Bloody Heart

The Ye/Ka/Jie/Lin/Fort working groups have become very busy recently.Or, one of their members has been very busy recently.The evidence is that he appeared less and less in front of Ivan.After he was released, Ivan lived in the liaison team's residence. His daily life was taken care of by special personnel, which made his life very convenient, and he was also well monitored.

Paul would visit him from time to time, and each time it didn't last too long. The two of them exchanged a few innocuous words, and it was over soon.Recently, however, such brief visits have all but disappeared.Paul has not been seen for three days.Instead, from different sources, Ivan heard that he has been in frequent contact with Mo/S/Ko recently, and three or five calls a day are common.Ivan sat by the fire, pulled the blanket covering his lap, leaned against the back of the chair, and closed his eyes.

Even under all-round monitoring, he can easily figure out what happened outside with a little news.This is his hometown, he is Russia, Russia is him, and he knows his own situation best.That Soviet comrade, I'm afraid he has encountered some small troubles.

In the small cell, time almost stands still.As time passed, it seemed that Ivan himself had merged into the room, becoming one of the furniture and furnishings.Even next to the stove, my feet felt cold under the thick blanket.Not only his feet, but his whole body was as cold as a piece of ice.Regaining life does not mean that he can live as well as before. Now he is extremely weak, and all the strength of his body has been consumed just to survive.He knows that this weakness and cold cannot be relieved by food and medicine, and his life is closely related to the earth under his feet.

Mo/S/Ko is probably worrying about this matter and thinking about how to solve it.Ivan thought sarcastically, feeling that the time has not passed, and the former enemies have become the current community of destiny—he and Paul, Russia/Russia and the Soviet Union.

The door was opened behind him, and Ivan listened as usual, but this time he was a little surprised.The familiar sound of boot heels seemed strange after not seeing him for a few days.Ivan didn't turn his head: "You haven't returned to Moscow/S/Ke."

"Ah, I'll go back right away, because I have to go back." Pavel came up behind him and put his hands on the back of the chair. "You're going back with me too—I'm not sure about leaving you here alone."

Ivan was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and couldn't help but sneer: "Ha, yes, this used to be the 'White Bandit Fortress'."

"Probably so," Paul said noncommittally, "Anyway, let's set off tonight."

It was on the train that Paul told Ivan what happened recently. "We won. Everyone is full of ambition and eager to do a big job. However, the planning, reform, and imagination that are full of enthusiasm are all blocked by this famine/famine." He said with an unhappy face, and poured himself A small half glass of wine.

"Famine/famine after war often brings new chaos." Ivan sat opposite him, crossing his fingers on his thighs/legs, "and, the cruel policy of the Soviet Union is not conducive to preventing such chaos. Being What will the peasants who are forced to hand over all their grain do in a famine/famine? I am afraid that how to stop everything that is coming is what all B/R/SW/K's excellent brains are worrying about."

Paul met his ironic gaze, and moved his gaze down to Ivan's folded hands.After Ivan finished speaking, he took a sip of the wine in his glass and said, "It's not 'coming soon', Lucia, it's already happened - peasant riots, yes - so I 'have to' Return to Mo/S/Ko."

His expression was a little gloomy, "This is the first test I have faced since I truly became a country."

Watching the young man on the opposite side drink up his glass of wine, Ivan didn't answer any more.Paul's words reminded him of himself, when he had just escaped from ignorance and sought to rise, when he faced all kinds of unknown challenges, he also had such an expression.In this way, the brows are slightly frowned because of troubles, but the eyes are shining with brilliance, and the eyes reflect the protruding thorns in front of them, but they can't hide the firmness in their hearts.It reminded him of Peter the Great and Empress Catherine. When they were beside them, he could occasionally see himself in the same eyes when he passed the reflective mirror.

How similar it was to the young man in front of him.Realizing this, Ivan was a little unhappy, just as he was when he realized that he was now bound to Paul's fate.He didn't like Paul, so when he became more and more aware of the similarity and compatibility between the other party and his own life, he was of course unhappy.

