Chapter 66: Gorbachev's Visit to England
The Luczes family, which has lost the support of the union, is like a cobra with its fangs removed. The www.biquge.info could not pose a threat to anyone, and just when they were hit and unable to fight back, more and more mafia families immediately joined the army.
But none of this was for Seryosha in London to care about, because Secretary Gorbachev was finally coming.
When Gorbachev's plane finally landed at Heathrow, a sense of pride rose in Seryosha's heart. It is no exaggeration to say that it was Seryosha who made all this happen, and he was the one who played chess.
Seryosha and Yakovlev stood in the line at the bottom of the spiral ladder, waiting for Gorbachev's reception. Since Gorbachev was not the head of state, it was the British foreign secretary who was in charge of receiving him this time. But in order to make Gorbachev's visit more imposing, Seryosha called his friends in Britain to cheer him on.
Gorbachev stepped out of the cabin and waved to the welcoming crowd. Then he and his wife walked down the spiral staircase. The British Foreign Secretary, who had been waiting for a long time, stepped forward to shake Gorbachev's hand. Journalists from both the Soviet Union and Britain recorded the moment at the same time.
Gorbachev first exchanged greetings with the British greeters, and then came to the Soviet side's greeters. The first to shake hands with Gorbachev was the Soviet ambassador, then Yakovlev, and the third was Seryosha. Seryosha and Gorbachev looked at each other and smiled, and their inner thoughts were all in plain sight.
The welcome at the airport was brief but warm, and Seryosha left in the same car with Yakovlev. When he got into the car, Yakovlev sent his secretary to another car, and closed the soundproof panel between the cockpit and the passenger compartment, and when the car was halfway there, Yakovlev suddenly said to Seryosha: "I'm afraid that General Secretary Chernenko's health is not good, I'm afraid that our opportunity is coming soon?" ”
Seryosha was taken aback and hurriedly asked when it would be.
"I also learned recently that the Kremlin is doing a really good job of secrecy! A month ago I also saw him attend the election polls for the National Congress of the Supreme Soviet. Do you know how they do it? Chernenko didn't go to the venue at all, they arranged the hospital to look like a venue for Chernenko to vote. It was not easy for our general secretary, and Chernenko stood on Red Square for more than two hours in the cold wind of nearly minus 30 degrees Celsius during the October Revolution military parade last month. I can't even imagine how this guy survived, and the Politburo didn't even know about it. Yakovlev jokingly sighed.
"Gromyko: How did they react to this?" Seryosha asked with concern.
In fact, this incident hit Gromyko the hardest, and it was only natural that he would become the successor of General Secretary of Chernenko with his qualifications, and age was his greatest advantage. But now...... No one dares to hand over the country to an old man in his seventies anymore, and this time there is no suspense about the succession of our young secretary Gorbachev! Yakovlev explained for Seryosha.
Along the way, Yakovlev told Seryosha a lot about the events that took place in Moscow during this time. Seryosha had no access to this information in Britain. However, Seryosha was a little surprised, and Yakovlev would tell him this.
"Seryosha, during this time we are going to show goodwill with Gromykoyan. Anyway, there is no hope for them anymore, and we don't need to overstimulate them. That's why we've arranged for you to stay in the UK and not let you come back! Yakovlev explained to Seryosha.
"Dean, you are aware of the contradictions between me and Grischen! I wonder if Grischen is also the object of our appeasement? Seryosha asked sternly, he didn't want to be thrown in London by Gorbachev after he had done everything. If Gorbachev and Gromyko had shaken hands, Seryosha would have lost the basis to counterbalance Glishin. Seryosha and Grishin have no chance of reconciliation, but how can deputy ministerial-level officials be opponents of the Politburo Standing Committee.
"You misunderstood, Grischen was implicated in the marine case. Although he was not brought to court, his reputation within the party was already very poor. We know the contradictions between you and Grishen, don't worry, we won't let this moth stay in the Politburo! Yakovlev assured Seryosha.
The convoy traveled to the Soviet embassy. Gorbachev, who had been exhausted from the road, had to take a break before he could move on to the rest of his activities. As a matter of fact, the content of the negotiations has already been discussed during this visit. The main task of Gorbachev's visit this time was to show goodwill and strengthen the friendship between the two countries. The highlight, of course, was the meeting between Gorbachev and Prime Minister Thatcher. The second is the visit to some British industrial enterprises.
During the period when the embassy was resting, Gorbachev called Seryosha into the room alone. Ask him something about Prime Minister Thatcher. Seryosha answered Gorbachev's questions as best he could, based on the information he had. However, Gorbachev changed his words and suddenly asked: "Seryosha, what do you think will happen if I ask Prime Minister Thatcher to convey goodwill to the President of the United States?" ”
"Secretary! I think Dean Yakovlev has more say in this kind of thing than I do! Seryosha said modestly.
"I'd like to hear your opinion!" Gorbachev asked as he looked in the mirror and sorted out what he was dressed for the event for a while.
"Secretary! I don't think there's anything bad about it! Seryosha could hear that Gorbachev was already planning to do this, and it was definitely not a good idea to overturn the decision of the leadership, so Seryosha would not do such a stupid thing.
"Seryosha, I heard that you are friends with Prime Minister Thatcher's husband?" Gorbachev asked.
"Yes, he had a good attitude towards us Soviets and made a big push when I first came to England. We occasionally go golfing together! But he's not interested in politics! Seryosha replied.
"How is he? I wonder what impression he made on you when you dealt with him? Gorbachev asked.
"He is an honest man, very easy-going!" Seryosha concluded.
"Seryosha, I want to visit 10 Downing Street, can you arrange it for me?" Gorbachev asked suddenly.
"Visit?" Seryosha said in surprise. This is simply impossible, how could the British intelligence services approve a visit to the official residence of the British Prime Minister by the Soviet leader?