Baron Brunov was stunned, because he felt that what the British said was reasonable. If it weren't for the British Foreign Office's strong arrests, how could the mob outside be so violent now?
In this case, it should be said that the British officials are relatively friendly. If this is the case, then trust them again?
Baron Brunov was a little undecided. Although the British explanation made sense, as a veteran diplomat, his political acumen was no better than Menshikov's. He knew subconsciously that what was going on was definitely unusual, as if
Someone is deliberately making a fuss, just to avoid chaos in the world.
But, Baron Brunov doesn't have enough evidence. Since he doesn't have strong evidence, he can't accuse the British Foreign Service. Although his attitude was very tough just now, most of it was frightened by the mob outside.
Baron Brunov still knows how powerful the British national power is and how difficult it is to offend. The crime of provoking the British for no reason and damaging the relationship between the two countries is too great. Anyway, he, the ambassador, cannot carry it on his small shoulders.
Here we must talk about a common problem in Russian officialdom - bureaucracy has become the root cause. Most officials only think about how to ensure their own prosperity and wealth, and do not want to shoulder any responsibility.
But it happened that at this time, Nicholas I sent a special envoy like Menshikov to London, which was a bad thing.
If all this happened under the eyes of Baron Brunov, and all the problems and all the responsibilities fell on his own shoulders, then he who is well aware of the heavy responsibility will definitely not follow the rhythm of the British Foreign Office, and will definitely or more
He or she exerts less subjective initiative. Not only is he responsible for the country, but he is more or less responsible for his own future.
But it just so happens that at this time, there is a special envoy Menshikov who has a position and has more power than Baron Brunov. He is in London. Such a big trouble has happened again. He may have to bear a huge responsibility. Do you think Baron Brunov is at this time?
Will you foolishly take over everything?
He is not that stupid, and he will not be that stupid. Since there is a taller Menshikov standing next to him, Baron Brunov can naturally hide as far away as he can. So he just gave it up and did it.
With a gesture, he threw the hot potato directly to Menshikov who was hunting.
So it was almost the next day when Menshikov, who was happily hunting rabbits, learned the news. Suddenly, the old man felt a headache.
Why?
Because he is not stupid. As an important member of Nicholas I's bureaucracy, he will definitely not be able to do the tricks of Baron Brunov. So he can see through at a glance that Baron Brunov is unwilling to take responsibility and is asking for help.
He shirks the blame.
If this were in St. Petersburg, Menshikov would definitely not accept any blame-shifting. He has always been the only one to blame others, so why should others blame him?
The problem is, this is not St. Petersburg, this is London, and unfortunately he is still a special envoy. As a special envoy, he is better than the ambassador, and he is taller than the ambassador, but he has to shoulder the burden, right?
Menshikov was both annoyed and helpless. He had to terminate the hunting plan early and reluctantly returned to London to deal with the blame.
"Besieging the ambassador's carriage, your Excellency, you don't know the nature of this, right? To put it bluntly, this is almost the most severe provocation, almost equivalent to a declaration of war!"
Menshikov shouted angrily at George Hamilton Gordon. Of course, the latter also had a shorter name, that is, the 4th Earl of Aberdeen.
The Earl of Aberdeen is actually a Scotsman. Another thing that must be noted is that this indecisive Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary has a very famous relative. That relative is called George Gordon Byron, also known as the famous sixth
On behalf of Lord Byron. Calculating, these two should be cousins, but Byron is the younger brother.
The Earl of Aberdeen has never been a decisive and strong person. He always hesitated and reacted repeatedly when dealing with big problems. He felt that it should be done this way, but every time he did it, he felt that it was inappropriate. In fact, if this decisive person in history is
The Crimean War might not break out at all, because he is fully capable of nipping this war in the bud.
As long as the Earl of Aberdeen showed his toughness to Russia or to Nicholas I, and as long as he clearly put the threat of war above Nicholas I's head, the Tsar would not dare to take risks.
It was precisely because he was too hesitant that Nicholas I also misjudged the situation, thinking that Britain was a paper tiger and did not dare to do anything to him. This led to him constantly pushing the envelope and eventually making things irreversible.
Of course, the Earl of Aberdeen's hesitation was actually a good thing for Count Rostovtsev. If he hadn't hesitated, how could Nicholas I have fallen into the trap? How could Russia get rid of this autocracy if Nicholas I had not fallen into the trap?
Where is the tyrant?
Now let’s get back to the topic. As a former foreign minister and current prime minister, the Earl of Aberdeen is very familiar with the current situation and knows who is responsible for the development of the current situation - his Harbin
Lord Palmerston, an alumnus of Rowe College, definitely played a role in fueling this.
The Earl of Aberdeen thought he knew Palmerston very well. When they were studying at Harrow School, the two had frequent contacts and quarrels. He was deeply impressed by Palmerston's willfulness and paranoia.
Especially when he stepped down as Foreign Secretary, Palmerston was his successor. The two sides were fundamentally incompatible in terms of concepts. So after he became Prime Minister, the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs was simply too unfamiliar to him, and he was a little bit
I don't recognize this organization.
He had heard what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was busy with recently. If he didn't know, then the Prime Minister would really be over. However, although he discovered the small moves of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he did not go there immediately.
stop.
The reason is simple. Initially, he believed that the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would help relieve his pressure. He had clearly felt Nicholas I's ambitions towards Turkey. As the British Prime Minister, he naturally did not welcome Russia's continued expansion in the Balkans.
However, he did not have the courage to confront Nicholas I for fear of provoking a war.
So when Menshikov, the special envoy, arrived in London and clearly conveyed Nicholas I's determination to win Bulgaria, the Earl of Aberdeen became very anxious. He knew he had to refuse, but he was worried that refusal would trigger a series of unforeseen consequences.
Predict dire consequences.
It happened that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took action at this time, and he felt that he could take advantage of it to indirectly express his attitude to Russia...