Servant of the People in Kyiv

It was already 10 o'clock in the evening on February 11th when we arrived in Kiev.

The next day after returning home, Haniyev went to Nikolay's villa and had a long talk with him for more than an hour. He also learned that Sherbitsky was very angry with Gulenko for not being obedient enough.

Haniyev knew that it was inconvenient for him to talk to the old man at this time to avoid embarrassing him, so he could only ask Nikolay to tell Sherbitsky that he was very satisfied with the position of deputy director of the State Committee of National Education arranged by the old man.

After leaving Nikolai's house, Haniyev returned home with a heavy heart. Although he had already stepped into the ranks of senior Soviet cadres, the road ahead was long, and Haniyev didn't know whether he could achieve his wish.

Because Tatiana is about to graduate this year, her academic workload is not heavy. She only needs to complete her graduation thesis and a few projects. However, because she took too long a wedding leave, Tatiana went to school after resting for a day in Kiev.

Haniyev, who has been promoted to deputy director of the State Committee of National Education of Ukraine, knows that he is just getting by in the State Committee of National Education. He was promoted in order to get the position of vice-minister. In one or two months, he will have the opportunity to go to large provinces such as Kharkiv or Donetsk to serve as deputy governor. Therefore, he is not very enthusiastic about going to work.

After lying at home for several days, Haniyev finally compiled his diary of experiences for more than a month and wrote it into a travel report of more than 4 words.

In this book entitled "Investigation and Research on National Conflicts in the Western and Central Asian Republics", Haniyev focused on the national conflicts and the development of independence forces in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, evaluated the political situation in the Caucasus region, and predicted the region's future vicious development. Haniyev mentioned the five Central Asian countries in the last third of the article. Although he listed the special national conditions and cultural ethnic groups of the five countries, Haniyev found through investigation, research and visits that the people of the five Central Asian countries were very satisfied with the CPSU and the Soviet Union, there were no national independence forces at all, and the entire Central Asian region was in a calm and numb environment.

Haniyev analyzed that because the five Central Asian countries are located inland and have a harsh environment, coupled with weak national culture, they did not even have a decent feudal regime and city before the Tsarist Russia ruled here. The cities and modernization of the entire Central Asia were brought by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union's resource allocation and industrial division of labor also made the five easily satisfied Central Asian countries accustomed to their identities for decades. The people of each country are relatively satisfied with their current lives, so independence is naturally out of the question.

After proofreading it again and again, Haniyev was very satisfied with his "Investigation and Research". He sorted it out and prepared to find a printing factory to print a few copies. He let Sherbitsky take a look first. Haniyev did not ask to help the Soviet Union raise its vigilance and prepare for the independence of the three Caucasus countries in advance, but as long as the Ukrainian top leaders could be alert and guard against the independent forces in their own country, it would be beneficial to Ukraine's future cause.

After calling Anato, Haniyev knew that the reporter had connections with the printing house and was going to ask him for help, but his family and company told him that he had gone to Azerbaijan. Haniyev had an idea: Could it be that Azerbaijan and Armenia had a big fight over the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast?

Haniyev couldn't remember when Azerbaijan and Armenia openly fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, but since Reuters reporters went to Azerbaijan, it was most likely because of this matter.

After telling the Reuters editor to ask Anatoly to call him back, Haniyev went to the barber shop to get a haircut and shave, and then dressed himself up.

February 22nd was a Monday. Haniyev had rested enough and was ready to go to work at the State Committee of National Education.

The State Committee of National Education, abbreviated as the Education Committee, is the department that manages all schools in the Soviet Union, formulates plans and implements management for universal education. It is actually the so-called Ministry of Education.

The Ukrainian State Committee of National Education has great power and can manage all schools in Ukraine, supervising and inspecting education from kindergarten to university.

For the Soviet Union, which has always attached great importance to education, the State Committee of National Education is considered a good department among the ministries. Although it is not as good as the agriculture, industry and mining departments, it is already good compared with the Film Committee, Sports Committee, Hydrology and Meteorology, Price and other ministries.

However, a prime minister must start from the state or county. A leader without experience in governing a large state with a developed industrial economy cannot become the leader of the Central Committee of the Ukrainian Party. Whether for the purpose of training himself or for his future political future, Haniyev prefers to go to Kharkiv to gain experience.

Now things have gone against his wishes. After going to the State Commission of National Education, Haniyev cannot be passive and lazy. He can only accept the reality and prepare to go to the Education Commission to familiarize himself with the situation and stay there for a few months to gild his resume.

Arriving at Hrushevsky Street, Haniyev saw that there were fewer and fewer pedestrians, but more and more cars. There were two Ministry of Internal Affairs police officers guarding every intersection. This was already the highest power center of the Ukrainian party and state. The nearby buildings were offices of various departments. Further in were the Supreme Soviet office building and conference building, as well as the Mariinsky Palace where the Party Central Committee had offices.

