Servant of the People in Kyiv

What's more, it was because of Haniyev and others' visit to Burkina Faso that so many troubles were caused. It was equivalent to their unauthorized actions that put the Soviet Union in a passive position. It was impossible for Gorbachev not to be angry, and it was impossible for him not to take action against Haniyev and others.

Sankara made his position clear over the phone: "After the Great Revolution, Burkina Faso's highest authority was reorganized from the original National Revolutionary Committee into the National Committee for Thorough Revolution. Comrade Haniyev, you are now members of the leadership team of our Burkina Faso's highest authority, enjoying the treatment of a vice-state-level official. I have also made this clear to Gorbachev and France. I don't think they will openly target you, but I am worried that you will be liquidated after returning to your country. Therefore, I hope that you will stay in Ouagadougou for the time being and not return to the Soviet Union. Wait until I stabilize everything in the country and personally send you back. In this way, Gorbachev will forget the previous unpleasantness for my sake..."

While Sankara was speaking, Peter hurriedly translated into Haniyev's ear. Haniyev pursed his lips and nodded. "Your concerns are ours too. After all, no leader likes to have troublesome subordinates. However, Burkina Faso is in a state of disrepair and needs you for everything. You won't be able to visit the Soviet Union anytime soon, so I don't think you need to worry too much about us. Potanin and I have already made plans. We won't go back unless we are absolutely sure."

After hearing Peter's translation, Sankara was silent for a moment and then said, "Comrade Haniyev, you are a sharp and intelligent person. I am very fortunate to be your good friend. I will send someone to protect you. Please contact me in time if there is any situation!"

After Haniyev hung up the phone with the Presidential Palace, he went to dinner with Potanin. The two were drinking happily when they suddenly saw Eugene running over in a hurry.

"Comrade Eugene, come and have a drink too."

Haniyev laughed heartily and handed Eugene a glass of wine. Eugene held the glass and said, "Don't drink anymore. The KGB sent by the General Secretary were disarmed as soon as they got off the plane by the thousands of national security forces sent by Sankara to block the airport. I just learned the news. We must ask Sankara to release the KGB immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Potanin and Haniyev also hurriedly stood up and said, "We must ask Sankara to release him immediately, otherwise we will be embarrassed for the Soviet Union. If the General Secretary loses face, it will affect the relationship between the two countries and our future!"

Haniyev hurriedly stood up and asked Ivan to call the Presidential Palace to find out the situation. He then took Potanin, Eugene and Peter and drove straight to the Presidential Palace.

About twenty minutes later, the Mercedes-Benz drove into the presidential palace. As soon as Haniyev got out of the car, he ignored diplomatic etiquette and walked quickly inside, asking as he walked, "Where is the President?"

The guard who greeted them didn't understand Russian and looked confused, so Peter hurriedly translated.

"Oh, His Excellency the President is waiting for you in the living room."

Haniyev walked quickly and soon arrived in the living room, where he saw Sankara and seven Soviet men in suits sitting on the sofa opposite him.

Looking at their tall statures and lightning-like eyes, Haniyev knew that these seven people were the KGB members sent by Gorbachev to capture him and bring him back to the country.

When Sankara saw Haniyev and his companions come in, he raised his hand and smiled. "These are our friends from the Soviet Union, Comrades Haniyev and Potanin. I've already explained the situation to them. They were already on the plane when Comrade Gorbachev and I corresponded and reached an agreement, so they didn't know about it yet. To prevent them from accidentally hurting you, I invited them here as guests."

Chapter 139: The Model of Mangzhu People

Before Haniyev and Eugene arrived, their biggest worry was that Sankara would rashly arrest the KGB to protect Haniyev and his three companions, causing casualties among Soviet agents. That would be like slapping Gorbachev in the face, causing dire consequences that would be difficult to reverse.

Therefore, after entering the hall, they went straight to the seven KGB officers, shook hands with them one by one and had a cordial conversation with them. They did not breathe a sigh of relief until they confirmed that the seven were not injured or wronged.

Eugene stayed behind to tell the seven agents about the latest situation. Haniyev walked up to Sankara, reached out and shook Sankara's hand, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you, Comrade Sankara, for your care and protection. I am very grateful!"

Haniyev was truly moved. He kept expressing his gratitude to Sankara. It was a rare courage for a leader of a small country to control seven foreign agents in order to protect foreign friends, even at the risk of affecting diplomatic relations with a big country.

