Struggle in Russia

From Li Xiao's point of view, some people in later generations touted how great Alexander II was, which is really a bit of nonsense. A truly great person is not like him.

If such behavior can be considered great, then the standard of greatness is really low. To be honest, there are not many great rulers in Russian history. Peter the Great may barely count as one, and then Lenin, and then Stalin counts as half. After all, it is too controversial.

But no matter how you count it, it can't be counted on the head of Alexander II, and even his great-grandmother Catherine the Great is not considered great, because the Romanov family can largely be traced to her.

At best, the empress stabilized the political situation in Russia at a critical moment, preventing Russia from falling into turmoil again and leading to a catastrophe. As for her groundbreaking achievements, to be honest, I really can't talk about it.

What's more, even if this group of people is really great, Li Xiao will not pin his hopes on them, or the saying that self-reliance is more reliable than anything else.

Anyway, Li Xiao couldn't trust Alexander II, Count Rostovtsev, and even more so, Grand Duke Constantine, the reformist leader who was clearly visible.

He believes that it is necessary to try to weaken the power of the tsar, and must not let all the power be concentrated in the hands of the tsar. If possible, it is best to turn the tsar into a virtual monarch, just like the queen of England. Just be a rubber stamp.

This was Li Xiao's judgment based on the current situation. He felt that the best outcome would be like this. The power of the tsar was greatly restricted, making it impossible for him and those conservatives to make a comeback.

"Is the monarchy constitutional?"

Anton can accept this suggestion, but he thinks it will be very difficult to realize it. After all, the authority of the tsar is widely recognized. Even for the majority of serfs, the tsar is not a king in the secular sense, but the spokesperson of God in Russia. , opposing the Tsar is equivalent to opposing God.

Moreover, those extremely stubborn conservatives will resolutely oppose it under the banner of royalism. It may be very difficult to defeat such a stubborn enemy.

Li Xiao replied calmly: "It's difficult, but this is the only way to go at this stage. It's better than putting all hopes on an unreliable person!"

Anton was speechless for a while, before he said, "Have you discussed this issue with Count Rostovtsev?"

Li Xiao said generously: "We've talked about it, otherwise I wouldn't have told you this!"

Anton frowned,

He realized that the meeting between Li Xiao and Count Rostovtsev might not turn out well. Could it be that the count didn't agree with this plan?

However, Anton immediately denied this idea, because from his observation of Count Rostovtsev, the count was not an unreasonable, stubborn, conservative and extremist who blindly supported the Tsar. With his intelligence and sagacity, it is impossible not to see potential risks, so why doesn't he agree with Li Xiao's plan?

Li Xiao explained slowly: "The Earl has no objection to the constitutional monarchy. The biggest difference between the two of us is what kind of constitution Russia needs in the future!"

Anton was stunned. He felt that there was nothing to argue about this issue. Could there be anything to say here?

Li Xiao knew from his expression that he didn't realize what the problem was, so he explained patiently: "What I want is a constitution that fully limits the power of the tsar and allows the parliament or the cabinet to take charge of the overall situation. But the earl disagreed, he didn't want the emperor to become a show, and believed that Russia still needed a strong power, otherwise many policies could not be implemented."

In this regard, the differences between Li Xiao and Count Rostovtsev were not so great. Because what Li Xiao meant was to completely limit the power of the monarchy and make the parliament or the cabinet the actual controller of the country. Count Rostovtsev thought it was inappropriate to do so, and believed that a feudal, backward and ignorant country like Russia must have a core. If power is distributed to a group of people to control, the result will be internal strife and division.

In his words: "Russia must have a core, otherwise the country will inevitably split!"

However, Li Xiao believes that the core can be there, but it doesn’t have to be the czar. If the czar becomes the core, then what’s the point of this constitution? It still puts all hopes on the unreliable imperial power. any changes.

The two argued about this, but no one could convince the other. Li Xiao thought that Count Rostovtsev relied too much on the imperial power, and he would be hurt by the imperial power in the end. He was taking a risk. And Count Rostovtsev said that Li Xiao was too young and had no political experience at all. Russia's national conditions were much more complicated than imagined, and there must be no bulls. The country would inevitably have internal strife, and nothing could be achieved by fighting for power and profit.

It should be said that the opinions of these two people are both reasonable and problematic. A vast country like Russia must have a strong central government, otherwise division will be inevitable. But retaining too much tsarist authority like Count Rostovtsev inevitably led to risks.

So in the end, the two had no choice but to break up. In the final analysis, it is fruitless to rely on them to discuss or debate the issue. It is even a bit early to discuss the constitutional issue. After all, the political power is not in their hands, so it is meaningless to say these things.

Anton nodded and said, "It's indeed a little early. Our most important task now is to defeat the conservative forces. It is best to minimize losses and chaos!"

Li Xiao looked at Anton and didn't talk to him, because he knew that he had talked to Anton so much, but the other party didn't listen much, and his meaning was still similar to that of Count Rostovtsev, which is very regrettable .

However, Li Xiao didn't blame or insist. After all, everyone has their own will and ideas, and they have their own analysis of things. It is impossible for everyone to be like him.

Of course, it would be false to say that he has no regrets, because he had discussed this issue with Alexei and others in Bucharest before, and the opinions of these good friends were similar to those of Count Rostovtsev and Anton.

In other words, Li Xiao has become an out-and-out minority on this issue!

It can only be said that having a vision that transcends the times is sometimes quite depressing. You know that it is a pit, but no matter what you say, no one will believe it. On the contrary, you are considered unfounded.

Sighing in his heart, Li Xiao suppressed his depression and told himself that he must be a little more patient. Maybe as time goes by, more and more people will understand his painstaking efforts and worries...