Struggle in Russia

After knowing everything, Nikolai Milutin was naturally angry and impatient. He was angry that Grand Duke Constantine had acted mischievously. He had already warned him not to trouble Li Xiao. Obviously, that Grand Duke didn't listen to it at all. , came a yang obedience and yin violation.

This practice of not keeping his promise made Nikolai Milutin quite disappointed with him, and of course he was more anxious. Because the situation is already like this, what's the use of getting angry again, you still have to find a way to solve the problem, right?

However, Nikolai Milyutin had no choice. This is where old Adlerberg's strategy is poisonous. He simply followed the trend and followed the trend. If Grand Duke Constantine hadn't had a wrong mind, he would not have fallen into the pit at all.

In a sense, that old fox is simply a different kind of conspiracy, and there is no way to defend against it. Especially after falling into the pit, there is only one way left to be passive.

But the problem is that Grand Duke Constantine can't handle it at all. No matter what he says, he is only an assistant to the Minister of the Navy, not even a serious Minister of the Navy. As long as Nicholas I was angry, one sentence could make him suspend his job and go home to play in the mud.

"Count, why didn't you remind me earlier?" Nikolai Milutin said anxiously, stomping his feet.

But Count Rostovtsev was not in a hurry at all. He asked slowly, "What's the use of telling you? You don't even know what the Grand Duke has done..."

Nikolai Milyutin immediately felt ashamed. Indeed, his performance this time was quite substandard. One-sidedly trusting Grand Duke Constantine, he lost all vigilance at all, and the enemies were ignorant and ignorant after all their big moves, just like sand sculptures.

"Then you can go and warn Grand Duke Constantine! Your Excellency the Grand Duke has always respected you, and he will definitely listen to your opinions!"

Count Rostovtsev looked directly into Nikolai Milutin's eyes, and said in an extremely stern tone:

"Really? Are you sure Grand Duke Konstantin really respects me? But how did I hear that His Excellency the Grand Duke said that I am old and can't keep up with the times, which delayed him from completely defeating Menshikov last time? How did you say it?"

After a short pause, Count Rostovtsev spat out a few words: "It's obvious because of its stupor, isn't that what you say?"

Nikolai Milyutin's back was drenched in cold sweat. He was not entirely sure that Grand Duke Constantine had said this, but considering the high-spirited and arrogant state of the previous Grand Duke, it was not surprising that he said it.

And these words actually entered Earl Rostovtsev's ears verbatim. Could it be that the earl is actually in charge of the third part?

Nikolai Milyutin wiped his cold sweat,

While saying good things for Grand Duke Constantine: "Count, you also know that Your Excellency is still too young, and young people will inevitably get carried away. Please don't worry about him, he just made a slip of the tongue."

"A momentary slip of the tongue?"

Count Rostovtsev had a smile on his lips, but this smile not only failed to make Nikolai Milutin feel relaxed, but felt more and more stressed.

"It should be." Nikolai Milyutin replied tremblingly.

"I'll take it for granted."

Count Rostovtsev seemed to let Grand Duke Konstantin go easily, which made Nikolai Milutin heave a sigh of relief, but what he said next made his heart hang again.

"So this time it's just a little punishment. Next time, if the Grand Duke is still as rude and arrogant as before, I don't mind helping him with Vladimir."

Nikolai Milyutin smiled wryly. He knew that this time Grand Duke Constantine had offended Count Rostovtsev. But it's true, it was thanks to the earl that brought down Menshikov before, but Grand Duke Constantine didn't read it at all, and turned around and said that he was stupid, and no one would be annoyed.

[It seems something is wrong? 】

After Nicholas Milutin touched it for a while, he felt that Count Rostovtsev must not be narrow-minded. This count has always put the overall situation first and doesn't care much about personal honor or disgrace. Why did he suddenly explode against Grand Duke Constantine this time?

"What makes me angry is not that Grand Duke Constantine slandered me," Count Rostovtsev said slowly. "What makes me angry is that he doesn't take our cause seriously."

Count Rostovtsev suddenly raised his voice and said angrily:

"You used to say that as long as he is in power, he will vigorously reform and give freedom and democracy to the people, but have you seen this tendency in the past two months? It's just that Menshikov is temporarily in charge of the Navy Department. Let him be swayed, don't take your opinion and mine seriously, and use the banner of innovation to seek his own personal gain, and forget all his former partners and friends!"

"Is this the sign of an innovator?"

Facing Count Rostovtsev's questioning, Nikolai Milyutin was speechless. Because Grand Duke Constantine's performance in the past two months is really not good, a bit hot-eyed.

It's just that Nikolai Milyutin still has expectations for Grand Duke Constantine, and he still thinks that he is just getting carried away for a while. He defended him:

"Your Majesty the Grand Duke is indeed a bit overwhelmed, but this is only temporary. As for the orders related to the naval innovation plan, you should also know that the Grand Duke has invested a lot in those factories in the past two years, and the funds are quite tight. He just wants to get back part of it as soon as possible. funds."

"Then what about the so-called inquiry meeting that blatantly attacks dissidents? Grand Duke Andrei just said a few truthful words, why is he not willing to listen?"

"This... this..." Nicholas Milutin tried hard to open up: "It should be the pressure from His Majesty, there is no choice, no choice!"

Count Rostovtsev replied indifferently: "Then I hope that such a last resort should be less. Otherwise, sometimes I can only watch helplessly and can't do anything!"

This was an obvious warning, and Nikolai Milutin heaved a sigh of relief. It's just a warning that Count Rostovtsev has not completely given up on Grand Duke Constantine, and there is still the possibility of being tactful. He would like to mention that Grand Duke more in the future.

"Where is His Majesty?"

Count Rostovtsev replied easily: "Of course I will solve it. But Nicholas, you'd better remind Your Excellency the Grand Duke, I will take it as negligence and stumble the first time, but what if next time! "

Nikolai Milutin quickly assured: "Count, please rest assured that there will never be a next time! Your Excellency the Grand Duke will definitely know how powerful he is after this incident, and he will never make similar mistakes again!"