Chapter 8: Intrigue and Infighting in the Rectification Movement
"Comrade Chu Si-nan, are you satisfied with this place?" Led Chu Si-nan to an empty room, Kryuchkov smiled and asked, "This is what we usually use to entertain colleagues from lower departments."
Chu Si Nan looked around and found it was a house with two suites, not luxuriously decorated but very clean. At least compared to the prison, this place was much better, he was very satisfied.
"It's all right, thank you, Comrade Kryuchkov." Chusinan said with a slight nod.
"Don't be polite, Comrade Chu Si-nan," Kryuchkov said with a smile. "If you need anything else, just tell me and I'll arrange it for you."
"For the time being, I don't need anything else," Chu Si Nan walked to the ancient-colored wooden sofa and sat down on the soft cushion, saying at the same time, "I'm very satisfied with this place. If there's anything else needed, I'll contact you again."
Kryuchkov nodded, but his feet didn't move from the spot. His face wore a hesitant expression, as if he was wavering about whether to say something else.
"What's that, Comrade Kryuchkov? Is there something else?" Chuslan asked with a curious expression, but in fact he already knew what this ambitious young man wanted to say. After all, it was an excellent opportunity for him now. If he could bring down Glinka at this time, he would have a great chance to climb to the position of head of department. From then on, except for Belyaev, he would be the master here.
"Comrade Chusov, I have a, uh, how to put it, I hope you can help me this time," Kryuchkov said hesitantly. "If nothing unexpected happens, I believe Grinev will not escape disaster this time. Comrade Belyaev's character is clearer than ever - he is absolutely not the kind of person who tolerates anyone with even a hint of ambition around him. As soon as someone reveals even a little bit of ambition, they will be ruthlessly purged by him. Such things have happened countless times before us."
"Alright, my dear Comrade Kryuchkov," Chusov said with a smile, interrupting him before he could explain himself. "I understand what you mean, and I think it's not necessary for you to pursue this matter further. Likewise, I'm not sure if I can be of much help to you either. As you said, Comrade Belyaev is a very cautious person who is wary of those with ambitions around him. I believe that if we show even the slightest sign of getting close, he probably won't tolerate you either. The case of Comrade Grinev is a good example, don't you think?"
Kryuchkov was taken aback, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Indeed, he had been foolish, and here was the living example of Grinev right before his eyes, yet he still wanted to repeat the same mistake - wasn't this just asking for trouble?
"Comrade Kryuchkov, would you like to hear a sincere word?" Chusunan raised his leg and said with a slanted glance at Kryuchkov.
Kryuchkov nodded, indicating he wanted to hear more.
"Although I don't know why you're so eager to climb the ranks, and I don't want to know either, but as a friend, I have to advise you that under someone like Bellier, no matter how well you perform, you'll at most be a cheap servant for life. He will never allow anyone to pose a threat to him, unless you surpass him, otherwise he'll get rid of you the moment you show any sharpness. Do you think it's because of my words that he suspects Glinkov? No, you underestimate him, he wouldn't suspect Glinkov just because of something I said. If he doesn't take action this time, but if he really wants to deal with that poor guy, it only means one thing - this old fox has been suspicious of him for a long time, and my words just played the role of a catalyst. Under someone like Bellier, you either have to be honest and obedient, or... Hehe, you understand what I mean."
Kryuchkov did not speak, but on his slightly lowered face, two eyeballs with flashing eyes were clearly rolling.
"Alright, I won't say anything more. My last advice to you is that in this world, there's no such thing as a free lunch. If you want to gain 100%, you have to put in 100% of hard work. And if you want to gain 1000%, what you need to pay is absolutely not just hard work." Chu Si Nan stopped talking and closed his eyes, leaning back into the soft sofa.
Kryuchkov knew that the mysterious Chinese man in front of him didn't want to talk anymore, and he also knew that he was giving himself time to think. Indeed, this matter was not a small thing for him, and it really needed careful consideration.
"And one more thing, Comrade Kryuchkov," the lazy voice of Chuslan sounded again in the room as Kryuchkov was about to turn and close the door. "If Comrade Belya asks you for your opinion about me, it would be best if you told him that I'm a very ambitious person, difficult to tame, and for safety's sake, it would be better to get rid of me now, otherwise there will be endless trouble later on."
Kryuchkov's body shook, he took a last look at Chusnan sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, then quietly shut the door and turned to leave.
"Comrade Kryuchkov," in the same conference room, Kryuchkov stood before Belya, the table that had been overturned not long ago was now tidy, and Belya sat behind it, leisurely savoring the fine wine in his cup, "Has Comrade Chusun been arranged?"
"Yes, Comrade Belyaev, he says he is satisfied." Kryuchkov said with a slight bow of his head.
"Hmm, okay, what do you think of him?" Belia asked next.
"Do you want to hear the truth, Comrade Belyaeva?" Kryuchkov asked.
"Of course, whatever you think in your heart, just say it to me." Belial said without hesitation.
"I think this man is a real danger, his ambition is too great, and he's probably not easy to control. In my opinion, it would be best to get rid of him now, once and for all..." Kryuchkov said.
"What did you say?!" Before Kryuchkov could finish speaking, Belya slammed the wine glass in his hand on the table and shouted angrily, "When did I ever let you talk like that?! Comrade Chusun is now our comrade, not an enemy. How can we treat a comrade like this? Can't control yourself? We're all comrades who have come together for the revolution. What's there to control or not control? Get rid of him, I really don't know what's going on in that head of yours!"
Kryuchkov's head hung even lower, he didn't even dare to breathe loudly, but in fact, he felt very comfortable in his heart. From his understanding of Belyaev, he knew the temperament of this high-ranking leader. He was absolutely a sinister figure who could kill people with a smile on his face when he was happy, but if he got angry in front of you, at least it meant that your life was not safe, just like now.
"Comrade Kryuchkov," Belia's tone slowed down, and he spoke in a rare gentle voice, "I know you may have some opinions about Comrade Chusnan, feeling that he is too arrogant, but this is not a fault, young people are always impetuous, if you interact with him more in the future, maybe you can change your views on him."
"Yes, I understand." Kryuchkov nodded in response.
"Ah, and one more thing, I need you to do something secretly." Belyaev stood up from his chair, walked over to Kryuchkov, patted him on the shoulder and said, "I recently received some information that Comrade Grinev's personal actions have been somewhat unusual lately. Go and investigate for me, see if he has any connections with those German spies."
"Do you understand what I mean?" Bellier said heavily.
"Understood, I'll arrange it right away." Kryuchkov was overjoyed in his heart, but his tone remained cold.
"Pay attention to the evidence, do you know what evidence is? I don't care what method you use, but you must get the evidence of his communication with those German spies. Hehe, we can't let an enemy go, but we also can't wrong a comrade." Belya smiled contentedly.
"Yes, I will definitely get the evidence." Kryuchkov was contemptuous in his heart. What a sly and cunning thing! He had already said that he would definitely get the evidence, but then he said that he couldn't wrong a comrade. Such contradictory words, it's amazing he could say them out loud.
