"Now, please come with me, our Marshal wants to see you."
Although the officer only said a few words and did not explain in detail, Alexander Walewski certainly knew who the other party was talking about.
That person is naturally the Russian army coach Marshal Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich.
This marshal has been in the army for many years and is a confidant of Tsar Nicholas. He has made many meritorious deeds in the past wars with the French Empire. After the Tsar ascended the throne, he served as a general and participated in the war between the Russian Empire and Persia and the Caucasus.
war, and was named Count of Yerevan by the Tsar for his military exploits.
After the rebellion broke out in Poland, the Tsar transferred him directly from the Caucasus to the Polish front line to command the Russian army to counter the rebellion, which also shows how much he was relied on.
Obviously, the news that he came to seek asylum was reported to him through the Russian army.
Logically speaking, a mere foreign envoy is not worthy of his attention. He only needs to instruct his officers to entertain him well and ensure his personal safety. He specifically wanted to call him in front of him. It should be the same as those Russian officers just now.
Want to see the freshness of "Napoleon".
In line with the attitude of taking things as they come, Alexander did not refuse. He followed the officers obediently and continued walking deeper into the Russian camp.
They traveled smoothly until they came to a small village, and the officer stopped.
"This is the headquarters of His Excellency the Marshal." The officer pointed to a few inconspicuous houses not far away and briefly introduced, "Your Excellency the Marshal and his staff are here, and you will be entertained by them.
"
After finishing speaking, he walked up to the guards who were on alert around the house, whispered a few words in Russian, then left Alexander here, and turned around and left.
It was obvious that all the villagers in this village had fled or been driven away.
Then, the two guards walked up to Alexander, searched him seriously but not roughly, and after confirming that he was not carrying weapons, they took him in directly.
Soldiers wearing staff uniforms walked around the house. Because they had heard about his special status, everyone would look at him curiously when they passed him. Some were bold (or rather humorous).
The officers even pretended to take off their hats to salute respectfully. Of course, this was just a joke and a bad taste. As far as the actual title was concerned, Alexander was not a prince or prince, and they did not need to salute at all.
In this solemn and humorous atmosphere, he was taken to a dining table.
At this time, Marshal Paskevich, wearing a uniform, was sitting at the dining table, looking at this uninvited special guest with great interest.
At the same time, Alexander looked at him without showing any signs of weakness. The marshal had a short hairstyle and a beard. Because he was nearly fifty years old, his hair and beard were a little gray, but even so,
From his strong body due to long-term service, we can see the unique oppressive power of a commander commanding thousands of troops.
After the two people looked at each other for a moment, the marshal spoke first.
"Young Count Walewski, although your arrival surprises me, I am very happy to entertain you as a guest. You are indeed as talented as I imagined."
After finishing speaking, he gently spread his hands and motioned Alexander to sit across the dining table.
Because this is a temporarily requisitioned village house, the dining table is not luxurious, it is just a rough wooden table, and the area is not large. The dining table is also filled with fruits and food, as well as pork chops and roasted lamb legs. Obviously,
They were all temporarily "requisitioned" from nearby places.
Since ancient times, war has been inseparable from looting. In addition, the Russian army's logistics supply capacity is relatively weak, and the Tsar intends to use a harsh attitude to "punish" the Poles who dare to rebel. Therefore, the Russian army forcibly requisitions and loots villages.
It's very normal.
"Nice to meet you, Your Excellency Marshal." Alexander also saluted the other party with due etiquette, and then sat down at the dining table according to the other party's instructions. "On behalf of the country I serve, thank you for providing me with
of asylum.”
"You came at just the right time. When I heard your news, I was preparing to have a meal. Now I can have another distinguished guest."
As he spoke, the marshal hooked his fingers slightly, and the orderly next to him picked up the wine bottle and poured wine into the wine glasses in front of the two people.
Obviously, the frequent and fierce battles did not affect the marshal's appetite. He picked up a steak with a knife and fork, then put it into his mouth, chewed it with big mouthfuls and swallowed it happily.
Then, he raised his head again and looked at Alexander, "You are more handsome and more lovable than your father."
"My father, Count Valewski, is indeed a very respectable man." Alexander replied sternly, although he knew that the other party did not actually mean it. "Although he was old when he got me, he was still the same when he was young.
He is also very handsome."
Sure enough, Marshal Paskevich was shocked at first, and then couldn't help laughing, "Aha... you know who I am referring to!"
After laughing for a moment, he spoke again, "We have dealt with Napoleon for too many years. Even though he has been dead for many years, we will never forget him. Originally, I thought that after 1815, he and his family,
His empire should have completely disappeared from the stage, but the reality can always be beyond the poor imagination of mankind! To be honest, I really didn’t expect that more than ten years later, we would see France have a wave of revolutionaries.
Emperor Nabal, I can see his son sitting before me again... Come, let us drink a drink to our destiny."
After finishing speaking, he picked up the wine glass and motioned to Alexander.
Alexander also picked up the wine glass and clinked it with him slightly. After a crisp sound, the two of them each took a sip of wine.
Although this was just an ordinary-quality wine supplied to the army, after a long journey, Alexander, who was already physically and mentally exhausted and mentally stressed, felt as if he was drinking fine wine.
"Your Excellency Marshal, although I don't want to disappoint you, I have to declare to you once again that I am Count Walewski, not the son of the person you think. I am just an ordinary person now.
A French diplomat who has nothing to do with the Bonaparte family -" After moistening his throat, Alexander spoke more fluently. Facing the marshal, his attitude was neither humble nor overbearing, and he stuck to his words -
The reason why he insists on this statement is of course not to argue about who his father is, but mainly to clear his relationship with the royal family - after all, he has now fallen into the hands of the Russians, in case the Russians feel that he "
"It's a rare thing to live in", or even regarded as a "bargaining chip" that can be used to exchange interests with France, then he will be in big trouble.
