Struggle in Russia

Is fifty thousand francs a lot?

Of course it's not a lot, just about one hundred thousand rubles. This little money was certainly nothing to Alexander II.

But it also depends on the situation. Maybe a year or two ago, this amount of money was just a drop of money to him, and the jewelry and real estate he casually gave to his mistress were more than this.

But that was two years ago, and now fifty thousand francs is really a prudent plan for him. At least he is reluctant to spend fifty thousand francs to send foreign newspapers to bully him.

"The money is not much," Alexander II said slowly, "but can you guarantee that they will shut up?"

Of course Duke Dolgoruky can't guarantee that he can even settle this matter with 50,000 francs. How can he guarantee that 50,000 francs can silence foreign newspapers?

What's more, this time it's clear that someone wants to show off his teeth to the third part and slap Alexander II in the face. Even if he can buy a newspaper with 50,000 francs, there are so many newspapers in Britain and France that he won't be able to find a few more. Breaking the news?

At that time, could you still use money to spend it all?

So he replied awkwardly: "Your Majesty, I can only try. After all, it has happened for a while, and the news has spread. It is not that easy to stop the spread..."

I have to say that Duke Dolgoruky is a bit insidious, making excuses for himself and not forgetting the sinister Bedonostsev. What he meant was that Pobedonostsev did not stop the news from spreading in the first place, and now it is too late for him to intervene, so the responsibility lies entirely with Pobedonostsev and he must be spanked!

Alexander II understood, but didn't take it seriously, or he knew very well that this was Duke Dolgoruki's method of attacking dissidents. Just listen to these words, don’t take them seriously!

So he just listened without expressing his opinion, which made Duke Dolgoruky a little disappointed. He added unwillingly: "Your Majesty, I think the leaks within the third part should be strictly investigated. The reason why this matter was spread to If you go abroad, I’m afraid someone may have leaked the news on purpose!”

This is throwing dirty water, and it is so insidious. Did anyone leak the news about the third part? Certainly, but must this man be Pobedonostsev?

That’s not necessarily the case!

But Duke Dolgoruky would definitely be very annoyed if he knew that Alexander II would definitely be thinking in this direction? If the tsar thought more deeply, wouldn't he think that this leak came at a coincidence, just when Pobedonostsev was giving up his love to him?

Could it be that he deliberately leaked the information, or deliberately allowed some people to leak the information, just to take advantage of him?

Once Alexander II recognized this, Pobedonostsev would definitely be severely punished, and he might never be able to gain his trust and reuse again.

Did you see it? This is called insidious and vicious. If you are not careful in the officialdom, you may lose a layer of your skin!

It's just that this trick was useless against Pobedonostsev, because Alexander II was still relatively smart, and this method was too straightforward. He knew what Duke Dolgoruky was hitting in a flash of his mind. If you have an idea, you will naturally not be fooled.

"Check for leaks?" Alexander II sneered, "Where to start? Should it start with you?"

Duke Dolgoruky suddenly trembled and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I just feel that it is a bit strange for foreign newspapers to get the news this time. This is clear..."

Alexander II interrupted him rudely: "How did they get the news? You can check it out slowly. Isn't your third film the best at this? But without finding any evidence and without results, you can make random guesses and make conclusions. , that is absolutely unacceptable!”

Duke Dolgoruky was startled and quickly explained: "Your Majesty, I just feel..."

Alexander II waved his hand and said: "Don't tell me how you feel. I don't want to feel or speculate. I want evidence! Don't talk nonsense without evidence!" M..

Without waiting for Duke Dolgoruky to continue explaining, he ordered coldly: "It seems that you don't have conclusive evidence, and what you said is just speculation. You can go out first. If you think someone really leaked the secret, then go Cha, don’t keep telling me groundless speculations!”

Duke Dolgoruky reluctantly resigned. Why did Alexander II insist on driving him out?

The reason was very simple. He saw that Duke Dolgoruki's current focus was very problematic. What he focused on was how to attack Pobedonostsev and how to attack dissidents.

But this was meaningless to Alexander II. If Pobedonotsev could be dismissed from his post, he would have done it long ago. It would be great if Pobedonotsev resigned as a matter of course and agreed.

The reason why he didn't agree was simply that he couldn't do it! But now Duke Dolgoruky still wants to do this. Isn’t this because he is too confused to understand current affairs?

What is there to say to someone who is ignorant of current affairs? It is conceivable that this guy will only continue to find ways to exclude dissidents if he stays in the Imperial Study Room, and will not really care about the problems of foreign newspapers at all.

"Count, you have been silent just now. Is there really nothing you can do about it? Or are you deliberately silent and pretending to be deaf and dumb?"

Count Shuvanov was not nervous when faced with Alexander II's question. He bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, I was not involved in this matter and do not know the specific situation, so I cannot speak casually."

Alexander II sneered: "Really? But why do I think you are pretending to be deaf and mute on purpose? You are the sinner you are afraid of!"

Count Shuvanov bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, as a subordinate of Count Pobedonostsev and Duke Dolgoruky, I cannot comment on the issues between them casually. Which one is right and which one is not? Your Majesty is free. It’s fair to say that my responsibility is to work hard and complete the tasks assigned by my boss, so I don’t think it’s a mistake to keep my mouth shut.”

Alexander II looked at him and sneered: "There are many excuses, but you are very clever! You are just worried about losing your official title!"

Count Shuvanov did not defend himself, but bowed his head and respectfully listened to Alexander II's teachings, rather than hitting back and scolding him.

To be honest, Alexander II was very satisfied with this. It didn't matter to him what responsibilities or who was right or wrong. As long as we can complete the work he assigned us, does it matter whether it is right or wrong?

To put it bluntly, you are right in everything, but if you just don’t follow his baton, what’s the use?

A minister should act like a minister, accept the emperor's orders honestly regardless of right or wrong, and act in accordance with the emperor's intentions. This is the most important thing.

You see Count Shuvanov's attitude is very upright. When I scold you, no matter whether it is right or wrong, listening honestly is better than anything else!