Struggle in Russia

"Prime Minister, it seems that you have to manage state affairs and also be responsible for diplomatic work. The burden is too heavy and the pressure is too great. We should lighten your burden!"

As soon as this remark came out, Nesselrode was so frightened that he fell to the ground, why? Because these words are very heavy and scary, they are usually said when the leader wants to give you shoes to wear or dismiss you.

What bureaucrats like Nesselrode are most afraid of is the loss of power in their hands. It would be a huge blow if he lost the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he relied on to start his career. Because it is quite difficult to be the prime minister of Russia as a foreigner, and to be the prime minister in a cabinet with a higher military status.

Let's put it this way, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of the Navy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and even the Ministry of National Education did not give Nesselrod much face, because these ministers were very close to Nicholas I. That is to say, the department where Nesselrode really speaks is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he started.

He has worked hard in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for these years, accumulated a large number of contacts, and promoted countless confidantes. If he no longer serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, it means that his basic situation will be severely damaged. Didn't he look more like a polished commander at that time!

Nesselrode immediately realized that he had made Nicholas I unhappy by making a big mistake just now, and immediately made amends: "Your Majesty, thank you for your concern, but as the prime minister of the empire and your chief minister, for the empire It is my duty to serve you wholeheartedly. No matter how hard or tiring it is, I will stick to it as always!"

But Nicholas I didn't catch a cold, but said coldly: "This is very good! But it can't make you work too hard, what should I do if my body is exhausted and the cause of the empire is delayed?"

Nesselrode was about to cry, because Nicholas I obviously wanted to question him, what if he delayed the cause of the empire? You can afford the least? Instead of really caring about his body.

He could only bite the bullet and replied: "I will do my best to complete every task you entrusted to me, and I will never delay any affairs of the empire!"

Nicholas I sneered in his heart, and said flatly: "That's good, thank you Prime Minister! So how long will it take to complete the task of obtaining special status in Wallachia and Moldavia for our country?"

Nesselrode really had no choice. He knew that Nicholas I had already made up his mind. He wanted Wallachia and Moldavia, regardless of whether the Foreign Ministry and Austria had opinions. This is already a task, and it is a task that must be completed!

"I will finish it as fast as possible!" Nesselrode promised bitterly.

But Nicholas I was still not satisfied, and said: "Not only must use the fastest speed, but also must be perfect!"

Does Nesselrode dare to say no? I can only nod in tears and agree,

So much so that when he walked out of the imperial study room, he was a little dazed, and almost fell down.

But this scene is not the case in the eyes of Nicholas I: [Old fox! Acting quite like it! 】

Yes, Nicholas I thought that Nesselrode was just acting, playing a drama of bitterness. How could this little trick be hidden from him? Naturally, Nicholas I, the civil servant who was full of flowers and brains, was even more disliked.

He said to Paskovich: "Father! Look at these guys. If you ask them to do a little bit of small things within their capabilities, they are just trying to trick them. If something big happens, how can they be reliable!"

Nicholas I once again felt that the only people in the world who could be trusted were soldiers, and other ministers other than soldiers were either slick, not obedient enough, or too cunning, and they were all bad bones. Just now Nesselrode fully explained this point!

So if it is not that there is no suitable replacement for the time being, he really wants to move Nesselrode's position, either let him stop being the prime minister and concentrate on being the foreign minister, or let him just be the prime minister for a more qualified diplomat Minister.

This was not just lip service, because immediately he asked Paskovich: "Father, are there any senior military officers who are suitable for diplomacy? Karl is old and cannot be in this position forever." Go down! We must consider who will succeed us!"

Paskovich naturally knew that Nicholas I's idea of ​​replacing Nesselrode was definitely not because he was old. Because there are many veterans who are older than Nesselrode, if you want to consider replacement candidates, you have to consider all of them. But Nicholas I only named Nesselrode's name, so there was only one reason: the Tsar thought that Nesselrode was not obedient and tame enough!

Of course, Paskovich didn't have much affection for Nesselrode, or he couldn't get along well with the civil servants. After all, few civil servants liked him, an illiterate old rascal, and they always dissed him.

Naturally, Paskovich would not miss the opportunity to apply eye drops to Nesselrod. Wouldn't it be a joy if he could make a foreign minister who was one-hearted with the army? So Paskovich immediately suggested: "How about Duke Dolgoruky? He is absolutely loyal and reliable!"

It's just that Nicholas I didn't have any feelings for Duke Dolgoruky. He felt that the mediocrity of this person was not enough to entrust him with great responsibility. After all, as the most important minister in the cabinet-the foreign minister still needed real skills, not only Just be obedient.

Of course, the most important thing is that Nicholas I's idea of ​​replacing Nesselrode is just a whim, not particularly strong, so it's just lip service for the time being.

However, this does not mean that Nesselrode is as stable as Mount Tai, because Nicholas I's idea of ​​using soldiers to conduct diplomacy is by no means a whim. He really has a need for this, and he actually has a favorite candidate in his mind.

who?

Old eunuch Menshikov!

This is really no joke, because in history, before the outbreak of the Crimean War, as the imperial envoy of Nicholas I, Menshikov personally went to Istanbul to put pressure on the Ottoman Turkish Sultan and gave him an ultimatum.

It can be seen that on such a major issue, Nicholas I really only believed in soldiers, but the problem is that the people he chose were really embarrassing. Menshikov's errand that year was a mess, and it didn't have any good results, so it's really not for everyone to do diplomacy.

In other words, if Nesselrode or a more suitable diplomat served as the special envoy of Nicholas I, I am afraid there would be no such thing as the Crimean War at all. Russia can easily pocket what it wants through extreme pressure.

It is a pity that history cannot assume that Nicholas I has no medicine to regret!