Cutting 1719

Chapter 592 The New Emperor of Russia
The mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind.

Menshikov dispatched Apraksin to lead an army to take over Moscow. It was originally a highly confidential operation. In addition, although Moscow is the stronghold of conservatives, there are not many troops here, and there is no precaution. As long as Ah Praksin was fast enough to take Moscow without bloodshed.

But the problem is that before Apraksin actually set off, the news was already heading towards Moscow. It was the old Ivan who sent out the warning, and they would not sit back and watch Menshikov go smoothly. It is not in the interests of the current Great Chu to become the emperor of Russia.

Therefore, while the Apraksin army was still on its way, the Dolgoruky family, the Naryshkin family, and the Repnin family, who had received the news first in Moscow, had already gathered in the Kremlin in Moscow. Everyone's face was pale, almost unable to stand still, and many people were even thinking about how to escape.

Of course, today’s Kremlin is not very luxurious. Its main part is still made of oak logs and limestone, decorated with intricate and exquisite carvings, and each roof is built into a special round arch. The palace, which has a history of hundreds of years, is now the main meeting place for conservatives.

When Duke Golitsin and Duke Dolgoruki had no news yet, the leaderless conservatives turned into a mess at this time. Although everyone knew that if it was delayed, everyone would die. No one can stand up and truly lead the overall situation.

However, at this critical moment, a middle-aged man in his early forties walked in from outside the hall. He was a German with long hair and glasses on his face. He looked quite refined. It is Andrei Ivanovich Ostelman, the current post minister and chairman of the Special Committee on Commerce.

As another soul-level figure of the conservatives, Ostelman has a very legendary experience. He was originally born in a pastor's family in Westeria, Germany. Later, because of jealousy, he fought with others and killed him. , In desperation, he could only flee to Amsterdam, and then came to Russia by boat.

And Ostelman himself has a very outstanding talent and knows seven foreign languages. He entered the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an interpreter at the age of 22, and became the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs two years later. The meeting played a very important role and was reused. Later, it dominated all of Russia's foreign policy. Therefore, it was also promoted to a first-class civil servant, and later served as the highest privy officer, post minister and chairman of the Commercial Special Committee.

Therefore, when this middle-aged man walked into the Kremlin, almost everyone's eyes were on him. They hoped that Ostelman could lead everyone out of the predicament.

"I believe you already know this shocking news. Menshikov has launched a coup in St. Petersburg. He has placed him under house arrest and even killed His Majesty. Now he has sent people to bring a large army to Moscow, hoping that when we find out about his Before the plot, kill us all—”

Austerman's face was a little heavy, and he said loudly: "If we don't resist, then we will never have to resist in the future, because before that, our lives will be lost."

"Mr. Earl, what do you think we can do now? The strength of Moscow's troops is not enough to resist the guards, and under the edict of His Majesty the Emperor, it is difficult for us to mobilize the defenders in Moscow."

Prince Vasili on the side took a deep breath, with a look of sadness and despair on his face, and the current situation made him somewhat panicked.

Ostelman glanced around the crowd, but only saw a blank look, only Prince Alexei was still a little calm, he couldn't help but secretly nodded in his heart, and then said loudly: "In any case, we all We can’t just sit here and wait for death, the Guards will have at least two more days to reach Moscow, this time is our last chance, I think, Prince Alexei should have a solution, can’t he?”

Everyone heard the words and looked at Duke Alexei, who really looked calm, and he said slowly: "You should understand that His Majesty the Emperor is now under Menshikov's control, so this edict It can be concluded that Menshikov himself forged it, we don't need to bother at all"

Speaking of which, Prince Alexei glanced at the crowd, and seeing that they were quite moved, he revealed his true thoughts, "Since Menshikov can forge the imperial edict, we don't have to recognize the emperor in St. Petersburg, Elect a new emperor in Moscow!"

When everyone heard this, they were shocked. They knew that Peter II might not be able to survive the coup. Even the little emperor who survived would lose his power completely. It is very bold, and it also fits the positioning of Duke Alexei!
The reason is very simple. Among the conservatives, many people hope to hold the emperor in their own hands, so as to ensure that the court can always be under the control of the conservatives. Among them, like the original Duke Dolgoruky and Alexei The dukes belonged to this group of people, while Ostelman and the Duke of Golitsin believed that the authority of the emperor should be guaranteed.

Now that Duke Dolgoruky and Duke Golitsin have lost the news, Duke Alexei immediately came up with his own plan, which was to claim that Menshikov had killed Peter II, so they needed to be in Moscow. Re-establish the emperor to defeat Menshikov.

Prince Vasili thought a little too much, he asked softly: "But is this method feasible? At least we need to convince Colonel Molov, without his support, even I can't mobilize the city guards, nor can I way to mobilize other armies."

"I fully agree with Prince Alexei's proposal."

It was not Duke Alexei who first agreed, but Ostelman. Although he wanted to protect the authority of the emperor, he was not a pedantic person. "Just one thing, if a new emperor is to be elected, the current It seems that the only candidate is Princess Elizabeth." Having said that, he couldn't help but frown.

"Elizabeth? No, she is not suitable to be the new emperor!"

Not only Duke Alexei expressed objection, but other conservative nobles also shook their heads. After all, everyone knew in their hearts that although Princess Elizabeth was a woman who could fascinate all living beings, in her heart it was Peter. The blood of the great emperor, even to some extent, she is more like Peter the great than other brothers and sisters, and she is also a reformist through and through.

