Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 160 017 Petersburg Unrestricted Fighting Competition (1)

After returning to the Winter Palace, Alexander had been wearing formal clothes in the recliner, while Louisa was entertaining the older and younger children in the bedroom, but everyone was wearing formal clothes, except for Natalia, who was pressed on the bed and watched. "Leprechaun," Louisa was now stroking her belly and imparting experience.

The husband of the "little fairy" is playing mahjong with three officers of the Semyonovsky Regiment at the moment. However, these three people are the regiment commander, battalion commander and regimental adjutant. They are the core of the command and Critical parts.

Bagration happened to be a man of excellent physical strength. After marching for several days, even the soldiers were tired, but he was still full of energy. When at home, it was always his wife who begged for mercy first; it was the same when playing cards. , he also put down his words and said that he was going to have a lot of fun today, and he couldn’t leave the table until he had fun.

"Prince, you still have to eat, drink, and have diarrhea, you..."

"I'm a reasonable person. Listen carefully. No one will care about you when you go to the bathroom. But if you make excuses and run away, don't blame me for being rude!"

What’s more, playing mahjong is so much fun! After starting to play mahjong like this and playing more than a dozen rounds, these guys almost forgot how big a deal they had to do today. After all, Bagration's stakes were not small. If he won, he would make a lot of money.

You must know that although this prince is not rich, Paul gave him a lot of rewards, and helped him buy a mansion and marry a wife. The cash in the "little fairy's" dowry alone was 200,000 silver rubles. The two of them Kouko will never be short of money in his life, the main thing he faces is gambling debts.

But at times like today, the reason why he bet so big was because Alexander told him something in advance.

Some of the officers of the Semyonovsky Regiment will definitely be involved in the conspiracy group, but don't get involved all, otherwise it will not end well.

The Crown Prince himself had made up his mind that the winner would take all.

These guys couldn't go far even when they went to the toilet. People were watching them in the palace. Although the garrison troops were all soldiers of the Semyonovsky Regiment, when they really wanted to obey orders, they could not go far. They all have to obey the orders of the Crown Prince himself.

"Sashka, no matter what, from tonight until March 15th, you must pay more attention in the past few days. If Count von Palen really wants to move, no matter what the final result is, someone will inevitably take risks. ”

Little Count Stroganov was by his side at this time. Although he had never led an army, his mind was clear and the stakes were very clear.

"Would anyone take the risk?"

"This is what we are all worried about. His Majesty did not immediately arrest anyone suspected of treason, and only gave you strict warnings without any substantive action. This is because although Your Majesty knew that someone was plotting, there were many issues involved. , or he doesn’t want to believe that his close ministers are plotting rebellion, or he is trying to hide his suspicions, or his Majesty wants sufficient evidence. In any case, it gives the person who really wants to rebel a chance. At this time, His Highness must not be messy. "

At this time, Count Stroganov knew about Alexander's problem, but he still wanted to analyze it, as he was fulfilling his duty as a friend and courtier.

Alexander still didn't make it clear, but his attitude also depended on what was going to happen at the Mikhailovsky Palace.

"When rebellion really occurs, we can only mobilize troops. Solovyov, what should we do if something goes wrong? You have experienced it beside the generalissimo. I want to ask your opinion."

"It will be easy then, Your Highness. I found Prince Bagration and asked him to mobilize the troops as the general on duty. In addition to the Guards Chasseur Regiment, the 2nd Battalion of the Semyonovsky Regiment on duty at the Winter Palace, Bav The Lovsk Regiment and the Guards Artillery Battalion must be mobilized.”

"Why is there still a Guards Artillery Battalion? Do we need artillery to suppress rebellion?"

Alexander's own military branch was artillery, and he felt that Solovyov was making a fuss out of a molehill, wasn't he just suppressing a rebellion?

"Your Highness, if there are really rebels, they will either threaten the monarch or rely on the palace to resist. In a hurry, there are not many of them, and they are afraid that they will really use Mikhailovsky Palace as a fortress. This At this time, if the Emperor is kidnapped, what should His Highness do? Should he send troops to attack the city, or should he surrender and obey orders? Although His Majesty's character would rather be broken than destroyed, His Royal Highness's reputation is also very important. !”

