Count Rostovtsev seemed to have foreseen Alexander II's surprise, and was completely indifferent to his expression of seeing a ghost. He calmly explained: "Your Majesty, if we only start from the routine, the reform must not start with the army.
It is related to the foundation and stability of the country, and we absolutely cannot change the military first."
Alexander II nodded suspiciously. It sounded like Count Rostovtsev was still in good spirits. Since he knew that he could not arbitrarily mess with the army, why did he suggest that he first conduct pilot reforms in the Admiralty and Army Ministry? This is not the case.
Are you contradicting yourself?
Count Rostovtsev explained patiently: "Your Majesty, as I said just now, that was a normal state! But now it is definitely not a normal state! Both abroad and at home, things are turbulent and uneven, so where to start?
Reform is very important, and if you are not careful, it will affect the overall situation and eventually get out of control!"
Alexander II nodded again. The reason is very clear, but you still didn’t say why you mobilized the army in the first place!
Count Rostovtsev continued to explain: "Then, Your Majesty, where do you think it is more appropriate to pilot it first?"
Alexander II stopped talking. Nothing was suitable for him, and it would be better not to carry out any reforms at all.
But as I said before, we are now riding a tiger with no way out unless we change.
Seeing that Alexander II remained silent, Count Rostovtsev said: "If we start the pilot project from other departments first, then the unavoidable issue is the issue of serfdom. Your Majesty, are you determined to completely abolish the serfdom system?"
What could Alexander II say? If he had this determination, would he have struggled until now?
And he had already understood what Count Rostovtsev meant. If the reform started from other departments of the government, then the issue of serfdom would be the first to bear the brunt. This is the core issue that the reformers are most concerned about. This is actually why they have been jumping up and down.
It would be meaningless if we did not take action on this issue, and once we take action on this issue, the conservatives would jump to their feet again, and the relationship was so great that even Alexander II could not bear it.
Obviously, this hole must not be opened casually. Once it is opened, there is really no way back.
Count Rostovtsev sighed and said: "So the reform must not start with the issue of serfdom. However, if this issue is not touched, the liberal elements will not agree, so we simply cannot open this gap and can only start with the reform of the army."
Go ahead and let those liberal elements go to the army and get bruised and bruised to waste their energy!"
Now Alexander II understood everything. He had to admit that Count Rostovtsev's move was too quick!
The army is the cornerstone of the country, and it can be said to be the foundation on which the country depends for its survival. Aren't those reformers clamoring for reform? Then he, the tsar, handed over all the cornerstones to them and let them toss around. This can't be said to be disrespectful and distrustful, right?
This alone can shut their mouths and give them no reason to push!
This is not the best thing, because he thought of another point. You have to ask where the most powerful conservative forces are in the entire Russian society?
Certainly not the cabinet or even the officialdom, but the army!
Russia's war machine is actually controlled by a group of extremely conservative serf owners. The entire army, from organizational structure to personnel structure, is controlled by conservatives.
Let’s put it this way, trying to carry out reforms starting from the military is like trying to reach the sky!
What's more, Alexander II would also add obstacles to the reformists on one side and constantly try to create obstacles and troubles for them. He still didn't believe in subduing those reformists who were worried about the country and the people all day long!
For a moment, Alexander II felt as if he could see the sun through the clouds. This feeling was so comfortable that he couldn't help but applaud Count Rostovtsev!
"You are absolutely right. Let's start with the military and let them hit the wall!"
Count Rostovtsev also breathed a sigh of relief as Alexander II gave his approval. Before he came, he was sure that he could convince the other party, but it is impossible to say that he was completely sure. In short, he was still more or less worried.
After all, Alexander II had a history of indecision and hesitation in this regard.
What if he just said yes but changed his mind after a while? Only when he happily called the Minister of the Navy and the Minister of War over for an emergency meeting like now does it mean that he is really tempted.
For Count Rostovtsev, as long as he takes action, half of the success will be achieved. It is conceivable that the reform of the army is imperative and no one can stop it!
And this also means that the biggest obstacle to future reform has been reduced by less than half. All that needs to be done next is to implement it steadily. By then, even if Alexander II reacts, he will not be able to turn back.
Yes, Count Rostovtsev was trying to trick Alexander II. How could he sincerely help Alexander II as the boss behind the reformists?
Most of the ideas he gave seemed good but were definitely poisonous in the long run. They were even crooked ideas that once you got into this trap, there was no way to turn back in the future.
For example, if he uses the army as a pilot for reform, what does he want? It is not about military power, even though the disastrous defeat in the Crimean War and the great uprising in Ukraine have greatly reduced the strength of the conservatives in the military.
But it is undeniable that military power, especially the control of the army, is still basically in their hands. They have the ballast stone of Alexander II who refuses to reform. Even when he is desperate, he can use the army to suppress it, just like when he punished
The Decembrists used violence to settle everything.
Therefore, if you want to implement the reform smoothly, you must first move the ballast stone of Alexander II. You must drive away as many old antiques who support the reform as possible and replace them with generals who support the reform.
Of course, this process will definitely be difficult and will not be smooth sailing, but in Count Rostovtsev's opinion, as long as he can start and work hard, there is hope of success. After all, today is different from the past, right?
And it is particularly ideal at this time. First of all, the tragic defeat in Crimea has made everyone in the army see the necessity of reform. If we don't change, we will really have no choice but to be rubbed on the ground by Britain and France in the future.
Moreover, the current Minister of the Navy is Grand Duke Constantine, who is considered a reformist, while the Acting Minister of War is Prince Mikhail. Although this is not a reformist, he is not a die-hard conservative either, and his brother, Duke Alexander, has
Liberal tendencies, judging from his various actions, actually support making certain changes.
Since the top bosses are not opposed to the middle and lower-level officers and are very supportive of them, and we have the right time, place and people, if this still cannot be done, then there is no need to carry out any reforms...