Servant of the People in Kyiv

"Do you understand how to launch a great revolution?" Haniyev asked.

Sankara nodded. "I roughly understand, but this isn't something that can be done in a few days. This revolution can purge the Compaorés of Burkina Faso, but how am I supposed to deal with a coup planned by Compaoré and the French tomorrow?"

Haniyev felt like a feudal military advisor. He smiled and said, "Don't let the French lead you by the nose. Compaoré has more troops in the capital, doesn't he? Then why don't you leave the capital? If you're not in Ouagadougou, how can Compaoré launch a coup?"

Sankara slapped his head and exclaimed, "You're absolutely right! Why didn't I think of that? I was still thinking about how to transfer the legions outside to start the fight ahead of time. That way, no matter how we fight, the capital will be a river of blood and countless casualties. Your idea is great. I will leave the capital ahead of time, under the pretext of going out to conduct research or accompany you on an inspection. Compaore and the French will have to endure it. When I'm ready, I can capture and deal with them at any time!"

Haniyev smiled and agreed, "Yes, you are the founder of Burkina Faso. Your popularity is unparalleled. It doesn't matter where you are. As long as you can still issue orders as president, everyone must obey. On your way out to investigate, you can observe the promoters and pioneers of the future great revolution. You only need to take a tour of Burkina Faso, and all the conspiracies, traps and killing tricks of Compaoré and the French will be useless. When the time comes, you will launch a great revolution, and millions of Burkinabe people will rise up to investigate and liquidate officials at all levels. Compaoré and others will be unable to take care of themselves. Will their lives be decided by you?"

Sankara's face was filled with admiration, his eyes tinged with a hint of awe. He praised, "That great leader of the Far East is truly remarkable. I couldn't have come up with his method no matter how hard I tried. Thanks to you, Haniyev. If you hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have known how to use it. Now I understand. Tomorrow morning, I will personally accompany you and Potanin to conduct research in the Central and Western Region, Burkina Faso's cotton-producing region. More importantly, the military commander of the Central and Western Region, Boukari Kaboré, is my most loyal friend. He has never complained and never associates with Compaore, Galini, and others."

"Your decision to capture the most trustworthy army first is extremely wise."

After hearing Peter's translation, Haniyev gave a thumbs up.

Chapter 126 The First Step - Leaving Beijing

It was already five o'clock in the morning of the next day when Haniyev and Sankara finished discussing the plan to launch a revolution and deal with Compaore's party.

The darkness outside the window was gradually dispelled by the morning light in the east, and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts of some travelers on the street could be faintly heard.

Sankara reached out and shook Haniyev's hand, saying in a deep voice, "It's settled. Tomorrow, no, this morning, we'll leave for the Central and Western Region. Secretary Haniyev, please give us your help in the future!"

"Your Excellency, President, you are too polite..."

After seeing Sankara off, Haniyev and Peter smiled at each other. Haniyev patted Peter on the shoulder and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Peter. I'm lucky to have you. Otherwise, I really don't know how I would have communicated with Sankara."

Peter's eyes widened with sleepiness. He forced a smile and shook his head. "Nothing. It's my honor to be able to serve you. Besides, I learned a lot tonight."

"Go get some sleep, we're leaving in the morning."

Haniyev asked Peter to go back to his room to rest, but he had no intention of sleeping.

After staying up all night, Haniyev was very tired and sleepy, but his brain was very excited and he couldn't fall asleep at all.

Haniyev has lofty ideals and ambitions. He personally experienced the Chernobyl incident and even saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian people. He also personally governed the city of Yalta and achieved quite good results. He believes that he has been trained and tempered enough and has rich experience, but he is still not very confident whether he can lead a country well because the scope of the country is really too large.

Now God has given Haniyev an opportunity, an opportunity to help Sankara launch a great revolution, purge counter-revolutionaries, and even reform and build Burkina Faso. This gives Haniyev an opportunity to learn and exercise, which will help him turn many of his ideas into reality. It can be regarded as a test version of governing the country.

Haniyev kept thinking about the various decisions he would make during his investigation in Sankara and the possible consequences. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. In the end, he stood up, washed his face with cold water, and began to pack his luggage.

The clock hands soon reached eight o'clock in the morning. After packing up, Haniyev informed Potanin, Peter and Ivan, and then went to have breakfast.

Because the agreement had been signed yesterday, Good and engineers from the Rilsk Nickel Mine Company went to explore the gold veins, but to the outside world they were all employees of "First Mining".

On the morning of October 8, the only Soviet members still in the hotel were Potanin, Haniyev, and his two clerks and translators.

