Alexei took a deep breath and said to Leonid solemnly: "I don't deny what you said, but no matter what you do, you can't do anything reckless. Not only will you not achieve your goal, but you will lose more."
many."
"As Governor of Wallachia, and as a subject of the Russian Empire, my first duty is to ensure that the interests of Wallachia and Russia are not harmed. My duty is to defend the fatherland and to defend Wallachia, among other things.
, I will only do it when I have the ability. But now I think it is premature and too risky to do those things! So I don’t support it!”
Leonid never expected that Alexei would answer him like this, because he always believed that Alexei was the same type of person as him, with devout beliefs and rich patriotic sentiments. People like them would definitely be able to reach an agreement.
.
But when Alexei clearly told him that he objected, Leonid's illusions were shattered, and his ideal Alexei was shattered in an instant. This gap was really unacceptable to him.
"You have changed!" Leonid angrily condemned with red eyes, "You have become so philistine and so ugly that you have even forgotten your ideals. You have disappointed me so much!"
But Alexey replied calmly: "I have not changed, and I have not forgotten my ideals. It is you who have become paranoid and unreasonable. It is you who have changed!"
"How am I paranoid!" Leonid roared again, "You can't see this surging wave of Slavic national liberation. You only know how to hide in that luxurious governor's palace and enjoy the flattery and flattery. You
How do you understand the sufferings of the people and the painful cries of those Slavic brothers? No! It’s not that you don’t understand, you don’t care at all!”
Leonid's emotions suddenly exploded, and the expression on his face was distorted. It was obvious that he was extremely angry.
This startled the onlookers Boris and Vishnyak, who were afraid that the two childhood friends would start fighting. However, before they could step forward to dissuade them, Alexei took a firm step forward without any hesitation.
He retorted hesitantly:
"Aren't you paranoid? Look at how twisted and ugly you look now. Are you still the gentle and gentle Leonid who allowed others to express their opinions? You said that I only know how to hide in the Governor's Palace and enjoy the pleasures of dogs and horses. This is
Pure imagination!"
After a pause, Alexey said with excitement: "Do you know how many departments I have to visit every day, how many officials I have to meet, and how many documents I have to review? You don't know! You just stay in your ivory tower, Cong
You don't listen to what's going on outside the window, you focus on working behind closed doors, and you fantasize about your so-called ideals, but you don't know that everything you dream about is already outdated and completely out of date!"
Alexei emphasized: "You have no idea that you are completely out of touch with this era, and you have no idea what those so-called oppressed and enslaved Bulgarian Orthodox brothers actually think. Because you don't care about them at all.
What you care about is whether you can make great achievements and whether you can realize your dream that is like a castle in the air!"
"It's you who need to sober up, not me. It's precisely because I understand all this and the powerful relationship between it that I will be cautious and not be as hot-headed as you and chase everything you see like a bull.
!”
Alexey spoke these words freely and without giving Leonid a chance to interrupt. It could be seen that he had been holding these words in his heart for a long time, and finally said them all at once today.
There was silence in the study room for a while. No one, whether it was the angry Leonid, Alexey who made an impassioned speech, or the three Li Xiao people watching the show, took the initiative to break the silence.
After a long time, Alexey sighed and said to Leonid emotionally: "Wake up, my friend, how can you not see all this clearly with your wisdom? Don't let those illusory things go.
It interferes with your judgment. Those are all fake and deceptive. Eliminate these interferences and let the real you come back!"
Alexey looked at Leonid affectionately. The latter's expression at this time was very rich, and he could see confusion, resistance and reluctance.
Obviously, the pie painted by Nicholas I was too attractive to people like him, and it was a temptation that he could not get rid of. Even if Alexei showed reason and moved him emotionally, it could only make him gain something.
touch.
Sure enough, Leonid suddenly sighed and said leisurely: "Alexei, I always firmly believe that what I see and what I insist on is correct. My lifelong ideal is to fight for this, so I will never give up."
Don’t miss this opportunity!”
For a moment, Leonid's expression became firm again. It was obvious that Alexei's persuasion did not work. In response, Alexei could only sigh: "Okay, you have your choice and persistence.
I can understand!"
As he spoke, Alexey suddenly raised his head and said firmly: "But I also have my choice and persistence!"
Leonid took a deep breath. He probably guessed what Alexei was going to say next. Sure enough, Alexei immediately said decisively: "Major General Leonid, in the name of the Governor of Wallachia, I am
I would like to formally inform you that in view of your refusal to carry out the orders of your superiors and your flagrant humiliation and confrontation with your superiors, I am officially announcing that you will be relieved of your position as brigade commander. Please hand over your duties immediately after receiving the order and then report to the Military Law Office!"
Leonid seemed to appreciate Alexei's determination. Although he was dismissed, he was still happy that his friend finally learned to stick to his principles.
So he replied very calmly: "I will hand over the duties as soon as possible, but I will also report the true status of your war preparations to my superiors and condemn your bad behavior of fearing the enemy and avoiding war!"
"That is your freedom!" Alexei replied calmly, "In addition, your subordinates have also been dismissed from their posts. In view of their bad behavior, they will be demoted!"
Leonid was finally a little moved. He originally thought that Alexei would at most remove him from office and then stop there. Who would have thought that Alexei would pursue it to the end, which made it clear that all those involved this time would be severely punished.
People.
"They are all excellent officers, and a war is imminent..."
Leonid was just about to say something nice for his men, but Alexey interrupted him without hesitation: "No matter how good an officer is, he must obey orders! Those who do not obey orders are not worthy of staying in Wallachia.
I will never allow such an incident to happen again and must serve as a warning to others!"