Struggle in Russia

I have to say that the Chancellor of Finance is also an old fox. He knows very well that if he doesn't find a way, he will probably have a hard time today. The conservative nobles of Alaska could not spare him if they did not sell him, but they could not spare him even if they sold Nicholas I at a low price and refused to sell him, even if he continued to advocate the betrayal of Count Rostovtsev of Alaska.

In short, no matter what he did, he couldn't get anything good. He was simply not a human being inside and out. So, if you want to pass the level, you have to find some unique tricks.

How to make a surprise move?

The first way he thought of was to retreat in order to advance. You conservatives are so awesome, I can’t afford to offend you. But just because I can't afford to offend you doesn't mean that no one can offend you. I deliberately said I won't sell it. I will follow Nicholas I's words and take the moral high ground first. Let's see if you can still confront me directly!

At that time, if I want to sell Alaska, you have to put in a good word for me, help me fight Count Rostovtsev back, and help me negotiate the price with Nicholas I.

Is this a shrewd calculation?

But then again, this trick does work. You can see that Count Uvarov was the first to be anxious. He immediately interjected: "Having said that, it is an indisputable fact that the current financial and economic pressure is huge. If we don't find ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure quickly, I'm afraid our finances will be It will dry up soon, and it will definitely be defeated by then without a fight!”

This is also true. Russia's financial pressure is indeed so great that Nicholas I, who has always been good at pretending to set an example, began to pretend.

He had previously announced that the whole country should be strict about economy, be diligent and frugal, and prohibit extravagance and waste. He also pretended to order the queen to take the lead in setting an example and strictly control palace expenditures, and stopped all unnecessary salons and balls.

The third department was even ordered to patrol around St. Petersburg to arrest so-called wasteful people. The campaign was vigorous, and at first some nobles who committed crimes were arrested.

But it soon changed. No one would care about the nobles sneaking into the countryside to hold dances, and no one would care about their three meals a day. On the other hand, eating breakfast for common people and serfs has become a luxury and is strictly prohibited.

This is purely funny. If you think about it, the aristocrats would eat more and less if they were full all day long. Nothing serious would happen. Even for them who have fat stomachs and full brains, eating less would be healthier for their bodies.

But the situation is different for ordinary people, especially those at the lower levels who do physical work. It is difficult for them to have a full stomach, but now their superiors even order them not to have breakfast, saying that breakfast is too luxurious and is a waste.

This is so infuriating, typical meat-eater bastard talk. Anyway, ordinary people don't have great opinions on this, but they dare not speak out because of the power of the third part and the strict orders of Nicholas I.

After all, for an emperor like Nicholas I, most of the movements he launched were pretentious and empty examples. Apart from being good-looking, he has nothing but good looks. For example, now he is still very proud of his frugal movement!

Of course, it was just a show, but he also knew that the financial problem was imminent and he had to find a way to solve it. He agreed in principle to selling Alaska, but he was blocked by Count Rostovtsev just now. He had to maintain his face and dignity.

To be honest, he also thinks that Count Rostovtsev is a bit meddlesome. Ten million US dollars is not much, but it is still small money! With this money, he can continue to compete with Britain, France and Turkey, otherwise he will really be unable to hold on.

He can only hope that the Chancellor of Finance can do more, and it is best to find a way to sell for several million more. If the price per square kilometer can be increased to 10 US dollars, he will accept it. By then, even Rostovtsev The earl said that he would not care about Po Tian.

But who would have thought that the Minister of Finance was so incompetent that he was ready to give up. Suddenly, Nicholas I was a little anxious and angry. Fortunately, Count Uvarov stepped forward immediately, which made him feel a little more at ease.

"Given such a severe financial situation, I think it is feasible to give up Alaska temporarily. Maybe the price of 10 million is indeed a bit low, but who can make a higher offer except the United States at present?"

As he spoke, Count Uvarov winked at the Chancellor of Finance, which meant that you should hurry up and join in the crying, otherwise I will see how I deal with you in the future.

Naturally, the Chancellor of Finance could not be stubborn, and immediately cried out with a sad face: "What the Count said is absolutely right, this price is the highest currently, not to mention that even if other countries are interested but do not have the financial resources, they may not be able to withstand the pressure of Britain and France. ah!"

Nicholas I immediately turned to look at Count Rostovtsev. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was very clear - Count, you see this is the situation. How about you be noble and stop blocking this matter?

Count Rostovtsev actually had no interest in stopping the sale of Alaska. He also felt that the land was worthless except for its size. It's just that Li Xiao wrote to him, specifically mentioning this matter, and asked him to disturb the matter, and he had to help out of favor.

What's more, he was also very interested in Li Xiao's subsequent operations, so he cooperated and tried his best to stop him. He was not afraid at all when facing Nicholas I and asked two questions calmly.

First: "Are Americans really willing to pay $10 million to buy Alaska? What if they can't afford that much money by then, or are not willing to pay that much money at all and ask for a lower price?"

The Chancellor of Finance was stunned, because this question was so tricky, and he was immediately overwhelmed by the question. He knew very well how strong the will of the Americans was. I'm afraid they wouldn't do it at all for ten million dollars. This was just an excuse he used to persuade Nicholas I, or it was just a pie in the sky!

No one had pierced this point before, so of course he could deceive him as much as he wanted, but Count Rostovtsev pierced the window paper without mercy. If he foolishly guaranteed that he would be able to sell it at this price, would he have to pay for the price difference at that time? money?

"This... this..." he replied hesitantly, "Who can say for sure about the negotiation? The price may be a little higher, but it may also be a little lower. Keep in touch and negotiate slowly. Only then can we know.”

Count Rostovtsev would not fall for this, and immediately retorted: "Then you mean that there is no bottom line of 10 million, and it is possible that there is not even 10 million, right?"

"Well……"

The finance minister was speechless, but Count Rostovtsev continued to press: "Let's put it this way, what is your bottom line on this, or how much do you plan to sell it for?"