Servant of the People in Kyiv

This complete bear skin is naturally worth a lot of money, and what's more, it cannot be bought on the market even if you have money. However, this bucket of honey is a real luxury in the current Soviet Union.

For the Soviet people, who did not produce sugarcane in their own country but loved sweet food, honey was the only dessert that could replace imported sugarcane.

However, due to the low production of wild honey, honey is usually a more expensive tonic than imported white sugar. Even a family like the Lukachikovs cannot afford to eat honey casually, let alone a bucket of at least ten gallons of wild honey.

Lukachikov and his wife secretly estimated that the value of the gift sent by Haniyev would probably be more than 3000 rubles if it were sold in a shopping mall.

Even Lukachikov, who was not short of money, could not help but be amazed at such an expensive luxury gift, and he even looked up to Haniyev.

"Sit down and talk. I'll make you some good Azerbaijani tea..."

His wife smiled and asked Haniyev to sit down, then went to make tea for them.

Chapter 025 I Want to Improve

After a few simple greetings, Lukachikov's wife brought out a pot of hot tea and left.

After all, Lukachikov was an old Soviet bureaucrat. Although he was a Ukrainian who loved drinking, was loyal and had a strong personality, he said nothing in front of Hanyev and just sipped his tea quietly.

Haniyev felt that the atmosphere was a little awkward, so he took the initiative to talk about his biggest leader in Chernobyl, First Secretary Chekhov.

Chekhov was from Poltava, Kharkiv Oblast. During World War II, he gave up writing and joined the army, becoming a veteran of the Red Army.

It is said that he actually participated in the battle to occupy Berlin. After he retired, he first served as a militia company commander, and gradually became the director of the Propaganda Department in Kharkiv Oblast. After the establishment of Chernobyl, he was sent to become the first secretary of the region. He has strong working ability. If he were not too old, he would have no problem moving up.

Lukachikov is also from Kharkiv Oblast, so he is naturally very familiar with and has a deep affection for his fellow countrymen and seniors.

So starting with Chekhov, Haniyev not only got to know Chekhov better, but also had a common topic with Lukachikov. Not long after, Haniyev took the initiative to express his desire for progress.

Lukachikov responded immediately, first highly praising Haniyev's work in the state-owned forest farm, and said that if there is a chance in the future, he would consider transferring Haniyev back to be the head of a department.

Haniyev knew that the gift he had given had worked, and he immediately said, "Our Forestry Commission is now divided into individual positions. It would be bad for me to take anyone's position. It would hurt the feelings of my colleagues and would be detrimental to your reputation. I am thinking that the position of Second Secretary of the Chernobyl Forestry Commission is vacant now. Can we promote someone locally?"

You know how I want to make progress. I was promoted by you, and I will never forget you..."

Haniyev's words were heartfelt and well-reasoned. Lukachikov laughed heartily and said, "So you've had this idea for a long time? Let me say you're doing quite well. If there's a chance, we could promote someone from the region to secretary of the regional forestry committee. But in principle, once you're in the region, you'll still have to defer to the regional party committee on personnel matters, so it's not my place to interfere."

Haniyev whispered, "The weather's not cold anymore these days. You could come to our forest farm and inspect it. I'd like to invite you and Chekhonen to dinner. Could you help me talk it over? I don't think Secretary Chekhonen will refuse you, right?"

Lukachikov smiled and said, "Since you've made up your mind, I'll give you a favor. It happens that I haven't seen Chekhov for over a year. I'll go next month."

Haniyev stood up with satisfaction and thanked him, saying, "Thank you Secretary Lukachikov, I will never forget your care for me."

Haniyev was not yet Lukachikov's confidant, but he was young, promising, and capable (as evidenced by the valuable gifts).

So Lukachikov was willing to give Haniyev a chance. Moreover, he knew very well that since he had not yet helped Haniyev, he was so generous. It was a good thing for him to maintain a good relationship between superiors and subordinates with him. Moreover, Haniyev's father was demoted just because he got close to a few intellectuals with independence tendencies. He might be reinstated one day. At that time, helping Haniyev would be a favor. How could he make this young man grateful?

