Main text Chapter 41 Nakhodka

(Second update after a long absence, the browser got stuck four times while uploading the chapter. Well, I apologize for not posting it before evening.)

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, wait a minute, listen to me, there is really no need to do such risky actions personally. We have the best team of aviation personnel who are fully qualified for these tasks. You only need to sit in the control tower Just watch their every move, I guarantee they will complete the mission smoothly." Air Force Commander Yevgeny Ivanovich Shaposhnikov hurriedly stopped in front of Yanayev. The tone was almost pleading to retain the Soviet president. Not only Shaposhnikov, but behind him there was Colonel Sergel, the head of the Nakhodka Air Force Base, who was even more at a loss than he was. Facing the two big leaders, he seemed to have no say at all.

A few dozen meters away from Shaposhnikov, a huge Backfire bomber was parked on the runway. The God of Death spread its wings and was ready to greet the sky. The destination of this one-time take-off and landing flight was very clear. , which is the sky above the four northern islands. Declare to everyone that this is the sacred and inviolable red sovereignty of the Soviet Union and no one is allowed to touch it.

Yanayev, who was wearing a pilot's uniform, turned around and looked at Shaposhnikov's chatter impatiently, interrupting his speech, "General Shaposhnikov, you have been like this since last night. You are chattering in my ears. Do you want my ears to become completely deaf? Or do you want this demonstration flight to fail completely?"

"No, no, no, I assure the Soviets that I didn't mean that." Shaposhnikov said anxiously, "You are the leader of a country. If something happens on the four northern islands, how will the Soviets explain it to the people of the country? ? And where should the Soviet economy go from being out of trouble? "

"Okay." Yanayev stopped him from speaking. He tilted his head and said to Colonel Sergeyel, "I'm sorry, uh, Colonel Sergeyel, can you leave for a moment? There are some things I need to do. Talk to your superiors personally.”

Sergeyel, who was eager to leave, was relieved when he heard Yanayev's words and hurriedly left, leaving a stubborn Shaposhnikov waiting for Yanayev's rebuttal.

However, Yanayev did not come up with any big truths. He just asked softly, "Comrade Shaposhnikov, let me ask you a question. You also come from a military family. I want to know if your father ever served in the great army." He fought desperately against fascism in the Great Patriotic War.”

Shaposhnikov was stunned. He did not expect that Yanayev would suddenly raise this topic, so he could only nod silently, not understanding what the unconventional general secretary wanted to say.

Yanayev's expression was a little serious. He stared at the setting sun behind Shaposhnikov. The sunset was so bright that it reflected on the sculpture of the Soviet sickle and hammer, making it look majestic and sad. Yanayev took a breath and said slowly, "In Stalingrad back then, we knew that taking a step forward would expose us to the guns of the fascists. So, did our fathers ever retreat?"

These unexpected words left Shaposhnikov speechless. After a moment of silence, Shaposhnikov nodded helplessly and said seriously, "No, Mr. President. None of them have ever retreated." Pass."

"Then do you think that as a national leader and the highest standard-bearer of the Soviet Union, when the party and the country are facing difficulties, have I ever thought of retreating?" After Yanayev said this, he just took off. The Su-27 fighter jet flew past the runway with the roar of its engines. The turbulent air flow rolled Yanayev's clothes up and down, making them fly. Set against the brilliance of the sunset, it is like the supreme leader shining brightly behind him on a red political propaganda poster.

"No." It was extremely difficult for Shaposhnikov to say this. His throat seemed to be blocked by something and he could not make a sound. For a moment, he remembered his father who had left home wearing a khaki military uniform. He was still saying goodbye to his tearful mother behind him.

Yanayev narrowed his eyes and said seriously, "If you want to ask me what I will do next, then I can tell you that I will not flinch now, just like our fathers did in the Patriotic War. The performance is the same. The red republic needs people like you and me to protect it, so that future generations will be willing to use their own blood to defend it. If even we shrink back, the great ideal that we have been fighting for for almost a century will come to nothing. Collapse."

