Struggle in Russia

Nikolay Milyutin knew very well that once Kanditantin Pobedonostsev took charge of the third film, it would mean that their every move would be monitored. The trouble that comes to them makes them unable to live in peace.

It's just that he still doesn't think there is much use in letting Li Xiao go to the third part of St. Petersburg to become a middle-level official. After all, his position is too low to affect the overall situation. Do you think he can still cause trouble for Kanditantin Pobedonostsev?

"You just have to make arrangements, and you will know when the time comes!"

However, Count Rostovtsev had no interest in explaining and just ordered him to do it, which made Nikolai Milyutin very depressed. He could only go home and complain to his brother Dmitry Milyutin: "You What’s going on with the count? We must arrange Grand Duke Andrei to the third part of St. Petersburg. What’s the use of that? Let me tell you that the count is also thinking about it, and it’s all adding to the chaos!”

Dmitry Milyutin had just returned to St. Petersburg from Wallachia a few days ago. After all, the war was over and there was no point in him staying there. The most important thing is that Alexander II ordered him to come back as soon as possible, saying that he had important arrangements.

To be honest, Dmitry Milyutin was not interested in any important arrangements. He knew that Alexander II did not trust the old ministers left by Nicholas I, and was ready to replace them one by one with people close to him to let him The main reason for coming back is that Baryatinsky can't leave in the Caucasus for the time being, and he needs to temporarily support him.

If possible, Dmitri would rather stay in Wallachia, where at least there wouldn't be so much intrigue and intrigue in St. Petersburg. Moreover, the reform there has reached a deep-water area, which is the time when we need to pay close attention and learn from experience and lessons.

He preferred to see more in Wallachia and learn lessons from it, rather than return to St. Petersburg to deal with a group of bureaucrats who had their own agenda.

It’s just that his arm can’t twist his thigh, and Count Rostovtsev also hopes that he will come back to help, because according to his estimation, Chernyshev, the Minister of War, has basically finished his job. If he comes back, he should have a lot of potential. It is highly possible to replace that conservative old stubborn.

He was not very interested in having Dmitry come back to scheming, but he was very interested in having him come back to take charge of the War Department and preside over the reform of the Army. After this war, he finally understood that strength in numbers was not absolute. A large group of serf soldiers with low quality and backward equipment could not defeat a small group of modern soldiers with good equipment and basic cultural literacy.

It is not impossible to rely on numerical superiority to kill the opponent, but it will cost you a heavy price, and with the rapid development of science and technology, this price will only become larger and larger until it is unbearable.

Therefore, he is eager to change the backward state of the Russian Army and restore the world-famous glory of the Russian Army as soon as possible.

But after entering the Winter Palace and chatting with Alexander II today, Dmitri felt that his ambitions had been poured cold water on, because Alexander II told him that his main task now was to go to the War Department to maintain the status quo. To prevent major turmoil in the Army due to possible reform measures.

In an instant, Dmitry felt displeased with the position of Assistant Minister of War assigned to him by Alexander II. Even though Alexander II had made it clear to him that he would replace Chernyshev in charge of the War Department after a period of time when the situation stabilized, he still felt disgusted with being the tinkerer maintaining stability.

From here, he basically saw the true thoughts of Alexander II. This tsar was by no means a master willing to reform. All his actions were to maintain his power and status, and he had to give up only when he had no choice but to do so. One or two.

So after listening to Nikolai Milyutin's rant about Count Rostovtsev, he immediately retorted: "I think the count is right to prepare for a rainy day. I talked to His Majesty today and he doesn't have much interest in reforms." Interested, if we don’t put enough pressure on His Majesty, it may be very difficult to carry out reforms safely!”

Nikolai Milyutin was shocked. Count Rostovtsev said this before. He thought the count was a bit excessive, overreaching and even unfounded. But now that Dmitri said the same thing, he had to take it seriously.

After all, his brother had more contact and closer relationship with Alexander II. Alexander II would hide many things from them, but he would never hide it from Dmitri. Since Dmitry said that Alexander II was not interested in reform, he probably really was not interested and now he had no choice but to do it.

This was a blow to Nikolai Milyutin. If Alexander II's attitude towards reform was really like this, it meant that his compromise was completely meaningless!

"Are you sure?" he asked with a calm face.

"Sure!" Dmitri replied decisively, "His Majesty's attitude is very clear. He will probably use all possible means to restrict the reform."

Nikolai Milyutin sat down on the sofa slumped. He pinched his forehead and rubbed it for a long time, then asked persistently: "Could it be that you made a mistake?"

Dmitri sighed and shook his head with certainty: "No, this is His Majesty's truest will! There is no possibility of any error!"

Nikolai Milyutin looked up and sighed, murmuring: "Why is this like this? It shouldn't be!"

Dmitri knew very well the disappointment and loss of Nikolai Milyutin. He had been so disappointed once upon a time. But looking back now, he thinks this is a good thing, because it is better to see the reality clearly early than to regret after failure. Wouldn't it be better if we could see the true face of Alexander II clearly earlier and prepare the means to deal with him earlier, so as not to be deceived by him and ultimately lead to the failure of the reform and fall into a trap?

"Do you think there is any way to make His Majesty change his mind?" Nikolai Milyutin asked unwillingly.

Dmitri smiled and said decisively: "There is no possibility, His Majesty's will is there. If we can't stick to our position firmly, nothing will be done in the end!"

This assertion completely defeated Nikolai Milyutin. He leaned on the sofa and sighed, unable to say a word for a long time. The loneliness and disappointment made people pitiful.

But this is of no use, because this is the reality in Russia. The reality is that conservatives are very stubborn and powerful. If you are weak, they will treat you like a monkey and treat you like a soft persimmon. You can only force yourself to do what you want to do...