Struggle in Russia

Unknowingly, the first half of 1854 was over. In this year when the post-Nicholas I era had just begun, St. Petersburg seemed no different from the past few decades, but it seemed to be really different.

Different people have different feelings. For Li Xiao, St. Petersburg is still the city that makes him feel depressed. The climate and environment in high latitudes are very different from his hometown. Living here always feels strange to him.

"Whether it's eating or drinking, it's terrible, even sleeping is depressing!" he complained to old Igor.

The old housekeeper just smiled and said: "Maybe you have lived in Bucharest for too long. Compared with the cold St. Petersburg, it is indeed warm and humid there. It is a good place!"

Li Xiao knew that the old housekeeper was definitely not praising Bucharest. According to his speaking habits, after praising Bucharest for a few words, he would definitely start to criticize.

Sure enough, he immediately added: "Although the climate and environment there are good, it will never become the most important city in Europe. Only London, Paris and St. Petersburg are of decisive significance in Europe. If you just want to be a rich and idle person, you can Possibility to settle in Bucharest.”

Li Xiao chuckled, how could he become a wealthy and idle man? With Alexander II's urinary temperament, he would not stop him from leaving as long as he wanted to leave. It would only cause his property to shrink significantly. For that Romanov family How could you let a son of a bitch take away your property!

Unless he is willing to leave naked, he can only flop in the quagmire of Russia, accompanying Alexander II and his clever or cunning ministers to play officialdom.

"As long as you understand this," old Igor said with a smile, "there is only one way for you to go now, and that is to fight them to the end!"

Li Xiao smiled bitterly in his heart again. What does it mean to fight to the end? It sounds like he is very powerful, but in fact, his current strength is not worthy of being Alexander II's opponent. Although this tsar has been very passive recently, it seems that his level is just like that.

But Li Xiao himself knew that the main reason for Alexander II's poor performance was that his opponent was too strong. What level is Count Rostovtsev? This old fox had three dynasties and deceived Nicholas I. It can be said that turning his hand into clouds and his hand into rain was no ordinary power.

Moreover, he is surrounded by powerful teammates such as Nikolai Milyutin, Grand Duke Constantine and Grand Duchess Elena, as well as the support of public wishes that have been suppressed for nearly thirty years.

Only if Alexander II could handle such an opponent would he be successful!

But if the opponent is replaced by Li Xiao, it will be completely different. Li Xiao does not have the status and sophistication of Count Rostovtsev, nor does he have particularly strong political allies. What can a few good friends like Alexey and Leonid do?

To be honest, if Alexander II could free his hands to deal with Li Xiao, he would be crushed to death with just one finger.

It's just that Alexander II couldn't make a move, so he gave Li Xiao a chance to jump up and down.

Of course, this opportunity is not unlimited. If Li Xiao cannot take advantage of the death of the reformists and Alexander II to develop and grow, then once the trend of reform passes, Alexander II who is free will become very bad. Provoked. Have you ever seen how skilled this reverse driver was in history? Look at how he dealt with Grand Duke Constantine!

To be honest, Li Xiao was pressed for time and there really was nothing he could relax about.

He sighed and said to old Igor: "You don't need to flatter me. I am not qualified to fight with that person now. I am lucky to be able to protect myself!"

But old Igor shook his head and encouraged: "You are too self-effacing. I have seen you step by step over the years. We were so embarrassed in the past few years that we could hardly even eat enough. But what about now? Not only did you take back the old master's property, you also gained a group of reliable friends, and even established good relationships with many powerful people. To be able to do this in a few years, I dare not say that it is unique, but it definitely counts. It’s commendable! I believe that as long as you continue to work hard, sooner or later, even that person will not be your opponent!”

Seeing the confident look of old Igor, Li Xiao's feelings were very complicated, because he knew why the old man was so motivated. For him, his cheap old man was the most authentic tsar of Russia, and that throne should be Theirs.

In his eyes, Nicholas I and his son were just despicable thieves. His greatest wish in his life was to help Li Xiao get the throne to appease his cheap father's spirit in heaven.

To be honest, Li Xiao didn't think much about the position of czar. Not only because he was familiar with history and knew that Nicholas I's succession to the throne was actually reasonable and legal. Who made his cheap man so wasteful?

In this regard, he didn't have much resentment towards the cheap uncle, let alone hatred. From the beginning to the end, all he wanted was to live comfortably and without regard for others, but the father and son never gave him this chance.

When Nicholas I was here, he tried his best to suppress him and prepared to steal his property, which made him intolerable. Although Alexander II did not take much action against him for the time being, judging from his behavior after taking the throne, he was far from being very friendly.

Li Xiao almost couldn't attend the funeral of Nicholas I. Later, he reluctantly entered the venue as a member of the Romanov family. His position was in a corner, not even as good as a few distant relatives.

How could these practices have happened without the instruction of Alexander II, and Li Xiao also had a temper. As the saying goes, people respect me as much as I respect others. Love is mutual, and hatred is also mutual.

You think I can understand when you neglect me? Li Xiao is not one of those white-skinned fools from Europe in later generations. He believes in tooth for tooth and eye for eye.

Of course, this does not mean that he is a narrow-minded person who will retaliate a hundredfold if he is slightly wronged. He didn't have any brain cramps, and he would not overestimate his ability to provoke Alexander II just because of a little grievance.

He will only do his own thing honestly and slowly accumulate strength. If the time comes and there is an opportunity in the future, he will definitely give his cousin a look. If he didn't have this opportunity, he would only be honest and patient and would never be hot-headed.

Just like now, even though old Igor keeps talking about regaining the throne and chants a few words about Li Xiao from time to time, he will never be carried away. He really has this as his goal. He will not So impulsive and so stupid!