Soviet Union 1991

First update

Even Solzhenitsyn did not expect that the Soviet government would actually increase the level of reception for foreign guests. General Secretary Yanayev was about to receive foreign dignitaries in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin. Solzhenitsyn , for others, this is a privilege, but for Solzhenitsyn, Yanayev, standing at the top of the pyramid, is no different from others. Come if you like to play and watch. After taking off the coat of glory, no one can escape the lonely sleep under the tombstone.

Yanayev's meeting with Solzhenitsyn in the Georgian Hall caused a sensation in academic and literary circles. Some people began to speculate that this time's political trend was another great purge in the literary and artistic circles. However, previous attempts to cooperate with foreign countries Intellectuals who colluded and cooperated all used political persecution as an excuse to go abroad to enjoy their happiness. This was also the first time since Yanayev took office in 1991 that he faced up to the biggest dissident in the entire Soviet Union.

Solzhenitsyn just stood there, watching Yanayev walking towards him. He was not as fierce and cruel as described in his novel "The New Tsar of the North", but more like a kind-faced Orthodox priest. Rather than a ruler presiding over an evil empire.

"Hello, Chairman Yanayev." Solzhenitsyn said without humility. He would not lower his head for any dictator.

"Hello, Mr. Solzhenitsyn." Yanayev smiled and shook hands with him, and the other party extended his right hand very naturally, without looking like a cynical and jealous young man at all. But this is the guy who made the entire government gnash its teeth during the Stalin era and the Khrushchev era. However, when the United States wanted to praise this anti-Soviet hero, Solzhenitsyn's natural dislike of any system made the U.S. government at that time disgraced and had to ignore this anti-Soviet hero.

"Welcome home," Yanayev said.

Solzhenitsyn was stunned for a moment. Unlike previous Soviet bureaucrats or CIA officials during the Khrushchev period, Yanayev first talked about the significance of his book "The Gulag Archipelago" when he arrived, and Encouraging the other party to continue to write more similar excellent works, Yanayev's first sentence was actually a welcome home full of human touch.

"Chairman Yanayev..." For a moment Solzhenitsyn didn't know how to reply to the other party. It was as if he was putting on armor and holding a shield, ready to meet the enemy, but the other party gave you a friendly smile.

Set against the bright lights of St. George's Hall, Yanayev's face was immersed in soft light, making Solzhenitsyn forget for a moment that he had already prepared tit-for-tat words.

"I once again apologize to you on behalf of the Soviet government for the unfair treatment you suffered between 1945 and 1953. At the same time, I solemnly promise you here that we will not repeat the bloody and dark scenes of that year."

Solzhenitsyn understood Yanayev's words very well. His disdain and denial of the Soviet Union was also due to the government at that time suppressing the main ethnic groups to reconcile the relations between the various ethnic groups. Because he could not stand the practice of favoring one and favoring others, he became a A staunch anti-Soviet.

"Although I very much agree with Yanayev's achievements, especially in national unity, there are still unfortunate dissidents who are persecuted. I hope Chairman Yanayev can see this clearly. Has human rights in the Soviet Union made progress? I don’t know, but I have seen your persecution of intellectuals in recent years.”

Solzhenitsyn unceremoniously pointed out some sensitive issues of the Soviet authorities in public. Everyone was worried about this writer who spoke without scruples. Of course, the CIA was even more excited. If Solzhenitsyn Qin was arrested, so they can make a fuss about human rights again.

Who knew Yanayev just smiled and asked, "Literature man? Are you talking about Yakovlev who shot himself, or Korodich and Bushvikov who went to the United States for political asylum? If the former was convicted of promoting Prohibition He was unanimously opposed by the people, and then he still had the courage to commit suicide. If so, what about the latter? The Soviet authorities did not even issue a wanted list and banned the publication of these people's works, but they hurriedly fled to the United States in the name of political persecution. Was there something wrong with you when you fled? In the United States, there was still an honest reason for persecution.”

"Yakovlev shot himself. At that time, the Soviet authorities solemnly issued an obituary for him, instead of letting him die anonymously under a certain tombstone. As for Comrade Korodich and Bushvikov in the United States What did you do? Founded the Soviet Human Rights Defense Organization? Donations from all walks of life in the West amount to more than one million U.S. dollars every year, right? But I remember they only had dinner there a few times and published a statement about this organization in the newspaper, but I didn’t see anything from them. Actual actions, what is this?

