Servant of the People in Kyiv

As a veteran of the Soviet system, Nevsky naturally couldn't express his disapproval. He said with a smile, "We've been looking forward to Deputy Director Haniyev coming to take charge of the work. You're a reform pioneer praised by our General Secretary. With your guidance, our newspaper's work will surely make great progress..."

Haniyev laughed and went into the newspaper office accompanied by Nevsky and others.

After a quick look around, everyone sat down in the conference room of the newspaper office. After Haniyev gave a few words of encouragement, Nevsky began to report to him.

After listening to the report, Haniyev nodded and asked, "Do you have the textbooks, journals, and newspapers we've published in the past two years? Can you bring them over so I can have a look?"

Before Nevsky even said anything, several vice presidents had already actively arranged for people to go get it.

About ten minutes later, the newspaper staff brought over a large stack of books, newspapers and periodicals.

Although Nevsky was the president, he rarely asked about printing and distribution matters. He asked the deputy president in charge, Ganur, to come and provide books and newspapers to Haniyev and explain the report.

Haniyev first looked through journals and newspapers and found that most of the articles were empty so-called teaching discussions and research, as well as some discussions on central reforms and forwarded reports from TASS and the National News Agency.

There was little to no clue from the newspapers and periodicals prepared only for the school's faculty. Haniyev pointed to a large pile of textbooks not far away and said, "Let's take a look at the elementary school textbooks first."

Ganur picked out elementary school textbooks and placed them in front of Haniyev. Haniyev frowned after flipping through a few of them.

These textbooks include collections of poetry and articles for learning Russian, as well as books on elementary school mathematics and ideology and politics. However, no matter which book, the content is different from the textbooks of Haniyev Primary School.

It doesn't matter that the content is different, but the articles about the deeds of people such as Gorky, Lenin, Stalin, Vasily Zaitsev, Zhukov, etc. that Soviet elementary school students were originally required to study have all disappeared. Instead, they are replaced by articles promoting American figures such as "Washington Cuts Down the Cherry Tree", "The Clever Einstein", "Edison Who Loves Inventions", "The Origin of the Statue of Liberty", etc.

Even the short stories in math books list children with common American names such as "Smith", "John", and "James". The illustrations in all the books portray Soviet children in an ugly way, while children with black skin and wearing clothes with the Stars and Stripes are portrayed as beautiful and handsome. It is obvious that this is something someone did intentionally.

This discovery made Haniyev very angry. Sure enough, what he was most worried about happened - the poisonous teaching materials had entered the classroom.

"I remember the original textbook didn't have these contents. When was it changed?"

Haniyev asked gloomily, "Who gave you permission to change it? Who took the lead in making the change?"

Ganur's expression changed and he asked, "Deputy Director Haniyev, what's wrong?"

“Is there something wrong with the textbook?”

Nevsky, Avakov and others gathered around when they saw Haniyev questioning them with a cold face.

Haniyev snorted coldly, "The articles in these textbooks have been replaced with the cancer of the capitalist world. Why are the smart kids always American? Aren't our Soviet kids smart?"

There are also Washington, Einstein, Edison, and clever John. Why are there so many great Soviet figures that are not enough to be included in the textbooks?

Why should the heroic deeds and heroic figures in the textbooks be removed from the textbooks?

Washington, after all, was a historical figure who had indeed achieved great things, but what about John Jr., Carter Jr., and Donald Jr.?

Haniyev was filled with anger and asked several people questions one after another. Nevsky and others hurriedly opened the book to read. After seeing what Haniyev said, everyone fell silent.

Haniyev stood up in anger, slammed the table, and demanded, "I demand an explanation from you, the National Education Press. What you're doing is a betrayal of the Party and the country. Avakov, you're the director of the Basic Education Department and should be familiar with elementary school textbooks. How could you allow this to happen? Were you involved? And what about the Textbook Management Department? All textbooks are supposed to be reviewed by you. Did you approve them?"

Everyone's faces turned red after being criticized by Haniyev with great righteousness, but they could only keep explaining that it was a work mistake.

Haniyev knew that this was not something that could be accomplished by one or two people. Everyone present was probably involved to some extent, but some of them subjectively wanted to discredit the Soviet Union and praise the United States, while others were indifferent and corrupt.

"Let me have a look at your middle school textbooks too!"

