While Aigron was busy preparing for his wedding, the war far away in the northern tip of the Balkan Peninsula had not yet stopped.
Although the Russian Empire has clearly learned that the Western powers have unified their positions and hope to end this war, the Tsar has not yet responded. He will use this time difference to continue the war and do his best to weaken the Turks.
Prepare in advance for the inevitable Russo-Turkish war a generation later.
However, although the Tsar deliberately blocked the news, the imperial court was never a place where secrets could be kept, and the rumors soon spread like wildfire in St. Petersburg, and then to the distant front lines of Wallachia and Bulgaria.
At this time, Pushkin was fighting here with his Izmailovo Guards Regiment.
Of course, although he fought all the way, he did not experience many bloody fighting scenes, and instead spent his military life relatively peacefully.
On the one hand, this is because the Turkish army is weak and easily defeated by the Russian Empire's troops. As the main reserve force, the elite infantry regiment he belongs to does not need to fight bloody battles; on the other hand, it is because of the command of the regiment.
All the officials knew that Mr. Pushkin was a well-known poet and a popular person in the court. If he was rashly asked to perform any dangerous mission, and if something happened, no one in the court could afford to blame him.
As the imperial army advanced all the way, the legion's supply gradually became a troublesome problem, the advancement speed inevitably slowed down, and the war also temporarily calmed down.
The entire legion was resting on the front line, waiting for various supplies to be transported from the rear via baggage trucks. The sergeants were also gearing up and waiting for the next round of massive offensive.
The war went so smoothly that their confidence was extremely inflated. In their opinion, with one more punch, they would penetrate the Sultan's territory in the Balkans and fight all the way to the gates of Constantinople.
In this way, Pushkin followed his troops and was stationed in a village in Bulgaria that even he could not name.
During the rest period, the soldiers would of course find their own entertainment, either drinking or gambling, or drinking and gambling at the same time. Pushkin was of course the same as others, but after such a period of time, he felt a little depressed.
At noon that day, he woke up from his hangover. Before he could wake up from his headache, his friend Boris Volkonsky came to visit him.
During this period, Boris also drank and gambled like him, and rarely came to see him, so Pushkin was a little surprised. He thought of something big, so he immediately struggled to get up and receive his friends.
"Good morning, my friend." Pushkin greeted with full weariness, "Do you have any good news for me?"
"There is no good news, but there is bad news," Boris replied.
"What's wrong?" Seeing the serious look on the other party's face, Pushkin immediately trembled and his expression became serious.
"I'm sorry, but our march may end in this area." Boris explained to him in a low voice, "This damn deserted village will be the pinnacle of our glory."
"What, we won't continue to march?" Pushkin was a little stunned.
"Yes, it's a pity." Boris Volkonsky shrugged, "The news from Petersburg said that the ambassadors of various countries led by the United Kingdom have submitted notes to His Majesty the Tsar's government, requesting that they be properly considered
peace initiative”
"I see..." Pushkin sighed.
He was not very surprised. After all, before this war started, they had already expected that the Western powers would not be able to sit back and watch His Majesty the Tsar seize chestnuts from the fire and fight all the way to Constantinople to rebuild the Third Rome.
Judging from the current situation, the Russian Empire has achieved brilliant victories and defeated the Turks in the Balkans and Caucasus. Even if it stops now, it can use harsh treaties to make the Turks cede territory and pay compensation. In this aging country
Another piece of flesh was torn off the sick man of the Near East.
But even knowing this, Pushkin could not help but regret the failure of the imperial army.
Because he knew that the Russians in his generation had no hope of recapturing Constantinople.
He walked out of the tent, and then looked at the desolate winter scene around him. The rocks and trees gave off an unspeakable desolation, as if they were mocking his journey.
Although there was victory, there was no glory, nor the romance and splendor imagined.
Is everything going to come to an abrupt end here? He was a little unwilling.
But even if he was unwilling to do so, he knew that this was His Majesty the Tsar's decision and he was not allowed to question it.
"How long are we going to stay here?" He calmed down and then asked.
"If nothing goes wrong, we can probably stay for a month or two. We will evacuate until the spring. His Majesty the Tsar still wants us to continue the war, weaken the Turks' remaining strength, and prepare for the war of the next generation.
Prepare." Boris Volkonsky told Pushkin the information he knew, "but we cannot continue to advance towards Constantinople. The fussy gentlemen in London do not want to see this happen.
"
"That means we have to stay here for a month or two, and then continue drinking and gambling?" Pushkin asked.
"If nothing else, that's the case." Boris nodded, "But if you think this is too boring, I can take you to find the girls here, but don't expect them to be as good as those in Petersburg.
Girls know style..."
Pushkin knew that his friend's proposal was serious, and he also knew that the other party could do it, but now, he was in a low mood, and even this proposal could not cheer him up.
What on earth was I thinking? Why was I so unsatisfied?
He meditated and explored his heart, trying to figure out what he wanted to do.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly had an idea and found the answer.
Yes, he didn't want his rare life experience to end in this wilderness. Since he had participated in a major historical event, he wanted to witness it completely with his own eyes.
Otherwise, the poet would not be willing to do so.
so……
"I heard that Duke Lechstadt is getting married?" he asked abruptly.
"Yes, that's what everyone said." Boris didn't understand why he asked, but he nodded anyway, "It is said that Princess Theresa of Austria has rushed to Greece and is preparing to marry him."
