As a result, Nicholas I had a headache. With no other solution, he could only listen to Constantine continue to accuse Menshikov.
"I can't figure out why His Excellency the Prince behaves like this. Our navy is the second arm of the empire. If this arm is not strong enough, how can it safeguard the interests of the Empire... Could it be that His Majesty the Prince's purpose is to keep us forever lagging behind?
Will Britain and France always look at their faces?"
Not to mention Nicholas I, Menshikov was also a little confused. He had been misled badly before. Mesadov only told him about small things like confessing to corruption, and did not mention the matter of the fierce account at all. This
As a result, he took no precautions at all and was completely caught off guard!
Facing the powerful attack of Archduke Constantine, he even seemed so weak in defending: "This is nonsense... lies... yes... it's all a frame-up!"
The old eunuch stammered and retorted: "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no idea about this matter and it has nothing to do with me!"
However, no one present believed his words, and anyone who was not blind could see his guilty look.
Faced with the old eunuch's sophistry and denials, Grand Duke Constantine did not engage in verbal arguments. He just silently took out stacks of documents and placed them one by one in front of Nicholas I:
"These are documents related to the Fierce and other steam ships signed and sealed by His Excellency the Prince. Judging from these documents, Your Excellency the Prince is not as ignorant as you said!"
There were beads of sweat the size of soybeans on Menshikov's face. When these documents were laid out, any of his sophistry seemed so weak.
It can be seen from these relevant documents that according to the requirements of the Lord of the Navy, the maintenance and operating costs of steam ships have been artificially reduced to a minimum. Even the supply of basic spare parts cannot be effectively guaranteed. Other maintenance
Save money when you can.
Grand Duke Constantine held up the documents in his hand and complained sternly: "According to these documents, all the steam ships in our navy are in a state of lack of maintenance and neglect and are close to being scrapped. I would like to ask, what kind of navy minister would be so heartbroken and underground?"
Ordering the destruction of our navy's equipment and property is Chi Guoguo's dereliction of duty! He should be dragged out and shot!"
The conference room was silent. Everyone, including Nicholas I, was taking turns to review the documents provided by Grand Duke Constantine. These things were simply appalling, and even Nicholas I, who wanted to defend Menshikov, began to get angry.
"Your Excellency, don't you have anything to say about this?"
Nicholas I asked coldly. Yes, this emperor was obsessed with maintaining tradition, obsessed with maintaining Russia's strong state since the great victory in 1812, and obsessed with centralized rule without resorting to any means.
But Nicholas I also didn't like his money to be wasted. Steam ships were very expensive. Although there were not many steam ships in the navy, the lack of many did not mean that they could be treated casually. All of this money came from his
Every ruble allocated from the treasury should be used to maintain equipment instead of watching them turn into scrap metal.
Even if Nicholas I disliked steamships, he could not allow his Admiral to treat precious ships as a child's play.
"Your Majesty, I..." Menshikov awkwardly wiped the sweat from his face with a handkerchief and explained hesitantly: "These documents... uh... maybe... there is... a reason...
"
Nicholas I stared at him fiercely and asked: "What's the reason?"
Menshikov racked his brains for excuses, and then replied after a long while: "According to my opinion, the focus of naval equipment should be traditional sailing battleships, rather than unreliable steam monsters. So I will spend part of the funds on sailing battleships."
Build and maintain…”
Menshikov secretly glanced at Nicholas I and realized that His Majesty was listening carefully. He immediately felt that he still had a chance to save himself, and hurriedly said:
"But our country's naval funds are limited, and steamships are extremely expensive. They are expensive to build and maintain. In order to have more sail battleships, I have to collect funds from all aspects, so I have to cut off the expensive maintenance of steam ships.
cost……"
Menshikov began to admire his quick wit. He was able to come up with such a convincing reason. He was really a genius!
Menshikov didn't know whether others believed him or not. Anyway, he didn't care. As long as Nicholas I believed it, that was all. At least his Majesty's face looked much better after he finished his answer, which made the old eunuch feel relieved.
It's just that the old eunuch was a little too happy. Grand Duke Constantine had made sufficient preparations, so how could he let him use such a poor excuse to cover up the past.
Menshikov's tone fell, and Grand Duke Constantine attacked again: "Really? Your Excellency, can you point out that these 'huge' funds that should have been used for the maintenance of steam ships were actually used for construction?"
Which sailing battleships did you capture? You are so sure and conclusive that you must have relevant evidence and data, right?"
Menshikov was dumbfounded. He had some damn evidence and data, and he just made a random excuse. All those misappropriated funds to build a damn sailing battleship went into his pocket, okay?
"This...this..." Menshikov began to wipe his sweat and think about it on the spur of the moment, "There must be relevant evidence and data, but I didn't know that Your Excellency the Grand Duke wanted to know, so I didn't bring it.
, how about I give it to you for review after the meeting is over?"
Grand Duke Constantine laughed and waved his hand: "No need, Your Excellency, Prince. I have brought you the details of the navy's construction costs in the past five years. Just tell us directly which ones you mentioned!"
With that said, Archduke Constantine waved to his adjutant, who immediately sent over a thick stack of documents. It was obvious that he came prepared and did not give the old eunuch any chance to buffer against the fraud.
Menshikov was dumbfounded and had no idea what to do. Grand Duke Constantine was too lazy to continue grinding with him, but confidently introduced the relevant documents:
"Father, and your Excellencies, I have conducted a detailed study of the naval construction costs of the past five years. For all warships, including the sailing battleships recommended by Your Excellency the Prince, the construction costs of not a single ship have been misappropriated. All construction costs have been misappropriated.
All were approved by the State Council and allocated in full..."
With that said, Grand Duke Constantine looked at Menshikov with a sneer and asked loudly: "So I don't understand. The money spent on maintaining steam ships was not used for the maintenance of steam ships, nor was it used for building new ships.