What surprised Count Rostovtsev most about Li Xiao?
Is it his intelligence?
Was it his "evil" plan against Menshikov?
No. Rostovtsev has seen too many talented young talents. The farther one is Pushkin, and the closer one is the Milyutin brothers.
In terms of wisdom and talent alone, Li Xiao is not the best among these people. There are many people who are smarter, more capable, and more knowledgeable than him.
But none of these talents surprised Count Rostovtsev. The count was able to analyze the actions of these talents very closely just from the intelligence collected in the third part. For Ross
As far as Count Tovtsev was concerned, this talent had no secrets in his eyes.
But Li Xiao is different. He is always able to do things that are beyond Count Rostovtsev's expectations and beyond his knowledge. The last time he embarrassed Nicholas I in public was like this. This time he suddenly joined forces with Grand Duke Constantine.
is also like this.
After Nikolay Milyutin left, Count Rostovtsev was still talking about the words Li Xiao had said. After a long time, he sighed:
"What a monster. Unite all forces that can be combined to fight against the enemy, even former enemies, and serve the highest interests first... It took me ten years to understand this truth, but you mastered it easily
It’s terrible! It’s terrible!”
Count Rostovtsev stood up laughing, rang the bell to summon his servant, and said as if mumbling to himself or a little worriedly:
"It seems that the political arena in Russia will become more lively in the future... This stagnant water is finally going to make waves... This time, the old man Menshikov will probably suffer a big loss... What a pity, what a pity!"
Count Rostovtsev shook his head and sighed: "If your opponent is just an old fool like Menshikov, a big victory will be just around the corner... It is a pity that your opponent also has two foxes, one old and one small. Those two
A fox would be much more difficult to deal with!"
"Okay, let me take a look at your condition again and see if there are any surprises!"
Rostovtsev walked out of the National Library briskly, as if he suddenly looked twenty years younger. The cold and gloom of this winter could no longer stop his good mood.
When the count was in a good mood, also in St. Petersburg, other people were in a bad mood, such as the Adlerbergs.
"You said that Grand Duke Constantine suddenly attacked Messadov? Locked up this idiot?" Vladimir Adlerberg asked.
Old Adlerberg had a handsome face, with the German face that Nicholas I liked most, with a high forehead, a hooked nose, a pair of deep blue eyes, and a chin as sharp as a knife or an axe.
This minister of palace affairs has served Nicholas I for many years. Not to mention his illustrious achievements, he can be regarded as a hard worker. However, his qualifications are lower than those of Menshikov, Peter Volkonsky, and Ordov.
There is a huge gap, so it is not his turn to get involved in the core and most powerful departments.
Moreover, the old Adlerberg always acted in a low-key manner and rarely had particularly dazzling moments of glory. He impressed the courtiers and many powerful people more as an honest person who worked diligently and did not seize credit or power. It really means that he is willing to work without complaint.
.Anyway, he is a harmonious person, just like a faceless person.
However, Sasha Adlerberg knew that these were just disguises for his father. In the words of his father: Honest people can make people put down their guard best, and honest people are the least likely to cause hostility. Therefore, honest people are the safest.
Able to reach the top without realizing it.
Little Adlerberg admired his father very much. As he said, he unknowingly climbed from an undistinguished little nobleman to the side of Nicholas I, and became the minister of palace affairs accompanying him.
Mastered all the core secrets in the court.
And whether it was Menshikov, Peter Volkonsky Ordov or the famous Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Neserrodie, they all felt that old Adlerberg was their friend. He could communicate with different factions.
Isn't this level of being such a person, dealing with top old foxes, not scary?
The most important thing is that Nicholas I also liked the honest and capable old Adlerberg very much, and felt that she was loyal, reliable and willing to work.
Little Adlerberg knew very well that now his father only lacked one opportunity. As long as one of the top dignitaries above him passed away or stepped down, the replacement would definitely be his father.
The elder Adlerberg not only paved the way for himself, but even made arrangements for the younger Adlerberg early on. He was arranged to be with Crown Prince Alexander from the very beginning.
The military attachés turned him into the crown prince's confidant step by step. Let's put it this way, once Nicholas I died, little Adlerberg would inevitably rise to a high position.
So whenever he encountered a problem, little Adlerberg would first ask his father for advice, and every time the old man would not let him down.
Old Adlerberg asked slowly: "So you think Grand Duke Constantine can't help but attack Menshikov?"
Little Adlerberg nodded: "Yes, father. As far as I know, the Grand Duke has had enough with Menshikov. The last time they had a big fuss over the navy budget, it's just that
Menshikov relied on his prestige to push back the Grand Duke..."
Old Adlerberg suddenly looked up at little Adlerberg and said leisurely: "Not enough!"
Little Adlerberg cautiously added: "The steel plant and boiler plant that the Grand Duke invested in before are facing huge losses. Without a large number of orders from the Navy, I am afraid they will not be able to survive."
"oh?"
Old Adlerberg made a meaningful sound, but quickly said: "It's still not enough!"
Little Adlerberg was stunned and said: "Isn't this enough?"
Old Adlerberg sneered: "I have served the royal family for more than twenty years, and I know the temper of Grand Duke Constantine very well. He is a little fox. His plot is very, very big, and he will never do it for
Being impulsive and desperate for just a few dollars."
Little Adlerberg wondered: "Then why did he suddenly attack Mesakov? It doesn't make sense? Even if he hates Mesakov, he should know that the fat man has a very critical mission now.
Your Majesty will be angry if you screw up!"
Old Adlerberg was silent. He tilted his head and leaned on the back of the sofa. He squinted his eyes and stared at the crystal lamp on the ceiling in ecstasy, as if he could be inspired by that lamp to see through everything.
After a long time, just when little Adlerberg was getting impatient, the old man suddenly spoke again: "What else did Archduke Constantine do that day?"