Struggle in Russia

While Adlerberg and his son were speculating about Pogokin's identity, Count Uvarov was in the carriage asking Pogokin in detail about little Adlerberg and Baryatinsky.

"That little count didn't lie," Pogokin answered honestly, like a quail, with his head lowered. "Prince Baryatinsky did write something to the crown prince about Moldavia and Constantinople." The general meaning of the letter regarding Grand Duke Ding’s question is that he will not support the crown prince’s attack on that side until the end of the war, but..."

He paused for a moment and answered cautiously: "But it was not as explicit as what the young earl said, nor did he say that it must not be done. I just advised the crown prince to be cautious."

Count Uvarov leaned against the carriage, squinting his eyes and tapping his thighs with his fingers, as if to beat the rhythm.

After listening to Pogokin's words, he snorted coldly: "I know that his words are not true, so I can't believe them all!"

Pogokin's expression was a little tangled. After pondering for a moment, he couldn't help but ask: "Earl, looking at the expression of the young earl just now, it seemed that he was a little doubtful about my relationship with you. Is this..."

Count Uvarov raised his eyelids and glanced at him, and sneered: "I did it on purpose. I just wanted to let the father and son know that the crown prince also has my people, and wanted to make nonsense or even lie to deceive me and mislead me. They wanted to use their two What a dare!"

Only then did Pogokin realize that Count Uvarov had deliberately used him to beat the Adlerbergs. This move was indeed very shocking. Who would have thought that he was actually Count Uvarov's man? People who have never had any contact with each other can be his people. Who can guarantee that the Crown Prince or His Majesty does not have the same character next to him?

But Pogokin still felt a little uncomfortable. He knew very well how cunning the father and son were. If his identity was exposed, he would probably be secretly targeted. You must know that he had just established a foothold next to the crown prince. Once they make a mistake and they stumble, won't all the previous efforts be wasted?

"Don't worry!"

Count Uvarov sneered: "They don't have that much courage, at least not for a while. They don't dare to target you for the time being, so you can rest assured."

At this point, he suddenly showed a meaningful expression and lectured: "But your worry is necessary. Although they don't have the courage for the time being, they can't tell for sure in the future. So you have to work hard to win the trust of the Crown Prince. Crown Prince The more they like you and trust you, the more they will fear you, and the more stable your position will be, I think you should understand!"

Of course Pogokin understood, but he was thinking more about the purpose of Count Uvarov telling him this.

He didn't think that Count Uvarov would kindly remind him that this count actually despised him from the bottom of his heart and always thought that he was just a slave. However, he was still useful for the time being, so the count tolerated him temporarily.

But this does not mean that Count Uvarov will really accept him. To Count Uvarov, he will always be just a slave, a tool, not a person.

So once he has no value, he can be thrown away. Even if he is tricked to death by the Adlerbergs, Count Uvarov may be angry, but he is definitely not angry about his death.

Rather, he was angry that he was too incompetent, and that the Adlerbergs were so bold that they did not take him seriously.

This is the truest Count Uvarov. Having followed this count for so many years, Pogokin took his character very seriously, and was even more cautious when dealing with this count, for fear of accidentally offending him and causing death.

So Count Uvarov was kind enough to tell him the truth. He definitely wasn't really thinking about his safety. He definitely had other purposes. But what exactly was this purpose?

With his mind full of questions, Pogokin was left in the middle of the road by Count Uvarov. He didn't have the face to let Count Uvarov really send him home. It was enough to give him face by being thrown on the roadside. He didn't even have the qualifications to enter Count Uvarov's carriage at the beginning, so he could only stand by the wheel and answer Count Uvarov's questions or accept his instructions.

"Earl, what are your orders for calling me here suddenly?"

Later, Chernyshov was suddenly invited to his home by Count Uvarov. The Minister of War was so busy that he really didn’t even have time to attend salons and dances in the evening, and after the imperial meeting during the day Count Uvarov had already made an explanation, but it was unreasonable to suddenly call him over to discuss the matter.

"Is the rebel's contact person still in St. Petersburg?" Count Uvarov asked solemnly.

Chernyshev mocked: "They must be there. They are actually eager to meet you. They have been sending gifts everywhere to find a way."

"Well, these bastards are all full of fat heads. A little more blood wouldn't be a bad thing."

Count Uvarov waved his hand nonchalantly and said: "Go and tell them that we can't directly hinder Archduke Constantine here, and ask them to persist and not to fight Dmitry Milyutin head-on. , avoid its sharp edges first. After this period of time, when the wind direction changes, I will help them find a way!"

Chernyshev looked at Count Uvarov in stunned silence, because during the day the Count did not mean this, and at the Crown Prince he was always determined to fight with Grand Duke Constantine. Why did he suddenly change his gender?

Count Uvarov sighed and said: "It can't be done. Baryatinsky is also trying to undermine me, and His Majesty has also made his attitude clear. There is no point in continuing to act recklessly!"

Chernyshev frowned. He felt that the reason for Count Uvarov's sudden turn was probably not what he said. There should be a deeper reason, but obviously Count Uvarov would not tell him clearly. he.

Count Uvarov continued: "But this doesn't mean that we don't care about the lives of those guys in Moldavia. You are in charge of the logistics of the frontline army. Give them a little bit of leakage between your fingers to give them more support. We must not let them be really eradicated by Grand Duke Constantine. It is still useful to keep them!"

As he spoke, Count Uvarov sighed and said: "Everything has gone wrong since last year. I think the most critical issue is the disharmony within us. Our own brother Ni Qiang ended up taking advantage of those outsiders!"

"We can't go on like this!"

Count Uvarov suddenly increased his tone and said with great solemnity: "If we want to eliminate those free elements, we must first unite internally. As long as we are sincere and united, they will not be able to cause trouble!"