Parichinsky stood at the door of the Petrograd Military District Command, looking at the Winter Palace opposite, this majestic and magnificent building with its back to the Neva River, at the moment it was so small in his eyes, he had just received the news that the fighting in the Petrograd city was not ideal, the Tavricher Palace, the Main Post and Telecommunications Department, the Main Telephone Office, the Nikolaev Station, the Baltic Station, the Warsaw Station, the Power Station, the National Bank, the Mimelov Hippodrome, the Karava Military Technical Academy, the Astoria Military Hotel, fell one after another in one day.

It can be said that at this time in Petrograd, only the Winter Palace and the Maria Palace were still in the hands of the government, and it was a fool's dream to insist on the arrival of reinforcements from the front line with only these two projectiles.

As the governor of Petrograd, Parichinsky was not at all optimistic about his own fate, the fate of the city. In particular, I was deeply worried about the fate of this majestic and magnificent palace in front of me.

The relentless artillery fire is afraid that this magnificent palace with a height of 22 meters, a width of 160 meters, a length of 200 meters, a combined length of 2,000 meters, an area of 900 acres, 1,050 halls of various sizes, 110 marble staircases, and 1,860 gates.

Parichinsky loved this majestic palace, in the sense that it was a symbol of all of Russia. If it were handed over to the Bolsheviks, it would mean the defeat of Russian patriotism!

Parichinsky took a deep breath, the situation was quite bad, there were only 1,500 cadets and cadets guarding this majestic palace, 300 soldiers of the 1st Bicycle Battalion, and the same number of Cossacks and a small number of "women's death squads".

Such a pitiful troop force. Sprinkled around this palace. Not even a complete line of defense can be formed. This gave Parichinsky the absurd feeling that "the legitimate government of Russia is fighting in the capital of a 'hostile state'."

This sense of black humor made Parichinsky angrily wave his fist in the direction of the Smolny Palace: "God will punish you damned heretics, God will punish you damned heretics!" ”

However, this level of abuse is meaningless, and does not change any facts, and the only benefit is that the anger that the Governor has accumulated in his heart can be vented. Of course, this part of the fire will soon return to the Governor's chest as the situation continues to build, for example. When he saw a car with an American flag on its head slowly driving into the Hermitage Square.

"Why did the Americans come?" Parichinsky asked his adjutant.

"General, it seems that they have come at the invitation of His Excellency the Prime Minister."

"Prime Minister?"

Parichinsky muttered that he did not have much affection for the old fox prime minister, and if it were not for the efforts of his old friend Kishkin to keep him as governor of Petrograd, he would have resigned from this meaningless post and returned to the front with his troops.

Parichinsky is too understanding of Kerensky, that guy is simply a coward and a hypocrite, and there is only one possibility to invite the Americans over at this time - the Prime Minister is ready to run away!

"Kerensky is ready to run away!" In a rage, Parichinsky broke into the office of his old friend Kishkin. Spat angrily, "This damn coward is ready to give up his duty to defend Russia." Be a despicable deserter! I will never allow such a shameful thing to happen! ”

There was something strange about Kishkin's attitude, and there was not a hint of anger on the face of the veteran Cadet, as if what he had heard was nothing more than a completely unrelated matter. He took a slow puff of his cigarette, and the old god remained motionless.

Parichinsky was anxious: "My old friend! Didn't you hear what I was saying? Kerensky is going to run away, we must stop him! ”

Kishkin smiled indifferently and asked rhetorically, "Why do you want to stop him?" ”

Parichinsky jumped to his feet and said: "He is ready to run away, he ......"

"Wouldn't it be better if he ran away?" Kishkin calmly asked, "All along, it was Kerensky and these damn socialists who messed up our country, and they were all shitty guys who hesitated at both ends of the snakes and rats!" Ha Luha, good run! He ran so that the patriots of the whole country could see their faces, and then they would understand that only those of us could save Russia! ”

Kishkin took a hard puff of his cigarette and said excitedly: "Good run!" Fuck off these cowards! ”

"But," Paritschnsky kindly reminded, "my friend, if Kerensky runs away, it will greatly shake our morale, and at that time, what will we do to defend the Winter Palace?" ”

Kirhkin smiled contemptuously and pointed to the Winter Palace opposite: "Just now, our Prime Minister has appointed me as a special commissioner for the defense of the Winter Palace and Petrograd, and he has handed over full power of military command to me!" ”

Speaking of this, Kishkin stood up and said affectionately to Parichinsky: "My old friend, I am ready to remove Polkoff from his post, do you have the confidence to take over the post of commander of the Petrograd Military District?" ”

Parichinsky was stunned, he didn't expect his old friend to surprise him so much, although the current commander of the Petrograd Military District is almost an empty title, but he is really interested in it.

