dead souls, imperial envoy

Chapter 40 Dead Souls (40)
"He is the best family man ever in Russia. He bought a declining manor and spent a little more than ten years renovating the manor. When he first bought it, his annual income was only 20 yuan, but now it has reached [-] yuan. "

"Oh, admiration! Such a life should be set as an example! I would very, very much like to be acquainted with him. What's his name?"

"The last name is Kostanjoglo."

"What about his first name and father's name?"

"Konstantin Fyodorovich."

"Konstantin Fyodorovich Kostanjoglo. I would like to make his acquaintance very much. It is very beneficial to know such a person." Then Chichikov asked various things about Kostanjoglo. , The information he got from Platonov was astonishing. "Look, it's his land from here on," Platonov said, pointing to the field next to him. "You can tell it's different from other lands at a glance. Driver, turn left from here. See this land." Is the woods? This is planted, and other people's 15 years can't grow to this extent, but his has grown in only eight years. Look, the woods have come to an end. After that, there are crop fields; , is also planted, and then it is a crop field. Look at the crops, it is several times denser than other people's."

"See. How did he do it?"

"Ask him. You'll see... he knows everything; you won't find such a know-it-all anywhere else. He not only knows which soil is suitable for which crop, but also which crops are neighbors and in which woods. What kind of crops can be grown on the side. Others' land is dry and cracked, but his land is not. He calculates how many trees need how much water. In his hands, everything has two or three functions: his woods provide wood, Fallen leaves also make food to fertilize the ground. He does everything he does."

"What a capable man!" said Chichikov, looking curiously at the fields.Everything is in order.The woods are surrounded by fences; livestock pens can be seen everywhere, and the livestock pens are not built randomly, but are enviably neat; the granary is also huge.Abundance and harvest are present everywhere.It can be seen that the owner here is not an ordinary person.After climbing a small hill, a large village appeared in front of them.The village is on three hills.Everything here looks rich: flat streets, solid farmhouses; all the carriages are new and strong, and the horses encountered are also tall and strong; the cattle and sheep seem to have been carefully selected.Even the farm pigs look like nobles.It can be seen that the farmers who live here dig silver in the fields with shovels, as the song says.There are no English gardens, gazebos and little bridges like in the city, and there is no wide road in front of the owner's yard.The road from the farmhouse to the owner's house is full of various workshops.There is an attic with windows on the roof of the owner's house. It is not for enjoying the scenery, but for checking the working conditions of each place.They reached the gate of the master's house.The master was not at home, but the master's wife, Platonov's sister, greeted them, with thick blond hair, a fair face, a pure Russian expression, as handsome as Platonov, and also like him. Listless.It seems that she doesn't worry about things that worry people, or it may be because her husband is doing things with all his heart, so there is no place for her to participate, maybe because she is the kind of person who has a broad-minded personality, this type of person has feelings, ideas, Also very smart, but not serious about things, so-so, seeing angry disputes and fights, just saying: "Let these bastards toss! They will not end well!"

"Hello, sister!" said Platonov. "Where is Konstantin?"

"I don't know. He should have been back long ago. Something must have happened."

Chichikov paid no attention to his mistress.He wanted to see the abode of this particular man, and to judge the temper of his master by it, as by the shell of an oyster or snail what kind of oyster or snail it contained.But he did not draw any conclusions.The rooms are pretty basic, with no character other than being spacious.There are no murals or oil paintings on the walls for decoration, no bronze utensils on the table, no cabinets for porcelain and tea sets, no vases, no flowers, and no statues—in a word, it seems too cold.There was only a modest set of furniture in the room, and in one corner stood a piano, covered with dust: it seemed to be seldom played.The door from the drawing-room to the study was open; but there too was austere and poor.It can be seen that the master came back only for rest, not for life; he didn't need to think about his plans and ideas on the armchairs and various comfortable office equipment in the study room, his plans were not sitting in front of the warm fireplace and dreaming, Instead, do it on the spot.His ideas are generated on the spot, and once an idea is generated, it will be implemented immediately, there is no need to use pen and ink. "Ah! That's him! Come! Come!" said Platonov.Chichikov also pushed to the window.I saw a man in his forties coming towards the gate. He had a neat demeanor, a dark complexion, and a plush cap. Two low-class people walked on either side of him. They took off their hats and followed him as they walked. It seems to be talking about something.A peasant-looking man in a green pintucked tunic.The other one looked like a clever rich peasant from other places, "Sir, you'd better let me stay!" the farmer said meanly.

"No, buddy, I told you a long time ago: don't give it away. I have no place to put the materials now."

"Konstantin Fyodorovitch, everything will be of use to you. A man of your stature will never get anywhere. You can use anything, my lord. Just keep it."