Although we cannot say that there are no leaders in the world who possess such courage and determination, there are certainly not many of them.

Sankara smiled slightly, pointed out the window, and said, "I brought all the soldiers from the Capital Military District to the airport. Dozens of cannons and over a thousand guns pointed at them would have scared everyone. So the seven of them and the other passengers on the plane had to undergo inspection after getting off the plane. I don't know who the agents were who came to arrest you, but there are very few Soviet or Eastern European people in Burkina Faso. They all have Hungarian passports, so they are obviously agents sent by Gorbachev, so I brought them here..."

If there is no fighting, there will be no casualties, and it will not affect the relationship between the two countries. Obviously, movies are just movies. Even the KGB, which is praised as being so powerful, can only surrender when facing a real army.

About ten minutes later, Eugene had informed the seven agents of the latest situation and took the arrest warrants from them. He then tore them up in front of everyone and said, "Please follow me back to the embassy. After I report to Moscow, I will await the General Secretary's new instructions."

The seven agents nodded, and then Eugene and Haniyev discussed for a few words and took the seven agents back to the embassy to report.

Haniyev, Potanin and the other three stayed in the presidential palace to talk to Sankara.

Although he had not seen Haniyev and Potanin for only two days, Sankara acted as if they had not seen each other for a long time. He kept asking about their situation and whether the danger to the four was completely eliminated.

Since Haniyev and others accompanied Sankara on a month-long tour of the country for research and investigation, during this period, Sankara relied heavily on Haniyev, whether it was launching the Great Revolution or planning and distributing the industry in Burkina Faso, and he also respected the opinions of Haniyev and Potanin.

After dozens of days of communication, many of Haniyev and Potanin's opinions and suggestions have been proven to be reasonable after the test of time. Moreover, they are not Burkina Faso and their opinions and suggestions are not selfish. They are simply for the good of Sankara and Burkina Faso. Sankara firmly believes in this.

Therefore, Sankara has become accustomed to life with Haniyev and Potanin around, and he feels that he can be at ease with the two top advisers around.

Haniyev and Potanin were both sharp-minded people and they noticed Sankara's sincerity towards them. They were very moved and thanked him. They said that President Sankara's responsibility gave them and the Soviet Union reason not to admit their participation in the Great Revolution. Now the French could no longer hold the two and the Soviet Union accountable.

Sankara laughed and said, "I have offended the French for a long time. I know Mitterrand wants to kill me immediately. This time, thanks to your help, I was able to launch the Great Revolution and disintegrate the military coup brewing by the internal and external collusion of the reactionary groups in France, Côte d'Ivoire, Compaoré and Lingani. I also took the opportunity to eliminate the reactionary forces and pseudo-revolutionaries in the country in one fell swoop, greatly improving the cohesion and centripetal force of Burkina Faso, and also improving the combat effectiveness and loyalty of the cadres of various parties and departments who survived the Great Movement and Revolution.

To be honest, I sleep more soundly now than before. I'm very confident that within ten years, I can thoroughly establish a system for Burkina Faso's healthcare, education, and other livelihood issues that is on par with any other country, while also significantly elevating transportation, infrastructure, and the economy."

Seeing Sankara's confidence and radiant expression, Haniyev was also inspired by Ivan's translation and said with a smile, "Comrade Sankara, I believe you can do it. Comrade Potanin and I have long agreed that only you can save Burkina Faso."

"Yes, you are the only human star in Burkina Faso and Africa in the past century. Your light and virtue have let the world know the great explanation, and you have also carried the banner of the socialist cause and become the only beacon of democracy in Africa!"

Potanin was much more eloquent than Haniyev, and Sankara soon felt a little flattered by the constant flattery from his two top advisers.

As the few of them chatted, Sankara became more and more confident in the cause of Burkina Faso.

Haniyev and Potanin also learned more about the facts. After the great revolution that swept across the country, all the evildoers had nowhere to hide. Not only were reactionary leaders such as Compaore and Lingani arrested and criticized, but their family members, subordinates and many French people were also arrested. After more than ten or twenty days of criticism and interrogation, all the truth came to light.

In the conspiracy to overthrow Sankara's regime, Compaoré, Lingani and others played a major role and were the perpetrators preparing for a military coup, while Compaoré's wife was a participant, and the French ambassador and the French government as well as Felix Houphouët-Boigny, the founding father of neighboring Côte d'Ivoire, were the planners and organizers of the conspiracy.

