Chapter 79

"Comrade Xiao gave a vivid explanation of some issues to the people, and we leaders must applaud him!" Under Khrushchev's lead, everyone present, including Nixon, applauded for Cherov. Khrushchev, with his usual self-confident expression, stepped up to the podium and asked Nixon, "How many years has the United States been established?" Although Nixon did not know what Khrushchev meant, he still answered Khrushchev's question.

"Is this the level of the United States after 182 years? Ha ha! We have also been established for 42 years, and the living standards of the Soviet people are still slightly behind those of the United States! But very soon..." Khrushchev waved his hand forcefully, "we will reach the same standards as the United States!" Everyone, including representatives from various industries who had come in, was inspired by Khrushchev's words. A tidal wave of applause erupted and continued unabated. All the Soviets at the exhibition looked forward with anticipation, and Khrushchev confidently said to Nixon, "When we catch up with you and pass you, we will certainly wave to you!"

After speaking, Khrushchev waved to the two electronic cameras, imagining the United States.

Cherov stood like a statue facing Khrushchev, saluted with a mechanical voice, "Long live the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics! Long live the Communist Party of the Soviet Union! Long live Khrushchev..."

"Long live the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics! Long live the Communist Party of the Soviet Union! Long live Khrushchev..."

Khrushchev accepted the tidal wave of cheers with a confident demeanor. The continuous "Ura" shouts changed the expressions of the Americans around Nixon and those scattered throughout the exhibition. Although Nixon did not show it on his face, he was shocked by this powerful collective force.

Khrushchev clearly wanted to use this opportunity to launch an attack, and the target was clearly Vice President Nixon. Khrushchev loved debates and often used them to humiliate his opponents. As time went on, he became more and more excessive, and many members of the Central Committee, including Brezhnev and Shelepin, had been criticized.

"Look at this ordinary worker!" Khrushchev pointed to a Soviet worker not far away who was working, "Look at this spirit and the sense of satisfaction in labor. Do they look like the communist slaves some people talk about?"

"We have such workers too!" Nixon, not to be outdone, pointed to an American worker and said, "We are strong because of people like him! But these Soviet and American workers can work well together for peace, just as they worked together to build this exhibition hall. If you want to catch up with us in this competition and benefit the people of our two countries and other countries, we must freely exchange ideas. You don't have to be afraid of the exchange of ideas, after all, you don't know everything." Khrushchev, hearing the implications in Nixon's words, roared, "If I don't know everything, then you know nothing about communism except fear."

"We may be ahead of you in some areas, such as the development of rockets for exploring outer space; and in other areas, we are ahead of you, such as in color television," Nixon and Khrushchev walked and talked, both trying to persuade the other and get them to accept their ideas. This made Cherov realize how real big shots spoke, but he didn't see anything particularly impressive.

"Vice President Nixon, you are wrong. The Soviets are stronger than the Americans in every field! This includes all aspects of technology, whether for military or civilian use!" Khrushchev did not give an inch.

As they walked and talked, they came to a display counter showing a typical American home interior, with a washing machine, juicer, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Cherov, following behind Khrushchev, frowned, recognizing this as the famous kitchen debate site.

Nixon: "We do not want to surprise the Russian people. We want to show our diversity and the right to choose. We do not want everything to be decided by a high-ranking government official who makes all the houses look the same. Wouldn't it be better to compete on the quality of dishwashers rather than the range of rockets? Isn't that the kind of competition you want?"

"You will definitely lose. No one can doubt the quality of Soviet products! As long as we maintain quality control, anything we produce will last forever!" Khrushchev said with a confident smile, "Of course, I agree with part of your view, but you can see that our products are not all the same!"

Nixon, emphasizing his point by poking Khrushchev's chest, said, "It is meaningless to discuss who is stronger at this time. If a war breaks out, neither of our countries will win." Nixon paused, waiting for Khrushchev's reaction. Khrushchev smiled enigmatically, allowing Nixon to continue. "I hope the Premier understands the full meaning of our words. If either of our two great powers is put in a position where they must fight if they do not submit, that would be the most destructive game in the world."

"We want to be friendly with all countries, including the United States!" Khrushchev concluded the debate.

The two did not continue arguing. When Nixon extended his hand, Khrushchev stepped forward, reminding Nixon to be mindful of the impact. This, of course, triggered a reaction from the American guards behind Nixon. Cherov smiled without a word. After the debate, Khrushchev led the other Soviet officials to another exhibit and lightly said, "Mr. Nixon, two of the four guards behind you immediately paused and wanted to block me, one clenched his right fist, and the other seemed nervous!"

"General Cherov seems very professional. For your age, you don't seem to be a real war hero!" Nixon's impression of Cherov was now quite negative, as Cherov had already ruined too many things today.

"Mr. Dulles' cancer is very serious, and Mr. Nixon still visited him before coming to the Soviet Union. That seems a bit impolite!" Cherov smiled at Nixon, watching as the other man's face turned pale but remained calm. He knew that his reference to future reports was true, and Nixon had indeed visited Secretary of State Dulles, the brother of the CIA director, before coming to the Soviet Union.

Cherov left with a meaningful smile, creating the illusion that everything was under control. He quickly moved to Khrushchev's side, hiding his achievements and letting Nixon speculate...