Bloody Heart

The years to come open up infinite space for our lives and ideals, and our loyalty to the motherland gives us strength.Past, present, and future are all the same!

■

That incident had a very bad influence, but it also made Boris completely successful. In November 1/9/9/1, he issued a presidential decree, taking financial power into his hands, and completely emptied the center of the alliance.At this time, among the original 11 joining/alliance republics, except for two Central/Asian countries and Russia/Russia, which were slow to respond, all have declared their independence.Although Russia/Russia has not yet submitted an independent document, it has actually broken away from the control of the alliance.

Irina left in August.She came to Mo/S/Ko in person, put the document aside, stepped forward and gave Paul a hug. "Soviet, if I were not a country, I wish you were my brother." She tried to sound cheerful and consoling.However, she also knew that in such a cruel situation, any comfort would be futile.

Natalia also arrived in Mo/S/Ko in August, but it was Ivan, not Paul, who she came to see. "Brother, please forgive me," she raised her head and kissed Ivan's cheek, "I still have to leave you in the end."

The remaining two looked at each other, and Paul raised the corners of his mouth with an extremely sad smile.

More and more people left, but Ivan never declared that he wanted to be independent, and what Boris did seemed to have nothing to do with him.Later, some confused people thought that he had already become independent long ago, but was forgotten because it was too early; others who understood thought that he was not far away from submitting the documents.

Even Alfred made an overseas phone call. Ivan had just woken up not long ago: "Good morning—is it morning? I don't know if my jet lag is correct."

Ivan glanced at the clock: "It's morning. I'm afraid it's the dead of night where you are. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. America."

"It doesn't matter, it's a small thing for HERO to get to this point! I just heard something, so I can't wait to call and ask." He sounded very happy, "You are finally planning to leave the Communist Party Communist tyrant?"

Ivan frowned, but didn't bother with him: "Of course not."

Alfred said naturally: "But the central bank has been confiscated by you. It would be even more strange if you still plan to stay with him." Ivan could guess the way he shrugged even across the ocean.

"That's not what I did."

Alfred paused for a moment, and then said clearly: "The guy who claimed to be the president last time? He called here during the coup, and I answered it. I heard that he still jumps on tanks and tanks." What? Sure enough, but without HERO, I will..."

Ivan mercilessly interrupted his no-lower-limit foolishness. "Alfred," he said dryly, "if we were talking face to face, my fist would be on your nose by now."

The stupid golden retriever on the other end of the phone line immediately shut his mouth knowingly. "Okay, okay," he said a little discouraged after a while, "I'm just trying to make you smile. I can guess that you must be in a bad mood right now... Forget it, you really shouldn't try."

Ivan didn't speak.After an awkward silence for a while, Alfred had no choice but to say, "Then I'll hang up."

Ivan responded, and the call ended.

On the other side of the ocean, Alfred stared at the phone depressedly after putting down the receiver.Sure enough, he still couldn't say it, he said with emotion in his heart, originally he wanted to comfort the other party from a personal standpoint, after all, now that the alliance is doomed to fall apart, Ivan must feel very sad.But he just couldn't say that kind of words, even if he said Ivan, he would only feel hypocritical.

Because the premise of comfort is to feel sympathy, but Alfred has no such emotion anyway.He was only happy, schadenfreude happy.If one day Paul died, he would be the first to applaud him—he hated him so much.Whether it is tit for tat or easing relations, his goal has never changed. He must let Paul Braginsky die in his hands, and in the end he achieved it by peaceful means instead of force. .

"If you want to write a book to commemorate this process, what should it be called? Ah, I know - it should be called 'Victory in the 21st Century'. It's time to fight with the mind, tyrants who vainly seek hegemony by force and power Ah, it is really not suitable for living in the coming 21st century..."

■

On December 12th of this year, the bosses of Ivan, Irina, and Natalia met secretly in Ming/S/K and signed an agreement, officially announcing that the alliance ceased to exist.All union republics, regardless of whether they declared independence or not, have effectively seceded from the union.

The alliance has disintegrated, but Paul is still alive for the time being.But everyone knew that his final death would come sooner or later.

Now there is nothing for him to take care of, and he was suddenly idle, and he was a little at a loss at first.Then he found something for himself to do—sleep, taking as much time as possible to rest.His health was so weak that he had to rely on prolonged rest to maintain his strength.But when he is awake, he requires himself to be in the most awake state at all times so that he can deal with any problems in time.

But usually there are no problems for him to deal with.He is now a complete idler, forgotten.If Ivan was here, Ivan would talk to him, but now Ivan is a busy person and doesn't have much time to accompany him.He had no choice but to choose the last thing a very bored person can do—to look through his own memory, find interesting parts in it, and sip a little aftertaste.

He remembered from the very beginning, he remembered why he had been given the name Paul Braginsky, it was because of a Decembrist.His name was Pavel, and he had a wife, Sashenka. Sashenka took the children to West/Beth/Lea/A/to find him, but he was dead.He died for me, he told the woman at the time.

