Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 156 013 Alexander's acting skills deserve an Oscar

Count von Paalen thought a lot after returning. He did think that the 3rd Battalion of the Semenovsky Regiment was on duty on March 11, but the security mission of the Winter Palace was the 2nd Battalion of the Semenovsky Regiment. Although the count could influence the actions of the 3rd Battalion, there were no officers placed in the 2nd Battalion.

After all, arranging royal family members in three palaces led to a strange phenomenon, as if the sons had to move out of the family when they became adults. It also increased the cost of security. The three main regiments of the Guards needed to be divided into three places to stand guard.

Then, because of the relationship between the duty and the command, Count von Paalen himself also noticed that no matter which night it was, he could not control the three palaces. What's more, the Izmailov Regiment commanded by Grand Duke Constantine was a unit he managed and trained himself. No one in the conspiracy group could successfully intervene, but only invited a few young officers to participate.

That's it. He also felt it was more appropriate. After all, there were two battalions in the Semenovsky Regiment and the Putin Regiment, and they had already convinced the officers.

According to the latest memorandum, the conspiracy group needed to guard against the various Guards Cavalry Regiments and the Izmailov Regiment. The Guards Chasseur Regiment and the Guards Grenadiers Regiment outside the city, as well as the Pavlovsk Regiment in the city, seemed to be out of focus.

In this case, the two main Guards Regiments must be controlled. In addition, the soldiers could not know any details of the conspiracy. The remaining officers went to Paul's bedroom and forced him to sign the abdication edict. However, most people did not know about the regicide, and even the Zubov brothers did not make up their minds to do so.

The planning on March 10 was mainly carried out in General Tarejin's apartment.

"It has entered the final stage now. The tyrant has discovered our actions. We should have taken action in advance today, but His Highness said that there is a performance in the palace today."

"Damn it, you won't do it just because there is a performance?" Vladimir Yashvili from Georgia cursed like this. He has a reckless personality and may do anything terrible.

"That's what the crown prince said. We can't take any action today. Moreover, the troops on duty today are all loyal to the tyrant. It's not easy to transfer them out."

"Even tomorrow, the 1st Battalion will have to guard the palace. It's not easy to get them out!"

General Bennigsen was very calm. Now these officers are going to enter the Mikhailovsky Palace during the coup. They are equivalent to "commandos" and have to act in two groups.

"General Bennigsen, since you have raised this issue, there should be some solutions."

"There is a review every morning in the Mikhailovsky Palace, and the 1st Battalion is always on duty. Isn't it always like this when the kid battalion commander is here?"

After Bennigsen said this, Count von Palen confirmed how to transfer the soldiers of the 1st Battalion.

"Peter Alexandrovich, you are the commander of the regiment, and you still need to send an adjutant for this."

"This is also easy to do. As for the method of using the fire alarm to attract the attention of the Guards, have you considered not to wake up the tyrant himself?"

"There is indeed this problem, but the previous alarm bells did not sound so loud in the bedroom, and it required the servants and the Guards to remind them."

These people have been in the palace for a long time. The precautions of the Mikhailovsky Palace are still modeled on the security measures of the Winter Palace. Even Paul, who is hardworking and always alert, only heard one of the three alarms, which proves that this is still feasible.

As for other details, they are still plotting, but the final attack will be based on the time of the call in the invitation sent by Count von Paalen.

At the same time, Alexander was at the concert hall of the kilometer, accompanying Paul to watch Madame Chevalier's performance.

He himself had a fierce ideological struggle. Someone in St. Petersburg wanted to stage a coup, and no matter what form it took, people around him advised him not to get involved.

Although Paul had a bad temper and often scolded his sons, he still explained the major events very clearly, and many rumors were so absurd.

Even Alexander himself felt that Count von Paalen's approach was a means for his favorite ministers to alienate their father and son and benefit from it.

Now his position is like Crown Prince Alexei. Although he has never intended to rebel, it is inevitable that he will be used as a signboard.

It's just that confessing at this time is also very risky. Alexander always started his performance like this when the situation is unclear.

"Today's performance was good. I think we can have another one in the future."

Paul's mood today was not bad. He had just issued an order to appoint a new St. Petersburg Metropolitan Ambrose, which caused another rumor that Paul was going to dissolve his marriage.

Soloviev was at the door of the concert hall, and he had heard people whispering.

This statement was very absurd. At the beginning, Queen Elizabeth wanted to marry her lover, but even though her position was so stable, she did not succeed in the end and could only arrange a secret marriage.

Even if the Orthodox church power had to obey the monarch, and the church and Paul had always had a good relationship, this approach sounded very incredible.

From this position, he could see Alexander accompanying Paul to watch the play. Louisa came here with her husband today. With her slender figure, the bulge in her belly could already be seen.

Paul has always been good to his daughter-in-law, because she may be the new heir, which also makes him very satisfied. In his mind, he now thinks of the story of Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great told by Solovyov.

He thought of testing his son's true attitude towards the so-called conspiracy.

"Alexander, I won't hit Louisa with my cane, don't worry."

When Alexander said this, he didn't dare to believe it, but considering that Paul sometimes didn't play by the rules, his mind was also running fast.

"Our family has always been harmonious, and there is etiquette and order. Father, you can rest assured."

"What if something else happens?"