Haniyev and Potanin could have guessed with their toes that the mastermind behind the military coup was French, but they could not have imagined that the small country of Côte d'Ivoire also played an important role in it.

"I didn't expect that Bovani from Côte d'Ivoire also had a grudge against you."

"No, we don't have any conflicts."

"Then why is he so eager to deal with you?"

"He always had a good relationship with France and was always politically opposed to socialism. So after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the relationship between our two countries was not harmonious."

"Then it's a bit unreasonable for him to kill you so quickly..."

France is the old colonial power in West Africa. It has been operating here for a hundred years and has deep roots. In addition, it is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. They have reason not to want to lose control of Burkina Faso. Under the pressure of the two powers, Burkina Faso can only passively resist.

However, the leader of Côte d'Ivoire, a small African country adjacent to Burkina Faso, took the initiative to participate in the assassination of a head of state. Moreover, even if Compaoré and others succeeded, it would not benefit Côte d'Ivoire in any way. His behavior of harming others and not benefiting himself is really puzzling.

After analyzing for a long time, Haniyev, Sankara and others finally came to the conclusion that "Felix Houphouet-Boigny is a filial son of France and a typical representative of the Mangkhut people who are loyal to the French."

“It’s a tragedy for 10 million Ivorians that this kind of bastard is in power!”

Sankara sighed and said, "Bovani has been in power for more than 25 years. Under his leadership, Côte d'Ivoire has been very stable, and its economy is one of the strongest in West Africa. But that was achieved at the cost of national dignity and resources.

Boigny has betrayed socialism and is willing to be a dog of the French for his own power, status and wealth, and he is also dragging other Africans into being dogs with him. How shameless!

"Then he is indeed a typical Mangkhut person."

Potanin said with a sigh.

"France is still soft-colonizing this country. I offended the French, and he's even angrier than the French. He wants to kill me if he's the first to charge. Comrade Haniyev, Comrade Potanin, if there are too many people like this in Africa, we'll never be truly liberated!"

Potanin asked, "Comrade Sankara, what are you going to do? Are you going to pursue the matter of Bovani harming you?"

"Of course I must investigate. I want to expose the conspiracy of the French and Boigny to the public and let the people of the world see the ugly faces of these colonizers and their running dogs."

Sankara is definitely not the type of person who will swallow his anger. He dared to accuse France in front of Mitterrand back then, so how could he be afraid of the small Côte d'Ivoire now?

Côte d'Ivoire is about the same size as Burkina Faso, with an area and population only slightly larger than Burkina Faso. However, Côte d'Ivoire's military strength is far inferior to that of Burkina Faso, and more than one million of the country's tens of millions of people are Burkinabé. Therefore, if the two countries go to war, Côte d'Ivoire will definitely not be enough for Sankara to fight.

Just because Burkina Faso is a filial son to France, Côte d'Ivoire's military basically relies on France. If Burkina Faso really goes to war with Côte d'Ivoire, it will inevitably attract the French army. Regardless of the outcome at that time, Burkina Faso's future will not require development.

Therefore, no matter how much he hated Bhowani, a native of Mangkhut, Sankara could only use propaganda to fight back against him, and could not take other measures to fight back against him.

The Secretary General of the Presidential Palace walked into the living room and whispered, "President, French Ambassador Allen Deschamps wants to see you."

Sankara frowned and snorted coldly, "How could he escape when the embassy was blocked? He's amazing! Tell him I don't want to see him. I won't see any French people again until France appoints a new ambassador!"

The Secretary-General left, and Haniyev and his companions chatted with Sankara for more than ten minutes before saying goodbye and leaving.

Not long after the car left the Presidential Palace, a Citroën suddenly came out from a side road and blocked the way of the Mercedes-Benz.

"laugh!"

The driver of the car braked hastily. The guard in the passenger seat and the guards in the car behind the Mercedes-Benz who were protecting Haniyev and others opened the doors and rushed out immediately. They pointed their guns at the Citroen and shouted.

After the car door opened, a middle-aged man with short brown hair, wearing a suit and a red tie walked out. He was the French ambassador Alan Deschamps.