"I, boy, have a shortage of workers. Send me some workers, but no materials."

"You will not be short of workers. Our whole village will come out: there is no food at home, we have never had such a severe famine. The problem is that you cannot buy us, or we will serve you wholeheartedly Yes, really, with all my heart. Konstantin Fyodorovitch, I can learn all kinds of things from you. Just stay, for the last time."

"Last time you said it was the last time, and now it's here again."

"This is really the last time, Konstantin Fyodorovitch. If you don't stay, no one will take it. Take it, sir."

"Forget it, I accept it this time because I pity you and don't let you make a waste of time. If you send it next time, even if you beg for another three weeks, I will not accept it."

"Yes, Konstantin Fyodorovitch; don't worry, there will be no next time. Thank you." The farmer went away contentedly.He's lying, he'll bring it next time: luck - it's very popular. "Then, Konstantin Fyodorovitch, let's talk about it... less money," said the foreign kulak in a blue coat walking on the other side.

"I told you at the beginning. I'm not used to haggling. I'll tell you again: I'm not like a landowner waiting to redeem. I know you guys. You have lists and know who's due when. It's nothing strange? They wait for the money to be used, and then sell it to you at half price. But it's useless for me to ask for your money, and it's okay to keep mine for three years! I don't need to redeem it..."

"Yes, Konstantin Fyodorovitch. I am .

The rich peasant took out a wad of stained banknotes from his pocket.Costanjoglo took it indifferently, put it in the back pocket of his trousers without even looking at it. "Oh!" thought Chichikov, "it's like carrying a handkerchief!"

After a while, Costanjoglo came to the door of the living room. "Here you are, brother!" he said, seeing Platonov.They hugged and kissed each other.Platonov introduced Chichikov.Chichikov approached him respectfully, kissed him on the cheek, and accepted his kiss.Costanjoglo was very unusual in appearance.It was obvious that he was a Southerner.The hair and eyebrows are thick and black, and the eyes seem to be talking, shining with dazzling brilliance.All kinds of expressions have a different kind of look on his face, without any tiredness.It was evident that he was a violent and irritable man.What nationality is he?Russia has many Russians of non-Russian origin but with a Russian character.Costanjoglo had never given much thought to his blood, seeing it as useless in managing the family business.Besides, he doesn't know any other languages ​​besides Russian. "Konstantin, do you know what I have in mind?" Platonov asked. "what idea?"

"I want to go outside and have a look. It may help my depression."

"Go out and have a look? It's good for your illness."

"With Pavel Ivanovich."

"Great! Where are you going?" Costanjoglo asked with concern, "Are you planning to leave immediately?"

"Actually," said Chichikov, bowing his head sideways, and stroking the back of the armchair with his hand, "my present journey is said to be for myself, but also on behalf of others. General Bedrischev, my close friend. , is also a benefactor, and asked me to visit his relatives. Of course, relatives belong to relatives. On the other hand, it is also for myself, because, not to mention that walking is good for hemorrhoids, it can broaden horizons and gain insights... Regardless of others No matter how you look at it, it is also a book, a kind of study.”

"Of course, it's good to go outside and have a look."

"You're right," Chichikov agreed. "It's really nice. See things you can't see here, meet people you can't meet here. Talk to people and get money. Same. Honorable Konstantin Fyodorovich, I have come here to ask you, please give me your advice, to answer my desire for knowledge."

Kostanjoglo felt embarrassed: "There is nothing to teach,...what to teach? I haven't been able to read for a few days myself."

"The trick, my lord, the trick! Your knack for managing your family, your knack for acquiring wealth, after all you create real estate, do your duty as a citizen, and command the respect of your fellow citizens."

"Then, stay with me for half a day. I'll show you the management process and tell you what I know. You'll know there's nothing tricky about it."

"Brother, let's stay today." The hostess turned to Platonov and said.

"I'm all right," Platonov said indifferently. "How about Pavel Ivanovich?"

"Me, I'm glad... But there's a problem: I'm going to visit relatives of General Bedrischev. Colonel Koshkarev..."

"He... can you believe it? He's a bastard and a lunatic."

"Well, I've heard of it. I can see him for nothing. But General Bedrischev, my friend, even a benefactor... It seems impossible not to go."

"Well then," said Kostanjoglo, "you go now. My car hasn't been unloaded yet. His house is only ten versts away, and he'll be here in a while. I'll be back before dinner."

