Struggle in Russia

Chapter 104 Change

In ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, the change of the country's successor is the most important core issue. Especially in Russia, a country with a strong oriental atmosphere, the change of the crown prince means earth-shaking changes.

Since Ivan the Terrible of the Rurik Dynasty, Russia has repeatedly stumbled on the issue of the crown prince.

In his later years, Ivan the Terrible had several different princes, which directly led to the ruin of the Rurik Dynasty. Peter the Great got rid of the crown prince Alexei in his later years, which directly led to the rise of Catherine I.

The following generations of tsars all faced the same problem, and big problems arose when power was transferred. The crown princes and tsars who lost their lives for this reason are countless.

The most recent example is the football between Nicholas I and his brother Konstantin Pavlovich, which almost brought Russia into chaos again.

So when Uvarov found out that Nicholas I's attitude suddenly changed drastically, it was very ambiguous. He subconsciously thought something was wrong!

Uvarov is neither the party of the crown prince nor the party of Grand Duke Constantine. His principle of being an official is to only listen to the emperor and keep a distance from the princes so as not to get angry.

However, this does not mean that Uvarov is willing to see Grand Duke Constantine replace Alexander. On the contrary, he supported Alexander as prince. Not because he had a good relationship with Alexander, but because he wanted stability.

As the biggest spokesperson and ideological mentor of serfdom in Russia, Uvarov believes that once Russia falls into turmoil due to the issue of the crown prince, all kinds of "demons and ghosts" suppressed by Nicholas I will be released from their cages.

These "monsters" will take advantage of the chaos to wreak havoc and trample on Russia's "national foundation", not to mention completely destroying the serfdom system, but also severely damage this system. At that time, everything was difficult to say.

Uvarov has not forgotten the Pugachev uprising more than 60 years ago. How scary and terrifying that uprising was, even reading history books can make him shiver. It was still the golden age of Catherine the Great's reign, and it took a lot of effort to suppress the uprising. Now?

Uvarov looked at Nicholas I, then at Crown Prince Alexander and Grand Duke Constantine. To be honest, he felt that none of the father and son could really fight. Even Nicholas I, who was tough and iron-blooded, was nothing but a shelf.

Naturally, Uvarov does not want to see political turmoil even more, and it is best to hand over the shift smoothly. Although Crown Prince Alexander is of the same level, there is no major problem in being a conservative monarch.

Uvarov couldn't sit still anymore, and he felt that he had better talk to Nicholas I as soon as possible. We must dissuade the emperor, who has always been self-willed, from abolishing the old and setting up the young to mess up. Russia really can't stand the toss.

Uvarov immediately said: "Your Majesty, I don't think the small matter of the Admiralty is worth discussing in the imperial meeting. I believe that Prince Menshikov and Grand Duke Constantine can handle this matter well!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked. Even Nesselrode, who had nothing to do with himself, couldn't help staring at Uvarov. The old prime minister couldn't understand why Uvarov was involved in this shitty thing. Could it be that there was something famous in it?

Nesselrode is not the only one who has similar thoughts. Peter Volkonsky also began to re-examine Grand Duke Constantine and Menshikov suspiciously. In the end, he couldn't figure it out. He could only stare at Uvarov fiercely, and he didn't know if his old eyes could see flowers.

Ordolf was a little puzzled. Could it be that Uvarov and Menshikov hooked up?

This is not good news. Originally, Menshikov and Chernyshov "colluded together" were the largest forces in the country, and even Prime Minister Nesselrode had to let them go. Now that Uvarov's mouthpiece is added in, wouldn't it be possible to do whatever he wants!

Aldorf immediately gave Peter Volkonski a wink, and asked him what was going on and if he had heard anything.

But the latter was obviously at a loss, and could only stare blankly, not knowing what to do.

Even Menshikov himself was baffled. He didn't know why the old fritter Uvarov, who had always been neutral and only followed Nicholas I's lead, suddenly spoke for him. This surprise was so sudden that he was also dumbfounded. After a moment of stunned, he quickly followed Uvarov's words and replied:

"Your Majesty, I will thoroughly investigate this case immediately, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory result, and I guarantee that no criminal will be spared!"

Nicholas I didn't care about Menshikov's answer, it was a big deal. If Grand Duke Constantine hadn't been involved, the third part of this kind of case would have handled more than a dozen cases a day. It's nothing more than imprisonment or exile, there's nothing to make a fuss about. After he ascended the throne, he exiled 8,000 prisoners instead of 10,000. The attention of each of them is not enough.

Nicholas I was also a little confused why Uvarov suddenly spoke for Menshikov. At first, he had the same idea as Ordorf and others, thinking that Uvarov was going to form a party with Menshikov.

But just after thinking about it, Nicholas I realized something was wrong again, because Uvarov didn't need to do this at all. The reason why he, the Minister of National Education, has his current status, and the reason why he is so detached, is that he has always been impartial and only serves him, the emperor, and no one else.

And once Uvarov changed his neutral position, it would be impossible for him to gain full trust. In that case, not to mention the detached political status, I am afraid that even the Minister of National Education can continue to be a question.

Anyway, Nicholas I would never allow his literary courage and ideological chief designer to favor any political force, and that would be too great a threat to the imperial power.

Obviously, Nicholas I also discovered that he was definitely a smart man from his years of getting along with Uvarov. Always abide by the duty and never go beyond it, it is impossible to suddenly have a convulsion and hang out with Menshikov.

Then there must be a reason why Uvarov suddenly spoke for Menshikov. It's just that Nicholas I was not the kind of emperor who was particularly keen, and he couldn't think so deeply for a while. So he also shut down and fell into deep thought, not paying attention to what Menshikov said.

It's just that this made Menshikov even more embarrassing. The emperor didn't want to talk to me when he took the initiative to say something. My good boy, how serious is this problem?

Menshikov's back was drenched in cold sweat. The old eunuch really suspected that he was going to confess today that he was taking jujube pills!

Menshikov was not the only one who was in a hurry, Crown Prince Alexander was also in a hurry. He thought that with Uvarov helping to speak, the old father should give Menshikov a little face. But now it seems that this is sharpening the knife and full of murderous intentions!

You can no longer hesitate, you can no longer be silent, you must speak for Menshikov, and you must not let that despicable brother succeed!

Alexander immediately said: "Father, I think Count Uvarov's opinion is correct. What happened to the Admiralty is indeed a small matter, and it is not worth fighting. Prince Menshikov has always been reliable for his hard work. I believe he can handle it well. Here you go." A satisfactory explanation!"

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