Chapter 7: Someone Is Fighting for You!

Nekrasov received Mikhail’s manuscript early the next morning.

Though he had been busy with affairs nearly all night, upon learning the author’s name from his maid, Nekrasov summoned all his energy, solemnly accepted the manuscript, and began reading it with ravenous hunger.

Only God knew how deeply sorrowful, how wildly excited, and how genuinely joyful he felt for the future of Russian literature upon reading “Wan Ka.”

Otherwise, he would never have gone to Mikhail’s home at four in the morning.

Later, upon reflecting on his own actions, Nekrasov felt a measure of regret.

After all, this young man had merely completed a few thousand words of fiction; even if the story was excellent and astonishing, to show up unannounced, seize his hand, and cry out: “A new Gogol has been born!”

It bestowed honor and recognition upon the youth, yet perhaps also imposed unseen pressure.

What troubled Nekrasov most was whether this young man would be overwhelmed by sudden acclaim, causing his future writings to distort into mere tools for seeking approval and fame.

Thus, while eagerly anticipating this new story, Nekrasov was also deeply anxious.

But this anxiety did not last long; soon, Nekrasov sat at his desk, lost in the story.

When he finally came to his senses, he first felt a sharp pang of sorrow, then inevitably became stirred with excitement.

He could no longer sit still—he leapt from his chair and began pacing the room.

“God, my God! No, no, no—what God? He might surpass Gogol! No, no, no, it’s too early to say that now—but who can tell the future?”

“What should I do now? Belinsky! Yes, I must find Belinsky!”

After muttering excitedly for a moment, Nekrasov barely regained his composure, hastily gathered both copies of Mikhail’s manuscript, and rushed out the door. Many people greeted him along the way, but he was clearly distracted, offering only hurried replies.

Once on the street, Nekrasov quickly hailed a carriage driver; after stating the destination and the driver beginning to move, Nekrasov finally calmed his racing heart.

Watching the thin-clad driver ahead, Nekrasov thought of the story he had just read, and his heart softened infinitely—he could no longer hold back and spoke:

“Good morning, sir! How are you feeling today?”

“Not well, sir,” the driver replied, surprised by the passenger’s sudden address but speaking loudly:

“Saint Petersburg’s winter has grown colder. Even after finishing my carriage work, I return home to a mountain of chores waiting.”

Before the abolition of serfdom, many carriage drivers in Russian cities were serfs from noble households—after all, flexible labor meant renting out idle houses, using private carriages for ride-hailing—what of idle serfs?

Of course, they must be put to work as carriage drivers, apprentices, or any number of roles!

Compared to other regions, Petersburg was slightly better off.

After all, Tsar Nicholas I could, in some sense, be nicknamed “The Great Scatterer.”

After the Decembrist Uprising, Tsar Nicholas I naturally took notice of the serf and serfdom issues.

Notice, yes—but action, that was another matter.

Ultimately, since Catherine the Great’s reign, Russia had become a state jointly ruled by nobles and the Tsar; while the Tsar held decisive power in many matters, if he dared touch the nobles’ lifelines, he risked being assassinated and joining his ancestors.

In a similar sense, the Tsar and the peasants were the closest allies: for the Tsar, the nobles were rivals for power, while the serfs were subjects to be won over and cared for.

Thus, the Tsar had repeatedly issued decrees: reduce serfs’ labor hours, forbid violent treatment, pay serfs for several days of labor each week, and so on.

Many serfs, in turn, viewed the Tsar with the affection reserved for a father—partly due to patriotic and monarchist education, partly because the actual oppressors were the nobles, not the godlike Tsar.

But this, in plain terms…

Never mind, let’s not speak of it.

In any case, during Nicholas I’s reign, though hesitant on serfdom issues, his actions laid theoretical groundwork for the 1861 emancipation.

Such as: emancipation must have a transitional period, reject redemption as a means to grant personal freedom to peasants, emancipate peasants without land, and establish land-distribution rules protecting noble estates.

At this stage, Tsar Nicholas I had already begun his “Great Scatterer” mode near Saint Petersburg—though often scattering noble lands, since, nominally, all land in Russia belonged to the Tsar.

Thus, by this time, many free peasants already lived near Saint Petersburg.

Back to the matter: after Nekrasov opened the conversation, the somewhat loquacious driver began a long tirade of grievances—mostly mundane daily troubles.

Clearly, he was not a serf brutally abused by his master, yet he was utterly worn down by his daily toil.

Though these were merely endless, seemingly empty complaints, Nekrasov listened intently, occasionally murmuring agreement.

When they reached their destination, both felt reluctant to part—but to deliver the story swiftly to the beloved Vissarion Grigoryevich Belinsky, Nekrasov finally bid farewell to the driver.

As he paid the fare, Nekrasov deliberately gave a few extra kopecks.

Though he himself was not wealthy.

“Have a good day, sir,” Nekrasov waved goodbye, then clenched his fist firmly: “Hold onto hope—the future will grow better, for someone is fighting for you!”

“Whether it be Vissarion Grigoryevich Belinsky, or Mikhail Romanovich Raskolnikov!”

Though the driver was bewildered by Nekrasov’s words, having unburdened himself to someone who actually listened—and receiving extra fare—he was overjoyed.

He happily waved back:

“God bless you, sir! And surely bless those two gentlemen you mentioned. Goodbye!”

After parting, Nekrasov walked toward his destination with unusually cheerful spirits; the closer he came, the more solemn his expression grew—even checking his attire for propriety.

Though the man he was about to meet likely dressed and lived in utter disarray.

Finally, Nekrasov took a deep breath and strode toward an apartment building.

(End of Chapter)