It was for this reason that he asked to inherit the man's name, and after that, for more than a hundred years, he recalled this reason over and over again, forcing himself to remember this story about his own birth.In the nearly 100 years he spent in West/Beth/League, the belief in this name became the backbone of his day-to-day difficult and hopeless life - I was born for the belief of a group of people; I The very fact of being alive means that I have a reason to live.

Then he remembered that he had known Vladimir Ilyich, and many, many revolutionaries.He came into contact with Ma/K/Si, began to have the concept of communism, and began to like wearing a red scarf gradually.This made him a little confused, and for a few days he couldn't figure it out: Did I represent Ilyich's beliefs?Or have they brainwashed me with their beliefs?

Then slowly he figured it out.There is no question of washing/brainwashing/brainwashing. What the word "national ideal" stands for is a belief that is the collective belief of hundreds of people.What he represents is not the content of this belief, not the republic, the abolition of serfdom, socialism or communism, what he represents is just the "faith" itself.He is the faith of the nation, and he exists because the faith and aspirations of the people are strong enough.And when people's collective belief in an ideal or goal is lost, as it is now, he will become weaker and weaker, and eventually die.

So when is he at his strongest?It was the Great Patriotic War.Because there has never been any period in the past, nor will there be any period in the future, when people can have such a highly unified value orientation regardless of nationality, belief, occupation, region, or gender.During that period, the entire country was formatted by war, and his ideology became extremely simple, and he became extremely powerful.

He thought of the anniversary of the October Revolution on 1/9/4/1, when snowflakes fell on the shoulders of the soldiers participating in the military parade. He looked down at the dark people below from the viewing stand, and called on them to unite/unity/ Rise/come to fight.He still clearly remembers that when he shouted "Long live the Union!", when the whole Red Square shouted "Long live!" It was boiling hot.The wind and snow outside were bone-chillingly cold, but his heart was almost melted by the blood.After that day, he never felt that feeling again.

At this moment, standing at the end of his life, the heat in his blood had already left him, he felt extremely cold from the outside to the inside, but because of this, his mind was extraordinarily clear.He began to think, like the soul peeling off the body and examining himself: Could he become strong only in an environment of great stress or a highly planned system?Is it true that once these two are gone, he must disappear?

Because what they have in common is the high degree of unification of people's thinking.When people's thinking is unified, what they believe in and what they pursue must be almost the same.This almost coercive measure can indeed provide sufficient nourishment for his existence, but it is bound to not last long.Because people are always used to pluralism, in today's era, even if they don't like the western values ​​of freedom, they still can't stop people from knowing that there are things called "freedom" and "individuality" in the world.With the rights of "freedom" and "individuality", will people still be willing to maintain the same belief?

Probably not.he thought.Otherwise, after Mikhail opened up freedom of speech, he would not weaken so quickly.

But—he was trying to wrap himself in it again—is it really Freedom's fault?Could it be that his existence cannot allow "freedom" to exist at the same time?That doesn't seem to be the same as his goal.He thought about it carefully, and there is no book that says that people in a communist society do not have freedom of thought.

So what went wrong?Since when did people get tired of the ideals they once pursued?Since when did I...become no longer attractive?

A picture suddenly appeared in his mind, the Belvedere Palace in the rain, the young people at the rally, and Felix's folded umbrella.

——"If you lock up the whole of Eastern/Europe as you have always done, one day, you will lose us completely and forever. All of us."

——"No, my ideal has not been realized yet, I will never let you leave me, absolutely not."

It probably started at that time.

He suddenly felt that whether it was using force/power or trying to reform, he seemed to have been trying various methods to prevent everyone from leaving; How to make people believe in themselves.

Therefore, the so-called ideal he fought for was not realized in the end; the thing he fought for was not obtained in the end.All that's left is a glorious memory, a bunch of hard reality, many dangerous weapons and an era that doesn't know what to say.

That is all his legacy as a nation.

Paul couldn't help feeling some ironic desolation.

"Lucia, am I a failed nation?"

"Of course not." Ivan took his cold hand and tried to transfer some heat to him, although he knew it was futile. "Comrade Soviet, you are a warrior."

Ivan vetoed many options, and finally he felt that this word was the most appropriate to describe Paul.In his opinion, Paul is undoubtedly brave. He dared to choose a path that no one chose and no one thought he could succeed. He dared to be a prophet who might not be followed by others. Said he was not brave.

"What if there is no victory in the end? Everything you have done, even those who have left you, will never be forgotten forever."

Ivan looked at him with a slight smile: "I still remember the world at the beginning of the 20th century, economic blockade, political isolation, ideological confrontation-this is the welcome gift the world gives you. However, you are under such conditions , completed the first two five-year plans by yourself. Do you still remember what you said to me at that time? I can recite it even now - 'I will make you the strongest industrial country in Europe within ten years .No matter how strong those people in West/Europe and Central/Europe are, as long as I promise, I will make it come true.’——You did it.” He sighed softly, feeling Paul’s cold hand I held it in my palm for a long time, and finally got a little warm, "I thought at that time, unless you no longer need me, I will never take the initiative to leave you."

Why is this so?Probably he can find his missing part in Paul.It was then, and it has been many times since.Some persistent and firm beliefs, some unswerving determinations, some almost naive sincerity—some "hot" things in my heart—

Paul couldn't help laughing at what he said. "What a coincidence, and I think that's the most sincere thing I've ever said in my life."

