Servant of the People in Kyiv

Haniyev handed him the letter, and Ivanov took it and put it in his inner pocket. He hugged Haniyev tightly with excitement, and kept thanking him in his ear, and even apologized for his previous rudeness.

Haniyev laughed and said, "Comrade Ivanov, we are good brothers in the forestry system. I will still count on you to work for me in the future. Let bygones be bygones."

Ivanov was very moved at this time and was convinced by Haniyev. After all, he was different from Korchagin. He was just a militia company commander and did not get much benefits. He would not fight with Haniyev at all. Now Haniyev did better than his relative Korchagin. Faced with such benefits and help, Ivanov felt that as long as he was not stupid, he would make the right choice.

A moment later, Korchagin came in with Shefiroff, the cash accountant. Shefiroff first explained the financial rules and regulations, each word emphasizing his objection to taking the money. Haniyev knew this was Korchagin's instruction; he must have noticed that he was trying to win over Ivanov, so he wanted to disrupt the matter.

Seeing that Shefirv refused to take the money, Haniyev grew angry. He thought, "I've been kind to everyone since I took office. Do you really think I'm easy to bully? I can't afford to offend Korchagin, so how dare a mere cash accountant act so arrogantly?"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed his palm down on the table, making it snap. He shouted, "How come my words, as the secretary, don't count? Shefir, if you think being an accountant is a waste of your talent, I'll call a team meeting tomorrow and send you to a logging station to experience life there."

Shefirv was startled when he heard this and looked at Korchagin hurriedly.

Korchagin frowned and said, "Shefirv, why don't you go get the money? Rules are dead, but are people also dead? Secretary Haniyev cares about the employees, which is a blessing for us. Why are you so mechanical? Go quickly!"

Shefirfu hurriedly bowed and apologized to Haniyev, then hurried out. A moment later, he returned with 500 rubles and handed them to Haniyev. He didn't dare ask him to write a receipt, but whispered his loyalty, "Secretary, you use this money first. I'll offset it from other expenses in the account."

Haniyev seemed not to hear and directly stuffed the money into Ivanov's hand. He said in a deep voice: "Comrade Ivanov, the road is a bit slippery. You must be careful on the road. Bring a few more people to help. There is strength in numbers."

Ivanovich clenched the five hundred rubles in a handful of change, pursed his lips and said, "Okay, Secretary Haniyev, I understand. Thank you for your help. I will follow your instructions."

Korchagin saw that his confidant Ivanov had shown signs of betrayal in just a few moments, and he panicked and said hurriedly, "Time is urgent, Ivanov. I'll go get some people to carry your mother to the car and put more blankets. You should also go and prepare them."

Chapter 007 Team Meeting

A few hours later, Haniyev, Korchagin and other leaders personally escorted Ivanov to the forest farm gate.

Ivanov's wife, daughter, and cousin were in the car, which was driven by a militia driver. After waving and watching his car slowly disappear at the end of the road, Haniyev nodded to the team members around him and said, "Next Thursday is the executive meeting of our Chernobyl region. Let's hold a team meeting tomorrow to prepare!"

Several team members hurriedly agreed, and Korchagin suddenly felt something was wrong. He clearly felt that the team members responded more positively to the words of Secretary Haniyev. This made Korchagin, who always thought he was in control of the Gaopodi Forest Farm, a little uneasy, but he had no reason to sing a different tune, so he could only agree in the end.

The next morning, Haniyev, Korchagin, Kurishenko, Ivan and seven other leaders of the forest farm gathered in the conference room.

Gaopodi State Forest Farm has a secretary, a director, four deputy directors, a union chairperson, a women's director, and a militia company commander. Since it is customary for one person to hold both the secretary and the director positions, there are eight leadership positions in total.

However, Secretary Haniyev and Director Haniyev took on all the responsibilities, and the militia company commander Ivanov was on leave, so this team meeting was attended by Haniyev, four deputy directors, the union chairman, and the women's director.

The last ranked among the seven were the union chairman and the women's director, who also served as the office secretary and director. They were the first to side with Haniyev at this time.

After pouring tea for the five leaders, the union chairman Grigory and the women's director Vera sat down.

Haniyev looked around and saw that everyone was smiling at him. Even the arrogant Korchagin was now dejected. He was happy in his heart. He felt that he had been in office at the forest farm for half a month, and only today could he feel proud and act like a secretary.

Clearing his throat, Haniyev said, "Next Thursday is the executive meeting of our Chernobyl region. The meeting will review last year's work and award rewards and criticisms. Our forest farm should have completed its tasks last year quite well. Even if there are no awards, there will be no criticisms. However, this year's personnel will be announced at the meeting. I think we should take it seriously and mobilize the enthusiasm of the employees. We will start logging next month..."

