I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 12 Cossacks

Yekaterina and George did not enter the house because the corridor was full of people. Except for Ye Luoxin's family, the rest were disabled veterans adopted by Ye Luoxin and orphans of the Guards who had no one to take care of them. .

Four years ago, the tenth Russo-Turkish War broke out between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The two sides fought fiercely, with the total number of troops participating in the war exceeding 110 million.

Russia won a great victory in this war, not only regaining the southwestern part of Sarabia lost in the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, but also forcing the Ottoman Empire to recognize the complete independence of Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. , granting Bosnia and Herzegovina the right to autonomy and bringing Bulgaria into Russia's sphere of influence.

Through this battle, Russia formally established its leadership position in Eastern Europe.

This was not enough. The Ottoman Empire was forced to cede Kars, Batumi Ardahan and Bayazit to Russia, and agreed that Russian warships could freely pass through the Bosporus. It also paid an indemnity of 2 million rubles to calm down Asia II. of anger.

This was Ya Er's last major victory.

In the ninth Russo-Turkish War, the Ottoman Empire joined forces with Britain and France to defeat Russia. Tsar Nicholas I committed suicide in despair and passed the throne to Asia II.

The Ninth Russo-Turkish War was also the only time in all the Russo-Turkish wars that the Ottoman Empire won.

But it was this war that caused Russia to lose the results of almost all previous wars with Turkey.

Therefore, the Tenth Russo-Turkish War has a double meaning for the Russian Empire and Asia II.

Ye Luoxin's Guards also participated in the 10th Russo-Turkish War. As the most powerful army in the Russian Empire, the Guards made outstanding contributions in the war. To avenge the shame of the past, Ye Luoxin took the initiative to assume the responsibility after the war. Living expenses for many disabled veterans, and adopted many orphans of the Guards who had no one to support.

The Guards have a tradition of helping each other, and many units have mutual aid funds initiated by officers, so that some guys who spend a lot of money can successfully survive the financial crisis.

But no one has ever been able to do this to Ye Luoxin.

As the tsar's attendant general, Ye Luoxin's income is still very generous.

Seeing these disabled veterans and carrot heads of all sizes, George understood why Andrei wore Ye Luoxin's old clothes.

It is estimated that Ye Luoxin spent most of his income on veterans and orphans.

The children had nothing to say and looked at everything with curiosity.

The veterans' eyes were very eager.

The treatment of soldiers in the Russian Empire has always been ranked among the bottom three in Europe. During the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, the total annual expenditure of a Russian soldier was only a pitiful 32 rubles, which included the soldier's salary, supplies, and clothing expenses.

The salary of the Guards is slightly better, but generals like Ye Luoxin also need to prepare their own war horses and military uniforms. In this way, after all, Ye Luoxin's salary is not much left.

The disastrous defeat in the Ninth Russo-Turkish War prompted Army Minister Milyutin to reform the Russian military system.

After the reform, the treatment of Russian soldiers has been better, but it is still the lowest level in Europe.

According to Russian regulations, veterans injured in the war can receive a pension of 3 rubles per month until death.

This is the result of reforms. Previously, veterans could only receive pensions after turning 60 years old.

Although prices in Russia are relatively low among European countries, 3 rubles per month is not enough to sustain life in a big city like St. Petersburg.

After Ye Luoxin left the Guards and lost part of his income, the veterans who received Ye Luoxin's monthly support also lost their source of livelihood.

Now that Ye Luoxin had the opportunity to return to George's side, the veterans were very happy. When George looked at them, the veterans took off their hats and put them on their chests to bow to George.

George smiled and nodded in response, and a child about the same age as George came over bravely and stood next to Andre.

"This is my brother, his name is Peter -"

"Hello Peter, how old are you this year?" "Nine years old -"

"Then you are the same age as me. Have you gone to school?"

"Yes, at the Military Academy in Poltava."

"How's it going there?"

"No, I can't always eat enough-"

Peter was about the same size as George, but obviously thinner than George, which made George confused.

With Ye Luoxin's income level, there was no reason for Peter to starve.

"The conditions of the Non-commissioned Officer Armed Forces School are poor, and students are encouraged to endure hardships and stand hard work. The level of logistics supply is not good -" Andre also graduated from the Non-commissioned Officer Armed Forces School and knows the situation better: "-The situation is much better now than before. When I was in school, the food standard per person per day was only 12.5 kopecks, so it was a miracle that I didn’t starve to death.”

kopeck——

George was a little confused. He knew that Russia's common currency was the ruble, but Gobbi really didn't know.

The kopeck is the most basic monetary unit of the Russian Empire. 1 ruble is equal to 100 kopecks, similar to yuan and cents.

However, in the eyes of Andre and Peter, George's confusion was unworldly.

This is not surprising, the last Tsar Nicholas was also a person who had no concept of money.

Once, Nikolai's horse was frightened. A Cossack guard subdued the frightened horse, but the guard was almost dragged to death by the frightened horse.

Nicholas immediately gave instructions: give him 15 rubles or a gold watch and let him choose.

George has just met two new friends. Yekaterina has also completed the interview. Ye Luoxin has officially become George's tutor and will leave with George later.

Peter was in high spirits and helped Ye Luoxin pack her things.

Andre finally looked at Ye Luoxin with envy.

"Can you bring Andre with you?" George asked.

"Why?" Ekaterina was curious. George had never asked Ekaterina for anything. This was the first time.

When Ya Er was alive, George lacked nothing.

"After you guys left, I was the only one left -" George was depressed. He had many followers around him, but he lacked anyone with whom he could communicate.

This is a reasonable request, and Catherine must meet it.

Andre was very excited, and looked at George with gratitude.

Ye Luoxin was even happier. He kept promoting his son to Yekaterina and George: "Andre is a great young man. He started practicing riding and sword skills at the age of seven in preparation for joining the Guards. He will definitely be a good Cossack.”

This is not Yeroshin’s special request, but the growth path of most Cossacks.

Cossacks did not pay taxes, did not perform labor, did not need to turn in spoils of war, and had many privileges.

When the Tsar needs it, the Cossacks must respond unconditionally to the Tsar's call. In addition to weapons, the Cossacks themselves need to prepare war horses, clothing, and other equipment.

(End of this chapter)