Ivan shook his head inwardly.You've always been sincere, you just never felt that way.

"So, you are not a failed country. Dare to try the road that no one has tried before, and you have come so far even though it is full of thorns, you are a warrior."

■

On December 12, Boris came to the K/R/M/Lin/Palace and asked Mikhail to hand over the supreme command of the armed forces, the "nuclear button" that launched 23 nuclear warheads, and the presidential palace.Before leaving, he said to Ivan: "Please don't hate me, you will see that I have brought you real liberation."

On the evening of December 12, Mikhail delivered his resignation speech to the country and the world in the presidential office, facing the camera.He made the final defense for himself, but through the camera and the TV, he didn't know whether people would buy it or not.After the speech, he walked out of the office and said very sincerely to Paul who was waiting outside the office door: "Comrade Soviet, please believe me, I do nothing to hurt you. My conscience is innocent of."

Paul smiled at him blissfully: "Of course, Comrade Mikhail. I believe in you."

Subsequently, Paul walked into the office and sat in front of the camera.The energy he gained from sleeping for several days took effect at this moment, and from the TV, there was no sign of dying on his body.This is what he himself requested—he wants to bid farewell to the people of the whole country as the national will of the Soviet Union, no matter how many people are still watching at this time.

At the same time, Ivan stepped into a church under the close surveillance of several soldiers.Boris, out of some consideration that Ivan could not understand, hoped that he would not meet Paul that night.Ivan agreed.Boris arranged for several soldiers to oversee his movements.Ivan entered the church, came to the icon, and the soldiers stopped three meters behind him.

Ivan spoke in front of the icon: "Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Paul said: "I feel guilty because I think of the promises I made. They seem very funny now." The people, that communist call they put together, seem dreamy, beautiful and innocent now like soap bubbles.

Ivan said: "Save and have mercy on them, those who promised us and touched us in distress, those who led us and protected us in calamity, those who fought all their lives for what was entrusted to them, and all of us people who are willing to intercede for the unbearable”

Paul said: "I believe that the people's choice is correct. For all the republics, the future after I leave will be brighter than the present. And my ideals will be inherited by someone, moving forward along the thorny road. "He remembered that when he visited Wang Yao in 19, Wang Yao's house had changed a look he didn't know. He was very surprised and asked him what was going on. Wang Yao told him that everything was the same. , he just chose a way that suits him better.

That's why we're leaving you, Wang Yao said.

Now Paul thinks, since Wang Yao can do well, then Ivan, Irina, Natalia...others can do it too.

Ivan finally said: "Please remember/remember those who have left this world, and ask their souls to rest in a place of eternal life without pain, sorrow, and lament. Amen."

Paul's last words are: "Russia is a glorious country, and I hereby send my last blessings to him, and I wish everyone at the same time."

Then he said quietly but firmly in his heart: Long live communism!

Afterwards, over the Ke/Li/M/Lin/Gong, the flag-changing ceremony began.The Red Square was full of people, and it was so dark that Paul could not see their expressions clearly, but he knew that Ivan was not here.He walked among the thousands and looked up to see his flag fall and Ivan's tricolor rise.He vaguely heard the wind lingering between people's breaths, and a low and soft voice came from the wind, saying:

Long time no see, Russia/Russia.Welcome to the future.

END

【postscript】

That young man was born in winter, but he has the colors of summer.There is a polar day in the north, and he must be a child of that long day, born bathed in endless morning light.

In the fairytale-like Saint/Peter/Fortress in the extreme daylight, the Nirvana/River flows slowly with silver light. Ivan stood in his hometown in the bright night, and suddenly returned to the place where the Soviet Union had never been before. when.However, his soul is very old. He looked at the thousands of waves like whitebait on the water, and recalled the ancient 1/9/2/9 years. Thousand fragments of light.

The young man's smile was like a spring breeze, delicate and bright, and his palm opened a frank arc, just waiting for Ivan to reach out and hold it.

——"Come with me, Lucia, follow me through the sea of ​​blood to the other side, there is a palace called Ideal."[2]

At that moment, the flames of midsummer melted the ten-thousand-year ice field, and in Ivan's dream, the long summer never ended.

——————————————————————————————————

[1] This prayer of Ivan is adapted from the Eastern Orthodox Church's morning commemoration/commemoration of the living and the dead, the morning rest prayer for the dead, the prayer for the dead before going to bed, and the Lord's Prayer.

[2] Adapted from Xu Zhimo's "Ouyoumanji", the original text is roughly: "They (the socialists of Su Xiong's family) believe that heaven exists and can be realized, but there is a sea between reality and heaven. A sea of ​​blood. They decided to realize that sea of ​​blood first."

The author has something to say:

The final chapter is here, and the text ends here.I think the ending is (relatively speaking) quite sweet w

There will be a special episode tomorrow, so here’s a precautionary shot: the special episode is about [Lu←mi], but [Only Ami’s single arrow] does not conflict with Su Lusuxiang’s main text.If you really can't accept stupid rice, then don't click w