After the reforms of Peter the Great, Mao Xiong did show signs of leaving Asia and joining Europe. All aspects of clothing, food, housing and transportation began to move closer to Western Europe. But, in the final analysis, Mao Xiong was still a different person. He had only learned half a bucket of water in all aspects. At the critical moment,
The ferocity inherited from ancestors will be exposed.
Just like now, people with normal nerves know that there is no point in continuing to fight. What is there to persevere in such a losing situation? The key is to clear the warehouse quickly and make a comeback.
But the furry bear is different. The bear can't put it down when it is put on its big shelf. When it is forced to panic, it even shows a fierce look and is ready to fight to the death.
Of course it's good to have this kind of determination, but you can't count on this to scare away the enemy every time, right?
In Li Xiao's opinion, making concessions now is the most reasonable choice. Temporarily halting expansion in the Balkans is not a bad thing. You see why Austria turned against Russia? It's not just this piece of fat that they are jealous of.
Moreover, it is most beneficial for the European powers to restrict Russia to the Black Sea. After all, the bear is too big and ambitious. Who is not afraid of it!
"Anyway, if you ask me for my opinion, my opinion is to negotiate peace as soon as possible. The sooner the better. If necessary, you can give up some of the interests in the Black Sea region. On the contrary, if you continue to grit your teeth and insist on it, it may lead to catastrophe!"
Duke Mikhail remained silent. Intellectually he agreed with Li Xiao's judgment, but emotionally he couldn't accept it. He asked incredulously: "Are you willing to sacrifice Wallachia's interests?
"
Li Xiao spread his hands and said: "Yes, because if we continue to insist on our interests in Wallachia, we will suffer even greater losses. Then we will really have to let others slaughter us for our own flesh and blood!"
Duke Mikhail's eyes widened and he stared straight at Li Xiao. He always felt that the other party was not telling the truth, but he could not find any evidence.
After a while, he gave up this futile effort and said again: "What if they are not satisfied?"
"Then try to satisfy them!" Li Xiao replied nonchalantly.
Prince Mikhail was taken aback again, becoming more and more confused as to what someone's attitude was. Could it be that someone really didn't feel sorry for him at all?
How could Li Xiao not feel distressed? He had built everything in Wallachia brick by brick, and now he was just giving it up. How could he be happy?
But no matter how unhappy he is, he knows that his arms can't twist his thighs. To Russia, Wallachia is just sesame seeds and mung beans. It can be given up if necessary. You can't pick the sesame seeds and lose the watermelon, right?
What's more, based on Li Xiao's understanding of the old fox Count Rostovtsev, if he wants to prompt Russia to start reform, he will definitely not be satisfied with the current situation. For him, the situation in Russia is not critical enough, not stressful enough, and cannot
It makes the tsar restless, and it is even less likely that he will make up his mind to carry out reforms.
With his style, he will definitely try to make the situation worse and put further pressure on him. Therefore, whether he is willing or not, he has no chance to make a move in this game. The only thing he can do is to help Duke Mikhail maintain the situation as much as possible.
The status quo prevents the situation from collapsing all at once.
Sometimes Li Xiao wonders, what is Count Rostovtsev busy in St. Petersburg at this moment? Is he busy designing conspiracies, colluding with party members, or is he still being an old hermaphrodite?
This thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly asked: "What's the situation in St. Petersburg?"
Prince Mikhail glanced at him and replied slowly: "I said everything is normal, do you believe it?"
"Believe it, why don't I believe it?" Li Xiao asked with a smile, "Everything is normal in St. Petersburg, everything is normal in the whole of Russia, everything is normal, but it is not normal here. How interesting is this!"
Duke Mikhail chuckled and said contemptuously: "It's normal here, at least that's what I said in the official document to His Majesty!"
Li Xiao smiled and said: "That can only mean that the coalition forces are abnormal!"
Prince Mikhail was noncommittal and said: "But I heard that your Majesty commended Count Uvarov and awarded him the Order of St. Andre..."
He deliberately said that and stopped here, and then looked at Li Xiao and stopped talking. Not to mention that he would make people hate him more, but Li Xiao was not anxious at all and replied casually: "That's good, Wu
Count Varov’s hard work and merits are great, so naturally he will be rewarded when the new emperor ascends the throne. A mere medal of St. Andre is not enough!”
Duke Mikhail said bitterly in his heart: "Damn little fox, you don't show any timidity at all, and I don't know where you have the confidence!"
He chuckled again and continued slowly: "Later, I don't know why, but a lot of nobles who were friends with Count Uvarov ran to the entrance of the Winter Palace to spread out. I heard that your Majesty arrested a lot of dukes.
Marquis, by the way, there are quite a few of you who seem to have very tense relations with you!"
Li Xiao rolled his eyes in his heart. He knew that Duke Mikhail was just testing him to see his relationship with the reformists and test his views on reform. To be honest, this was a bit boring because everyone knew him.
What is his relationship with Alexey? That dead father was the spiritual leader of the reformists. What do you think his relationship is with the reformists?
As for whether to reform or not, Russia is such a mess and has such bad morals. If it doesn’t reform, will it just leave it in ruins and wait for death?
Sometimes he felt that Duke Mikhail was a little ignorant in politics, or too cautious. He obviously realized that the conservatives were probably at the end of their rope, and he also knew that he had to change boats quickly, but he could not do anything.
But it is not easy to look forward and backward. No wonder the military always thinks that Paskovich is stronger than him. In a sense, it is true. Paskovich is reckless but his strikes are fast and accurate, while Mikhail
The Duke is a bit procrastinating.
For example, in the current war situation, Duke Mikhail clearly knows that the Austrians in Transylvania cannot really use force. In fact, they are just putting a bunch of people to contain and disgust Russia. If they are decisive enough, they can completely start from that direction.
To mobilize troops, there will definitely be 50,000 troops, not to mention too much.
If these 50,000 people had been sent to Crimea earlier, Kornilov would definitely not have been so passive. Maybe the defense line at Inkelman Mountain would not have fallen so quickly, and the coalition forces would have paid a heavier price.
But no matter whether he or Dmitry Milyutin and other generals lobbied him several times, this man could never make up his mind and still foolishly confronted the Austrians. Isn't this a desperate move?
Naturally, Li Xiao didn't have a good temper towards this person's probing. It's obvious that I'm a reformist, but you're still here and probing me. Isn't this sick?!