Servant of the People in Kyiv

Potanin curled his lips in amazement. "Victor, you are truly an extraordinary person. I can't imagine anything that could stump you. France is the birthplace of the Great Revolution and a land of saints. This trick of yours is truly the most effective!"

"Yes, there is still Notre Dame Cathedral there, so naturally there are the most Virgin Marys there."

Potanin smirked: "Many people didn't have the heart to shoot at the Germans, so they lost their country."

"Ha ha……"

The changes in France and Burkina Faso were already known to the world. With Eugene and the seven agents reporting to Moscow every day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the KGB had the latest information and knew that Haniyev played a key role in it.

So at noon today, Moscow sent a telegram, in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Trade verbally commended Haniyev and Potanin, and asked them not to stay any longer and return home as soon as possible.

Haniyev was a little hesitant at the time, but after confirming again and again, he was relieved when he was sure that it was Shevardnadze's own intention.

After Haniyev's operation, the relationship between France and Burkina Faso is no longer hostile in name. France also explained to the Soviet Union that it had misunderstood Haniyev and his colleagues. Sankara also personally communicated with Gorbachev, not only protecting Haniyev and his colleagues, but also praising them highly.

At this moment, no one is investigating the fact that Haniyev and Potanin took the initiative to instigate Sankara to launch the Great Revolution and the Great Purge. Even if everyone knows the truth, they have to say on the surface that Haniyev was not involved in the matter.

However, the normalization of relations between France and Burkina Faso was actually promoted by Haniyev, and both countries had to thank the Soviet Union for its kindness.

Amidst unanimous praise from France and Burkina Faso, Haniyev and Potanin had transformed themselves from former Soviet criminals into meritorious officials. After they returned, Gorbachev had no reason to touch them again.

According to the tradition of the Soviet system and the powerful circle, after returning to their country, Haniyev and Potanin could even rely on their respective connections to be promoted based on their merits, and even Ivan and Peter would have a brighter future.

Chapter 145 It's rare to smile in this world

Haniyev and Potanin have lived in Burkina Faso for 40 days. The conditions here are far worse than those in the Soviet Union. From the moment they set foot on this land, it seemed as if God had slowed down their lives.

Every day for Haniyev is very fulfilling and long, and his brain is working at high speed every day, until the last two days when he got a rest.

It is now the eighth day since Sankara returned to Ouagadougou. He has not had a moment's rest in the past week and has begun to recover the momentum of the revolution from one province to another.

The main purpose of Sankara launching the Great Revolution was to dismantle the military coup of Compaore and others, and secondly to purge the entire team. Because Burkina Faso was too small, the team was basically cleaned up in less than a month since the Great Revolution.

So after he returned to the capital and convened the first National Congress of the Committee for Thorough Revolution, the tone of the complete victory of the Great Revolution was set. It would only take one or two months for the new power body, the Committee for Thorough Revolution, to transition with the previous government agencies, and then the complete victory of the thorough revolution could be declared. By that time, the Great Revolution would be over, and Burkina Faso would be able to change direction and concentrate on development from top to bottom.

Today, November 16th, is the day the Compaore and Lingani criminal gangs go on trial.

Burkina Faso's national television broadcast the entire trial of the Compaore criminal gang by the country's Supreme Court and the People's Court. After two hours of evidence presentation, Compaore, Lingani and their family members and accomplices, a total of 172 people, confessed to more than ten major crimes they had committed, including conspiracy to subvert state power, corruption, insulting leaders, and treason.

After joint confirmation by the Supreme Court and the People's Court, 24 main criminals of the Compaore and Lingani criminal groups were finally sentenced to life imprisonment, and the remaining 148 people were sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison, and all their property was confiscated.

The public trial and sentencing of Compaore and 172 others also marked the end of this "great revolution to eliminate the poisonous cancer of reactionaries."

According to Sankara's instructions, from now on, all regions and provinces will also begin to publicly try and sentence all criminals who have been identified as counter-revolutionaries after investigation and criticism, and rehabilitate and compensate those who have been found innocent after investigation. When this process of public trial and rehabilitation is completed, the Great Revolution will also be over.

While Compaore was on trial, Sankara was watching Burkina Faso's first film and documentary, "Independence - At Midnight", in the People's Palace with his family, Haniyev, Potanin, Ivan, Peter and other young players from the capital.

