Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Russia- Winter 1919-1920

After the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917 and the signing of the peace treaty between Russia and Germany, countless rebellions against the communist government broke out across the vast Russian territory. Various military leaders, generally members of the Tsarist nobility, led powerful armed groups with which they held the ruling Bolshevik hierarchy in check.

Indeed, Wrangel in the south, based on the Crimean Peninsula, led a large force called the Caucasus Army, with which he initially obtained resounding successes that allowed him to establish a government in the area, which was by far the most brilliant and popular of all. Local governments organized by the rebels, participants in the so-called White Movement.

In addition, other nobles led military forces and participated in the struggles, including Yudenich in the Baltic and Miller in the North. However, it was Admiral Kolchak who led the main anti-revolutionary movement in eastern Russia. An anti-Bolshevik government was established in Omsk and Kolchak assumed the role of Minister of War. He was later elected Supreme Ruler of Russia, but his military successes were offset by intrigues against him by his alleged allies, internal rebellions, and an inefficient and corrupt civilian administration of the occupied territories that ultimately cost him the loss of support from the civilian population.

He had to lead a massive evacuation of military and civilians persecuted by the communist troops that finally took Omsk. The Tran-Siberian railway played a decisive role in this escape, but the members of the Czech Legion, who controlled this line, ended up deserting. Kolchak was captured and handed over to his internal enemies in Irkutsk who finally turned him over to the Bolsheviks, who shot him in February 1920.

The Trans-Siberian train continued its course towards the Russian East, losing itself in the harsh and dark winter and the night of time.

Vienna –Present Time

While they waited for the rest of the guests to finish the dinner and the drinks that were served later, a large group of participants including Irina and Thiago talked in the seats placed in the second row in front of the slide projector. Two or three people were busy, no doubt preparing the material to be shown. After a few moments the young man saw that one of the characters with whom he had been meeting in the games room was now sitting in front of the desk but facing the audience.

“General Naryshkin. One of those who gave me their support at the meeting.” Thiago said quietly to his wife.

“ Without a doubt it is who is going to make the presentation, given the military nature of the subject.”

“Military? I thought it was a matter of transportation and logistics.”

“As you will find out today the Trans-Siberian railway was and still is much more than a means of transport in Russia. It has been a geopolitical tool since the time of the tsars, a means of conquering the Far East of Russia and connecting with peoples that inhabit the vast space of what was the USSR and is now the Russian Federation. Many of these peoples are not of Slavic origin, they do not speak Russian nor are they Christians, but rather Muslims, animists and so many other things. The Trans-Siberian was the red thread of the Russification process in Siberia.”

“How do you know all these strategic questions?

"My dear, does the name Wrangel mean anything to you?"

“A brand of jeans?”

Irina burst into a loud laugh that drew the attention of some of those present.

“Nerd. That is Wranglers. I am talking about Piotr Wrangel.”

“I have no idea who you're talking about.”

“Fiodorovs are indirect descendants of this character. He was a mining engineer belonging to an aristocratic family of German origin from the Baltic. He was the most intelligent of the leaders of the White Movement until the Bolsheviks cornered in Crimea and from there he had to evacuate his people to Constantinople. The communists could not catch him.”

“And what is the relationship of your ancestor with the Trans-Siberian?”

“None because he was fighting like I told you in the south. The one who fought the Bolsheviks in the east was Admiral Kolchak. But it does explain my interest in the subject and answer your original question.”

At that moment, Duke Golovkin and the rest of the guests entered the projection room and occupied the free seats. The homeowner stood in front of the auditorium and coughed lightly to request silence. When he began to speak, a chill ran down Thiago's spine.

“Distinguished guests. I think everyone is aware of the agenda for this meeting, for which we have prepared an exhibition by leading speakers. But before starting the agenda I have the pleasure of introducing you to a new member of our community.” And inviting Thiago with a gesture to stand up, he added.

“The Engineer Thiago Daniel Ferrari Fiodorov, whom I invite to briefly address us.”

Also surprised, Irina placed a hand over her husband's to give him encouragement. The young man stood up and walked shakily to the desk next to Golovkin; he naturally had no idea what he was going to say that would be of interest to that audience, but for the time being he decided that his French was not fluent enough to express himself so he opted for English.

“Thank you Prince for giving me this opportunity to speak this time. You must know that I come from a very distant country with completely different customs and traditions from those that characterize this community, so I have not ceased to be amazed at the details that you will find usual. I want to quickly learn these traditions and perform at the level of what is expected of me. Thank you.”

As he returned to his chair, he heard with surprise a round of applause that was dedicated to him. Irina whispered to him.

“You were very good.”

“Bah! I am aware of having given a mediocre and predictable speech, but it is true that at this point I still do not have much to say.”

Golovkin continued with his introductions.

“The introductory thread of the theme that brings us together passes through a heroic and determined historical figure, Admiral Kolchak. To tell us about him I invite his descendant Baron Boris Ilyich Demidov.”

The young man that Thiago already knew stood in front of the public with resolution. Meanwhile the projector showed a slide of an old photo of a handsome Navy officer dressed in white with some Russian texts.

“My ancestor Aleksandr Vasiliyevich Kolchak was first of all a warrior and a man of honor, little used to the commitments of politics in the worst version. He was a prestigious admiral, military leader, and polar explorer who served with courage and loyalty in the Russian Imperial Navy in the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Russian Civil War. Once the latter was unleashed, he established an anti-communist government in Siberia with the name of Provisional Government of All Russia, in which he held the position of Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief of all the Russian Sea and Land Forces, based in Omsk, in southwestern Siberia.”

Demidov's speech expanded on the battles fought by his ancestor, while Thiago tried at all costs to avoid a yawn. Finally, the speaker finished his speech.

“... despite the support obtained by the western powers, especially England, he was betrayed by the members of the Czechoslovak Legion, responsible for the custody of the Trans-Siberian railway, and then handed over to the Bolsheviks who shot him in Irkutsk in February 1920. His figure was vindicated in post-communist Russia, particularly as an explorer of the North Pole, and a statue has been built in Irkutsk in his honor.”

Demidov's presentation was also greeted by a round of applause and as he returned to his seat Golovkin announced the next speaker.

“General Dimitri Naryshkin will narrate the final stage of the drama that summons us today, the withdrawal of the remains of the white army and the population to the deep Siberia heartland, carrying the treasure of the imperial family.”

“The treasure of the imperial family!” Thiago mused in his wife's ear. “Finally, the reason why more than one hundred exiled Russian nobles congregate in Vienna and follow closely the development of this conference comes to light. The adage “Follow the money” is right. Were you aware that this topic was going to appear?”

“Of course silly, I am one of the organizers.”

“You are a chest of surprises, something like a magician's drawer. You rub elbows with Dukes and Princes, you sing old Russian melodies with a beautiful soprano voice that I have never heard before and now… you are mixed with the treasure hunt of the tsars. I keep wondering what I will find out later.”

“The final purpose of our wedding trip is to learn to know each other. You must remember that we got married only two weeks ago, those that were fully occupied in organizing our coming to Vienna in order to participate in this event. And yes, I have always sung my repertoire of songs from my country at all family and social gatherings. I also have the right to rub shoulders with these people since I myself was born in this environment. And finally, I am also active in important events of the Russian nobility no matter where they are organized.

Thiago, overwhelmed by all this information, could barely stammer.

“Actually…”

“Shhh! Now General Naryshkin begins to speak.”