What Haniyev said were all polite words. He worked as a clerk in the Kyiv State Forestry Committee and often wrote speeches for leaders, so he had his own ideas about what to say. Today, he did not read the manuscript provided by Chairman Grigory, but spoke freely.

Haniyev rarely talked about practical business matters, but he had already clearly understood all the departments of the forest farm and there was no obstacle in coordinating them. Even if he spoke impromptu, they were all substantive work arrangements, such as checking fuel, electric saws, axes, tractors and other tools and machinery, making a list of problems and reporting them, and then holding a meeting to resolve them.

Another important arrangement is that Haniyev said that the instructor of the forest protection militia company has done a good job in party building, so he should hurry up and summarize the party building and party affairs work of the forest farm last year and bring it over next Thursday.

As Haniyev was the secretary, no one dared to raise any objections to this arrangement involving party affairs.

Haniyev planned and prepared for this team meeting for about ten days in advance. He also read the office's meeting minutes from previous years and pondered the content and style of the speech for a long time.

Therefore, this speech was very effective. His opinions and arrangements were pertinent and accurate. Deputy Director Kurishenko and Deputy Secretary Ivan took the lead in applauding and expressing their willingness to support Secretary Haniyev's arrangements and to work closely together with Secretary Haniyev to carry out the work well.

Two deputy directors took the lead, and the others followed suit and expressed their opinions. In the end, only Korchagin remained silent.

Although Korchagin has been in control of the state-owned forest farm for more than ten years, his style of doing things is very Slavic. He only uses force, intimidation and tyranny to achieve his goals. In addition, he is not the top leader, so the other deputy directors have been looking forward to Haniyev confronting him.

Now that Ivanov, Korchagin's great helper in work and life, is absent from the team meeting, Haniyev is weak and alone, so he convened a team meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to put many distorted work mechanisms back on track, to take back the right to make decisions as the secretary, and to take back the right to divide the work from Korchagin and distribute it to other deputy directors.

Since it concerns their own vital interests, the other deputy directors naturally give their full support and force Korchagin to bow his head or reveal his flaws.

Korchagin looked at everyone, his face gloomy and ugly. He stood up and said, "The secretary is the main leader of our forest farm. We must all obey his arrangements. I think Secretary Haniyev's work arrangements are very good. Let's implement them."

Several deputy directors and union chairmen all looked delighted. Haniyev knew that Korchagin must be dissatisfied and might even be thinking of gathering his closest confidants after the meeting to cause trouble for him. However, he had seen the methods used by a major party to crack down on gangs and evil in his previous life, and he felt that with Korchagin's methods, it would not be difficult to sweep him away like garbage without Ivanov.

After talking for a while, almost everyone spoke and the atmosphere in the meeting hall became joyful. Only Korchagin looked unhappy, while the smile on Haniyev's face became more and more obvious.

Checking his watch, he saw that more than an hour had passed. Haniyev narrowed his eyes and said venomously, "We are about to enter the peak season for spring logging. The beasts that have overwintered have already turned green. Now is the most dangerous time for workers to work. However, Comrade Ivanov went to Kiev to take his mother to see a doctor and will hardly be able to return soon. Instructor Comrade Salenko has to concentrate on improving Party building materials and cannot take care of forest protection work.

But our work cannot be delayed. Comrades, for the safety of our workers and for the smooth progress of our forestry work, I propose that Comrade Belanov, the deputy commander of the militia company, be appointed acting commander to carry out the work. Who is in favor of this? Who is against this?

After asking the question, Haniyev just looked at Korchagin. Everyone else raised their hands in agreement. Korchagin felt a sinking feeling in his heart, filled with regret. He regretted that he had underestimated Haniyev, to the point that he didn't even know that Haniyev had such a mass base.

There was also Haniyev saying that the work of party building and party affairs was heavy, and that he valued instructor Salenko. However, Salenko was also his own man, and he went to do party affairs work. It was natural for Haniyev to promote Belanov to be the acting company commander.

Belanov has a very bad relationship with himself and Ivanov. If he becomes the acting company commander, he, the first deputy director, will lose the support of the forest ranger militia company.

Everyone looked at Korchagin, putting a lot of pressure on him. He could only stand up with a sullen face and say, "I also agree with the secretary's decision."

After sitting down, Korchagin thought for a moment and suddenly woke up. It turned out that Haniyev was an old hand who was proficient in political struggles. In a few seconds, the foundation he had built up for many years was about to collapse. Not only was his main support gone, but his seemingly huge power was also disintegrated.

