If there is anyone who is most anxious about the current situation, then that person must be Neserroddie!
The old Prime Minister has been like an ant on a hot pot these days. He is really anxious to bubble over. He wishes he could pull Nicholas I's ears and pour some unfavorable advice into his ears. Unfortunately, he has no way to pull Nicholas I's ears.
No one wants to listen to his "nonsense".
Whether it was the State Council, the Cabinet, or the big bosses of other departments, almost everywhere Neserrode encountered either hard or soft obstacles, it was like asking for trouble.
Anyway, when he looked around, he seemed to be the only one in St. Petersburg who saw the danger and was the only one who was nervous, which made him seem out of place.
Finally Neserrodie fell ill again, this time out of anger because Nicholas I went directly over him and ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coldly handle the French ultimatum.
Obviously, Nicholas I was telling him not to be meddlesome, otherwise his work as foreign minister and prime minister would be over.
Neserrodie, who was angry and anxious, became depressed and could only retreat to his lair silently, watching the people around him wantonly laughing at his cowardice. It was really an uncomfortable feeling!
He really wanted to wave his fist and shout at these fools: "You will soon know how wrong you are!"
It was indeed very fast. Just one week later, at the request of Napoleon III, the Senate passed the decision to sever diplomatic relations with Russia and declare war!
But when the thunder exploded over Europe, the Russians were still a little baffled. They thought the French were crazy and dared to stab them. Did they drink too much?
On the day he received the news, Nicholas I mocked France severely at the imperial meeting, and even boasted to his ministers nonchalantly: "After taking care of the Turks, we will go and teach the French a lesson. Yes."
It’s time for them to relearn the painful lessons of 1814!”
It's a pity that before he finished speaking, both houses of the British House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the decision to sever diplomatic relations with Russia and declare war!
When the news reached the Winter Palace, Nicholas I panicked for the first time. This was probably the first time he panicked since he learned that Alexander I had died suddenly. Yes, he could ignore France's provocation, but he could not
Ignore UK warnings.
What's more, now that Britain and France have declared war on Russia at the same time, this is an unavoidable super problem. At least he is not arrogant enough to think that Russia can defeat the two most powerful countries in Europe at the same time.
At this time, he was anxious and a little at a loss. He couldn't understand why the British were so crazy. It was obviously just a big deal, so why did you explode?
"Gentlemen, the situation is very serious. Britain has betrayed its trust and suddenly announced that it has severed diplomatic relations with us and is in a state of war. This means that we must face pressure from three directions at the same time. What do you think about this?"
Nicholas I first focused on Neserrodie. At this time, he finally realized how prophetic the old prime minister was. He felt that he was the only one who could save the situation now. Maybe he could be like before
Also use a little diplomatic magic to pull Russia and him out of the quagmire?
However, Neserrode had no intention of speaking. He simply ignored Nicholas I's question and just stared at the documents on the table in a daze with his eyelids lowered.
Nicholas I frowned, stared at Neserrodie and asked: "Prime Minister, don't you have anything to say?"
Neserrode slowly raised his head and replied dully: "Your Majesty, I have warned you repeatedly before, but... the matter is irreversible, and there is nothing that can be done now!"
Nicholas I immediately became irritable. He felt that Neserrodie was deliberately challenging him. Wasn't it because he rejected several of your suggestions before? As for being so petty and careless?
You old guy doesn't even look at what's happening now. Is this the time to care about such a trivial matter?
"How come there is nothing that can be done? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is just doing nothing. You should take active actions to try to save the situation!"
Neserrode sighed again and said sadly: "Your Majesty, what do you want me to do? The attitudes of Britain and France are already very clear. If you don't give them a satisfactory explanation, then they will have no choice but to fight on the battlefield.
Have you seen the truth? Do you think that severing diplomatic relations and declaring war is just a joke or just playing house?"
Nicholas I was stunned when asked, because he really thought that the severing of diplomatic relations and declaration of war between Britain and France was just another bluff. He always thought that Britain and France did not dare to fight his army.
But Neserrode's words exposed his dream. Declaring war is no joke. No country would make such a joke!
"Then what do you think we should do?" Nicholas I asked dully.
Neserrodie sighed again and replied: "Either you fully accept the demands of Britain and France, withdraw troops from Bulgaria, pay compensation and apologize, or you mobilize the whole country to fight a good war with Britain, France, and Turkey. There is no third way.
You can go!"
But Nicholas I didn't like either of these paths. He neither wanted to go to war with Britain or France, nor did he want to be humiliatingly subdued. He asked reluctantly: "Can't we try to negotiate and communicate?"
Neserrodie shook her head directly and said: "Impossible!"
These words directly destroyed the last luck in Nicholas I's heart. He knew that the situation was irreversible. After pondering for a long time, he ordered with a straight face: "Order the country to enter a state of total war, mobilize reserves and all reserve forces, especially
It is Poland and other border areas that must be prepared to deal with foreign armed provocations!"
"Send more troops to Wallachia as soon as possible, tell Prince Paskovich and Duke Mikhail to win one or two decent victories as soon as possible, and try to force Turkey to surrender!"
It was obvious that Nicholas I had bet on Bulgaria's victory. He believed that as long as Turkey was defeated and forced to surrender, Britain and France would not be able to continue clamoring and could only return to the negotiating table to end this farce.
This decision cannot be said to have any problems, but it is obviously still based on luck, because any normal person understands that Duke Mikhail was unable to deal with the Turks in the past two or three months. Is it possible to suddenly let him open up the situation?
What's more, Turkey was inspired by Britain and France's declaration of war against Russia. Its morale will be high and its will to fight will be more determined. How can it be so easy to succumb?
Even if Duke Mikhail can win a few battles, as long as Turkey is not stupid, it will know that as long as it grits its teeth and persists, Russia will have no choice. How can it possibly surrender?