A month and a half after Paul returned to Moscow/Scotch/Korean, a new policy was introduced.This is the result of his multiple investigations in accordance with the instructions of his superiors.In a sense, it also reflects the people/heart/desire/direction.Because he was running around during this time, Ivan hadn't seen him at all since he returned to Moscow.However, as soon as the new policy came out, he naturally knew what Paul had done before.

The farmers finally decided to die down and return to the fields to continue their work.Because this time they don't have to pay the remaining grain. After paying the tax, the rest will be their own.Although it was difficult to smile on the faces of the pale and emaciated people in the village due to famine, they could somewhat reveal joy—at least Ivan could feel their joy in his heart.The commodity market has also resumed operation. In the previous civil wars and riots, businesses were devastated.

It is reasonable to say that people should be happy that life is gradually returning to the way it was before the war, but in fact, the voices of opposition are very strong.

"I'm really frustrated," Pavel took the time to grumble to Ivan. "The new policy isn't working at all."

Ivan was a little surprised: "Why?" He was sure that the joy he felt was not imaginary, "Can't you feel it?"

"What?" Paul's eyebrows crossed a trace of confusion, "I only saw a lot of people quit/regiment and quit/party... oh, and suicide—'Mo/S/Ko used to be neat and beautiful, but now it's a business Speculation'—it turns out that my compromise is what everyone sees."

Ivan was silent, he understood what Paul wanted to express.Of course he remembered that on top of that faint but widespread joy there was a thick fog of disappointment.

"I was the one who ran around, talked to farmers, turned their ideas into legislation, and gave so many speeches after the controversy arose, encouraging people to believe in the new policy. But from officials to ordinary people Intellectuals—those who are a little distance from the peasantry—are still divided into two factions, arguing endlessly over the issue of whether the new policy has betrayed socialism.” Paul stood by the window, arms folded on his chest, brow Wrinkled slightly.He faces out the window, his cast/going gaze clouded with bewilderment.

Time will tell whether everything I do is great or not.These words suddenly appeared in Ivan's mind, and the speaking queen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the sunlight made her face shine with a warm and bright light.

"Trust time." Ivan said involuntarily.The pair of red and gold eyes turned to him, Ivan stood up and smiled politely, "You can pass this advice on to those who feel as confused and frustrated as you, let's say it comes from someone who lived a little longer than them." A little bit."

As the months passed, the good results of the new policy finally overwhelmed the wave of controversy. Time is indeed a good medicine for dispelling doubts.The troubled look on Paul's face finally dissipated, and when he saw Ivan again, he had a gentle smile on his face again.But this time, Ivan couldn't laugh anymore. "Seeing you as a visitor, I have to suspect that the accusations against you a few months ago are not groundless." He clipped the bookmark and closed the book in his hand, "Why, you are really going to switch to the arms of the West ?”

"Of course not." Paul laughed without looking at the people he brought, "I asked Mr. Jones to discuss cooperation matters, but to my surprise, Mr. Jones insisted on coming to see you after the meeting. Shouldn't it be me who is suspicious now, Lucia, could it be that the two of you have secretly colluded?"

"Of course not," Ivan denied flatly, "so I'm very curious, Mr. Mei/Li/Jian, what is your purpose for coming to see me now." Paul also turned his head to look at the "Mei/Li/Jian" beside him. gentlemen".

Alfred couldn't help but feel a chill, even he could feel the unwelcoming atmosphere in this room.However, the American boy swallowed his saliva, the HEROs of the world can handle this completely. "Soviet, I said I want to see him alone," Alfred raised his chin towards the door, "Why don't you join in the fun?"

The smile on Paul's face was replaced by a moment of surprise, but soon, he picked up the delicate mask again. "Okay, I'm really sorry. Let's talk slowly, both of you." After saying that, he actually turned around and left.

After finishing Paul, Alfred turned to face Ivan in front of him, and the tension that had just disappeared resurfaced again. "Hi, long time no see... Uh, what should I call you now?" Alfred started the conversation with ease.

Thinking of the lengthy name of the country he newly changed, Ivan finally said: "...Russia/Russia."