He knew very well that his "brother" would never pay any extra price to redeem him.
Therefore, he must sever his relationship with the royal family and cut off any possibility of being used as a bargaining chip in political transactions.
"So, Mr. Walewski, an ordinary French diplomat, why did you show up at the gates of Warsaw?" The marshal asked with a sneer while eating, "Also, how much have you done during your stay here?
Something that is detrimental to our country’s interests?”
"France is a neutral outsider country in this conflict and has no intention of interfering in it." Alexander had already anticipated this question, so he immediately responded with the official rhetoric he had prepared.
The other party said, "I came to Warsaw just on orders from the government to observe the situation and provide the best possible protection for the local French expatriates - and by the way, provide some relief supplies donated by the private sector to the people here who have suffered from war."
"You may sound nice, but your actions prove that not only are you not neutral, but you are actually helping those daring traitors!" The marshal's face changed, and then his tone suddenly increased, "You have used various means to assist overtly or covertly.
Those traitors, sheltering the exiles among them, have stirred up public opinion against the Russian Empire throughout Europe, and we even have reason to suspect that this riot itself may have been incited and directed by you!"
Faced with the marshal's severe accusation, Alexander did not panic at all.
Because he knew that the other party was just making random accusations without providing any substantial evidence. Moreover, the French Empire did not incite this rebellion in the first place, but only expressed sympathy after it happened.
Of course, Alexander knew in his heart that during this period, he had secretly done many things that were detrimental to the interests of the Russian Empire, but all of these were within the scope of "falling out". Even if the other party wanted to accuse him, it would be difficult to convince the public.
Of course, he also knew that the marshal's accusation was essentially the Russian Empire's official counterattack in the face of attacks from public opinion in Europe.
For the tsar, such a large-scale rebellion was launched in the territory under his rule. Even if it could be put down with blood, it would still be too ugly, and it would be difficult to explain it to the country and abroad. Moreover, it was impossible for him to recognize the Poles.
The rebellion was launched because of resistance to "tyranny".
Because of this, blaming "foreign forces for incitement" has always been the simplest and most effective way.
As a French diplomat, Alexander must of course refute this accusation face to face.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, in my official capacity, I raise the most solemn protest against your groundless accusations! Our country has just experienced a large-scale turmoil, and now it has finally returned to calm. How can we have time to incite other places?"
The turmoil? Besides, as a peace-loving monarch, our Emperor never wants to be at odds with any country, let alone deliberately help the rebels! Instead of you baselessly accusing us here, why not reflect on it?
Why do so many Poles want to resist the Tsar even at the cost of their lives...Can this be achieved by just verbal incitement?"
Alexander's stern rebuttal made the atmosphere in the room suddenly become tense. Not only did the marshal look stern, but other officers and guards present also frowned. However, Alexander was fearless and did not even feel a trace of embarrassment.
He ate his meal calmly, as if he was not alone and surrounded by enemies.
After sizing Alexander up, the marshal smiled again, and then looked at the people around him, "This kid has a pretty strong temper. I didn't embarrass him."
After laughing for a moment, he waved his hand gently, signaling Alexander to stop the verbal debate, "Young man, you are a diplomat, and your eloquence is indeed good, but I am a soldier, and my capital is not my tongue, but my tongue.
The sword and gun in my hand... So, leave the verbal confrontation to those gentlemen in Petersburg. I will just complete my job - no matter what you French people want to do secretly, as long as I serve His Majesty the Tsar.
Once Warsaw is captured and the rebellion is suppressed, everything will return to peace, right?"
The calm marshal was actually more oppressive than the question he just asked.
Because he is indeed qualified to say these words as a winner.
No matter what public opinion turmoil there is, no matter what small moves, as long as the Russian army crushes the rebels' resistance, then Poland will be the property of the Tsar, a property that no one can question.
Although he understood this, Alexander felt too much unwillingness in his heart.
"Perhaps calm will be restored temporarily, but..."
"What? What do you mean, these cute Polish boys will rise up in rebellion again in the future? That's just right!" The marshal raised his eyebrows, and then with a nonchalant expression, he picked up his fork and dug hard into a piece of steak.
Plunging in, "To tell you the truth, I will be appointed Governor-General in Poland by His Majesty the Tsar. If any Poles dare to resist His Majesty the Tsar again and desecrate the St. George flag, then they can jump out and I will
We patiently sent each one of them to the gallows, just give it a try... Warsaw will always be ours, as will all of Poland!"
Then, he looked at Alexander with a sneer, "And you, young man, you will be sent to Petersburg by us, and then you will be politely received there, and then sent back to France... But before that, you have to stay in
Here, witness me and my soldiers entering Warsaw, and witness His Majesty the Tsar return to rule this country——"
After finishing speaking, he picked up the wine glass and greeted Alexander.
"Come, let us drink again, to Warsaw! To His Majesty the Tsar!"
Such a straightforward and rude declaration made Alexander's throat tighten, and the wine he just drank seemed to become more and more bitter.
He knew that the other party was deliberately irritating him, and he even knew that because of this, he could not be irritated by him.
Okay... okay, since this has been expected for a long time, what's there to be sad about when it happens?
He mustered up the courage, picked up the wine glass, faced the marshal's warm yet cold gaze, clinked the glass gently, then raised his head and drank the remaining bitter wine in the glass.
He has drank too much of the bitter wine of life since he was born, so even at this moment, he can drink it without changing his expression.
After all, he is still too young and he still has a future. He wants to see what fate has prepared for him.