Servant of the People in Kyiv

The members of the Ukrainian People's Movement Committee are mainly young students and intellectuals in Kiev, but not all of them are from Kiev. There are also many people whose hometowns are western Ukraine. After hearing the decision of the Standing Committee, these members excitedly expressed their desire to return to their hometowns to participate in the construction of the western base of the people's movement.

After the conference, nearly a hundred members signed up enthusiastically, and together with some people selected in advance by the Standing Committee, the Ukrainian People's Movement Committee decided to form a 132-member westward delegation led by Gonchar, Makar and Ivanov.

At the end of February, the large Western Group of the Ukrainian People's Movement set out from Kiev.

Haniyev received them at the government guesthouse in Lutsk, and then held a meeting to discuss the development program. Haniyev used his power to find a free office building for the Western Group. The Volyn branch of the People's Daily and the Western Committee of the People's Movement were simply established a few days later.

However, it will take some time to develop the organization and combat capabilities.

Chapter 239 A bright future

In a blink of an eye, Haniyev has been in Volyn Oblast for a month. He originally planned to return to Kiev half a month ago to bring his wife Tatyana and son Paul over, but because of the construction of the Western Committee of the Ukrainian People's Movement, he was delayed for more than ten days.

It was not until March 2 that Haniyev finally took time off from his busy schedule and asked for leave from the Party Committee to return to Kiev.

After returning to Kiev, Haniyev spent a day at home with his wife and children. The next morning, he went to the Mariinsky Palace to meet with Shcherbitsky and report to him on his work over the past month.

Shcherbitsky was very satisfied after hearing this and nodded. "Well done. You should have a good rest for a few days after you come back."

Seeing the old secretary's frown, Haniyev asked, "Is there anything bothering you?"

"Yesterday, Gorbachev ordered the start of the election process for people's representatives. This month, the Soviet Union will elect 2250 people's representatives, including 32 representatives from each of the republics. There are also some seats for representatives from within the party and the system, but they are not many. I am worried that these representatives will not bring about the benefits of reform after they are elected, and will only allow diverse voices of opposition to the CPSU to appear in the Supreme Soviet..."

"You don't have to worry about that."

Haniyev sneered: "This is a fact that is bound to happen."

As a vice-state leader of the Soviet Union, a staunch communist and a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Sherbitsky had deep feelings for the Soviet Union. So even though he knew that Gorbachev was messing around, he was powerless to stop him and could only frown and sigh.

Seeing Sherbitsky's worry, Haniyev whispered, "At this point, regardless of whether Gorbachev's future reforms are good for the Soviet Union, we are powerless to stop them. All we can do is try our best to govern Ukraine and maintain the favorable situation."

Shcherbitsky possessed the political acumen of an older generation of revolutionaries. He twitched his eyebrows. "Now the three Baltic states are clamoring for self-reform, and Gorbachev has agreed. I heard that Lithuania has already started promoting a multi-party system. This is simply nonsense..."

The three Caucasian countries are also in a mess right now. The chaos in Georgia has been quelled, but the people's hearts are no longer with us. Now, openly or covertly, people in many republics are talking about breaking up and living independently. I get a headache every time I think about the chaos that Gorbachev created for the Soviet Union..."

"The more you need to keep calm at this time."

Haniyev was worried that Sherbitsky would confront Gorbachev again. At that time, Yeltsin and the independent forces in the republics had not yet gained momentum, and Sherbitsky could not defeat Gorbachev. The result of a tough confrontation would still be resignation. He had finally got a direct channel to the highest power in Ukraine, and he could not let Sherbitsky make any mistakes.

"Ukraine is the second largest republic of the Soviet Union and the backbone of the Soviet cause. Its importance is self-evident. I personally believe that the existence of Russia and Ukraine is the foundation of the Soviet Union. If Russia is the brain, Ukraine is the heart. Neither of them can be missing..."

