Struggle in Russia

Nikolai Milyutin was puzzled that Count Rostovtsev paid special attention to Li Xiao's behavior. In his opinion, apart from his status as a Grand Duke, Li Xiao didn't help their career very much. It may even have the opposite effect.

Nikolai Milyutin always felt that top-down reforms were the only way out for Russia. To achieve this, hope can only be placed on Crown Prince Alexander and Grand Duke Constantine.

It would be best if he could do the work of Crown Prince Alexander. If he could not win the support of a powerful prince, it would be a good way to indirectly promote the cause of reform.

And what can Li Xiao do? In terms of inheritance rights, he has to be ranked behind. In front of him are not only the four sons of Nicholas I, but also the younger brother of Nicholas I, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich.

With Nicholas I's personality, even if all his sons and grandsons died, he would rather hand over the throne to his younger brother Mikhail or his descendants than to Li Xiao.

From this point of view, the existence of Li Xiao is meaningless to this reform, and the possibility of him succeeding to the throne is really too small. So what are you wasting your time and energy on this down and out grand duke?

What's more, the relationship between Li Xiao and Nicholas I's family is extremely bad. Getting close to this Grand Duke will not only offend Nicholas I, but also Crown Prince Alexander and Grand Duke Constantine. This guy is completely a reef blocking top-down reforms, okay?

Nikolai Milyutin had discussed this matter with Count Rostovtsev last time. Nikolai Milyutin was not satisfied with the explanation given by the count. Today, when the count mentioned Li Xiao again, he felt that he had to persuade Count Rostovtsev to stop wasting his time.

"Count, I still think there is no need to waste resources on that Grand Duke. Our power is too precious to be invested in irrelevant people who are of no help to our cause!"

Looking at the solemn Nikolai Milyutin, Count Rostovtsev sighed again in his heart. He has warned the other party several times, don't think about the problem so simply, and always naively put all the eggs in one basket.

Do you really think Crown Prince Alexander and Grand Duke Constantine will unconditionally support their cause? This is a fool's dream!

Never believe the tsar's nonsense. And never believe the lies of those who aspire to the Tsar's throne. These guys do everything they can to achieve their goals. Before they achieve their goals, they will talk sweetly, but once their goals are achieved, they will inevitably turn their faces and be ruthless.

Rostovtsev had seen too many of these. That's why he wouldn't pin all his hopes on someone. He believes in the power of checks and balances. If he wants the superiors to reform obediently according to their will, then there must be means to check and balance those superiors so that they have to obey.

He only wanted to hug his thigh, but there was only one ending - being ruthlessly abandoned by his thigh.

So Count Rostovtsev once again warned: "My friend, you are always too naive in politics, and you always unconsciously think things are better. But the reality is cruel, even cruel, and will be ruthless. Grind your innocence into powder!"

"Don't place too much hope on the crown prince, and don't put too much hope on that grand duke. Otherwise, you are doomed to be disappointed!"

Count Rostovtsev didn't know if Nikolai Milyutin had listened to it. Even if he didn't, there was nothing he could do, because this was Nikolai Milyutin's choice. If he chooses to be naive and naive, he will be taught how to be a human being by reality.

Count Rostovtsev could only hope that Nikolai Milyutin would have been a little more mature by the time he was taught to be a man. Otherwise, he doubts whether this talented young man can stand up again.

"Don't be unconvinced." Count Rostovtsev said, "As far as I know, this action against Menshikov was not designed by the Grand Duke Constantine you admire, right?"

Nikolai Milyutin was suddenly speechless,

Because the plan is really not the handwriting of Grand Duke Constantine, but Li Xiao's design. Grand Duke Constantine just thought the plan was good and chose to cooperate and use it.

"This doesn't explain anything." Nikolai Milyutin insisted, "Without Grand Duke Constantine, this plan would not have been possible."

Rostovtsev sneered: "That's right, who made him the son of the Tsar, but the Grand Duke was not!"

Nikolai Milyutin was a little upset. Count Rostovtsev meant that the only contribution of Grand Duke Constantine to this plan was his identity and status. In other words, if there is someone with his status and status, Li Xiao can also cooperate with that person. That is to say, Grand Duke Constantine is not necessary in the plan and can be replaced, which means it is not that important.

However, Nikolai Milyutin is not a person who likes to argue, and it's okay to be unhappy, but one is one and two is two. He still said the truth.

"Well, you're right, from this point of view, the Grand Duke is still capable... although it's useless!"

Rostovtsev just smiled, obviously disagreeing with the assertion that someone was not using it. But he didn't bother arguing with Nikolai Milyutin anymore, because it was meaningless, and he didn't like to argue, he just wanted to know the detailed performance of someone.

"He convinced Grand Duke Constantine?!"

"He also said that the two sides have many common enemies?"

"Even saying that both parties have many interests that can be safeguarded together?"

Count Rostovtsev was surprised. He had just received a vague letter from someone before. The specific situation, especially how Li Xiao hurt Grand Duke Constantine to "abandon the past" and "cooperate together", he is not very clear.

When he learned that someone offered to cooperate, he was shocked! Because he always thought that the person who proposed cooperation was the Grand Duke Constantine, so he also raised his evaluation of the Grand Duke,

Now it seems that it is not Grand Duke Constantine who should improve his evaluation but Li Xiao. Rostovtsev is getting more and more interested in this short Grand Duke.

"Are these amazing?"

Count Rostovtsev's shock made Nikolai Milyutin very puzzled, and he did not understand the meaning of it. It's just that Count Rostovtsev wasn't interested in explaining either. After restraining his surprise, he replied calmly:

"Yes. It's amazing...a young man has such awareness...It's incredible..."

"My friend, when you understand one day, I think you can truly be called a politician..."

"It's just that judging from your current performance, this day may take a long time... You have to work hard!"