If it were the Qing Dynasty, as a good slave, old Adlerberg would probably have to kneel down, kowtow and apologize and shout for death.
Fortunately, this is Russia. Even if a group of Western European neighbors strongly criticize it for being too "oriental" and "barbaric", the Russian aristocratic ecosystem is more or less not as cheap as the Qing Dynasty.
So although old Adlerberg was frightened, he did not kneel down. He just bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, everything I just said comes from the bottom of my heart and is true... As long as you give the order
No matter if it’s mountains of swords or seas of fire, I’m fearless!”
Alexander II waved his hand carelessly and chuckled: "A mountain of swords and a sea of fire? I hope so! Let's not talk about this anymore. It would be boring to talk about it... Let's talk about Grand Duke Andrei. He went to Count Speransky.
What else did you do after that?”
Old Adlerberg quickly replied: "Reporting to your majesty, according to your instructions, Duke Dolgoruky has sent additional personnel to keep an eye on Grand Duke Andrei 24 hours a day. After entering Count Speransky's residence, he
There is no more action, I basically rest behind closed doors, and occasionally I just wander around when I go out."
Alexander II frowned and asked: "Wandering? He would be so carefree to hang out? This person has always been dishonest. I think his wandering is fake. I'm afraid he is planning some conspiracy secretly!"
Old Adlerberg curled his lips in his heart and said to himself: You are just trying to incriminate yourself. You say you are planning a conspiracy when someone is just wandering around, but why don't you blow up if they are really visiting and visiting?
"Then should we arrest him immediately? Now that the coronation ceremony is imminent, we really cannot allow anyone to destroy the current good situation!"
Alexander II glanced at him and finally showed a smile: "Catch him? You dare to say it, but I don't know if you dare to do it?"
Old Adlerberg's scalp felt numb, but he did not dare to hesitate at all and immediately bowed and replied: "As long as your majesty gives the order, I will arrest him immediately!"
Alexander II said: "Aren't you afraid of sinners? Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"
Old Adlerberg immediately raised his head and replied without hesitation: "It is my responsibility to share your Majesty's worries, and I am not afraid!"
Alexander II smiled again, but he didn't know whether he was laughing at old Adlerberg's big talk or feeling relieved.
But it doesn't matter, because he can't really arrest Li Xiao. For him, chatting with old Adlerberg is just a way to relax and vent his depression.
"Okay, I know you are very loyal," he said with a smile, "but this matter needs long-term consideration and cannot be rash. By the way, go and invite Duke Vorontsov over. I have something to say to him!"
Old Adlerberg did not hesitate and immediately bowed and backed out of the room. After closing the door, his facial features shrank unconsciously. What Alexander II said just now was for the long term, which meant that he had indeed been arrested.
He wanted to deal with Li Xiao, but there was nothing he could do about it for the time being, so he had to let it go first.
This made him secretly stunned. He used to think that Nicholas I was narrow-minded enough, but who would have thought that Alexander II was even more narrow-minded.
Although Li Xiao is indeed a bit annoying, it is just an eyesore. No matter how you say it, the crime is not worthy of death, so why does he need to be arrested and imprisoned?
He can't even tolerate a cousin like Li Xiao who has no fault and merit, so how small-minded can Alexander II be?
It can be easy to serve such a master, but if he resents something, he will still hate you for the rest of his life. Once you are no longer useful, will you be arrested and imprisoned to settle the accounts?
Old Adlerberg felt a chill on his back. For the first time, he discovered that Alexander II might be more difficult to maintain than Nicholas I. Should he make preparations in advance for safety reasons?
He sighed and shook his head and put these miscellaneous thoughts aside. After all, the most important thing now was to follow Alexander II's order to invite Duke Vorontsov.
As for why Alexander II invited Duke Vorontsov, isn't the reason obvious? It's not that Alexander II still hopes to win over Duke Vorontsov and make him work for him.
Old Adlerberg estimated that Alexander II would give Duke Vorontsov more honors and benefits. To be honest, this made him a little envious and jealous.
If he had been Prince Vorontsov, he would have happily surrendered and become Alexander II's dog.
It's a pity that he is not Prince Vorontsov, because the latter obviously doesn't think there is anything to be happy about. At least the latter chatted with Alexander II in the imperial study for half an hour and didn't look happy at all when he went out.
mean.
"Duke, what are you talking to His Majesty about?" Old Adlerberg asked cautiously.
Prince Vorontsov replied calmly: "Nothing, just a little business."
Old Adlerberg didn't think that Alexander II had the leisure to chat with Duke Vorontsov. It was probably because the two had not reached an agreement this time, so he was surprised: Duke Vorontsov should have been sitting there for so long
After years of being on the bench, don’t you want to return to the center of the stage?
This time is obviously a God-given opportunity, why are you still so stubborn?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but advise: "Duke, don't blame me for talking too much. Your Majesty has high expectations for you! This time I have given you the highest honor in an exceptional way. You should be grateful no matter what, and don't be too stubborn sometimes."
Oh, so as not to miss a good opportunity!"
Prince Vorontsov glanced at him and said calmly: "Do you know what your Majesty was talking to me about?"
How could an old fox like Old Adlerberg be timid? He smiled and said: "I just made a random guess. Mainly because I think it's a pity that you, Duke, have wasted so many years. I don't want to see you miss opportunities again."
!”
"Then thank you for your concern," Duke Vorontsov replied very calmly, "It's just that I am getting old. Now I just want to live my life and I really don't have the energy to continue serving the country. I can only live up to His Majesty's wishes."
That’s very kind of you!”
Old Adlerberg looked at Duke Vorontsov in surprise. In his opinion, shouldn't a master of Duke Vorontsov's level be just pretending to be real? Even if he really wants to reject Alexander II's kindness, shouldn't he?
, then you shouldn’t tell him so straightforwardly, right?
Is this old man confused?
But before he could figure it out, Duke Vorontsov had already boarded the carriage and left, which made him bury all his questions in his heart. However, he had a feeling that this time the coronation ceremony would not be like Alexander's.