A special plane from Moscow to the Crimean peninsula was six hours earlier than the historical schedule, and the delegations on this special plane included almost all the identities of the top Soviet party, government and military leaders: Oleg Simonovich Schernin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, General Valennikov, deputy minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the army, Borkin, secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the CPSU and assistant to the president, and Yuri Sergeyevich Plekhanov, director of the Ninth Bureau of the KGB. What brought these top leaders together was Gorbachev's damn New Union Treaty.

No one on the plane was in the mood to talk to each other, close their eyes, or cross their hands in prayer, knowing that what they were going to do was likely to change the history of the Soviet Union. Whether they will become the makers of history or be nailed to the pillar of shame is up for nail. But at this time, the obsession in everyone's hearts is the same, that is, not to let the Soviet Union fall apart.

And they have only one destination, and that is the southernmost presidential resort of the Crimean peninsula, Villa Foros.

On the one hand, because Gorbachev bypassed the Politburo Committee when signing the New Union Treaty, which was originally a violation of the Constitution, otherwise Gorbachev would not have lived in seclusion in this dacha for more than ten days to avoid the Politburo members. So at the moment they went to beg Gorbachev, is it useful? There was a big question mark in Schannin's heart that always interfered with his thinking.

Second, Shenin was vaguely aware of the fact that there seemed to be people in the emergency committee who were thinking more far-reaching than them, and in just two days, the emergency committee that had been formed in a hurry actually had a firm and consistent goal, instead of waiting for the enemy to break through each of them. It seems that every order issued by the Emergency Committee has the shadow of Yanayev behind it.

The Red Empire is like an old, dangerous ship aimless adrift in the vast sea, the captain at the helm has lost his way, and the anxious crew is eager to take over the captain's position and lead the empire out of the predicament.

As if sensing Schernin's uneasiness, Valennikov patted him on the shoulder and said with relief, "It's okay, everything will be fine, as long as we meet President Gorbachev." ”

"I hope so." Schernin barely managed to squeeze out a smile, and to be honest, he didn't have much hope for Gorbachev.

The plane traversed verdant mountains and vast plains before finally reaching the sky above a red villa, through which the glass windows could be seen that the Foros villa was surrounded by elite soldiers. Plekhanov, who was in charge of Gorbachev's security, knew very well that this was only a partial guard, that there were numerous snipers in ambush on the commanding heights of the nearby mountains, that dozens of special patrol boats patrolled day and night within five nautical miles, and that fifty kilometers away was the Black Sea Fleet, one of the four major fleets of the Soviet Union. The armament here can be said to be leak-proof.

Now no one is in the mood to enjoy the great scenery near the villa, and they are anxiously waiting for the plane to stop.

Eventually, the plane stopped at the end of the private runway of the Foros villa, and the group walked towards the presidential villa without any drag after getting off the plane.

Although there were heavily guarded troops, all this was difficult for the delegation to drive straight in. Because the Ninth Bureau of the KGB led by Plekhanov was the Security Bureau of the Supreme Leader of the CPSU. These leaders and guards were all arranged by him. Just as the guards at the final checkpoint were about to stop the delegation, Plekhanov struck first.

"Get out of here, these members of the top delegation have urgent matters to report to Secretary Gorbachev, and I will ask you first if I have lost the opportunity." Plekhanov's majesty instantly overwhelmed the guards at the door, and at the moment of their hesitation, the delegation forcibly broke into the living room of the presidential villa by forcing its way past the guards.

At this time, Gorbachev was about to take a nap in the bedroom, and when he heard the noise outside, he couldn't help but put on his clothes and go out to find out. And as soon as he walked to the door of the living room, he was stunned by the lineup in front of him. The top leaders of the Soviet party, government, and military gathered in their living rooms. Gorbachev couldn't help but say angrily to the delegation, "Who let you in without my approval?" Get out. ”

"It was my order, President Gorbachev. I ask for your understanding that I have brought in all the delegations. Plekhanov stepped forward and spoke, in a tone that was neither humble nor silent. The angry Gorbachev almost raised his hand to give him a slap, and at the same time Gorbachev understood that what he tried to avoid still happened, but he didn't expect this group of people to take the extreme form of forcing the palace in order to oppose the treaty.

Schernin, secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, took out the order of signing the Emergency Committee from his pocket and put it in front of Gorbachev, and said in a deep voice, "President Gorbachev, we must not allow the New Union Treaty, which will destroy the foundation of the Soviet Union for more than ten years. I hope that from this moment the state will enter a state of emergency until order is restored in the Soviets. ”

Gorbachev sneered, casually threw aside the signing order handed to him, and said, "Signing order? Emergency Committee? Who gave you the right, Comrade Schernin. Without my approval, the Emergency Council would be an illegal existence, you are a coup d'état! It's a traitor! It is a betrayal of the supreme directives! ”

Schernin's tone was almost emotional, and he said word by word, "This is the right of the Emergency Committee composed of Vice President Yanayev of the Soviet Union, Prime Minister Pavlov, Deputy Chairman of the National Defense Committee Bakranov, Minister of Defense Yazov, Minister of Internal Affairs Pugo, Chairman of the KGB Kryuchkov, Chairman of the Peasant Union Starodubtsev, President of the Federation of State Enterprises and Industry Tidjakov, and President Gorbachev has not forgotten, The Emergency Committee was an organization that you set up to deal with the war, so how can you say that it exists illegally? ”

"You ......" Gorbachev was speechless by Schernin's rebuttal, he pointed his finger at Schernin's nose, and finally said fiercely, "Hell, I will never sign this document anyway, you look for whomever you like." I will not issue the order of the state to declare martial law, and I will call, you traitors. ”

Deputy Minister of Defense General Valennikov also admonished, "Your Excellency, the signing of the Treaty of the New Union was fatal to the Soviet Union, and the country that our fathers built with the blood of countless generations cannot fall apart like this. I also ask Your Excellency the President to reconsider. Valennikov's tone bordered on pleading, but it only added fuel to the fire for Gorbachev in his rage.

"Shut up, you know what, Valennikov. You are just a soldier to take it for granted, and it is the duty of a soldier to obey orders, not to participate in a coup d'état. Gorbachev yelled at him roughly.

"It's all right, Comrade Gorbachev, we'll just sign it for you." The head of the 9th bureau suddenly stood up, and he added, "Oh, it seems that Comrade Gorbachev forgot one thing, we cut off all the telephone lines in the dacha before coming here, so ...... You can't do anything. ”

Gorbachev's heart was filled with uneasy premonitions, and he was about to take two steps back, when a guard in charge of protecting Gorbachev suddenly rushed up, and before everyone could react, his hands grabbed Gorbachev's neck fiercely. The attackers seemed intent on using all their strength in an attempt to bring Gorbachev to death on the spot.

"Be careful." Borkin, an assistant to the president on the side, exclaimed.

The sudden change made the whole living room messy.