The office building of the State Committee of National Education is located at 118 Hrushevsky Street, in a circular palace in front of the clock tower square just south of the Soviet Government Building. This was the old city hall from more than 200 years ago. After being nationalized by the Red Army, it was retained as an office unit for government agencies. Later, it underwent several changes, and now there are five committees and an internal affairs bureau working in it at the same time.

Haniyev walked to the door of No. 118 and as soon as he opened it and went in, he saw a guard from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"Who are you looking for? Please register."

After Haniyev revealed his identity, the guard bowed slightly and said, "Please come in. The State Commission of National Education is on the third floor."

There was no elevator here, so Haniyev had to climb the stairs. After asking two offices, he found the office of the Chairman of the State Committee of National Education.

At this time, someone in the office was already reporting to the committee's first director, Sergei Kovit. Haniyev knocked on the door and went in. After nodding to everyone, he stood at the door waiting.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, perhaps because they had finished talking, a tall and thin man in his forties and a plump woman came over.

"Good morning, may I ask who you are and what may I do for you?"

"My name is Viktor Vladimirevich Haniyev. I'm the director of the Third Department of the African Department of the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I've been assigned by the organization to serve as deputy director of the State Committee of National Education of Ukraine."

"So you are Secretary Haniyev. I've heard a lot about you!"

The two men hurriedly shook hands with Haniyev and introduced themselves.

"I'm Lyudmila Vlasova, Deputy Director of the State Committee of National Education and Head of the Teaching Materials Department and the Party Committee of the State Committee of National Education. This is Comrade Andrey Avakov, Director of the Department of Basic and National Education."

Haniyev shook hands with the two members of the Ukrainian Education Commission and middle-level leaders one by one. Lyudmila was the woman who took Haniyev to the first director and introduced them to each other.

Haniyev politely shook the hand of First Director Sergei Kovit and said, "Nice to meet you, Director Kovit."

Kvit was a thin-faced man with graying temples. He smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Haniyev. After a moment, he pointed to a tall, middle-aged woman standing nearby with a good temperament and said, "This is Comrade Victoria Haniyeva from our secretariat."

After Haniyev and Haniyeva shook hands cordially, Kvit instructed: "Victoria, Comrade Haniyev is a rare talent in Ukraine. His appointment as the ninth deputy director of our Education Committee is also a sign of the organization's trust in us.

So, first, you take him to pick an office and try to meet all of Deputy Director Haniyev's requirements. Then, notify all departments to hold a meeting at 9:00 AM tomorrow and let Deputy Director Haniyev meet everyone."

Haniyev exchanged a few polite words with Kvit and then left with Haniyeva.

Haniyeva has an outstanding image and temperament. After Haniyev asked, he learned that she was a national gymnast when she was young. Later, she retired and stayed in the Sports Committee. Five years ago, she was transferred to the Education Committee when she was promoted.

Haniyeva treated Haniyev with respect and courtesy. She showed him three vacant offices and introduced them one by one, asking, "Which room do you like?"

The three rooms were all about the same size and all had ready-made tools. However, the first two were too close to the stairwell. The stairs and corridors here were all wooden floors, so you could hear the noise when someone walked. Haniyev pointed at his feet and said, "Let's take this office."

Hanieva smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll have someone come and clean it up right away. Do you think we need to replace the sofas and furniture? Or do we need to buy anything else?"

Haniyev checked and saw that the desk and sofa were from 20 or 30 years ago. Although they were worn, they were not broken. So he waved his hand and said, "No need to replace the furniture. Just arrange for someone to help me clean it up."

"You're really frugal. It's rare to see leaders like you who don't change their furniture after taking office."

Haniyev snorted coldly, "Don't be extravagant. It's just a little old, and the things are not broken. Why should we buy new ones? The people are disgusted by the corruption of our party and cadres, so why are we still wasting money? I can't control other people, but I just need to have something useful for myself."

Hanieva's face changed, and she said respectfully, "You are worthy of being the reform pioneer highly praised by the General Secretary. Your ideological awareness is indeed very high. I will go find someone to help you clean up now!"

Chapter 172 Hero Haniyev

With the help of three young people from the Secretary's Office, Haniyev's office soon looked brand new.

The originally old sofa table was also covered with velvet fabric by Haniyeva, making it look clean and tidy.

Haniyev pointed to his new office and smiled. "Isn't this quite presentable? Thank you. Does our Education Committee have a cafeteria for lunch? I'll treat you all."

Hanieva nodded. "We share a dining hall with the Agricultural Committee, the Industrial Committee, and the Material Price Committee. We prepare three working meals a day. If you don't have extra meals, you don't have to pay."