After thinking for a moment, Korchagin knew that he could not defeat Haniyev for the time being, so he could only find a way to get his relative Ivanov to come back as soon as possible. If he came back, the two of them would join forces to fight against Haniyev, and they should be able to turn the disadvantage around and regain a lot of rights.

Chapter 008: Taking Charge of the Militia Company

The meeting soon ended, and after returning to his office, Korchagin hurriedly called the Third People's Hospital of Kiev. With the help of the operator, he was transferred to the respiratory department. After waiting for five minutes, he heard Ivanov's tired voice on the other end of the phone.

"Hello, I'm Ivanov."

"I'm Korchagin. How's Aunt Butina?"

"Thank you for your concern, brother. Secretary Haniyev contacted Dr. Pristin, who is very responsible. My mother was admitted to a hospital room this morning. She received a few injections of effective medicine and is feeling much better now. They said they will arrange for another checkup this afternoon using equipment imported from France..."

When Korchagin heard Ivanov's endless praise of Haniyev, he felt a chill in his heart. He was worried that even if Ivanov came back, he might not follow him to fight against Haniyev.

After questioning for a while, Korchagin still didn't give up and asked, "When can you come back? The forest farm held a team meeting today. Haniyev asked Salenko to do some party work and promoted Belanov to acting company commander..."

"what!"

Before Korchagin could finish his words, the other side erupted in anger. Ivanov said anxiously, "How can this be? Why didn't you stop me? Belanov has the worst relationship with us. He even competed with me for company commander back then. He's been really unhappy with me for years. If you let him be acting company commander, won't he overturn every job I do when I return? I'm going to call Secretary Haniyev right now!"

Korchagin felt a little relieved and sneered, "You still say that Haniyev is good? This is all his idea. He just wants to bring you and me down so that he can take away all our power and control it!"

Ivanov cursed a few times, but Korchagin, seeing that he was only able to rant and rave, interrupted him and said, "Come back quickly. As long as you come back, we will be united and Haniyev will not dare to do anything to us."

Ivanov quickly hung up the phone and went to find his mother's attending physician, Pristin.

Pristin was a tall, thin young man in his thirties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. After hearing Ivanov's request to leave and entrust his mother to him, he shook his head and said, "Your mother speaks very poor Russian, and your wife's Russian isn't very good either. You have to know that the doctors and nurses in our hospital all speak Russian. In your absence, your mother's condition might be in jeopardy. Remember, this is Kiev, not your country..."

Pristin's words made Ivanov break out in a cold sweat. Although he was used to showing off his power in the highland forest farm, he knew nothing in the capital of Kiev. He could only nod and say, "I understand. Thank you for your help, Doctor Pristin."

Ivanov called Korchagin back, looking dejected. As soon as he explained the situation, Korchagin flew into a rage. He shouted, "This is all Haniyev's conspiracy. The doctor he found for you must have deliberately kept you in Kiev. You should be transferred to another hospital immediately and come back!"

Ivanov was silent for a long time before he finally spoke slowly, "How could transferring to another hospital be that easy? Dr. Pristin is an excellent doctor. We were able to be admitted to the hospital so quickly in Kiev thanks to him. Don't worry, I'll be back in three days at most. After that, my mother's condition will stabilize and I'll be able to go back."

Korchagin hung up the phone with a very ugly look on his face. Only now did he realize that Haniyev had been eyeing him for a long time. Even if Ivanov's mother had not been ill, he would have found a suitable opportunity to deal with him in the future.

Now Belanov has sided with Haniyev and has become the acting company commander. No matter what the other team members think in their hearts, they have agreed with him on the surface. It seems that his good days are coming to an end.

While Korchagin was nervously thinking about it, a new guest had arrived in Haniyev's office.

Comrade Grigory, the union chairman and office secretary, walked in with a handsome middle-aged man. The man was wearing a somewhat old-fashioned military uniform and smiled when he saw Haniyev.

Haniyev pointed to the wooden sofa in front of the table and asked him to sit down. He said, "Comrade Belanov is here. Would you like some tea?"

"Plain water will do, Mr. Secretary."

Haniyev glanced at Grigory, who immediately poured two cups of hot tea into green glasses and placed one in front of Belanov, and the other in front of Haniyev, then nodded and walked out.

Although Haniyev promoted Belanov, this was the first time the two met alone, and it was expected that Belanov would come to visit him specially.

Because of years of suppression by Korchagin and Ivanov, although Belanov was the third in command of the militia company, this deputy company commander had not participated in the leadership of the militia company for more than five years and was simply working as a lumberjack in the forest.