Solovyov usually doesn't speak a word. When he speaks a few words about politics, he does it for the sake of justice.

"Misha, I have only heard you talk about leading troops, but I have never heard you talk like this."

"Your Highness, I wish you could listen to what I want to say. If you don't listen, just treat it like a breeze and ignore it. I just want to say it. Saying such things at this time is risky, but Please don’t punish me, Your Highness.”

"How long has this happened? The person who speaks is not guilty. Just go ahead and speak. There are only three of us here now."

Alexander suddenly became energetic. He is an emotional political animal + an excellent actor. Solovyov knows what kind of character he is, but he has to say that this time is too critical.

"The preparations His Highness has to make are in four aspects. The purpose of not moving before is to make a decision at the last moment. It is naturally best for His Majesty to be alive and the coup fails. This way, everything is safe and His Majesty can continue to implement the New Deal and implement the New Deal. The more thorough it is, I spent some time with His Majesty, watching him offend the Lord, but with the support of the people. In this way, His Highness will succeed to the throne with the support of the nobility and the support of the people. At this time, he will sit on the throne. It’s the most stable.”

"Well, that makes some sense."

Alexander himself had seen the list written by Paul, and Solovyov was naturally on it. Moreover, he did not expect that this boy would stand guard and act as a guard for Paul when he got to his side. He also started planning when he got to his side. Indeed, Very interesting too. And he actually thought that Paul's reforms had offended the great nobles, and he would definitely be supported by these people when he succeeded to the throne in the future. After all, no matter how bad he was, Alexander's usual attitude was still relatively friendly to the great nobles. .

"The next situation is that His Majesty is kidnapped by gangsters, but there is still room for maneuver. At this time, His Majesty also needs to mobilize troops and surround the city center of Petersburg. If the coup elements only threaten the Emperor, Forcing him to abdicate, as long as His Majesty is still alive, there will be room for maneuver. "

What Alexander hopes for most now is this kind. The first kind mentioned by Solovyov is because the personalities of their father and son are difficult to figure out. One loses his temper and the other is in mist. When he finally succeeds to the throne, Although he has drawn a big pie and is an iron-clad successor, the risk is still there.

If Count von Palen really launched an attack and forced Paul to sign an edict of abdication, and Alexander could succeed to the throne, he would be able to immediately take the highest power in his hands, which would be of greatest personal benefit to him.

As for the New Deal and constitutional reform, they should all be deferred later. Alexander wanted to do so, but he had to observe the situation.

Solovyov would not analyze it in such detail and would just leave it here. However, the next two situations are more dangerous.

"However, this is also a coup. Once something we don't want to see happens, what should we do if someone wants to kill the king?"

When Stroganov heard this, he always had a gentle personality. He also stood up and said: "No one has done this in Russia for a long time, Misha, is it impossible?"

"Your Highness, what do you think?"

"Let's think about it here. My father's favor to Count von Palen is to raise a dog. After the dog is fed, it will have feelings, right? I think regicide is unlikely. It’s impossible.”

"Your Highness, you overestimate these stupid pigs. They say they are doing it for the country, but none of them is thinking about their own interests. Since Peter the Great, which emperor has not always wanted to compromise with them? Although they have not been fed in the past He is an underfed wolf, but it’s not impossible for him to kill someone just to please his new owner. That’s what I’m worried about.”

"You said there are four situations. The first two are not bad. What if this really happens?"

It is true that Alexander is an actor, but he is not willing to dirty his hands, nor is he willing to let blood stain the throne again, especially his father's blood.

"At this time, if these conspirators are really bold and dare to do such a thing, His Highness will continue to rule according to the law of succession. But what I am worried about is that these people are plotting to rebel. Once this happens, Your Highness will If left unprepared, autonomy will certainly not At that time, you will be just a piece of meat on the chopping board, and these people will do whatever they want. So, this is what we are trying to avoid now, and it is also a humble position. Of the four outcomes to be said, this is the most unacceptable.”

