Struggle in Soviet Russia

When Comrade Stalin appeared on the lawn in front of the villa, there was already a harmonious atmosphere among the people. A basic rule is that even if there are irreconcilable contradictions between everyone, they will not be highlighted at the reception convened by Comrade Stalin. , the reason is very simple, although Comrade Stalin may not want his subordinates to be too harmonious, but he does not want someone to destroy the atmosphere of his reception. Although Victor attended Comrade Stalin's private receptions few times, he knew very well that before that, someone had been slammed away by Comrade Stalin for arguing at a similar reception.

As Comrade Beria said before, because of the rain today, Comrade Stalin did catch a cold, and his voice even became a little hoarse. However, although he was ill, his mood was not affected in any way, and the whole person still seemed very excited. He even rejected Comrade Molotov's suggestion to place the reception in the villa and insisted on holding the reception in the villa. Arranged on the outdoor lawn.

The dishes prepared at the reception were not very rich. After all, few of the people present came here to satisfy their appetites. To receive this invitation has already met all the needs of the participants.

On the long table that was temporarily spliced ​​together on the lawn, Viktor sat on a seat at the end of the west side of the long table. Opposite him was Comrade Kilichenko, and to his right was Comrade Mikoyan. As for Comrade Stalin's seat, it was at the far right end of the long table, with Comrade Zhdanov and Comrade Molotov sitting on both sides.

Before, Victor had heard a saying that it was said that it was Comrade Stalin's private reception that he asked not to talk about official business. He had also attended such a reception once or twice before, and it seemed that no one talked about official business. However, tonight's The reception proved this to be a misconception, because from the beginning of the reception until now, what Comrade Stalin has been talking about has always been official business.

At this time, Comrade Stalin, holding a glass of red wine in his hand, was talking to Kirichhenko, who was sitting opposite Viktor, as long as he was asking him about the specific situation of agricultural work in Ukraine.

As we all know, in the alliance system, the two republics of Belarus and Ukraine are basically the two most important granaries of the alliance. In the past few years of war, both Belarus and Ukraine have been greatly damaged. , especially the latter. When the Germans were forced to retreat, they adopted a cruel "scorched earth policy", and a large number of farmlands were burned, flooded and completely destroyed.

After the Union liberated Ukraine, the first task of Comrade Khrushchev, who was in charge of the specific work in the region, was to restore the heavy task of food production in Ukraine, so as to solve the food shortage problem of the Union.

In order to restore agricultural production in Ukraine as soon as possible, Moscow has provided a large amount of reconstruction materials to the region. It is blunt to say that on the issue of post-war reconstruction, at least so far, Ukraine has received the most support, even if Even Belarus is no match for it.

"...The scientificity and importance of the vernalization method have been proved practically," Sitting opposite Viktor, Comrade Kilichenko spoke eloquently, and it could be seen that before he came to Moscow , he should have done sufficient preparations, therefore, facing every question from Comrade Stalin, he was able to respond with ease, "What we see now is that whoever adopts this scientific breeding method can A bumper crop, so we should be able to have an exciting harvest this year."

Victor knew that the "vernalization method" mentioned by Comrade Kirichenko was a breeding method proposed by Lysenko. In this way, the growth process of seeds can be accelerated. According to Lysenko's own arguments, this breeding method is an excellent means of addressing the threat of frost in agricultural production.

In order to confirm his point of view, Lysenko has done a lot of experiments in the past two years, and produced a series of experimental data, which strongly proves his point of view. In Ukraine, his view has also been officially recognized. The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture has set up a special department in the Odessa Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetics, which is mainly responsible for research on vernalization, and this department is led by Lysenko. responsible.

According to the data provided by the Odessa Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetics, the breeding method of vernalization can greatly improve the yield of grain per mu on the basis of the original, and even double the yield under certain characteristics. .

Of course, in the whole league, not everyone agrees with the vernalization method. There are people who think this breeding method is feasible, and naturally there are people who think this method is not feasible, and in the field of genetics, no Scientists who agree with this breeding method are still in the majority.