"I don't think so, father. And the appointment of the archbishop is just a normal personnel arrangement, but someone has been spreading rumors, between you and the queen mother, and me and Constantine. To alienate our relationship."

Paul was relieved when he heard this. Even if Alexander really knew about the conspiracy group, he would not take the initiative to participate.

And there is one thing that no rebel can solve. The soldiers of the Guards are loyal to the Tsar himself. Even if there are officers who rebel, there is no need to worry too much.

What's more, there are soldiers on duty and male servants in the inner room in the bedroom. As long as the door is locked, it will not be easy to get it for a while.

He stood up and looked at the queen and his son with his arms folded. This is a strange posture. He usually stands like this when he expresses dissatisfaction.

This caused the Queen herself to be afraid. The rumor that the Metropolitan had been replaced was indeed very scary. The atmosphere in the court could not settle down for a long time after some rumors began to appear at the end of 1800. There were various rumors about deposing the Queen and the Crown Prince, and dismissing court officials, which made everyone feel insecure.

But Paul had not issued an arrest warrant for a long time, and he also summoned several generals and senior civil servants who were exiled.

Alexander also began to doubt. Although the wording of the arrest warrant was very similar to Paul's oral instructions, it was only stamped but not signed, which was very much like a plot to alienate.

At the same time, it was also an open conspiracy. No matter what, as long as he expressed his position, it would be embarrassing for Alexander, and he could not take the initiative to reveal it. The cunning von Palen had temporarily passed the test with Paul through his own excuses.

But the Queen and Constantine did not know what happened between Paul and Alexander, and Alexander's expression was very natural, as if nothing would happen.

Paul was used to it. He was often criticized when he was the crown prince, and it was the same after he became the emperor of all Russia. As a monarch, he had never lived like he did in Gatchina. This rumor now seemed to destroy his family.

After the performance in the concert hall, the adults of the royal family sat in the banquet hall of the palace. The family had a meal at this time, and they would return to their sleeping places after dinner.

"I ask you to swear today that you will not participate in any conspiracy."

After hearing this, Constantine was very angry: "Father, we are all your children, how can we participate in the conspiracy? In any case, I will not join the conspiracy!"

Paul did not say anything. The second son always had a hot temper. The two half-grown girls Maria and Catherine could not believe their ears. What kind of conspiracy would happen in the family.

Juliana beside Constantine did not say anything. Alexander and Louisa sat opposite. Before they spoke, they saw that the queen began to cry.

"How can you think like that? You are the monarch, we are your family and your subjects."

Of course, the acting skills of these people, except for the grumpy Constantine, can be nominated for the Golden Man.

Alexander's performance was very calm, and he directly and calmly swore to his father.

"Father, I will not participate in any conspiracy against you, not to mention how stupid it is."

He did not continue to explain in detail. This natural expression is indeed an excellent actor.

Paul believes that he will not participate in the conspiracy, while von Palen believes that Alexander will join them.

Alexander really does not want to be involved in the conspiracy, and he is also at the gambling table. This actor, even Count Stroganov and his son did not think of what he was going to do.

This speculative idea is incomprehensible to people around him, and it is indeed interesting.

"What is His Highness doing there?"

"I don't know. His Highness said he would not participate in the conspiracy. Your Majesty should believe him."

For Alexander, as long as the order of succession does not change and he is still the crown prince of Russia, it doesn't matter. And even if something really happens, he just needs to go along this path.

This kind of speculative mentality really makes people unable to understand his operation. He has always been good at dancing in social occasions. Even Louisa, who is beside him, can't think of what her husband is going to do.

For example, when she was changing clothes two days ago, he touched her belly and started to whisper some sweet things.

Paul was satisfied with this and asked everyone in the palace to go to bed.

"Your Majesty, is this okay?"

"I think there is no problem. Once something happens, I don't know whether this scene of the stage play will continue or the next scene will be performed."

Paul himself is also an actor. The family is testing at the dinner table today. After all, conspiracy is something that will cause any family to be separated as long as it is poisoned by power and wealth.

As for the series of court tragedies that have occurred in the past, no one knows what will happen in Petersburg.

Alexander and Louisa's carriage returned to the Winter Palace, and Constantine also returned to the Marble Palace. They all went to bed at 10 o'clock in the evening. This is the last arrangement of the day. A new day will come in a few hours, and it will enter March 11, 1801 (Russian calendar).

What will happen in the end will be revealed at this moment.

"The tyrant didn't realize what happened in the end."

Count von Palen also had a sly and strange smile on his face. He now holds the highest power among the civil officials. He will enter the palace tomorrow morning to bring the latest international situation report to Paul himself.

Paul has just approved the order for the Cossacks to march from Astrakhan to Central Asia and India, but the specific action has not yet been launched. The Cossack Hetman Orlov is still on standby at the new station.

At the same time, Count von Palen is also very confident. After all, Alexander did not express opposition, which is a silent support. At least they can take action.

The important goal is to transfer all the guards of the Guards, and the final time for action will not be decided until the night of March 11. This scene will happen after everyone in the palace goes to bed.

The last big drama of the Paul Tsar era is about to come.

After returning to the Winter Palace, Alexander also ordered the duty general Prince Bagration to come to the Winter Palace in the afternoon. In addition to himself, he also has to bring his family.

Solovyov still had to convey the order late at night, but he also reminded Bagration to bring the mahjong set into the palace and present it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.