The reason is very simple. If you want to persuade and win over the reformist generals, you will definitely need some skills and connections.
And Dmitry has such a relationship. Nikolai Milyutin is his brother. When other reformers meet him, they not only have to give him some face, but also subconsciously think that this should be one of their own. In this way, the distance is not close.
Just got closer?
Is it difficult to fool a few people as long as Dmitri is a little more forceful?
Alexander II felt that it was not difficult at all with Dmitry's ability, and this task was almost tailor-made for him. It would be impossible for anyone else, even Baryatinsky, to complete it.
Why? It’s not that Baryatinsky is incompetent, but that he doesn’t have a reformist brother like Nikolay Milyutin!
Thinking of this, Alexander II no longer hesitated and made a decision immediately: "Dmitry, you are right, just do what you want. I believe you will be able to let others understand my intentions and painstaking efforts.
It will get things back on the right track!”
Dmitri chuckled in his heart again, because these words were familiar to him. Alexander II was the best at doing this. They are all empty promises anyway. If you take them seriously, you would be a fool.
Fortunately, both he and Count Rostovtsev had foresight, and he immediately said: "Thank you for your majesty's trust. This task would have been impossible to complete without your majesty's trust... But I have one more thing or a regret."
I hope your Majesty will agree."
Alexander II was in a good mood. He thought about it for a moment, waved his hand and said: "A merciless request? I'm afraid it's not an easy request to make things difficult for you, Count! Let me tell you first, as long as I can do it
There’s nothing I can’t agree to if I get it!”
In fact, don’t take this seriously. Whenever someone tells you to talk first and listen, they will most likely listen first to see if there is any conflict of interest before making a decision, and there is a high probability that he will not agree.
Dmitry also knew, but he felt that Alexander II should be able to agree as long as he listened.
"It's like this. If you want to win the recognition and support of those generals who support reform, you must agree to some of their demands. If you do nothing, it is likely that they will not be able to sincerely support His Majesty's ideas!"
Dmitri glanced at Alexander II and saw that he had no reaction before continuing: "So I think it is acceptable to agree to some of their innocuous demands, such as purchasing more advanced weapons and carrying out some small-scale reforms...
…”
Alexander II fell into deep thought. It is not that he cannot agree to this request. Most of the poor performance of the Russian army in the Crimean War was due to backward weapons and equipment. It is inevitable to buy some new equipment, but there is no money in the treasury.
A big question, what would he do if those lions opened their mouths?
And how small is the scope of the so-called small-scale reform? And what needs to be changed?
This is what he is most concerned about. What if those guys from the reformists get in trouble?
Even if not, what if the car cannot be stopped due to such a change?
He deliberately refused to agree, but when you think about it, Dmitri's words make sense. If you want to win over someone, you have to give some real money, right? You can't just rely on deception... right?
After thinking for a while, Alexander II felt that this price was acceptable, so he replied pleasantly: "Of course new equipment needs to be purchased, but the country's financial constraints cannot be used to re-equip all the troops in the country in one go. It can only be done in one step."
Take it one step at a time...but you can tell them that a strong military is the foundation of Russia's country, and I will definitely bring the Russian military back to its peak as soon as possible!"
Dmitri finally heard the subtext of Alexander II, that is, it is enough to replace a small number of troops with new weapons, but don't bother too much, he really has no money!
Moreover, the military reforms and weapons changes are enough, but don't mess around with other fancy things, because he is really worried!
But the most important thing for Dmitry or the reformists is actually the latter. There are no new weapons that can be replaced slowly for the time being. As long as the Russian military system is reformed, sooner or later these will be available.
But if the latter is not changed, the army will just change the soup without changing the medicine. Do you think the Russian army's disastrous defeat in the Crimean War was just a problem of weapons and equipment?
From military organization to logistics organization to command and personnel training, which one is not a problem? These things are the key to the poor performance of the Russian army. Getting new weapons is just changing the soup without changing the medicine. On the battlefield, it will definitely be beaten back to its original shape!m
..
So even if he knew that Alexander II did not like the latter, Dmitry still had to say: "Your Majesty, it is difficult to satisfy the supporters of reform in the military with that small amount of new weapons. Although we cannot agree to all their demands, more or less
You still have to make a gesture, otherwise..."
Alexander II chewed his teeth and pondered for a long time before sighing and saying: "Okay, but first you have to see which of their demands can be met and which ones cannot be met. Submit a report to me and let me take a look.
, if the new equipment still doesn’t satisfy them, let’s talk about it!”
Dmitri didn't push forward step by step and just nodded in agreement. Anyway, when the reformists were dissatisfied, they could always force Alexander II to make concessions. There was no need for him to step forward at this time.
After leaving the Kremlin and sitting in his carriage, Dmitri was still very disdainful. He felt unworthy of some reformists who still had high hopes for Alexander II.
If they hear what Alexander II said, I wonder if they will wake up a little bit.
Anyway, when he thought that he was so naive and childish in the past, he was ashamed and angry. Of course, he was even more angry. Because the demands of the reformists were not excessive, and the current Russia did need such a reform, but this was what Alexander was asked to do.
It's really boring to tell the truth by pushing, blocking and bargaining!
This reminded him of the previous coronation ceremony. As a confidant of Alexander II, he was certainly qualified to watch from the front row. The performances of Paskovich, Menshikov and others were really eye-catching.
But this is also a good illustration of the current situation of Russia. It is really called senility. If nothing is changed, Russia will really only die in silence, with no chance to turn around or make a comeback.
He felt that everyone who had experienced the coronation ceremony should have this consciousness, that is, Russia must change, and only change can save Russia. But the words of Alexander II just now undoubtedly poured cold water on the head...