At this point, he said with a hint of jealousy, "Some people are born with good fortunes. No matter how they behave, they can always be forgiven and tolerated by others... Has Her Royal Highness the Princess suffered enough from him?
Unexpectedly, I still remain infatuated and want to go to Greece to marry him."
"I don't think this is surprising. The Duke of Lechstadt is qualified to win the affection of others." Pushkin replied, "Aristocratic ladies have been well-dressed and well-fed since they were young, and they are used to being flattered. They take it for granted.
, is not worth cherishing so much, so instead I like those who are different... In comparison, the Duke is so dazzling, it is normal for Princess Teresa to be fascinated."
"I almost forgot, you are also very good at dealing with those ladies in Petersburg." Boris couldn't help laughing, "I heard that the Duke is also a poet, you should have something in common with him."
"I don't know..." Pushkin shook his head, "but I want to try."
Boris didn't understand at first, but after a moment he came to his senses, and then looked at Pushkin in surprise.
"What? Do you really want to run up to him and have a look?"
"Yes, Boris Petnovitch... I just asked myself, and then I came up with this idea." Pushkin nodded honestly and admitted, "I want to go and see his wedding."
"You are not his planned guest," Boris retorted.
"Yes, but so what?" Pushkin asked, "Even if I am just among the onlookers, it is enough to confirm what our era is like."
"You really found a strange reason..." Boris didn't quite understand, "My friend, why are you so interested in Duke Lechstadt?"
"Of course I would be interested in a person who can create such a career at a young age, because I admire heroes." Pushkin replied without thinking, "Among the princes and grandsons of this generation, he is the only one who is decent. If he
If it is as dazzling as I expected, then our era may be interesting; if it is disappointingly mediocre, then I think our generation will be ridiculed by future generations as mediocre and boring, because even the best among them are not.
in this way!"
Then, he changed the topic, "However, my main purpose is not for him, but for Greece... Listen, my friend, at this moment when such a glorious ancient civilization is reborn from the ashes, if I am so close at hand
But I was not there. I can’t forgive myself for committing a crime against history! It’s okay if I didn’t personally participate. If I’m not even a qualified bystander, that would be ridiculous.”
Boris was startled for a moment, and then couldn't help laughing.
"Hahahaha...'A crime against history!' Alexander Sergeyevich, you are such a poet."
After laughing for a while, he became serious again, "However, since you said so, as a friend, I can't bear to see you depressed."
"What, are you willing to help me?" Pushkin suddenly became energetic.
"It's not easy, but if it works well, it's not that difficult." Boris pondered for a moment, and then replied in a low voice, "You can pretend to have a bad cold or pneumonia, apply for recuperation, and I'll go run it with the leader.
, have someone take you to a nearby village for a rest, and then you can move around freely... As long as you don't make any announcement during this period, no one will know where you have gone."
Pushkin's eyes suddenly lit up.
If it were an ordinary person, there would definitely be problems with this operation, but Boris was born in a noble family in Petersburg, and his family is quite powerful in the military. If he helps him operate, there will really be no problem. After all, no one dares to let
A pneumonia patient is still in the military.
"Then let's do it!" He nodded immediately and agreed with his friend's statement.
Then, he held Boris's hand heavily and said, "My friend...my loyal friend, thank you for helping me."
"What's the point?" Boris whistled, "Real Russians will do anything for their friends."
Then, the two people began to discuss the next details. For Pushkin, he has always been a passionate person. Now that he has made up his mind, he is not willing to wait any longer. He just hopes that the sooner the better, and Boris also
I can only plan for my friend according to his wishes.
In the end, the two people reached a consensus, Boris promised to communicate with the group leader as soon as possible, and Pushkin also began to prepare to pack up and bow.
But Boris gave him a final warning.
"My friend, I just said that we will retreat at the beginning of spring, so you must compress your journey to within one and a half months, and the shorter the better. Don't be immersed in the natural scenery of Greece and forget about time. Otherwise
Once the matter is exposed, it will be difficult for me to explain it to my superiors."
"Of course." Pushkin agreed repeatedly. Of course, he was not willing to embarrass his friend.
"Also, you can't act alone. Although Greece is generally peaceful, the war there is still chaotic. You must pay attention to your own safety." Boris put forward another suggestion, "Well, I will find two reliable people in my company.
Brothers, entrust them to protect you as you go south. Anyway, they are too busy now that there is no war... However, you must pay their salaries yourself, and I don’t have any spare money now.”
"Of course!" Pushkin agreed again.
Now that the two of them had reached this point in their conversation, Pushkin decided that it was time to end it. He was going to say goodbye to his friend and immediately start packing his things.
However, his friends did not want to give him this pleasure.
"Okay, let's go!" Boris patted him on the shoulder, "Since you decided to leave temporarily, let's go have a drink first, and then play a few rounds of cards to see you off... Let's have a good time
Drink enough!”
Pushkin secretly had a headache, because he knew that in this case, Boris would definitely let him drink. After all, this was also a way for him to express his enthusiasm.
He was already a little dizzy because of his hangover. If he drank so much again, he might not be able to get out of bed for the next day...
But since all my friends have done this, it makes no sense for me not to make any sacrifices.
Anyway, he is running the operation, and he doesn't need to do anything more.
And...he himself also wanted to have a big drink and say goodbye to his friends.
So why are you hesitating?
"Okay, my friend, let's have a good drink!"
"Cheers to Princess Theresa!" Boris shouted jokingly.