Struggle in Russia

Chernyshev confidently told Nicholas I: "Your Majesty, we are confident that the Bulgarian issue will be resolved within half a year!"

Hearing this, Nicholas I was naturally happy. If the Bulgarian problem is resolved within half a year, it will be easier to form a new anti-French alliance with the momentum of this great victory. Wouldn't it be possible to reproduce the glory of 1814 by leveling Paris again at that time?

Immediately Nicholas I was very satisfied, he decided to settle Bulgaria first according to the original plan, and then repair France.

"Very good!" Nicholas I nodded in satisfaction, "Then follow the original plan, deal with the Turks first, and then deal with France!"

Nesselrode was so angry that he didn't die. His intention was to stop the war against Turkey and divert Nicholas I's attention from the troubles in France, but Chernyshov ruined him with one word. Good thing!

Of course he quit, and immediately interjected: "Your Majesty, I think this matter still needs to be considered. Back then, Napoleon made Europe uneasy. We can't repeat the mistakes of the past and miss the opportunity to nip the disaster in the bud!"

But who would have thought that Nicholas I just waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is not his uncle, and those with the surname Bonaparte are not necessarily powerful, and that libertine succeeded in usurping power just by chance. Nothing to worry about!"

Yes, Nicholas I looked down on Napoleon III from the bottom of his heart, thinking that he was a complete libertine. The reason why he was able to usurp power and seize the throne was that the internal strife among the politicians in France gave him an opportunity.

If he were in power, Napoleon III could be crushed to death with one hand, and he would not be given a chance to jump around at all.

In fact, it can be seen from the tone and tone of his letter to Napoleon III that he never took the other party seriously. In his letter to Napoleon III, he never called him "my brother" like other European kings.

Obviously Nicholas I did not recognize Napoleon III's status as a monarch at all, nor did he recognize his royal status. In his heart, I am afraid that only the Bourbon family can be regarded as orthodox, and even the Orleans branch may not be able to enter his eyes.

Nesselrode was so stunned that he couldn't speak. He could only stare at Chernyshov bitterly, as if he was about to be eaten alive by the Minister of War.

Chernyshov naturally also noticed his hatred, but he didn't particularly care. Because Nesselrode's status has plummeted in the past few months, the control of the cabinet and the government is visibly fading.

And he, the Minister of War, was already strong. As long as Nicholas I liked him, his position would be stable, and he didn't need to buy Nesselrode's account. Now as the war against Turkey is about to break out, his status is even hotter,

There is no need to look up to others.

So he curled his lips contemptuously, and didn't bother to talk to Nesselrode at all, and the corners of his mouth twitched because of the old man's anger.

Speaking of it, Nesselrode is also a tragedy. From the second half of 1852, his status fell off a cliff. By 1853, he was almost annoying as the prime minister. It's better to let the location out.

"Maybe, maybe it's time for me to go!"

Nesselrode, who returned to the Prime Minister's Office, was a little hopeless. Seeing that the place where he had struggled for more than 20 years became completely unfamiliar, the sense of loss was indescribable. In particular, Nicholas I increasingly ignored him, which made him feel bitter.

Nesselrode has no doubts that once the war against Turkey goes smoothly, once the dismemberment of Turkey succeeds in capturing Bulgaria, he, the prime minister, will be abandoned immediately, and will be ruthlessly thrown into the trash by Nicholas I. Walk away.

As a nobleman, although Nesselrode is old and cunning, he still wants face. He doesn't want to become a joke, so he doesn't wait for Nicholas I to drive him away, so if he leaves on his own initiative, maybe he can save some face?

Thinking of this, he picked up the quill pen and spread out the letter paper, and wrote a letter of resignation to Nicholas I in beautiful cursive script.

"...Since I am getting old, I am getting more and more powerless in government affairs, and I am gradually unable to adapt to the heavy work of prime minister, and in view of the fact that I and Your Majesty have increasingly serious differences in ideas, it is harmful and useless to serve you reluctantly, I think it is time Resigned from all positions in Russia and returned to his hometown to live his life..."

When it was time to write the last signature, Nesselrode was already in tears. He picked up the pen several times and put it down. Even if it was the most familiar signature, he couldn't write it. His heart was so painful, it hurt so much. He could hardly breathe.

"Why……"

After a long sigh, Nesselrode put down his pen dejectedly. He had too much reluctance, too much regret, and even too much regret. Although it was simple to leave like this, he always felt that something was missing. .

After a long time, he sighed, lowered his head to look at the letter paper, then put it away and threw it into a drawer, leaning back on the chair and looking out the window in a daze.

It's just that Nesselrode didn't know that a conversation about his fate was also unfolding between Nicholas I and Count Kleinmichel in the Winter Palace.

"The prime minister is in a bad mood?" Nicholas I asked casually.

Earl Kleinmichel replied carefully: "Yes, on some private occasions, the Prime Minister has condemned his colleagues in the cabinet more than once, saying that they are jointly dismantling him and leading the country to evil paths!"

Nicholas I frowned, snorted and asked, "Evil way? Then what is his so-called right way?"

Count Kleinmichel did not answer this question, because if he answered, he felt that his position was too clear and targeted. He has always been kind to others and does not participate in right and wrong. He is not interested in getting involved in this kind of shit, so he simply pretended to be deaf and dumb for comparison. good.

It's just that he didn't expect that Nicholas I seemed to know his answer, so he asked it again. Now he couldn't answer, so he could only bite the bullet and answer:

"The Prime Minister seems to be opposed to war with Turkey, um, he seems to be opposed to our continued war!"

Nicholas I looked up at him, and said with a sneer, "Really? But how did I hear that he firmly opposed my decision to liberate Bulgaria, thinking that it would destroy the strategic balance and cause a disaster!"

Count Kleinmichel was not at all surprised that Nicholas I was well-informed. After all, the third part was not a decoration, not to mention those guys who were eyeing Nesselrode's position would rush to make small reports and send Nirvana Cherrode's words were fed back to Nicholas I verbatim...