Struggle in Russia

Count Rostovtsev was stunned. Old Igor's evaluation of him was beyond his expectation.

He even thinks that others think of him as a wise man or conspirator who is highly intelligent and unsmiling.

It never occurred to me that he was seen by others as a domineering, old-school paternalistic bastard.

The contrast was so great that he couldn't accept it at all. At most, he thought he was a bit overbearing, but he definitely didn't think he was difficult to deal with.

He stopped laughing and asked with a straight face: "Is this what Grand Duke Andrei thinks or is it yours?"

Old Igor replied seriously: "This is the unanimous view of all of us!"

The atmosphere was a little stagnant. Count Rostovtsev looked directly at old Igor, and the pressure was suffocating.

Old Igor looked at him fearlessly, as if to say: I think so too when the King of Heaven is here, you are such a person!

After a long while, Count Rostovtsev took a deep breath and replied calmly: "It's up to you. It doesn't matter what you think of me. What's important is not to block the way or hinder my plan. That's enough." Got it!"

To be honest, old Igor was disappointed. He has known Count Rostovtsev for many years. When the old people who came from that era gradually withered or simply succumbed to the power of Nicholas I, Count Rostovtsev was one of the few who could still make him feel that he was Friendly person.

But today he discovered that this friend had also changed beyond recognition. He was no longer what he was before. He had been completely changed by this distorted society and became so ugly and unsightly.

Old Igor is very disappointed and regretful. From today on, he loses an old friend. Those good memories are really just memories.

"It's up to you!" Old Igor sighed, "As a former friend, I have said everything I should say, and I have a clear conscience! I hope you think clearly about what you are doing, and don't end up betraying all your relatives! Goodbye!"

Old Igor didn't want to stay for a moment. He finally understood why Li Xiao was so angry and rude today, and why he made that decision. Count Rostovtsev is so disappointing, this man has become a demon!

Count Rostovtsev does not think that he is possessed by magic. He has clear goals and clear methods and everything is going according to his vision, so what is wrong with him?

It could only be old Igor and Li Xiao who were wrong. It was because they didn't understand the cruelty of reality, because they were too merciful, and because they didn't understand his painstaking efforts at all. The reason why these naive people were suppressed so miserably by Nicholas I was entirely because of their naivety.

If it weren't for him, old Igor and Li Xiaozhi wouldn't even have a chance to breathe, but now these novices who have received his favor dare to point fingers at him and say that he is wrong?

This is simply ungrateful!

Count Rostovtsev felt unreasonably depressed and extremely angry. And he thought that anger and other emotions that only the weak could have had long ago been abandoned by him. He actually broke the precept today because of two novices. He really shouldn't have.

He tried hard to calm down the annoyance in his chest, telling himself that he couldn't argue with idiots, not to mention that when he helped those idiots, he never thought about making them grateful. He just felt pity for these unfortunate wretches and gave them a little gift out of compassion.

It took Count Rostovtsev a while to control his emotions. He drank a cup of tea slowly and began to make plans for the future again.

After all, some people act very naive and unreasonable, which shows that they are not qualified to bear heavy responsibilities and naturally cannot shoulder those burdens, so they must take precautions early to avoid being delayed by certain people.

Count Rostovtsev acted very detached and even arrogant. It seemed that both Li Xiao and old Igor were kneeling at his feet, listening to his lectures and following his guidance. It was like he was Zeus on Mount Olympus.

This is what Li Xiao dislikes the most, because there is no omniscient and omnipotent God in this world, and no one can be perfect. But Count Rostovtsev was paranoid that his plans and methods of doing things were perfect. He mistakenly believed that he was omniscient and omnipotent, which was intolerable.

Li Xiao admits that his level is not as good as Count Rostovtsev, and also admits that most people and most reformists are not as good as him, but no matter how good he is, he cannot always make mistakes, nor can he be perfect.

There is no harm in listening to other opinions, and there is no problem in putting yourself in other people's shoes and considering the interests of the majority.

But he was so paranoid that he would not allow anyone to oppose his plan, not even the smallest detail adjustment.

This makes people crazy. Anyway, Li Xiao doesn't want to work with such people, nor does he want to be friends with such people, so he chooses to only discuss matters from now on and cooperate only when he can cooperate.

"You really did this?" Alexey asked in surprise.

Li Xiao nodded silently: "I have been patient for a long time, but this time I really can't bear it anymore!"

Alexey hesitated for a moment and said: "But in my opinion, there is no problem with the general direction of his plan, the timing is accurate, and the possibility of success is very high!"

Li Xiao shook his head and said: "I didn't say there was a problem with his timing, nor did I think his general direction was wrong. I was talking about the details! Obviously there was no need to pay such a heavy price, and there was obviously no need to die so many people and shed so much blood. But he just doesn’t care! He just wants to be cruel to the end! This is unacceptable to me!”

Alexey was stunned and sighed: "I knew this was the problem. Although I also think it is a bit excessive, but thinking about it from his perspective, ensuring success is the first priority, and he should also be seeking stability. Bar?"

Li Xiao snorted: "This has nothing to do with seeking stability. As far as the current situation in Ukraine is concerned, it is already a sure thing... Even if a large army is sent to counter the rebellion immediately, it is impossible without one or two months of preparation. That is He said that when the counter-rebellion troops arrived in Ukraine, the situation was already very bad. But now he still refuses to agree and still wants to drag it out. What will the delay look like? Does he have to be bloodied for thousands of miles to be satisfied?"

Alexei stopped talking because he knew that Li Xiao was right. Even if he went all out to suppress the rebellion now, it would still take time. Maybe before the army arrives in Ukraine, it will turn into a pot of porridge, but Count Rostovtsev still has to wait and make Ukraine more chaotic. What kind of chaos will it be like?

Maybe it will end up like what Li Xiao said. What a heavy price we have to pay. Is this really necessary?