Li Xiao looked directly at Count Rostovtsev, like a primary school student who actively raised his hand to answer questions. He was eager to be praised by the teacher and eager to be recognized.
It's just that Count Rostovtsev is not that kind of good teacher. He didn't say much, but simply uttered a few words: "Continue."
This made Li Xiao a little depressed. He felt like the monkey in the palm of Tathagata Buddha. No matter how hard he tried, he could not jump out of his five-finger mountain.
He looked at Count Rostovtsev with resentment, and then he could only continue obediently:
"If you are not testing my uncle's attitude, then whose attitude will you be testing? Grand Duke Constantine?"
Li Xiao looked at Count Rostovtsev again, but he still had no expression. He could only continue: "Or should we test Crown Prince Alexander?"
There was no need to look at Count Rostovtsev this time. Li Xiao did not show off and said honestly: "It is reasonable to test the attitudes of these two princes! After all, my uncle is also old. From now on
Judging from the average lifespan of the last three czars, even if he lives a long life, he will only be able to serve for another ten years at most. If he lives a short life, he may die soon."
"So in the long run, for nobles who are interested in reform, it is necessary to check the attitude of the princes and make arrangements in advance, right?"
Count Rostovtsev was still so calm, neither affirming nor denying, more like being in a daze. This made Li Xiao very depressed, and he could only continue:
"It is very possible to test the attitudes of the princes and see who might become the hope of the reformists. But after I thought about it carefully, this possibility is possible, but it is not particularly high."
"Because even if this kind of temptation has results, it is not of obvious significance to the reformists. Even if it turns out that Grand Duke Constantine really supports the reform wholeheartedly and is an ideal monarch, so what? After all, the prince is Alexander, not him, but he can
The only one who decides on the position of crown prince is my uncle."
"This is very embarrassing. The reformists are not capable of supporting Grand Duke Constantine to ascend the throne of emperor. So what is the point of this kind of temptation?"
Li Xiao said sincerely: "So this kind of temptation is definitely not aimed at Grand Duke Constantine and Crown Prince Alexander."
"And in my opinion, the reformists definitely didn't just start to understand and contact these two princes today. They must have a comprehensive understanding of their temperaments and their political ideas, so there is no need to test them!"
At this point, Li Xiao suddenly became energetic and said with vigor: "Since it is not for my uncle, nor for my two cousins, then it is obvious who the target of this test is.
Got it!"
Count Rostovtsev glanced at him and asked calmly: "Really?"
"certainly!"
Li Xiao replied confidently: "The fundamental purpose of this test is not to find out the royal family's attitude towards reform, because the royal family's attitude has always been that way, and there is no need to test. What is tested this time is the attitude of the ministers. Look at this
Who among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty was interested in reform, who was as afraid of reform as a snake or a scorpion, and who was firmly opposed to it to the end."
"This is actually just a hidden team-up to see who is the centrist, who is one of our own, and who is the enemy. I guess the reformists think that the time is almost ripe to promote reform, and are ready to plan some actions and map out the groups in advance.
Sir, make a political portrait so that when the time comes, we can take targeted measures, right?"
Count Rostovtsev gently placed "The Prince" on the desk and said to Li Xiao: "I made a lot of guesses, and many of them were right and wrong. I can give it a 7.5."
Li Xiao was immediately dissatisfied: "Why is it only 7.5 points? You are too harsh!"
Count Rostovtsev ignored his bargaining and explained directly: "This time, it is indeed a targeted temptation. But the subjects of the temptation are not just the ministers, but also the people you mentioned before.
Your uncles and cousins. This is a very comprehensive test."
Li Xiao seemed to have thought of something, but Count Rostovtsev said to himself: "Of course the emperor's attitude has always been conservative, but what methods he will use to deal with reforms needs to be tested. In addition, through Constantine
The grand duke’s childlike naval innovation can also test his tolerance for his sons’ petty tricks. If there is an opportunity, I don’t think anyone will waste the opportunity.”
"As for the attitudes of Grand Duke Constantine and Crown Prince Alexander, I don't want to see their attitude towards reform, but to see if their political skills are sharp enough, iron-fisted enough, tough enough..."
"Of course the attitude of the ministers is very important. Until the critical moment, it is always difficult to know who is a friend and who is an enemy, who is reliable and who is just a red toilet. This kind of testing will be done often, once or twice.
Performance can’t explain anything…”
The more Li Xiao listened, the more serious he became, because according to what Count Rostovtsev said, this was indeed a comprehensive test, involving almost the entire Russian ruling group for a thorough examination.
If Count Rostovtsev did not lie, and such temptations have been carried out many times, then he has almost clearly figured out the attitude of the government and the public towards reform. This count is really scary!
At this time, Count Rostovtsev actually said: "In fact, it is also a test for the reformist itself. Let's see the real attitudes, real abilities, and real reactions of the key members. See who is useful and who is not. No.
Try more and try again. When the critical moment comes, will it turn into a farce like 1825 again?"
Well, Li Xiao really didn’t expect that Count Rostovtsev would not even spare his own people. Obviously, only those who perform well in every exam can rise to the core level of the reformists. And those who do not perform well can
I'm afraid it will also be gradually eliminated.
After thinking for a while, Li Xiao asked: "What about my performance?"
Count Rostovtsev smiled slightly and said: "Not bad, I can score 7.5 points."
This made Li Xiao breathe a sigh of relief. A score of 7.5 is at least good, right? Although it's still close to excellent, it's not too far away. The key is, should he be accepted into the group, right?
Count Rostovtsev smiled again: "It's not that simple. I can only say that you passed the first stage of the test and can now enter the second stage. And inviting you here today is to explain the tasks you need to complete!"
Li Xiao was not disappointed. He immediately cheered up and asked with full concentration: "Say what you said!"