Eagle’s Glory

Chapter 256 143, wish comes true

Early autumn has always been the most popular season. It is neither cold nor hot and the temperature is suitable. Nature can appropriately show people its rich scenery at this time.

Tsarskoye Selo, located on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, is also ushering in its most picturesque days.

Under the mild and pleasant sunshine, those carefully built palaces and sculptures display the majesty and style of the imperial family, while the surrounding lush green trees also leave their elegant reflections in the pond.

However, compared to those days in the past, the atmosphere in Royal Village at this time seemed a lot more tense, and the beautiful scenery was somewhat overshadowed by the lack of spectators.

Although the imperial government has not yet made an official announcement, there have always been no secrets in this palace - all the courtiers and guards officers already knew that the Russian Empire was about to go to war with Turkey, and everything in this palace was already surrounding the upcoming war. The coming war turned.

Those ambitious generals and young officers are busy opening up joints everywhere so that they can squeeze into the troops scheduled to march into the Balkans, make contributions in the future, and make their future prospects more brilliant - some overly enthusiastic young people People are even planning the triumphal ceremony after marching into Constantinople.

Because of this, most people naturally have no intention to appreciate the picturesque scenery of Tsarskoe Selo.

Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. The poet who received the most attention and praise from all walks of life in the empire was coming to the Catherine Palace where His Majesty the Tsar lived to meet His Majesty Tsar Nicholas I.

Under the guidance of his attendants, Pushkin came to the magnificent reception room of His Majesty the Tsar. At this time, His Majesty the Tsar was sitting behind his desk, calmly looking at the young poet who was only three years younger than himself.

"Alexander Sergeyevich, do you have any other poems you can share with us today?" He nodded slightly to show his kindness.

Perhaps because he valued the poet's reputation, the Tsar was quite polite to Pushkin. Not only was he pleasant when meeting him, but he also tolerated the disrespectful remarks that came out of his mouth from time to time against the imperial family and the government.

But in his heart, only God knows how much he respects the poet. His Majesty the Tsar is a gloomy person, and his emotions and anger are inexpressible. Even if he has a good impression of someone in his heart, it will hinder his ability to maintain his status as an emperor. With polite indifference.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry that I haven't written any poetry recently." Pushkin lowered his head in shame, "Because the recent anxiety and enthusiasm have made me restless. I find it difficult to concentrate on sitting. Writing poems at the table, I can't even calm down and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Huangcun."

"Oh? What makes our best poet so restless?" His Majesty smiled slightly. "Is it some lovely lady here?"

“No… Your Majesty.

Pushkin quickly shook his head, "It's a feeling that is more intense than love, and that is love for the motherland." "

When he first met the young tsar, he was a little overwhelmed, but as he spent more and more time in Tsarskoe Selo, the opportunities to meet his majesty also increased day by day. By now, he had already gotten used to it. Standing in front of His Majesty and talking freely, you will no longer feel embarrassed.

However, even so, His Majesty the Tsar is the Tsar after all, the most authoritative person in the empire, and he never regards His Majesty as a friend in his heart, and he will always maintain a proper sense of distance when communicating.

"Love for the motherland? That's really great." His Majesty the Tsar raised his brows, "Then how do you want to express this love?"

"There is no more appropriate way of expressing it than going through life and death for it." Pushkin answered in an interface.

Then, he hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind and said, "I have heard some rumors recently. People say that the empire is about to go to war with the Turks."

Although he still had some reservations about his words, Pushkin knew that this was a solid fact.

Not long ago, he learned about this rumor from his good friend Boris Volkonsky. After a period of fermentation, it has almost become an open secret within the palace. I heard this rumor in my mouth—that is to say, this war against the Turks is destined to break out soon.

"The palace is always full of gossip and gossip." The Tsar's expression didn't change, but his eyes became a little more severe, "Alexander, I think that with your usual personality, you shouldn't be concerned about all kinds of gossip. The interest is right, the decisions of the imperial government should not be judged by those outsiders, and they should not even make irresponsible remarks."

Pushkin knew that his majesty was upset by mentioning this matter.

However, he did not intend to back down from this, but continued on.

"Your Majesty, you are right. I am a poet, not an official. I should not make irresponsible remarks about government affairs. But please understand that I am also a nobleman of the Russian Empire, and I cannot be needed in my motherland." Stand idly by while you serve.”

"It sounds like you want to be part of it?" the Tsar asked back.

This rhetorical question also means that he admits that the war with the Turks is indeed about to break out.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was only thirteen years old in 1812, and I was not qualified to participate in that holy war and serve the country; but in 1827, I was already twenty-eight years old. Dedicate all my strength to the motherland." Pushkin raised his head and looked at His Majesty who was sitting upright with a sincere gaze, "With my most sincere emotions, I implore you not to refuse my request and let me act with the army."

The Tsar did not answer immediately, and looked at Pushkin as if to gauge the strength of his determination.

"As far as I know you have no military experience." After a moment, the Tsar finally spoke again. "Even if you go with the army, you won't bring any help to the imperial army, and it will be quite dangerous to yourself, right?"

What the tsar said was true. Although Pushkin had received a complete elite education like other noble children in Russia since he was a child, he was exiled by the former emperor Alexander I at a young age, thrown into Ukraine to serve, and was later called back to his hometown. He did not become an Imperial officer like the rest of his peers.