This film records the scenes when Upper Volta became independent in 1960.

After watching the documentary, Sankara said to the accompanying leaders of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Propaganda, the National Communications, Radio, Television, and the Film Bureau, "Burkina Faso is one of the earliest African countries to develop and attach great importance to film. Film is an important medium for showcasing our national culture, national image, and national will. We must learn from Soviet films in the future. You departments should work together to produce a film documenting the founding of Burkina Faso and the period of the Great Revolution. These can all be made into films. Cultural exports are very important. If our films can be sent to the Soviet Union, Cuba, China, and other countries for broadcast, it will be a great success for our small country. It will not only enhance our international influence, but also earn us some foreign exchange to build our motherland..."

Sankara was always thinking about development, and everyone said they remembered his instructions.

Leaving Burkina Faso's largest theater, Sankara asked Haniyev about Soviet cinema and the development of cinema in the West.

Haniyev didn't hide anything and told the truth about everything he knew. Upon learning that the film and television industries in the Soviet Union and the West were vastly superior to those in his own country, Sankara clenched his fist and said, "Please help me find some excellent Soviet films. I want Burkina Faso's film and broadcasting departments to study them, and they can be shown frequently in the People's Palace, so that the people can see world-class films there."

Haniyev readily agreed to Sankara's request. He didn't even need to go back to his country to apply to the cultural and diplomatic departments. He just needed to give Poroshenko a heads-up, and the owner of the largest video store in Kiev could find all the Soviet films and send them to Burkina Faso.

Sankara rarely had time to spend with his family and children. Seeing that it was still early, he asked, "I'm planning to take my family to visit the Mossi Palace, a famous historical site in Burkina Faso. Would you and Potanin and the others like to come and see it?"

Haniyev and his companions were not interested in the so-called African Palace, but they did not want to spoil Sankara's interest, so they all agreed with a smile.

A moment later, the convoy stopped in front of a large yellow mud courtyard wall. After getting off the car, they looked at the tall square building with yellow mud walls. There were indeed many patterns and decorations of Burkina Faso's African culture on it. Compared with the low thatched mud houses in the countryside, this large building was indeed magnificent, but Haniyev, Potanin and others really could not associate it with the royal palace.

"This is the palace of the kingdom once established by the Mossi people in our country. The last Mossi king, Morho Naba, and his family still live here. Many Mossi people come here to pay homage and pay homage..."

Sankara excitedly introduced the place to his children and Haniyev and his party. When they learned that the big mud house in front of them was the Moshi Palace, Haniyev and Potanin could only force a smile and agree with him.

Upon learning that President Sankara was coming, King Moshi and his family ran to the door to greet him. In this country that came into being with the help of the French, King Moshi is very sacred in the hearts of the people. No matter who is the president, King Moshi has an influence and status close to that of the president.

However, the great revolution last month changed everything in Burkina Faso, and King Mossi Naba was also greatly affected. If Sankara had not spoken personally, his family would have been driven out of the palace by the red fighters and left to sleep on the streets.

At this time, Naba could still act like an old king in front of ordinary Burkina Faso citizens, but in front of Sankara he was just a citizen with some prestige.

With the King of Moshi and his family as their guide, the Sankara family and Haniyev and his party visited the Moshi Palace and learned about its history.

After politely declining King Moshi's enthusiastic dinner invitation, everyone left the palace and returned to the Presidential Palace.

Originally, Sankara wanted to invite Haniyev and his family to his home for dinner, but his home was too small, and it was already difficult for his wife to cook for fifteen children. In addition, he and four Soviet guests were simply unable to take care of them all, so he had to make an exception and bring his family to the presidential palace for the dinner.

It was called a dinner, but it was actually just some local grilled meats and vegetable and meat stews. There were very few dishes, but fortunately there were some French dishes to fill the bill, and everyone enjoyed the meal very much.

Perhaps because the Great Revolution entered its final stage, or because Compaore and others were approved today, Sankara was a little excited. He even drank two more glasses at dinner, and his eyes were a little blurred.