Chapter 176: Eliminating the Cancer in the Education System

Haniyev snorted coldly and asked someone to bring the middle school textbooks. After flipping through a few pages, he found that these textbooks were even more extreme in praising the United States and suppressing the Soviet Union. Not only had large sections of articles on red spiritual education been removed, but even Gorky's three great masterpieces and "How the Steel Was Tempered", which were required studies for Soviet children, had been cut for the most part. The new content that replaced them were all American celebrity memoirs and novels such as "The Old Man and the Sea" and "The Great Gatsby".

In addition to these, there are many other fake American stories like "Yilin" that are obviously artificially written.

For example, when educating his children, an American father would take off his shirt and let the child who made a mistake beat him. The child would be so moved that he would cry and become a new person. However, a Soviet father would rather drink and beat his child for no reason. This is where Soviet fathers need to learn from American fathers.

There are many small stories like this. It can be said that the vast majority of articles that originally promoted socialist spiritual civilization have been replaced by articles promoting the "American Dream" and "personal heroism."

Haniyev knew that the Americans had successfully changed the textbooks of the next generation of Soviet people through cultural infiltration. Haniyev couldn't even imagine what the next generation of Ukrainians would be like, taught by teachers who admired the West and with the help of these textbooks that promoted the American dream.

So Haniyev became subconsciously angry. He decided to investigate the matter thoroughly and use all his power to send all the officials who wrote, printed, distributed and approved these toxic textbooks to prison.

After looking through all the textbooks, Haniyev angrily got up and left with the textbooks.

Haniyev's secretary Eve did not accompany him today. Haniyev went to the door and shouted twice before the driver drove over.

After returning to the Education Committee, Haniyev went directly to Director Kvit and reported the incident of the poisonous textbooks to him.

Kvit, upon learning this, remained calm. He dusted off his cigarette and said, "Don't worry, Haniyev. Our Soviet textbooks are set by the State Committee for National Education in Moscow. There are roughly three sets. We can only choose, not formulate them. Why are you so angry?"

Haniyev nodded. "I know the textbooks weren't developed by the Ukrainian Education Commission, but we do have the right to recommend them, and we can also make adjustments when choosing printing materials. Even if Nevsky and his men aren't the main culprits behind the poisoned textbooks, they're accomplices. They should be investigated thoroughly!"

Kvit laughed and said, "The central government hasn't said anything, so how can we express our stance?

You have to understand that the Central Committee Secretary is in charge of education, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers also listens to reports from all committees. The Moscow Central Committee has never intervened, and our Ukrainian Central Committee has never called it a poisonous textbook. What level of leadership do you and I have to make such a decision?

Haniyev was stunned by what he said. He felt that what Kvit said had a point, but the Soviet leadership was now a bunch of old hands. All they cared about was corruption and promoting the children of their cronies. Few of them actually did anything, let alone caring how many revolutionary martyrs and American celebrities were in the textbooks. Perhaps for this bunch of idiots, more American and American stories in the textbooks would be a good thing...

Haniyev snorted coldly, "Director, if you don't care, I will use my own methods to stop this behavior that poisons the flowers of the motherland. Let's wait and see!"

Haniyev slammed the door and walked out. Kvit sneered and shook his head, saying, "Young and full of vigor..."

After driving away from the office, Haniyev did not go home, but went to the Mariinsky Palace to find Nikolay.

Nikolay was surprised by Haniyev's arrival and took him to the tea room to talk.

After listening to Haniyev's description of the poisonous textbooks, Nikolay said in a deep voice, "Gorbachev is an American idolizer, and those reformists are all sycophants to the US. I'm afraid these poisonous textbooks were created at the behest of those people. It's probably been around for over a decade, and they're doing great harm to the children of our motherland. They're causing Soviet children and young people to lose their love for their motherland and their reverence for heroes. Instead, they'll only think of how great Americans are and how exceptional the US is!"

"Yes, that's what I'm worried about. The younger generation is already showing signs of being influenced by these toxic educational materials. They enjoy pleasure, pursue American music, movies, and all kinds of culture. They're no longer interested in our heroes, and even think their stories are all fake. If we leave this unchecked, within ten years, the Soviet children will destroy our motherland with their own hands!"

Haniyev said this through gritted teeth.

Nicholas nodded. "Wait a moment. I'll report to Grandpa tonight and see what he decides. If a thorough investigation is possible, I think we should push the central government to conduct a thorough investigation of the education system. However, with Gorbachev and his three trusted advisors, Ligachev, Mlynnazh, and Yakovlev, my grandfather might not be able to push for a strict investigation of the education system even if he finds Ryzhkov. The reformists are the most arrogant now, and Yeltsin has been removed from his position as a substitute member of the Central Committee and demoted. Both the conservatives and the radicals have no say for the time being.