If there is any difference between Elizabeth's position and the situation they were in back then, they are not willing to ask for trouble.

Ostelman finally shook his head, and he asked with some doubts: "But do we have any more suitable candidates right now?"

Prince Alexei smiled slightly, and said softly: "Of course there is, and I have already sent someone to invite her."

On the coast of the Baltic Sea in Europe, there is a small country called the Principality of Courland. It was originally a product left after the disintegration of the Livonian Knights, but due to the geographical environment, this place It has been valued by several major European countries, including France, Sweden, Prussia and Russia.

Among them, the ruler of the duchy is Duke William, the nephew of the King of Prussia. During the Great Northern War, the Duchy of Courland also became the focus of the struggle between Poland and Sweden, so it also attracted the attention of Peter the Great.

Because although the Principality of Courland is small in size, its geographical location is very important. If Courland falls to Sweden, it will become a bridgehead that hinders Russia's westward advance. Similarly, if Courland falls to Russia, So in addition to St. Petersburg, the window to Europe, Russia has completely opened the door to Europe.

So in order to strengthen the influence on Courland, in 1710, Peter I used the method of marriage to betroth his 17-year-old niece Anna Ivanovna to Duke William, the ruler of the Duchy of Courland. Nian returned to Courland with Anna Ivanovna.

However, what I never expected was that the young Duke William died of a serious illness only four months after his wedding, and Princess Anna, who had fed Dalang and taken medicine, took it for granted. Becoming a little widow was simply a nightmare for her.

Just when the little widow Anna was about to pack her bags and return to St. Petersburg, she got another tragic news, because Peter I, who learned about the death of Duke William, quickly realized that this was an excellent opportunity, because according to the law It was stipulated that after the death of Duke William, the new ruler of Courland would be this little widow.

As long as Anna stays in Courland, she can always contribute to the great cause of Peter I. Therefore, Peter I not only does not allow Anna to return to Russia, but also asks her to stay in Courland. In order to supervise his niece, Peter I also sent a minister named Bestuzhev to Courland, and took over the large and small government affairs in the Principality of Courland.

Of course, the lonely and unbearable little widow Anna soon hooked up with Bestuzhev, and also used her power in Courland to take care of the little boy, and her life was very happy.

It is particularly worth mentioning that this Duchess Anna is also very fond of international fans. She has taken care of lovers in almost every country, and they have become her capable officers, such as the Prussian Byulen, and the Livlandian Levenwall German brothers, Minich from Oldenburg, Yaguzhensky from Lithuania, Cherkasky, descendant of the Kabard princes, Golovkin, Ushakov and Vronsky from Russia
However, the Duchess Anna, who lived happily in Courland, knew nothing about the changes in the Russian political arena. The lover was hotter than Uren, and the two left traces of their love all over Courland.
"What? Menshikov rebelled? He also put His Majesty under house arrest, oh, my poor little Peter!"

Duchess Anna looked at the conservative messenger who came from Russia in front of her, and there was a trace of sadness on her hideous and ugly face. You must know that this is extremely rare, because this Duchess Anna lived in a bad environment since she was a child. She and Bai Fumei Elizabeth are almost in the same heaven and earth, so she has been extremely cruel since she was a child, and she has a deep hatred for Peter the Great.

Although so many years have passed, Duchess Anna has no nostalgia for Peter I at all. On the contrary, the relationship between Peter II and her is better, and the relationship between the two aunts and nephews is also relatively harmonious. Also often give each other some gifts or something.

The messenger from Russia was a major officer sent by Prince Alexei. His name was Golovkin. Although his handsome face made Anna feel like a deer in her heart, he was very capable. Afterwards, he directly invited Anna into his carriage, and carefully analyzed the current situation in Russia with Anna.

"The adults in Moscow have already decided, and it's up to you to return to Moscow and become emperor!"

Anna was dumbfounded, she was actually not such an ambitious woman, she stammered and said, "Major, are you kidding me, how could I, a Duchess of Courland, go to Moscow to become the emperor of Russia?" What? This joke is too big."

Major Golovkin said respectfully: "That's right, Menshikov is making trouble in St. Petersburg and has put His Majesty Emperor Peter under house arrest. It is very likely that his life and death are unknown at the moment. Therefore, for the sake of the empire, you will succeed in Moscow as the new emperor. Only then can we lead us to quell the rebellion!"

"Wait, what about Elizabeth? You know, she is the emperor's own daughter. Even if His Majesty Emperor Peter II has been placed under house arrest by Menshikov, she will be the empress next time!"

Obviously, although Duchess Anna is just a vulgar woman who likes handsome guys, she is not a fool, and she is quite clear about the order of passing the throne, but when it comes to Elizabeth, Anna's face can't help but look a little strange. One year after her birth, she was married to Courland. Although the two of them had never met, Anna had heard of Elizabeth's reputation more than once.

In other words, almost all the aristocratic children who have met Elizabeth praised this cousin in front of the Duchess Anna, but none of them made any comments on Anna's appearance, and even some of the comments behind the scenes were based on There are a lot of negativity, which actually makes Anna feel a lot of jealousy in her heart.

Why?
Why should she have everything since she was born, but she was going to be married off to Courland?
Why is it that almost everyone likes her from the bottom of their hearts, but others often look at her with strange eyes?

Anna vented hard in her heart, and then sneered: "It's okay to let me be the emperor, then please promise me one request, kill Elizabeth first!"

(End of this chapter)