Chapter 77

"In a few days, it will be the opening of the American International Exposition. Mr. Sverigkin can go and take a look then!" Nixon asked on a whim. This left Sverigkin standing there in a dilemma, as he had no idea about this exposition, and even if he did, he had no time to go! But answering this way would be disrespectful to this distinguished guest. Yet, if he said he would go, it would seem like he was fawning over foreigners.

The people of socialist countries at this time were all the same, believing that national dignity was more important than anything else! "I originally wanted to go, but I couldn't get a ticket, so I won't go!" Sverigkin chose a middle ground.

"Oh, is that so! You couldn't buy a ticket? I personally invite you to visit the American Exposition, Mr. Sverigkin!" Nixon concluded that Sverigkin was poor and very naturally borrowed some rubles from the interpreter. He didn't know how much the ticket to the American Exposition cost, but everyone recognized Arabic numerals. He took out a hundred rubles and said, "Mr. Sverigkin, you can buy a ticket now..."

Oh no, this is bad! Chernev shuddered. Sverigkin's posture had never been so straight, and his expression was very solemn as he said with righteous indignation, "This is an insult to the Soviet Union. I am an ordinary worker, but I can earn income from my labor. I don't want the stinking money of imperialism!"

Sverigkin, wearing a dark blue work uniform from the market, fearlessly met the gaze of the American Vice President, ignoring Nixon's outstretched hand. The word that described this was "integrity," yes, that was the feeling! But as his duty required, he couldn't let this confrontation continue, even though he wanted to. He stepped in to mediate, "Comrade Sverigkin, what you did is very right, but the American Vice President is not provoking us. You should know that the United States is a capitalist country, and it's normal to measure value with money!" Saying this, Chernev turned around, took the hundred rubles, and placed it in Sverigkin's hand, "Earning money from foreigners is a good thing! It doesn't conflict with our spirit of hard struggle..."

Chernev's words won a round of applause. The Soviet people focused their attention on Chernev and Sverigkin, but the few American guards around Nixon noticed something else. They exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts, "How could this person move so fast? Is he a war hero? He doesn't look old enough for that?"

"Everyone, don't mind. This is just a conflict of different cultures between the United States and our country. It doesn't involve provocation or humiliation. Comrades, don't take it to heart. The American Exposition will open in four days, and all Moscow residents can visit for free starting the next day, with no tickets required!" Chernev, who had taken Nixon's hundred rubles, felt secretly pleased and added salt to Nixon's wound, his voice naturally becoming more passionate.

Regardless of how Nixon felt about Chernev taking his hundred rubles and then announcing free admission, the head of security in charge of the reception was still Chernev, and this couldn't be changed! According to the planned itinerary, they visited the Moscow Metro in the afternoon. The automated systems did not impress the American Vice President, but Nixon was very curious about the depth of the Moscow Metro, asking, "Why does the Moscow Metro use such a labor-intensive deep burial method?"

"It can withstand nuclear bombs..." Chernev replied coldly.

That evening, Chernev went to the Kremlin to report on Nixon's day. After recounting the day's events, Khrushchev said in a self-assured tone, "What do the Americans think they're doing? Do they think they're in a colony, using money to patronize the Soviet people?"

It was clear that Khrushchev was very agitated when he said this. His tone revealed genuine emotion, and Chernev once again confirmed his long-held belief: Khrushchev, though far less capable than Stalin and too emotional, was a true communist and had always been practicing his beliefs in his own way! The results were debatable...

This reaction was no different from Sverigkin's earlier in the day. Chernev put on a look of being educated, thinking that the current General Secretary of the Soviet Union truly shared the same thoughts as the proletariat. When he left the Kremlin, he suddenly realized he had forgotten something and asked, "What's the date today?"

"Director, today is the 20th!" Isayev's answer made Chernev remember what he had forgotten, "The Finance Department is already closed!" Chernev, slapping his thigh, couldn't help but mutter to himself. The 20th of every month was the day the KGB received their salaries, and the KGB's payday was different from all other enterprises and departments, which usually paid at the end or beginning of the month. No one chose this date for salary distribution!

But the KGB's payday was fixed, always on the 20th, and this had been the case for decades. The reason for choosing this day was not to be different, but to commemorate the first leader of the Cheka, Dzerzhinsky, who was appointed as the head of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission on December 20, 42 years ago. The 20th was a memorable day for all KGB officials, a day of remembrance for the Extraordinary Commission.

On the 24th, the American Exposition opened, and as the highest leader of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev delivered an enthusiastic speech, welcoming Nixon, the first American leader to visit the Soviet Union. Behind Khrushchev, Chernev stood straight, looking straight ahead. This was not to show off or to demonstrate his proper attitude; it was simply because he was scared...

The high-ranking Soviet officials around Khrushchev, such as Brezhnev and Furtseva, did not scare Chernev. Chernev was a person, and they were all people! This was a difficult concept to understand, but it was what Chernev was thinking. The key was that there was another person next to Khrushchev, and this person was the reason Chernev was on his best behavior.

Suslov wore ordinary glasses and had the air of an intellectual. On the surface, he was courteous and respectful to everyone, not at all like the legendary bigwig. Standing calmly next to Khrushchev, he exuded a natural ease, forming a stark contrast to Khrushchev's passionate outburst.

After Khrushchev finished his speech, he and Nixon entered the venue. Suslov turned his head and glanced at the uneasy Chernev, speaking calmly, "Young man, when will the third part of your KGB film be released? Is the material the Berlin Crisis?"

"Hello, Comrade Suslov! Why didn't you reveal your identity back then?" Chernev asked cautiously.

"Identity? That's not important!" Suslov pushed his glasses up and reminded him, "Don't forget your duties. Stand behind Comrade Khrushchev, go on..."

[Chapter 77, I've reached the chapter where my previous book was banned...]

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