When Potanin arrived at the restaurant, Haniyev had almost finished his meal. After Potanin sat down, he saw that Haniyev had dark bags under his eyes and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Haniyev nodded. "President Sankara informed me last night that he would personally lead us on a research tour of various regions in Burkina Faso. I was a little distracted and didn't sleep well."

Potanin was surprised and asked, "Why did he personally take us on this inspection? We are not the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister, are we? Could it be that Burkina Faso is really that poor, and Sankara is taking advantage of us and wants us to invest in other projects?"

Haniyev nodded. "That should be the case. Let's follow and see. Maybe there's a good project there?"

"Is there any better investment than a gold mine?"

Potanin smiled contemptuously and took a sip of the milk.

Haniyev smiled faintly and thought to himself: Yes, investing in a president will pay off with decades of friendship between two countries...

While Haniyev and Potanin were talking, a soldier from the presidential palace walked in, saluted Haniyev and Potanin, and then spoke a few words in French.

Is the first step about to begin?

Haniyev looked at Peter and Ivan who were eating at the table next to him. Ivan said, "The president's motorcade has already left. Please go downstairs as soon as possible and wait."

Haniyev and Potanin looked at each other, then nodded hurriedly. The four of them didn't bother to eat anymore and hurried back to their room to pack their luggage.

About ten minutes later, Haniyev and his entourage went downstairs under the guidance of the presidential palace guards and got into the Mercedes-Benz.

The car started and drove out of the city. About ten minutes later, in the suburbs of Ouagadougou, Haniyev saw three Renault cars, with a military truck in front and behind each car, both of which were filled with armed presidential guards.

Haniyev's car drove into the convoy, and then Haniyev saw the rear window of the car in the middle was rolled down, and Sankara leaned out and waved at him with a smile.

Haniyev also hurriedly lowered the window to greet people, and then the convoy slowly started heading west.

Burkina Faso covers an area of ​​27 square kilometers, which is not a small area. It is even considered a medium-sized country in Europe, but poverty is the main problem plaguing Burkina Faso.

Because the French had basically no human work here, Burkina Faso did not receive much infrastructure during the hundred years of colonization. There is only one railway from Ouagadougou to the port of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire. This was also built by the French in order to make it more convenient to transport the resources and wealth plundered from the inland to the "Ivory Coast", thereby contributing to the prosperity of France.

Since coming to power, Sankara has been committed to improving people's livelihood. Poor Burkina Faso is simply unable to build railways, so the most convenient way to travel is to rely on cars and roads.

As a landlocked country, Burkina Faso has roads that extend in all directions. Although most of them are gravel roads, they are still spacious and sturdy. The presidential motorcade can drive at a speed of 50 to 60 miles per hour on the roads, but it has to drive slowly when approaching a village market.

Looking at the markets and villages full of livestock excrement and barefoot black people, Haniyev had a clearer understanding of the poverty in Burkina Faso. Even with the car windows closed, a bad smell still seeped in. Potanin had already taken out a handkerchief to cover his mouth and nose, and Haniyev also frowned.

After finally passing through a bustling large market, the convoy also entered the Central and Western Region from the Central Region where the capital is located.

As the sun rose high in the sky, the convoy finally drove onto the cement road. A decent building could be vaguely seen ahead. Haniyev and Potanin smiled at each other.

Potanin sighed, "Finally I can see the city!"

Haniyev also breathed a sigh of relief: "The first step of leaving the capital has finally been successfully completed."

The Mercedes they were riding in was much more powerful and comfortable than Sankara's Renault. Even so, after more than four hours in the car, coupled with the bumpy road conditions and the "influence" of the smell, the two of them had already felt sore and uncomfortable all over and hoped to get off the car to rest.

Soon the convoy arrived at the gate of a large courtyard. The gatekeeper was a Burkina Faso soldier. After checking the documents of the lead vehicle, the convoy drove into the courtyard.

When the vehicle stopped, hundreds or even thousands of people rushed out from the barracks not far away. Leading them was a short and fat officer who was about thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. He ran to Sankara's car and opened the door for him personally.

After Sankara got off the car, he smiled and waved to the soldiers in the barracks. All the soldiers cheered and shouted, "Sankara, Sankara!"

Haniyev and Potanin also got out of the car and rubbed their sore lower backs. Haniyev curled his lips secretly.

Sankara did not allow the people to shout "Long Live" him, nor did he allow his portrait to be hung, on the grounds that "everyone in our country is Thomas Sankara."

"Sankara wanted to be a gentleman, but there's no place for a gentleman in a country where villains abound. He clearly had the conditions for personal worship, but he restricted the people's worship of him. This is like destroying his own great wall."

A gentleman who cannot protect himself is foolishly kind. Haniyev could not bear to see Sankara killed and did not want to see the cause of socialism destroyed, so he had to stand up.

