Chapter 851 The Road to the Future (Part 1)

Li Xiao didn't care at all about the life and death of the Tatars. For him, it was enough to worry about taking care of his own business. How could he have so much time to worry about the life and death of a bunch of traitors.

"Have you finished the work at Fort Severin in Drobetta?" Li Xiao asked Alexei.

Alexei sighed and said: "Well, the Austrians have caused us some trouble. Although it didn't have much impact, it's very disgusting!"

Li Xiao clicked his tongue. How should I put it? He completely agreed with Alexei's opinion. Now Austria is like a small force. It doesn't have much lethality. It just pops up suddenly and scares people. It makes people very irritated.

But, what does that old saying mean? The bad guys will be rewarded. The Austrians' operations in the Crimean War did not take much advantage and completely offended Russia. In fact, the gains outweighed the losses.

Especially according to Duke Alexander's news, the French are actively trying to find ways to influence Italy and prepare to instigate Italian independence.

France and the Habsburg family have actually been fighting for hundreds of years over the ownership of Italy. Although Austria once had the upper hand, with the rise of Italian national thinking and the gradual rise of Prussia, Austria was actually caught in the gap. , isn’t it true that in history, people were beaten from both ends and were almost unable to take care of themselves?

It’s just that only Li Xiao, a time traveler, knows these things. Who would have thought that in a few decades, the arrogant Habsburg family would sadly withdraw from the stage of history, from the Holy Roman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then to be completely dismembered. It is simply the worst among the European powers in history.

"Don't worry, the Austrians won't be proud for long." Li Xiao could see that Alexei was very angry about having to cede land to Austria. He couldn't bear it even if it was just a piece of sesame and mung bean size. He comforted: "Trust me , in ten years at most, we can give the Austrians some color!"

However, Alexei is not so confident about this. In his opinion, Russia has been severely damaged this time, and it is good to recover within ten years. What's more, this time Russia has committed public outrage and offended the three great powers of Britain, France, and Austria in one go. The international environment will be particularly bad in a short period of time. At this time, let alone seeking revenge from Austria, it is true to keep your tail between your legs. of.

"I hope so!" Alexei sighed, not to mention how resentful he looked.

This made Li Xiao feel funny. He didn’t know what Alexei’s expression would be when he thought about today’s events ten years later, or even more than twenty years later, when Prussia replaced Austria as the master of the German nation and proclaimed himself emperor, what would it be like? expression?

His expression must have been particularly interesting at that time. Li Xiao patted Alexei on the shoulder and smiled: "Relax, my friend. There is an old saying in the East. Thirty years to the west of the river, thirty years to the east of the river. Thirty years to the east of the river, another thirty years will bring memories. It’s definitely not us who regret what happened today!”

Alexey nodded silently, and it could be seen that he was still not relieved, but this was not a big problem. After all, as a Russian political elite, you always have to get used to the country's dissatisfaction in this or that aspect, and you even have to get used to it. This country is different.

If you just move on from something like this, it will be really difficult to live past fifty. So, if you want to get along in Russia, you must first learn to comfort yourself or look away.

"By the way, has Duke Alexander mentioned any future arrangements?" Alexey suddenly asked.

Now it was Li Xiao's turn to feel uncomfortable, because Duke Alexander could talk to Alexei about the future arrangements, and he could also talk to Leonid about the future arrangements, but it was impossible to talk to him about the future arrangements.

Who makes someone's identity too embarrassing?

Even though Nicholas I, who hated someone the most, has passed away, as Nicholas I's good son, Alexander II probably didn't dislike his cousin very much. Even if this cousin performed well during the war, But it would be nice if he wouldn't be an eyesore in St. Petersburg.

So the most likely scenario is that Li Xiao was awarded a high-level medal or promoted to a military rank and dismissed. It is estimated that he will have to stay in Wallachia, a lifeless fringe area, and his coffin may return to St. Petersburg for burial in the next few decades.

Li Xiao smiled bitterly and said: "How could the Duke tell me this? It's not like you don't know that my situation is quite special..."

Alexey was stunned and said in confusion: "But the Duke wrote to me specifically and mentioned your matter. He asked us if we were interested in going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Li Xiao was taken aback. This situation was a bit extraordinary. Everyone knew that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was one of the most prestigious places. It had been under the control of Prime Minister Neserrode for the past twenty or thirty years. Without his nod, it would be no different to advance. Idiots talk about dreams.

And now Duke Alexander actually asked him and Alexei if they wanted to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What does this mean?

This shows that the future foreign minister is likely to have to be replaced. Neserrode is very likely to completely lose the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and become an empty prime minister. It is not even ruled out that he will not even be able to keep the position of prime minister!

This is no less than an eight-magnitude earthquake for Russian officialdom. Who will be the future prime minister? Who will lead the political direction of Russia in the future? The explanation here is profound.

As a senior time traveler, Li Xiao certainly knew that the person who succeeded Neserroddy as prime minister and led the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was Duke Alexander. However, as he traveled through time, many things had a butterfly effect, and he was not sure that it must be Duke Alexander who came to power.

However, as Alexey recounted, it seems that the inertia of history is still quite strong. Duke Alexander will eventually step on the head of his old enemy Neserrodie to reach the top, and the post-Nicholas I era has begun.

It's just that Li Xiao is not very interested in Duke Alexander's invitation. He has no interest in diplomatic work in the first place, and Russia's diplomatic work will basically be a doormat for the next few years, and he has no interest in seeking anger.

What's more, he estimates that Duke Alexander values ​​Alexei more. After all, the latter has a key influence among the reformists, and Russia will probably reform in the future. At this time, showing favor to Alexei may be Duke Alexander's win. reformist approach.

As for him, the down-and-out Grand Duke, he should have been influenced by Alexei. For Duke Alexander, it was just a matter of chasing rabbits.

If Li Xiao really agreed, he would probably be an idler when he went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He would be so idle every day that he would not be able to do anything practical. And this is not the life he wants...