"Now many of the Soviet republics are showing signs of dissent, and calls for national independence are popping up all the time. However, as long as the foundation of the Soviet Union is solid, these small countries won't be able to revolt. However, if the foundation is not solid, even the last small country will be unable to survive..."

Old man, you are now in control of Ukraine again and serve as the First Secretary of Ukraine. As long as you can stabilize Ukraine and prevent the emergence of national independence forces and prevent Ukraine from expressing the need for independence and separation, the foundation of our Soviet Union will be stable..."

After listening to Haniyev's analysis, Sherbitsky nodded and said, "My son, you are right. It makes sense."

"I know everything you've done in Warren, and your report was excellent. You lack experience governing at the state level. This year, you need to train hard and strive to integrate the most unstable nationalist forces in western Ukraine. Next year, I'll transfer you to the east for further training, and then you can directly join the Central Secretariat..."

Haniyev was deeply moved after hearing this. He knew that Sherbitsky was really training him as his successor. After experiencing the betrayal of the previous successor Gulenko, Sherbitsky had decided not to train a new successor, but to directly regard Haniyev, who had proven to be capable and loyal enough, as the successor to the Ukrainian cause.

For Haniyev, he is still a long way from being the top leader of Ukraine because he is too young and lacks experience. However, for Sherbitsky, the lack of qualifications is easy to solve. He can change Haniyev's position and give him more responsibilities, and within a few years he will be able to gain more experience and grow rapidly.

However, even if Sherbitsky tried his best to cultivate Haniyev, because Haniyev was really too young, it would take at least two years for him to enter the Central Committee, and it would probably take five years for him to become the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine.

Speaking of which, five years later, Haniyev was only 34 years old, and he was definitely the youngest leader of a Soviet republic. However, all this was based on the absence of variables, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was the biggest variable. If Haniyev wanted to control the situation in Ukraine and change Ukraine's destiny, he had to become one of Ukraine's top leaders before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and Ukraine's independence. This would be one step faster than the route Shcherbitsky had planned for himself.

"Thank you, my dear father."

Haniyev has already been planning his own plan, but now he cannot do without Sherbitsky's support.

Haniyev, with red eyes, hugged the old secretary to express his gratitude. Sherbitsky smiled and comforted him for a long time before he calmed down Haniyev.

Upon learning that Haniyev was planning to take his wife and son to Volyn, Shcherbitsky pondered, "The conditions in Volyn are tougher than in Kyiv, and it's farther away. Paul is still young, can he withstand the ordeal?"

Haniyev frowned and said, "It should be fine. I am a provincial-level cadre and enjoy the treatment of a provincial-level cadre. Tatyana and the others will be well taken care of when they come to Warren."

"But Volyn is too small and poor, and it's far from Kiev..."

Shcherbitsky pondered for a moment before continuing, "I was originally planning to transfer Kharchenko to the central government in May to retire, and have you take over as his First Secretary. First, I'll resolve your actual position as First Secretary, and then find an opportunity for a lateral transfer. By the time you join the central government, you'll have served as First Secretary in several provinces, so your qualifications will be absolutely impeccable. However, I did overlook your family before. Little Pavel was just born..."

After thinking for a moment, Shcherbitsky whispered, "Go home and rest for a while, spend some time with your family. I'll find a solution for you. The western states aren't big, and their industries are similarly distributed, all centered around agriculture. It won't matter where you go. I can transfer you eastward and see if I can find you a position as Chairman of the State Supreme Soviet..."

Chapter 240 The changing situation (1)

It was already afternoon after the conversation with Sherbitsky. Haniyev had afternoon tea with the old man and then went home.

Tatyana got married and had children after graduating from university. She has never had a job, which made her very sensitive and reluctant to leave Haniyev. She hadn't seen Haniyev for half a day, but when she saw him come back, she hugged him and kissed him several times.

Haniyev smiled and chatted with his wife for a while, then said, "You should go back to your sister's house and hang out with your classmates. I'll be back to work in a few days, so let's go together."