We can’t label the current textbooks as ‘toxic’. Even if we arrest a few people in the education system, it will be useless. If we can’t label them as toxic, there’s no way to restore the original textbooks for children to learn.”

After all, Nikolay has worked in the central government for many years and has always been Sherbitsky's liaison in Kiev. He communicates more with the conservative elders, so his perspective on issues is much higher than Haniyev's.

After listening to Nikolay's analysis, Haniyev realized that his anger today was actually useless. No wonder Kvit was not in a hurry. The root of the toxic textbook of emotions was not the education system, but the reformist officials favored by Gorbachev.

These reformers worship the United States and the American system. Perhaps it was a subjective order, or it was the flattery of those below them, or it could be that it was a top-down influence. In short, after nearly a decade of subtle influence, Soviet textbooks have been slowly changing, especially after Gorbachev came to power. From elementary school to middle school and university, the content of all textbooks has undergone earth-shaking changes. This is definitely not the main responsibility of the education system, nor is it a problem of one or two officials.

Perhaps there are problems with the officials of the Ukrainian Ministry of Education, and there are even reformist radicals and traitors who worship the United States, but the role they can play in this matter is indeed not that big.

Haniyev snorted coldly and sighed, "The Soviet Union is like an ancient castle. The people living inside are pulling out the bricks, while those outside are pulling out the tiles. Even if a few kind-hearted people come to repair it, they can't stop the collusion between insiders and outsiders to undermine it... I think this castle, although huge, will collapse sooner or later..."

"Don't be so pessimistic."

Nicholas clenched his fists and said, "Let me report this to Grandpa first. Maybe there will be a chance for improvement."

Haniyev was in a bad mood after leaving the Mariinsky Palace and did not say a word when he returned home.

After communicating with Nikolay, Haniyev suddenly realized that even though Sherbitsky was still a vice-state-level leader who was a member of the Politburo, the Central Committee, and the Presidium, the fact was that he could not defeat Gorbachev.

Gorbachev was the rightful general secretary and the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, while Shcherbitsky was not even the first secretary of Ukraine. There was no clear division of labor within the party. It could be said that Shcherbitsky had been sidelined.

It was precisely for this reason that the originally obedient Gulenko became less obedient. In Sherbitsky's situation, it was indeed a bit unreasonable for him to place his hopes on him and want him to intervene in promoting a thorough investigation of the entire Soviet education system and change the textbooks.

If what Sherbitsky wanted to do was in the interests of Gorbachev and other reformers, there was still great hope of success. However, Haniyev did not know whether Gorbachev would agree to thoroughly investigate the education system, label the current textbooks as "toxic textbooks" and discard them, and let students use the original textbooks that contained socialist values ​​again. But he knew that the senior advisors headed by the three core reformers Ligachev, Mlynnazh and Yakovlev would definitely not agree.

The deep feeling of powerlessness made Haniyev breathless. He suddenly realized that many things were not because people with discerning eyes could not see them, but because it was useless to see them because no one could change anything.

In the following days, Haniyev no longer went to investigate and inspect, and the leaders of the National Education Press did not take the initiative to find Haniyev to explain the situation.

Everyone tacitly agreed not to mention the so-called "toxic textbooks" mentioned by Haniyev.

However, Haniyev, who never admits defeat in doing things, suddenly became rejuvenated and motivated a week later.

It turned out that he received a clear answer from Nikolay today, that is, Sherbitsky tried to raise the "inappropriate content in the textbooks" in the Central Committee, but was directly rejected by the Central Secretariat. At this time, unless the General Secretary is willing, no one can check the education system, and there is no reason to check it.

Sherbitsky meant for Haniyev to be patient, because the situation was indeed stronger than the people, and the conservatives were temporarily unable to compete with the reformists. Trying to hit a stone with an egg would only hurt themselves and not the Soviet traitors, so he should be patient and wait for an opportunity.

However, Sherbitsky did not know that the Soviet Union was dying and there was no time to wait any longer.

Knowing that time is of the essence, Haniyev always tries his best to avoid regrets for the rest of his life. This was the case in Chernobyl, Yalta, Burkina Faso, and it is still the case in the Education Commission.

After realizing that he could not rely on anyone, Haniyev became more open-minded and no longer afraid. He decided to fight the cancer of the education system dominated by the reformists alone. For this, Haniyev petitioned to give up everything he had.