Lifting his glass, Sankara looked directly at Haniyev and said, "Comrade Haniyev, Comrade Potanin, Comrade Ivan, Comrade Peter, your arrival has changed Burkina Faso and helped me clarify its future development path. I have long wanted to arrange a family dinner for my wife and children to express their gratitude to you, but my home is too small, so we can only have it at the Presidential Palace. However, I will use my salary to cover all expenses for tonight's dinner. You are welcome to eat and drink to your heart's content. Just tell my guards if you need anything..."

Mariam, please join me in toasting my most loyal friends!"

Sankara's wife Mariam stood up with a smile, and the couple raised their glasses to gesture to Haniyev and the others.

Haniyev and the other three smiled and nodded, then picked up their glasses and drank the wine in them.

Putting down her wine glass, Mariam glanced at the few people with a smile, her eyes fixed on Haniyev's face. She said, "Sankara has been very busy and seldom comes home. But whenever he comes home and talks to me, he always mentions the four of you, especially Comrade Haniyev. In Sankara's eyes, I'm afraid you are more important than me..."

"Ha ha……"

A joke brightened the atmosphere. Sankara, feeling thirsty from his excessive drinking, drank another glass of juice and said, "I forgot to tell you today that we've already given Alan Deschamps the photos and video footage he requested. If you hadn't told me that bringing these videos back to Paris for publicity would help France provide more free assistance to Burkina Faso in the future, I really wouldn't have given them to him. I'm really worried they'd use these old materials to discredit the Revolution and Burkina Faso under my leadership."

"Don't worry about that. Mitterrand and Alan Deschamps wouldn't dare to smear you now. They both really want to get along with you in a friendly way."

Haniyev smiled slightly and said, "Actually, I've been thinking about it these past two days. When Alan Deschamps returns to his country in a few days, you can send some officials from the Ministry of Propaganda and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accompany him. Have these officials cooperate with Alan Deschamps in propaganda, and at the same time, organize a fundraising campaign based on the publicity. The excuse is to help the orphans in Burkina Faso who have no food or drink, buy a bottle of medicine for the Burkinabe people who can't afford medical treatment, or if you donate one franc in Paris, you can save a family in Burkina Faso, and so on. You have to find a way to get kind-hearted people in France to donate money for Burkina Faso. If you work together well, this fundraising campaign alone can raise hundreds of thousands or even millions of francs..."

Sankara laughed and said, "Wouldn't that make you a beggar?"

Potanin shook his head slightly and explained, "It's not begging, it's fundraising. Decades ago, many countries lacked funds during their revolutions and all of them raised funds in Western countries. Mitterrand, for the sake of his reputation and next year's election, will definitely publicize Burkina Faso's past and present poverty to prove the greatness of his free aid to Burkina Faso. We are fundraising during this publicity campaign, which saves a lot of effort and makes donations a noble thing. This is by no means ordinary begging, but a great humanitarian donation..."

Sankara put away his smile and looked at his wife. Mariam held her husband's hand and looked at the fifteen children who were chewing chicken legs without saying a word.

Sankara understood what his wife meant. Among the 15 children he and his wife had, only two were their biological children, which meant that they had adopted 13 orphans. In order to raise 15 children, Mariam had to stay at home full-time. If her parents did not contribute some money, Sankara's salary would not be enough to feed them.

There are many children like this in Burkina Faso. If we can raise enough money through fundraising, we can probably use it to help more children.

For a country still deeply troubled by extreme poverty, Burkina Faso has no face and does not need it.

Sankara nodded and said, "It's good if Burkina Faso's reputation can be sold. But how can a country where ordinary people can barely get to school or see a doctor have any reputation? Just do as Comrade Haniyev says and follow the instructions of our top advisor. Someone, immediately send Advisor Haniyev's opinion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Propaganda. Have them select someone to accompany Alan Deschamps to France!"

A presidential secretary hurried away. Sankara stood up, walked over to Haniyev's seat, and personally served him a plate of soup. He said, "It would be great if you and Advisor Potanin could stay in Burkina Faso. With your help, I'm confident that within 30 years, Burkina Faso will be built into a socialist power with the highest economy, the highest living standards, and the strongest national strength in West Africa!"

"We would like to help you if we can, but we are Soviet officials after all."