Tatiana nodded. "Okay, dear, I've wanted to go with you for a long time. Although I have my mother to help me, I'm going crazy looking after the children at home. It's so lonely."

"I've been inconsiderate. Lately, I've been focused on work and haven't paid enough attention to you. Don't worry, dear. When you come to Warren with me, there will be a professional nanny at home. You can do whatever you want in Lutsk."

Tatyana gently hugged Haniyev and kissed his cheek: "Okay, I will listen to you in everything."

After chatting about family matters for a while, it was already 5:30 in the afternoon. My father and brother had both returned from get off work, and my sister had also returned from school long ago.

Mother Natalia came up and called Haniyev to come down to eat.

The dinner was a joyful one. Although Haniyev had been working in Warren for a month, his family's feelings towards him had not changed at all.

For Vladimir and his wife, Haniyev is the most capable and glorious child of the family. For Sidlov and Viktoria, their brother Viktor is also their role model.

So unknowingly, even though Vladimir was only 53 years old and was still a young pillar among the Soviet Communist Party cadres who were mostly old, in the Haniyev family, the decision-making power had already quietly transferred from him to Viktor Haniyev.

After dinner, Victor went to the study and called Potanin in Moscow.

During the month that Haniyev was in Warren, he was so absorbed in his work that he neglected to keep in touch with his friends.

Potanin should be at home at this time. After a few rings, Haniyev heard a familiar voice on the other end of the phone: "Hello, this is Potanin."

"How's it going, old buddy?"

Haniyev asked with a slight smile.

"Victor, you finally got promoted. Now that you're the state's second secretary, have you forgotten your old friends? I called you a few times, but you didn't even bother to return a single one..."

"Didn't you just get promoted to deputy director? That's much more prestigious than mine..."

"Deputy Director? That's not very interesting. I've been researching the mining industry lately and have gained a lot of insights. I was just about to share them with you. The reforms are getting more and more powerful, and I see an opportunity. So I'm ready to resign and go into business!"

"Have you made up your mind?"

"I've thought about it, let me tell you..."

Haniyev and Potanin had not known each other for long, but they had shared hardships and joys in Burkina Faso and had developed extremely deep feelings for each other, so there was no need for them to exchange pleasantries when they spoke on the phone.

After Potanin spoke for a long time, Haniyev understood his idea and exclaimed: "Your brain is really useful..."

It turns out that when Potanin worked in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, he had always been in contact with large companies in developed Western countries and participated in order business between state-owned mining companies and large foreign companies. It was because of his experience in this area that when Haniyev found him, he was impressed by the gold mines in Burkina Faso and got on board.

Now, as the reform is becoming wider and wider, the threshold for the Soviet Union's foreign trade is getting lower and lower. Potanin has also smelled opportunities and seen huge business opportunities in the chaos of reform.

The largest mining company in the Soviet Union was Rilsk Nickel. According to the original history, Potanin came out of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and reorganized Rilsk Nickel in the name of reform. Eventually, during the wave of public ownership turning into private ownership during the disintegration of the Soviet Union, he swallowed up a large portion of Rilsk Nickel and became the largest shareholder of Russia's Rilsk Nickel, thus establishing his position as a major Russian oligarch.

After many twists and turns, Potanin finally saw an opportunity to take over Rilsk Nickel during the reform. He did not hide his thoughts and told Haniyev that he was going to leave the Ministry of Foreign Trade and rely on his own connections, resources and energy to control Rilsk Nickel.

According to Potanin, the monthly gold output of the Rilsk Nickel Company is an astronomical figure. As long as he can participate in it, just one thousandth of it will be enough to become a billionaire.

Haniyev knew that since Potanin had made the decision, he must have thought it through and discussed it with his father, Potanin Sr., and had come up with a foolproof plan. It was very likely that he would enter the Rilsk Nickel Company, follow the original historical line, gradually take control of the Rilsk Nickel Company, and eventually become the largest shareholder of the privatized Rilsk Nickel Company.