After Haniyev told Lukachikov about his active pursuit of progress, he tactfully said goodbye and left.

After leaving the Ministry of Education's staff housing compound, Haniyev and Sidrov first drove to the western suburbs farm to pick up their father Vladimir, and then the three of them returned home.

Vladimir is a bald man of medium build. He looks taciturn, but his style of doing things is very decisive. He is also well-known among the middle-level leaders of the Kyiv Oblast.

Vladimir can go home and rest for three days this time, which makes Haniyev very happy. Sidrov is driving, and Haniyev tells his father in detail about his recent situation and what he has done in Chernobyl, and hopes that he can comment on the gains and losses.

Vladimir had long known that his son Haniyev was very capable, and he remained noncommittal about his decision. He simply said earnestly, "Now Gorbachev wants to reform, and Sherbitsky represents the conservatives, so their relationship is not harmonious.

You all know that there is a Ukrainian gang among Ukrainian officials in Moscow. They are headed by Sherbitsky and inherited Brezhnev's political legacy. Although Sherbitsky failed to become the general secretary that year, the Ukrainian gang still controls many ministries and has enormous power.

Although my position is not high, I have become part of the independent forces that Sherbitsky is determined to suppress in order to protect Ukraine. Therefore, before the outcome of the struggle between Sherbitsky and Gorbachev becomes clear, you must consciously draw a clear line between you and me. If Gorbachev's determination to carry out reforms is not strong, they will reach an agreement, and by then I will not be able to influence you much. However, if Gorbachev wins, our Ukraine may be in a state of complete change. At that time, perhaps I can still help you make further progress..."

Haniyev frowned and said, "Dad, what good does it do Shcherbitsky to do by combating Ukrainian independence? Doesn't he primarily control the forces in Moscow?"

Vladimir gave a meaningful smile and said, "Ukraine is one of the most important republics of the Soviet Union. It's second only to Russia in terms of area, population, industrial output, military-industrial complexes, and military weaponry. This is the foundation of the Ukrainian gang headed by Sherbitsky. Without a strong and stable Ukraine as a backing, how can they compete with the Russians for power?

Ukraine must be the most steadfast part of the Soviet Union. Shcherbitsky and the Ukrainian gang, as well as the future secretary of the Ukrainian Republic, can become the core figures of the Central Committee of the Soviet Union and become the chairman of the Joint Council of Ministers. If Ukraine cannot be completely controlled by Shcherbitsky and the Ukrainian gang, how can the Ukrainian gang fight against the masters in Moscow?

Haniyev suddenly understood, but Siderov asked, "But Ukraine has always provided blood transfusions to all parts of the Soviet Union. Our food, coal, iron ore and other resources have been continuously transported to other parts of the Soviet Union, but we have not received any preferential treatment. The independentists are right. Ukraine needs to gain greater rights and interests. Don't Shcherbitsky and others see the sacrifices Ukraine has made for the prosperity of the Soviet Union?"

Vladimir chuckled and said, "You don't understand, kid. Politicians can't talk about conscience."

"What do you mean?"

Haniyev interrupted, "Don't Shcherbitsky and his colleagues know that Ukraine has been providing agricultural and industrial support to the other Soviet republics? But they needed this support to remain the leader of the Soviet empire in Moscow. It was precisely to control Soviet power that they would not tolerate any talk that would split the Soviet Union or sunder Ukraine's relationship with the Soviet Union."

Vladimir laughed and said, "That's right. From Khrushchev to Brezhnev, Ukraine has produced two great leaders. Shcherbitsky almost became General Secretary. If Ukraine's status changes and independence becomes rampant, it will be impossible for a Ukrainian or a Ukrainian General Secretary to serve in the future. Ukrainian officials will no longer be able to share Soviet power in Moscow..."

