Chapter 321
When Comrade Stalin was finally free and Yuri was the only one in the office waiting to report on his work, Comrade Stalin put the pipe aside and pointed to the sofa opposite the desk.
Youli understood what he meant and walked over, sitting quietly on the sofa. He took out the report document he had prepared in advance from his briefcase, spread it flat on his knees, and said, "Comrade Stalin, I have made preliminary arrangements for the work of the Executive Bureau next year. More specific situations need to be decided after the discussion of the committee."
Comrade Stalin did not speak, and his eyes did not stay on Yuri. He looked towards the window, as if he was thinking about something, or as if he was... simply in a daze.
Yuri stopped his statement. He could see that Comrade Stalin was not paying attention to the plan he was presenting. His attention was distracted and he was not listening to what he was saying. He did not have the courage to remind him, so he could only sit there and wait quietly.
"Comrade Yuri Arkhipovich Kulyokov," Comrade Stalin waited for about two or three minutes before regaining his attention. He reached out for his pipe, lit it again, and threw a pack of cigarettes near Yuri. Then he said, "Yesterday I passed by that place on the west bank of the Moscow River and saw the statue of Alexander III and that damn vacant lot. It was covered with snow and no one had cleaned it up. It looked like a ruin."
Having said this, he stood up from his chair, holding the pipe in his left hand and picked up the matchbox at hand with his right hand. While shaking the box, he walked to the window and looked out through the glass.
His pipe was already lit, and he was holding the matchbox only out of habit.
"It's like a scar, a scar on the face of the great city of Moscow," Comrade Stalin continued . "The problem now is that we have defeated the Germans and Hitler, but we can't defeat this scar. Do you know what I'm saying, Comrade Yuri Arkhipovich Kulyokov?"
Comrade Stalin called Yuri by his full name again. Yuri knew very well that in the Soviet , calling someone by their full name represented respect. Once Comrade Stalin called someone by his full name, it meant that he valued that person very much. At the same time, it also meant that he had high hopes for that person and hoped that the other person could complete the task assigned by him excellently.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I understand what you mean," Yuri stood up and looked out the window following his gaze.
In fact, there was nothing to see outside the window, just a square, and further away, the walls of the Kremlin. But Yuri also knew that if he could see through the walls and see farther, he would be able to see the bare open space on the right bank of the Moscow River. In the past, the majestic Cathedral of Christ the Savior stood there, but now, there were only overgrown weeds covered with snow.
Comrade Stalin was absolutely right when he said that it was a scar on Moscow. It was indeed a scar. The Palace of Soviets that was once planned and built was still on the drawing board. That magnificent building that reflected Comrade Stalin's ambition might have been forgotten by Comrade Stalin in the past few years. However, half a year ago, Yuri's suggestion on disarmament had obviously reminded him and revived his ambition.
Now that the first phase of disarmament has been completed, millions of Red Army soldiers have been demobilized and returned to their hometowns, various large-scale construction and production corps have been established, the structure of the executive bureau has become complete and has entered a stage of orderly operation. Comrade Stalin is becoming impatient.
Yuri even suspected that this steely leader of the country was not really concerned about construction and production issues. What he really cared about was how to fill that scar in the right way.
Of course, Yuri could understand Comrade Stalin's strong desire. After all, it was he who personally ordered the demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in order to build why he chose to blow up the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was also related to the religious policy that was actively promoted at that time.
Don't think that no one opposed the bombing of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. On the contrary, the opposition was very strong at the time. After all, it is not only a religious building, but also a historical building. The old building was bombed, but the new one was never built. Those who opposed it always had something to say. Recently, some people have proposed to take advantage of the opportunity of Moscow's urban replanning to restore the Cathedral of Christ the Savior that was bombed.
