I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 191 The General's Decision and a New Beginning

In 19th-century Russia, the civil service system under the Tsarist rule was extremely rigid, and one's rank often directly determined one's social status. Generally speaking, the most important factor in determining how high a person's position could be was whether they were honest and capable.

But simply being authentic isn't enough; you have to be the most authentic of all. After all, in Russia, once you cross the threshold of the eighth rank of officialdom, you're practically from a prestigious family, and you might even be related by blood. A careful discussion might lead you to a surprising revelation: "Hey! Your grandfather's nephew's cousin's daughter happens to be the wife of my uncle's niece's son!"
In short, in an authoritarian country like Russia, the higher you go, the more important it is to be "authentic" or "genuine." After all, being "authentic" or "genuine" means having enough resources. And for most people, even if they are not very intelligent or have average abilities, they can still sit in a very good position just by having such resources.

Even so, once you enter officialdom, you still have to bow your head when you need to, and flatter when you need to. After all, a higher rank can crush you. Even if a nobleman's son like Gaidanov can easily reach the ninth or eighth rank, if he wants to climb higher, he has to work hard to scheme, fight for resources, and please this person and that person.
In a sense, these unspoken rules in Russian officialdom are: if you want to advance without currying favor with me or bringing me any benefits, then what's the point of being my superior?
Because official rank determines power, wealth, and a whole host of other things, those who want these things naturally choose to endure it all without hesitation. Even if many things are not honorable from a worldly perspective, as long as they succeed in the end, all the past becomes the path they came from, and plenty of people are willing to fawn over them like dogs.

Gaidanov was well aware of these rules, but he usually only saw a bright future. However, after Mikhail told this compelling little story, he felt as if he had been pricked by something, his whole body itching. The thought of having to put on a fawning smile in front of many people one day made the young nobleman speechless.

After all, how else could he refute Mikhail? Could he claim that he would have a smooth and successful career in officialdom without ever making a fool of himself?

impossible.

There were clearly quite a few noble youths present who shared similar thoughts with him. So, on the night Mikhail read the novel aloud, most of the people in the room fell silent. However, some of them couldn't help but start talking to Mikhail after they came to their senses.

Some people seemed to have subtly discussed this bureaucratic system with Mikhail, while others had more specific concerns. For example, Nadya's younger brother, a boy who, after watching Mikhail fire a few shots, was completely convinced of his marksmanship, asked Mikhail the following question:
"Your story, though brief, is truly wonderful, and it seems you didn't have a script but dictated it directly to everyone. Could it be that you were trying to refute Gaidanov's improvisation on the spot?"

Upon hearing the boy's question, the others on the field suddenly realized what was going on, and they couldn't help but look at Mikhail with strange eyes. Thinking about it carefully, it was true. This person could tell such a story containing many details directly to the audience without even needing a script.
If he can create a novel on the spot, then what level of literary skill does he possess?
For a moment, people, whether they were familiar with literary creation or not, felt a sense of absurdity.
Of course, at the same time, some people couldn't help but look at Gaidanov, after all, he was also one of the 'protagonists' of this story.

When faced with Nadya's brother's question, Mikhail naturally waved his hand and said, "No, I just memorized it beforehand."

"How can you remember it so clearly?"

Nadya's younger brother seemed stunned for a moment, then said excitedly, "I wish I had such a memory!"

Because of Mikhail's outstanding performance, some young nobles who were originally prepared to show off suddenly backed down. In addition, Mikhail's novel was very impactful to many people. Therefore, after a certain time, the participants of this small literary salon began to leave in twos and threes at Mikhail's suggestion.

Some left with their own thoughts on their minds, some were still savoring the brief story, and others were constantly reminiscing with their friends:

"I thought those rumors were exaggerated before, but now it seems like there's not much exaggeration involved? It's unbelievable, it even makes me think that what he said might actually succeed."

While many people were still focused on Mikhail, he was still talking to Nadya's brother. However, under Mikhail's subtle guidance, the two unknowingly walked towards the garden behind the main building.

By this time, the sky had already darkened, but the moonlight, like a silver mist, still slightly illuminated the linden-shaded path in the garden, giving the bluestone path a silvery-white hue. As for the various flowers in the garden, they seemed rather delicate under such a night sky.

While Nadya's brother was asking Mikhail about some literary matters, he suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind. When he turned around, he saw his sister walking towards him, and behind her was one of their older female governesses.

It's worth mentioning, however, that the tutor seemed a little hesitant, glancing back and forth among the group. His sister, on the other hand, appeared to have changed her clothes. Her clover-colored tulle dress swayed gently in the evening breeze, and the tail of her gold belt swept across the dew-kissed rose bushes. As for her ivory-white face, it seemed even more radiant than the moonlight at first glance.

After she approached, his sister, who had called him several times earlier, smiled and said, "I've been looking for you for so long. I really don't know what I would have done if I couldn't find you."

Nadya's brother: "?"

Am I that important?

And why do I feel like you weren't even looking at me when you were talking to me?
Before Nadya's brother could react, the group naturally walked together. After Mikhail asked his sister a question about him, the two soon began chatting happily like old acquaintances, and then walked deeper into the moonlight and garden.

