African Entrepreneurship Record

The city of Vinnitsa along the South Bug River.

The South Bug River is one of the important rivers in Ukraine. It originates from the Podolia Hills and flows southwest into the Black Sea.

The banks of the South Bug River on the plains of western Ukraine were originally fertile and fertile land, but now due to the outbreak of World War I, they finally became a battlefield between Russia and the Allies in July 1916.

With the defeat of the war in June and the Allied troops entering Russian territory, the situation on the Russian southern front took a turn for the worse and they had to retreat to the east bank of the South Bug River to regroup.

The city of Vinnitsa has become the new frontline headquarters of the southern Russian army. Currently, this city is home to nearly 100,000 soldiers who were defeated from the frontline.

The entire city of Vinnytsia has been surrounded by barbed wire and trenches. These temporary defense projects were obviously poorly constructed, but with the help of the South Bug River, the Russian generals were confident of fighting back.

Of course, compared to the Russian generals, the Russian "grey livestock" army has become overwhelmed.

The military camp southwest of the South Bug River was gloomy at this time. It was close to the South Bug River and was a protruding part of the river. Therefore, the Russian side sent a large number of troops to form a new position here.

Karchichev was wiping the Mosin-Nagant rifle in his hand out of boredom, holding a brown wooden pipe with pulp in his mouth.

Next to him was Rojavsky from the same village. Rojavsky was lying on a wooden box, holding a grass stem in his mouth and chewing it with his eyes blankly.

A strip of gray gauze was wrapped around his head, passing under his ears. It could be seen from the gray patches of blood and dirt that the gauze was originally white.

"Karchichev, do you think we can return to Buryat Village alive after the war is over?" Royavsky asked.

Karchichev was oiling the gun. While smearing the barrel with a rag, he said to Royavsky: "I guess only God knows this problem, but judging from the current situation, it may be difficult. After all, we only He is just cannon fodder in the eyes of the superiors."

"Yes! I still remember when we first arrived at the front line, our partners Cherkayev, Eureka, Kulka..." Royavsky said the names of more than a dozen people one after another as if ordering food. , and then said: "But these people are gone now."

"Currently, in the entire military camp, the only countrymen we know are you, me, and Maxim next door."

At this point, Rojavsky's tone became a little sad.

"Last week, my ear was pierced. At that time, the bullet was only a few inches away from my head. Even if it were a little farther away, I don't think I would have the opportunity to talk to you here."

On the contrary, Karchichev was very open-minded. He said to this fellow countryman: "There is no such thing as death in war. The moment we arrived at the front line from the rear, I knew our fate. It was just like drawing lots. Every day Someone will unfortunately be drawn.”

"Many troops have even been wiped out. It is a blessing of fate that the two of us can survive."

"What's even more rare is that our limbs are still intact now. If we really become disabled, we probably won't have much hope for the rest of our lives. We just hope that good luck will always bless us."

After saying that, Karchichev put down the gun in his hand and began to pray, as if this could really continue to maintain God's protection.

Royavsky looked at Karchichev's devout prayer, and he smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly: "If God really exists. I think he will not let this war break out. After all, many people in the army are pious to him." "Believers, some people are kind all their lives, but they don't get anything in return." "Just take it from me." He said, although I have never done any good deeds in my life, I can say without violating my conscience that I have never done any bad deeds. I used to go to churches to listen to the teachings of priests, but those priests are just like you, they only advise. We are at peace, but we are not told how to escape suffering.”

"As for the so-called heaven, it is just a fantasy created by the priests. After all, the beliefs of the Austro-Hungarians opposite us are quite different from ours, but it is obvious that God favors them more..."

Karchichev didn't seem to hear Royavsky's complaint, but after completing the ceremony, he picked up his rifle and wiped it.

Seeing this, Royavsky was a little angry. He said to Karchichev: "I have been cleaning your broken gun all day long, but he can't protect you from surviving. After all, the enemy is now attacking with saturation of artillery. You just But he was lucky enough to avoid the impact of the shell."

Only then did Karchichev say: "What on earth do you want to say? Or what do you want to do? We are just unknown people. We can't change anything. We can only stay pious and have a clear conscience. No matter how hard it is, we will be fine." It’s all God’s test for us.”

Royavsky sarcastically said: "Perhaps only people like you would happily accept this kind of test. This war could have been completely avoided. After all, we were allies with Germany in the past, but the high-ranking officials of the empire chose to fight with such a powerful Enemies turn friends into enemies.”

"These big guys are just for their own interests and don't care about our life and death at all. And I don't agree with what you said about little guys can't change anything. Without us little guys charging into the battle, the Germans would have reached St. Petersburg long ago." ”

Karchichev listened to Royavsky's treasonous words and hurriedly stopped him: "Royavsky, it's better not to discuss these topics at this time. After all, this is the front line. If someone with ulterior motives hears it, you will be dead or alive."

Royavsky said: "The problem is that I can't see any hope of survival. The end of the war is far away. You and I are just a little bit lucky, but this kind of luck is obviously impossible to last."

"So you are destined to die in a foreign land. What's wrong with me complaining a little? And I ask you one last time, do you really not intend to control your own destiny!"

"I don't want you to continue to degenerate because of our fellow countrymen. If it were someone else, I wouldn't say so much."

Karchichev said: "You finally showed your true colors, didn't you? That organization has bewitched you. If you turn back now, you may not make a big mistake. "

Royavsky sneered and said, "The big mistake you are talking about is just defined by those big guys above. We have paid enough."

"It is true that the national justice is great, but if the price is that we fight to the death on the front line, eating moldy bread, and the commanders are all fat and big, spending money, and they can't even make the right decisions, and will only waste the lives of soldiers in vain, then this kind of justice is just a false propaganda. Kartichev, if this is what you are pursuing, then I have nothing to say. "

Faced with what Royavsky said, Kartichev's eyebrows jumped. After all, anyone who serves as a low-level soldier in the Russian army is probably holding a grudge in his heart.

It's just that some people will hypnotize themselves, such as Kartichev, he is a typical example. Facing the instigation of his fellow countrymen, he took out his pipe and flicked the ash.

"What you said makes sense, but I won't take risks with you. After all, this situation has happened before."

"On the contrary, you should listen to my advice. Although there is a great risk of death on the battlefield, there is always a chance of survival. However, if you follow your actions, it will definitely be a dead end."

"The organizers behind you are just like those officials, except that they are hiding in the dark to sow discord. They are also seeking death. I would rather choose the one with the least risk."