Struggle in Russia

Nicholas I would be regarded as alarmist when others speak, but he still takes Count Rostovtsev's words very seriously. Since Count Rostovtsev said that Count Vladimir was nothing more than a flower in a greenhouse, he must be.

So after chatting with Count Rostovtsev, Nicholas I, who had something on his mind, directly called Peter Volkonsky and Duke Ordorf to inquire about the situation.

"Any news from Wallachia?"

This question was a bit sudden, at least to Peter Volkonski and Duke Aldorf who were called suddenly. Because the focus of the empire recently was not Wallachia but Bulgaria, Nicholas I suddenly asked about Wallachia, which made them a little confused.

However, the Duke of Aldorf is younger and the other is more informed, not to mention that he has connections with Wallachia, so after a little thought, he probably understood what Nicholas I wanted to ask.

He replied without any emotion: "Everything is normal in Wallachia, but I heard that there is some discord between Count Vladimir and Count Speransky..."

Nicholas I nodded slightly, he knew this without asking him, because Count Rostovtsev would not lie to him, what he wanted to know was the details.

"Tell me in detail!" he ordered in a low voice.

If someone else listened to this order, they would definitely explain the conflict between Count Vladimir and Alexei in detail. But the Duke of Aldorf is not an ordinary person. He is very clear that what Nicholas I really wants to know is not these, because you have detailed reports in the third part, and Nicholas I can know by looking through the report. The situation did not require him and Prince Peter Volkonsky to be specially called over.

He thought for a while and replied: "Because the journey is quite far away, it is impossible to know the situation in Bucharest even in the third part, but it seems that His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Constantine seems to be a little unhappy with the Duke of Speranski... ..."

The Duke of Ordorf's words surprised Nicholas I, because the wild son had a conflict with Alexei, so why did his own son, who had just arrived in Chisinau, fall out with someone? What's going on?

Seeing Nicholas I's unsightly expression, Duke Aldorf replied cautiously: "This is just a few words, or gossip. It's just a rumor. I'm sending someone to verify the specific situation. Will report to you as soon as possible."

Nicholas I frowned. For the first time, he felt that it was not a good thing that his empire was too big. This made him unable to control the situation on the edge of the empire.

Even if something really happened in Wallachia, it would take a week to run fast, and the day lily would be cold for such a long time!

Nicholas I suddenly lost his good mood. He walked around the office irritably, and then suddenly asked: "What is the name of the thing that Count Speranski proposed to build? The one that delivered the message ?”

Peter Volkonski's eyes were full of bewilderment, because the old man really didn't pay much attention to those things, and now his limited energy was all inside the palace, and he cared most about guarding old Adlerberg. Things, other things he is not interested at all.

As for the Duke of Aldorf, he was actually a little surprised. He didn't know what Nicholas I was talking about, but he knew that it was not the best policy to pretend to be dumb or stupid now. This would only make Nicholas I more irritable, so he hurried on The previous step asked: "Is it the railway? Earl Speranski said before that the railway can greatly improve the traffic situation in our country, allowing..."

It's just that the Duke of Aldorf was interrupted by Nicholas I irritably before he finished speaking. He waved his arm impatiently and said viciously: "It's not a railway, that thing is expensive and useless, and it's not useful. What is the name of the one Count Speranski said, and what is the wire?"

The Duke of Ordorf breathed a sigh of relief. Although Nicholas I's attitude was a bit bad, he knew that it was all right. When the tsar was really angry, his attitude would not be particularly bad. His bad attitude meant that he did not take I am an outsider with Peter Volkonski. When the tsar flew into a rage, he was actually as cold as ice.

And with the little reminder from Nicholas I, he finally understood what the other party wanted to say, and he quickly replied: "I remembered Your Majesty, it was a cable telegram! Count Speranski asked to build this one." !"

Nicholas I also patted his forehead and said happily: "Yes, yes, this is the thing! According to that kid, the message can be quickly transmitted thousands of miles away, so that St. Petersburg can receive first-hand information thousands of miles away. news, right?"

Of course the Duke of Ordorf had heard of the cable, and Count Speranski had been preaching about it before. Call this thing and the railway together the new things that Russia needs most. It's just that in conservative and backward Russia, new things are never attractive.

Almost everyone is not interested in railways and cable telegraphs. They feel that Russia is still Russia without these, so why spend that money?

As for the Duke of Aldorf himself, although he does not reject new things as much as other old antiques, he does not dare to openly say how good new things are, because there are too many uncertainties, in case these new things are not so good, Isn't he going to help take the blame?

So Duke Aldorf replied cautiously: "Yes, Count Speranski mentioned the convenience of the wired telegraph, saying that this thing transmits messages very quickly...but you also know whether these new things are true It works, nobody knows, I think..."

The Duke of Aldorf was interrupted by Nicholas I ruthlessly again before he finished speaking. The supreme man waved his arm vigorously and said decisively: "Then you go to verify it, whether it is sending someone to investigate or It’s okay to build a line and try it out, I want to know if this thing is really so amazing as soon as possible!”

The Duke of Aldorf was dumbfounded again, because he really didn't expect that Nicholas I would suddenly become interested in new things like cable telegraphs because of a little incident in Wallachia. To be honest, he really didn't want this unfortunate job. Take over, because this thing is a hot potato, and it is easy to make him a thorn in the side of others!

It's just that when he just raised his head and saw Nicholas I's eyes, he couldn't say the words he wanted to refuse, and he quickly bowed and replied: "I will do it immediately, and your will will be completely carried out! "