Chapter 140: Fooling the French

The old record player in the Soviet Embassy in Area A of Ouagadougou was playing. This antique brought by the first ambassador was still working. Chopin's piano piece "Nocturne in E-flat Major" danced in the air as the old record turned, and reached the ears of Haniyev, Potanin, Alan Deschamps and others who were drinking tea and chatting in the living room.

After Allen Deschamps stopped Haniyev's car, Haniyev took him back to the Soviet Embassy.

After the two sides sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries, Alan Deschamps began to praise Haniyev continuously and apologized for his rash reporting to the French president without understanding the situation clearly, which led to misunderstanding of Haniyev and almost caused an international dispute.

Haniyev and others had never met Alan Deschamps before, but they all knew that they were rivals, so they had already learned about each other from other channels.

Now with Sankara's statement and the Soviet Union's investigation results, France can no longer hold Haniyev accountable, otherwise it would be a bit of a rogue. Therefore, even though it is known that it was Haniyev who helped Sankara launch the revolution and destroyed the plan that France had been planning for many years, Alan Deschamps can only swallow this loss in silence.

Haniyev knew very well that Allen Deschamps had been unable to meet Sankara and must have ulterior motives in looking for him, so he didn't say much and just kept laughing.

Alan Deschamps, seeing that he had repeatedly circled around the Great Revolution and neither Haniyev nor Potanin responded, became a little anxious. He coughed lightly and said, "Gentlemen, I know I was very presumptuous today, but President Sankara is unwilling to forgive me. I was involved in something that really offended him. Now Burkina Faso has confiscated French assets and arrested many French people. I have no way to explain to President Mitterrand, so I can only ask for your help. I know that you are both good friends of Sankara and the highest advisors to Burkina Faso. If you can help me plead, the President will definitely listen..."

Alan Deschamps doesn't speak Russian, but he speaks good English. Haniyev and Potanin both speak English, so they communicate directly in English and there is no need for a translator.

Before Alan Deschamps could finish his words, Potanin stood up and waved his hand. "No, no, we're all Soviet. The so-called Supreme Advisor is merely providing economic development advice to Burkina Faso, a fellow socialist country. It's not our place to interfere in the dispute between your country and Burkina Faso. You should find someone else."

Haniyev also smiled and waved his hand. Alan Deschamps gritted his teeth and said, "Please rest assured, I will never let your help be in vain. If you can help me ask Sankara to release the French, I can ask our officials to explain to the Soviet side that the previous pursuit of you was a pure misunderstanding. Wouldn't it be safer and more respectable for you to return home this way?"

Haniyev's expression changed, but Potanin snorted coldly and said, "You are the ones who framed us in the first place."

Alan Deschamps hurriedly nodded in apology, then continued to plead. Under his constant pleas, Haniyev and Potanin pretended to discuss for a long time before saying, "Okay, we can help you with this, but we can't guarantee that President Sankara will be willing to release the Frenchman. And if that Frenchman really did commit a serious crime in Burkina Faso, I don't think Sankara would give us face."

"I know this, and no matter what the outcome is, I'm grateful."

Alan Deschamps said with a smile that for the sake of his political future, he could only keep lowering his stance.

"The assets that were confiscated from us in France by Sankara..."

"We really don't dare to say that. You know how you and France have treated Sankara. He hates you to the core. France's assets in Burkina Faso were acquired through colonial exploitation. His revolution has reached this point. Not to mention that he personally would definitely not agree to return them to you. Even if he did agree, do you think the eight million people of Burkina Faso would agree? With such public opinion, wouldn't we be asking for trouble if we tried to persuade Sankara?"

Haniyev glared and said angrily.

Deschamps had no choice but to nod and leave.

Haniyev and Potanin had already discussed with Sankara the issue of how to deal with the French people and French assets captured during the Great Revolution, and knew that Sankara was inclined to confiscate all French assets and release the people.

Because Burkina Faso is too poor now, France's assets have shrunk severely after the regime change four years ago and Burkina Faso's transformation into socialism, but it is still a huge fortune for Burkina Faso. At this juncture when France has substantial evidence of his murder and Sankara is caught, it is impossible for him to give up this piece of fat meat.

Because confiscating French assets would definitely offend the French again, it would be impolite to try or even shoot the captured French at this time. Even if some of these French people really deserved to be killed, in order to avoid completely breaking off relations with France, Sankara had already made a preliminary decision to confiscate the property and then release the people to ease the relationship.

Haniyev and Potanin had guessed this before communicating with Sankara, and even Alan Deschamps had an idea of ​​it, but he just wanted to try harder.

Potanin yawned and asked, "Victor, are you really going to plead with Sankara? He was originally planning to release the French, but he would probably negotiate terms with France before doing so. Asking France to replace its ambassador is a form of pressure to gain the upper hand in the negotiations. If we speak up for the French now, won't that make Sankara uncomfortable?"

Haniyev smiled softly and said, "Alan Deschamps' offer is a good one. If France can publicly explain to Soviet officials that the previous accusations against us were all misunderstandings, then no matter what Gorbachev thinks, we will be cleared of any wrongdoing. This is very important to both you and me."

Potanin nodded. "Yes, but I think Sankara's friendship is more important. This is about the gold mine business."

Haniyev smiled and said, "I plan to tell Sankara the truth about the situation and let him make the decision. After all, the commotion Alan Deschamps made today was not small. It is impossible to hide it from Sankara. It is better to tell the truth without reservation to avoid affecting his trust in us."

"Haha, you're right. Given how much Sankara values ​​you and me now, I think he'll agree to release them after knowing this, and then the favor will be ours."

"If nothing unexpected happens, that should be the case. After all, these French people can't exchange for much benefits, so returning a favor to us is not bad."

After Haniyev and Potanin reached an agreement, they called Sankara, asked Alan Deschamps to stop his car, and then made various requests one by one.

Sankara was silent for a long time on the other end of the phone. Then he said, "I understand what's going on. I can release the French, but they can forget about the French assets. But I can't just let them go. I'm asking for $10000 per person, for a total of 223 French people. You'll be the one to negotiate the ransom with the French. My bottom line is $200 million. Comrade Haniyev, do you have any questions?"

"No, Comrade Sankara, don't worry, I will fight for it."

After hanging up the phone, Haniyev waited until the afternoon to let Peter inform Alan Deschamps.

In less than half an hour, he came running over happily.

After taking a sip of coffee, Deschamps asked, "Mr. Haniyev, has President Sankara agreed to release him?"

Haniyev sighed and said, "When I told President Sankara about this, he was very angry. He said that these French people were colonialists and the culprits who instigated the rebellion of Compaoré and others. Every one of them should be executed. Without the death penalty, there is no way to deter reactionaries at home and abroad..."

As he spoke, Haniyev sighed deeply, which frightened Alan Deschamps. He thought that he had personally taken the lead in instigating Compaore to overthrow the Sankara regime, but not only did he fail, but more than 200 Chinese people died as a result, many of whom were important figures. He would have to stand trial when he returned to his country.

Therefore, Alan Deschamps is now very anxious. He is afraid that he will really be driven back to France by Sankara. Not only will his career be ruined, but he will also become a sinner of France. If the new ambassador has a good talk with Sankara, he may even get credit.

Seeing Deschamps's grim expression, Haniyev decided to withdraw his attention and said, "Since I promised Ambassador Allen Deschamps, you will not ignore it. Potanin and I tried our best to persuade Sankara, and finally President Sankara agreed to release him."

"Oh, God bless you!"

Alan Deschamps breathed a sigh of relief and drew the sign of the cross with both hands.

Haniyev smiled inwardly and continued, "But he has conditions."

Allen Deschamps' mood was like a roller coaster, fluctuating up and down. He felt his back was covered in sticky sweat and asked, "What are the conditions?"

Haniyev has never been a soft-hearted person. He thought from the beginning that he could fool the French.

"You know Burkina Faso is very backward, and Sankara is ambitious. The revolution has affected the entire country's production and life, so he finally agreed to release the French, but he wants you to pay ransom. Sankara asked for $20000 per person, so for 223 French people in total, that's $446 million."

"so much?"

Allen Deschamps frowned and sighed, "I can't explain to the president how much money he has. Mr. Haniyev, could you please talk to President Sankara and ask him to lower the ransom?"

Haniyev was in a very difficult situation and only agreed to give it a try after repeated requests from Alan Deschamps.

Only after Alan Deschamps left with many thanks did Haniyev and Potanin burst into laughter.

Alan Deschamps is an outstanding French diplomat who has planned rebellions in former French colonies more than once in order to help France firmly control its African colonies. However, such a prestigious figure fell into Haniyev's hands today.

Ever since he asked to see Haniyev, he has been extremely nervous, like a stray dog, simply because he no longer has any bargaining chips in his hand.