Chapter 026 The fuse of disintegration

After hearing what his father and brother said, Sidrov fell silent.

Haniyev also remained silent. He remembered that after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion, Gorbachev used this accident to defeat Sherbitsky. Could he make use of this invisible political struggle to make a difference?

When the car arrived at his doorstep, Haniyev came up with more than a dozen ways to use the accident to intervene in the struggle between conservatives and reformists. However, he could not accomplish any of them with his current identity as a small regional forestry secretary. At the very least, he needed to be a regional head.

Therefore, Haniyev could only put aside his unrealistic fantasies and prepare to gradually implement his path to promotion and wealth.

Back home, Vladimir was very pleased with Haniyev's "visit" to Lukachikov and the promise of advancement he had received. After getting drunk, he patted Haniyev on the shoulder and commented, "Victor, you're born to be an official. You're much better than me. From choosing to be a grassroots secretary, to overthrowing Korchagin and taking control of the forest farm, to learning how to give gifts, you're already more proficient in these things than I am. Haha, but I can still analyze the situation for you based on my decades of ups and downs in the officialdom..."

Old Haniyev has been in politics for nearly 30 years. His colleagues called him Little Vladimir, and he worked his way up to Secretary Haniyev. Now he works as a secretary on a farm. He feels that his ability to be an official is not that great, but his understanding of the political situation and his knowledge of officials in Kiev below the ministerial level and above the director level can fully serve as a think tank for his son Viktor to help him plan and finalize action plans.

Haniyev knew very well how much help his father could provide him, so he actively explained many of his plans and decisions to his father, hoping to get more pertinent and accurate opinions and suggestions from his father. However, he had no way of telling his father about the Chernobyl accident in advance, so he could only make assumptions in an extremely obscure way.

"Dad, a few days ago I heard Anato say that some foreign scholars say that using nuclear energy to generate electricity in nuclear power plants actually carries certain risks, such as nuclear leaks, explosions, and fires. If there were an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, do you think it would have a significant impact on Ukraine, or even on our Soviet Union?"

That evening after dinner, Vladimir, Haniyev, and Sidrov sat on the sofa and chatted, and Haniyev took the opportunity to propose this hypothesis.

Vladimir had drunk a little wine at dinner and was a bit tipsy. He had just been recounting his youthful exploits when he heard Haniyev's hypothetical question and said excitedly, "Of course the impact would be huge. The Soviet Union is a socialist country, and we're run by the working people. If a major workplace accident occurs, the leaders will definitely be punished, and the government will have to spend a lot of money to resettle the refugees. This will have a severe impact on the local economy and political environment. If NATO gets wind of this, their mouthpieces abroad won't miss the opportunity to smear us."

Sidrov nodded and said, "Nuclear radiation is terrifying. If a major accident occurs in Chernobyl, I think the Highland Forest Farm where you're staying, as well as the Chernobyl region, will cease to exist. It's even uncertain whether Kiev will still be habitable. Our government is very cautious. Didn't they deploy the Duga long-range early warning radar in the Highland Forest Farm? I don't think NATO will be able to sabotage it."

Haniyev said to himself: But in just two months, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant will catch fire, explode, and leak and pollute.

Haniyev knew in his heart that it would definitely happen, but he could not say anything, let alone stop it, because it was a problem of human operation. At a time when people did not have a full understanding of the safety of nuclear power plants, even if he managed to organize the operating workers No. 26, what would happen next time if their thinking did not change?

Moreover, Haniyev did not know which furnace exploded or which worker made the mistake. He only knew that the accident occurred in the early morning of April 26 this year, but he was unclear about the specific details, let alone how to stop it. Therefore, all he could do was to start the relocation in advance and protect the lives and property of the people to ensure that the impact would not be as bad as it was originally.