Haniyev himself does not intend to be an oligarch, but he will not interfere in the fate of others. Besides, Potanin is his good friend and future partner. The greater his achievements, the more help he will get in the future.

In response, Haniyev simply made some symbolic reminders as a friend.

Potanin has always admired Haniyev, and seeing that he also supports his decision, he feels more confident.

"Gorbachev's reforms are meant to break the Soviet Union's nearly eighty-year-old status quo. The cards will inevitably be re-dealt in the future. I'm going to the Ryrsk Nickel Company now, hoping to get a chance to play when the cards are reshuffled. Victor, do you understand me?"

"of course."

Haniyev said in a serious tone, "I believe you will succeed. Don't forget me when you get rich."

"Don't worry, we are both original shareholders of First Mining. If I earn 10 rubles in the future, you will get 5 of them!"

Potanin's tone was firm, and Haniyev laughed with satisfaction. He asked, "Speaking of First Mining, I haven't been paying much attention to it recently. How is the mine in Burkina Faso performing?"

In October 1987, Haniyev and Potanin brought engineers from the First Mining Company into Burkina Faso. The first three mines were completed around the beginning of 1988. At the beginning, the equipment and personnel were not mature, and the gold production was not high.

It was not until the second half of 88 that Haniyev learned from a phone call with Potanin that the First Mining Company had built 10 mining sites in Burkina Faso and was expected to be completed in three and a half years. At this time, the amount of gold ore collected had increased significantly, and the gold mine output had increased several times compared with the first half of the year. The First Mining Company finally saw a return on its profits.

Chapter 241 The changing situation (2)

After about half a year, First Mining's investment in Burkina Faso finally began to show results.

This is due to the fact that the Burkina Faso government is a new government after the Sankara Revolution, and its organizational and executive capabilities are far superior to other countries in the African region.

Without the strong support of the Burkina Faso government, First Mining would not be able to operate normally even if it continues to work for another five years relying solely on its human and material resources.

Because of the special distribution mechanism of Burkina Faso's gold mines, the economic benefits of First Mining in 1988 could not be calculated until several months later at the end of the year after the division of equity with the Burkina Faso government. However, the company's engineers were always able to estimate some rough conditions.

At that time, Potanin predicted to Haniyev that the gold mine revenue of the First Mining Company in 1988 would be between 30 and 40 rubles.

Three or four hundred thousand rubles was a huge sum of money for ordinary Soviet citizens, but it was nothing to Haniyev and Potanin.

You should know that the basic investment of the First Mining Company exceeded 1 million rubles, and the second round of financing reached an astronomical figure of 12 million rubles. With an investment of more than 10 million rubles, if the annual income is only a few hundred thousand rubles and it takes decades to recover the investment, such a business is naturally a failure.

However, for Haniyev and Potanin, who each invested 500,000 rubles, 300,000 to 400,000 rubles a year is not bad.

First Mining expects all its mines to be operational by 1989, by which time annual output will reach over 3 tons and annual revenue will exceed US$200 million.

Even if First Mining could only get half, that would be a profit of $100 million. Excluding costs, First Mining's profit in 1989 would be at least $80, which is equivalent to two million rubles.

In other words, after the First Mining completed the construction of the gold mine in Burkina Faso, it was only able to start expanding production and increasing profits from 1989. It would take about three to four years to earn back the investment capital, and all the rest would be returns.

Potanin was very happy about the success of the First Mining Company and his admiration for Haniyev was deep-rooted.

Originally, influenced by Haniyev, Potanin had decided to make some achievements within the system. However, after seeing the success of First Mining, especially knowing the future prospects, his pursuit of money overwhelmed the ideals influenced by Haniyev, so he set his sights on Rilsk Nickel Company.

