Struggle in Russia

Not to mention that Count Uvarov regretted it and appointed Menshikov as the commander-in-chief of the Crimean Front. In addition, 50,000 people will be dispatched in advance to reinforce Sevastopol.

In addition to this appointment, Nicholas I also appointed Kornilov as deputy commander-in-chief of the Crimean Front and Nakhimov as chief of general staff of the Crimean Front.

Nicholas I's order to Menshikov was to hold on to Sevastopol and repel the provocation of the British, French and Turkish forces.

But everyone with a discerning eye knows that holding on to Sevastopol is only the most basic requirement. Nicholas I's real intention is to repel the enemy, and it is best to completely eliminate the British, French and Turkish coalition forces.

To be honest, it would be very difficult for Duke Mikhail or Vorontsov to go to this task, let alone Menshikov, who is much worse than them. It would be very difficult to defend Sevastopol by letting this old eunuch go into battle and tell the truth.

Let’s not mention this later. Let me say that Menshikov was naturally overjoyed when he received this edict. He was really happy for the old eunuch. He wished he could immediately rush to Nicholas I and hold his thigh with his head in gratitude. good.

The old eunuch was really depressed. Think about it, before the war broke out, Menshikov was a powerful man, even if he was a powerful figure below one person and above ten thousand people.

But after he hit a snag in Istanbul and failed to complete Nicholas I's mission, the situation completely changed. Those radical war factions in the country felt that he was so incompetent that he could not even subdue a mere Turk. He was simply extremely incompetent!

The domestic peace faction believed that it was because he issued ultimatums carelessly, and finally forced the Turks to have no way out, which triggered the war and caused Britain and France to join the war. He is the culprit!

Well, Menshikov was made to look like a human being inside and out, he was even more of a second senior brother than his second senior brother. When the war broke out later, he was originally planning to roll up his sleeves and fight to give himself a chance on the battlefield.

But what made him depressed was that Nicholas I, who trusted him very much before the war, immediately excluded him and did not let him get involved in the battle at all. He was not allowed to return to St. Petersburg, and he was just kept unclear. Chu Di stayed in Wallachia to supervise the battle.

Anyway, Menshikov was as embarrassed as he wanted, and even he felt ashamed to go out and meet people. He has been hiding in the suburbs of Bucharest to "recuperate".

Now this imperial edict has cured his illness, and he was resurrected with full blood in an instant.

On the day he received the imperial edict, he went to visit Duke Mikhail boldly and proudly. His complacent look could be felt from three miles away.

"Duke, Your Majesty ordered me to hold on to Sevastopol and inflict a heavy blow to the British, French and Turkish forces. You are a capable general on the battlefield, more experienced than me and know the details of the enemy. How do you think I should complete this task?"

Prince Mikhail actually did not like to see Menshikov. There are two reasons. First, he was a neutral liberal before, while Menshikov was an extreme conservative. Not only did they dislike each other, at least they were on the same page.

Secondly, Menshikov was suddenly appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Crimean Front by Nicholas I. To be honest, this was a bit of a steal from Duke Mikhail's mouth.

Everyone knows that the Black Sea Fleet was previously under the command of Duke Mikhail, but now Menshikov has taken away the command of the Black Sea Fleet and Crimea. This is tantamount to weakening the authority of Duke Michal.

Do you think Prince Mikhail will be happy?

Especially now that the old eunuch jumped in front of him to show off, which was like a slap in the face. Prince Mikhail would be considered well-mannered if he didn't fall out on the spot.

What's more, Menshikov also pretended to say that he was experienced and asked him for advice. Isn't this provocation?

Duke Mikhail was so disgusted that he wished he could slap the old eunuch to death, but he still had some self-cultivation as a human being. He just smiled faintly and said: "Although I am the chief of general staff, I don't care about Sevas." I don’t know much about the situation of Topol and the Black Sea Fleet. After all, I am not a navy... and Kornilov and Nakhimov did a good job before. Naturally, I don’t need to interfere. I can just let them do whatever they want. If If I have any experience, it is to fully trust Kornilov and Nakhimov. Today’s young people are really amazing!”

Menshikov's expression changed. He never expected that Duke Mikhail would give him such an idea.

What does it mean to be young now?

Isn't this just mocking him for being stupid and old-fashioned?

He also said that he would not interfere and let him do what he wanted. Doesn't this mean he was letting him delegate his power?

What Menshikov wants on this trip is to prove himself, to win a beautiful battle, and let him be allowed to be a bystander. How is that possible!

It's just that Menshikov didn't dare to fall out. After all, Duke Mikhail was now at the top of his position of power and reputation. He would be humiliating himself by contradicting the other party.

So he could only spit in his heart, and then pretended to be humble and replied: "I see, there are very few superiors like you, Duke, who like to guide young people. If it is reported back to St. Petersburg, it will definitely become a good talk!"

This was actually a sarcasm. Duke Mikhail could tell that the old eunuch was sarcastically saying that he did not rely on his own true ability but relied on the young men under his command. What was said to be a good talk was more like a joke.

But Prince Mikhail didn't care. He actually meant well, and his purpose was to tell Menshikov: "You'd better take it easy when you go to Sevastopol. If you trust Kornilov and Nakhimov may still get a good result. If he insists on going his own way and acts recklessly, I am afraid that he will be in danger later in life!"

It should be said that Duke Mikhail's judgment was very accurate, or that he saw through Menshikov's mind and knew that this old guy would not settle down and would very likely ruin the situation in Sevastopol.

In line with the concept of putting the overall situation first, he kindly reminded Menshikov a few words, hoping that Menshikov would take it easy, but good words could not persuade the dead man. Menshikov was determined to commit suicide, and there was nothing he could do. It's just that he was worried and anxious about Nicholas I's decision, and he was very worried that if something went wrong in Sevastopol, it would affect the overall situation.

On the same day, he wrote to Kornilov and Nakhimov, clarifying his understanding and analysis of Menshikov, reminding the two to focus on the old eunuch, and they must try to dissuade the old eunuch and not let him take risks. , otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.

Perhaps the only good news for Prince Mikhail for Kornilov and Nakhimov is that control of the Black Sea changed hands, leaving Menshikov unable to take the sea route to Stopol outside the Seoul to take office. The long detour over land would take at least half a month, which could be regarded as buying them a little time...