Chapter 83

"Of course, you will also serve as the head of the General Administration of Military Management, with the original plan unchanged!" Shelepov patted Kirov's shoulder and said, "At your age, you are considered outstanding nationwide. Perhaps only Vladimir is a bit higher!"

The Vladimir Shelepov mentioned was the current First Secretary of the Komsomol, Semichasny. Shelepov had a very broad network of contacts, spanning the government, propaganda, administrative organs, and security systems. It was well-known that Shelepov did not particularly like cadres who were too old, so his friends were either his contemporaries or a few years younger.

"Being close to the leadership is indeed easier for promotions. My time in Berlin doesn't even compare to a few days in front of the First Secretary!" Kirov's actions proved that Shelepov's judgment was spot on. He sat on the sofa at lightning speed and even changed his posture, as using the same posture for too long was tiring.

Shelepov chuckled, "If there are any matters, handle them in advance. Comrade First Secretary thinks you did an excellent job with the security this time and has already decided to take you on the visit to the United States in September!"

September? Two months from now? Kirov looked constipated as he said, "But in September, we have a meeting in Bucharest. This conference is very important, and I have been planning it for a long time! Besides, I have some matters to attend to in East Germany!"

"Go to East Germany to talk with the French colonizers about how much they can contribute to Algeria?" Shelepov took a sip of water to moisten his throat and nodded slightly, "Do you think the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB is just for show? It has been decided that you will accompany the delegation to the United States, and this cannot be changed. As for the Bucharest intelligence conference, I will inform the Romanian Minister of Internal Affairs, Iliescu, to postpone it by a month to October! Besides, do you think the Bucharest conference is more important than the General Secretary's visit to the United States?"

"Alright, consider I didn't say anything!" Shelepov immediately changed the subject because Kirov's expression clearly showed that he thought the Bucharest conference was more important.

Kirov certainly believed the Bucharest conference was more important. He had been planning it for a long time. Why would he have the leisure to go to the United States to watch two groups of hostile people pretend to be friendly? Besides, he had just seen it once, and now it was happening again?

Originally, the trip to Berlin had already made Kirov's schedule for the second half of the year very tight. Now, another trip abroad? "Old Secretary, you know my work schedule is already very tight, and I have the additional responsibilities of two General Administrations! Actually, I suggest we can send another General Administration head abroad!" Kirov cautiously suggested.

"I think it would be better to be more direct and give the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB to someone else. This way, your pressure won't be so great. After all, you are someone I brought up from Azerbaijan, and it's not good for you to look old before your time!" Shelepov thought, appearing very considerate of his subordinate, "Do you think it would be more appropriate for the head of the Fifth Administration, Alexei, to take over the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB?"

"No, young people should take on more responsibilities for the organization. Besides, I have confidence in my abilities!" Kirov immediately stood up and started packing his things, "I never felt the weight of my responsibilities. I need to arrange my work. I must get the General Administration of Military Management in order, or I won't feel comfortable about the visit to the United States..."

"In short, you're just unwilling to let go!" Shelepov mocked Kirov, who was about to leave the KGB headquarters. He knew his subordinate very well. Ever since Azerbaijan, Kirov would rush to any opportunity for gain without being told, but otherwise, he was like a hibernating bear, never waking up unless threatened by a hunter.

Clearly a model of laziness and gluttony, yet this guy had risen to the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB, married the flower of the Komsomol, and now reached the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB. Shelepov had to admit he liked Kirov's character, the feeling of having everything under control, which was very similar to his own. If it were anyone else, they would have been kicked out of the KGB long ago.

"To the headquarters of the Secret Police!" Kirov instructed as he sat in the car, closing his eyes to rest. He was, of course, excited. Now he had finally reached the position of Deputy Chairman of the KGB, though currently ranked ninth. It was just a matter of order, with only Shelepov, the Chairman of the KGB, and two First Deputy Chairmen above him.

In the next two years, Kirov planned to establish a factory in Italy to produce innovative products. Things like slot machines, casinos, pyramid schemes, and fraud rings were not the right path, and the instant noodle factory was just a minor route. With the support of the KGB and Khrushchev's tacit approval, forming large-scale industrial zones to solve the KGB's funding issues was what Kirov wanted. As long as the goal of financial self-sufficiency was achieved, the KGB would be a fierce tiger out of the cage, a dragon breaking free from its chains, and no regulations could restrict its expansion. Not only could it restore the peak strength of the Ministry of Internal Affairs during Beria's time, but in the long run, it would be even stronger.

Of course, Kirov was still just the head of a General Administration, and the title of Deputy Chairman was just a name. He was not more powerful than the other General Administration heads.

It didn't take long for Kirov to enter the headquarters of the Secret Police and start his routine work, which included freeloading meals! Kirov, who ate heartily, said with a rebellious attitude, "The budget for the General Administration of Military Management is tight, and as the head, I should set an example!"

"Yes, development always comes at a cost. Your philosophy is to develop yourself while others pay the price. Your thinking is more suited to the colonial era!" General Alexei, with drooping eyelids, treated Kirov as if he were just a piece of air. Which General Administration head's office hadn't been used as a dining room by Kirov? He controlled the KGB's overseas funds, which played a role no less significant than the central budget. Who would dare to defy him?

"Hmm, good! Already transported to Azerbaijan? Three hundred children under five? Take good care of these children and send them to Ostonaya, and hand them over to the troops there directly!" Alexei's voice on the phone made Kirov's ears perk up. After hanging up, he said, "Ostonaya? When did your Secret Police get involved in the work of the Special Agent City?"

"We are just responsible for transportation. Who said we are getting involved?" Alexei sat on the table facing Kirov, "The children were bought from the Sinai Peninsula and Iraq! When you were exporting revolution, did you think about these children? Without our KGB intelligence officers, who knows what would have happened to these children?"

"This is the pain of democracy, you don't understand!" Kirov said without a care, "As long as democracy ultimately prevails, even if it costs blood, it is worth it. The slogan of democracy can be eaten as food and drunk as water! If we don't do it, the Americans will. Rather than waiting for the Americans to plan the assassination of our foreign comrades, we should take the initiative!"