Struggle in Soviet Russia

Taking a cursory glance, Victor couldn't help feeling a little complacent.

In that group, there are members of the Politburo, including Zhdanov and Molotov. To be precise, all the Politburo members, except Malenkov, Khrushchev and Kalinin, have been arrived.

In addition to the members of the Politburo, among the non-political bureau members present were Woznetsensky, Berusin, Shvernik and Sabrov, who had risen to prominence in the political arena in the past two years.

In addition, there were two people with their backs facing Victor's direction. From the backs alone, he couldn't tell who they were.

The reason why Victor felt a little complacent in his heart was because it could be seen from these people that tonight's reception was still a small-circle reception, and the people who got the invitation should be more valued by Comrade Stalin, or someone he trusted more. people.

Keeping a calm expression on his face, and concealing the self-confidence in his heart, Victor quickly walked towards the place where everyone gathered.

When he stepped on the lawn, Andreyev, who was talking with Comrade Zhdanov, saw him first, and the good-natured old comrade waved to him and expressed his welcome.

Following Andreyev's waving gesture, everyone present saw him, and the two people who had their backs to him turned around and glanced in the direction he came from.

As the two turned around, Victor recognized them too.

The one wearing a suit and keeping his head on his back is Alexei Ilarionovich Kirichenko who came back from Ukraine. The other is less than forty years old this year, a young and promising one. The Ukrainian cadre currently holds the position of secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Ukrainian Party in charge of cadre work.

Comrade Khrushchev, who is in charge of work in Ukraine, has great confidence in this person. Therefore, last month, he recommended him to serve as secretary of the Odessa State Party Committee and Secretary of the Odessa Municipal Party Committee, which is extremely important in Ukraine.

This appointment recommendation has been approved by Comrade Stalin, and the purpose of Kirichenko's visit to Moscow this time is not only to represent Comrade Khrushchev to participate in the military parade, but also to report his work. When he returns to Ukraine, he will go to Odessa to serve.

Another person, Viktor, also knew and was an old acquaintance. Kosygin was also a staunch supporter of Comrade Zhdanov. In recent times, this person has been criticized against Comrade Malenkov.

Seeing Victor who had just stepped on the lawn, Kirichenko greeted him immediately, because among the people present, only his position was lower than that of Victor, no matter what direction his camp was divided, at least the basic Etiquette still needs to be maintained.

Not only him, but also Kosygin moved forward to greet him. Comparatively speaking, Viktor's position was quite special. For ordinary senior cadres, when he could not offend him, he would try his best to avoid contact with him. He clashed.

The most important thing is that in the past two years, Victor has been getting closer and closer to Comrade Stalin, and Comrade Stalin's trust in him is obvious to all. If you continue to stay in the People's Commissariat of National Security, another "Beria" will appear in less than two years.

As the person in charge of national intelligence work and counter-espionage work, he is also trusted by Comrade Stalin. For everyone, such a person is not an existence that can be ignored. Therefore, limiting the appearance of such a role has become everyone's This is the most direct reason for Viktor's transfer from the People's Commissariat of State Security.

Another point is that in the past six months or so, the political situation in Moscow is by no means as calm as it seems on the surface. Comrade Zhdanov, Malenkov, Beria Group, and Molotov's People's Committee for Foreign Affairs The group has long since moved the struggle to the table.

Comrade Zhdanov, who had been squatting in Leningrad for three years, had one enemy against two, but always prevailed, defeating Malenkov and Molotov, and was in trouble. Interestingly, as a strong The chairman of the People's Commissariat of State Security, Viktor, such a young and bright target, has never been impacted. If it is said that there is no influence of Comrade Stalin behind this, it is estimated that no one will believe it.

Just like the complacent attitude of Victor just now, look at these people who are here tonight, even the youngest Kilichenko was born in 1908, almost ten years older than Victor in age . Even so, he was not invited in his own capacity, but came here on behalf of Comrade Khrushchev.