"We must eradicate this cancer in our education system and give our children and grandchildren a bright and clear future!"

Chapter 177 Go with the flow

After strengthening his belief, Haniyev went to see Director Kvit with a smile and admitted his mistake of looking at the problem superficially and hastily. Kvit was very satisfied with Haniyev's change of attitude, and then held a small meeting.

Those who attended the meeting were Haniyev and the departments and newspapers under his charge. The purpose was to make these departments explain to Haniyev that there were no so-called "toxic textbooks". These textbooks were all reviewed and approved by the Party Central Committee and the State Council of Ministers in Moscow. Whether they were reported, approved for use, or printed and distributed, they were all decided by the top leaders of the Soviet Central Committee. The Ukrainian Education Commission had no choice but to cooperate.

In his heart, Haniyev could only accept half of this explanation, because the Soviet republics had some rights in many political affairs. If Ukraine really did not want to use the toxic textbooks developed by the Soviet Union, the Education Committee and the Ukrainian Council of Ministers could raise opinions on the grounds of ethnic and regional differences and change their own textbooks. As long as it was not particularly excessive, the Soviet Central Committee would not reject it.

The current situation is that the Soviet Central Committee wants to use education as a means to change the cognition of children and young people across the country, starting from ideology. Ukraine, as a Soviet republic, did not oppose it, but went with the flow. This shows that there are also many Soviet traitors and American bootlickers in Ukraine's education system.

Haniyev had guessed this situation a long time ago. Although he was determined to get rid of the cancer in the education system, it was not a thoughtless act, but an accurate judgment after analyzing the situation.

Haniyev knew that it was useless to go against Gorbachev's faction at the moment. It was useless to clamor about "toxic textbooks" and to ban them, and it would only get himself into trouble.

Therefore, what Haniyev really thought of was not to confront them head-on, but to infiltrate the enemy, enter the education system that had become a cancer, integrate with the vast number of his cancerous colleagues, become corrupt, and then find loopholes to destroy the plan of harming Soviet youth with poisonous teaching materials.

In his subsequent work, Haniyev no longer acted like a young man. Like the previous elderly deputy directors, he not only slacked off at work every day, but also tried to find ways to report expenses. He was like a traditional Soviet official who engaged in privileges and corruption.

One day in the second month after Haniyev worked with the departments and societies in charge to put the Education Committee funds into his own wallet, Haniyev returned home and learned from his wife Tatyana, who was in charge of the money, that he had taken more than 2 rubles of extra money into the family in more than a month.

Haniyev reimbursed the money under the name of gas receipts and meal expenses, because other deputy directors and directors under him did the same.

Because Haniyev's style is no longer that of an impartial and pragmatic man, many people have become close to him, and Haniyev has also learned a lot about how the various departments and bureaus of the Education Commission make money.

As the person in charge, you only need to make appropriate gestures when the departments, bureaus and centers come to you to sign, and the people below will find ways to send the money.

Haniyev estimated that if he devoted all his energy to corruption and worked well with the responsible persons in charge of various departments, he could earn at least 200,000 to 300,000 rubles a year.

Although Haniyev has now started to be greedy for money like other deputy directors, he is very generous to his subordinates. He has not made things difficult for the departments, nor has he taken the opportunity to ask for benefits when the leaders of the departments and bureaus asked him to sign. Therefore, by mid-April, Haniyev had already firmly controlled the departments under his charge and had a very good relationship with the leaders of various universities.

Considering the future of his good brother Sergey, Haniyev deliberately mentioned the relationship between Sergey and himself when drinking with the president of Kyiv National University a few days ago, and asked Orlovsky to take good care of Sergey.

Orlovsky's administrative level is one level higher than Haniyev. He is a senior cadre at the provincial level. However, because Haniyev is in charge of universities in Kiev, Orlovsky needs Haniyev's cooperation in many places. In addition, Haniyev is a very famous political star. Orlovsky has always respected Haniyev.

After listening to Haniyev's entrustment, Orlovsky naturally agreed. A few days later, Sergei called Haniyev happily to express his gratitude.

"Victor, the school party committee really promoted me to be the head of the security department. Hehe, I'm going to be so awesome in the future. My dad always complains that I'm not as hardworking as my two brothers, but I think luck is more important than hard work. With you here, wouldn't it be easy for me to become the head of the department?"

Haniyev chatted with Sergei for a while before hanging up the phone. He then called the office of the president of Kyiv National University to thank Orlovsky personally.

