Naturally, Grand Duke Constantine's actions could not be hidden from Kornilov and Nassimov. After all, they were poaching openly and without any evasion. Unless these two became blind and deaf, it would be impossible.
Can't see.
"The third one, this is the third officer who has come here to complain today," Kornilov said to Nasimov with a wry smile, "Our Grand Duke is really not an ordinary person who can make trouble!"
Nassimov also had a headache. Not only did Kornilov receive complaints from officers, but he was also indispensable. After all, what Grand Duke Constantine did made the lower-level officers feel uneasy, and now there is another war.
Soon, he and Kornilov repeatedly emphasized the need to prepare for war. This left the middle-level officers below to prepare for war!
"Do you want to stop him?" Nasimov asked with a grimace.
Kornilov smiled bitterly and said: "Why stop? He is the commander of the fleet, and the notice he issued is to recruit those officers who can retire. You and I both know the living conditions of grassroots officers, especially those who are suffering.
Haha, how can we block their way if they can’t climb up and have to support their families?”
Indeed, Grand Duke Constantine also learned to be cunning. This time he was very careful in all aspects and did not give them any loopholes to catch. What's more, from the perspective of human nature, Kornilov and Nasimov did not
It really blocks the way for those bitter grassroots officers.
"Then let him suffer like this?" Nasimov's face became more and more ugly. After hesitating for a moment, he reminded: "I don't think the matter is that simple. Judging from the consistent style of this Grand Duke, he is probably one of the drunkards.
It’s not about the wine, there must be some plot to embarrass us in such a big way!”
Kornilov nodded: "I know, on the one hand, he probably wants to embarrass us with his revenge, and on the other hand, he is also trying to win people's hearts. Think about it, can there be fewer grassroots officers who want to make a lot of money?"
?As long as he bribes them, he may have a chance to turn around in the future!"
Nasimov immediately became anxious: "Then we can't let him succeed! He must be stopped immediately!"
Kornilov quickly stopped him: "Don't be impulsive, my friend. I guess he is expecting us to stop it, because we can't stop it! And once word spreads that we intend to stop it, it will push us to those places.
The opposite of junior officers, he probably wants us to do this!"
Nasimov said angrily: "Then we can only watch helplessly?"
Kornilov spread his hands and said: "Who told me that this was an honest conspiracy! Let's wait until Grand Duke Andrei comes back. He should be able to arrive tonight, right? Then we will ask his opinion again and see if there is any
There is no way."
Nasimov sighed sadly. He also knew that he could only endure it for the time being, but it was really uncomfortable to hold in this breath, and he felt that even Li Xiao might not have a way to solve this problem. After all, as Kornilov said
Yes, Grand Duke Constantine’s conspiracy is outright and there is no way to resist it.
Putting aside the depression of the two brothers, speaking of which, where did Li Xiao go?
The answer is Istanbul.
Li Xiao would not wait foolishly for Grand Duke Constantine in Sevastopol. He rushed to Istanbul to meet David Leboeuf before he arrived.
As the counselor of the French Embassy in Istanbul, David Leboeuf's status has risen sharply in recent years, and naturally the information he can obtain is becoming more and more important.
Since Menshikov arrived in Istanbul, Li Xiao asked David Leboeuf to pay attention to the trends in Russia and France. Almost all first-hand information about Menshikov was provided by David Leboeuf.
his.
In this regard, Li Xiao had serious opinions about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs controlled by Neserrodie. It was clear that Menshikov's relevant movements were closely related to Wallachia, but the prime minister not only did not take the initiative to convey any news to them, but instead
He also blocked news from Alexei intentionally or unintentionally.
This is simply inexplicable. If it weren't for David Leboeuf's eyes and ears, Wallachia would be blind and deaf. Maybe the Turks would come knocking on the door and still be kept in the dark!
"Uncle David, what is the attitude of the Turks now?"
David Leboeuf touched his increasingly rounded belly and replied: "The Sultan and the Grand Vizier are actually cowards. They are afraid of you to death. If they can avoid fighting, then they will not fight, even if they make a little more concessions."
It's acceptable at all, but..."
Li Xiao quickly pricked up his ears. He knew this, but it was very important. David Leboeuf sighed quietly: "But Britain and we don't want to see you continue to expand in the Balkans, and strongly demand Turkey to stand firm and resist your unreasonable moves."
demands. They even secretly united a group of hard-liners within Turkey to put a lot of pressure on the Sultan and the Grand Vizier. This is also the key to the current deadlock."
Li Xiao was not surprised at all that Britain and France would support Turkey. After all, what happened this time was that the polar bears went too far, and it was not an exaggeration to say that their desires were insatiable. If Russia is allowed to continue to expand, the polar bears will soon break through the shackles of the Black Sea.
Entered the Mediterranean Sea.
This is something neither Britain nor France want to see. After all, the Mediterranean is now considered the inner lake of these two companies. Both companies have extensive interests along the Mediterranean coast. Now a polar bear suddenly comes to snatch food. Who can bear this!
Therefore, the polar bears must be blocked in the Black Sea no matter what, so naturally they can only increase their efforts to cheer and support Turkey.
Li Xiao sighed and said: "Uncle David, can you tell me whether France is ready to intervene with force regarding the Bulgarian issue?"
This is actually a state secret. Logically speaking, David LeBoeuf should keep it secret, but who makes his relationship with Li Xiao unusual? What’s more, Li Xiao has basically guessed Napoleon III’s thoughts before.
, knowing that France would definitely intervene with arms.
It's just that he didn't ask so straightforwardly before. David Leboeuf sighed and said: "The situation is not much different from your previous prediction. There is a strong anti-Russian voice in the country because of the Holy Land issue, and Charles-Louis.
Bonaparte also hopes to use religious assistants to stabilize his position, so you know..."
Li Xiao nodded and asked again: "Then when do you estimate the war will break out at the earliest?"
David LeBoeuf was stunned. He didn't expect that Li Xiao would ask this question. To be honest, it was a bit difficult for him. After all, he was just a counselor. Even the ambassador might not know this question...