USSR 1991

"I came to you this time for two things."

"Strike hard and eliminate counterrevolutionaries."

Chapter 9, Idiots, Learn to Think Independently

Strike hard and eradicate counterrevolutionaries.

It is not good news for the members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union or others. The great purge that swept across the country during the Stalin period caused serious damage to the combat effectiveness of the Soviet army, and also caused internal division and unrest. Now it will happen again. Minister Pugo didn't even know whether it would cause a major coup in the end.

In fact, Pugo didn't know that Yanayev had been planning this operation for a long time, and that he needed to make certain sacrifices for Comrade Vladimir's smooth succession.Although some people may be the veterans who came over on August [-], if he has become a roadblock blocking the progress of the times, Yanayev will execute him without hesitation.In his eyes, nothing is more important than the interests of the country.

He is willing to sacrifice everything for his country.

"If there is a purge, I am worried that there will be another tragedy. It is difficult for us to control the development of the situation in China, General Secretary Yanayev. Although the starting point is good, it may end up as a factional purge between political enemies."

Pugo advised Yanayev not to do stupid things at this time. The most important reason is to stabilize the domestic situation and develop the economy with peace of mind.

Yanayev explained to him, "Don't get me wrong, the crackdown and counter-revolutionaries are only carried out on a small scale, not a wave that spreads across the country. It is mainly aimed at potential moth bureaucrats in the team, and Those saboteurs who endanger social stability. Capture a group, and then kill a small group as an example to complete the smooth handover in 1999. Comrade Pugo, when Comrade Vladimir takes over, I am not sure that he will be able to 100 % controls the entire center, so we must complete the unfinished business while we still have strength."

He doesn't care about being viciously written on paper by some people, describing him as a damn tyrant or dictator.In Yanayev's eyes, there is only the motherland, the name of the Soviet Union, which is worthy of his devotion.

"I will also be in charge of this cleansing..."

Pugo asked with a wry smile, in fact he knew the ending without asking.There is no need for others to choose themselves, a veteran who is about to retire, to offend everyone. It is clear that he will have no chance to return to the Politburo.Also a reminder to other conservative members.The time has come for you all to abdicate.

He didn't blame the general secretary for his ruthlessness. In fact, the other party had already arranged for him to make up for it, but he just didn't want conservatives to get involved in politics anymore.

They should all withdraw one after another in the past two years, and hand over the future to those who boldly move forward.The basic national policy has been set. In the general trend of the environment, as long as no major mistakes are made, the future of the Soviet Union is bright.

"Yes, it's up to you to do it, I don't worry."

Yanayev patted him on the shoulder with a slightly apologetic expression.In fact, not only to remind conservatives, he also took a fancy to Pugo's pragmatism.He was the only one in history who would rather commit suicide with a gun than go to prison when the coup failed and the country disintegrated.Patriots are willing to clean up all traitors for the motherland, and will never show mercy.

Before Pugo left, Yanayev reminded Pugo of one more thing.

"By the way, you'd better take the Moscow police station first. You can figure out who is extorting people, who is taking bribes, and this thing must be done well, otherwise I won't be able to talk to that 'friend' ' Confession..."

Thinking of Natasha's appearance of clinging to people when she was angry, Yanayev felt a little funny.If I agreed to his request but didn't fulfill it, I'm afraid I didn't dare to hang out by the Moscow River in the morning.

"I'm a little curious... who is the friend of the general secretary?"

Pugo said something more, since the August [-]th coup, he has never heard the word "friend" out of his mouth. Today, the general secretary unexpectedly mentioned "friend".I also understand a little bit in my heart.

"Hehe, it's nothing, it's just a matter of raising your hands, and we just met by chance."

He waved his hand, signaling Pugo to go to his own business first.He still has other things to be busy with, and it has been a long time since he had a face-to-face chat with Surkov.There are some things he needs to have a good talk with the other party now.

Outside the corridor, Surkov, who has become the secretary of the secretariat, is waiting for the end of the meeting.

He has become the "gray cardinal" who really controls public opinion and ideology. Yanayev pays more attention to the propaganda of public opinion and land expropriation than any other general secretary, and he also racks his brains in the propaganda department.Some people joked that the Propaganda Department was a clean stream independent of Moscow. They were only responsible to Surkov, and they were not rigid in their work. Instead, they were bold and radical.

Pugo walked out of the office, saw Surkov waiting for a moment outside the corridor, and nodded to the young man.Being able to arrange such an important position is enough to show the general secretary's trust in him.

I am old, and the future is the future of young people after all.

"Minister Pugo."

Surkov said modestly, "Long time no see."