In terms of position, Kirichenko has just been appointed as the secretary of the state party committee and city party committee of Odessa Oblast, while Victor will be the first secretary of the Karelian-Finnish Soviet Republic. Considering that Odessa is not Moscow, there is a gap between the two in terms of positions.

The most important thing is that although Kirichenko has risen rapidly, he has not yet obtained the status of a member of the Central Committee, and Victor, who is nearly ten years younger than him, is already an official member of the Central Committee.

With a full smile on his face, Viktor shook hands with Kirichhenko and Kosygin who were approaching, and walked back side by side with them, greeting everyone who had already arrived.

After the basic process was over, Victor happened to stop beside Comrade Beria. He looked around and asked curiously, "Why haven't you prepared anything? Isn't there a reception?"

Tonight, Beria was wearing a military uniform, um, the uniform of the NKVD, not only him, but even Comrade Molotov was wearing a military uniform.

Hearing Victor's question, Beria first glanced in the direction of the villa, and then said in a low voice, "Comrade Stalin hasn't decided where the reception will take place. It was raining in the morning, and he may have caught a cold."

"Oh?" Victor was stunned for a moment, recalling how he looked when he watched the military parade on the viewing platform in the morning.

After all, Comrade Stalin is very old. He is in his 60s and 70s. He is incomparable with young people. In addition, he still has many bad habits. Like today, he suddenly caught a rain and caught a cold. something is normal.

Victor was about to ask if Comrade Stalin's doctor had come, and why the reception was not cancelled tonight when someone said, "Comrade Viktor Viktorovich, don't mind taking a few minutes to talk to me. Bar?"

Victor turned his head and saw that Woznetsensky was standing a step behind him, looking at him expressionlessly.

Victor is really disgusted with this person, his expressionless face is simply disgusting.

Of course, the most direct reason for Victor's disgust with him was the person's entanglement with him. You must know that he has not yet gone to Karelia to take office. Even if the Planning Commission has a budget issue to negotiate with Karelia, he will not be able to find him.

However, since the other party has made a request for a conversation, Victor is not good to openly refuse, which will give people the impression of not uniting comrades.

Look at the people present today, one of them counts as one, they all have some contradictions with each other more or less, and the contradictions between some people have even been superficial, but in today's situation, they Isn't it still a smile?

Turning his head again and smiling apologetically at Comrade Beria, Viktor turned around and said to Woznetsensky: "Comrade Nikolai Alexeyevich, today is a day worth celebrating. You won't want to talk to me about the fortifications, will you?"

"Comrade Viktor Viktorovich, according to your resume, when you go to Karelia to assume office at the end of the year, it will be the first time you will take up a local leadership position," Woznetsensky ignored his complaints and took care of himself. said, "Considering your lack of experience in this area, I think I should give you some reminders in some aspects, especially the use of budget."

"Oh, please," said Victor, twitching the corners of his lips.

"This morning, we had a brief conversation," Woznetsensky said, "I have a preliminary understanding of your thinking. According to your statement, after you go to Karelia to assume office, your priority is to work. It's the restoration of transportation."

"Yes, that's my idea," Victor said, nodding.

"It is certainly good that you have your own ideas, but I must remind you," Woznetsensky said, "that the Union local authorities use the budget to ensure economic planning tasks and meet the real urgency of the year. It is determined based on the needs of the alliance. Only after successfully completing the economic planning tasks can you start a supplementary business this year. For now, in the post-war reconstruction work of the alliance, the restoration of heavy industry and agriculture is the main construction work. The task, the restoration of transportation, is a supplementary undertaking."

Victor frowned, he had never been in charge of local work, and naturally did not know these rules and requirements.

According to Woznetsensky, if he goes to the Karelia-Finnish Soviet Republic to preside over work, then what he wants to do is actually still subject to the constraints of the Planning Commission, because his main work must be done in planning He can choose from the economic planning tasks stipulated by the Commission, and he cannot escape from this frame, otherwise, it will become difficult for him to obtain the budget.

But if this is the case, do local governments at all levels have any autonomy to speak of? Everything must be implemented in accordance with the work arrangements of the Planning Commission, so who has the final say between the Planning Commission and the People's Committee?