The Meeting of Chokan Valikhanov with Semenov-Tian-Shansky. Part 3

JUST SEMENOV

In the autumn of 1857, after a journey through Central Asia, Pyotr Petrovich Semenov — simply Semenov — returned to Omsk. But later, after the fame of this journey spreads around the world — Pyotr Petrovich was the first scientist to visit Central Tien Shan — his full name will be written as P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky.

During 1856-1857, Semenov visited many places in Kazakhstan, traveled around the high-altitude lake Issyk-Kul, located among the Tien Shan ridges, visited the upper reaches of the Naryn, and saw the majestic, glacier-covered massif of Khan Tengri; he collected the richest collections and became acquainted with the lifestyle of the local population... And yet Semenov understood that what he had done was only the first step towards understanding Central Asia, not to mention the Central regions, which he had not managed to penetrate.

Subsequently, fate would have it that he would not undertake any more significant journeys. However, his thoughts would remain constantly fixed on Central and Central Asia; every initiative, every bold plan aimed at studying them would find in him warm and, what is particularly significant, practical support. Przhevalsky, Potanin, Roborovsky, Grumm-Grzhimailo, and many others would owe their successes to Pyotr Petrovich Semenov-Tyan-Shansky to varying degrees and would forever cherish grateful memories of him...

In the year of his return from the expedition, at the age of thirty, Semenov was already a prominent scientist. Universally educated and brave, he had an astonishing ability to attract people to himself, to infect them with his enthusiasm, and to inspire them to feats... High-browed, with a large fleshy nose and stiff straight lips, at first meeting he gave the impression of a reserved, stern, somewhat even haughty man; however, this impression disappeared as soon as Semenov turned to the person presented and that person met his intelligent, attentive gaze, catching a slight benevolent smile that immediately changed his facial expression...

Semenov was not only able to tell stories but also to listen, not only to teach but also to learn, and perhaps that is why his interlocutors so willingly opened their hearts to him, and he, understanding the sincerity of their aspirations, was able to help many...

Back in 1856, while preparing for his journey, Semenov met the young Kazakh officer Chokan Chingisovich Valikhanov at the house of the liberal provincial official Gutkovsky. Direct, mocking, and sharp in his judgments, Valikhanov was not forgotten by Semenov by chance: this officer, an amateur naturalist, knew the lifestyle of his people — the Kazakhs — very well and dreamed, like Semenov, of traveling through Central and Central Asia. Semenov then, not without some envy, thought that Valikhanov had an undeniable advantage over him: a Kazakh could penetrate without much difficulty into those areas of Asia where vigilant Chinese officials would hardly allow a Russian. However, back in 1856, Semenov soon forgot about these thoughts — he was entirely absorbed in his own plans. But after completing his research, Semenov remembered the young Kazakh...

After resting from the journey, Semenov went to visit Valikhanov.

Valikhanov lived in the city center, in the part colloquially known as "Mokroe." After passing the hay market — it was not a market day, and only scraps of hay trampled into the mud reminded of the square's purpose — Semenov made his way onto the wooden sidewalk; lifting the hems of his long overcoat — the boards creaked loudly as they splashed in the water standing beneath the planks — he cautiously navigated along the low, earth-embedded, one-story houses, suspiciously glancing at the giant, endless puddle flooding the entire street, where flocks of domestic birds floated. After passing the only tall house with a mezzanine belonging to the merchant Korobeynikova, Semenov approached a squat house — the windows were at ground level. Turning the rusty ring of the latch and pushing the gate, he cautiously peeked into the yard, fearing the fierce Siberian dogs.

— Is anyone here? — he called out.

An elderly Siberian woman, her head wrapped in a scarf down to her brows, led him to Valikhanov's room. Semenov knocked and, hearing the host's voice, pushed the door open.

Valikhanov was sitting in a chair opposite the door in a brand-new, tailored uniform. Dark-haired, swarthy, with high cheekbones and slanting black eyes, he was indistinguishable from other Kazakhs Semenov had met many times, and only the external polish acquired in the corps and army set him apart.

— You? — Valikhanov jumped up quickly, stepped forward, but not knowing how to behave, stopped, instinctively extending his arms down by his sides.

