Text Chapter 11 Ryzhkov

During the martial law period, Moscow implemented a curfew. After 7 o'clock in the evening, the originally bustling streets became quiet. Occasionally, soldiers with Kalashnikov rifles could be seen patrolling the streets to prevent some rioters from sabotaging under the cover of night. Some buildings in Moscow had been attacked by unknown persons before, and they even burned vehicles. At the same time, the KGB agents and the secret police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, known as the sword and shield of the Soviet Union, were searching for Yeltsin's supporters throughout the city. The assassination of the top leader of the Soviet Union gave them a legitimate reason to arrest those people. They attempted to cause riots and push these people to the opposite side of the people.

The heavy curtains in a house were slightly moved aside, and the bright lights in the house illuminated the dim streets through the remaining gaps. A pair of small eyes with a terrified look were looking at the actions of the dark world outside through the gaps in the curtains, and watching the future of this country with uneasy eyes.

The bright beam of light dispelled the dark atmosphere. A car passed by those eyes and headed for deeper darkness, like a huge ship that deviated from its course in the fog. The dim light illuminated the dark and dangerous waters ahead, guiding the Soviet Union's direction of progress.

Nikolai Ivanovich Ryzhkov, who was sitting in the car at this time, had never felt as complicated as today. From the news that Gorbachev could not serve as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on TV this morning, to the news that President Yeltsin committed suicide in the afternoon, to the assassination of the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Yanayev by Yeltsin's supporters in the evening, the mood of the Soviet people in a day was like a roller coaster, and the little heart could not bear it at all.

However, Ryzhkov was still very happy to hear that Yeltsin was dead. He was squeezed by the Russian president and evaluated Yeltsin as a Soviet mourner more than once in private. And called him "a despicable villain who destroyed the empire with his own hands."

However, before preparing to wash and sleep, Ryzhkov unexpectedly received an invitation from General Secretary Yanaev to go to Moscow Hospital. There was only a silent driver sent to pick up Ryzhkov. So Ryzhkov is now full of questions, wondering what Yanaev wants to do.

Recalling his political career that just ended half a year ago, he did not gain anything except offending Gorbachev and Yeltsin. So he resigned from the position of Chairman of the Council of Ministers indignantly after Gorbachev gave up his "Government Program".

So after the fall of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, did his chance come back again? Ryzhkov guessed in his heart the possibility of Yanaev summoning him, and the possibility of reappointing him as Minister of Economy was the greatest.

The driver turned around and said to Rezhkov, who was lost in thought, "Comrade Rezhkov, we're at the hospital."

"Oh, good." Rezhkov came to his senses and looked up, and saw that the courtyard was full of KGB agents. They looked at him like a suspect, making Rezhkov feel uncomfortable. The general secretary's security level has reached the highest level, and anyone in their eyes is a suspicious person.

After getting off the car, Plekhanov, the director of the KGB's Ninth Bureau who was responsible for the protection of the top leaders, came up to greet him. He shook Rezhkov's hand and said, "Long time no see, Comrade Rezhkov. I haven't seen you since you resigned as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. How have you been recently?"

"Not very well. My health is as bad as the current situation of this country." Rezhkov was not familiar with Plekhanov, so he had to perfunctorily say, "I am going to see General Secretary Yanaev. Comrade Plekhanov, please lead the way."

"Of course, this way." Plekhanov made a gesture of invitation.

After a brief greeting, Rezhkov followed Plekhanov to the second floor, which was more heavily guarded. The moment he pushed the door open, the scene inside made Rezhkov a little stunned. Not only Yanaev, but also Pavlov was there.

"You are here, Comrade Rezhkov, come and sit first." Yanaev greeted Rezhkov enthusiastically. Full of doubts, Ryzhkov sat beside Yanayev and asked about his injuries with concern. Yanayev smiled and said that he was fine, while looking at the appearance of the last savior of the Soviet economy. If it weren't for Gorbachev's 500-day plan, according to Ryzhkov's "Government Program", the economic foundation of the Soviet Union would not have been so quickly decayed in an ugly way. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ryzhkov has not been doing well. He can only rely on writing memoirs of the collapse of the Soviet Union to commemorate the glorious years and a lost red empire.

"Is there anything important that the General Secretary and the Prime Minister summoned me for?" Ryzhkov asked cautiously.

"Of course." Yanayev said directly, "Our Politburo is ready to abolish the so-called 500-day plan of Gorbachev and Yeltsin and reuse your "Government Program". I hope we still have time to do this and remedy the stupid things Gorbachev has done."

Prior to this, Gorbachev and Yeltsin reached an agreement to establish an expert group headed by Academician Shatalin, a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee, to formulate a 500-day plan for the Soviet Union's transition to a market economy based on Russia's 500-day plan. That is "Transition to the Market - Concept and Programme". In early September 1990, the group submitted this plan, which stipulated that the Soviet Union would "achieve drastic reforms" in 17 months along the direction of privatization and market-oriented reforms. At least 70% of industrial enterprises would be privatized and transformed into joint enterprises. joint-stock companies, while encouraging large-scale foreign investment to enter, and establishing a new financial system based on private commercial banks and so-called "market guarantees." Its full name is "Shatalin-Yavlinsky 500-day plan."

While those fools who advocated private ownership were cheering for this plan, only Ryzhkov was clearly aware of the terrible disaster that would happen, but he was unable to stop it because public opinion and the government all sided with Yeltsin. , no one wants to speak for him. Therefore, Ryzhkov could only choose to resign in silent protest.

Pavlov took Yanayev's words and said to Ryzhkov, "So you will assume the position of Minister of Economy of the Soviet Union to implement your plan of cautious change. What do Comrade Ryzhkov think about this?" Want to mention it?”

"You'd better hire someone else." After hearing what the Prime Minister said, Ryzhkov decided to retreat in order to gain more initiative. "Reform is an extremely risky approach, and many measures will bring unpredictable consequences. , so what I need is an absolute guarantee to ensure that any measures I take will not be affected by senior officials or others. And the most important point is, how can I, a person with no power and no position, go to the central government to serve as an economist. Where is the minister?"

Yanayev and Pavlov smiled at each other and said in unison, "This is a unanimous decision of the Politburo members, and you will be the Minister of Economy."

"When you say this, will it give people a feeling of imperial approval?" Ryzhkov muttered in a low voice.

Seeing that he was still uneasy, Yanayev could only promise with a wry smile, "Serving as Minister of Economy is only temporary, and we will transfer your positions later. Today I just want to reveal the news to you first, the specific situation. The discussion will be arranged for another day, and I guarantee your change. Revolutionary measures will be put in place. Now is not the time for Gorbachev to speak. In September 1990, you watched your motherland fall into the abyss because of a bunch of idiots and people with ulterior motives. But now you are given another chance. , will you choose to save her without hesitation? "

"Of course I will."

After hearing Yanayev's words, Ryzhkov raised his head and looked at him, his eyes brighter and more determined than at that desperate meeting in September 1990.

(By the way, do you have any suggestions for the dilemma of the separation of the three Baltic countries? Political means other than military operations.)