Struggle in Russia

Count Uvarov was stunned. He had not expected this reason at all. After all, normal people wouldn’t think like that, right?

But, you may say that Count Rostovtsev is abnormal, but what he says does make sense. The British Navy is indeed the only powerful one in the world and can defeat the navy of any country in the world. Even the second and third largest navy in the world together may not be their opponent.

But the British Army is another matter. It is definitely not the most powerful, and may not even be ranked among the top two in Europe. If they send a large number of soldiers to the Far East to cause trouble, they will inevitably be able to reduce their help to Turkey.

In this way, the pressure on the Russian army on the front line in Wallachia will definitely be reduced. From this perspective, what Count Rostovtsev said makes perfect sense.

But Count Uvarov must not admit it! He immediately retorted: "Having said that, once the British army fully invades our country's Far East, who can guarantee that they will be driven away? In this way, the vast territory of the Far East will not be preserved!"

Is this possible? Indeed, there was, but Count Rostovtsev believed that this was absolutely impossible. He smiled and replied easily: "Count, you may have forgotten what the environment is like in the Far East. It is normal for it to be desolate and uninhabited for thousands of miles. More importantly, What’s worse is that it’s not suitable for farming and produces nothing but forests and furs.”

"What's the point of the British spending a huge amount of money to occupy it? Moreover, the environment there is harsh and the transportation is inconvenient. It is not suitable for large-scale garrison at all. And if only a small force is stationed, how can it occupy such a vast land?"

Count Uvarov was speechless again. Although he had never been to the Far East, he knew what the environment was like there. Think about it, if the conditions are good, the scenery is beautiful, the scenery is beautiful, the people are talented, and the prisoners can be sent to that place. Obviously only poor and remote places are suitable for punishing prisoners!

What's more, saying that that ghost place in the Far East is poor and rough is just a compliment. It is simply not a place for people to stay. The British would only covet those ghost places if they were crazy.

But if you ask Count Uvarov to admit that Count Rostovtsev is more reasonable, that is absolutely unacceptable, not to mention that this matter also involves vital economic interests. If you don't want to find a way to get some money for Nicholas I, this The Tsar will definitely increase war taxes, but this is not just to dig into their pockets.

Although that ghost place in Alaska can't be sold for much money, it is still a piece of meat after all, which can relieve some pressure. Anyway, it’s better than asking them to pay immediately, right?

Count Uvarov rolled his eyes and argued: "This is just your guess. The reality is that the British army has already invaded our country's Far East. If they don't plan to occupy it, why bother?"

This is a very good question, but it still can’t stump Count Rostovtsev. He replied to Count Uvarov in one sentence: “The British army also bombarded the Kronshtadt Fortress. According to your statement, Are they planning to occupy it?"

Count Rostovtsev's words are a bit sophistry, but the truth is still tenable. The truth he wants to say is very simple: The British did something, but it does not mean that it is what you think it is. .

The British Royal Navy bombarded Kronstadt and blocked the Gulf of Finland. Does this mean that they are preparing to land in St. Petersburg?

Obviously not. The British army was obviously posturing or openly exerting pressure. The same small group of British troops landed in the Far East. Does that mean that Britain wants to occupy Russian territory in the Far East?

Obviously this is impossible. In a sense, this is also a posturing and a disguised form of pressure.

Faced with this kind of pressure, it is certainly possible to go to war and send troops to drive away the British, but that will cost a heavy economic price. Or people like Count Uvarov could find a new way and simply sell this out-of-control area.

How to put it, these two methods are too extreme, they can be said to be transitional reactions. Count Rostovtsev thought that he could ignore the British at all. Don't they like to land in the Far East? Then let them do as they please.

Anyway, there is nothing in that damn place except wild animals and plants, and Count Rostovtsev still doesn’t believe that they will persist in being savages for a long time.

This truth is like window paper that can be broken as soon as it is poked. A shrewd person like Nicholas I reacted immediately. He did overreact to the news. In other words, he was misled by some ministers.

how to say?

In his heart, he didn't care much about the situation in the Far East. Suddenly someone told him that he could sell it for money, which would relieve the financial pressure. Already overwhelmed by heavy financial pressure, he would naturally be moved.

It’s a barren land anyway, so just sell it!

What's more, the British have begun to send troops. If you don't sell, you may get a bargain for the British. It's better to stop the loss in time.

But Count Rostovtsev made it clear in a few words. The British invasion was not only a fiction, but at least it was thunderous but not rainy, and it did not constitute a threat at all. In this case, there was no urgency to sell Alaska. Not as intense.

Of course, Nicholas I did not say not to sell. If the price was right, he could still consider it. But judging from the news he received, the American offer was really unsatisfactory. So what can a little money do?

Count Uvarov quickly realized his mistake and knew that this matter would definitely go wrong according to the original plan, but he was so quick! When one plan failed, another one came up, and he immediately said:

"Even if what you say is reasonable, economic pressure is an unavoidable problem. Today's financial constraints have reached... to an unimaginable level. Only by finding ways to open source can we continue to fight, and selling Alaska can just relieve our pressure. Unless you have a way to make money!"

Count Rostovtsev laughed, because Count Uvarov's words were too shameless. He had been talking about the British invasion before, but in the end it was not for money.

He replied slowly: "Of course I can't conjure up money, but I doubt selling Alaska will relieve our financial pressure as you said!"

Before Count Uvarov could interrupt, he asked the Chancellor directly: "How big is our current deficit? Who else can tell me how much Alaska can be sold for? Is this money really enough to relieve our imminent huge pressure?"

The finance minister immediately stuttered, because these two questions are really difficult to answer...