The old man in high-waisted pants was appreciated by the chief adviser for his excellent handling of the student unrest in the foreign concessions, so that he later entered the central government and was in charge of military affairs. Haniyev felt that for such a huge accident as Chernobyl in the Soviet Union, which eventually evolved into the fuse of disintegration, he had planned in advance to protect people's lives and property, reduce the accusations and smears against the Soviet Union by NATO countries, and reduce people's disappointment and anger towards the Soviet Union. Even if he could not get his words directly to the ears of the general secretary and appreciate him, for the conservative leader Sherbitsky, what he did was beneficial to them, the conservatives, and Sherbitsky might pay attention to him.

But no matter what, he is now just a small forestry secretary. If he takes a gamble, he will have the opportunity to gain the appreciation of the main leaders of the Soviet Union. It is not a fantasy to be promoted three levels in the future.

As for the consequences of failure, Haniyev felt that it would be nothing more than losing his job as an official. However, as long as he had found a golden ticket to immunity from death, then depending on Gorbachev's attitude towards the West, even if he failed in this political gamble, he could turn a disaster into a blessing.

Moreover, Haniyev felt that even if he took a step back and said that he gained nothing, as long as he could save the lives of Ukrainian people, what he did was worth it.

Vladimir, a veteran bureaucrat, pondered for a moment and whispered, "If there's an accident at Chernobyl, or a major safety incident or disaster in Ukraine, given our General Secretary's style, I think he'll definitely use it to strike back at the Ukrainian gang led by Shcherbitsky. So, for our own benefit, let's not hope for an accident at Chernobyl..."

After listening to his father's analysis, Haniyev connected a lot of information about the Chernobyl accident in history and gained a clearer understanding.

It is said that after the accident, Sherbitsky was asked to block the news during negotiations with Gorbachev and not tell the public. At the same time, due to the intentional blockade of the news, it was not until three days after the explosion that arrangements were made for the relocation of people in the Chernobyl area to the south.

It is said that Gorbachev threatened to expel Sherbitsky from the party to suppress the news and deal with the accident coldly, which led to millions of people in Kyiv taking to the streets to celebrate May Day and being severely exposed to nuclear dust and radioactive elements.

As a result, when the lid was lifted, the people were furious. As the aftermath continued to ferment, a large number of cancer patients and deformed babies appeared in Ukraine. The Ukrainians were completely disappointed with the old secretary Sherbitsky and the Soviet Union, and only then did the independent forces develop rapidly.

Belarus was also actively trying to break away from the Soviet Union because it was severely affected by the Chernobyl accident.

Overall, in this accident, Gordi forced Sherbitsky to block the news and handle it quietly in order to make Sherbitsky take the responsibility himself. Therefore, after the lid was opened later, Gordi said that the Ukrainian side had not reported the truth to the central government.

The Sherbitsky-level conservatives and the Ukrainian gang lost everything because they took the blame for this accident and were completely defeated by Gorbachev.

It was after the victory of this struggle that Ge Tutu completely took control of the central government and stepped on the accelerator in the name of reform on the road to disintegration.

So, in a sense, it is true that the Chernobyl accident was the fuse for the collapse of the Soviet Union.

It turned out that Haniyev did not understand why Sherbitsky followed Gorbachev's orders to block the news, and even went so far as to personally appear on the streets of Kiev and suffer the baptism of nuclear radiation with the people in order to stabilize the people's hearts and block the news.

Now, after listening to some of his father's analysis and disclosures, Haniyev finally understood.

First, an accident occurred in Ukraine. Under the Soviet political system, Sherbitsky, as the first secretary of Ukraine, was already responsible. Naturally, he had to obey the decision of the central government on how to deal with it. This was different from dealing with other regional affairs.

Sherbitsky could stay out of those issues and offer opinions as a central leader, but he was disobedient when the major accident occurred in Ukraine. No matter how perfectly he was handled in the future, he would be held accountable, because after the Chernobyl explosion, which had a major impact on the economy and people's livelihood, Sherbitsky had already fallen into his crotch, and it was shit if it wasn't shit.

