Struggle in Russia

How long has Grand Duke Constantine not been this happy now? Is it one year, two years or three years? Or five or six years?

He seriously recalled that the last time he was so happy was the day when he and Nicholas I went to visit relatives in Prussia, and they performed well in front of their grandfather and were well received, completely overshadowing Alexander.

He remembers that day when he was the star of the audience and Alexander was the ugly duckling in the corner. His most beloved father kissed him that day and told him how proud he was.

Since that day, no matter how good or outstanding he performed, it is difficult to receive similar praise. Even if he is obviously better than Alexander, Alexander will always be the focus in China. Even if he is just an ugly duck, thousands of sycophants will surround him and praise him in various ways.

And he, the most outstanding Grand Duke Constantine, no matter how well he performed, was just a foil for Alexander, just a green leaf.

Grand Duke Constantine hated this feeling, and hated the injustice of the heavens even more. Was it possible to be an emperor only by birth?

Why should he be the crown prince a few years earlier? In terms of ability, courage, and vision, he is no better than Alexander? Just because he was born a few years earlier? Why! !

The turbulent anger and resentment surged into Grand Duke Constantine's heart again, adding a bit of ferocity to his round face. Even Nikolai Milutin, who was sitting across from him, could tell that the Grand Duke was very unstable, as if he had been greatly stimulated.

Milutin could probably guess what stimulated Grand Duke Constantine. He was aware of the Grand Duke's ambitions, and although he didn't particularly agree with his judgment on Crown Prince Alexander, from Milutin's point of view, the Grand Duke was still very outstanding and capable, and he was willing to serve the Grand Duke.

But fate is really hard to say, everything can be smoothed out without hard work. The more backward the country is, the more important it is to be born well. For example, in Russia, being born well means that the starting point and the ending point are completely different, which cannot be changed by manpower.

Nikolai Milyutin sighed secretly, feeling sorry for Grand Duke Constantine and at the same time feeling aggrieved by his career and aspirations—it was so difficult, so hard!

During this distraction, Grand Duke Constantine recovered from the ecstasy and asked: "Dear Nicholas, did Count Rostovtsev make a mistake in his judgment? Father has undergone fundamental changes. The old eunuch is already disappointed, and he is extremely dissatisfied with Alexander. It can be seen from his attitude today, otherwise he would not be able to support me so much, what do you think?"

Nikolai Milutin was silent because the result of today's imperial meeting was too different and shocking. Menshikov was severely scolded by Nicholas I in public, and he was temporarily suspended for recuperation, while issues related to Messadov and the old eunuch were handed over to Aldorf to continue the investigation.

Nicholas I also stated on the spot that he would never tolerate any problems, and no one should make fun of the cornerstone of the empire, nor should he neglect his duties and fool things.

Anyway, when Menshikov walked out of the Winter Palace, his face was ashen, as if he had aged ten years in just over an hour. The old prince with a sharp and high-pitched voice is gone, and there is only an OLD MAN who walks in a daze and loses his mind.

The suspension of Menshikov is tantamount to the overturning of the boulder on the head of Grand Duke Constantine. Without Menshikov in the way, the Admiralty can almost be said to be headed by Grand Duke Constantine. For His Excellency the Grand Duke, who has been suppressed for a long time, there is a sense of joy in seeing the sun behind the clouds.

Nikolai Milutin was also happy, this was indeed a key victory. It dealt a heavy blow to Menshikov's arrogance, and greatly enhanced Grand Duke Constantine's voice in the Admiralty.

For reformers like them, it was an unprecedented victory. In the future, Grand Duke Constantine would preside over the overall situation in the Navy Department.

Some reform measures can be implemented in the navy first, and then gradually spread outward.

Thinking of this, Nikolai Milutin also became excited, and he couldn't help but want to fight immediately. It's just that he is still a little rational, and he is not so optimistic that he forgets his last name. He is even vaguely uneasy, always feeling that things should not go so smoothly. He felt that he had to remind Grand Duke Constantine not to lose Jingzhou carelessly.

It's just that Grand Duke Constantine was completely overwhelmed by ecstasy at this time. No matter how mature and outstanding he was before, he was just a 20-year-old kid after all. It is easy to cock its tail, get carried away easily, and get carried away easily, so he immediately floats away.

I saw Grand Duke Konstantin jumping up and down like a restless monkey with a red face, and shouted vigorously: "That's right, my father has indeed changed his mind. He is disappointed in Alexander and an old man like Menshikov." The incompetent waste is also disappointed! He knows the future of the empire is someone as energetic as me!"

"We made a mistake! We were too conservative! Otherwise, Menshikov would not only have been suspended, but would have been dismissed. Maybe I would be the Minister of the Navy now!"

While talking about Grand Duke Constantine, he showed a regretful and unhappy expression. Before Nikolai Milutin could speak, he shouted again:

"Count Rostovtsev is also old, unable to keep up with the changes in the situation, too conservative and too timid... We can take a bigger step, and we can take advantage of the victory to pursue! We must be more decisive and agile!"

Nikolai Milyutin was stunned. Looking at the flushed Duke Constantine, who looked like he was drunk, he felt more and more bad...

"It's over! Everything's over! I'm over!"

Unlike the ecstatic Grand Duke Constantine, Crown Prince Alexander was gloomy. After the imperial meeting ended, the crown prince almost fainted. When he returned to his bedroom, he was already in tears, and was so frightened by the crown princess Maria Alexandrovna that she lost her mind. Regardless of taking care of the eldest son Nicholas Alexandrovich who fell and cried, he hurried forward to check what happened.

"Honey, what the hell is going on? What's up?"

The terrified Maria hugged her tearful husband completely at a loss. The last time Alexander cried so loudly was when his sister Alexandra died. Has someone else died in the family?

It's just that Crown Prince Alexander couldn't make a sound, and there was no way to explain the confusion to the Crown Prince and Concubine. In the end, the two could only hug each other and cry bitterly. When Zhukovsky, old Adlerberg and Bariatinsky walked in, what they saw was the whole family of the crown prince crying together...