Аннотация: The Short Story about the Emperor and about Azef
The Short Story about the Emperor and about Azef
Maxim Gorky looked at his recently published collection of his works."About whom I only didn't write!"
"Everyone says I wrote about vagrants! But vagabonds are anti-social elements. Yes, I wrote about them. But did I not write about those who cared about the security of the state? For example, about gendarmes? In my works there are a lot of mentions of gendarmes. And I would not say that these mentions are negative. In my generalized image of the gendarmes the desire to think about the situation, and the presence of diverse interests are described ..." "What, if to write some story about gendarmes?"
Gorky pulled the sheet of paper to himself and pondered. "We need to make the presentation as generalized as possible. In Russia, everything depended on the Tsar, the Emperor." "So... Emperor..." And who else?" "The Emperor alone cannot act. Leo Tolstoy wrote about it. So, we add Ministers engaged in internal Affairs". "And what happens?"
Gorky began to do a literary sketch.
The Emperor reflects on the security of the state. He remembers events on December 14, 1825. How many officers participated in these events?! A lot of! The military people who have got used to hold weapon, to command and to obey...
Pushkin ... Why did he write "Boris Godunov"? He hinted at the potential temporariness, temporality of the dynasty?...
The Emperor walked to the bookshelf. Took a book at random. It turned out that this book is about the Crimean war (1853-1856). Unpleasant episodes. The admiral Nakhimov has treated the imperial kiss transmitted through the aide with disrespect. He spoke in strange tonality. He have refused a annuity (rent income). And he have even died somehow provocatively, defiantly. Unpleasantly... The Emperor put the book about the Crimean war back on the shelf. Trotsky's book. We open her. Again some strange episode. Trotsky runs from the exile. At one of stations gendarmes stare at him. And as if they don't see Trotsky. Trotsky goes abroad according to counterfeit documents.
The Emperor moved away from the bookshelf and continued reflection. How did the Grand Prince Nicholas Nikolaevich behave during the Revolution of 1905? He took out his revolver and threatened to shoot himself if reforms were not initiated. Those reforms on which Witte insisted!
It was necessary to sign the Manifesto! But after the Manifesto such deputies were elected in the structure of the Duma, that it wasn't pleasant to listen to them.
It was necessary to change the electoral legislation in violation of the law. It is believed that these actions had a negative impact on the people who took the oath. Allegedly, something broke in their sense of duty.
Let's say gendarmes. These are the people who took the oath. They have guns. What drives them? What motivates them? Of course, there are many motives. But among the main - a sense of duty. One way or another, but there is a commitment to the Fatherland. An "oath", "debt", "Fatherland" - you won't do without such concepts in any way. For objective reasons. Otherwise, people with weapons and epaulets will turn into a primitive gang. And from this to no one not will well. Gang members can pull the trigger at the wrong time...
But all this history with reforms, which lasts since 1825, it forces to perceive the concepts "debt" and "Fatherland" with not absolutely standard approach. Even the concept of "oath" in this regard is considered from different sides, is discussed.
How to be? There are people who are motivated not by oath, not by duty, not by the Fatherland, but by more simple and clear things. For example, by money, material goods, a situational power, some increase in social status... Over it it is necessary to think.
The Emperor summoned the most responsible people involved in the security of the state. Only Peter Durnovo didn't came. "He got sick, but will write a Note, that is, a Memorandum",
One responsible people are - the former ministers, others - the future ministers.
There is and incumbent, - present, now carrying out duties. He reports that the work is very effective. A positive reputation is being formed in the eyes of the public. The letter from the anonymous author has come. He wishes to serve the public purposes. Our work is executing very well. On examples of handwriting have found out who is such. Nickname - Azef.
The Emperor clarifies about the attitude of Azef to the established size of the payment of secret employees. It seems that everything is fine in this matter. If necessary it is possible and to increase a payment.
Something's bothering the Emperor. "It would be desirable to listen to Peter Durnovo". But not, Peter Durnovo doesn't want to join invited. He intends to limit himself to the Note.
"Why does Peter Nikolaevich not want to join us?" - the Emperor is a little angry with himself.
For the budget, Azef's cooperation is not a problem. Both Witte, and Kokovtsov have taken care of the budget ...
To accept Azef! To employ him!
The Emperor remembers of the officers involved in the events of 14 December 1825, the Alexander Pushkin's "Boris Godunov", the Admiral Nakhimov, gendarmes from the memoirs of Trotsky... All of a sudden the admiral Makarov, who has died in 1904 in the Russian-Japanese war, has come into the memory ...
Here is Azef: he is simple and clear. Him - paying, he in exchange - an information and an organizational services. Got the money from the budget ... done the job. And nobody has a headache.
The Emperor concluded the meeting, let the responsible persons and went for a walk, a fresh air to breathe".
Gorky stopped and asked himself: "What am I writing about?" "I wanted to write about the gendarmes, but the result was a text on some uncertain topic."
Nearby the published diaries of the Emperor lay. Gorky opened book at random: "A treason and a cowardice and a deception are around!"
"No, I am not yet ripe for this topic, for writing a story about the gendarmes!"- Gorky decided. - "I will write about the White Sea-Baltic Canal! Moreover, going to a good team of authors!".
Gorky took off his glasses, lit a cigarette and put away his pen.
October 8, 2018 12: 29
Translation from Russian into English: October 8, 2018 16:50.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Рассказ об Императоре и об Азефе".