Thinking about it, without Kerensky's obnoxious ghosts, maybe he could really create a strange, Parichinsky saluted Kishkin firmly: "I am confident in defending our great capital, guarding great Russia!" ”

While Parichinsky was firm in his convictions, on the other side of the square, Kerensky sneaked out of the Winter Palace with his secretary, and when he saw the car with the American flag, he breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart.

"Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for sending you to pick me up! I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to your country for your generous assistance. Kerensky expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Americans in Russian-style English.

However, his thanks made the young American at the head look a little strange, and it seemed that he had tried his best to hold back his smile. Kerensky felt that this expression was a bit rude, but now it was a person under the eaves who had to bow his head. As long as you can escape from Petrograd. What about being ridiculed? Besides, maybe it's his broken English that makes the other party laugh?

"That's what we're supposed to do. Your Excellency, Prime Minister! The young man greeted Kerensky in fluent Russian, then opened the door and made a gesture of please, "Time is tight, please get in the car!" Excellency! ”

"You speak Russian really well!" Kerensky was surprised and praised that if it weren't for the U.S. embassy car parked in front of him, he would have thought that the young man in front of him was a native of Russia.

The young man smiled "shyly" and explained, "You praised it falsely. My grandfather was a Russian immigrant, and in a sense, Russian is one of my native languages! It is precisely because I am fluent in Russian that Mr. Ambassador has appointed me to escort you. ”

It turned out that Kerensky's little doubt in his heart suddenly dissipated, it turned out that he was a descendant of Russian immigrants, think about it, in recent decades, a large number of Russian Jews have emigrated to the United States, and it is normal for the other party to speak Russian authentically.

Kerensky did not hesitate to get into the car. He thanked the young man again and again: "Then I'll trouble you!" Please convey to Your Excellency the Ambassador my sincere thanks for all the help he has provided. ”

The car finally started and slowly drove away from the Hermitage. Leaving the Hermitage Square and looking at the majestic palace that was gradually moving away, Kerensky's heart was like overturning a bottle of five flavors, and all kinds of flavors were in it, and he sighed for a long time: "I don't know if I can go back here again, hey!" ”

His emotion made the young man in the co-pilot seat smile slightly: "I am very sure that you will definitely come back!" ”

"I've borrowed your good words, thank you!"

Kerensky did not take this to heart, he thought that it was just a kind comfort from the other party. And he had no confidence in the situation in Russia, and the Bolsheviks were inevitable. If you can get the support of the front-line army, there is still a glimmer of hope for the last. But he knew that even if he could suppress the Bolshevik rebellion, he would not have any good fruit to eat in the end, and the military had always refused to give him back power, and he would definitely be the prime minister at the end.

At that time, I am afraid that Kornilov or Lvov will return to the post of chancellor, and as for him Kerensky, he will be directly forgotten.

Kerensky was full of emotion about the end of his political career, he really didn't want to quit the political arena so early, he felt that he could do more, and he was full of resentment towards the Bolsheviks who had caused him trouble - I could definitely have done better without you making trouble!

Chirping......

The sharp sound of brakes woke Kerensky from his world, and he picked up a briefcase in horror and put it in front of his face, "Is it a Bolshevik?" They're coming to get me?! ”

The young man in the co-pilot seat hurriedly comforted the frightened Prime Minister: "Don't worry, it's a Cossack!" ”

Cossack?

When he heard that it was the Cossacks who blocked his way, Kerensky's panic and nervousness suddenly disappeared, and he roared angrily: "These damned barbarians! What do they want to do? Want to learn from the Bolshevik rebellion?! ”

"Please relax!" The young man smiled and comforted, "This car belongs to the U.S. Embassy and has a diplomatic license plate!" Enjoy diplomatic privileges! No one can take you! ”

Hearing this, Kerensky's panic eased a little, but he was still full of resentment towards the Cossacks. When the commander of the opposing party came to the front of the car, he asked in an unquestioning and angry tone: "What are you trying to do in your way, damn fools?" ”

The reason why the Cossack officers blocked the way of the car was really a good intention, because the bridge in front of it had already been occupied by the workers' Red Guards, and the other side set up barricades and strictly searched every vehicle, leaving no suspicious person to go. In a responsible manner, he felt compelled to inform U.S. allies of their safety.

Of course, the Cossack officers had no idea that it was their chancellor sitting in the car, and when Kerensky angrily confronted him, he was completely stupid.

"You idiot, why don't you speak!"

Kerensky's indignation was further aroused by the stupidity of the other party, and he constantly greeted the immediate family of the Cossack officer with all kinds of expletives, or questioned his intelligence, in short, he vented all his anger and resentment against the Bolsheviks on the poor little officer.

After a long time, the Cossack officer came back to his senses after being scolded stupidly, although he really wanted to smack the cheap Prime Minister. But he knew it didn't make any sense. It will only take him to court-martial. Then he squashed in prison, and for the sake of his own future, he chose to endure.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but I didn't know you were in the car!"

