Struggle in Russia

Pobedonostsev felt that it was the most clumsy of Nicholas I to send both Paskovich and Duke Mikhail to command the war at the same time.

Nominally Paskovic is the coach, but he has no real command. Although Duke Mikhail has command power, he is restrained by Paskovich, so it is not easy to play.

These two people seem to be stumbling together at the same time, so uncoordinated, but they put the Russian army in shackles.

Perhaps the arrangement of Nicholas I was safe for him, ensuring that the monarchy was not threatened.

But this also sacrificed part of the combat effectiveness of the Russian army, making it impossible for Paskovich and Duke Mikhail to exert their full capabilities.

Take the incident just now as an example. After the compromise, it looks like a four-dimensional thing. It seems that Constanta was saved, but it also destroyed the overall plan of Duke Mikhail. It is much more dangerous to deploy a line of defense.

Doing this now is tantamount to throwing hundreds of thousands of troops on a flat plain where there is no danger to defend, which is not good for defense.

What's more, this area is full of mud and swamps, and transportation is inconvenient, and supplies are still in a hurry. It is very cheating for the garrison troops.

If you can listen to Duke Mikhail and throw this piece of mud to the Turks, wouldn't it be a headache for them?

The result is such a cheat, anyway, Pobedonostsev is becoming less and less optimistic about the cooperation between Duke Mikhail and Prince Paskovich.

Now that they are not completely passive, the two are arguing fiercely, and there is no consensus on many issues. Once the situation becomes more dangerous in the future, then these two people must fight against each other with their brains.

As for whether the situation will continue to deteriorate, Pobedonostsev believes that it can be said that it is certain. Now only Turkey and Austria have made the Russian army passive. Once the British and French allied forces enter the battlefield, it may be total despair.

Pobedonostsev felt that thanks to Alexei's relatively solid defense system in Wallachia, otherwise, given the situation of the Russian army, Wallachia would not be able to defend 100%. As for Moldavi Ya, let alone, he has already seen the pissing behavior of Grand Duke Constantine, so it's fine if he doesn't add trouble to the help.

"Dmitry, who do you think is right, the commander-in-chief or the chief of staff?"

Dmitry Milyutin looked at Pobedonostsev, wondering why this guy suddenly became interested in military issues. Or does this guy have bad ideas and wants to mess things up?

Dmitry knew that Pobedonostsev and Bariatinsky had been plotting to kill Count Uvarov.

Constantly trying to make some small moves to tease the nerves of Count Uvarov's family.

Although he would be happy to see conservatives infighting, it also depends on the timing, and this timing is too inappropriate now. Now the mess in Turkey alone is enough for Russia. If these guys still fight among themselves to tear each other down, then what awaits Russia is probably purgatory.

After thinking about it, he decided to test it out: "About what? Constanta?"

Pobedonostsev shook his head and said, "No, it's about the use of the Black Sea Fleet."

Black Sea Fleet?

Dmitry was a little surprised, because for the time being, it seems that Russia's highlight in this war is really only the Black Sea Fleet. Whether it is the brilliant victory of the Sinop naval battle or the mine-laying operation in the Bosporus Strait, it is amazing.

It can be said that the Black Sea Fleet has done everything it can do, and it has done it very beautifully. But this also means that the Black Sea Fleet has nothing to do next. Apart from helping to transport supplies, it is to keep repeating mine-laying operations and block the Bosporus Strait for as long as possible.

"Haven't you heard?" Pobedonostsev said with a smile, "The commander-in-chief proposed to launch an amphibious landing operation after the reinforcements arrived on the battlefield, trying to attack the Edirne area. If it is possible to directly threaten Istanbul, it would be even more ideal!"

Dmitry's cheeks twitched twice. This plan is really whimsical and full of Paskovich's demeanor. The commander-in-chief is the most impatient to defend and always wants to attack. He probably felt that the Turkish army on the front line of Bulgaria was too strong, and it was almost impossible to defeat them head-on.

However, the rear of the Turkish army is not so strong. Now that the Black Sea Fleet has obtained the command of the sea, it is completely possible to use a surprise soldier to penetrate the weak hinterland behind the Turkish army. Taking advantage of the opportunity is not without the possibility of defeating the enemy in World War I, and it is not even a dream to capture Istanbul.

The idea seemed so plausible, it was a bit of a surprise. If it can be implemented, it can indeed change the situation on the battlefield.

But Dmitry knew that this idea was just something he could think about. Although the Black Sea Fleet had gained command of the Black Sea, it was not capable of completing large-scale amphibious landing operations. The Black Sea Fleet does not have enough ships, and in order to achieve the effect that Paskovich wants, the troops attacking the Turkish rear must not be less than 100,000, send 100,000 people across the sea, and guarantee their subsequent combat operations , this is really a bit difficult!

What's more, 100,000 people may not be enough. After all, Turkey has mobilized the whole country, and almost devoted all of it to this war. But Istanbul is the capital of Turkey and a key fortified area. It is a bit of a fantasy to expect 100,000 people to capture this city.

Once the offensive operation does not go well, as the Turkish reinforcements on the Asian Peninsula continue to arrive in Istanbul, the 100,000 landing troops are in danger of being surrounded instead.

And the Turks are not stupid, as the control of the Black Sea was taken by the Black Sea Fleet, they will definitely guard against the Black Sea Fleet's sneak attack from the sea, and the coastal defense must be particularly concerned. It is not so difficult to complete the landing operation.

Anyway, Dmitry didn't dare to take such a risk. At most, he asked the Black Sea Fleet to organize small-scale landing harassment operations to attack the Turkish army's transportation lines, distracting their attention and making a living.

Such a large-scale landing operation is too challenging for the Black Sea Fleet and the Russian army to act recklessly.

"It's a bit whimsical." Dmitry curled his lips and commented bluntly.

Pobedonostsev also laughed when he heard that: "General Kornilov said the same thing. Our commander even quarreled with him because of this, saying that Kornilov was as timid as a mouse." The enemy is like a tiger, haha..."

Dmitry couldn't laugh anymore. He knew Paskovich's temper well. That guy might bring this plan to Nicholas I's desk, and he was urgently concerned about the man who was not very good at military affairs. For the emperor who is eager to defeat Turkey, maybe it is really possible to agree with his brain!