After glancing at Potanin, Haniyev walked over to Sankara, who had already greeted all the soldiers. Smiling, he pulled the officer who was driving him over and introduced him to Haniyev, saying, "He's the Bukari Kaboré I told you about. He's the commander of the Central and Western Region and my most loyal partner!"

Sankara's translator whispered something in Russian, while Haniyev and Potanin shook hands cordially with Kaboré.

Sankara was a show-off. Seeing the soldiers from the military district lingering around to watch him, he climbed into the car, waved his arms and gave an impromptu speech. The general content was to thank his brothers for their efforts. The two senior Soviet officials he brought with him were going to help Burkina Faso mine gold, and there would be more projects in the future. Burkina Faso's good days were getting closer and closer thanks to the hard work of eight million people.

Sankara's prestige is very high among the poor in Burkina Faso, and the soldiers in Burkina Faso are basically all poor, so as long as Sankara is given enough time to prepare, he will be able to mobilize most of the soldiers to follow him.

After Sankara finished his speech, the cheers from the Central and Western Military Region Command were earth-shaking and lasted for a long time.

Haniyev and his companions were already growling with hunger, but seeing Sankara still eagerly shaking hands and hugging the soldiers, Potanin snorted, "He's getting so carried away with the show that he's completely lost himself in it."

However, Haniyev knew that Sankara was not putting on a show, he was just that kind of person. He looked at the captain of the presidential guard and the Minister of Territorial Administration and Rectification, Nongma Ernest Ouedraogo, who followed Sankara. Haniyev had met these two people many times before and knew that they were Sankara's confidants, especially Minister Ouedraogo, who was Sankara's chief think tank and a firm executor of his policies.

Haniyev whispered, "Your Excellency the President, please take a rest. We need to have lunch and have important things to do in the afternoon."

Ivan whispered Haniyev's words to him. Ouedraogo was one of Sankara's most trusted civil servants. He nodded and walked to Sankara and whispered something.

Only then did Sankara wave goodbye to the soldiers and take everyone to the office building of the military district headquarters.

Chapter 127 Step 2 - Commemorating Guevara

The commander of the Central and Western Military Region, Bukari Kaboré, is an old subordinate of Sankara and an old man who followed him in the coup. However, he is different from Compaore and Galini. He only worships and admires Sankara from beginning to end. Therefore, he is one of the senior military officials who still unconditionally supports Sankara.

Originally, Sankara wanted him to join the central government to hold a senior position, but Kaboré said that he was unwilling to compete with others for fame and fortune, and he could not compete with others, so he chose to be the military district commander in the Central and Western Region.

After seeing Sankara's visit, Bukari Kaboré was very happy. He treated them to a very sumptuous meal at noon, and then took Sankara, Haniyev and others to the conference room to rest.

While drinking tea, Kaboré chuckled and said, "Mr. President, why did you leave the capital and come to me without even saying hello?"

"What's wrong, aren't you welcome?"

Sankara was in a very good mood and even started joking for the first time.

"Of course not. You're more than welcome."

Cabore smiled and said, "You didn't even say hello to Compaore when you came out. He was terrified when he found out that you and your guards were missing this morning. He sent telegrams to all the districts to search for you. I heard that it was only two or three hours later that he learned that you were accompanying two Soviet officials on an investigation. He even severely criticized the soldiers and police of the Capital Military District for this, saying that your convoy had left the city without reporting to him..."

Sankara glanced at Haniyev, a smile on his face. "Don't worry about him. The two Soviet representatives have brought us a large gold mine project. I need to accompany them well. I can leave the affairs of Ouagadougou to Compaore."

Cabore asked, "Then I don't need to tell him you're here?"

Sankara frowned and said, "Of course I can't tell him. I want to keep him confused."

Cabore snorted coldly, "You're still angry with him. Compaore is indeed outrageous. He actually dared to openly oppose you. Has he forgotten who saved this country?"

Sankara asked, "How did he oppose me? What did you hear?"

"Didn't he hire people to distribute leaflets in southern cities demanding your resignation? Didn't you decide to deal with him? He should have been taken down long ago."

Cabore scratched his head and said.

Sankara asked, "How do you know?"

“A lot of people say that.”

"It seems the situation is really being manipulated by someone with ulterior motives, and I had no idea about it before."

Sankara was suddenly frightened and ordered the unimportant people to leave first. Only he, Uedraogo, the captain and team members of the guards, as well as Kaborei, Haniyev, Potanin, Peter, and Ivan were left in the house.

Even if Kaboré was slow-witted, he knew something must have happened. He asked, "Do you have anything to say to me in private? You can come to my office."

"No, there are no outsiders here."

