Chapter 181 Continue to Make Mistakes

An emperor like Nicholas I who wanted to save face was the most difficult to serve, because such an emperor had very strict requirements on his courtiers, such as the incident just now. Obviously he was the one who wanted to replace Berge, but he was also the one who wanted to save face and was unwilling to admit that it was not a good idea to use Berge before.

In short, to be a courtier of this kind of emperor, you have to endure hardships and stand hard work to get things done, and you have to take the initiative to take the blame for the emperor and be scolded, so that the emperor can have both face and face.

And Uvarov was short of this just now, so Nicholas I was very upset. You have to be like Count Rostovtsev, first shirk that it is difficult to find a replacement, and even if you find it, it is not that they are really better than Berkh.

In short, replacing Berge is not a last resort, it is our emperor who has a long-term vision. As for the appointment of Berge as the commander of the Black Sea Fleet before, it is also a far-sightedness of the Emperor, which is reasonable!

It is so difficult to be a courtier of Nicholas I. You must not only have the determination to be used as a cow and a horse by improper people, but also have the dedication to actively share the emperor's worries and problems. You must put the emperor first in everything, and think for the emperor in advance, otherwise?

Otherwise, Uvarov is now a lesson from the past!

The old guy rolled his eyes and completely lost his right to speak on this issue, because even if he spoke better than he sang, Nicholas I would definitely not listen to him.

Count Rostovtsev won this round with ease, but he was not particularly happy, because it would take a very difficult road to send his favorite wife to the throne of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Walk.

So who exactly does Count Rostovtsev want to recommend?

In fact, everyone is familiar with his preferred candidate, and it is nothing more than Grand Duke Constantine. Some people may be surprised, isn't Count Rostovtsev not optimistic about Grand Duke Constantine? Why is this turning around?

It’s not that Count Rostovtsev has changed his gender. He bluntly said that at this moment he still doesn’t like Grand Duke Constantine. He still doesn’t think that the Grand Duke can become a prince or tsar. Can help reformers seize power to carry out nationwide reforms.

On these issues, Count Rostovtsev was always not optimistic about the Grand Duke Constantine. He always felt that the Grand Duke was a little bit unlucky in terms of ability and character, and he was destined not to be the savior of Russia.

As for why he was recommended to be the commander of the Black Sea Fleet this time, the reason is very simple. For the time being, he is the only reformist who still has hope to take over this position. The rest of the admirals who are biased or support the reformist are not without his ability,

But it is useless to be more capable than him. It is difficult for Nicholas I to agree to other reformist generals to take over the Black Sea Fleet, but he can reluctantly agree with Grand Duke Constantine to take over the Black Sea Fleet.

Count Rostovtsev was well aware of the personality of Nicholas I. The reason why Berkh took over the Black Sea Fleet last time was obvious. He did not want the Black Sea Fleet to continue to fall into the hands of reformists. worried.

So letting Grand Duke Constantine go can at least reassure Nicholas I, even though he also supports the reform, but Count Rostovtsev knows that Nicholas I still trusts his sons very much.

"Do you think it is most appropriate for Kostya to succeed Berge?"

Sure enough, when Count Rostovtsev made this suggestion, Nicholas I hesitated, or he was surprised, because he never thought that Count Rostovtsev would recommend the Grand Duke Constantine.

Count Rostovtsev explained: "The Grand Duke Constantine is the most appropriate candidate at this stage. First of all, he has a good relationship with those liberals. Naturally, the liberal officers of the Black Sea Fleet will not dislike him. This can Let him integrate and take over the fleet smoothly, and it will not cause particularly large turmoil!"

"Secondly, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Constantine is already in Moldavia, and he has a better understanding of the situation there, and it is also very close to Sevastopol, so he can take office soon and start working, which will help solve the problem as soon as possible. The existing problems of the Black Sea Fleet."

Nicholas I was stunned, and inevitably began to be tempted. According to Count Rostovtsev's explanation, it seems more appropriate to let Grand Duke Constance go?

Nicholas I's hesitation and temptation were so clear at a glance, Uvarov naturally saw it for real, and the old guy became anxious immediately.

Why?

As the leader of the conservative faction, how much effort he took to regain control of the Black Sea Fleet last time, and now Count Rostovtsev wants to let his most hated Grand Duke Constantine, who supports reform, replace Berkh , how can this be tolerated?

Immediately, Uvarov blurted out his objection: "Inappropriate! Grand Duke Constantine is not suitable. Although His Royal Highness has these and other advantages, he has no experience in managing and commanding the fleet. He hastily handed over the Black Sea Fleet to It's really irresponsible for him to manage it!"

It should be said that Uvarov was indeed driven into a hurry, otherwise he would definitely not be so rash, because Nicholas I would be very upset if he said that!

For Nicholas I, it is true that what Uvarov said has some truths. Grand Duke Constantine does lack experience in managing and commanding a fleet, but Grand Duke Constantine is his favorite son after all. You actually acted like a father If you directly say to his face how bad his son is, aren't you asking for trouble?

Especially for a face-saving person like Nicholas I, he would not like to hear such words even more. So Uvarov's face changed drastically as soon as the voice on his side fell. If it was said that he gave Uvarov three points of face before, just because he didn't want to see him deal with him coldly, then Nicholas I was a little annoyed with him now, if Count Rostovtsev didn't get ahead of him, he would I am afraid that Uvarov will be reprimanded.

So what did Count Rostovtsev say?

He said: "This statement is wrong. Grand Duke Constantine has assisted Prince Menshikov to manage the navy for many years as the assistant minister of the navy. He is quite familiar with naval affairs. How can it be possible that he lacks management experience?"

These words really made Uvarov speechless. He was in a hurry and forgot about it just now. Grand Duke Constantine has indeed worked as the second child of the Ministry of the Navy for many years. If you say he has no management experience, why not It's really hard to justify.

Well, Uvarov reluctantly admits this, but what he said just now is lack of experience in management and commanding the fleet. The latter Grand Duke Constantine can't escape, right?