Struggle in Russia

The actions of Grand Duke Constantine cannot be hidden from Kornilov and Nasimov. After all, they are digging the wall openly, and they don't hide anything at all. Unless these two become blind and deaf, otherwise it is impossible. invisible.

"The third one, this is the third officer who came here to complain today," Kornilov said to Nasimov with a wry smile, "Our Grand Duke is really not just looking for trouble!"

Nasimov also had a headache, not only because Kornilov had received complaints from officers, but also from his side. After all, what Grand Duke Constantine did made the low-level officers feel flustered, and now that a big battle is imminent, he and Kornilov have repeatedly emphasized the need to prepare for war. How can the middle-level officers below prepare for war!

"Do you want to stop him!" Nasimov asked bitterly.

Kornilov smiled wryly: "How can you stop? He is the commander of the fleet, and the notice issued is for the officers who can retire. You and I know the living conditions of the grassroots officers, especially those who are suffering. Haha, those who can’t climb up and have to support their families, how can they block their way?”

Indeed, Grand Duke Constantine has also learned to be cunning. This time, he is very careful in all aspects, and does not give them any loopholes at all. What's more, from the point of view of the world, Kornilov and Naximov can't really block the way of those miserable grassroots officers.

"Then let him torment like this?" Nasimov's face became more and more ugly, and he hesitated for a moment before reminding him: "I don't think the matter is that simple. Judging from the usual style of the Grand Duke, he may be a drunkard. If you don't care about drinking, there must be some kind of conspiracy to deliberately embarrass us with such a big fanfare!"

Kornilov nodded: "I know, on the one hand, he probably wants to embarrass us with his revenge, and on the other hand, he is trying to buy people's hearts. Think about it, can there be fewer grassroots officers who want to make a lot of money? ? As long as he buys them off, he might have a chance to stand up in the future!"

Nasimov immediately became impatient: "Then let him not be allowed to succeed! He must be stopped immediately!"

Kornilov quickly stopped him: "Don't be impulsive, my friend. Presumably he expects us to stop it, because we can't stop it! And once it spreads that we intend to stop it, it will push us to those The opposite of the grassroots officers, he might wish we could do this!"

Nasimov said angrily, "Then we can only watch?"

Kornilov spread his hands and said, "Who told this to be an open conspiracy! Wait for Grand Duke Andrei to come back, he should be able to arrive tonight, right? We will ask his opinion at that time and see if there is any There is no way."

Nasimov sighed dispiritedly,

He also knew that he could only endure for the time being, but it was really uncomfortable to hold his breath, and he felt that even Li Xiao might not be able to solve this problem. After all, as Kornilov said, Grand Duke Constantine is just There is no way to resist Guangming's conspiracy.

Leaving aside the depression of the two brothers, where did Li Xiao go?

The answer is Istanbul.

Li Xiao would not wait foolishly for Grand Duke Constantine in Sevastopol. Before he arrived, he rushed to Istanbul to meet David Leboeuf.

As the counselor of the French embassy in Istanbul, David Leboeuf's status has risen sharply in recent years, and the information he can naturally obtain is becoming more and more important.

Since Menshikov arrived in Istanbul, Li Xiao asked David Lebouf to keep an eye on the movements of Russia and France. Almost all first-hand information about Menshikov was provided to him by David Leboeuf.

In this regard, Li Xiao has a lot of opinions on the foreign ministry controlled by Nesselrode. It is clear that Menshikov's related movements are closely related to Wallachia, but the prime minister not only did not take the initiative to convey any news to them, but instead Intentionally or unintentionally, he blocked the news from Alexei.

This is simply inexplicable. If it weren't for David Lebouf as eyes and ears, Wallachia would be blind and deaf. Maybe the Turks would be kept in the dark when they came to the door!

"Uncle David, what is the attitude of the Turks now?"

David Lebouf touched his chubby belly and replied: "The Sultan and the Grand Vizier are actually cowards, I'm afraid you're going to be scared to death, if you can't fight, then don't fight, even if it's a little bit more concessions It's acceptable at all, but..."

Li Xiao quickly pricked up his ears, knowing this is very important, David Lebouf sighed quietly: "But Britain and we don't want to see you continue to expand in the Balkans, and strongly urge Turkey to stand firm and resist your unreasonable actions." It even secretly united a group of hardliners in Turkey, putting a lot of pressure on the Sultan and the Grand Vizier, which is also the crux of the current stalemate."

Li Xiao was not at all surprised that Britain and France would support Turkey. After all, this time the polar bear went too far. If Russia is allowed to continue to expand, polar bears will soon break through the shackles of the Black Sea and enter the Mediterranean.

This is what Britain and France are unwilling to see. After all, the Mediterranean Sea is now the inner lake of these two countries. Both of them have extensive interests along the Mediterranean coast. Now a polar bear suddenly comes to grab food. Who can stand it!

Therefore, polar bears must be blocked in the Black Sea no matter what, and naturally we can only increase our efforts to support Turkey.

Li Xiao sighed and said, "Uncle David, can you tell me whether the French side is ready to intervene by force on the Bulgarian issue?"

This is actually a state secret. Logically speaking, David Lebouf should keep it a secret, but who made his relationship with Li Xiao extraordinary! What's more, Li Xiao had basically guessed Napoleon III's mind before, knowing that France would definitely intervene armedly.

It's just that he didn't ask so bluntly in the past. David Leboeuf sighed and said: "The situation is almost the same as your previous prediction. There are strong anti-Russian voices in the country because of the Holy Land issue, and Charles-Louis. Bonaparte wants to use religious assistants to stabilize his position, so you understand..."

Li Xiao nodded and asked again: "Then when do you estimate the war will break out at the earliest?"

David Lebouf was taken aback, he didn't expect Li Xiao to ask this question at all. To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing for him. After all, he is only a counselor. I'm afraid even the ambassador may not know this question...