Seeing a group of ministers standing in front of her fearfully, Catherine II felt very helpless. The queen was originally happy to see the ministers divided into several factions to fight against each other, because if the ministers embraced
If she becomes a ball, then where should the majesty of her queen be reflected?
But now the party struggle among the upper echelons of Russia has reached the point of life and death. In the past two years, dozens of high-level Russians have become victims of the party struggle. However, the party struggle has not weakened but has intensified.
Just like the post of Supreme Commander of the Russian Army in Poland, if Potemkin hadn't decisively dismissed the candidate promoted by Orlov's faction on charges of treason, Kutuzov might not have received such a prominent position at all.
But there must be a solution to the matter. Is it really possible to just sit back and let Kutuzov do whatever he wants?
"Potemkin, you said to prepare for war and send troops to support Kutuzov, then I ask you where we are going to send the troops from" the empress asked Potemkin.
"Your Majesty the Queen, I believe that the Ottomans in the Crimea now have little power to oppose your Majesty's rule. Therefore, I believe that troops should be mobilized from the Crimea. Secondly, the garrison in Ukraine can also mobilize some troops to go north to support Kutu.
General Zoff"
Seeing the Queen asking herself, Potemkin talked eloquently. Listening to Potemkin's words, the Queen couldn't help but nodded. With Turkey's defeat in the two Russian-Turkish wars, the Ottoman power in the Crimean Peninsula has been able to
It is indeed feasible to say that it has been uprooted and some troops can be transferred from there.
As for Ukraine, it used to be Russia's frontline against the Ottoman Empire, but now with the pace of Russia's expansion, Ukraine has become a transit point for supplies, so it is also feasible to draw troops from there.
Catherine II made some calculations in her mind. Deploying some troops from Crimea and Ukraine should not affect the local situation, but the limit of the deployment must be controlled. In this way, Russia should be able to mobilize
A force of more than 20,000 men.
But more than 20,000 troops were not enough to fight Prussia. Even if an additional 100,000 troops were added, the Queen did not believe that the Prussians could be completely defeated. And for one Morak, was Russia worth paying such a high price?
"Your Majesty, I think there are big problems with Marshal Potemkin's words. First of all, although the situation in the Crimean Peninsula has been calmed down, the strength of the Ottoman Black Sea Fleet still exists. The transfer of the garrison in the Crimean Peninsula will only allow the Ottomans to see a comeback.
hope. There is also Ukraine. Although Ukraine is no longer the front line of the confrontation with the Ottomans, there are countless unruly Cossacks in the Eastern European steppes. The existence of the Ukrainian garrison is to deter those Cossacks so that they can obediently fight for us.
The Ukrainian garrison was mobilized. Who can guarantee that those Cossacks will not have any rebellious thoughts because the chains around their necks were untied?"
While the Queen was deep in thought, Orlov bowed to the Queen and then spoke loudly. His words made the Queen's heart tighten even more.
"Marshal Potemkin, now is not the time to fall out with the Prussians. Send someone to tell Kutuzov to withdraw his troops immediately. After the army returns to Poland, ask him to come to St. Petersburg immediately to explain this behavior to the government and Austria.
Erlov, go get in touch with the Prussians and convey our intentions to them. At the same time, if the Prussians ask for it, we can provide appropriate compensation. Of course, you must grasp the degree of this." After Yekaterin said
Na II ignored the other people and stood up and walked towards the door.
Everyone in the room looked at each other. The empress's order was obviously detrimental to Potemkin, because Kutuzov was promoted by Potemkin.
But Potemkin did not feel anxious because of the Queen's order. Instead, he exhaled a heavy breath. As long as the Queen did not remove Kutuzov from his post, it would be fine. As long as he did not remove him from office, he would even give Kutuzov some punishment.
, Potemkin recognized it.
Orlov looked at Potemkin who was a little more relaxed, and was very angry, but at the same time he had a new understanding of Potemkin's favor. Kutuzov almost caused a conflict between the Prussians and the Russians.
During the war between the two countries, the Queen actually did not announce a punishment for him. It was obviously for Potemkin's sake. What does it mean to be favored if he is not favored like this?
But Orlov was unwilling to give up. He planned in his heart that after Kutuzov returned to St. Petersburg, he would take this opportunity to severely attack Potemkin's arrogance.
Kutuzov obviously didn't know what happened in St. Petersburg. At the moment, he had more important things to do, which was to collect troops and equipment from various places.