After chatting for a long time, Haniyev hung up the phone. He then asked Eve about the recent situation of various departments and centers. After listening to Eve's report, Haniyev nodded silently and said to himself: The time should be almost here.

Because recently Haniyev has been drinking frequently with the presidents of various universities and leaders in charge of various departments, the subordinates of various departments, knowing that the leaders also like to drink, invite Haniyev to drink in different ways every day.

Haniyev agreed to go to the cafeteria of the National Education Press for a drink today. After get off work, he did not drive, and the first deputy director of the Teaching Materials Management Department drove him there personally.

After arriving at the cafeteria of the National Education Press, Haniyev was welcomed in like a star, and more than an hour passed while they ate and drank.

By this time, Haniyev had become familiar with these people and had also found out about the printing and distribution of toxic textbooks in Ukrainian primary and secondary schools and universities, as well as who the editors of these textbooks were.

President Nevsky's face flushed from drinking. He said, "Deputy Director Haniyev, I've completed the task you assigned me. I'll have the printed version of your masterpiece delivered to your office tomorrow."

"Thanks a lot."

Haniyev smiled slightly and said that last month, based on the principle of not using expired things, Haniyev directly asked Nevsky to take his manuscript of "Investigation and Research on National Conflicts in the Western and Central Asian Republics" and print it into a book. Unexpectedly, it was printed in just half a month.

Helping the leader with personal matters can always quickly build closer relationships. Nevsky, who thought he did a good job, became more and more excited when he found that Haniyev was more enthusiastic towards him.

Haniyev sensed the heat had reached and deliberately said, "I had just arrived at our Education Committee and was eager to make achievements. I may have said something wrong, but I hope Brother Nevsky will forgive me."

Nevsky glared and said, "Secretary Haniyev, you are embarrassing me by saying this. You are a leader and you are young and want to make achievements. I can understand."

Haniyev laughed and asked, "Actually, the content of our textbooks doesn't matter. They're all decided by the leaders of the Moscow Central Committee. But I heard that the textbook editing centers of the various republics can also directly report their suggestions for the organization, filling in, and changes to the textbooks to the Textbook Editing Center of the Soviet Education Committee.

You are the director of our Ukrainian Textbook Editorial Center. The director of the Textbook Management Department has always been Comrade Lyudmila Vlasova, the eighth deputy director of our Education Commission, who also serves as the secretary of the Textbook Editorial Center.

Speaking of this textbook editing center, we have the final say. In fact, you have more or less participated in the compilation of our Soviet primary and secondary school textbooks, right?

I'm telling you, I've been quite inspired recently, and I think I can offer some suggestions for our textbook editing center. Do you think my idea is too naive?

The textbook editing center is also a second-level institution of the Education Commission. However, because the editing of textbooks is mainly done by Moscow, the so-called textbook editing centers of each republic are not permanent units.

The Textbook Editing Center of the Ukrainian Education Committee is a part-time unit established by selecting professors and experts from various departments of the Education Committee and universities, and is managed by the main leaders of the Textbook Management Department and the National Education Press.

Nevsky was stunned for a moment after hearing Haniyev's words, then said, "In theory, our Union Republic's Textbook Editing Center also has the right to participate in the compilation of textbooks. However, we have rarely participated in the past few years. However, some professors from Kyiv University and Polytechnic University have provided Moscow with some articles and teaching directions for basic disciplines. Deputy Director Haniyev, would you also like to participate in the editing of textbooks?"

Haniyev chuckled. "Yes, I've been inspired by the textbook reforms of recent years and have some ideas. Comrade Nevsky, could you please help me get in touch with the veteran professors at Kyiv University and the Polytechnic University who have participated in textbook editing? Perhaps I could help them better compile our Soviet Union's basic textbooks."

Nevsky thought Haniyev was just too eager to make a difference in the Education Commission, so he smiled and said, "You're really driven. Okay, I'll make the connection for you tomorrow and even introduce you to the director of the Moscow Textbook Editing Center. You're a model of reform, and perhaps some of your ideas can really help with our textbooks!"

After Haniyev and Nevsky talked for a long time, Nevsky agreed with Haniyev's idea. The two of them drank too much while chatting and laughing with Tochisky, the first deputy director of the Textbook Management Department.

Haniyev didn't know how he got home until he woke up the next morning and realized he had drunk too much the night before.

"I can't seem to figure out how I got back last night. I was so drunk I blacked out."

Rubbing his temples, Haniyev took the water glass from his wife and drank it in one gulp: "Another one."