Since the August 19 coup, Yanayev has never had it easier, suppressing the nationalists and restless liberals who are on the verge of action, dismantling the subversive plots and economic blockades of Western hostile forces, while seizing the supremacy of the military. The Soviets were once again an unbreakable alliance of allies, an evil empire feared by enemies, and hegemonists feared by neighbors. Yanayev, on the other hand, became a dictator who was described by intellectuals as brutal and evil as Stalin.

Dictator? As long as it can save this endangered and disintegrated empire, and let the people enjoy better treatment, this is enough, what is the use of democracy and freedom, can it be used as food for the stomach or spiritual food? Yanayev never believed in that bullshit.

After months of exhausting planning, the Soviets had a brief period of peace and stability, during which Yanayev intended to continue to deepen the reform of the political and economic system, taking advantage of the brief respite to regain his overall strength. Taking advantage of the momentary leisure time, Yanayev went to the presidential holiday villa on the Black Sea, where he enjoyed a short leisurely time facing the sea.

Lying on the bench, enjoying the warm moments of the sun and sand, instead of thinking about how to protect himself and kill the other party at the deceitful political table, Yanayev was full of emotion, he took a glass of wine, took a sip, and said to himself, "It's rare that I can enjoy a moment of peace like this world, instead of putting my hand on the button vigilantly." ”

While dealing with international affairs, Yanayev also did not relax in the domestic situation, and he used every opportunity to unite to create a bright and majestic leader image to the masses of the people, so that the Soviet people believed that he was a figure who could lead the Soviet Union out of its predicament.

It's not that Yanayev is willing to be a dictator, but that countries with complex regional and cultural complexities need strong leaders, which is equivalent to self-destruction of the Great Wall. Even if he will become a brutal dictator who is criticized by intellectuals, he does not want to be a historical sinner in the disintegration of Soviet Russia.

So in a moment of leisure, he summoned Surkov, who had just become the head of the propaganda department, in his private presidential residence, and revealed to him a plan of his own.

"Invite CBS's Mike Wallace News Host to interview you, General Secretary?" Sulkov couldn't turn his head when he heard Yanayev's plan, and he added, "Why did Mike Wallace come for the interview, isn't he a Western journalist?" If you want to conduct interviews, we also have quite good hosts on Moscow TV, and there is no need to go out of your way to Western journalists. ”

"No, no, Comrade Surkov, journalist Wallace is a very dedicated and excellent journalist, he has interviewed many famous politicians, such as the chief architect of socialist reform and opening up in the South, and seven presidents of the United States have been interviewed by him on sharp and profound questions."

Yanayev had something else in mind: Wallace was a journalist who liked to contradict American policy, and presumably his image in American political cartoons was that of a tsar wearing a golden crown and a red robe, holding a scepter. This is also one of the ways in which the political opposition in the country used it to spread propaganda and attack the CPSU in power. If Yanayev can break this situation and make his opponents praise him, it will undoubtedly be a big blow to the "spiritual Americans" who worship the West.

Surkov, sitting next to Yanayev, asked softly, "That is what I said, but what should the General Secretary do if there is anything beyond our control during the interview, such as when he asks some questions that are more difficult to answer?" ”

"Just say that he asked about the martial law in the August 19 coup, the killing of Gorbachev, and the assassination of Yeltsin, how should I answer to make it seem appropriate?" Yanayev replied to him directly.

This is also the most difficult part for Surkov, he frowned and said softly, "Yes, this question will seem a little inappropriate no matter how the general secretary answers." ”

Yanayev took a sip of wine, he watched the white waves crash against the craggy reef of the coastline, the roar of the waves relaxed Yanayev's nerves and made his thoughts slowly clear. He put down his glass, turned his head to Surkov and said, "You are now the propaganda minister of the Soviet Propaganda Department, a clever guy. Gather them all together, list all the questions Wallace might ask, and come up with some decent answers. That way, no matter what tough questions the other side may ask, we can find ways to deal with them. ”

Now that Yanayev had already given the order, Surkov had no choice but to take on this thankless task, and the directors of the Propaganda Office had to find some clever guys to deal with it. Despite the sensitivity of the topic, Yanayev gave these people enough to speak, and they could come up with some fanciful answers for their own review, hoping that they would come up with a good enough plan.

A few days later, Surkov gathered the elites of the press, the Propaganda Department, in one office for a meeting to gather answers to the questions that Western journalists might ask.

"First of all, how does President Yanayev feel about the West's perception that the Soviet Union lacks democracy, and what will he do when the people oppose his policies?" The staff of the Propaganda Department office read aloud the questions written by the president himself, word by word, while his head raced to think about the answers. Before the change, no one dared to ask these "perverse" questions to the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, and only those Western journalists who stayed out of the matter could ask such sharp questions.

"We can make a fuss about improving people's livelihood and life, even if the Soviet Union does not have enough voice to the masses like American-style democracy, but our commitment to improving people's livelihood is also a bright spot." Markov, the chief of staff, replied cautiously, because his immediate boss Surkov was beside him, and Markov glanced at it, and saw that there was no other unpleasant reaction before continuing, "The Soviets should be shown that we are determined to make the Soviets better, so that when the report comes out, it will be more convincing to the people." ”

"The second question, how to view the August 19 coup d'état, and the fact that Yeltsin and Gorbachev were not treated in state funerals, can't the Soviet leaders get out of the strange circle of coming to power by coup? After all, Khrushchev and Brezhnev almost all appeared on the stage of history with disgraceful political means, so can't they rely on the votes of the people to be the most beloved leaders like the president of the United States? ”

No one dares to speak now, this issue is too sensitive, just like revealing the dirty and dirty secret truth in people's hearts to the world, and no one must be able to accept it.

"How are we going to answer ......" Markov said helplessly, swallowing his saliva.