Haniyev stood up, took the soup plate, put it down, licked his lips, and said with a steely heart, "Moscow has already informed us to return as soon as possible. Comrade Sankara, there's an old Khitan saying: 'All good things must come to an end.' I think it makes a lot of sense. The bond between revolutionary comrades won't fade with distance. I think returning to the Soviet Union would allow us to better utilize our abilities and help you in our respective fields. What do you think?"

When Sankara heard Haniyev say they were leaving, his face changed. He was silent for a long time before nodding heavily.

"Yes, all good things must come to an end. Compaore, Lingani, Zongo, and many other old comrades who fought side by side with me back then have betrayed the revolution and betrayed me. If you leave again, I will have fewer and fewer revolutionary comrades around me who I can trust and rely on..."

Sankara turned and walked out of the house. Seeing his heavy steps, Haniyev was also in a bad mood. Mariam stood up and stopped the guards who were about to follow the president out, whispering, "Let Thomas calm down. He usually tries to keep himself emotionless and calm. Now that he has drunk some wine, let him release his emotions..."

After Mariam finished speaking, a gust of wind blew outside the window, and everyone in the house heard clear sobbing. They all sat quietly, waiting for a tough politician to quietly reveal his weakness.

Chapter 146 I Want to Deal with Bovani

It was already 10:30 in the evening when the banquet ended. Sankara drank too much and left first accompanied by his wife.

The whole of Ouagadougou was in darkness. In this city where the capital is like a rural area, electricity is always in short supply and street lights are a luxury.

Along the way, only the headlights of the Mercedes-Benz illuminated the way ahead. Because it was difficult to see at night, they did not dare to drive fast. It was already 11:30 when Haniyev and his party returned to the embassy.

Seven KGB agents appeared immediately. Haniyev got out of the car and nodded with a smile: "Sorry to bother you guys. Go back to sleep."

The seven people smiled and nodded before disappearing into the darkness.

These seven KGB agents were quite skilled. After arriving at the Soviet Embassy, ​​they rarely showed up on weekdays. However, Eugene, Haniyev, Potanin and others all knew that these people must be secretly investigating everything here.

However, Haniyev and his men had never done anything to offend the Soviet Union, and were not afraid of their investigation.

The next morning came in a flash. Haniyev, who was hungover, felt quite uncomfortable after getting up. Potanin, who was in the same situation, took him to the restaurant again and drank half a bottle of white wine and ate half a can of pickles before he recovered.

The two of them started drinking at 10:30 and continued until 11:30 when Eugene came in with the embassy's paperwork.

After ordering a fried meat salad, he sat down next to the two men and said, "The date for your return has been set. My replacement, the new ambassador, will arrive the day after tomorrow. We are with seven KGB agents, and we will probably need a brief questioning at the KGB or the Ministry of Internal Affairs before we can go home."

Both of them knew that they would be questioned when they returned to the country. This was a routine operation, and it didn't matter to them as they each had powerful connections. However, they did not expect that Eugene would also be transferred back to the country.

"Why were you transferred back?"

Potanin asked.

"I think the central government wants to know the situation. But even if you hadn't come, I should have moved to a new place this year. I can't compare with you two.

I joined the army at the age of 16 after leaving the farm. Later, I entered the local government and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 years ago. I went directly to the Benin Embassy as a military attaché for five years. I changed countries three times before becoming an ambassador, a deputy department-level ambassador to a small country. I work step by step and normally I will return to China at the end of this year and be promoted to a full-department-level ambassador or a deputy director of a department within the ministry.

Eugene touched his sparse hair and sighed.

Both Haniyev and Potanin knew that the ambassador was already 45 years old and had been working in overseas embassies since he was 25. It was indeed not easy for him to have spent less than half the time in China than abroad.

"If you need our help, Comrade Eugene, please feel free to ask."

Eugene nodded after hearing Haniyev's words, and then said, "We will be returning home around the end of November. You should all be prepared. If you want to buy any local specialties to bring back home, you should do so as soon as possible. Also, you two are the highest advisors to Burkina Faso, so you must report to President Sankara before returning home, right?"

Haniyev and Potanin nodded and were about to say something else when Ivan came running over.

"Director Haniyev, President Sankara wants you and Director Potanin to come to the Presidential Palace."

"What's the matter?"

"It's something urgent."

Haniyev and Potanin hurried back to their room to change into suits and wash up, then went downstairs with Ivan and set off in a Mercedes-Benz.