Nadya's brother, watching the two chatting and laughing, was left speechless.

Why don't you just ask me about my own affairs? I won't hide anything from you.

And why do I seem to have become an outsider as I talk about this?
Just as the boy was filled with questions, on the other side, when Nadya's mother, Madame Danilevskaya, finally finished entertaining her guests and rushed back, she learned some news from the servants. Her expression immediately changed, and just as she was about to hurry off somewhere, the general, who happened to be sitting in the living room, called her back:

"Alright, since you have a tutor with you, you don't need to go anymore."

Upon hearing this, Madame Danilevskaya couldn't help but look at her husband. However, before she could say anything, she was quite surprised to find a rather complex expression on her husband's face. There was some appreciation, some contemplation, but more than anything, he seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.

Madame Danilevskaya was very familiar with her husband's expression. Since her husband had risen to such a position, besides his family's influence and some correct judgment, he wasn't entirely a fool; in reality, he simply didn't want to think things through. After noticing her expression, the general briefly recounted Mikhail's bold words. After finishing, the general couldn't help but say, "What a daring idea! It's even bolder than mine when I was young, exactly the same as mine!"

"It's a pity. With a suitable identity, he could probably climb to a higher level. However, in some other parts of Europe these days, it seems that as long as you're rich enough, you can achieve a higher status. But our family's roots are ultimately in Russia, and we absolutely cannot allow certain things to happen. But if it were really as he said, we might gain even greater fame? But that doesn't seem to help much in real life."

After a struggle between his left and right brains, the general, who seemed to have reached no conclusion yet, looked at his wife and said, "Danilevskaya, you know I don't like to meddle in these things. You've always been the one handling these matters. I thought there was nothing to say about this, just like our Russian tradition: prepare a good dowry and choose a suitable person."

Associating with poets and writers is nothing unusual; in Russia today, is such a thing really that uncommon? In Europe, it seems much more excessive. That's just how times are; it's not a big deal. But only God knows what kind of young man I've encountered. I must admit, I enjoy listening to him talk, but some things are another matter.”

So what is your final thought?

"I'm really at my wit's end," Madame Danilevskaya couldn't help but ask.

"Let's wait a little longer."

After pondering for a while, the general finally came to this conclusion: "Isn't he about to go to Paris, or even London? I'll ask someone to help me find out some information, but as for more details, I'll have to think about it some more."

Mrs. Danilevskaya: "."

Once something actually happens, you won't need to think about it anymore.
Although she was not entirely satisfied with the general's decision, Mrs. Danilevskaya could only sigh inwardly when she thought about her daughter's recent condition and the young man's behavior.

And so, Mikhail and Nadya walked in the garden for a long time, until Nadya's younger brother started to yawn out of boredom. Only then did they exchange letters discreetly and slowly say goodbye.

On the same night, Mikhail witnessed many of Nadya's innermost thoughts and reflections on certain issues. Meanwhile, Nadya, observing Mikhail's journey of learning to hunt and making friends in the countryside, also saw glimpses of the lives of ordinary Russians, prompting her to reflect deeply on a range of emotions.
After such a night passed, the next morning, the general, who was eating and drinking as usual and not thinking about anything, organized a few young men to go hunting with him.

The hunting of nobles included both large-scale hunts with a large number of people to hunt for big prizes, and smaller, less-traveled hunts. In other words, smaller-traveled hunts usually did not expect to catch much prey, since the success rate of hunting is not very high, especially when a few people are gathered together.

Even so, the general, who still remembered some things, approached Mikhail, who was constantly yawning, and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Mikhail, you'd better catch a few game for me today! Well, considering you've only been learning for a short time, just one will do, one should be fine, right?"

"it should be OK."

Mikhail, who had gone to bed a little late last night, finally nodded.

Just as the general was showing Mikhail around his hunting grounds, a gunshot suddenly rang out from behind him.

The general, startled and almost shrinking back in disregard for his dignity, was speechless.

Anyone who didn't know better would think you were harboring resentment and wanted to shoot me!
How can you catch your prey so quickly?!

When the general, whose body was slightly stiff and who was turning around with a hint of anger, he saw Mikhail, who had already walked some distance away, seemingly picking up something. Not long after, Mikhail returned excitedly carrying a rabbit.

The general, witnessing this scene, was left speechless.

It's not a child, is that right?

After the hunting session, which resembled a morning exercise, ended, the other noble youths emerged from the forest one by one. Although most of them returned empty-handed, it was not shameful at all. What else could they do in such a short time?
It's good enough if we can even see prey! The animals in the forest aren't a bunch of fools.

But soon, these young nobles, who were chatting and laughing, saw the general with a strange expression and Mikhail, who was carrying something, emerge from the forest.

The aristocratic youths: "?"

No, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to get special treatment?

Mikhail, seeing the various expressions on the faces of the crowd who were all staring intently at him, quickly pointed to the general beside him and said, "We have to thank the general for his guidance and good luck."

When Mikhail's words reached the general's ears, the general, who had just been wondering if he was getting old, couldn't help but straighten his back.
(End of this chapter)