War and Peace

Chapter 35

Martha's voice trembled when she read about the crisis that threatened Russia, the hopes that the Emperor placed on Moscow, and especially the hopes placed on the nobles.When she finished reading, the count opened his wet eyes, snorted intermittently, and said, "As long as the emperor orders, we will sacrifice everything."

Before Shinshin could utter the sarcasm he had prepared about the earl's patriotism, Natess jumped up from her seat and ran to her father's side.

"How sweet this papa!" she said, kissing him; and then she looked at Bin-Air with the involuntary charm that accompanies her liveliness.

At this time, Biga, who was not paying attention to everyone, walked up to his father, with a red face, and said in his voice changed, sometimes deep and sometimes sharp: "Dad, now I just said it, and Mom, you can do whatever you want!" What do you mean, let me join the army, because I can't..." Then he said, "This is not nonsense, Dad, I can't read anything at the moment anyway, when..." He stopped, with a shy face After sweating, he continued, "This is a time when the country is in danger."

Biga's words caused the earl and his wife to panic, and they resolutely rejected his plan to join the army.

In front of Natess, Bin-Air felt uneasy and worried. He tried to smile, but couldn't. His smile expressed his distress. To Natess' question, he wanted to say: "Because I love you !” But he never said a word.

He made up his mind not to come to the Lowstaff's any more.

[21]

After being resolutely rejected, Biga locked himself in the room, crying sadly.

The next day the emperor arrived in Moscow.Biga spent a long time dressing up this morning, and also prepared many beautiful words he was going to say to his attendants.

In front of the Kremlin, Biga was crowded by the ever-increasing crowd. He stood on tiptoe, but could see nothing but the crowd around him. ), Biga suddenly felt a collision and crowding under one side of his ribs, his eyes immediately turned black and he lost consciousness.When he woke up, a man who looked like a church deacon was holding his armpit with one hand and blocking the crowd with the other.

The Emperor entered the Church of the Assumption, the crowd thinned a little, and the church deacon brought Biga, pale and short of breath, to the King of Cannons.Some people felt sorry for Biga, and they all came to see him, took care of him, untied his clothes, put him on a high fort, and reprimanded those who crowded him.

Biga woke up again immediately, his face turned red again, and the severe pain passed.This brief unhappiness made him occupy the seat of the fort.He wanted to see the emperor who would return from here.He didn't want to hand in the paper anymore, seeing the emperor was the happiest thing for him.

From the other side of the river came the sound of a cannon salute, and amidst the salute, officers, generals, squires, and a few men of firm gait emerged from the Cathedral of the Assumption, and after that four men in uniform and ribbons emerged from the church doors. "Long live! Long live!" the crowd cheered again.

"Which one is the emperor? Who is that?" Biga excitedly asked the people around him, but no one answered; everyone was fascinated, so Biga fell in love with one of the four. He was so happy that tears filled his eyes, and Without seeing the man's appearance clearly, he shouted urgently and frantically: "Long live!" He decided in his heart that he would join the army tomorrow.

Everyone ran with the emperor, followed him to the front of the palace, and then began to disperse.It was very late, Biga hadn't eaten yet, and his sweat was dripping down like drops of water; when the emperor was eating, he was looking at the windows of the palace like those people who hadn't left for a long time, still looking forward to something.

When the meal was almost finished, the emperor stood up chewing the biscuit and walked out to the terrace.The crowd, including Biga, ran to the front of the terrace.

The emperor first broke a huge biscuit and spilled it on the railing of the balcony.He then ordered that a plate of biscuits be handed to him, which he then threw down from the balcony.Biga's eyes were red, and he was even more moved by the crisis of being crowded, and he ran towards the biscuit.He didn't know why, but felt that he must get a biscuit from the emperor, and must not give in.With his knee he deflected the outstretched hand of the old woman whom he knocked over, snatched a biscuit, and almost fearing it would be too late, he cried out in a completely hoarse voice: "Long live!"

Back home, Biga resolutely announced that if he was not allowed to join the army, he would run away.The next day, even though Earl Elijah Lowstaff didn't fully agree, he went out to inquire to see if he could find a safer position for Biga.

[22]

On the morning of the third day, July [-]th, many carriages stopped in front of the Sloboda Palace.

The halls were full of people.In the first hall are noblemen in suits, and in the second are businessmen with long beards, medals, and long red coats.

There was a constant clamor from the hall where the nobles gathered.All the nobles, those whom Bin-Air met every day in the club or in their homes, wore suits.Just like the faces of the people Biga saw in the square, there are very obvious conflicting expressions on all these faces: anticipation for something important and concern for ordinary, yesterday's events, just like Boston. The game of cards, the health of the cook Peter Rusha, Sinaida Dmitryevna, and so on.