Half an hour later, Haniyev and his two companions met Sankara in another study in the presidential palace. He was not wearing camouflage military uniform today, which was unusual. Instead, he was wearing a white robe with local ethnic characteristics.

After shaking hands, Sankara asked them to sit down and asked, "When will you return home? Has the date been decided?"

Haniyev said, "It has been decided. When the new ambassador arrives, Comrade Eugene will bring him to visit you and other central leaders. After they hand over their work, we will return home together at the end of the month."

"There are only a few days left at the end of the month. I wanted to prepare some gifts for you before you leave, but Burkina Faso is so poor and supplies are scarce. I really don't know what to give you..."

Sankara paused and continued, “Is there anything you would like?

As long as we have something in Burkina Faso or something I can get, you two comrades can tell me and I will do my best to meet your needs."

Haniyev and Potanin smiled at each other.

"We want to take some Burkina Faso produce back home to feed our families, that's all," Potanin said.

Haniyev nodded. "And that grain wine has a unique flavor. We'd like to take some too."

Sankara rubbed his chin and smiled: "Okay, whatever you want, I'll ask the captain of the guards to prepare it for you."

Haniyev asked, "Didn't you ask us to come here for some urgent matter?"

The smile on Sankara's face disappeared immediately. He asked someone to bring a document. It was in French, but he had asked the translator to paste a Russian translation on it.

"I'd like to ask you two to help me think of a way to deal with that old bastard from Côte d'Ivoire!"

Hearing Sankara's rare curse, Haniyev knew that he was really angry.

After taking the document and reading a few words, Haniyev frowned and handed the document to Potanin after a while.

"Bovani just restored diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union last year. How dare he now openly talk about returning to the Communist Party? What an old bastard!

It really needs to be cleaned up.”

Haniyev snorted and cursed.

It turns out that the content of this document is the speech delivered by Ivory Coast's founding father and president, Boigny, at a meeting jointly organized by Africa and Mauritius held in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, two days ago.

The "Africa-Mauritius Commonwealth" was originally named the "Africa-Malagasy-Mauritius Commonwealth" because it was changed to the Africa-Mauritius Commonwealth after Madagascar withdrew in 1974.

Boigny is one of the founders of this organization. All members of this organization are from French colonial countries in Africa. They all speak French and use the CFA franc. The purpose of their unity is to fight against English-speaking African countries. However, Boigny has been pushing the Africa-Malagasy-Mauritian Joint Organization to lead many French-speaking countries to continue to serve France.

Because socialist thought teaches people to stand up, which is contrary to the idea of ​​kneeling to the French advocated by Boigny, Boigny has always been the leader of Africa who firmly supports the Communist Party and opposes socialism. For this reason, after Sankara came to power, Boigny and Sankara did not get along with each other.

The great revolution in Burkina Faso caused the disappearance of Upper Volta, which was originally part of the Africa-Mauritius joint organization. The former French-leaning classmates in the same class became anti-French fighters. Boigny hated Burkina Faso and Sankara to the core. He had long regarded Sankara and his ideas as a cancer in West Africa and wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.

However, Boigny did not expect that Compaoré, whom he had tried so hard to win over and train, failed to successfully launch a military coup. Instead, it was Sankara, with the help of two Soviet experts, who launched a huge revolution. Not only did he liquidate the Mangkhut people trained by Boigny and France in Burkina Faso, but he also allowed the socialist system to take root in Burkina Faso.

Because of the leak of the plan and the confessions of Compaore and others, the fact that Boigny was the mastermind behind the plot and attempted to manipulate and overthrow Sankara's regime became known to the world. The image of "African sage" that he had carefully built for decades also collapsed, which made him hate Sankara even more.

Therefore, he convened this conference as a founding member of the organization, and at the Africa-Mauritius Joint Organization Conference, he launched a full-scale attack on Burkina Faso and Sankara, using various words to insult and slander Burkina Faso and Sankara in front of the heads of many member states.

In Boigny's words, Sankara is an ambitious man and a fanatical believer in socialism. He carried out a large-scale purge in Burkina Faso. In more than a month, more than 800,000 people in Burkina Faso have been brutally killed by him and his followers. This is very terrible for a country with a population of 8 million. One in every ten people has died.