Imagine what Comrade Stalin would think of such a suggestion? Would he be willing to modify the decree he issued at the beginning? That would undoubtedly be a denial of himself. Therefore, even if the scar was left there, Comrade Stalin would not agree to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
As for Yuri, he did not oppose the plan to build the Palace of Soviets. He even strongly supported the project. After all, Moscow needed such a magnificent and tall building that could show the superiority of the Soviet system. It was not only a face-saving project and an image project, but also a project that could enhance the national honor and pride.
But then again, Yuri hoped to postpone the construction of this project for two years, and then carry out the construction of this project after the Soviet economy has recovered, because only in this way, the project can be invested and built with ease. As for the current Soviet Union, there are too many difficulties. Not to mention other things, there is no way to solve the food problem alone.
However, as a time traveler, Yuri would not go against Comrade Stalin's opinion, because he knew very well how dangerous it was. Moreover, Comrade Stalin now believed that since he supported the proposal for disarmament, Yuri, who had proposed it, must fulfill his promise, and do it in the shortest possible time. If Yuri raised objections at this time, even if it was just to postpone it for two years, Comrade Stalin would probably feel sincerely disappointed, and he would be disappointed in someone, and hehe, that person would probably have a hard time.
After hearing Yuri's answer, Stalin nodded, obviously satisfied with his answer. He took a puff of cigarette and said, "Next year's work plan of the Executive Bureau of the Disarmament Working Committee should include a plan to build the Palace of Soviets. Have you reflected this in your work plan?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I have carefully considered this issue," Yuri squeezed the document in his hand and answered without hesitation, "I plan to entrust the task of building this project to the 24th Engineering Construction Corps."
Comrade Stalin turned around, fixed his eyes on his face, and asked without hesitation: "Tell me about the situation of this construction corps."
Yuri breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried that Stalin would ask to see the work plan in his hand, because in this plan, there was no so-called plan to build the Palace of Soviets. He was lying in front of Stalin.
As for the 24th Engineering Construction Corps, it was established in Vitebsk two months ago. It was mainly composed of retired soldiers from the original Central Group, with a number of about 3,000. According to Yuri's work plan, this Engineering Construction Corps was supposed to be transferred to Leningrad, or more precisely, to Schlusselburg there, to be responsible for the post-war urban reconstruction there. However, now that Comrade Stalin has inquired about the construction plan of the Palace of Soviets, Yuri can only change the original work plan.
This engineering construction corps is an engineering construction corps specially established by the Executive Bureau of the Disarmament Working Committee. More than one-third of its members have work experience as carpenters, bricklayers and construction workers. At the same time, there are two "youth assault teams" with more than 50 people, which can undertake more professional engineering construction tasks to a certain extent.
Of course, it is still very unrealistic to rely on such a team to carry out a super-large construction project like the Palace of Soviets. After all, it requires a large amount of construction machinery. At the same time, the more than 70-meter-high statue of Lenin on the top of the building requires professional talents to construct.
Comrade Stalin seemed very satisfied after listening to Yuri's brief account of the 24th Engineering Construction Corps. He seemed to believe that Yuri had really included the construction plan of the Palace of Soviets in his work plan for the new year, and a slight smile appeared on his originally serious face.
"Well, my Yuri Arkhipovich," Comrade Stalin turned around, picked up the cigarette on the table, handed it to Yuri, and asked with a smile, "Have you carefully considered how to solve those technical problems in such a huge project? I remember that when we planned this project, it seemed that many technical difficulties had not been solved. Hmm? Are you sure you can overcome them?"
Yuri could feel sweat oozing out of his back. As expected, one lie always requires more lies to cover it up.
Fortunately, he had read the archives and had some understanding of the technical problems that arose during the design of the Palace of Soviets. There were many difficult technical problems, such as the problem of building materials, the problem of construction technology, and how to build the tall Lenin statue.
Why did the Soviet Union plan such a project? The answer is simple. Considering the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty built in the United States, Comrade Stalin believed that the Soviet Union should surpass the Americans in this regard, so he combined these two iconic American buildings into one and built the Palace of the Soviets.
