Struggle in Russia

Apraxin was stunned. He thought how could Li Xiao solve such a difficult problem in just a few words?

You may say that other people's methods are not easy to use, but as long as someone with a brain thinks about it for a little while, they still think it makes sense.

It's not like Archduke Constantine can't cover the sky with one hand in the Admiralty. There are many reformers and conservatives who oppose him. As long as someone takes the lead, I believe it is impossible for him to do whatever he wants.

What's more, it is impossible for Alexander II to indulge him. From what Apraxin learned, His Majesty seems to have no interest in Grand Duke Constantine and will beat him whenever he has the opportunity.

Suddenly, Apraxin felt his eyes light up. If nothing unexpected happened, it would not be difficult to disrupt Archduke Constantine's plot, but Li Xiao seemed to have said just now...

"Then what's so difficult?" Apraxin asked curiously.

"The difficult thing is how to prevent that little guy from taking revenge afterwards," Li Xiao sighed, "Based on what I know about him, he will definitely take revenge...and..."

"And what?"

"And I estimate that in the future he will become the acting Lord of the Navy and the Navy Department will definitely be under his control in the future. Even if he is messed up this time, he will still have opportunities to make a name for himself in the future!"

Apraksin's face suddenly darkened, because Li Xiao was right, as long as Grand Duke Constantine was still in charge of the Admiralty, he would definitely cause trouble in the future. It's impossible to be passively defensive all the time and cause trouble for him every time, right?

"If you say that, doesn't the navy have no future?" Apraxin asked sadly.

"That's not to say," Li Xiao shook his head, "The future of the Navy is always in your hands. If you can unite more people and let more people understand and support you, even if Grand Duke Constantine is the Minister of the Navy, I I hope you can also check and balance him so that he can't do whatever he wants!"

Aprakhin nodded. After working in the Navy for so many years, he also deeply felt that talent was always the most important issue. No matter how good the system is or how good the plan is, it will ultimately be implemented by people.

If there are not enough and good enough talents, no matter how good the system is, no matter how good the plan is, it will be empty talk.

He knew that Li Xiao was reminding him that instead of worrying about Grand Duke Constantine, he should think about how to discover more talents. If there are enough talents, what can Grand Duke Constantine do if he covers the sky with one hand?

What's more, Alexander II will not get used to him, and he will not have the final say on how to develop the navy.

"Your advice is great," Apraksin said with sincere thanks. "After I return, I will try to strengthen the construction of the Naval Academy and discover as many talents as possible... As long as they are here, even if Archduke Constantine can be rampant for a while, There is hope after all!”

Li Xiao's words helped Apraxin, who was depressed and anxious about the future, find his direction. He threw himself into his new job with great interest. I have to say that this person is really encouraging.

"He should be full of hope for the future, especially eager and convinced that the Navy and Russia will get better!" Alexey said.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement. It would be great if there were more people like Aprakshin in Russia. Unfortunately, Aprakshin is in the minority after all. Even most of the supporters of the reformists are slightly more accepting. It is really not easy for the master, who has been unable to recover after a blow, to lead them.

"You said before that you would use the conflict between His Majesty and Kostya to restrain him. Is this true?" Alexey suddenly asked.

Li Xiao nodded: "Of course, you can only do this when necessary. You can't just watch Kostya waste money, right?"

Alexey frowned and said: "Have you ever thought that if you do this, many Kostya supporters may be very unhappy? I'm afraid they will gather in groups to besiege you!"

Li Xiao laughed and said: "This is very possible. Kostya has no other skills. He is good at fanning the wind and lighting up will-o'-the-wisps. Moreover, he has a lot of supporters, most of whom have nothing. The angry young man who understands is very likely to be incited to cause trouble for me!"

Alexey said angrily: "Then you still told Apraxin to do this?"

Li Xiao spread his hands and said, "Isn't there a better way? Besides, I think Apraxin has many supporters, and Kostya shouldn't be able to do anything to him!"

"What if?"

Li Xiao shrugged and said: "There is no chance. If Kostya is really such a bastard, the worst we can do is help Aprakshin deal with him together... But I guess Kostya doesn't have that ability. I saw Aprakshin today." I'm afraid he will have to think twice before staying with us..."

Alexey shook his head and said: "I think your judgment is a bit inaccurate. He is very different now from before. Now he is almost forced to a dead end by His Majesty. It is impossible not to resist. Once he jumps over the wall in a hurry, I am afraid he will It’s very troublesome!”

Li Xiao frowned. Alexei's words reminded him that the Grand Duke Constantine he knew was still the Kostya who was not so crazy because of the doting of Nicholas II.

At that time, although Grand Duke Constantine was sometimes arrogant and outrageous, he would not fight to the death at critical moments. After all, he still had me to rely on, and Nicholas II would wipe his ass no matter what.

Moreover, at that time, he was still coveting the throne, and he still wanted to be shameless when doing things, so he could not risk everything and ignore everything.

But now it's different. The throne has basically been given to him, and he has almost no thoughts about it.

Alexander II would not spoil him like Nicholas II, and even tried every means to suppress him and restrict him.

At this time, he was restricted and unsatisfactory everywhere, and his mentality had long been distorted. For him, who can only give it a go, once Apraksin succeeds in dismantling it, it means that he will have no real power in the Navy Department.

Do you think he can bear this?

It's hard to say whether he, who is already a trapped beast and has a broken mentality, will risk everything and cause chaos. In other words, what choice Constantine will make in this state can no longer use past experience as a reference. .

He may completely give up on himself, or he may bite everyone he sees like a mad dog.

This kind of uncertainty is very troublesome. If it is not handled well, it will cause an uproar. If it is not done well, the contradictions within the reformists will be detonated. Not only before the conservatives are defeated, the reformers themselves will start fighting among themselves.

Naturally, there is no way to talk about reform. If things really come to that point, then Li Xiao will be blamed, and this is what Alexey is most worried about...