Chapter 74

So, the American National Exhibition was the historical Kitchen Debate? Not afraid of losing face, Shefov had not thoroughly studied this aspect. He had always thought that the Kitchen Debate took place during Khrushchev's visit to the United States. It turned out to be a preconceived misconception!

"Turns out it was that old turtle!" Shefov stroked his chin. If Nixon came to the Soviet Union, there was no need for excessive preparation. Some people in later generations used the outcome of the Soviet Union's collapse to argue that the Soviet side lost the Kitchen Debate. Shefov dismissed this notion; could a significant event be evaluated within just a few decades? Those experts were truly confident. Although the Soviet Union had collapsed, China still existed! When the United States uprooted socialist countries, then they could claim victory.

"Director, shouldn't we make some preparations for monitoring?" the commander of the secret police asked.

"Prepare for what? The President of the United States can't even guarantee he represents America, let alone a Vice President!" Shefov stretched his neck and smiled, "I can't even think of a specific area where a Vice President has authority. A mascot sent over by the United States, just send two people from the domestic counterintelligence department to watch him. Don't let him die here and splatter me with blood..."

In Shefov's memory, Nixon became President in the 1970s, waiting for over a decade to finally sit on the presidential throne, comparable to Tokugawa Ieyasu of Japan. It wasn't that his side was particularly impressive, but the most powerful Democrat, Kennedy, was assassinated, and Kennedy's successor was disgraced by the Vietnam War, which led Americans to consider changing parties.

However, Nixon's other mediocre performances were overshadowed by one significant success: the United States successfully normalized relations with China, forcing the Soviet Union, which had already shifted to a strategic offensive in the 1970s, to withdraw a considerable portion of its forces to heavily fortify the Far East. From then on, the Soviet Red Army had one hand in Europe facing NATO and the other in Asia facing China, with the Red Army's numbers increasing to five million. From the start of the Sino-Soviet rivalry, the Soviet Union was destined to fail in the Cold War. By the time the two countries realized the need to mend relations, it was too late.

"Nixon? Anyone who has accessed the internet and paid attention to America's negative news knows where your sore spots are!" Shefov muttered to himself and ended today's security inspection.

In the evening, Shefov followed KGB Chairman Serov into the Kremlin to report to the current First Secretary of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev. Although they didn't meet often, Khrushchev clearly remembered Shefov. The last time, when Marshal Zhukov was removed, Shefov accompanied Khrushchev into the Ministry of Defense as the head of the Military Administration.

"The young man did a good job in Berlin. This time, Alexander recommended you to be in charge of the American National Exhibition. What do you think?" Khrushchev was always straightforward, lacking the high-and-mighty demeanor of other Soviet General Secretaries. This was only in private; in public, Khrushchev would adopt a more aggressive stance, surpassing everyone else.

"The security monitoring will be flawless. One thousand six hundred secret police will be dispersed at various intersections and in the venue. I will personally follow the First Secretary to ensure there are no security lapses!" Shefov reported, "Regarding the American National Exhibition, First Secretary, Nixon is just a symbolic Vice President. I don't think it's worth overreacting, but given the recent Berlin Crisis, the cunning Americans might be sending him to probe us!"

"Our little tiger is always so vigilant! Ha ha!" Khrushchev laughed openly, rubbing his sparse head, "No problem, I like such occasions! Mr. Nixon is the first American leader to visit the Soviet Union in over a decade, which is beneficial for mutual understanding! The security for Mr. Nixon's visit to the Soviet Union must be ensured. Is there any issue, Yuri?"

Fully adhering to his role as the head of security, Shefov smiled cautiously, "No matter what, he is a guest, and I will certainly show the most genuine side of the Soviet Union. However, I cannot guarantee that the Vice President will resist his curiosity and avoid making a big news story!"

According to Shefov's thinking, just sending two people to handle it would suffice, but he couldn't say that. Since Khrushchev came to power, he had been easing relations with the West. If he treated the Americans too casually, it would be a slap in the face of the First Secretary. He could only insincerely refer to the class enemy as a guest.

In his view, the current First Secretary was still somewhat idealistic, too trusting of American integrity. From the launch of the first Soviet satellite to the recently concluded Berlin Crisis, the scope of conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States had grown increasingly broad. It wasn't a problem that could be solved by "peaceful coexistence," "peaceful competition," or "peaceful transition." At least, Shefov knew that Serov and the later Brezhnev were not enthusiastic about it.

However, Shefov's actions in Italy, which overturned the Christian Democratic Party, were often cited by Khrushchev, which left him in a dilemma. In truth, Shefov had been sent to Italy to establish his credentials after the prison clearance operation, so he worked hard to return to the Soviet Union. The Italian operation became an example of Khrushchev's easing policy.

Three days later, Shefov, dressed in his major general's uniform, waited at the airport. Around 4:00 PM, Nixon's plane landed at Moscow Airport. Shefov did not focus on Nixon because the people in front of him were more noteworthy. Khrushchev had arranged for the nominal head of state, Marshal Kliment Voroshilov, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, to receive him. Accompanying Voroshilov were the Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation, Brezhnev, and the head of the Central Liaison Department, Andropov, who had also worked with Shefov in Hungary.

Shefov's attention was mostly on Brezhnev; this was his first time meeting the comrade with the prominent eyebrows.

The Central Liaison Department, if compared to the KGB, would be the First Chief Directorate's advisory department. The KGB's advisory department guided intelligence work in other countries, while the Central Liaison Department was responsible for liaising with other socialist countries. Therefore, whenever the General Secretary visited a foreign country, Andropov would always be by his side.

The impressive lineup beside him had already shifted Shefov's focus away from Nixon. Nixon was just a Vice President, while beside Shefov were two former and future Soviet General Secretaries and a nominal head of state with a marshal's rank.

"Mr. Nixon, welcome to the Soviet Union. Your visit is significant, an important step in mutual understanding!" Marshal Voroshilov, using Khrushchev's rhetoric, expressed his welcome to the American guest. They shook hands, and then reviewed the honor guard.

Shefov fulfilled his duties from start to finish, escorting Nixon to his hotel.

"General, are you in charge of our reception? May I ask your name?" Nixon asked through an interpreter.

"Yuri Efimovich Shefov!" Shefov replied in his Soviet-accented English, smiling warmly at Nixon and his entourage, his lips curling slightly, "If you find it hard to remember, you can call me the Caspian Tiger..."