"Yes, I do not have any experience in the army, but I have a passion, and I am willing to take risks for the motherland..." Pushkin replied generously, "Being an officer may require skills, but to be a soldier, you only need to learn how to carry a gun. And just obey the password, I can still do it... Your Majesty! I implore you to fulfill my wish, even if it is just as a soldier, and give me the opportunity to participate in this expedition."

As Pushkin spoke, he waved his hands, his expression and body were full of passion, and he was obviously immersed in his own spiritual world.

This enthusiasm also slightly infected the Tsar, who was accustomed to indifference.

He sighed softly. "Okay, let's let the best poet in our country be a soldier. No one will do this kind of business..."

After hearing this sentence, Pushkin thought that His Majesty rejected his request, so he hurriedly wanted to continue his impassioned speech, and then the Tsar raised a finger to stop him.

"However, your enthusiasm is very touching. If I refuse again, I'm afraid I will lose the magnanimity that the emperor should have..." His Majesty lowered his eyes slightly, as if thinking about something, "Then Okay, I'll satisfy you, you can use your expertise and serve as a clerical worker in a regiment."

After he finished speaking, he gently tapped the table with his finger, and the solid walnut desk immediately made a soft "thunk" sound. "However, we have something to say first-Alexander Sergeyevich, all of this is what you asked for. If you behave negligently and break your promise at that time, then I will not lend you money..."

The sudden joy made Pushkin's heart beat wildly. He finally restrained himself and prevented himself from losing his composure in front of His Majesty.

For him, His Majesty's approval means that his wish is fulfilled, it means that he can get rid of the flashy and dull atmosphere of Huangcun, go to a strange foreign land, express his nature, and seek long-awaited inspiration.

And if he was lucky, he could even meet Napoleon's son and see what kind of person this boy who wanted to shake the world at a young age really was.

This must be a very interesting experience for poets who love fantasy.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty... I will always be grateful to you." He immediately bowed and saluted His Majesty the Tsar, and then said with gratitude, "Please rest assured that I will do my best to complete the tasks that you and the motherland have given me. task."

"Well, let's see how you behave then." His Majesty the Tsar returned to his usual indifference, and just nodded slightly.

Then, he seemed to have thought of something, and looked at Pushkin again, "By the way, you are so active in the war, could it be that you are interested in Duke Lechstatt?"

For a moment, Pushkin's original joy was diluted a lot by this sharp gaze, and he suddenly became nervous.

How should I respond? he thought.

He knew that he was not good at lying. If he lied forcibly, His Majesty would be able to easily see it, which would lower his evaluation.

So, after hesitating for a moment, he decided to tell the truth——

"I am indeed quite interested in him. After all, I couldn't even write poetry well at his age, but he was able to make waves on the European stage... If we abandon stereotypes and moral evaluations, I think he is really an interesting person. If If there is a chance to meet, I would be happy to have a drink with him."

After saying this, he immediately changed the topic, "Of course, this interest will never exceed my love for Mother Russia... In order to defend Russia, I dare to raise my sword even for Napoleon himself, let alone his son. Now, you don't have to worry about what I will do to the country.

At this point, he spread his hands calmly, "Furthermore, I have neither national secrets nor a large amount of wealth. Apart from my passion and love for the motherland, I have nothing to show for it." Sold to others."

The last sentence made the Tsar quite satisfied--it is true, even if Pushkin wanted to sell the country, what would he have to sell?

"Poets are poets, their ideas are always so strange..." he muttered under his breath.

After thinking about it, maybe his motivation is not pure, but it can still satisfy him.

So the Tsar looked back at Pushkin. "Well, now that you have said this, I really can't bear to refuse... Alexander Sergeyevich, I allow you to become a member of the expeditionary force, you can go."

After finishing speaking, he returned his gaze to his desk.

Of course Pushkin knew what was going on, so without saying another word, he immediately saluted His Majesty the Tsar and said goodbye, then turned and left.

For him, the purpose has been achieved.

After leaving Yekaterin Palace, Pushkin came to the woods, sat on a bench by the pond, quietly enjoyed the beautiful scenery around him, and calmed down his mood.

At this moment, he noticed that someone was approaching him and sat directly next to him.

"Alexander Sergeyevich..." the visitor greeted him with a smile, "You look happy?"

Pushkin looked up and found that the person coming was his friend Boris Volkonsky.

"Boris Petnovitch, you've come just in time!" he immediately shouted cheerfully, sharing his joy with one of his few friends in Tsarskoe Selo. "I just met with His Majesty, and then I asked him to accompany the army on the expedition. Although he was a little dissatisfied, he finally agreed..."

"Really? Congratulations, my friend." Boris Volkonsky smiled and nodded. "Then let me tell you by the way, I will also become an officer in the expeditionary force. If we are lucky, we may even be in the same army."

"That would be great." Pushkin looked at his friend sincerely, "Boris, I wish you success in your career."

"I also wish that you will be able to write a magnificent and immortal poem for our great expedition..." Boris Volkonsky also laughed and replied.

Then, he suddenly winked at Pushkin, and then lowered his voice, "If necessary, I can accommodate you so that you can meet the poor Duke Lechstatt and fulfill your wish. .”

Pushkin knew that this guy was not just talking casually. After all, he came from a famous family and his elders had many connections in the army. With his help, he should be able to easily leave the team for a short time to meet that interesting young man.

Yeah... everything is ready.

Pushkin raised his head leisurely, looked at the blue and white sky, breathed in the fresh and pleasant air of the Tsarskoe Selo forest, and then sighed.

"Hopefully don't let me down in the end."