Chapter 88

"How is that possible? With Valya's current figure, can she still hit people?" Sherov denied outright. Besides, can it be called hitting when it happens within a family?

"If you're talking about others, it's indeed impossible! But you two, don't forget, I was the one who presided over your wedding with Valya in Azerbaijan. Do I not know you two well enough?" Semichastny crossed his legs, looking as if everything was under his control, and wouldn't let go of the mark on Sherov's forehead.

Others, such as Meshcheryakov, Golyunov, and the rest, watched silently, but it was ultimately Serov who finally stopped the pointless conversation. Although he was the head of the KGB, he didn't have much curiosity! Otherwise, he wouldn't have always wanted to reduce the size of the KGB. Unfortunately, Serov's efforts to reduce the KGB's size over the past year had only resulted in a one percent decrease in total personnel, and Sherov had successfully transferred these people overseas to become stationed in the Middle East, French Africa, and British Africa departments.

"Every time the second half of the year comes around, I start preparing for the next year's budget. Our total size is shrinking, but the required funds remain the same, especially for the Border Guard Administration! One department alone takes up more than 40% of the KGB's budget!" Serov always felt a headache when he thought about this issue. Khrushchev, while always talking about reducing military spending, would sometimes ask if the KGB's budget could be reduced.

Sherov spread his hands, indicating his helplessness, "There's no way around it. We still have to maintain the internal troops and border guards! With over 500,000 military and police personnel, spending several billion dollars is already very frugal! We're not much better off than other departments, but I've heard that the First Secretary still hopes to continue reducing the military?" Since Khrushchev came to power, the Soviet Union had already reduced its military by two million, plus 300,000 this year, totaling 2.3 million troops discharged! However, it seems there's no end in sight.

"I've only vaguely heard a few words, and I don't know the First Secretary's thoughts! But as long as the nuclear and space industries make progress, the Red Army will definitely continue to be reduced!" Serov extinguished his umpteenth cigarette.

"I think the First Secretary is still a bit conservative. This process is moving too slowly! It should be done all at once, why make it so complicated? The old men in the Ministry of Defense are so stubborn; they won't be intimidated unless you show them something serious!" Semichastny's confident demeanor was no different from Serov's, even his tone of voice was the same.

"Our current problem in the Soviet Union is that the country is controlled by a group of old, conservative men!" Yegorychev looked around at everyone, emphasizing his point, "The country needs to become more vibrant, and both flexible policies and strong, decisive measures are essential. In this regard, our First Secretary is much better than the group around Malenkov, but he still seems a bit conservative!"

"Yegorychev is right. Reducing the military is a correct decision, but the ultimate goal of reducing the military is to coexist peacefully with the United States? I don't think the Americans will be friendly to us. The First Secretary's ideas are not quite right!" Golyunov interjected, "Given our current position, equality with the United States is a must!"

Sherov silently watched these leaders express their opinions, feeling a strong sense of the Serov group! No wonder historically the Serov group lacked military support, while the Red Army supported Brezhnev. It turns out these guys supported Khrushchev's military reduction efforts. "Why do I feel like I'm falling into a trap?"

Looking at it, Serov and Khrushchev weren't that different. Serov was less radical than Khrushchev, but they were the same on issues regarding the Red Army and the lifelong tenure of officials. From the current signs, Serov only had some reservations about Khrushchev's conciliatory tone, but it wasn't enough to be considered dissatisfaction.

The issue of lifelong tenure for officials was something Sherov could understand. Looking around the room, the average age of these leaders was less than forty, and their subordinates were even younger, many of whom were from the Komsomol. The question of whether officials should hold their positions for life was still far off for them. Moreover, young officials were more eager to have their own positions to showcase their abilities, and they actually supported Khrushchev's efforts to abolish lifelong tenure.

"Alright, I called everyone here today just to gather as friends. Let's not talk too much about work!" Serov's words put an end to the topic. Sherov focused all his attention on Serov, sensing that Serov was very calm and speaking the truth. It seemed that Serov wasn't dissatisfied with Khrushchev at this point.

"Food and drink should not be discussed, and one should not speak in bed." Sherov believed he had done his part, not because he wanted to, but because his position was the lowest, and he had to. Everyone here was a top leader, except for Deputy Director of the Russian Federation Security Service, Tikhonov, but Tikhonov was the First Deputy Director, and Sherov himself, if he remembered correctly, was ranked ninth, making it impossible to compare.

Serov hosted this group, the youngest in the entire Soviet Union, for dinner. At 41, Serov, 35, Semichastny, 37, Yegorychev, and 32, Sherov... these young people from different departments were more enthusiastic than the older officials. In private, they joked freely, and at this moment, Serov didn't mind, rarely showing a change from his usual stern public demeanor.

"1, 2, 3, sing!" Serov, wearing only a white undershirt, led the singing, "Listen, the battle's call sounds the alarm, put on your uniform, take up your arms, Komsomol members gather and set out, united to defend the country, we bid farewell to our dear mothers, kiss your sons goodbye."

"Don't be sad, don't be sorrowful, wish us a safe journey, farewell to our dear homeland, the star of victory will shine upon us." Semichastny clapped along, singing the Komsomol anthem with Serov. Meshcheryakov, Golyunov, Yegorychev, Tikhonov, and Sherov looked at each other, put down their vodkas, and joined in the chorus.

"We will not give to the enemy what we love from childhood, Komsomol members, armed, rush to the battlefield, united to defend the country!" Everyone raised their glasses and shouted, "Soviet, hurrah..." and drank the vodka in one go.

"Yuri may not be in the country at the time, but don't worry, we will all be at the hospital on the day of delivery!" Serov, a bit tipsy, patted his chest and promised, "We are all little Sherov's elders. What do you want your child to do? TASS? Radio, government, or military?"

"My child will still pursue a great cause, to be a successor to communism!" The breeze made Sherov instantly drunk, and he put his peaked cap on his shoulder, which Elena picked up. He got in the car and fell asleep in the back seat.

"He's drunk, that's rare!" Elena looked at the man tenderly. In her eyes, Sherov rarely drank, and it was better that he had quit smoking.

"Yes, it's rare! Maybe he was just too happy today!" Valya skillfully started the car, remembering the scene when she first met Sherov a few years ago when he was drunk.

Khrushchev had also made a lot of preparations for his visit to the United States, the first visit by a Soviet leader to the U.S. Sherov used this time to stay home with his wife, touching her swollen belly and whispering, "Due date is September 25th. I'll definitely still be in the U.S., but I'll come back as soon as I finish my work!"

[More research is needed for the specifics of the visit to the U.S.!]

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends