Struggle in Russia

"The prime minister fainted?"

The Duke of Ordorf was the first to learn that Nesselrode had suddenly fainted and passed out, and he rushed to the imperial study immediately to report.

This news shocked Nicholas I. He asked him several times, but he didn't quite believe it was true.

"The news is absolutely true. It is said that the Prime Minister fell in front of the window and was completely unconscious. The doctor invited said there were signs of a stroke..."

stroke! ! !

This made Nicholas I feel more and more troublesome. If Nesselrode just fainted occasionally or was too tired, the problem is not big. After this period of self-cultivation, he can continue to work as a cow for him. Be a horse.

But a stroke was different. Whether it was a hemiplegia or a crooked face and mouth, it meant that Nesselrode could not continue to be Prime Minister, oh, and foreign minister by the way. Russia suddenly lost the two most important ministers, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. Not to mention the chaos in the world, it will definitely be in chaos for a while.

What's worse is that Nicholas I was completely unprepared in this regard. Although he and Nesselrode had had great disagreements in recent years, and had disagreements on many things, he had to admit that this old guy was not ready for the time being. Inseparable, at least he can maintain the stability of Russian politics.

Moreover, Nicholas I never looked for Nesselrode's successor at all. If this old guy had to retire, where would he find a mature and prudent person who could maintain the stability of the court?

Even Nicholas I felt a headache when he thought about this issue. If Nesselrode fell at this juncture, who would maintain political stability and who would preside over diplomatic work? Turkey is still negotiating!

"damn it!"

Nicholas I stood up abruptly and walked around the desk three or five times, so agitated that he wanted to smash the desk.

"Go and inquire again, forget it, I'll send a servant to go and see the situation!"

Nicholas I just wanted to do this and immediately found that the Duke of Aldorf seemed to be hesitant to speak. He frowned and asked, "What's the problem?"

Aldorf smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, this matter has not spread. It's just the news I found out from the inside of the Prime Minister's Office. I'm not sure if it's true. Once you send someone there..."

Nicholas I immediately realized that the reason why he had a headache about Nesselrode's condition was that

The most important worry is that it will affect stability, and the Prime Minister's Office has not informed him of the relevant situation, and the news has not spread. Once he sent someone to condolences, it would be like lifting the cover directly.

You must know that there are not one or two people who are staring at the position under Nesselrode's buttocks. Who doesn't want to be the prime minister? It just became impossible to end.

Nicholas I became more and more irritable, and it would be impossible to send someone to investigate, but he wanted to know what was going on, and how could this be done?

At this time, the Duke of Aldorf spoke again: "Your Majesty, why don't I go and see the situation myself?"

Nicholas I raised his eyelids to look at him, and denied it without thinking: "No, you are too eye-catching, what's the matter with running over for no reason? It's not just the third part that is well-informed in St. Petersburg, no Do you know how many eyes are on the prime minister!"

In fact, that's what the Duke of Ordorf said. He actually didn't want to go at all, because the timing of Nesselrode's fainting was too sensitive. Nicholas I had just taught him a lesson. It's a head bag, why did he faint and unconscious at this time, it seems a bit strange!

If he ran to Nesselrode's house to have a look, if Nesselrode really suffered a stroke and became unconscious, then the Russian political arena would be a bloodbath. As for Nesselrode pretending to be sick, did he report the truth to Nicholas I? Or help lie together?

Responding to Nicholas I truthfully, Nesselrode's diorama was directly worn out, which was tantamount to destroying the old prime minister's thoughts. Doesn't this make him directly offend Nesselrode?

As for helping to lie, the risk is not small. After all, although he is the chief of the third department, he will never be able to cover the sky with one hand. Nicholas I must not be the only channel for such terrible news. And those people under him are also unreliable, not one or two are staring at his position, and they all want him to step down as soon as possible, how could they let go of this opportunity to make a small report!

So why did the Duke of Aldorf still bring it up?

The reason is simple, he and Nicholas I are the only two people in the imperial study room, and he is the chief of the third department. Now that the emperor is so anxious, he must help solve problems, or at least pretend to be willing to help the emperor solve problems.

Moreover, the Duke of Ordorf also knew that Nicholas I might not agree to let him go. Based on his understanding of the tsar, he was always very cautious in such major matters, and would rather take a closer look than take risks.

Sure enough, Nicholas I immediately vetoed his proposal, which made the Duke of Aldorf a little pleased and a little proud. He shouldn't be involved.

"What is the Crown Prince doing?"

While the Duke of Aldorf was still delighted, Nicholas I suddenly asked where the Crown Prince Alexander was, which made him a little surprised: Aren't we talking about Nesselrode? Why did it suddenly involve the Crown Prince?

Although he didn't know the reason, he quickly replied: "The crown prince seems to be hunting with a group of friends."

Nicholas I nodded and ordered: "Then let the crown prince go, it's just right for him to go!"

To be honest, Duke Ordorf didn't think this idea was very good, because the Crown Prince's goal was also very big, and there were countless people watching the Crown Prince's movements. His sudden run to the Prime Minister's Office was just as eye-catching, okay?

It's just that the Duke of Aldorf can't say much, maybe Nicholas I has his own considerations? He is not the tsar, so how does he know what the supreme plan is.

So why did Nicholas I let Crown Prince Alexander go? The reason is simple, he did it on purpose!

He directly sent his servants to condolences and asked Crown Prince Alexander to visit, which may make things worse, but there is still a difference. Sending a servant directly is tantamount to directly communicating with Buniecherrode to the outside world, and it is a signal for the election of a new prime minister.

Although sending Crown Prince Alexander to visit is still imaginative, it is not a signal to elect a new prime minister. Even if it is known, at most it will be thought that he sent the crown prince to understand the condition of the prime minister, and then see if the situation is good or bad before taking action. future decisions.