Struggle in Russia

Peter Volkonsky stared blankly at the window of his office. Outside the window was the Great Nevsky Street. Usually, when the weather was fine, young aristocratic men and women could be seen walking and playing by the river, but today they were covered by thick snow. Next, there is nothing outside the window.

No one, no sound, it was as empty as a wilderness. This boring scene will only make people drowsy, but Peter Volkonski, whose energy is getting worse and worse, doesn't feel drowsy at all.

The anxiety in his heart made him very uneasy. For the past year, Peter Volkonsky has found the position of Chief Minister of Court Affairs more and more difficult. As he got older, Nicholas I's temper became more and more elusive...

Companion to a king is like a tiger, especially a fierce tiger like Nicholas I, which is even more dangerous and frightening. Sometimes Peter Volkonski wanted to just retire and return home, but whenever he wanted to speak, he missed the power of the Winter Palace. Without these, could he maintain his extravagant life?

What's more, there is always a thorn in Peter Volkonsky's heart, and that is his cousin Sergei Volkonsky. Although what that person did in 1825 did not bring much disaster to the Volkonsky family. But when he thought that his family might leave a rebellious impression on the royal family, Peter Volkonski was terrified and suffocated.

He was afraid that once he retired, gossip and slander would flood in, and the Volkonskis would be over.

[Must stay! Never back down! 】

Peter Volkonsky secretly cheered himself up, but the slightest sound from outside the door would make him panic. He was afraid that Nicholas I, who had just figured it out, would send someone to challenge him again. .

Peter Volkonski felt that it was too difficult for him. It is necessary to take care of the emotions of Nicholas I and Crown Prince Alexander. By the way, the uneasy Grand Duke Constantine must not be left behind. He has been quite noisy recently.

As the emperor's minister, the relationship within the emperor's family was Peter Volkonski's primary concern. Only when the emperor's family was comfortable could he continue to be his official and continue to make his fortune.

But it is too difficult to achieve this, especially as the struggle between Grand Duke Constantine and Crown Prince Alexander has become more and more open and fierce recently, and as Nicholas I's attitude has become more and more ambiguous, Peter Volkonski felt that he was dancing on the tip of the knife every day, which was too tiring and too scary.

thump thump!

The knock on the door startled Peter Volkonski, who trembled and almost fell off the armchair.

"Duke,

Count Rostovtsev visits. "

call……

Peter Volkonski heaved a sigh of relief, and ordered urgently: "Come in the count immediately!"

Pyotr Volkonsky had a very good relationship with Count Rostovtsev, at least he thought so. He did some small favors to the count, and the count also did some small favors to him every now and then. Isn't friendship and relationship established and stabilized through these small favors.

Peter Volkonsky felt that Count Rostovtsev was a reliable partner, everyone had the same interests, and that count was as low-key as him, and the most important thing was that the count had the same status as him with Nicholas I. special status. Everyone can benefit from each other and avoid danger and trouble together.

"Count, how is Your Majesty feeling?"

In fact, what Peter Volkonski wanted to ask the most was not Nicholas I's emotions, but whether Nicholas I was satisfied with him. After all, in the question and answer in front of the imperial court just now, the majesty did not express his position in the end, and he didn't know whether he was happy or unhappy.

"Don't worry, Duke, His Majesty's mood has stabilized." Count Rostovtsev replied lightly.

"And, in my opinion, he is very satisfied with your previous answer."

Count Rostovtsev's addition made Peter Volkonsky secretly happy, but at the same time he was still uncertain.

"How did you find out?" he asked.

Count Rostovtsev replied indifferently: "Your Majesty told me just now."

Peter Volkonsky stared wide-eyed, looked at Count Rostovtsev in disbelief, and asked after a while, "Your Majesty said it himself?"

Count Rostovtsev nodded and said: "Yes, I said it myself. The original words are: It seems that old Peja (Peter Volkonsky) is more reliable, and Valodya (Old Adlerberg) ) There are too many petty tricks and narrow-mindedness!"

Peter Volkonski breathed a sigh of relief, and almost sat down on the carpet with his knees limp. He thanked you repeatedly with a smile: "Count, thank you very much. If you hadn't reminded me today, I might have fallen into a pit." You don’t even know it! Your Majesty is so right, you wretch, Valodia!”

When mentioning the old Adlerberg, Peter Volkonski was very angry. The reason is very simple. One of them is the chief minister of court affairs, and the other is the second minister of court affairs. Leader, when will the relationship between the first leader and the second leader be good?

As the saying goes, colleagues are enemies. Over the years, as Peter Volkonski has gradually aged, the old Adlerberg has taken away a lot of his business. The direct manifestation is that Peter Volkonski's status is not as good as Once upon a time.

This made Peter Volkonski very insecure, and he had been secretly guarding against the old Adlerberg's seizure of power. It's a pity that he is too old, and his skills and wisdom are not as good as old Adlerberg's, so he is getting more and more powerless.

For example, a few days ago, Count Rostovtsev suddenly sent him a letter, reminding him that Nicholas I may pay attention to the affairs of Grand Duke Constantine recently, and may ask him for his views and opinions. Count Rostovtsev hinted that he must not pretend to be stupid, let alone pretend not to know, otherwise he would be doomed.

To be honest, Peter Volkonski didn't quite believe it at first, but when Nicholas I really asked, he almost choked. Fortunately, Count Rostovtsev helped him analyze the pros and cons, told him the best answer, and the role played by old Adlerberg in it, so he managed to escape.

"That count is really sinister," Count Rostovtsev said indifferently, still expressionless for thousands of years: "You should pay more attention in the future, he who has been coveting your position for a long time may not accept hands!"

Peter Volkonsky suddenly fell into deep worry. He felt that what Count Rostovtsev said was right, and he would not have stopped if it had been different.

After thinking for a long time, Peter Volkonski suddenly showed a fierce look in his eyes, and asked viciously, "Get rid of him?"