So the accident happened because God helped Gordi to victory, and Sherbitsky had to jump into the pit even though he knew it was a pit. The only difference is that no one could have imagined that Gordi would disregard the lives and safety of millions of Ukrainian people for political victory, and in order to protect the interests of the Ukrainian gang, Sherbitsky would listen to Gordi and ignore the safety of people's lives, and implement the central decision meticulously.

However, after Sherbitsky took the blame, he really lost all his halo and was completely unable to compete with Gordi. He could only keep his tail between his legs and allow Gordi's reform plan to be carried out recklessly.

It can be said that in the end, millions of people in Ukraine and Belarus were the biggest victims. Although Sherbitsky failed, he admitted defeat on behalf of the conservatives because he obeyed the decision of the Party Central Committee.

So he was able to work until September 1989 when he was forced to retire, and his successor was still Vladimir Ivashko, the second-in-command of the Ukrainian gang.

Even after the August 19th Incident, Vladimir Ivashko once presided over the work of the Central Committee of the Soviet Union for a period of time after Gorbachev's death.

It is clear that Sherbitsky sacrificed the safety of millions of people and even risked being exposed to radiation to hold the May Day celebrations in Kiev and block the truth of the accident, thus preserving the interests of the Ukrainian gang to the maximum extent.

After Haniyev figured out the situation, he secretly cursed Gordi and Sherbitsky for their shamelessness and cruelty.

A play suddenly popped up in Haniyev's mind, and he secretly exclaimed: No wonder the Soviet Union collapsed. The people and officials of the CIS countries applauded. Even Putin said, "Anyone who doesn't regret the collapse of the Soviet Union is heartless; anyone who wants to restore the Soviet Union to its original state is brainless."

Unfortunately, the superpower is gone forever, and the efforts of our ancestors have been wasted, and even became wrong efforts.

It is foolish to want to restore the Soviet Union because the Soviet era has committed too many unforgivable mistakes and it really cannot exist anymore.

Don't the Ukrainian people love the country their ancestors built? Do they really need independence?

Ultimately, a phrase has been brewing in the hearts of the Ukrainian people throughout the 1980s and 1990s:

I love my country, but who the hell loves me?

Chapter 027 Mr. Mike

February 26, 1986, today it is light rain with haze.

Since Kyiv is still burning coal for heating at this time, the air quality in the capital is not very good.

However, Haniyev didn't care about the bad air. He had been busy with his own affairs these days, going out early and coming back late. Not only did he spend all the money he brought back, but his savings over the years were also almost gone.

In preparation for a major accident two months later, Haniyev had used his connections to purchase a large number of radiation-proof lead suits and asbestos gas masks from a military factory.

Since these materials were not special military materials, it was natural for Haniyev, as the secretary of the forest farm, to purchase them in the name of purchasing spare materials for the forest protection militia company.

This time, Haniyev bought less than 200 sets of lead vests and gas masks. However, in order to have sufficient supply for subsequent use, Haniyev took some money from his family and collected 2000 rubles as a deposit to customize tens of thousands of lead vests and gas masks.

Because of Haniyev's identity and the quick settlement of the payment for his first batch of goods, the military factory happily took on the job again and hurried to prepare materials to continue producing lead vests and gas masks.

So when Haniyev brought back a full truck of supplies today, all the supplies and luxury goods he brought back had disappeared, while the truck was filled with lead vests, gas masks, etc.

Originally, Haniyev was planning to go home directly, but Mr. Mike, the director of the Reuters Kiev office, whom he contacted through Anato, broke the appointment last time, so he made a new appointment for the 27th.

This means that Haniyev has not yet prepared a way out for himself, so he cannot leave at all.

So Haniyev returned home. After getting up and washing up the next morning, in order to give Mr. Mike a good impression and make him think that he was also an official who admired the West and yearned for a free world, Haniyev changed into an Armani suit that he bought on the black market at a cost of two months' salary just for this meeting.

The adult world is made up of people of different occupations and statuses, and the clothing and etiquette in social situations represent many signals.