The governor of Russian Poland reported to the Queen that Kutuzov borrowed baggage from him. In fact, it was not just him. Russian officials and Polish nobles from all over Poland were visited by Kutuzov one by one. Of course, this visit was not just
Kutuzov went alone, and Kutuzov brought a full 600 cavalry with him. If the minister agrees to Kutuzov's request, otherwise the only result will be the destruction of his family.
Kutuzov's perverse behavior made the nobles throughout Poland complain. The reason why nobles are nobles lies in the army and wealth they have. Without these things, no matter how high your title is, you will only be a scumbag.
.
Of course, compared with the anger of most Poles, some Poles were ecstatic because they found that the number of Russian troops stationed in various places was decreasing, which was a god-given opportunity for them.
Needless to say, these Poles are those nationalists and anti-Russian people.
Of course, the whereabouts of these Russian troops has also become a topic of concern to everyone. Just when people were speculating on the whereabouts of the Russian troops, a piece of news spread throughout most of Poland.
Russia is going to war with Prussia, and the Russian troops have been deployed to the East Prussia area. This news surprised the Poles at first, but then they were ecstatic, because the Russians and Prussia were both foreign invaders to them, and
They were all the executioners who carved up Poland.
But compared to the Russians, after all, Prussia did not station troops outside the Prussian Poland area, and the Prussians were not as angry as the Russians who caused wrath in Poland, so the Polish people's emotions were still leaning towards Prussia.
Under such circumstances, some Prussian intelligence officers came into contact with Polish nationalists. During the contact, Prussian intelligence officers confirmed the news about the war to the Poles. At the same time, these intelligence officers supported the Polish nationalists on behalf of Prussia.
activities, and they donated some weapons, money and food to the "Polish heroes" for safekeeping.
Of course, the activities of these intelligence agents were ordered by Sanssouci Palace. After William thought about the current situation, he discovered that the nationalists in Poland were also a force that Prussia could use. These Poles had been committed to fighting the Russians.
colonial ruling.
At the same time, the actions of these Poles also received sympathy and support from the Polish upper class, so William was very happy to cause some trouble for the Russians in their rear.
Just when Eastern Europe was turbulent, Vienna, Austria, was really singing and dancing. At this time, Joseph II was taking his children to enjoy an opera performance at the Royal Theater.
The beautiful music and charming dance made Joseph II intoxicated. Just as he was immersed in the ocean of music, an untimely knock on the door rang.
Joseph II, who came back to his senses, was very dissatisfied with the sound that disturbed him from enjoying the opera, but the king's reserve made him only frown slightly, and then he ordered the attendant to open the door of the box:
"Your Majesty, our people received shocking news in Poland. The Russians and Prussians are at war." The man who entered the door said hurriedly without waiting for Joseph II's instructions.
But the music in his ears affected Joseph II's hearing. He only vaguely heard words such as Russians and Prussians, so he said dissatisfied:
"What are you talking about? Speak slowly. Could it be that the Russians and Prussians are coming?" Later, Joseph II did not forget to joke.
"Your Majesty, I said that the Russians and Prussians are at war in East Prussia." The visitor ignored Joseph II's self-conceited joke, but approached Joseph II and said loudly.
This time Joseph II heard clearly, he was stunned at first, because last year the two countries were still friendly, and there was no sign of war at all this time. How could the two countries start fighting? But immediately
Then Joseph II was overjoyed again.
It's no wonder that Joseph II was unhappy. In Joseph II's mind, whether they were the Prussians or the Russians, they were all enemies of Austria. Just last year, the two countries joined hands to invade Austria. Even now, the Prussians and Russia
It also invaded many areas of Austria.
The fierce fight between these two countries not only changed the situation in Eastern Europe, but also gave Joseph II the hope of the Habsburg family rising again.
"Is this news confirmed? What is the reason for the war between Prussia and Russia?" Joseph II quickly grabbed the person in front of him and asked ecstatically.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this news came back from our intelligence personnel in Poland. It is said that the whole of Poland knows it, and the Russians seem to be sending more troops to East Prussia, which is the territory of the Prussians."
First he was startled by Joseph II's actions, but then he answered the emperor's question.
"You immediately send someone to confirm this news to Prussia and Russia. If it is true, report it to me immediately. And you immediately summon the cabinet ministers and ask them to gather in the palace. I want to convene an emergency meeting."
As soon as Joseph II finished speaking, the visitor hurriedly bowed and then strode out. Joseph II, who stayed in the box, raised the corners of his mouth. He tried his best to control the joy in his heart, but with a pop
A loud laugh from Joseph II spread throughout the opera house.