Struggle in Russia

The name Alexei Petrovich has eight thousand if not ten thousand in Russia, but there is only one name that Mikhail Gorchakov values ​​so much, and that is Alexei Petrovich. Ermolov.

This Yermolov is also a bull, and he is not an ordinary bull, but the one who is extremely bullish. This old man was very active in the Napoleon era. He participated in the previous wars in 1807 and 1812, and performed well. He was promoted to general of infantry in 1818, and he was added the title of general of artillery in 1837.

Please note that it is not easy to get the title of artillery general, especially the latter one. Why? Because in 1827 Ermolov was greatly disgusted and offended Nicholas I and was forced to resign for retirement. Ten years later, he could still have the title of artillery general. Tell me how awesome it is.

So how did Ermolov offend Nicholas I? This has to start from 1798. The French Revolution of that year had a profound impact on a large number of progressive military officers in Russia. And Yermolov is one of the best. That year he was arrested and imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress because of his participation in the "Free Thinkers" political group.

Friends who are familiar with the Peter and Paul Fortress know the status of this fortress prison in the Russian political arena, and only those political fans considered by the Tsar to be the most dangerous will be locked up there.

Unsurprisingly, Yermolov was sentenced to lifelong exile, but this man was too good. After a few years of exile, he was recruited back because he was too good to continue to serve in the military. He was in the war from 1805 to 1807 An excellent performance demonstrates superior artillery talent.

It's just that, outstanding is excellent, but Ermolov's political thought has always remained the same, advocating freedom and reform is his belief, so after the Decembrist incident in 1825, this man sheltered many The Decembrists in exile, and then they were denounced.

Think about what kind of dog-tempered Nicholas I is. If he can bear this, he must deal with Ermolov, but his fame and achievements are so great that even Nicholas I can't do much about him. , can only be dismissed and suppressed.

It's just that Ermolov was also supported by many progressive generals in the army because of this, and his influence and reputation were quite high. Naturally, Lazarev had to sell him some face. And Mikhail Gorchakov had a good relationship with Ermolov in the Caucasus and the war against Iran. After the old man was dismissed, he did not take care of the old man's subordinates and students. Naturally, he could persuade the old man to help.

It's just that Mikhail Gorchakov didn't expect that he still wanted to write a letter to Ermolov, but the old man actually ran to Kherson himself.

In name, the old man came to the Black Sea for vacation and recuperation, but in fact the old man was entrusted by Count Rostovtsev to come to the Black Sea Fleet to recruit students. Which student do you accept? Of course it is our grand duke Li Xiao.

As I said earlier, the old man belongs to the most hardcore and most qualified revolutionary party in Russia. Before he was dismissed, he has been living in his hometown Moscow for the elderly, but in fact this old man has not stopped the revolution at all, and is still silently watching the revolution. career development.

After France, Austria, Prussia, and Apennines all fell into a revolutionary frenzy, the keen old man immediately realized that a new revolutionary revolution was coming. Although Russia was still ruled by the iron fist of Nicholas I, who dared to say that Russia could not have A new opportunity for revolution.

The old man's heart became hot all of a sudden, and he rushed directly from his hometown in Moscow to St. Petersburg. On the one hand, he met with old friends to inquire about the news and see what the revolutionary situation in Russia is like. On the other hand, he also tested Nicholas I. Attitude.

After all, it was Nicholas I who dismissed him back then. Without the emperor's permission, his every move would be severely suppressed, and rash actions would bring disaster!

However, Ermolov went around St. Petersburg. Although he met many revolutionary students and young generals with new thinking, he obviously found that the revolutionary atmosphere in Russia was not strong. Ten years ago, there was no difference. At most, I could be regarded as a little yearning for the revolution, or I had a little longing, but I still lacked the ability to act.

To put it simply, most people are still talking about the revolution and imagining it, and no one intends to take actual actions. This result naturally makes the old man extremely disappointed, even discouraged. According to his thinking, you see that the Czechs in Austria, which are backward, have risen up, while the Russians are still ignorant, what's the matter!

The disheartened old man decided not to look at Nicholas I's attitude, and just go back to his hometown and continue to wait. Obviously, the revolution is too high-end for Russia. But at this moment Count Rostovtsev suddenly found him.

"Old General, it's hard to come to St. Petersburg, why bother to leave?"

For Count Rostovtsev who came uninvited, Ermolov has complicated feelings. Unlike ordinary Decembrist sympathizers, he thinks that Count Rostovtsev is a traitor. There are still a few things that happened. Knowing that someone is doing it for a reason.

But even so, the old man didn't have a good look at Count Rostovtsev. He said sarcastically, "So it's His Excellency the Count. You came to visit me suddenly. Are you here to visit me on behalf of His Majesty?"

The old man has a lot of opinions on the fact that Count Rostovtsev has been serving Nicholas I for these years, because the old man thinks that Nicholas I is a stupid, stubborn and stubborn bastard who hinders Russia from modernizing Maximum resistance, so how can you serve such a jerk!

"Your Majesty is not interested in you. He thinks you are too old to pose any threat to him!" Count Rostovtsev replied with a smile.

This remark made Ermolov furious. Now he hates being called old. Even if he is really a little old, he is still old-hearted and can still work for the cause of Russia's revolution!

"Then thank you Your Majesty, thanks to him and your great blessing, old man, although I have gray hair and beard, my mind is still very clear, unlike some people who look young, but my heart is already old , the brain is as confused as a paste!"

Count Rostovtsev smiled. He naturally knew that the old man was trying to challenge him on purpose, but he didn't care too much. Since he chose to take this path, he has realized that such a little trouble is nothing at all. Down!