While Grand Duke Constantine and Viscount Prozolov were discussing the next stage of their plan, Grand Duke Mikhail, whom they called a nuisance, was actually secretly making preparations.
"Kostya thought he could fool me with his tricks. My brother is good at everything, but he thinks too highly of himself!"
Grand Duke Mikhail said excitedly to a burly man in his early forties with a big beard: "Fyodor, this is my opportunity. If I can take this opportunity to let my elder brother know that I care about him,
Compared to my loyalty, he won’t treat me badly in the future, right?”
The burly man called Fyodor was Grand Duke Mikhail's tutor and good friend. His full name was Fyodor Petrovich Gannibal (Hannibal). He was forty-three years old.
He previously served as the equestrian teacher of Grand Duke Michael, and was mainly responsible for teaching the Grand Duke equestrian and swordsmanship.
During this period, Fyodor formed a deep friendship with Grand Duke Mikhail. The Grand Duke often preferred to seek advice from this teacher. For example, this time when he served as deputy imperial envoy, he did not bring anyone with him, only
Fyodor, it is enough to show the status of this person. Of course, it is worth mentioning that he has some relationship with Pushkin. This guy's grandfather is the grandfather of the literary giant.
And Fyodor did not live up to his friendship with Grand Duke Mikhail, and always tried his best to advise Grand Duke Mikhail.
For example, now he said to Grand Duke Mikhail very directly: "Grand Duke Constantine is indeed a bit ambitious but short-handed, but with all due respect, he is still quite powerful. You must not underestimate him!"
After a short pause, he added: "Although Crown Prince Alexander has great advantages, it may be difficult for you to truly please him!"
Grand Duke Mikhail frowned and asked: "Why?"
Feodor smiled bitterly and said: "Because His Highness the Crown Prince has such an advantage, unless he does something stupid and outrageous, the throne must be his. And you should know that there are too many people surrounding His Highness the Crown Prince, you
Definitely not the most positive one or the one who does the most beautiful things... The icing on the cake is never as good as giving help when it is needed!"
Grand Duke Mikhail was stunned and asked strangely: "You seem to be disapproving of me helping my elder brother?"
Feodor shook his head and said: "That's not what I meant. What I mean is that it doesn't make much sense for you to help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now. Even if you try your best, you won't be able to make him look at you differently. On the contrary, it will be cruel."
You have offended Grand Duke Constantine and made His Highness hate you and target you, so you'd better be mentally prepared!"
In fact, Fyodor's meaning is very simple, which is to tell Grand Duke Mikhail that even if you help Crown Prince Alexander this time, your elder brother may not be very grateful to you for taking you seriously. On the contrary, this will offend Grand Duke Constantine to death. After all,
Now Nicholas I has not yet raised his eyebrows, and Grand Duke Constantine still has a lot of power in his hands. It may be difficult to deal with Crown Prince Alexander, but dealing with him and Grand Duke Mikhail is a piece of cake.
In view of this, the most sensible and calm approach is not to help the two sides, and wait until the day when the dust settles. Anyway, Grand Duke Mikhail is still a grand duke. Even if he is not taken seriously, the position of a governor cannot be escaped.
of.
And after all the dust has settled, it’s not too late to kneel down and lick Crown Prince Alexander, because it’s already too late now, so it doesn’t matter if it’s sooner or later. At least there’s no danger then!
In Fyodor's opinion, it is the most uneconomical time to lick Crown Prince Alexander at this time. A Grand Duke Constantine is struggling to his death, and the resistance must be particularly fierce. He cannot threaten Crown Prince Alexander, but it is still possible to deal with his licking dogs.
.
In addition, the status of Crown Prince Alexander is already relatively stable. You don’t care if you lick someone at this time. Anyway, there are many people to lick, and one more of you is not enough.
Fyodor felt that the most pragmatic and smartest way was not to get involved in the trouble between the two brothers, and just wait until his father ascended to heaven. No matter who wins then, Grand Duke Mikhail will not
There will be losses.
It's a pity that Grand Duke Mikhail is still too eager. His ambition has expanded so much that he can no longer stop.
So did Grand Duke Mikhail listen to Fyodor's persuasion? Probably a little, after all, his level in all aspects is actually just like that, and he is not particularly courageous. Fyodor has helped him before
I visited him several times and gave him a lot of good suggestions, and he was able to listen to them to some extent.
After thinking about it for a long time, he still felt that this opportunity was too rare. If he didn't do anything, he would not be able to forgive himself. He said coquettishly: "Fyodor, I can't do it."
I need to be more concealed, so that I can help the eldest brother and prevent the second brother from noticing that I am dealing with him?"
Feodor sighed in his heart. He knew that Grand Duke Mikhail was probably determined to get involved, and no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be useless. So he said straightforwardly: "The most fearful thing in doing anything is
The only thing you can do is to be timid and want to avoid offending both parties, but the result is a dilemma. If you must participate in this case, then I advise you to give up this idea, either be determined to help the crown prince, or be determined to do nothing.
Do!"
Grand Duke Mikhail was stunned, because Fyodor's words this time were very serious, which made him hesitate even more. You must know that he is not a very determined person in the first place. When encountering difficulties, he will inevitably waver. Suddenly
Just a little confused.
After a long while, he asked carefully: "Is there really no other way?"
Fyodor shook his head decisively and said: "No! You should give up this idea!"
Well, Grand Duke Mikhail could only let out a long sigh, and then said as if to encourage himself: "Then just go all out and fight to the death with Kostya!"
As he spoke, he asked carefully: "Fyodor, how about I go over now and continue to monitor Kostya? This should be done, right?"
Looking at Mikhail's big cock thief, Fyodor sighed in his heart: "You don't look like a person who wants to do big things! I told you to make up your mind, but you are like this
Are you determined? Why should you do it? You just have to do it, okay!"
He could only answer with certainty: "Yes, the sooner the better! And you'd better never let Grand Duke Constantine stay away from your sight again. You must keep an eye on him and don't let him make any small moves.
The stricter the better! There must be no wavering!"
Grand Duke Mikhail seemed to have listened, but his expression looked so entangled, like a thief who wanted to do something but didn't want to take responsibility. Just looking at it made Fyodor furious...