However, Haniyev's sudden promotion of Belanov made him realize that the situation in the forest farm was about to change. Korchagin and Ivanov colluded with each other to manipulate the forest farm and forced out several secretaries. However, Secretary Haniyev was obviously very capable. He was able to overwhelm Korchagin at the team meeting and make himself the acting company commander. This meant that his day of turning things around had come.

The conflict between Belanov and Korchagin and Ivanov made it impossible for him to side with Korchagin. This time, Haniyev promoted him. Whether he wanted to change from acting to official, or return to the leadership core of the militia company, he could only unite closely around Secretary Haniyev.

Because they had a common enemy, Haniyev and Belanov reached an agreement without much communication.

Naturally, Belanov said that he would fully obey the secretary's arrangements. Haniyev also hinted to Belanov that as long as he was obedient, he would support him to make further progress in the future.

Belanov was already a middle-level leader in the forest farm. Taking further steps naturally made him think that he could replace Ivanov, so he became more motivated.

There were 120 people in the militia company, of which only more than 20 were in the small group that obeyed Ivanov and Korchagin completely. Moreover, since Ivanov was not at home, Korchagin could probably arrange less than ten people.

However, Haniyev appointed Belanov as acting company commander through the team meeting, and he had full power and title to control the entire company.

After the exchange, Belanov patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Secretary. I haven't lived in the militia company for ten years in vain. Although the three platoon leaders are not my people, two of them will definitely give me face. Ivanov is not at home, and the other one will not openly challenge me. Give me three days and I will completely control the forest protection militia company. By next Monday at the latest, I will ask the Secretary to inspect our forest farm militia company and inspect the team that is completely under your control!"

Haniyev was very satisfied with Belanov's attitude. He knew that this man had been worn down by hardships and oppression. Now that he was willing to use him, he would naturally be full of fighting spirit and fight for his secretary as well as for himself.

Chapter 009 Mass Power

Thinking that his plan to completely get rid of Korchagin would require a few days of preparation, Haniyev readily agreed and personally saw Belanov out.

After Belanov left, Grigory quietly walked in again and said with a smile: "Secretary, the party members from Shangpodi Village, Xiapodi Village, and Lovlov Village have arrived."

Haniyev nodded and said, "Please ask them to come in."

Although Grigory didn't know what the secretary wanted to do, he knew that those waiting to meet with the secretary in the office were all people who had been bullied by Korchagin, or people with whom he had conflicts. Although there were many employees who had been oppressed by Korchagin, these few were the ones who had never accepted it. They came to see the secretary at this time, probably because they had some ideas.

Grigory and Korchagin have always had only a superficially friendly relationship. He is of Russian descent, and his father is a farmer in Moscow. He served in the army in Kiev, and when he was demobilized he chose to stay in the local area in order to get a good job. As a result, he became the chairman of the trade union of the Gaopodi Forest Farm and served in the position for five years.

Grigory is only 35 years old this year and he still wants to make progress. So if Haniyev, the secretary from the capital, can suppress Korchagin, it will be more beneficial to Grigory. He will naturally be happy to see it happen and is even prepared to add a helping hand.

Soon, seven or eight middle-aged men and women in tattered or even dirty clothes came to Haniyev's office. Haniyev talked with them in detail for more than an hour, and several of them took out a letter of accusation signed by them jointly from their pockets.

Haniyev reviewed the letter and saw that the content was very detailed. He nodded with satisfaction and said, "Thank you for your hard work. You can go back now. Don't worry, I will take care of it for you."

These people were the victims of the three villages, all of whom were employees who had been oppressed by Korchagin. Haniyev only knew three of the leaders of the three villages. These three were comrades he had met when he went down to understand the situation. After they learned that he had taken action against Korchagin, they finally couldn't help but bring people to add fuel to the fire.

Haniyev had already planned to persuade them to come back, not only because of the inflammatory words and ambiguous assurances he had made to them before, but also because Haniyev knew that the Soviet Union was still in its heyday in the country, and his identity as the secretary could intimidate a lot of people.

If the news that he had suppressed Korchagin and taken control of the forest militia company spread, and these victims still did not dare to come to him to complain, then it could only be said that the Slavs Haniyev met were fake.

As someone who had personally experienced the campaign against organized crime, Haniyev knew that it was just a casual report, and even so, it was enough to sweep away the flies. If it were the method used by the Great Ancestor, as long as a mass war was launched, the little Korchagin would be buried in the ocean of angry masses.

Haniyev naturally did not dare to violate the political principles of the Soviet grassroots organizations and would not instigate mass incidents, but he could use the emotions of the masses to do something.