Unknown to be exaggerated by Yanayev's tragic mood, Shaposhnikov felt as excited as when he faced the Nazi artillery fire. He stepped forward and stood beside Yanayev, and said excitedly, "Since The general secretary is willing to take the lead and stand on the front line, so there is no way we can hide behind it. Even though we are old, our original enthusiasm is still there. "

"Okay." Yanayev rolled his eyes at him and teased, "The specially modified Backfire cockpit can only accommodate one person waiting for you. You better not take it from me because you are so fat. The cockpit is crowded enough.”

"That's great, I'll just go. The general secretary will be waiting for the good news of our victory in the command tower." Shaposhnikov joked.

"Then you go back and stay, Shaposhnikov, waiting for the good news of our victorious return." Shaposhnikov was just about to go with Yanayev to the Backfire bomber waiting to take off, Yana Yev said something intriguing without looking back, "Also, do you know why I chose you Shaposhnikov instead of Chernavin?

Shaposhnikov was a little confused.

Yanayev continued to mind his own business and said, "Because you are much more politically correct than that old man. Of course, I will only say these things to you in private. I hope you won't tell them. I don't want to hear anyone spreading the highest rumors." Rumors emerged of discord between the leader and the navy chief."

Shaposhnikov was stunned for a moment, and soon he understood the meaning of the general secretary's words, and quickly responded, "Don't worry, President Yanayev, I will definitely not tell these things." At the same time. He also secretly gloated about Chernavin's misfortune. It seemed that this purge was likely to affect the army. Yanayev's words also showed that Shaposhnikov had been Except for the next big purge, I can safely be an outsider.

Shaposhnikov followed Yanayev to the fleet of Backfire bombers. When the young man saw the Soviet supreme leader, he straightened his back instantly and saluted excitedly, "Hello, General Secretary, Commander."

"Relax, young man." Yanayev patted one of them on the tense shoulder, telling him to relax and not be so rigid. Seeing the amiable appearance of the top leader, the pilot's nervous heart relaxed a lot.

"Young soldier, what is your name?" Yanayev asked kindly.

"Reporting to the President, my name is Vasily Ivanovich Grechko." The young soldier held his head high and looked energetic against the setting sun.

Yanayev nodded and said, "Very good, Comrade Vasily. Our Soviet needs fresh blood like you, so that our great ideals can have a steady flow of forward momentum. Of course, not everyone can understand our construction, But there is no denying his greatness. Today I am not the supreme leader of the Soviet Union. Leader, I am just an ordinary person like you who loves our motherland. Let those who try to block us and attack us experience the power of the iron fist of communism. Like you, I have sworn to defend the Soviet Union to the death. The land beneath my feet, I will defend my beloved people to the death.”

"We must remember the teachings of His Excellency the President." Vasily said excitedly. He was a little nervous at first because it was rumored that the supreme leader of the Soviet Union was a leader with a violent personality. However, after meeting today, he discovered that he was a kind and ordinary person without any bureaucratic airs.

Only Shaposhnikov on one side calmly observed Yanayev's every move. From attacking bureaucracy and drawing the distance between the people, and now firmly grasping the party's command gun, there is no doubt that Yanayev Nayef is creating a god, projecting himself as the savior of the Soviet Union. As long as he has a huge base of loyal people, he can establish an unbreakable position as the supreme leader like Stalin.

Shaposhnikov finally understood where Gorbachev lost. He abandoned the basic people who were loyal to the Soviets and the party, and only used the flesh and blood of the Soviets to feed a group of restless and contented white-eyed wolves. Until their appetite becomes more and more unmanageable, and eventually they will annex the entire Soviet Union and transform themselves into the oligarchs of this country.

However, Yanayev started from the grassroots level and created an image for the general public as a leader of the people, gradually winning the trust of the people.

"General Secretary Yanayev, you are indeed an incredible big shot." Shaposhnikov thought to himself. He stood on the tarmac and waved goodbye to Yanayev, and waited for Yanayev in Nakhodka. The husband's return awaits him to lead the Soviet Republic to glory and great rejuvenation.