"Aha, that's it. Hello, Mr. Russia." Alfred laughed dryly, feeling a little bit disappointed.Ivan was indifferent to his politeness that had remained unchanged for centuries. He once said that he could take the initiative without caring. However, as the centuries passed, making the indifferent people closer seemed more and more an unattainable goal.

He was still lost, and Ivan's voice came to his ears: "May I know what the Soviet asked you to talk about?"

After thinking for a while, Alfred replied: "Some things about doing business, but nothing has been decided yet. In fact, he originally invited the entrepreneurs in my family, but none of them wanted to come. , So I pushed me here to find out." He shrugged helplessly, "I will repeat what I heard to them when I go back, and I will let them decide how to decide."

It turned out to be this thing.Ivan remembered that Paul had mentioned to him a few days ago that he wanted to use some foreign capital to develop his country's economy, but the Western blockade was very serious.It is estimated that at that time he already had the idea of ​​meeting Alfred.

"This is a good thing. If these gentlemen enter this market before others, the profits they can get will be very high. Here you are." Ivan said while pouring a cup of tea and handing it to Alfred Germany.

Alfred took a sip and said: "That's right, but I doubt they are willing to take this profit, because..." The expression on his face was somewhat contradictory, "Soviet, and even you, as far as it is now , is antithetical to my ideology."

Ivan was silent, and Alfred added: "Of course, I believe that it is not very appropriate to include you directly-I am also very reluctant, in fact-but the well-known reasons lead to these results, and it is also lead to possible resistance."

"Yes," Ivan nodded, "I can understand. However, it is precisely because of this that I want to explain to you the benefits of working with him. There is no businessman who does not seek profit. For you, this cooperation can Let you get profits; for him, his country can speed up the coming out of the haze of civil war and famine/famine. And I am an additional beneficiary, for my own body to recover as soon as possible, I also hope that this can happen.”

Alfred suddenly realized something, and he noticed that Ivan wore long-sleeved trousers even in summer, like an old man, and also wore autumn clothes in summer. "Are you cold?" He stretched out his hand to hold Ivan's with some uncertainty, and the cold temperature he touched frightened him.

"Ah, I understand that civil war plus famine must not be a good feeling." He smiled, "Then maybe for the sake of the patients, I will talk more with those old men."

Ivan showed a slight smile: "In any case, if the cooperation is successful, both of us will feel very pleased."

After Alfred said that sentence, he fell into a contradiction.In fact, there was no such thing as him being pushed to speak out, and there was no link for him to relay. Paul invited him, and the decision-making power was basically in his hands.And he had no intention of agreeing to any cooperation content before coming here.And just now, he felt his shaken, but there was another voice in his heart saying, you have been used.

Isn't this very possible, Alfred thought, he likes Ivan, Ivan knows that he likes him, and Ivan doesn't like him.It is Ivan's belief that national interests come first, and now he and Paul have the same interests.Thinking of this, he felt a tightness in his chest.

"Mr. Russia, are your interests aligned with the Soviets now?" Alfred stared at the ground and said suddenly.

"In theory, yes. What's wrong?"

Alfred laughed at himself for his courage and stupidity, and then asked: "So, will you fall in love with him?"

It could be seen that Ivan did not expect him to ask such an unruly question.However, he was only stunned for a moment, and replied without hesitation: "No."

Two months later, the first foreigner obtained the concession right of an asbestos mine in the Soviet Union/Russia, and that was an American.Soon, an organization named "United States/United States" appeared in the United States, specializing in trade with the Soviet Union/Russia.The West's blockade/blockade of this nascent country has since opened a small gap.

A few years later, Arthur, Francis, Ludwig, and Feliciano recognized the country, along with many other Western countries; however, there was no Alfred, who first started trading with him.

"It seems that I should really thank you, Comrade Ivan," Paul said half-truthfully to Ivan, "you see, Mr. Jones is completely indifferent to me."

"Thanks to the trade volume he brought, now I have basically recovered, and you have also obtained what you want." Ivan glanced at him and raised the corner of his mouth, "So, what does he think, does it matter? ?”

Paul gave up and looked away. "Well, it doesn't matter."