"Yeah, long time no see."

After retiring to the second line, Pugo seldom walked around the Kremlin, and more often stayed in the office waiting for the retirement deadline to approach.So when Surkov saw Pugo walking out of Yanayev's office, he felt that his meeting was not so simple.

Pugo passed by Surkov, stopped after taking two steps, turned his head as if remembering something, and said to Surkov behind him, "Comrade Surkov, I have something to say." Let me tell you something here."

"kindness?"

Surkov looked at him curiously, not knowing what he would say.

"No matter what the future holds, please keep going. Although this road may be difficult to walk, and you will doubt the beliefs you hold in your heart. But... our existence is not to let more people realize that the Communist Party members have been working for The happiness and interests of the people are struggling, even if a small part of them betray their ideals and degenerate into moths. But the vast majority, the vast majority of people are for this country. We want the world to know that the top leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union are The ideals and beliefs have never changed. They are not a privileged class, nor are they dictators. Despite the infamy, they are true patriots and heroes."

Surkov nodded, keeping Pugo's words firmly in his heart.At this moment, he still didn't know the decision made in the old man's heart. Just like countless martyrs who proved the truth with their own bodies, Pugo wanted to set up a road marker pointing the way for the future.

Surkov walked into the office. Yanayev still had a cigarette between his fingers. He was meditating when he saw the ideological gatekeeper he had cultivated with all his heart appear in front of him. The general secretary showed an uncharacteristically gentle expression.

"I won't say anything polite. I didn't come here today to listen to those long-winded work reports. I promoted you to the position of Secretary of the Secretariat. I originally wanted to serve as the head of the Propaganda Department, but considering Comrade Surkov's work Although the Propaganda Department and the Secretariat are not in direct contact in name, I still gave you full management authority."

Surkov spoke quietly to the general secretary without interrupting the conversation.

"I have always emphasized resisting the peaceful evolution plan of the United States and the West, as well as the infiltration of public opinion, but recently I hope to share some of my energy to target certain negative trends in the country."

Surkov, who has a keen sense of politics, recalled what Pugo said to himself suddenly in the corridor, and roughly guessed what Yanayev was going to do.

"General Secretary Yanayev, are you ready to attack someone in the party or government?"

Surkov has already noticed that this is not a simple speech, and it may become the starting point of certain events.He must stand on the right side in the storm and hold on to that flag firmly.

"Yes, I need the Soviet Union's propaganda department to build momentum. The more it comes to the replacement, the more it needs to unite the hearts of the people. Now there are corrupt voices in the organization, we can't let them go, they must be strangled in the cradle. And those who stand in the way of reform, those who are no longer adapted to reform, need to be removed."

"Do you know what I mean?"

Surkov nodded. Yanayev started to do this, which means that the Yanayev era is about to become a thing of the past, and Comrade Vladimir, who was privately passed on as his successor, is about to land on the historical stage of the Soviet Union.

"This campaign is led by Comrade Pugo, right?" He held his chin, a little surprised at Yanayev's ruthlessness, and the person who is about to retire will take advantage of it for the last time.

Yanayev nodded and said with a wry smile, "No one is more suitable to implement this plan than him. You have never contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Comrade Vladimir cannot offend anyone at this time. Pugo's status as a veteran can not only Suppress the various factions, and at the same time, the purge can be carried out perfectly."

"And Comrade Pugo, it is voluntary. I also promised him that after he retires, he will receive full political asylum, and no one will trouble him."

Yanayev has done his best.

The young man sitting opposite finally showed a gratified expression.In fact, he was also afraid of being regarded as an abandoned son. Pugo could use his retirement to cut off everyone's thoughts of revenge, but he has just flourished, so how could his future be ruined.

Now with the approval of the general secretary, everything has become logical.

"Shall I start preparing now?"

Surkov didn't like to waste time, especially the tasks assigned by Yanayev.He had stood up and was about to go out.It is difficult to fight a battle, and the opponent may be your friends, teachers, or even the group of people who once supported you.What he needs is not only courage, but also loyalty to faith.

"Let's start preparing now. Later, I still need to go to Moscow University to give a speech."

Yanayev stubbed out his cigarette, straightened his tie and sleeves.Today's appointments have been fully booked. Yanayev, who has not stepped out of the Kremlin for a long time, showed his face in public for the first time, saying that he is very healthy.It also shattered various conspiracy theories about illnesses that were popular in Moscow.

His body isn't as bad as Andropov's.

"Young talents are the future of the motherland, and the world is ours, but it is theirs after all."

Yanayev dropped this sentence, turned and went out.