Struggle in Russia

Alexander II said to Duke Dolgoruky warmly: "Duke, your heart is good, but you must not be so rash. Don't mention this matter again, otherwise an accident will happen to you and me." I can’t explain it clearly!”

It is not difficult to hear from Alexander II's words that he was quite satisfied with Duke Dolgoruky's performance. It would be great for him to have the same heart as Duke Dolgoruki.

Even these words were meant to implicitly criticize Pobedonostsev. From his point of view, regardless of whether Duke Dolgoruky's idea was feasible or not, this heart was extremely precious. As the head of the third department dedicated to serving the Tsar's liver, he must have such an attitude.

But what happened to you, Pobedonostsev?

Not only did he not show his loyalty, but he also poured cold water on me. This clearly shows that he doesn’t want to serve me!

Even if your objection is indeed valid, your attitude makes people uncomfortable!

Did Pobedonostsev know that Alexander II was unhappy?

Of course he knew that since Duke Dolgoruky proposed that unfortunate idea, he knew that if he opposed it, he would definitely incur the dissatisfaction of Alexander II.

But the problem is that he has no choice but to object!

The reason is very simple. First of all, this unfortunate idea was proposed by Duke Dolgoruky. The reason why this guy is so eager to perform is to steal his limelight.

If Alexander II agreed and was impressed by his approach, then he would be a big success, and he would be able to overwhelm him, the real director of the third film.

Even if Alexander II did not agree, he had served the purpose of showing his loyalty.

The best result is that Pobedonostsev comes out to oppose this bad idea and denies it, which highlights his disloyalty.

Since Pobedonostsev saw it clearly, why did he choose the last resort and speak out against it?

There are several reasons. First of all, this idea is really bad. If Alexander II agrees, the final dirty work will have to fall on the third part.

It doesn't matter if the job is done well, but if it fails, how do you think Duke Dolgoruky will take the blame?

It was not him, the director, who was injured in the end!

The second reason is that Alexander II really might agree to this unfortunate idea. It's not that he can't see the disadvantages, but that there are ways to avoid the disadvantages.

If things come to light, he has a thousand ways to throw the blame away. The simplest thing is to shift the responsibility to the third film, saying that it is the third film that takes its own course.

In this case, do you think Duke Dolgoruky, who figured out the idea, will take the blame?

Anyway, he, the director, is the unlucky one.

From these two aspects, it seems that Duke Dolgoruky came up with this idea with evil intentions, and it was directed at him. Naturally, he could not just sit back and watch, and must fight back immediately!

And this was the most important reason why he chose the last resort. He had calculated all aspects clearly and knew what bad things Duke Dolgoruky was harboring. Naturally, he used a trick to deal with this bastard.

Don't you like to come up with bad ideas? Then just go out and believe it or not, after the meeting ends, everyone will know what you said at the meeting? Hehe, if something happens to those three whistleblowers, look who will be unlucky!

Yes, Pobedonostsev was ready to teach Duke Dolgoruky a good lesson. The only thing that made him a little worried was what Alexander II said just now.

It was obvious that the tsar also saw the possibility that Duke Dolgoruky might be deceived, so he secretly gave him a nod to be careful.

However, Duke Dolgoruky obviously didn't listen, or even if he did, he couldn't take precautions. The reason is very simple. Since he has already expressed his loyalty, he can only stick to it to the end. , Can't make a deal or change the situation, otherwise wouldn't this drama be in vain?

The meeting continued, and the focus had changed from how to launch a general offensive against the reformists headed by Nikolai Milyutin to how to deal with sudden accusations.

"Since we can only follow the procedure, then you all tell us how to deal with it to calm the matter down as quickly as possible!"

What Alexander II wanted to ask was obviously not how to calm the situation, but how to get Duke Baryatinsky to escape quickly. It would be best if he could escape without injury and immediately join the encirclement and suppression of the reformists.

But this is obviously not that easy, especially after the people in the imperial study have studied the evidence provided by the three informants, it is almost impossible to quickly clear Duke Baryatinsky.

The reason is very simple. The evidence of Duke Baryatinsky's corruption is quite solid. Which accounts are problematic and which income is illegal are listed in detail, as if they took away Duke Baryatinsky's own account books.

To be honest, Alexander II was very shocked. Of course he knew that Duke Baryatinsky was not clean. How many officials in Russian officialdom were clean?

Being an official for thousands of miles is just for money!

What's more, Duke Baryatinsky had to support him as the crown prince as his white glove. After all, he couldn't personally make money.

But how can you win people's hearts without making money? How to communicate emotionally? How to keep dozens of mistresses?

Therefore, it is clear to him as the emperor that Prince Baryatinsky has some black or gray income.

But it’s clear, but it can’t be said clearly!

To be honest, if all these were exposed, he might really be implicated as the Czar. Of course, he believed that Duke Baryatinsky's loyalty and intelligence would definitely take the blame alone, but if he resisted forcefully, he would inevitably peel off his skin!

At that time, even if it is symbolic, he will have to punish Duke Baryatinsky. In this way, not only will he be unable to catch up with the encirclement and suppression of the reformists, but he will even be idle for a long time in the future.

This result was intolerable to Alexander II. There were actually only three people under him who could truly be called confidants. The first was Duke Baryatinsky, followed by Pobedonostsev, and finally A Dmitry Milyutin.

If the leader of this troika is abolished, how will he control the situation in the future and ensure the imperial power?

Several people in the study were well aware of Alexander II's worries, but for most of them, it would not be a bad thing if Duke Baryatinsky was unlucky.

Pobedonostsev was missing one of his most powerful competitors.

For Count Rostovtsev it was a heavy blow to the conservative power.

For the elder Adlerberg, the fewer people Alexander II could rely on, the more opportunities he had to perform.

This is not a good thing only for Duke Dolgoruky. Naturally, he is also the most nervous one...