Struggle in Russia

But no matter how difficult it was to answer, he had to answer. After all, Nicholas I and many big bosses were watching, and it was impossible to fool things.

He coughed twice and bowed his head and replied: "The two countries have not had formal contact on this matter, so there is no definite number. I can only say that the sincerity of the United States is still very high. If the negotiation is completed, it should not be less than Ten million dollars.”

Is ten million dollars a lot?

That depends on who it is for. For ordinary people, even in 2022, this will be a huge sum of money that is difficult to earn in a lifetime. But for the country, even in 1853, this amount of money was not particularly large.

It can only be said that it has some value, but the value is not that great.

But having said that, ten million US dollars can indeed play a role in providing help in times of crisis for Russia, which is financially strapped. So it was still attractive to Nicholas I.

So you can see that he nodded slightly unconsciously, and this was naturally seen by Count Uvarov. He immediately laughed in his heart, thinking that Count Rostovtsev was shooting a stone at himself. His feet are simply stupid.

Did Count Rostovtsev really make a mistake? Obviously not. With his intelligence capabilities, how could he not know what the Americans' intended bid was?

Since he knew and specifically asked about it, Count Rostovtsev must be sure. Faced with the answer from the finance minister, he slowly asked again: "Ten million dollars is really a lot, that is to say, one hundred Half a million square kilometers of land is not worth US$7 per square kilometer, well, that’s a really good price!”

As soon as these words came out, Nicholas I immediately changed his mind. When he heard the price of ten million US dollars before, he didn't think anything of it. He even thought it was quite a lot. But when he heard that the price was less than 7 US dollars per square kilometer, his face was not as ugly as usual.

How big is one square kilometer? And how much is seven dollars? If you compare it like this, you can't bear to look at it!

Anyway, Nicholas I felt that if he agreed to this price, he would really be taken advantage of.

"This... this..." The finance minister stuttered when he saw something bad. Count Uvarov had to step forward to help him out: "That is a barren land. If it is not sold, it will be worthless." !”

Nicholas I would have believed this before, but now, after Count Rostovtsev's prompting, he no longer thinks so. Of course, barren land is worthless. In this case, Americans are not being taken advantage of. Why do they spend huge sums of money to buy these barren lands? Their money is not blown by strong winds. Alaska must be valuable and profitable. That’s why they buy it!

Nicholas I had this kind of personality. He cared about everything and would never allow others to take advantage of him. Even if Alaska dies in his hands, he won't feel pity, but if someone else buys Alaska and takes advantage of even a dime, he won't accept it.

"Barren land!" He heard him snort heavily, glared at Count Uvarov and lectured: "Alaska was developed by our ancestors through hard work and hard work. Although it is a little barren now, it is by no means nothing. barren land!"

Count Uvarov's expression suddenly changed. People like him who knew Nicholas I knew very well what the tsar would say next. It’s definitely not good for him!

Sure enough, Nicholas I cursed at the Chancellor of Finance, and scolded him until he couldn't hold his head up. After a while, he changed the topic and said: "Although Russia's land is large, not an inch is superfluous. Even though it is a wild land, we cannot give it up casually, and our land must not be sold at a low price!"

Look at what these people say, it’s a typical example of someone who wants to be a female cousin and also needs to build a monument. The meaning is actually very simple, that is, selling Alaska for 10 million US dollars will definitely make you forget your ancestors, but if you sell it for 20 million US dollars, it will be a great success.

All in all, Alaska is not impossible to sell, but the price is definitely not good! You have to add money!

Count Uvarov secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Nicholas I's few words would be persuaded by Count Rostovtsev, and he really did not intend to sell Alaska. Now it seems that he still underestimated Nicholas I. Financial pressure also underestimated his determination to win the current war.

It was obvious that Nicholas I had risked everything, even if he had to sell his ancestral property like Alaska to raise money to defeat the Turks.

This is good news for Count Uvarov. As long as Nicholas I is willing to sell it, he has no objection. As for how much it can be sold, he doesn't care at all. Of course, if you can sell it for a few more bucks, that's definitely not a bad thing. After all, he doesn’t know how long this war will last. Let alone 20 million US dollars, he feels unsure even if it is doubled!

But this is really not good news for the Chancellor of the Finance. Don’t look at what he just told Nicholas I that the Americans are willing to pay 10 million, but only he knows in his heart that this is pure bragging. Americans should not I said 10 million, but currently I am not even willing to pay 8 million, but now depending on what Nicholas I wants, let alone 10 million, he will not accept even 15 million.

Only he, the finance minister, now knows how bad the economic and fiscal situation is. According to his estimation, even if the war tax is not raised now, it will definitely have to be raised in the second half of the year, and even more than once.

Calculating it this way, life will not be easy for everyone in the second half of the year, and this is the key reason why almost everyone is not opposed to selling Alaska.

So he knew that if he dared to say that he could not sell it at such a price, or to persuade Nicholas I not to sell Alaska, the conservatives would never forgive him. Poor little arms and thin legs, he is no match for this group of conservative nobles who are like wolves and tigers.

But if you ask him to sell it for 20 million, it will really be difficult for him. I really can’t do it!

For a moment, the finance minister didn't know what to do. He lowered his head and said nothing, which made Nicholas I angry just by looking at him!

He really wanted to rush up and kick this guy's ass, but the occasion was really inappropriate, so he could only ask patiently: "What's your opinion?"

The Chancellor of Finance really wants to give me my opinion, so don’t bother. Even if I sell one piece, it’s not worth 20 million!

He replied with a grimace: "Your Majesty, you are absolutely right. We cannot sell a single point of our territory casually. Otherwise, we will neither be able to explain it to our ancestors nor explain it to our countrymen. We might as well put this matter aside!"