Bin-Air came into the hall wearing a thin noble suit that made him crippled.This particular gathering of nobles and merchants amused him, and reminded him of thoughts about social conventions and the French Revolution that he had long forgotten but kept in his mind.

The Emperor's order was delivered, to the delight of all; and then they all went away, talking.They talked about ordinary topics, about where the representatives of the nobles should stand when the emperor appeared at the ball held for the emperor, whether they would be divided by township, or by city, and so on.However, when it came to the war and why the nobles were gathered for a meeting, the conversation became hesitant and vague again.Everyone wants to hear, not talk.

A muscular, dashing middle-aged man in a retired navy uniform was talking in the hall, surrounded by many people.Bin-Air listened, and believed the speaker to be a Liberal, yet, contrary to Bin-Air's thoughts, there was self-righteousness and a habit of giving orders in his voice.

Bin-Air paced back and forth, feeling happy but not knowing why or what to say.He was about to open his mouth to speak, but was stopped by a privy officer, who was used to leading arguments and mastering issues, said in a low voice and clearly: "We are gathered here to respond to the appeal made to us by His Majesty the Emperor. However, judgment Which is better to recruit or organize a militia, we'd better let the highest authority decide..."

Bin-Air suddenly saw an opportunity to express his excitement.He made up his mind against the privy councilor who had advanced such a staid and prejudiced view of the present duties of the nobility.Bin-Air stepped forward and interrupted him, but he didn't know how to say it, and began to speak excitedly and elegantly in Russian, sometimes with a few French words mixed in.

"Sir, please forgive me, even if I don't agree with sir...but I think that the aristocracy has been gathered here, besides showing its sympathy and joy, to discuss the ways in which we can help our country...I think , before discussing these matters, we should ask the Emperor, and please Your Majesty, with the utmost respect, to inform us how many soldiers we have, and the condition of our troops and troops, and then..."

Before Bin-Air could finish speaking, they suddenly attacked him from all sides.Bin-Air wanted to argue, but had nothing to say. He felt that his words would not be heard as well as those of the excited nobles, no matter what the issue he wanted to explain.

Bin-Air wanted to say that he was willing to contribute financial resources, human resources, and even himself. However, before solving the problem, we must first understand the situation, but he did not say a word.People were expressing their opinions one after another, but Earl Elya Lowstaff was busy nodding to them.Everyone yelled and yelled and gathered around a big table.Bin-Air was interrupted rudely by the men, who treated him like an enemy.They do it not because his words arouse their anger, but because of the need in this case to have someone to love and someone to hate.And Bin-Air, of course, became the object of hate.

People were brooding in stuffy, full halls, trying to come up with an idea and say it right away.Those old nobles that Bin-Air knew were just sitting, looking left and right, and from their expressions, they almost only felt heat.Bin-Air was thrilled, too, and he experienced the unrelenting desire everyone expressed, even if it felt mostly in their words and facial expressions.He stuck to his guns, justifying himself where he felt flawed.He spoke, but his voice was drowned out by other shouts.

An old man who was closest to him turned his head to look at him, and was immediately attracted by another voice.

[23]

At this moment, the Earl of Rushdoppitch hurriedly entered the hall from the dodging crowd.He was dressed in a general's uniform, with ribbons on his shoulders, a protruding chin, and sharp eyes.

"His Majesty is coming soon," he said, "I have just come from there. I think we need not say much in the situation we are in. The Emperor wants to gather us and the merchants," he pointed to the hall where the merchants were, "There is a need to donate financial resources, and our task is to provide manpower. We should not be stingy with ourselves... at least we can do this!"

Amidst the shouts of "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!", the emperor walked towards the hall from a wide avenue among the ranks of nobles.There were expressions of respect, fear and amazement on the faces of all the people.

"Everyone!" The emperor's voice trembled, and the noisy crowd immediately fell silent. Bin-Air clearly heard the emperor's melodious voice, "I have never doubted the enthusiasm of the Russian nobles, but today, this enthusiasm is beyond my imagination. On behalf of the country, I thank you. Everyone, act! Time is the most precious..."

After the emperor finished speaking, people surrounded him with admiration.The emperor walked from the hall where the nobles were to the hall where the merchants were.He was there for a while.Bin-Air and the others saw the emperor come out of the merchant's hall with tears of thanks.It was later known that the emperor had just begun to speak to the merchant when tears welled up in his eyes, and he continued with a trembling voice.