Haniyev needed to hang on to Reuters, so he was willing to put himself in a lower position until his goal was achieved.

After getting dressed, Haniyev went out and found the reception hotel in the north of the city according to the address Anato gave him. The British Consulate in Kiev was located in the garden to the north of the hotel.

As General Secretary Gorbachev has relaxed entry conditions for foreign media in the past two years, Reuters' office in Kiev is temporarily located in the reception hotel.

When Haniyev arrived at the door of the hotel, he suddenly remembered that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, foreign capital entered Ukraine, and many hospitality hotels in Kiev became properties of American hotel groups. It seemed that this hospitality hotel had become one of the properties of the InterContinental Hotel in Washington.

After exclaiming twice, Haniyev walked into the hotel, then sat down in the restaurant on the second floor. After waiting for a while, he saw Anato leading a blond old man in a white suit towards him.

Haniyev hurriedly stood up and walked over at a leisurely pace, then reached out and held the old man's hand, gently squeezing it twice before letting go.

"Hello Mr. Mike, nice to meet you."

Mike, who prided himself on being an expert on the Soviet Union, was very pleased with Haniyev's approachable demeanor. He nodded and said, "Hello, Secretary Haniyev. I've heard Shatya Vasilyevich mention you many times. You're the secretary of the Chernobyl State Forest Farm. You're young and promising..."

Shajia Vasilyevich Anato is his full name, but now that Anato has become Mike's subordinate, there is no need to be polite when calling him that.

After a few pleasantries, the three of them sat down, ordered a pot of Assam tea and started chatting.

Mike is a professional journalist who is fluent in Russian and familiar with the situation in the Soviet Union and Ukraine. It is said that he worked as an editor for Reuters in Hong Kong and Singapore ten years ago. He is interested in everything about Haniyev and Chernobyl, so he always asks about Chernobyl information during casual conversation.

Since Chernobyl is the most important place in Kyiv Oblast and a military stronghold in Ukraine, foreign journalists are not allowed to approach Chernobyl. However, the area is equipped with Soviet Woodpecker radars, an estimated army of more than 50,000 people, and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, one of the three largest nuclear power plants in the Soviet Union, and has hundreds of thousands of nuclear power plant employees and their families. Such a key place is naturally one of the places of greatest interest to Western media, but they cannot infiltrate it for the time being.

The appearance of Haniyev gave Mike the opportunity to infiltrate the Chernobyl area and learn about the information of the nuclear power plant area. Therefore, even though Haniyev was just a small forest farm secretary, Mr. Mike still took the time to meet him and was very friendly.

After chatting for half an hour, Haniyev also realized that Mike was very interested in him, or to be more precise, he was interested in everything about the Chernobyl area where he worked. This made Haniyev feel relieved. He knew that as long as he gave Mike some benefits, he would not have to ask for help when the trump card appeared in the future. Mike and Reuters behind him, as well as the French and American news agencies, would work hard to help him build momentum without him having to ask for help, because this was a good opportunity to discredit the Soviet Union and demonize the socialist system.

"Anatole has recommended you to me many times, Victor Vladimirvich. I've long admired you. After chatting with you for a while today, I'm sure you didn't disappoint me. Is there anything you want me to help you with?"

Mike put a sugar cube in the teacup, added a little milk, and said with a smile.

Haniyev smiled and said, "I heard from Anato that Reuters is looking for part-time journalists in Kyiv. All they need to do is provide news materials or photos every month, and they will be paid according to the materials they provide. I think we can cooperate."

"That's great! I can give you a small camera. Take some pictures of the rare animals and the workers at work in the forest farm. It would be even better if you could take some street scenes in Chernobyl and Pripyat. I can give you 50 to 400 rubles for each photo..."

Mike slowly told Haniyev what he needed to do. It sounded like there was nothing wrong with it, because part-time journalists hired by foreign media allowed by the Soviet Union had always been doing these things. As long as they didn't spy on military-industrial enterprises and confidential places, it wasn't a crime.