Struggle in Russia

Peter Volkonsky first criticized the Grand Duke Constantine with a clear-cut banner, completely standing on the side of Nicholas I. Secondly, he skillfully vaguely said that the reason why Grand Duke Constantine made a mistake was because he was too eager to show Nicholas I. But at the same time, he also said that the reason why he was so eager to perform was that Grand Duke Constantine wanted to be a good son and courtier, not that he was just fighting for the position of prince.

Such a package made the nature of Grand Duke Constantine's mistakes less serious and whitewashed the internal contradictions of the royal family. For a face-saving person like Nicholas I, this is especially important.

So he was very satisfied with Peter Volkonski's answer, and felt that although he was a bit old, he was worthy of being his confidant who had been promoted.

Of course, Nicholas I did not show such satisfaction on his face. On the contrary, his expression became more and more ugly at this time, as if he was dissatisfied with Peter Volkonsky's answer.

He asked old Adlerberg bitterly: "What about you? Earl, what's your opinion?"

Old Adlerberg also lowered his head, and replied honestly and sincerely: "My minister also agrees with His Excellency the Duke. Grand Duke Constantine is only young and energetic. I am afraid that he is too eager to prove himself with achievements for the first time in charge of the Admiralty. , Young people are always impulsive and sloppy, exercise more, have reliable veterans to help steer the rudder, I believe His Excellency will make rapid progress in the future."

Old Adlerberg didn't say anything harsh, at least he didn't directly attack Grand Duke Constantine, as if he was following Peter Volkonsky's words. But the private goods among them are terrible.

He mentioned the old minister at the helm, and then mentioned the young and frizzy. This is tantamount to trying to speak well of Menshikov in a different way. But this is really useful, because Nicholas I immediately thought that if Menshikov was there, the Admiralty would definitely not make such a mistake. It may be that the Grand Duke Constantine was too young and too edgy.

After all, he is his own son. Although Grand Duke Constantine annoyed Nicholas I, it was more about hating iron and steel than wanting to punish Grand Duke Constantine.

Nicholas I thought that Menshikov had also been suspended for a few months. Although Ordorf found out a lot of corruption, this old guy has always been reliable on issues of principle, so let him go. He came out to take the helm for Grand Duke Constantine, let that hairy boy learn more!

Just when Nicholas I made a decision, the old Adlerberg suddenly said: "I can still see that this time, His Excellency the Grand Duke may have been bewitched by some villains, and that's why he acted indiscriminately. These The villain is really hateful, for the sake of long-term consideration, I implore Your Majesty to strictly investigate those villains who bewitch Your Excellency the Grand Duke!"

If the old Adlerberg could only score nine points,

Then add the supplementary speech in the following paragraph, and that is a solid deal. Because it's so beautiful!

Where was the source of Nicholas I's dissatisfaction? Are you really dissatisfied with Grand Duke Constantine?

No, it was his own after all. What Nicholas I was really dissatisfied with was that Li Xiao made a big splash and won wide acclaim.

That annoying nephew was the root cause of his outburst. If it was other lackeys under Grand Duke Constantine who stole the limelight, Nicholas I would never be angry, but would add fuel to the flames, so as to continue to stimulate Crown Prince Alexander.

But it was Li Xiao who got the limelight. Nicholas I wished he could crush someone to death. How could he allow someone to continue to show off? What's more, Grand Duke Constantine cannot be allowed to mix with a despicable villain like Li Xiao without principle. How could his son play with the bastard and deal with his own brother together, this is never allowed!

This was the most fatal blow to Grand Duke Constantine. The old Adlerberg successfully confused the public and played tricks on Grand Duke Constantine. It left a very bad impression on Nicholas I. Especially his last addition, it hinted that Grand Duke Constantine was led badly by Li Xiao, and he was already in collusion with Li Xiao.

Sure enough, Nicholas I's face suddenly became very ugly. Just now he just wanted to call Grand Duke Constantine over to scold him, but now he wants to smoke the little fat man.

More importantly, Nicholas I became more and more dissatisfied with Li Xiao's disgust. He never thought it was his son's problem, but only believed that Li Xiao had bewitched and abetted Grand Duke Constantine. After all, even he knew how much the little fat man longed for the position of crown prince.

【That bastard must have given Kostya an idea, he must have bewitched Kostya! That bastard must not be allowed to stay in St. Petersburg any longer, the devil must be driven as far away as possible! 】

Nicholas I almost immediately wanted to assign Li Xiao to Siberia to repair the earth. In fact, he was already doing this. Just as he was drafting an order to secretly arrest Li Xiao and was about to seal it, Count Rostovtsev walked into his office.

"Count, why are you here?" Nicholas I asked strangely.

Count Rostovtsev bowed slightly, and replied slowly: "I met Prince Volkonsky just now, and he told me that you are angry because of the behavior of Grand Duke Constantine. So I came to see if there is any Is there anything that can be of service to you, Your Majesty? In addition, there is important information sent by the third part that needs your review."

Nicholas I didn't think much about it, and immediately expressed his anger and dislike for Li Xiao, and finally showed the order that had been drafted.

Count Rostovtsev just stood there motionless, seemingly lost in thought. This made Nicholas I a little strange and angry, and urged: "Count, what's wrong with you? What do you think about this?"

Count Rostovtsev immediately bowed and said: "Everything is according to your will!"

Nicholas I immediately felt a lot more comfortable, because Count Rostovtsev is the person who can best implement his orders. As long as it is his will, the count will give the best execution plan without compromise. Its loyalty is above all others, second only to Count Kleinmichel.

However, Count Rostovtsev did not finish his sentence, he took out a document and handed it to Nicholas I: "However, I hope that His Majesty will make a decision after reading this third secret report. "

Nicholas I was surprised. Generally, the report of the third part is not important to a certain extent, and Count Rostovtsev, his chief think tank, would not send it in person. The last time was when the third part grasped the clues of the Polish rebellion. Is there another similar incident today?

Nicholas I immediately thought of Nesselrode's previous warning about the turbulence of evidence in various countries. Could it be that the Poles also... Immediately he no longer cared about the trivial matter between Grand Duke Constantine and Li Xiao. Almost snatched the report by hand, and browsed through it at a glance...