Struggle in Russia

For Nikolai Milyutin, the most important thing at the moment is to ensure that the reforms are implemented, so he will do everything possible to eliminate all interference.

In his opinion, Li Xiao was the most boring type of obstacle. There was no point in offending Alexander II for a mere down-and-out Grand Duke, because it was simply not cost-effective!

"You don't think it's appropriate?" Count Rostovtsev asked calmly.

Nikolai Milyutin nodded honestly and asked, "Isn't it?"

Count Rostovtsev snorted coldly: "What do you think is the main reason for the reform this time? Is it because of His Majesty's generosity or because of our unremitting efforts?"

Nikolai Milyutin was stunned and replied: "There are probably two reasons."

Count Rostovtsev said coldly: "There are two reasons, so which one do you think is the main reason?"

Nikolai Milyutin suddenly fell silent. He knew that Count Rostovtsev must have a reason for saying this.

After thinking for a moment, he said: "It's mainly His Majesty's..."

Count Rostovtsev interrupted him ruthlessly: "I knew you would say this, His Majesty's generosity? You are so naive. Why is Your Majesty so lenient? Why is he lenient now? Didn't anyone say this decades ago? Want reform?"

Nikolai Milyutin snorted and wanted to say that it was not because Nicholas I was too conservative and stubborn that the reform efforts were in vain time and time again.

Count Rostovtsev snorted and said: "Don't blame all the reasons on the late Emperor. Do you think His Majesty would have relented if the situation was not uncontrollable?"

"Let me tell you, there is always only one main reason for reform - that is our continuous efforts. If we hadn't worked hard enough and made huge sacrifices, do you think we would be here today?"

As he spoke, Count Rostovtsev became more and more aggrieved and lectured: "Your Majesty's magnanimity, if you place all your hopes on His Majesty's end, then I think even if reforms are really carried out, it will not be possible." It will go smoothly, because the person who is most unwilling to reform from the beginning to the end is our Majesty!"

Nikolai Milyutin looked at Count Rostovtsev with dumbfounded eyes. This was the first time he saw the count lose such a big temper, and the words he said sounded a bit rebellious.

This was a bit unacceptable to Nikolai Milyutin, so he asked unconvincedly: "But how can we carry out reforms without His Majesty's approval? After all, this is His Majesty's grace, isn't it? ?"

Count Rostovtsev shook his head and said: "This has never been a grace. If His Majesty does not agree, do you think we can't reform it? My friend, you really can't see the essence of the matter clearly. The current situation Regardless of whether His Majesty agrees or not, reform is imperative!"

After giving Nikolai Milyutin some time to react, Count Rostovtsev told him with great force: "This reform was not given to us by His Majesty, but was achieved after decades of hard work. Yes. If Your Majesty continues to block the train like the late Emperor, then we can completely change someone to sit in his seat, do you understand?"

Nikolai Milyutin was startled, but Count Rostovtsev continued to tell him: "So it is actually more beneficial to Your Majesty to agree to the current reform conditions, so it is not us who beg him, but he begged us. ,Do you understand it?"

Nikolai Milyutin felt his head buzzing. What he just heard really impacted his worldview, and for a while he really couldn't accept it. Count Rostovtsev was also very patient. He sat there quietly waiting for Nikolai Milyutin to accept the new world view.

After waiting for more than an hour, Nikolai Milyutin took a deep breath and said slowly: "Count, you have dropped a big bomb for me!"

Count Rostovtsev smiled and said: "Why, can't you accept it?"

Nikolai Milyutin smiled bitterly and said: "A little, but I think even if I can't accept it, you will stick to it to the end, right?"

Count Rostovtsev laughed and said: "Of course, I will not allow anyone to obstruct the reform, not even my former friends and comrades-in-arms!"

Nikolay Milyutin smiled bitterly again and sighed: "Well, since you must do it, and it seems that I can't stop it, then I can only let it take its course, but I always think that let that person It is not the best idea for the Grand Duke to return to St. Petersburg at this sensitive time. In any case, His Majesty has given in, and we should be more measured!"

Count Rostovtsev did not argue with him, but replied calmly: "You can stick to your opinion, and I will stick to mine. How about letting the final result speak for itself?"

Nikolai Milyutin nodded dullly, and then asked: "What are you going to do for the Grand Duke to come back?"

Count Rostovtsev asked rhetorically: "What do you think?"

Nikolai Milyuting was speechless again, because according to his character, he would not agree to Li Xiao's return at all. He would let the somewhat troublesome Grand Duke get away as far as he could, and also ask him to arrange work? What a beautiful thought!

So he didn't want to answer Count Rostovtsev's question at all. He looked straight at Count Rostovtsev, his eyes full of resentment.

But this bit of resentment is nothing to Count Rostovtsev, not to mention Nikolay Milyutin, who would ignore it even if he were a charming beauty.

After a stalemate like this for a while, Nikolai Milyutin finally lost his battle and replied helplessly: "What do you think about letting him go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

Count Rostovtsev glanced at him and said slowly: "Why the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

This question made Nikolai Milyutin stunned again, and he replied dumbfounded: "Didn't you ask me this? I thought you wanted him to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs!"

Count Rostovtsev shook his head and said: "If he is asked to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, why should I ask you? Why don't we just arrange it directly?"

This answer surprised Nikolai Milyutin. Apparently Count Rostovtsev meant to give Li Xiaomou a better job. This job was definitely better than that of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To be honest, he felt that this was a bit too much. This was not intentional. Teasing the sensitive nerves of Alexander II?

He immediately objected: "I don't agree. It's too much to ask the Grand Duke to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You should be more concerned about the impact!"