"So what's next?"

"This is also the last resort under all difficulties. Your Highness, why did I say to mobilize the artillery? Since it is a coup, someone will definitely conspire to mobilize the army, especially the Guards and the garrison of Petersburg. Von Palen He is the military governor of Petersburg. If a coup is to take place, it is most critical to seize the garrison on both sides, one is the Guards and the troops garrisoned in the city, and the other is the garrison outside the city. "

Alexander was not completely unaware that the garrison around Petersburg included three parts: the Guards, the Petersburg garrison and the Viborg garrison, which were the closest. There were also the naval fleet and the Viborg garrison nearby.

However, in Petersburg, with the weather in March, Kronstadt's fleet just mobilized troops and took the boat back and forth without enough time, so they were definitely not among them.

"You talked about garrisoning troops on both sides. What should we do at this time?"

"Your Highness went to the banquet tonight and should have met the old count and General Kutuzov."

"Yes, you don't want me to mobilize the Vyborg garrison, do you?"

Alexander was able to command the Semyonovsky Regiment, but von Palen came to him and did not know which of the four battalions of the regiment was controlled by the coup. After all, he did not want to know about the coup, nor did he want to be complicit. If a coup does occur, he does not want to commit regicide and wants to ensure that his hands are clean.

"Although the Vyborg garrison is not large, it still has some combat effectiveness. The Guards Cavalry in the city must also be controlled. In addition, there are the Pavlovsk Regiment, Ismailov Regiment, Guards Chasseur Regiment and The Grenadier Guards, of course, also need artillery."

Solovyov simply did not analyze the consequences. Everyone knows that at this time, to mobilize the army is to fight. The result is that the winner takes all, and the loser even loses his underpants.

"The Guards Artillery Battalion has 36 cannons, including the powerful Unicorn Cannon and the easy-to-mobile cavalry cannon. When mobilized, the cavalry cannon will be used to block the Champ de Mars Square and the route leading to the Mikhailovsky Palace. Several major intersections should also be Guard all intersections and cut off any possibility that the rebels may mobilize the garrison. At this moment, His Highness only needs to coordinate and move the Guards and nearby garrison into the city. These rebels are very capable. It’s hard to fly without wings.”

"To mobilize the army, you also need the attendant generals on duty. At this time, with Prince Bagration in the Winter Palace, he can mobilize three of the five large regiments of the Guards outside the palace at any time, as well as the Guards Artillery. As for the garrison of Petersburg, the cavalry of the Guards After blocking the road, His Highness's order is needed to mobilize the musketeers and let them know who is planning to rebel. Then it will be time to come to the city and decide the outcome. However, no one wants this to happen. Happened last."

At this time, Alexander didn't just nod. At this critical moment, he finally made up his mind.

"At that time, I still have to work hard for you, the adjutants and adjutants, to pass on all the orders. But you are smart, so you should stay with me and assist Prince Bagration in making arrangements. If the rebels want to go to the Marble Palace, what will happen? what to do?"

Alexander knew his second brother Constantine best. He had no interest in the throne, but if he was hijacked, it would mean that the command authority of the Pavlovsk regiment and the Ismailov regiment would also be an issue.

"If Your Highness can trust me, I will go to the Pavlovsk Regiment now. The officers and veterans there are all selected from the Moscow Grenadier Regiment. Then I will take the order of the general on duty and the warrant from Your Highness. Colonel Tsverenev, the regiment commander. I was with the Emperor in the past, and now I am with His Highness. If I say something, he can still believe it. "

"That's it. When the time comes, you have to secure the intersection of the Champ de Mars and not allow any rebels to come out from there. Also, after finishing this matter, you go to Constantine and ask him to take Ismay. The Love regiment has been mobilized. If anything happens, no soldiers are allowed to move without my order, and no soldiers from the Mikhailovsky Palace are allowed to come out!"

Then, when they were almost ready to plan, there was a loud noise on the road of Million Street. Alexander could clearly see that several royal carriages were coming from the intersection of the Champ de Mars on the east side of Million Street.

Everyone knew that something must have happened.