Chichikov gladly accepted this opinion.The carriage came and he set off to find the colonel.He was amazed by what he saw at the colonel's place.Everything here is different from other places.It was a mess: there were construction sites everywhere, new houses being built or old ones being remodeled, and piles of lime, bricks, and logs lined every street.Some houses similar to government offices have been built.Signs on the house include "Farm Tools Storehouse", "General Audit Office", "Village Affairs Committee", "Villager Regular Education School", and so on.In a word, although a sparrow is small, it has all internal organs!Chichikov thought: Could it be that he has arrived in the provincial capital?
The Colonel was like a man of his own accord.The expression on his face was a little rigid.The sideburns were pulled straight; the hair, nose, lips, and chin were flattened as if they had been pressed on a rolling mill.He also speaks like an honest person.As soon as he opened his mouth, he complained that the neighboring landlords were uneducated, and that he had a long way to go.He received Chichikov very cordially and won the trust of Chichikov. He proudly talked about how much effort he had put into bringing the manor into its current state; How difficult it is for the fine arts to instill good taste; tell how much effort it takes to change the habits of the farmer in order to make the farmer wear German trousers, and make them feel the dignity of man; Corsets, when he was stationed with the regiment in Germany in [-], a miller's daughter in Germany could play the piano, speak French, and curtsy.He spoke pityingly of the folly of the neighboring landowners; Purpose, clerks, directors, and accountants cannot lower their requirements, they must graduate from college, and those landlords laughed at him after hearing his words; he said that although he believed it himself, he could not convince these landlords that if every farmer They have all raised their cultural level to the point where they can hold a plow with one hand and read works about lightning rods with the other. How much benefit will this have on their family business.Hearing this, Chichikov thought to himself: "Oh, where does time come from? I can read, but I haven't finished reading "The Countess of Lavaliere."

"Terrible ignorance!" Colonel Koshkarev concluded. "The ignorance of the Middle Ages. There is no cure. . . . Really, there is no cure! But I can cure everything; I know one way, the best way. "

"What method?"

"Let all the Russians wear German clothes. If that's the case, I guarantee that everything will work out: science will advance, business will prosper, and Russia's golden age will come."

Chichikov watched him for a long time, thinking: "It seems that there is no need to look forward and backward with this man." So he said directly what kind of serfs he needed and what kind of contract he needed to sign.

"I can see from your words," said the colonel without hesitation, "that you are making a request, are you not?"

"correct."

"Then please put this request in writing. Then please send the request to the Complaint Acceptance Committee. The Complaint Acceptance Committee will register and report to me. I will forward it to the village council; the village council will respond to the request." The matter should be studied in detail. The general manager and the office will make a decision in the shortest possible time, so that the matter will be completed."

Chichikov was dumbfounded. "All right!" said Chichikov, "how long will this last!"

"Ah!" said the colonel with a chuckle. "That's what paperwork is for! It may take a little while, but nothing will go wrong: it's clear what happened."

"But, please forgive me... How can this be written? This thing... I mean the serf is in a sense... dead."

"That's easy. You just write that the serf is somehow... dead."

"But how can you write it when they are dead? You can't write it. Although they are dead, it's better to make them look alive."

"Okay. Then you write: 'It is necessary or required to appear alive.'"

What else is there to do with the Colonel?Chichikov decided to meet these committees.And what he saw was astonishing and confusing.The Submission Reception Committee has only the sign.The director of the committee, the former servant was sent to the newly established rural construction committee.His post was taken over by the clerk Tymoshka, who in turn was assigned to deal with the alcoholism of the housekeeper and the influence-seeking village headman.Not a single clerk in sight anywhere. "How can this be done? How can something be done?" said Chichikov to the commissar whom the colonel had ordered to guide him.

"You can't get anything done," said the guide, "we're a mess here. You see, the Construction Committee has its own way here: it can take people out of their jobs and send them wherever they want. There's only construction here. The members of the committee have an advantage." It can be seen that he has an opinion on the construction committee, "The people here are trying to coax the master. The master thought that the agencies were working hard, but in fact, it was all in vain."

"However, he should know about this." Chichikov thought, and coming to the colonel, he said that his place was in disarray, that nothing could be done, and that the construction committee was full of thieves and had no scruples.When the colonel heard this, he was furious, and immediately took paper and pen, and wrote a few very stern questions: Why should the construction committee transfer officials who are not under its control without authorization?Why did the general manager allow the director of the report acceptance committee to conduct investigations before handing over the work?There is only one name left in the report acceptance committee. Why does the village affairs committee turn a blind eye?
"Hmph, what a fright!" Chichikov thought, and began to say goodbye.

"No, I'm not letting you go. It won't take two hours, I'll make sure you're satisfied. I'll hand over your request to a rare guy who just graduated from college. You can take a break in the library. There's everything you need Everything is there: books, paper, quills, pencils, everything. Use as you please, you are the master there."

(End of this chapter)