Sometimes Nicholas I really felt that God had played a huge joke on him. Why was the crown prince Alexander so effeminate and not like him at all, while the second son Constantine looked exactly like him? If these two people were switched
How nice it would be.
If Constantine was the eldest son, Nicholas I felt that he did not need to work as hard as now, and could leave a considerable part of the state affairs to Constantine. Instead of having to run to wipe Alexander's butt from time to time.
Looking at Crown Prince Alexander, the child's indecisive face makes people angry. And looking at Grand Duke Constantine, this heroic little fat man is so festive and lovable!
"Pity!"
Nicholas I sighed in his heart. He could not let Constantine succeed to the throne. It would be too inconsistent with the rules. The rule is that eldest son inherits. This is an iron bar and an irreversible rule. And he has lived in this world all his life.
The last thing Nicholas I could do was violate the rules he recognized.
Nicholas I was a little frustrated, but besides being frustrated, he was also a little worried. The crown prince was a sissy, and the crown prince’s younger brother was heroic. This was not a good thing. Nicholas I knew ambition best. He also swore that he did not want to be a tsar.
, but after he really had the opportunity to sit in that position, he was inevitably shaken and tempted.
Even someone as strict and self-disciplined as him could not withstand the temptation of the throne, let alone Constantine, who was far less self-disciplined than himself? Nicholas I believed that as long as this little fat man was given a chance, he would desperately seize it.
And once the most terrifying desire in his heart is seduced, there is no way to put that monster in the cage again.
But Nicholas I was hesitant, because Crown Prince Alexander's performance was so bad, he had to find a way to make this useless son more like a man and more like a crown prince. And it seemed that only Constantine could do this.
After much thought, Nicholas I decided to abandon his fatherly side. He firmly believed that the best way for him, the Romanov family, and Russia was to turn Grand Duke Constantine into a whetstone, even if it was the last one.
The Whetstone may not end well, either!
Nicholas I thought about it. Supporting Grand Duke Constantine to pressure Crown Prince Alexander would do more good than harm. If he finally sharpened his sword and successfully trained Crown Prince Alexander, everyone would be happy.
Even if Crown Prince Alexander is too expensive, the mud can't hold up the gables, and he is finally ousted from the throne by his younger brother, it doesn't matter. At least it proves that Grand Duke Constantine is not only ambitious but also has the skills. It is indeed safer for such a person to be a tsar!
From this moment on, Nicholas I was no longer a father to Crown Prince Alexander and Grand Duke Constantine, but a complete king. He risked everything in order to maintain what he thought Russia should be.
Look.
"Kostya is right," Nicholas I deliberately glared at Crown Prince Alexander, and criticized with dissatisfaction: "The war is about to begin, you must fully trust your general... Why are you going to investigate a ghost case at this time? Sa
Sha, what are you thinking about?"
Crown Prince Alexander's face turned red. It had been a while since Nicholas I had pointed his nose at him and criticized him like this. He felt so ashamed that tears welled up in his eyes involuntarily.
This tearful look was naturally not welcomed by Nicholas I. What he hated most was men crying. He immediately became even more angry and lectured more severely: "Put away your tears, we will
My enemies don’t believe in tears!”
Suddenly, Crown Prince Alexander was even more embarrassed. If there was a crack in the ground, he would probably crawl directly into it. Even the courtiers nearby felt that Nicholas I was a bit too harsh. Everyone knew that Crown Prince Alexander loved to cry, although this was indeed very girly.
Sorry, but other than that, the crown prince doesn't have much problem, so why should he be so harsh?
Besides, Crown Prince Alexander’s advice just now was very solid and he took good care of the face of his ministers, especially Menshikov. He liked Crown Prince Alexander’s advice very much. After all, the Crown Prince also spoke for him.
Therefore, the old eunuch suddenly became a little anxious, but he was not suitable to speak at the moment, let alone speak for Crown Prince Alexander, because the central figure being discussed today happened to be his confidant. If he spoke, he would inevitably be considered to have an elbow.
You have to defend yourself.
Menshikov knew very well the temper of Nicholas I. At this time, it would not be a big deal if he did not speak, but once he interrupted, Nicholas I would have a problem with him and think that he was trying to exercise power -
—Why, I can’t even criticize your dogs. You Menshikov are so majestic!
So Menshikov could only wink at old Adlerberg across the table, meaning you old boy, stop sitting there stupidly and speak up for the crown prince!
In fact, old Adlerberg is quite embarrassed at this time. Recently, his favor has not been as good as before. Even with his butt, he knows that Nicholas I has opinions about him. So this old fox does not dare to do it again.
When Tuo Da wags his tail, he quickly tucks his tail between his legs and behaves as honestly as he wants, almost like a quail.
The reason why old Adlerberg was so honest was not to lower his sense of existence and let Nicholas I know that he had realized his mistakes and was willing to sincerely correct them, so he really didn't want to get involved in these nonsense.
Because he knew very well that as long as he interrupted, Nicholas I might think that he had ulterior motives, and his intercession might turn into giving away his life.
But now Menshikov has already winked, and this idiot has done it too obviously. Anyway, old Adlerberg knows that this old guy’s wink will definitely be noticed by Nicholas I. This is not to send him to the grill.
What!
Old Adlerberg suddenly felt a little bit stuck. He pretended not to see Menshikov's eyes. Not to mention that this old guy did it too obviously. Everyone basically saw it. Pretending to be stupid at this time would definitely give Crown Prince Alexander the trouble.
Leaves a very bad impression.
Old Adlerberg had bet his future and that of his precious son on Crown Prince Alexander. How could he dare to offend the Crown Prince?
But if he stands up to speak for Crown Prince Alexander, is Nicholas I watching? His Majesty already had a strong opinion of him. Now that he sees him fawning over the Crown Prince, will he suspect his ulterior motives, or simply think that he is already Alexander?
Has the Crown Prince left enough?
Old Adlerberg was not willing to wear such a label because it was too dangerous. What should he do?