■

However, the good times did not last long.As the West became more prosperous economically, the Soviet Union/Russia - a land where there was nothing to their liking except "large markets" - became less important to them.So politics took the lead again. For example, Arthur unscrupulously severed diplomatic relations with Paul, who had just been recognized by him, and stopped the agreement signed by the two parties.Brothers Ludwig and Gilbert are not in the thriving ranks, but they are always a ticking time bomb, as everyone knows.It's just that after they have two new allies, everyone can no longer let it go with the mentality of muddling along.

"New threats are brewing in Europe/Europe, and prosperity is blocked/locked outside the borders. If this continues, the danger that cannot be resisted will come one day." Paul crossed his hands, pacing around the room , "We have to find a way to bring in the electrical age, and we can only rely on ourselves."

"But what are we going to do?" Natalia's voice was similar to Ivan's indifference, "A country where half of the residents are illiterate cannot complete rapid industrialization."

Her older sister, Irina, added: "Not only that, but our cultivation has been carried out entirely by human and animal power until now. This is too big a gap with them, and it cannot be made up overnight."

"...But none of these can be used as a reason not to engage in rapid industrialization." Paul pursed his lips, "Some things must be done even if there is great resistance."

"Yes, we all agree on that; it's just that you have to see the reality of the conditions, it doesn't allow that," Irina said.

Paul was silent.

"Among all of you here, I know the importance of agriculture the most. Both Natasha and I feel that we should start with agriculture first, and follow the proven path to complete industrialization step by step." When Irina spoke It seemed a little cramped, but Natalia's nod at the side obviously gave her courage, "In that case, it may take decades for us to catch up. After all, our family's resources are still very rich..." In the end, she It seems that his confidence has become insufficient.

It took a while for Paul to respond, but what he said seemed to have nothing to do with the subject of the conversation."I'm worried about Ludwig and Gilbert," he said.

Irina was at a loss for words.

Thus, everything proceeded in the manner supported by Paul.The newly appointed iron-fisted boss, with his vigorous and decisive style, regained the same tight economic policy as "war communism".This time, though, it has a new name—plans.

Before everything is actually done, a track must be designed.On this track, they are put up and run at top speed.People racked their brains, gathered all the aspects they could think of, put them into the highway called "plan", and then formulated a thick book of traffic rules as a guide, which is the plan for the lives of people across the country in the next few years.On this highway, the huge and backward new country started to catch up.

Paul, Ivan, and the two sisters were all busy in this huge project with the statisticians, economists, and technical experts.But this process is beautiful, because making a plan makes people feel a false sense of success and satisfaction, as if a brighter tomorrow is close at hand, and the upcoming hardships and ups and downs are too small to be worth mentioning.So it wasn't until the whole work was systematically completed that they discovered that what they had written down with great passion actually consisted of three volumes with more than 1600 pages.

That was an almost impossible amount of work for humans, yet at the time, they weren't intimidated by anything.It was like Antonio's voyage, Alfred's independence, Ludwig's unity—perhaps the stupidest, yet most precious thing in a young country.

May of 1/9/2/9 has arrived.That night, the Mo/S/Co Grand Theater was brightly lit, and as the lights on the huge map were lit up, the future was lit up in people's eyes.On the huge Soviet/Soviet map, each light represents a construction project, and a light is lit on the map for each report.After the report was over, the huge country was decorated like a starry sky.

Hundreds of thousands of lights illuminate the already bright Grand Theater like the sky, and their colorful lights complement each other in the resonant "Internationale".Today, five years later, this country will complete a complete transformation.

The songs that people sang with tears in their eyes enveloped Ivan like a torrent, and they passed over the pool of ice water in his heart, causing layers of tiny ripples.What Pavel had said to him echoed clearly in his mind, and he said:

"Lucia, I will make you the strongest industrial country in Europe within ten years. No matter how strong those people in West/Europe and Central/Europe are, as long as I promise, I will make it come true .”

At that time, the young man's smile was like a spring breeze, but it was also true and false, which made Ivan wonder whether it was a solemn promise or a polite perfunctory.It's just that those eyes reminded him for no reason of the dark prison of Ye/Ka/Zhe/Lin/Bau, where, on the morning of his rebirth, he also saw such a pair of eyes.

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