Struggle in Russia

Naturally, Grand Duke Constantine, who is far away in Chisinau, does not know all this. The good news is that his naivety does not mean that Viscount Prozolov is also naive. This viscount is fully aware of the despicability and cruelty of his enemy.

He revealed Archduke Constantine's luck in one word and told him not to cover it up, but to call for help as soon as possible, otherwise the chaos would be even greater!

Under his constant urging, Grand Duke Constantine finally reluctantly wrote a private letter to Nicholas I, explaining in detail the root causes of the chaos in Moldavia and the current situation and difficulties. Finally, He coyly asked for reinforcements.

You can imagine how Nicholas I felt when he saw this letter. He probably wanted to vomit blood.

But he should get used to vomiting blood, because this period of time has been all bad news for him. The turmoil in Moldavia was not the worst. It was preceded by the official bombardment of Kronstadt Fortress by the British and French combined fleets and the announcement of a comprehensive embargo and blockade against Russia.

These two made Nicholas I vomit three liters of blood. Kronstadt was the gateway to St. Petersburg. The British and French fleets came directly to slap Russia's national dignity on the ground.

Anyway, Nicholas I once ordered the Baltic Fleet to immediately go to sea to fight to the death with the British and French combined fleets. Fortunately, at the last moment, he finally regained some sense and canceled this suicidal order.

If the bombardment of Kronstadt only damaged Russia's dignity and face, the comprehensive embargo and blockade order jointly issued by Britain and France would kill Russia.

As a purely agricultural country, the basis for Russia's import of foreign materials or technologies is the export of grain. As Europe's largest grain exporter, Russia's foreign exchange is entirely supported by grain exports.

With the embargo and blockade announced by Britain and France, there was almost no export market for Russian grain. Naturally, there is no foreign exchange. If you think about Nicholas I's treasury, which was already extremely poor, and a large amount of money was spent on the war with Turkey, naturally there is an even more urgent need for exports to ease the crisis.

But the British and French embargo directly cut off Russia's export channels, and its economic pressure naturally doubled suddenly. Even worse is the embargo!

As a purely agricultural country, Russia's industry is not only in a mess, but also very poor. It needs to import a large number of British and French industrial products. Needless to say, the machine tools and parts needed to produce guns and explosives have to rely on the supply of Britain and France.

Once the supply chain is cut off, half of Russia's lame war machine will immediately be paralyzed, which will naturally make it more difficult to maintain.

Let's put it this way, the comprehensive embargo and blockade orders of Britain and France directly locked up Russia, exposing Russia's true colors and embarrassment.

The dignitaries in St. Petersburg who had been clamoring to beat Britain and France violently to let them taste the power of Russia's iron fist were all made a little unhappy. Because the large quantities of luxury goods exported from France to Russia are also out of stock. Without French perfume and red wine, most of the aristocratic style has collapsed!

At this time, the nobles of St. Petersburg discovered how dependent Russia was on foreign countries. Russia could produce almost nothing except a little wheat, dairy products, furs and logs. After working on it for a long time, it turns out that we are so behind!

Yes, only after losing it do you know what you are missing. The Russian aristocrats who had previously looked down on the down-and-out Frenchmen discovered that they were clowns. We can't produce anything emotionally, and we are one level worse than the American upstarts in the New World. What's going on?

For the first time, the Russian nobles discovered the problems covered up by the glorious victories in 1814 and 1848. It turned out that Russia, which they thought was great and powerful, was really nothing!

Of course, this is an issue that only young liberals who are more enlightened and good at thinking can realize. Even if an old man like Count Uvarov sees problems and shortcomings, he will use Ah Q's spirit to paralyze himself.

Some even plausibly advocate living a traditional Russian life. The so-called traditional Russian life is to use less imported foreign products and live a traditional life of a small peasant economy.

It is best to go back to the countryside and be a rich man in peace and contentment. When you are hungry, eat big ribs with fat pork. When it is cold, hunt a few bears or deer skins to make leather robes and hats. Don’t make the house so fancy, just logs. Aren’t they stacked to protect against the cold? What kind of cement is needed, and it pollutes the environment!

In short, just be self-sufficient and that’s it!

I don’t know how many spoiled Russian nobles can accept such a day. Anyway, there are only a few responders. Even Count Uvarov himself doesn’t like to go back to the farm in the countryside. He only wants to stay in St. Petersburg, which is full of foreign customs. Enjoy French life.

As a result, the so-called traditional Russian life cannot be pushed away. At most, it can only be heard a few times, which is completely like thunder and rain.

"Prussia and Austria also responded to the British and French embargo orders?"

Worse news was yet to come. Soon Nicholas I was backstabbed by his allies. Prussia and Austria, which had declared "neutral", suddenly reduced their import and export trade with Russia!

"For the time being... or the official did not say so," Nesserrodie replied thoughtfully, "According to the Prussian official, they have a bumper harvest today and do not need to import too much. As for reducing exports to our country, it is Because Britain and France offered higher prices, merchants were more willing to export goods to Britain and France."

Nicholas I suppressed his anger and asked: "What about Austria? What did they say!"

Nesserrodie smiled bitterly and said: "The Austrian official said that the grain exported by our country is of inferior quality and high price, so it is not attractive. Find the bookstore www.zhaoshuyuan.com. As for reducing exports to our country, that is because Britain and France have exerted strong diplomatic pressure. So..."

Damn it!

Nicholas I pounded the table angrily and roared: "We have signed an alliance and are allies. They have betrayed their trust by letting us face the enemy alone. Now they have the nerve to say anything to add pressure. Despicable villain, Shameless!"

Nicholas I lost his temper, but he knew that this would not help solve the problem at all. After a while, he lowered his head and asked: "That means our economic pressure is very great this year, right?"

Hearing this, Nesserrodie immediately grimaced. Not only was the economy under great pressure, but the economy might collapse, okay?

He could only warn: "Your Majesty, given the current bad economic situation, I think it is best to end the war as soon as possible, otherwise the economy may collapse!"

Nicholas I took a deep breath and said: "Humph! This is what the British and French want to achieve. They just want to subjugate the enemy without a fight. They think that the blockade will make us surrender. I want to tell them, This is wishful thinking!”