Bin-Air's mind was blank now, only eager to say that he would pay any price and be ready to sacrifice everything.In order to make up for some prejudiced words just said, he immediately promised to donate a militia of 1000 people and bear all the supplies of these people.

After returning home, Old Lostav described what had happened to his wife with tears in his eyes, and immediately agreed to Biga's request and went to sign up for him in person.

The emperor left soon after.The nobles who had participated in the rally took off their suits and began to enter and leave the club again.They gave orders to the stewards to form the militia, but at the same time were confused about their actions.

Part Two

[One]

Napoleon declared war on Russia because he had gone to Dresden, dazzled by fame, because he had been seduced by a June morning with ambition, and because he had been in front of Kuragin and then in front of Bonaparte. Rushf's face was filled with anger.

Alexander declined negotiations because he felt humiliated.Barclay Tory commanded the army as best he could for the sake of fame.In a word, the combatants act according to each other's customs, aims, and methods.They have all become tools of history involuntarily.

Now, those activists of [-] have long since withdrawn from the stage of history, and what is displayed before our eyes is only the result of history, not their personal pleasure.

The reasons for the defeat of the French army in 100 have become clear: first, they entered the territory of Russia, and were not prepared for the winter;That is why the most ineffective and inexperienced Russian army defeated the best army of a million under the best commander in the world.But no one expected this at the time. On the contrary, the genius Napoleon continued to stretch the front at the end of the summer, which eventually led to his own destruction, while the Russians were trying to stop Napoleon's actions that could save Russia.

Obviously, Napoleon did not think of the danger of attacking Moscow, nor did Alexander and the Russian generals think of tempting Napoleon.Napoleon's entry into the situation was only caused by the intricate activities of many people who fought with each other, such as conspiracy and selfishness. It was not someone's idea, nor was it a thought-out way to save Russia.All this happened by accident.

Several Russian armies were blocked at the beginning of the war, and then involuntarily retreated in an acute angle, which was the reason for the introduction of the French army into Smolensk.The sharp angle was formed because Barclay and the commander of the second army, Bogorageo, a subordinate who hated him, did not join forces with Barclay for a long time in order not to be under his command.Paulsi wanted to be commander-in-chief and use his abundant energy to influence Alexander, so Schiffer's plan was abandoned, and military affairs were entrusted to the German Barclay.

The emperor's departure from the troops, the interruption and panic of the troops, and the eyeliner of Bennigsen, the Grand Duke, and many senior servants of the emperor's eyes and ears made Barclay even more uncomfortable, and he became more cautious about taking decisive actions.

Later, no matter how unwilling Bogorageo was, he finally joined forces with Barclay in Smolensk.Despite his high rank, he served as Barclay's subordinate, so they turned against each other.The contingents of Branicki, Winzengerode, etc., more and more disturbed the relations between the various commanders, and finally made the troops even more disunity.

Just when we were quarreling and plotting against each other on the question of the future field, just as we were looking for the French and mistaking their location, the French had broken through Neverovsky's division, Das Under the city of Molensk.

To save our lines of communication, our army fought an unprepared battle with the French in Smolensk.Smolensk was abandoned against the wishes of the Emperor and the people.Yet the inhabitants, deceived by the governor, burned the city themselves, and the ruined inhabitants set an example for other Russians, who, thinking of their losses, fled to Moscow in hatred of the enemy's wrath.

Napoleon was going forward, we were going back, so that was exactly what defeating Napoleon was for.

[two]

The day after his son's departure, Prince Maral Bolkonski called Princess Molière before him, complaining that she was creating conflicts between himself and his son.

After that, Princess Molière did not see her father for seven days. He fell ill and shut himself up in his study, and even Miss Pollyeye was not allowed to come near him.

Seven days later, the duke came out again.He was still living the old life, devoted to architecture and gardening, and his relationship with Miss Polly love was broken.His indifferent attitude seemed to say to the princess: "I don't need you, nor the French woman."

Princess Molière spends hours with little Maral every day, doing his homework.She thought about war as women do about war, she worried about her brother who fought, and she was both timid and bewildered by the cruelty of the world that makes men kill each other.She didn't understand the meaning of this war, and she felt that this war was the same as all previous wars.Even if her constant interlocutor, Dessalle, followed the battle carefully and did his best to explain his opinion to her, even if those who came to see her believed in God told her with horror the folk stories about the encroachment of the traitors of Christ. Even if Sorin, the present Princess of Tarubinskaya, wrote to her again, and wrote her a lot of patriotic letters from Moscow, she still did not understand the meaning of the war.

(End of this chapter)