Solzhenitsyn snorted, and he was full of disdain for Korodzic. When the other party invited him to their organization for the first time, Solzhenitsyn knew that this guy was more like an opportunist, and Not a scholar. He always wants to use his reputation and story to make a lot of money in the United States. Later, after the two broke off their relationship, Solzhenitsyn also heard that he had driven a Ferrari and lived in a villa.

Solzhenitsyn is still alone and is not favored by the mainstream of the United States. Even the literary and academic circles no longer invite him to teach extreme views. After losing his use value, he is like an abandoned doll. It has been forgotten. If the CIA had not wanted to use his article "The New Tsar of the North" to criticize the Soviet Union, Solzhenitsyn's name would not even appear in public places in the United States.

Yanayev continued, "And Bushvikov, how did the government evaluate him when he first came to the United States? A great liberal fighter, a survivor of the Red Terror. But later What did this great liberal fighter do? He took drugs and sold drugs and was thrown directly into prison. If this stuff represents the future of Russia, then our whole name has truly come to an end."

Yanayev unceremoniously exposed the ugly face of what he called liberal elements in front of Solzhenitsyn, "These so-called public intellectuals are not striving for the progress of human civilization. Use names and slogans to cover up their crimes.”

"I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. How many of the young people who took to the streets during the Tbilisi incident were really doing it for the future of their motherland? They just wanted to participate in this carnival and vent their sins. When freedom cannot be When bound by regulations, it becomes a crime and atrocity.”

"I admit that you are a great writer and an idealist who tries to change the status quo, but many people just use the banner of idealism to gain political capital for themselves. After these people come to power, you can guarantee that everything they do Will it be better than now? At least the Soviets are saving every nation in this land, and the first thing those worms do is to line their own pockets and force the people to feed these wolves with their own flesh and blood.”

Every word and every note of Yanayev accuses the actions of this group of moths.

"Comrade Solzhenitsyn, ideals are not reality. At least many of the so-called literati I have seen are just a group of liars who make money under the banner of freedom and have no knowledge or skills. Some of them have things that can only be used for entertainment. There are clowns and some pedantic literati who claim to be noble but have actually made no achievements. As for those insidious and unpredictable guys who attempt to collude with foreign forces, they are even less qualified to be called real people. intellectuals."

For Solzhenitsyn, Yanayev's words were like an enlightenment, a feeling of enlightenment.

But his words were not over yet. Yanayev continued, "Those who are truly qualified to be called intellectuals, those who are truly knowledgeable, they are immersed in more substantive research, although no one knows the names of these people. , but their research results will promote the advancement of science and technology and bring tangible benefits to human civilization. This is the definition of intellectuals in my mind. As for other people who claim to be intellectuals, they should not cause trouble in the world. It’s good to add chaos.”

After listening to Yanayev's profound discussion, Solzhenitsyn fell into an unknown silence for a moment. Before, he had always been passionate about opposing the Soviet regime and everything. Now it seems that the people he associates with are the group of people who should be opposed even more.

They are ignorant, they are vulgar, and they are even like the Soviet bureaucrats in their own books, sucking the blood of the people. At this time, they are not even the leaders who control the country.

Seeing Solzhenitsyn lost in thought, Yanayev tried to explain, "Of course I am not denying the significance of Comrade Solzhenitsyn's works..."

"Chairman Yanayev, you don't need to go on." Solzhenitsyn, who was originally confused, became clear for the first time. "I think all the problems that bothered me before are now clear."

Yanayev was stunned for a moment. What he said to Solzhenitsyn just now was not carefully thought out. It was entirely his own true words from the bottom of his heart and came from his feelings.

"I'm really relieved that Russia is blessed to have a leader like you."

Solzhenitsyn raised his head. This dissident with a Hemingway-style beard and equally melancholy and firm eyes smiled. He finally put aside his past suspicions and wrote down all his precautions, embracing and welcoming the country.

"I am very happy that I did not stay in the United States but chose to go home."

(These chapters can be regarded as echoing today’s day.) (To be continued.)