After the representatives of the three villages took the masses away, Korchagin soon found out. He knew very well why these people came, but now he had lost the military deterrence of the forest protection militia company and had no way to intimidate the masses.

The next day, more than a dozen forestry workers, who had discovered that Korchagin had become a paper tiger, came to the office building to ask to see Haniyev.

Grigory also knew what Haniyev wanted to do, so he naturally asked clearly and then took them into Haniyev's office.

Crying and cursing were the main themes in Haniyev's office. As the secretary of the forest farm and the people's supporter, Haniyev could not have the slightest irritability or annoyance. He listened to the employees' condemnation of Korchagin with a smile on his face, then asked them to leave the materials and personally saw them off.

On the third morning, Haniyev's office was even busier, and the last batch of employees did not leave until dark.

Looking at the thick stack of materials in his hand, Haniyev felt that it was too exaggerated to say that Korcha's crimes were too numerous to list, but he had committed all the crimes that could be committed by a grassroots organization.

Bullying men and women, adultery and rape, appropriation of private property, embezzlement of forestry wealth, seizure of state-owned assets, and beating of employees, these crimes would be enough for Korchagin to be shot ten times in another era. Even now, if the evidence is conclusive and there is no exaggeration or false accusation, he will definitely spend the rest of his life in prison.

However, Korchagin has been doing business in the local area for many years and probably has economic dealings with many regional leaders. When it comes to touching him, it will definitely be necessary to make a big deal out of a small matter.

Therefore, Haniyev was not superstitious about the letters of accusation in his hand, thinking that he could capture Korchagin with a bunch of letters.

Monday came in a blink of an eye. Haniyev had been annoyed by the people these days, and he even called Korchagin to his office to give him a good scolding. Later, it was heard that Korchagin had lost all his arrogance and even sent the property he had embezzled to many families overnight.

At this time, Haniyev already knew that Korchagin was the meat on his chopping board, but in order to prevent him from doing something desperate, he still had to talk to him as the squad leader, expressing his willingness to help him in order to reassure him.

The effect was obvious. Korchagin was moved by Haniyev. After all, Haniyev was right. As a secretary sent from Kiev, he had no relatives or friends with the forestry workers. On the contrary, he and Korchagin were in the same leadership team and were closer. So now he was giving Korchagin a chance to eliminate the influence himself.

Haniyev got up from the office in the morning and was asked to leave the office by Belanov before he had time to greet the public. Belanov rode a large draft horse used by forest rangers, let Haniyev sit behind him, and went to the north of Gaopo Village where the administrative center was located. Ten minutes later, he arrived at the northernmost outpost. Further north was the primeval forest with many wild animals.

There were already dozens of people standing lazily in front of the outpost.

Everyone was wearing militia uniforms and carrying AK series automatic rifles on their shoulders. Haniyev didn't know much about guns, so he only recognized the AK47 that he was most familiar with in his previous life.

The majestic draft horse carrying the two men stopped in front of the forest ranger militia company. Haniyev was helped to get off the horse. It was the first time in his two lives that he rode such a tall and strong horse. He was so scared and nervous that he couldn't help but lose his composure, and his face was slightly hot. He made up his mind to get a horse in a few days to practice his riding skills.

Because the forest farm is used for logging, pulling wood and tools, it naturally raises a lot of draft horses that can work, and the militia company naturally has a stable.

Haniyev knew that Belanov would completely obey his arrangements at this time, so it was naturally no problem for him to get a draft horse for transportation.

This was indeed the case. Since the militia company had not yet assembled, Belanov dismounted and chatted with Haniyev. As soon as Haniyev expressed this intention, Belanov asked someone to bring five young draft horses for Haniyev to choose from.

Haniyev immediately fell in love with a pure black, shiny draft horse. Belanov immediately offered to send it back to Gaopo Village for the secretary. He whispered to Haniyev, "This horse is called Black Light because it looks like a black ray of light when it runs. Secretary, although you are not an expert rider, Black Light is very docile. As long as you go back and learn carefully, you will be able to ride it proficiently in a week at most."

Chapter 010 Reviewing the Team

After discussing the issue of draft horses for more than ten minutes, the number of people in the forest ranger militia company gradually increased to more than a hundred.

Belanov invited Haniyev to come to see how obedient the forest ranger militia company was under his command. He also wanted to show off his military management skills so that Secretary Haniyev would know that he was actually very capable.

Seeing that the militia company had more than a hundred people, Belanov did not care about the individual personnel who were not there. He first rode on a draft horse and gave a speech in front of everyone. Since he had the support of two platoon leaders, the militia was very obedient.