Struggle in Russia

What surprised Count Rostovtsev the most about Li Xiao?

Is it his ingenuity?

Is it his "evil" plan against Menshikov?

no. Rostovtsev has seen too many talented young people. Pushkin is farther away, and the Milyutin brothers are closer.

From the perspective of intelligence and talent, Li Xiao is not the top among these people. There are many people who are smarter, more capable, and more knowledgeable than him.

But none of these talents surprised Count Rostovtsev. The earl can analyze the actions of these talents only from the information collected in the third part. Count Rostovtsev had no secrets about this talent.

But Li Xiao was different, he was always able to do things beyond Count Rostovtsev's expectations and beyond his cognition. This was the case with embarrassing Nicholas I in public last time, and it is also the case with the sudden alliance with Grand Duke Constantine this time.

After Nikolai Milyutin left, Count Rostovtsev was still repeating the few words Li Xiao had said. It was a long time before he sighed:

"What a monster. Unite all forces that can be united against the enemy, even former enemies can also unite, and everything is to serve the highest interests first... It took me ten years to understand this truth, but you easily grasped it Yes! Terrible!"

Count Rostovtsev stood up laughing, rang the bell to summon his servants, and said, as if muttering to himself or somewhat worriedly:

"It seems that the Russian political arena will become more lively in the future... This stagnant water is finally going to make waves... This time, the old man Menshikov will suffer a lot... It's a pity, it's a pity!"

Count Rostovtsev shook his head and sighed: "If your opponent is just an old fool like Menshikov, a big victory will be just around the corner... It's a pity that your opponent still has two foxes, one old and one young. A fox is much more difficult!"

"Alright, let me take another look at your appearance and see if there are any surprises!"

Rostovtsev walked briskly out of the State Library, as if suddenly twenty years younger. The cold and haze of this winter could no longer stop him from being in a good mood.

When the count was in a good mood, he was also in St. Petersburg, while others, such as the Adlerbergs, were in a bad mood.

"You said Grand Duke Constantine suddenly attacked Mesadov? Locked up this idiot?" Vladimir Adlerberg asked.

Old Adlerberg had a handsome face, Nicholas I's favorite German face, high forehead, aquiline nose, a pair of deep blue eyes, and a chin as sharp as a knife and an axe.

The minister of court affairs has served Nicholas I for many years, not to mention his great achievements, which can be regarded as hard work. It's just that his qualifications are far behind Menshikov, Peter Volkonski, and Ordorf, so the most core and most powerful department is not yet his turn.

Moreover, the old Adlerberg has always acted in a low-key manner, and rarely has a particularly bright highlight moment. The courtiers gave the impression of many dignitaries as honest people who worked hard and did things. Anyway, it is a group of harmony like a face man.

But Sasha Adlerberg knew that these were just his father's disguise. In his father's words: honest people are the most let people down their guard, and honest people are the least hostile. Therefore, honest people are the safest, and they can go to the top without knowing it.

Little Adlerberg admired his father very much. As he said, he climbed from an unremarkable little nobleman to Nicholas I's side before he knew it, and became the minister of court affairs who accompanied him. Mastered all the core secrets in the court.

And whether it is Menshikov, Peter Volkonsky Ordorf or the famous Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nessel Rode, they all feel that old Adlerberg is their friend.

Isn't it scary to be able to mix with different factions and deal with top old foxes?

The most important thing is that Nicholas I also liked the honest and capable old Adlerberg very much, and felt that he was loyal, reliable and willing to work.

Little Adlerberg knew very well that his father only lacked one opportunity now. As long as one of the top dignitaries above him dies or steps down, his father will definitely be the substitute.

The old Adlerberg not only paved the way for himself, but even made arrangements for the young Adlerberg early on. He was arranged next to Crown Prince Alexander early in the morning. From accompanying the Crown Prince to study, he became the Crown Prince's confidant step by step to the Crown Prince's aide and military officer. Let's put it this way, once Nicholas I dies, the young Adlerberg will inevitably rise to a high position.

So whenever he encountered a problem, Adlerberg would first ask his father for advice, and the old man would not let him down every time.

Old Adlerberg asked slowly: "So you think Grand Duke Constantine couldn't help but want to attack Menshikov?"

Little Adlerberg nodded: "Yes, father. As far as I know, the Grand Duke has run out of patience with Menshikov. Last time they had a big fight over the navy budget, but Menshikov was pushed back by the Grand Duke with his power..."

The old Adlerberg suddenly looked up at the young Adlerberg, and said leisurely: "Not enough!"

Little Adlerberg added cautiously: "The steel plant and boiler plant that the grand duke invested in before are facing huge losses. If there is no large order from the navy, I am afraid they will not be able to survive."

"oh?"

Old Adlerberg let out a meaningful cry, but quickly said, "It's still not enough!"

Little Adlerberg was stunned, and said, "Isn't that enough?"

Old Adlerberg sneered: "I have served the royal family for more than twenty years, and I know the temper of that Grand Duke Constantine very well. That is a little fox. A few money is impulsive, regardless of everything."

Little Adlerberg wondered: "Then why did he suddenly attack Mesakov? It's meaningless? Even if he hates Mesakov, he should know that the task that the fat man is now shouldering is very important. If you screw it up, His Majesty will be angry!"

Old Adlerberg was silent, he leaned his head on the back of the sofa, squinted his eyes and stared at the crystal lamp on the ceiling, as if he could be inspired by the lamp to see through everything.

After a long time, when little Adlerberg got impatient, the old man suddenly said again: "What else did Grand Duke Constantine do that day?"