As far as Viktor is concerned, he knows Lysenko as a person, and in the process of being in charge of the People's Commissariat for National Security, he also had the opportunity to have a certain understanding of this person.

As far as the official rhetoric of the alliance is concerned, Lysenko's academic views still occupy the mainstream position within the current alliance. According to this person's self-proclaimed opinion, the views he follows are inherited from the honorary academician of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Ivan Vlagi. The genetic views of comrade Milovich Michurin, who is an identification supporter and adherent of the Michurin school.

In the mid-thirties, precisely at the Second All-Soviet Congress of Collective Peasant Commandos in 1935, Lysenko and his supporters established their new concept of genetics and introduced them to Criticisms of geneticists from different schools of thought, and ultimately, political struggle, established its dominance in the Soviet genetics scene.

As the person in charge of intelligence work, Victor has many opportunities to contact outside information. Therefore, although he does not understand genetics, he knows that Li Senke has a very bad reputation in the international genetics community. Reputed geneticists have expressed a critical attitude towards his series of theories, because many of his ideas lack scientific basis.

To be honest, Victor doesn't know whether the "vernalization method" proposed by Lysenko really has the effect of increasing production. However, he plans to wait until he goes to Karelia to take office, and then he will also get a few plots out and try this kind of breeding for himself. The way is not really able to increase food production. In fact, it is not that difficult to determine whether the vernalization method is really effective. The key point is to practice, and Victor has been thinking for a long time about preparing to go to Karelia for his post. He feels that if he wants to be at least competent, he first needs to adjust his work attitude. Among them, practice seems to be a factor.

"Comrade Nikita Sergeyevich's work ability is trustworthy," after listening to Kirichenko's exposition, Comrade Stalin was obviously satisfied with Ukraine's work, he said, "The scientific nature of the vernalization method It has also been demonstrated, but now the problem in Ukraine is whether Kiev can solve the grain collection task stipulated by the Union after the autumn harvest is over.”

Kirichhenko pursed his lips, hesitated for a while, and said, "If we can usher in a bumper harvest in autumn, then there should be hope for some of the collection tasks to be completed."

Obviously, Kirichhenko did not dare to give an affirmative answer. After all, Ukraine suffered too many losses in the war, although under the auspices of Comrade Khrushchev, the post-war reconstruction work in Ukraine was progressing very well. , but in many areas, especially in Western Ukraine, the planting of winter wheat has not caught up with the time, so even if there is a bumper season, no one can say how much to look forward to this bumper harvest.

"Comrade Stalin," said Woznetsensky, who was sitting diagonally across from Viktor, as soon as Kirichenko finished speaking, "I think we must make certain adjustments in this year's grain purchase, at least, The standard for the collection scheme should be lowered.”

His words attracted the attention of everyone at the table.

“Right now, everyone is complaining that the standard of grain requisition is too high,” Woznetsensky continued. “Considering the damage caused by the war, I think the requisition standard for Ukraine should be lowered by 10 million pood, and the North Caucasus should Down seven million poods..."

"Nikola, we have discussed your proposal before." Before he could finish speaking, Comrade Zhdanov interrupted him, "You are very clear about the opinions of the ministries and commissions, what is the focus of the question? Local, you are also very clear that if we implement this year's collection plan according to your suggestion, then we can only maintain the collection volume of less than 300 million poods. What this means for our budget for the next year, I believe you It's very clear."

Although both Woznetsensky and Comrade Zhdanov belonged to the Leningrad faction, and the former was promoted by the latter, they obviously disagree on certain issues. Of course, Comrade Zhdanov is in the This interruption of Woznetsensky's words is probably also to prevent him from offending Comrade Stalin.

"The opinions of the ministries and commissions do not take into account the actual situation in various places," however, Woznetsensky obviously did not intend to shut up, he continued with a serious face, "As far as this year's summer harvest is concerned, I do not have Comrade Chilichenko. So optimistic, the relevant report I got is that under the auspices of Comrade Khrushchev, the agricultural production in Ukraine has not returned to the pre-war level at all, especially in the central black soil region, and a large-scale production reduction has become a foregone conclusion."