Semenov smiled, took him by the shoulders, and gently shook him...

They talked for a long time, unhurriedly. While telling about himself, Semenov observed Valikhanov. This son of a Kazakh sultan, who became an aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of Western Siberia, Gasfort, quickly adopted the habits of the privileged class: his room was furnished with taste, with a lordly luxury, and expensive trinkets, of which Valikhanov was a great collector, were visible everywhere. Semenov noticed Valikhanov's nails — sharpened, well-groomed. All this slightly troubled Semenov, evoking a feeling of vague anxiety for this talented man. He knew how easily such representatives from another social environment could be seduced by external, ostentatious attributes of civilization...

Cautiously, trying not to offend, Semenov hinted at this to Valikhanov. He understood and smirked.

— I believe in you, Chokan Chingisovich — said Semenov — I believe that you can do a lot for science, for your people. And that is why I am a little afraid for you. To whom much is given, much is expected, and you have been given much... In our last meeting, I advised you to go study in St. Petersburg...

Valikhanov nodded, confirming that he remembered this.

— You really should acquire solid, systematic — here Semenov expressively raised his index finger — knowledge of the history of the East, its ethnography, philology, and supplement your natural history education... And yet I am going to make you an unexpected proposal — I suggest you temporarily postpone your studies at St. Petersburg University and undertake... Are you ready for a risky journey?..

For a long time, almost immediately after Semenov's arrival, Valikhanov subconsciously guessed that it was not by chance that the traveler came to him, that something more than a simple desire to talk with a little-known person brought him to him. Valikhanov did not immediately realize this, but a strange, inexplicable anxiety, stirring his soul, and a dull discontent troubled him, preventing him from concentrating, angering him... And now everything was resolved unexpectedly simply — this was precisely what Semenov had come for, and this was exactly what Valikhanov had been waiting for all along.

— Yes, — Valikhanov said firmly, without hesitation, and made a gesture as if he wanted to shake off all the trappings. — But what do you mean?..

Semenov hesitated...

— I do not know how my journey will be received by my colleagues in St. Petersburg, — Semenov spoke quietly, concentrating on the curtained window, — but it is clear to me: little has been done, very little. I will be able to tell something about the nature of the Heavenly Mountains, I have established that there are no volcanoes in Tien Shan as predicted by Humboldt. But Tien Shan is only the first threshold on the way to Central Asia. And I have not crossed this threshold; I have only climbed onto it. I will not be able to return here in the coming years, — Semenov looked confidentially at Valikhanov and, unable to suppress a sigh, explained: — Life is hard in Russia, and as long as we do not free the peasants from serfdom, it will not get better. But liberation is approaching! — Semenov's face brightened, and he raised his voice. — It is approaching! And I am hurrying to St. Petersburg to participate in the preparation of the reform... Yes, but we have digressed. What if you, Chokan Chingisovich, take the next step after me? You could penetrate into Kashgaria — that very Kashgaria about which so many legends have been told... God knows what is happening there now — vague rumors are circulating about wars, uprisings... And it is also restless in the eastern provinces of China: Gasfort told me about the Taiping rebellion against the Manchu rulers. I have received letters from St. Petersburg that a German traveler, Adolf Schlagintweit, attempted to penetrate into Kashgar. Recently he served with the English, and they have long been interested in Central Asia. According to calculations, Schlagintweit should have already reached our posts, but for some reason he has not. Europe is concerned about his fate... In short, Kashgaria, or Altyshar, is a complete mystery.

Valikhanov, deep in thought, picked up a nail file, twirled it in his hands, and threw it on the table.

— Will you speak to Gasfort yourself? Semenov nodded.

— In a few days, I will meet with him and tell him about our Plan. He will be interested in military information about Altyshar, but you must not forget about science...

Already preparing to leave, Semenov said:

— I still feel deeply guilty before you, Chokan Chingisovich. You are very young, and I am tempting you into an enterprise that is extremely dangerous... You can only penetrate into Kashgar secretly, but if they establish that you are a Russian officer...

In the Footsteps of Schlagintweit. Chokan Valikhanov. Part 2