Struggle in Russia

Nikolai Milyutin suddenly stopped talking. He knew that Li Xiao was right. Umelov would definitely not be reused if he defected to the conservatives.

Why do so many young and promising aristocratic youths support reform?

Platform limitations are also an important reason.

The conservative platform relies on seniority to determine who has the best job, and does not give many opportunities to young people with no background or background.

Most of the opportunities and avenues of advancement are occupied by the disciples and descendants of conservative bosses. How many opportunities can be left to others?

People like Umerov may not have any chance until they die.

With his intelligence, how could he squander the opportunity he had waited so hard for?

As long as he is not stupid, he will not join the conservatives, because there is really no way out with these people!

If you understand this truth, you don't need to worry about Umerov betraying him or making trouble.

Now I am afraid that he will only focus on showing his ability and loyalty to Nikolai Milyutin, and will not give up until he is tricked by Alexander II.

"It seems we just have to wait for the good news!" Nikolai Milyutin laughed rarely.

However, Li Xiao shook his head and said: "It's not enough yet. In order to ensure everything is foolproof, we still need to do the editing work!"

Nikolai Milyutin was stunned. If he hadn't understood that Li Xiaozhen thought the other party was crazy, what work would those editors who were pro-Grand Duke Constantine have to do?

They are all die-hard supporters of Archduke Constantine, and they are all determined to follow him all the way to death. Is it necessary to waste time on them?

Li Xiao replied: "It is very necessary, and it is not a waste of time!"

Nikolai Milyutin nodded and asked him to elaborate. Li Xiao replied: "It is true that they are supporters of Grand Duke Constantine, but saying that they are supporters of Grand Duke Constantine is an overstatement... ...In my opinion, their relationship with Grand Duke Constantine is far from that close. To put it bluntly, they are just using people’s money to eliminate disasters!”

This conclusion is a bit unusual, Nikolai Milyutin listened more and more carefully.

"I have learned about the backgrounds of these people. Most of them are down-and-out scholars and young people who have just graduated. Most of them live in embarrassment..."

Nikolai Milyutin interjected: "Doesn't this mean that Grand Duke Constantine was kind to them? How can they not be grateful?"

Li Xiao shook his head and said: "It's not that simple. Maybe those poor students who have just graduated will be a little simpler and will be grateful to Grand Duke Constantine... But it's hard to say about those scholars. Some of them are famous for only caring about money and I have to adapt to the wind, and the reviews are very average!”

Li Xiaozhen didn't just talk nonsense. He actually did some research and found that most of these editors had average reviews and had a poor reputation in academic and cultural circles. Basically, as long as you have enough money, there is nothing you can't do.

This is also normal. How many real scholars and cultural people would foolishly make up stories about the royal family according to the instructions of Grand Duke Constantine?

Anyone with a right mind knows what this means!

And scholars and literati have always cherished feathers. Who would use their reputation to do such stupid things that might lose their heads?

Literati love money but cherish their lives even more!

In short, a cultural man who is not really hopeless and has no moral integrity will really not agree to Grand Duke Constantine's request.

Since these people have almost no sense of moral integrity, why do you think they will hang themselves on the tree of Archduke Constantine?

"Send someone to contact them and use coercion and inducement. I believe that as long as the money is enough, they will surrender!"

Nikolai Milyutin was stunned, because he had never thought about the problem from this perspective. If he looked at it this way, it would really be possible to succeed.

Just imagine, if these editors took the initiative to confess their crimes, or even took the initiative to expose the crimes of others, even Archduke Constantine, the effect would be quite explosive!

Of course, it’s really unethical to do this. At least Nikolay Milyutin couldn't do such a dishonest thing. What is the difference between this conspiracy and framing?

What about judicial impartiality? What about conscience?

Li Xiao was a little dissatisfied with this. Judicial justice has always only had relative justice but no absolute justice. In order to achieve absolute justice, it is almost enough unless the judicial system is filled with saints who have no desires or desires.

Even being all saints is not enough, as the old saying goes. It is difficult for an upright official to resolve household affairs. There is no absolute right or wrong about some things, and many problems do not belong to one party. The complex reasons are more messy than a ball of wool. Who can sort it out?

In Li Xiao's opinion, it is enough to be relatively fair. For example, buying an editor is indeed wrong. But is it right for Grand Duke Constantine and Alexander II?

In an official-based society, if you want to fight injustice, you cannot stick to laws and rules, because those things can only protect against gentlemen but not against villains. Unfortunately, most officials are villains, so the gentlemen will suffer in the end.

If you want to win justice, you have to be flexible. For example, you can bribe editors. Li Xiao didn't need them to frame the crime. He just needed them to tell the truth and tell the truth about the bad things that Grand Duke Constantine asked them to do.

That’s not an exaggeration, right?

To put it bluntly, this is Li Xiao paying for judicial justice out of his own pocket!

Nikolai Milyutin is not a rigid person. He knows that the most important thing at the moment is to win this lawsuit. No matter what method is used, as long as it can defeat the enemy, it can be used!

Even if he really doesn't like this method, who makes him want to win more and really start the reform?

Despicable means are nothing compared to lofty ideals!

"Go ahead and do it. Your third department is the best at this. If you lack connections, come to me. I still know some people in the Ministry of Justice!"

Nikolai Milyutin also appropriately demonstrated his responsibility. He was not afraid of getting his hands dirty and left all the dirty work to his subordinates like some leaders.

Li Xiao is also very grateful for this. To be honest, after having in-depth contact with Nikolai Milyutin during this period, his view of this reformist leader has greatly improved.

In the past, he thought Nikolai Milyutin was naive and rigid. Now, although he still behaves a bit naive sometimes, he doesn't really understand anything.

On the contrary, his learning ability has improved surprisingly quickly. More importantly, he is very good to his subordinates and friends. He can sympathize with his subordinates' difficulties and will try his best to help them.

In this regard, he is better than many leaders. In Li Xiao's opinion, he is the most responsible for the reformists' current situation. Without a loyal person like him as the leader, the reformists would be in disarray and unable to accomplish anything!