Haniyev smiled and said, "Then I'll treat you to some soda."

"Thank you, Deputy Director Haniyev!"

“Thank you, Deputy Director Haniyev!”

On his first day at the Education Commission, Haniyev became familiar with the people in the secretariat's office. He treated everyone to juice and soda at his own expense, and the young cadres in the office liked Haniyev, the ninth deputy director, who looked as young as everyone else.

After a day at the office, Haniyev went home early.

Sitting on the bus on his way home, Haniyev looked at the packed carriage, his nose filled with a mixture of gasoline, cheap perfume, body odor, bad breath and other odors, and he felt a little nauseous from time to time.

"It's time to buy another car."

Haniyev suddenly felt that he also needed a car to commute to get off work.

It's not just to escape the uncomfortable commuting environment, but more importantly, having a car is more convenient.

Buying a car is still very convenient for officials in Kiev, but it is a bit difficult for ordinary people.

The life of the Soviet people today can neither be said to be good nor bad. It cannot be said to be good because of the shortage of supplies. After two or three years of reform, it is still impossible to buy cheap and good food, and people have to queue up to buy bread. It can be said to be good because of the construction of the Soviet Union over the past decades. The basic supporting facilities in all major cities are very advanced, the people are doing their jobs, and the unemployment rate is very low.

But the establishment of the Soviet Union was based on promises made to the people. Even if they couldn't keep their word, at least they couldn't go back on their word, right?

For any regime, the people's desire for a better life is an issue that must be addressed.

No matter what political system it was, what means it adopted, or what policies it implemented, it could not improve people's lives. Instead, it shamelessly rode on the people's heads and acted tyrannically. This was the reason why the Soviet Union lost the support of the people and ultimately perished.

As Haniyev squeezed onto the bus to go home, he deeply felt the Ukrainian people's dissatisfaction with the Soviet Communist Party and the government.

The second and third generations of the red party drove their cars through the streets and alleys, and high-ranking officials also took buses to get around. Citizens and ordinary workers could only squeeze into buses. The unfair treatment and corruption that they saw and heard every day made the citizens of Kiev complain, and they would talk and insult from time to time on the bus.

Some people are dissatisfied with life and therefore with society because their desires exceed reality, but most people are dissatisfied because of the huge discrepancy between real life and official propaganda.

While riding the bus, Haniyev deeply felt the Ukrainian people's dissatisfaction with the CPSU and reforms. He knew that if Gorbachev's reforms failed to improve people's lives within a year or two, he would overdraw the credit accumulated by Comrade Lenin in the Soviet Union, and the CPSU would inevitably suffer a huge Waterloo.

No wonder the collapse of the Soviet Union was so rapid and difficult to stop. The greater the expectations and support of the people at the beginning of the reform, the greater the disappointment and anger in the later stages of the reform.

Haniyev felt that the people's current dissatisfaction was still a long way from being overthrown. If the United States waited a little longer, perhaps the Soviet Union, both internally and externally, would unite to destroy this heavy burden of a motherland without much effort.

Haniyev, feeling that the future was horrible, was terrified. When he returned home, he found a bottle of vodka and drank half a glass.

Tatiana, who was helping her mother wash vegetables to make salad, wiped the water droplets off her hands, walked to Haniyev, hugged him and kissed him.

"Why are you drinking now? Didn't your work at the Education Commission go well today?"

Haniyev shook his head slightly. "No, it's going very smoothly. My leaders and colleagues are all very kind to me. It's just that the number of members in the Education Commission's leadership team is a bit larger than I expected. I'm the ninth deputy director. Counting the eight deputy directors and the director before me, I'm only the tenth person in charge of the Education Commission."

"Isn't the Ninth Deputy Director also a Deputy Director? After all, he's a deputy provincial-level cadre. If he advances further, he'll become a real big shot in charge of a region. My dear, you're still young, don't rush."

"Yes, you are right."

Haniyev hugged his wife gently and said, "I'm going upstairs to change my clothes."

Walking up the stairs, Haniyev muttered to himself: "I am still young, but the Soviet Union is no longer young... I can wait for the Soviet Union, but I can't wait..."

The next day, Haniyev not only changed into the suit he wore for his wedding, but also applied hairspray to fix his hairstyle, making him look more energetic.

According to Haniyeva's notice yesterday afternoon, the plenary session of the State Commission of National Education will be held at 9 am today. All staff from the departments and offices under the commission must attend the meeting, as must the heads of second-level institutions. The meeting will be large in scale, with an estimated number of more than a thousand people.

Therefore, conference room 118 was far from enough, and the venue was chosen to be the auditorium of Kyiv National University.