Kerensky still roared unrelentingly: "I don't want to listen to this nonsense! Get out of my way at once, and don't stand in my way! ”

"But," the Cossack officer kindly reminded, "the bridge ahead was blocked by the Bolshevik rebels......"

This sentence suddenly made Kerensky honest. He put back all the swear words that were about to blurt out, and looked pitifully at the young man in the passenger seat.

"You don't need to worry about it at all!" The young man swore an oath, "As I said earlier, this car belongs to the U.S. government and enjoys diplomatic privileges...... We had easily passed through a lot of blockades when we came, and the Bolsheviks did not dare to stop us! ”

"Really...... Are you sure? Kerensky was still a little worried, he was very suspicious that the Bolsheviks and the bitter workers did not understand diplomatic privileges, and if something happened he would have thrown himself into the net.

"You don't have to worry at all! There won't be any danger! Again, the young man swore an assurance.

Kerensky looked at the blockade in front of him, and then at the Winter Palace at the end of the road. Although it is risky to move forward, it is also waiting for death to stay. It's better to survive in the dead and fight!

"Okay, let's move on!" Kerensky finally made up his mind.

The car started slowly again, slowly driving towards the bridge, which was blocked by the workers' Red Guards. As he got closer to the blockade, Kerensky's heart pounded.

Finally, the car came to a steady stop in front of the blockade, and a worker with a rifle and a red armband walked up to the car, "Stop!" Get checked! He commanded without question.

The young man glanced at Kerensky, who was nervous, smiled comfortingly, then opened the car door, stepped out of the car and greeted him......

Looking at the young man who was negotiating with the Workers' Red Guards, Kerensky faintly felt that his throat was a little dry, and he was very worried that if the two sides did not agree, the Workers' Red Guards would fight. Then he would have been taken to Lenin like a fool. As soon as he thought of this terrible possibility, he couldn't help but start to regret it again, he shouldn't have been so reckless, when he left the Winter Palace, he should have brought a little more guards, where is it like now, if something really happens, there is not even a helper.

Kerensky turned his head to look at the rear window, and wanted to shout at the Cossack officers who had just come to his rescue. However, he was afraid that such a move would anger the workers' Red Guards.

Kerensky's heart went up and down, and it wasn't until the young man slowly returned to the car that he couldn't wait to ask, "How is it?" They won't let them go? ”

The young man smiled and said, "You're too worried, Your Excellency. You see, aren't they removing barricades? I told you you don't have to worry at all, I'll escort you to your destination safely! ”

When the car started again, Kerensky's heart finally returned to his chest, and he said excitedly: "Thank you so much!" ”

The young man only smiled shyly at Kerensky's thanks, very reserved and shy. Kerensky couldn't believe that it was such a shy boy who wisely and courageously fought the unreasonable Bolsheviks and carried him through the blockade unharmed. To be honest, the contrast made him a little uncomfortable.

The car passed through the Mariinsky Theater and did not go straight south out of the city, but suddenly turned in the direction of Xanaya Square, and as the car continued eastward, Kerensky was a little puzzled, and he asked, "Didn't we go straight out of the city?" ”

The young man smiled and said, "We're going to pick up another gentleman." ”

Kerensky asked curiously, "Who?" ”

At this time, the young man sold Guanzi: "It's an old friend of yours!" I'm sure he will be happy to see you. ”

Friends?

Kerensky really couldn't think of any old friends he had in Petrograd, most of his old friends remained in the Winter Palace, and a few left Petrograd before the situation got worse and worse.

Kerensky couldn't figure out who that old friend was, and as the car walked through the Bolshevik blockade after blockade, the nervousness in his heart had long since been thrown out of the clouds.

Even, Kerensky was very contemptuous of the Bolsheviks and Lenin, look at what your so-called blockade is, not even a single vehicle of the American Embassy can be stopped. If I Kerensky has the upper hand at this time, not to mention the car of the American Embassy, I dare to stop the car of the British Embassy!

With a creak, the car stopped again, Kerensky didn't particularly care, he stopped and stopped many times along the way, and it was estimated that he encountered an interrogation or something. But this time, it wasn't quite what he expected. Not only did the car stop, but soon the door was wide open, and the young man who had been smiling all the time made a gesture of invitation to him.

"Your Excellency, please get out of the car! Your old friend is already in a hurry! ”

Kerensky suddenly felt that something was wrong, the smile on the other party's face was not kind at all, revealing a kind of ridicule and sarcasm, and when he raised his head to look at the surrounding environment, his face suddenly turned pale with fright.

Smolny Palace! Your uncle, how did you get to the lair of the Bolsheviks!

Kerensky was surprised and ran away, but he was immediately stopped by the heavily armed guards, and the young man, who had been smiling, shook his head and said to him: "Your Excellency, you should now know who that old friend is, right?" (To be continued.) )