind of serf who is brutally abused by the landlord, but he is indeed exhausted by the daily work.

Even though it was just a bunch of seemingly meaningless complaints, Nekrasov still listened very carefully and occasionally agreed with them.

After arriving at the final destination, both of them felt a little reluctant to leave, but in order to quickly give the novel in his hand to his dear Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky, Nekrasov finally said goodbye to the coachman.

When paying the fare before leaving, Nekrasov deliberately gave a few more kopecks.

Although he is not too well off at the moment.

"Have a nice day, sir." While waving goodbye, Nekrasov also shook his fist vigorously: "Please keep your faith in the future, the future will get better and better, because someone is fighting for you!

Be it Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky or Mikhail Romanovich Raskolnikov!"

After hearing what Nekrasov said, although the coachman was a little confused, he was very happy because he had complained a lot about things that no one wanted to hear on weekdays and could receive extra fare.

So he waved happily:
"God bless you, sir! And God will bless the two gentlemen you mentioned. Good-bye!"

After saying goodbye, Nekrasov walked towards his destination in an extremely happy mood. The closer he got, the more serious his expression became. He even checked whether his clothes were appropriate.

Although the person Nekrasov was going to meet now was probably not dressed appropriately or lived in properly.

Finally, Nekrasov took a deep breath and strode towards an apartment.

(End of this chapter)