You should know that Rilsk Nickel Company is the largest mining company in the Soviet Union. Its gold reserves are a million times the proven gold reserves of Burkina Faso. Even a small gold mine in Burkina Faso can bring him huge wealth. If he can get a part of Rilsk Nickel Company's shares, Potanin can't believe how rich he will be.

It can be said that Potanin's psychological dynamics fluctuated because of Haniyev's existence, which could have changed his fate. However, due to the huge returns of First Mining, Potanin returned to the original historical line and embarked on the path of a Russian oligarch.

Potanin said, "Last year's profits have been calculated. We mined a total of 9000 tons of gold ore, yielding over 36000 grams of gold, for a profit of $40. Burkina Faso's share of the Sankara has already been sold, but our share of the gold has not yet been sold. Gold prices have been declining recently, and I don't think a few hundred thousand dollars is a return on our huge investment, so I'm keeping it for now."

Haniyev nodded, switched hands to hold the microphone, and flexed his aching wrist. "You can handle it as you wish. I won't be involved in the management of First Mining. Just pay me the dividends when they're due."

"Don't worry about that."

Potanin chuckled. "Yesterday, the ambassador of Burkina Faso came to me and said that Sankara wanted to visit the Soviet Union this year and meet us. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed, and I estimate that Sankara will be back in May at the latest."

"That's good. We haven't seen him in a while. I wonder what Burkina Faso is like now?"

"For the past two years, Sankara has written to us every three months, but he hasn't written in the past six months. However, I heard that Burkina Faso is changing rapidly. Many livelihood projects are being built and launched, and the aid projects promised by the French government are also under construction. I estimate that Burkina Faso will be completely transformed in a few years..."

"That would be great! If Burkina Faso becomes a prosperous and strong country on the African continent, it will be a great banner of our socialist camp in Africa!"

……

Potanin and Haniyev discussed Burkina Faso and Sankara for a while, and arranged a time to meet in advance when Sankara visited, after which Haniyev hung up the phone.

Haniyev doesn't have much money now, but he is already a potential billionaire.

"Rosen Imaging", "First Mining" and "Yalta Health Company", these three large companies are basically the products of the Soviet Union's economic reform. It can also be said that they were the first companies to take the lead in various industries at the beginning of the reform.

Thanks to Haniyev's help, these three companies have experienced rapid growth since their establishment. Now they have become the best among Soviet private capital enterprises and are regarded as the kings of their respective fields.

Haniyev holds considerable shares in all three companies and has long been a wealthy tycoon worth millions of rubles.

However, he has no shares in the health care company and generally does not participate in dividends. He just asks Vyshevsky to come up with some money when he needs it. The First Mining Company has not distributed dividends so far, but "Rosen Imaging" will give Haniyev 100,000 to 200,000 rubles every year. In early 1989, when Poroshenko visited his home, he gave Haniyev 360,000 rubles, because Rosen Imaging expanded many branches in 1988 and its efficiency increased a lot.

Haniyev never cared about how much dividends Poroshenko gave him, nor did he worry that Poroshenko earned a lot and gave him too little. Anyway, for Haniyev, what he always sought was power rather than money. Whether it was Poroshenko, Vyshevsky, or Tymoshenko, he could support them to become rich, but the prerequisite was that they were obedient.

As long as they are obedient and work for themselves, they will be happy to see them get rich. After all, when necessary, these people's businesses are their own piggy banks. If everything goes well, it doesn't matter if they get a little more wealth.

Haniyev has never been a harsh leader.

Calculating that he would become richer and richer in a few years, Haniyev could not help laughing. Although he did not pursue money highly, who in the world would find too much money too hot?

Chapter 242 The changing situation (3)

It was already late at night when Haniyev returned to the bedroom. Tatyana, who was sleeping with her son in her arms, heard the noise and turned over to look.

Haniyev smiled slightly, took off all his clothes and hugged his wife.

"No...Paul wants to drink milk..."

"It's okay, lying sideways won't hinder anything, come here and lift your butt..."