As the highest educational department in Ukraine, even though the National University is on the same level as the State Committee of National Education, the Committee still has the right to manage and use all university resources.

Before leaving, Haniyev asked Tatyana to find Yushchenko and see if he could find a way to buy a car. Haniyev felt that there was no need to consider imported cars. The couple did not have much money, so they could only consider affordable domestic cars.

After taking a bus and then a subway, Haniyev finally arrived at Ukraine's highest institution of learning, Kyiv National University.

Sergei, who was sitting at the gate chatting with the security guard, ran out in surprise when he saw Haniyev and asked, "Victor, why are you here? Oh, I remember, your Education Committee wants to use our school auditorium for a meeting. How is it? How does it feel to be the deputy director of the Education Committee?"

Haniyev smiled slightly and said, "To be honest, I don't feel anything yet. Being a local official is like being a real official, holding great power and managing everything, including tens of thousands of people and numerous departments. However, being an official in a ministry has less power and a much narrower scope of management. However, I think that even if the power of the Education Commission is smaller, it is still better than when I was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Sergei chuckled and asked a little embarrassedly, "You have the management authority over our school. You've become my immediate superior. Why don't you try to take charge of our school? With you around, I can walk all over the school and see who dares to control me?"

Haniyev laughed heartily. "Alright, I'll try to get you when we have a team meeting to redistribute the work. You've finally fallen into my hands. If I promote you, how will you thank me?"

Sergei's eyes lit up and he clapped his hands, "Yeah, why didn't I think of that? You promoted me, and I didn't want any official position, I just wanted to be the head of the security department. That bastard Shinilkov is so arrogant all day long as a security chief, always looking for trouble with me. Now that I'm his leader, I still don't let this stinky boy lick my shoes?

Old buddy, please find a way to promote me quickly. My success depends entirely on you!"

"Okay, don't worry. Since I'm here at the Education Committee, I can't just ignore you."

Haniyev chuckled, agreed and walked towards the school.

Sergei returned to the guard room proudly, and several uncles who were guarding the door surrounded him.

"Sergei, was that the leader of the Education Committee?"

"How come you know the leaders of the Education Commission?"

"What kind of official is he in the Education Commission?"

Sergei had been intentionally speaking louder when chatting with Haniyev earlier. Seeing the old men chattering about random questions, Sergei chuckled and said, "His name is Viktor Vladimirvich Haniyev, and he's the deputy director of the Education Commission. We're childhood friends and close friends!"

"Deputy Director of the Education Commission, he's already a high-ranking official at such a young age. This Haniyev might even be able to join the central government in the future!"

"Of course not, Sergey, you have such a powerful friend. Won't the principal and the secretary be polite to you from now on?"

"Victor Vladimirvich Haniyev, why does this name sound so familiar..."

Sergei laughed and said, "He is a big star in Ukraine and even in the Soviet Union!"

"superstar?"

"Are you talking about the Chernobyl hero Haniyev?"

"The Yalta First Secretary, Haniyev, who 'Learn from Yalta on Small City Reform'?"

Everyone widened their eyes and looked at Sergei in disbelief.

Sergei nodded proudly: "Yes, my good friend is the Hero of Chernobyl and the First Secretary of Yalta, Mr. Haniyev!"

Everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Haniyev had made two major achievements in two consecutive years, and both of them were major events that alarmed the central government.

His starting point was right, and the result was right. The people of the entire north, including Kiev, are very grateful for Haniyev's actions in Chernobyl. They feel that if Haniyev had not risked his life to tell the truth and took decisive action, no one knows how many innocent Ukrainian people would have died in the nuclear leak accident.

"You're actually a good friend of the heroic Secretary Haniyev. Many people say he's the last selfless proletarian fighter of our Soviet Union. Although I don't like the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and don't think it's great, Secretary Haniyev is truly a good official worthy of admiration. He's different from other Soviet officials!"

……

The guard room suddenly became lively. Everyone had always looked down on Sergei, who was lazy and gluttonous, but now everyone gathered around Sergei to listen to him talk about Secretary Haniyev, especially the details of the Chernobyl incident.

Chapter 173 A Young Man Arrives in the Department

Haniyev didn't know that his good friend was already bragging about it in the guard room under his own name, and he was strolling around the university leisurely, enjoying the scenery.

When Haniyev walked into the auditorium of Kyiv National University, he found that the venue was almost full. Many of the participants were heavy smokers. Before the meeting started, hundreds of people were smoking outside the door, making the corridors smoky and filled with smoke.

Eve, the secretary waiting at the door, saw Haniyev and hurried forward to greet him.

"Deputy Director Haniyev, please follow me to the lounge in the back."

Haniyev nodded and followed Eve, the secretary assigned to him by Haniyeva yesterday, to the lounge beside the back door.