Struggle in Russia

Old Adlerberg couldn't help giving the crown prince another high look. In a very short period of time, this woman made Crown Prince Alexander understand how to take the opportunity to buy people's hearts.

Seeing Crown Prince Alexander with a serious face full of sincerity, those who didn't know thought that this Crown Prince was really so humane, so sincere, and so dependent on them. But old Adlerberg knows that these are all illusions and acting skills, don't take it seriously, you are really an idiot if you take it seriously.

Old Adlerberg was certainly not an idiot. He has served Nicholas I's family for more than ten years, and he knows the character of this family very well. When you are useful, you are a treasure, and when you are useless, you are not as good as grass.

Especially Nicholas I and the Grand Duke Constantine, who were really mean and unkind, the crown prince Alexander was considered good.

But on the bright side, Adlerberg is naturally grateful and apprehensive. Anyway, it's all about acting, let's see who is better.

After some courteous greetings, old Adlerberg began to explain to Crown Prince Alexander's longing eyes:

"The situation is far from being too bad. Although His Majesty reprimanded Menshikov for suspending him, he did not remove him on the spot, which left room. It shows that His Excellency the Prince still has a great status in His Majesty's heart! "

Alexander thought about it, and although he thought it made sense, he still didn't think it would help him much: "But the Admiralty is still in Kostia's hands!"

"No!" Old Adlerberg said decisively: "The Admiralty did not fall into the hands of Grand Duke Constantine!"

Alexander suddenly disagreed: "But he is the assistant to the Minister of the Navy, without the restraint of Prince Menshikov, he can't do whatever he wants!"

Old Adlerberg shook his head and said: "He can't do whatever he wants! There is no Minister of the Navy, and there is a second Minister of the Navy, and the assistant to the Minister of the Navy is far from qualified!"

The second Minister of the Navy is the Deputy Minister of the Navy. This position is a bit embarrassing, especially under the attack of Menshikov and Grand Duke Constantine, this position has almost become a bonsai and a decoration.

"Little Rumyantsev?"

Alexander frowned, because the Second Lord of the Navy was so insignificant, as if he had been forgotten since the day he took office. The only one who can be remembered is his uncle Rumyantsev the Elder, the heroic general and Imperial Field Marshal of the Seven Years' War.

It's just that old Rumyantsev has been dead for more than half a century, and his great achievements have no more role than to seek official positions for mediocre descendants.

Rumyantsev Jr. relied on his uncle's previous connections to become the Second Lord of the Navy. In fact, like Menshikov, he was a half-babe from the army and knew nothing about the navy.

The only function of being the Second Lord of the Admiralty in the past few years seems to be to receive a salary. In addition, his reputation in the opera house seems to be even louder.

"The vagabond?"

Even Zhukovsky had heard of this man's glorious deeds, and had no liking for the rake, and he did not like such a dandy as the younger Rumyantsev.

"Yes, that little Rumyantsev!" Old Adlerberg replied with certainty, "Yes, Your Highness, that guy has a very bad reputation. But what we need is not his reputation, but his reputation." His position. As long as he is willing to stand by your Highness, Grand Duke Constantine will not be able to get involved in the Admiralty. We can restore the decline!"

Alexander's eyes lit up. Indeed, what he needs most right now is someone who can fight against Grand Duke Constantine. It doesn't matter whether this person is a pig-headed three or two hundred and five, what matters is the position under his buttocks.

Immediately, he said firmly: "Then I will immediately invite him to come to the Winter Palace for an interview!"

Old Adlerberg replied with a smile: "Yes, Your Highness, you must invite him as soon as possible. I believe he will stand by your Highness!"

Alexander immediately cheered up,

Excitedly said: "That's great, Kostya never thought of it!"

Old Adlerberg warned: "Your Highness, you can't relax yet. This can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. It is far from enough to repel the provocation of Grand Duke Constantine. In the long run, ending Messadov case, it is more important to have Prince Menshikov back in his place!"

Alexander humbly asked, "Then what should we do? The evidence is against His Excellency the Prince!"

Old Adlerberg smiled and said, "This has to be done slowly. You'd better send a message to Duke Aldorf and ask him to handle the case more carefully."

"Even if the Duke of Aldorf agrees, it won't exonerate His Excellency the Prince, right?"

Old Adlerberg replied confidently: "There is no need to exonerate, as long as this period is delayed, the fierce offensive of Grand Duke Constantine subsides, and the little matter of His Excellency Prince Menshikov will naturally disappear. Trust your majesty." After getting angry, I will forgive His Excellency the Prince!"

Alexander dejectedly said, "That would make Kostya proud for a while!"

"Then it depends on our next counterattack!" Old Adlerberg guided: "So we have to use Rumyantsev to make trouble for Grand Duke Constantine, make everything go wrong for him, let him You're showing your clumsiness!"

Alexander asked enthusiastically, "How to do it?"

"It's very simple," old Adlerberg replied inscrutablely: "On the one hand, let Rumyantsev Jr. create trouble for Grand Duke Constantine in various affairs of the Admiralty. And mobilize Prince Menshikov Your Majesty's troops are deliberately causing trouble, and must make the navy a mess. Let His Majesty see that Grand Duke Constantine does not have the ability to manage the navy well!"

"On the other hand, I remember that His Majesty is very concerned about the affairs of Grand Duke Andrei Konstantinovich, right? Now that Mesadov is imprisoned for a crime and His Excellency Prince Menshikov is suspended, this matter falls on the On the shoulder of the Grand Duke Constantine?"

Alexander is very supportive of the first article, and he can't wait to do it immediately. But he didn't pay much attention to the second point, and felt that Li Xiao was nothing compared to his position as the crown prince. Now that my ass is on fire, I don't have the time to take care of that bastard.

"No!" Old Adlerberg said decisively, "This matter is very important. Judging from today's imperial meeting, His Majesty attaches great importance to it. And the only thing that Grand Duke Constantine satisfied His Majesty was that he got the Grand Duke's letter of repentance. In contrast, you spent a lot of time but failed to produce any results. This is a direct comparison between you and Grand Duke Constantine, and the gap is too obvious!"

"So, we are going to make trouble for Grand Duke Constantine in this matter, and let His Majesty see that Grand Duke Constantine can't really satisfy him..."

Speaking of this, old Adlerberg suddenly asked: "Your Highness, I heard that your military attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Leonid Gorchakov, has invited himself to serve in the 748 Regiment, and is now acting as the head of the regiment. I think you can use this to make a fuss!"