Struggle in Russia

While Nelidova and Count Kleinmichel were gloomy and fidgeting, Count Rostovtsev, the man behind the scenes who made them lose their composure, sat relaxed and comfortably in his exclusive seat in the National Library, flipping through a precious book. Machiavelli's first edition of The Prince.

"This ancient book should be kept better!"

Count Rostovtsev didn't even lift his head, he just pointed to the empty seat opposite him, motioning for Li Xiao to sit down.

"It's quite rude to interrupt someone's reading."

Li Xiao shrugged, sat down opposite Count Rostovtsev indifferently, and asked very relaxedly: "You came to me so suddenly, you didn't mean to invite me to have a reading club together?"

Count Rostovtsev finally raised his head and said with a smile, "What if it is?"

Li Xiao rolled his eyes and said, "Forgive me that I don't have time in the United States. Thanks to you, our regiment has to set off and go all the way to Odessa. Do you know how far it is?"

"Old Igor told you?" asked Count Rostovtsev.

"No," Li Xiao shook his head and said, "It's not like you don't know Dad's temper, and his mouth is unusually tight. If he doesn't want to say anything, it's useless to hold a gun to his head."

After a short pause, he smiled and said, "However, I guess the whole of Russia can treat me so well, and it can only be you!"

Count Rostovtsev closed the page and asked calmly, "Why can it only be me?"

Li Xiao laughed and said, "Prince Gorchakov and Admiral Lazarev don't have that much energy, and you are the only one who can do it!"

Count Rostovtsev still commented indifferently: "It is simple and quick to deduce from the result. Then do you know why I want you to leave immediately?"

Li Xiao smiled again: "I guess it's something about Grand Duke Constantine. I feel a little wrong. There are too many people who praise him and me, too enthusiastically, too abnormal!"

Count Rostovtsev looked at him calmly and asked, "Since you know it's abnormal, why are you still watching?"

Li Xiao continued to laugh and said, "I didn't just watch, I also contributed to the flames! Although the black hand behind the scenes who wanted to punish Grand Duke Constantine didn't do as much, but he also cooperated recklessly, didn't he?"

Count Rostovtsev was finally no longer calm, he showed a smile: "Are you not worried at all? Are you not afraid?"

Li Xiao spread his hands and said, "How is it possible,

I was scared to death. So I contacted friends from British and French newspapers and embassies early, and asked them to pay more attention to my down-and-out Grand Duke. If there is no news suddenly, don’t forget to report. "

Count Rostovtsev shook his head and said, "It's not enough!"

"Of course it's not enough!" Li Xiao replied confidently, "But, I will take care of everything, so what else do you need?"

Count Rostovtsev raised his eyelids and asked, "What does the trouble you caused yourself have to do with me?"

"Of course it has something to do with it!" Li Xiao patted the table and said, "I'm afraid you and your partner support the reform, right? Grand Duke Constantine is so active, don't tell me it has nothing to do with you! That little fat man is greedy, but he doesn't Not stupid, it is impossible to go out and do it foolishly! Someone must have given him ecstasy!"

Count Rostovtsev asked without raising his eyelids: "You think it's me?"

Li Xiao did not answer directly, but looked at Count Rostovtsev with a smile, as if he had seen through the other party.

It's just that such a temptation is meaningless. Count Rostovtsev seems to be wearing a steel mask on his face, with no expression and no message.

After a while, Li Xiao got a little bored, sighed and said, "Even if it's not you, it has everything to do with you!"

Count Rostovtsev still had no expression on his face, he just looked into Li Xiao's eyes so calmly that Li Xiao was a little hairy.

Li Xiao just raised his hands and surrendered: "Okay, okay! I mean, Grand Duke Constantine must have been instigated, otherwise he wouldn't have fallen into the trap so stupidly!"

Count Rostovtsev finally spoke up: "Yes, it is very possible! A man like him can't afford nothing, it's a pity, isn't it?"

Li Xiao has never been able to read anything from Count Rostovtsev's face. This man is as rigorous as a rock, and he will not allow you to take advantage of any gaps or loopholes.

Li Xiao said disconsolately: "It's quite pitiful. From the beginning to the end, the poor little fat man is just a pawn, a pawn for throwing stones to ask the way, right?"

Count Rostovtsev closed the book lightly, and said slowly, "Then what road do you think you are asking?"

Li Xiao cheered up immediately. He knew that this question was very important. It was probably the test that Count Rostovtsev put on him. If he passed the test, there would be some benefits, and he might go deeper into the small organization that the Count was in. In the same way, if he failed the test, there was nothing left to do, so he probably had to cool off.

For Li Xiao, this is very important. Although through his own efforts since time travel, he has greatly improved his situation, but overall he is still extremely passive. And if you want to stand up, you must unite more people, especially those with great energy.

Such as Prince Gorchakov, such as General Lazarev. Only such a powerful person can protect him from having room to display his talents, and protect him from being killed by the old cunning uncle right away.

And Count Rostovtsev is undoubtedly very mysterious and powerful. He alone can greatly influence the decision of Nicholas I. The group behind him is undoubtedly stronger. If he can join the organization behind him, he will definitely be able to Get more help and support.

After thinking for a while and straightening out the logical relationship, Li Xiao spoke cautiously: "First of all, I don't think it's to test my uncle's true attitude!"

"Oh? Why?" Count Rostovtsev raised his chin slightly and asked, "Isn't His Majesty's attitude important?"

Li Xiao replied confidently: "Of course the emperor's attitude is important. One word can determine life and death, wealth and honor. Why is it not important!"

After a slight pause, he continued: "But my uncle's attitude is not difficult to guess at all, and there is no need to test it at all. He is a stone in a cesspit, and his attitude towards reform has always been stinky and hard. Since So, why waste time and effort trying to figure something out? Only political idiots would do such stupid things."

"But Earl, you can never be an idiot, so you will never waste time on my uncle!"