Sankara pointed at Haniyev and his men and said, "They are not only Soviet representatives coming to help us build, but also comrades from the Communist International who are helping me. Kabogu and I are good friends. I have always considered you my most loyal partner. You may not know that senior officials from many countries, such as Compaore and Galini, have been bribed by the French and are preparing to overthrow this country and launch a military coup!"

Upon hearing this, Cabore flew into a rage and slammed his fist on the table, cursing, "Damn French, damn Compaore, damn Galini..."

After cursing for a while, Kaboré stood up and said, "Your Excellency the President, please quickly order the elimination of the counter-revolutionary traitors headed by Compaore. I will immediately lead the elite troops of the Central and Western Military Region to attack Ouagadougou!"

"Don't be impulsive, Kaboré. You're over 30, why are you still so impulsive? Don't forget how many troops Compaore and Galini have at their disposal. Compaore is the commander of the Capital Military Region, and Galini is the Minister of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Together, the two of them control most of the troops. Can you win if you rush in and attack?"

Sankara shook his head slightly and said, "You have to learn to use your brain."

"Then what do you say we should do? How about you order all the troops from each region to come? With the legions from each region and the elite soldiers I have, we can win!"

"What nonsense! Do you want me to start a civil war?"

Sankara angrily declared, "The French are behind Compaoré. As long as we turn the war into a civil war, the French will support Compaoré with guns and supplies. Even if we win in the end, who knows how many Burkina Faso people will die. I cannot do this."

"But if you don't take action now, you'll be in a more passive position if you wait until Compaore takes action!"

"It doesn't matter. I already have a way to deal with Compaore and the others. All you have to do is control the Central and Western Military Region and wait for my orders at any time!"

Cabore saluted hurriedly and said, "Yes, sir." In a hurry, he still used the same title from many years ago.

Sankara asked Haniyev to sit next to him and asked, "Mr. Haniyev, what do you think I should do next?"

"Your Excellency the President should have an idea, right?"

"Yes, today is the 20th anniversary of Che Guevara's death. I organize events to commemorate him every year. I originally planned to gather Compaoré and other old brothers to hold a memorial meeting, and by the way, analyze ourselves and the country and have a frank talk. But now Compaoré and others have lost this opportunity. I plan to give a speech and let the national television and news agencies call on the people of the country to commemorate Comrade Che Guevara together!"

Haniyev smiled slightly. "Yes, that's what should be done. It would be even better if someone of considerable prestige in your country could write an editorial in memory of Comrade Che Guevara, criticizing the corruption that exists among your country's senior officials, which goes against their original aspirations."

Sankara nodded and looked at Uedraogo.

"Nongma, you are a prominent intellectual and high-ranking official in our country, and Odelaize, he is the Minister of Information and Communications and also a prominent intellectual. The two of you should work together to write an editorial and then publish it on the national radio and television station. I will make a decision based on the public's reaction."

Ouedraogo is the Minister of Territorial Administration and Management, also known as the Ministry of Land and Resources. However, he is the first civil servant in Sankara's administration and also Sankara's senior advisor. His power and status cannot be summarized by a minister.

It was obvious that Ouedraogo already knew Sankara's plan. After listening to it, he looked at Haniyev, nodded, and said, "Okay, I will contact Odlets first and send out your call for the people of the country to commemorate Che Guevara. We will try to let everyone know before 2 pm."

Ouedraogo stepped aside to arrange a presidential appeal in memory of Che Guevara.

Sankara looked at Haniyev and asked, "Compaore and the others are just soldiers. They only control the two legions in the capital. I can still control the news media and the local army. Now let's use the Che Guevara commemoration to disrupt the situation. Then, while we investigate the industries and cadres in the various regions, we will refine and implement the plan, right?"

Sankara was indeed a formidable politician. After a night of reflection, he had already devised a clear plan for launching a revolution. Haniyev praised him and nodded, "You're right. I don't think your plan has any flaws."

"Then we'll stay here today. Mr. Haniyev and Director Potanin, please rest first. I'll have someone call you if anything else matters."

Led by a soldier, Haniyev, Potanin and three others left the conference room and came to a spacious suite to rest.

After the soldier left, Potanin came over with his eyes wide open.

"What have you been hiding from me, Comrade Viktor Vladimirevich? How did Sankara and Compaore suddenly become enemies and start fighting each other overnight? How did we get involved in the political struggle of another country?"

Haniyev smiled slightly and explained, "Last night, Sankara came to me and talked about the conflict between him and Compaoré. I happened to know a secret at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so I told him. Then he decided to come with us to conduct research and at the same time plan to deal with Compaoré and carry out a major purge in Burkina Faso."

"What secret?"

“The French president ordered the French ambassador to Burkina Faso to sow discord between Sankara and Compaoré, forcing Compaoré to launch a military coup and kill Sankara.”

"hiss!"