Struggle in Russia

Nicholas I stopped suddenly in the middle of his speech. He looked at Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov, and continued slowly: "The Prime Minister has worked hard these years. complain, what do you think?"

Nicholas I's words were a bit scary at first glance, as if he was saying that Count Nesselrode was resentful and dissatisfied with the emperor. It's just that Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov are both smart people, and they knew the true meaning of Nicholas I in a blink of their minds.

Obviously, what the tsar really wanted to say was that Nesselrode suddenly fell ill this time. Could it be because he was too angry with him about the Turkey and Bulgaria issues before, so he had no choice but to pretend Illness, to avoid his entanglement and express dissatisfaction along the way.

In fact, many ministers know this method, but Nesselrode has never used it before. It's just that after so many years of messing around, it doesn't mean that you can't. Maybe the old guy feels that this time is too troublesome and a headache, so he has to use this trick?

In fact, Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov immediately thought of this possibility after learning that Nesselrode had fallen ill. Put yourself in Nesselrode's perspective and think about it, it's really possible for the old guy to do this.

It's just that Nicholas I asked them so seriously about who could be Nesselrode's replacement, which made them subconsciously think that Nesselrode might be really sick. Otherwise, there is no need for Nicholas I to mobilize so many troops, okay?

It's just that when Nicholas I suddenly brought up the topic of pretending to be sick, both Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov felt weird. They looked at Nicholas I with complicated expressions, as if they were asking: Your Majesty, are you kidding us?

Nicholas I's actions are indeed a bit of a joke, because can you just joke about changing the prime minister? This kind of joke should not be mentioned even in the most casual occasion, because once it is mentioned, there will be things that the speaker has no intention of the listener. What if the person who listened to the joke took it seriously?

That can really cause a big earthquake, so generally no ruler would joke about this kind of thing.

And Nicholas I's actions are a bit like a joke, haven't you confirmed the authenticity of the news? There is no way to determine whether Nesselrode is pretending to be sick. What is the trouble for you to call the two of us over?

Facing such a strange emperor, no matter which courtier he is, he will be full of disgust. He is not sure about anything. This is a mess! That is to say, Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov have always been moody and angry, and they can't see anything. If they were ordinary courtiers, they would probably want to scold their mothers on the spot.

Even so, the two looked at each other a little bit,

I think Nicholas I is really not slipping!

Nicholas I also knew what he was doing, so he quickly smiled and said, "I just make preparations in advance, so that if the worst happens, I won't be in a hurry!"

Count Rostovtsev and Count Uvarov immediately understood Nicholas I's intentions. I am afraid that the emperor could not figure out whether Nesselrode's illness was real or fake, and it was not easy to go there openly. Visiting, after all, once relevant news is spread, there will be an uproar, and if there is nothing wrong, things will be messed up.

Thinking about it from Nicholas I’s point of view, it’s really a bit of a scepter. It’s really hard for him to make a decision if he doesn’t know whether Nesselrode is a real illness or a fake illness. If the old boy is a fake illness, then naturally it’s nothing For big things, just teach him a little lesson or just let him hang out for a few days.

But in case that guy is really sick, if he doesn't prepare early, he might be caught off guard, okay?

Count Uvarov immediately said: "Your Majesty, why don't I go to the Prime Minister's mansion to have a look?"

Nicholas I and Count Rostovtsev glanced at him almost at the same time, and their thoughts were almost the same: Heh, old man, it seems that you are also in a hurry!

Count Uvarov was really in a hurry, because he just realized how big a mistake he had made before. For such a big matter as changing the prime minister, although it is indeed necessary for the tsar to consult other people’s opinions, generally speaking, the correct consultation mode should be:

"Gentlemen, Earl Nesselrode is ill and may not be able to continue to serve as Prime Minister. Although his departure is a huge loss, all affairs cannot be left unattended. It is imperative to select a new Prime Minister to replace him as soon as possible. You guys He is my most trusted subject, who do you think is more suitable to succeed Count Nesselrode, Earl XX, Duke XX, or minister XX?"

See, this is the emperor's serious consulting attitude. He must first give a list of candidates he likes. In other words, he first delineated the scope of candidates, and then others can speak freely about who is more suitable.

Instead of asking who you think is more suitable to be careful of the prime minister, to put it simply, if a ruler really consults his subordinates in this way, then this or these subordinates are probably not ordinary powerful and have the right to speak. This is almost the mark of a powerful minister. match.

Otherwise, why would you let the ruler lower his noble head to ask you such a crucial question. It's not because you have too much weight, too much power, too much prestige, so that he has to be humble.

The question is, was Nicholas I such a humble emperor?

He is obviously not. On the contrary, he is the kind of arbitrary emperor who wants to hold all the power firmly in his hands. If you let an arbitrary emperor suddenly look down, can you imagine what you look like in his heart?

If you don't quickly recover or clarify, you can imagine how afraid he will be of you next, and how he will slowly deal with you.

Count Uvarov was not so arrogant that he thought he could wrestle with Nicholas I. On the contrary, he is very clear-headed and knows where his current status and everything come from. How dare he be scapegoated by this powerful minister?

Naturally, he had to correct his attitude immediately and tell Nicholas I that he was really not a powerful minister, but a loyal and non-threatening old dog. So he hurried to grab a job!

It's just that he can't grab this job. After Nicholas I glanced at him, he said lightly: "Don't bother the count, you go, I have already ordered the crown prince to visit the prime minister!"

Count Uvarov immediately replied respectfully: "So, it is the most appropriate for His Highness the Crown Prince to visit. With His Highness's ability, I think there will be results soon. His Majesty is indeed far ahead of me in foresight!"