Hadji Murat

Upon Loris-Melikov's return, Hadji Murat continues his story, describing Hamzad's violent rise to power by killing the Khans and seizing their lands. In revenge, Hadji Murat and his brother, Osman, plotted to kill Hamzad during a mosque event; they succeeded, but Osman lost his life in the process.

Following Hamzad's death, Shamil rose to power and sought Murat's support against the Russians. Murat, however, declined Shamil's offer of an officer's rank and was imprisoned. Murat escaped, though it left him wounded and with a limp, and he was beckoned by the Avars to assume leadership.

Hadji Murat shares with Loris-Melikov letters from Russian General Klugenau, in which the general offers protection and urges Murat to trust the Russian government. However, Murat remains skeptical of the Russians and loyal to his people. He explains that although there was no friendship between him and Shamil, Shamil relied on him due to fear and necessity. A disagreement between them over who should be the next Imam escalated tensions; Murat suggested that the next Imam would be determined by the strength of one's sword, leading Shamil to threaten Murat's life and capture his family. This threat forced Murat to defect to the Russians and seek an alliance with Vorontsov.

On December 20th, Vorontsov updates Prince Chernyshov, the War Minister, about Hadji Murat's arrival in Tiflis and his preoccupation with his family's safety, which affects his commitment to the Russians. He shares Murat's idea of trading prisoners for his family's freedom, his offer to reinforce Russian control if his family is rescued, and his desire to operate from Chechnya with a Cossack escort. However, Vorontsov is skeptical of Shamil agreeing to the prisoner exchange, suspecting he might instead try to lure Murat back with promises of forgiveness, a risk Murat is unwilling to take.

Vorontsov advocates for a balanced approach, allowing Murat some freedom of operation to avoid deterring other potential defectors but insisting on strict oversight to prevent unauthorized actions, especially in sensitive areas like Vozdvizhensk, where misunderstandings could arise with the unpredictable General Meller-Zakomelsky. He mentions that Captain Loris-Melikov and 20 Cossacks would accompany Murat. Lieutenant-Colonel Prince Tarkhanov also supports this cautious strategy due to the strategic benefits and Murat's presumed sincerity, despite potential religious loyalty conflicts.

On New Year's Day 1852, Prince Chernyshov presents the report from Vorontsov to Emperor Nicholas I about Hadji Murat. Jealous of Vorontsov's rapport with the Emperor, Chernyshov criticizes Vorontsov's decisions regarding Murat; Chernyshov suggests that keeping Murat in the Caucasus creates espionage risks and proposes relocating him to Central Russia. However, the Emperor, unimpressed and in a foul mood, dismisses Chernyshov's advice, resulting in Murat staying in the Caucasus.

Following a masquerade party, Nicholas demands a young officer cede his would-be lover, the 20-year-old daughter of a Swedish governess, to Nicholas, though Nicholas’s ensuing sexual encounter with the woman leaves him feeling remorseful and debauched. The next morning, he hears reports from his ministers. He calls for the punishment of military officials caught embezzling and sentences a Polish student who attacks his professor to near certain death, due in part to his hatred of Polish people. Upon learning of Murat's surrender, Nicholas issues commands to intensify the campaign against the Chechens, seeking to quash their resistance by force.

In January 1852, following Nicholas's command, Russian troops raid Chechnya with infantry, Cossack units, and artillery. As they move through hostile territory, a surprise Chechen shell, launched by Shamil's forces, meets them. Russian forces, including one troop commanded by an officer named Butler, retaliate with artillery, drive the resistance to an abandoned village, and set the town ablaze. Celebrating their victory, the Russians withdraw to their base.

The Chechen village, burned and destroyed by the Russians, is the very place where Murat sought refuge before defecting to the Russian side. Sado and his family fled the village as Russian forces approached. Upon their return, the village is in ruins, Sado's son is found dead, the family’s apiary lies wrecked, and the town water fountain and mosque are contaminated. The town is engulfed in grief and disbelief at the Russian cruelty. Faced with either surrendering or rebuilding with the help of Shamil, the villagers seek Shamil’s support to restore their community.

After a Russian military raid, Russian commander Butler is disrupted by Murat’s unexpected arrival. Major Petrov, the commanding officer at the fort, is instructed to host Hadji Murat, who is under strict orders not to leave the fort without an escort.

During his stay, Murat quickly builds a rapport with Butler, confiding in him and discussing alarming reports about his family received from Murat’s spies. Despite appreciating Butler, Murat has little regard for Petrov. He does, however, take an interest in Petrov’s wife, Marya Dmitrievna, particularly her charm and foreign beauty, feelings that appear to be mutual.

Hadji Murat's family is taken to Vedeno to be kept under surveillance after Murat’s defection to the Russians. His mother, Patimat, two wives, and five children are confined in a home, while his 18-year-old son, Yusuf, is imprisoned. Their fate hangs in balance, awaiting the decision of Shamil, who has been on a campaign against the Russians.

On January 6, Shamil returns to Vedeno to celebratory gunfire and chants, proclaiming triumph over the Russians. Despite the campaign's failure and the devastation of Chechen villages, he maintains a facade of victory as local allegiance wavers. He privately desires the affection of Aminal, his favorite wife, but must perform religious rites instead.

Shamil's council plots to lure Murat back under the guise of pardon, intending to kill him, using Yusuf as bait. Shamil tries to force Yusuf to write a letter to his father, and Yusuf attempts to die by suicide, only to be stopped and returned to prison. Shamil then seeks out Aminal, but she refuses to see him, jealous of the attention he has paid to another of his wives, Zeidat.