Struggle in Russia

Alexander II was very satisfied with Count Shuvanov's attitude. Now he felt troubled when he saw those ministers who were trying to find excuses to make a name for themselves. He now understood why Nicholas I liked to use some mediocre but loyal ministers.

Although these guys have limited abilities, their ability to play tricks is also limited. He doesn't have to worry about these guys trying to trick him all the time.

And if you look at the people around him, you won't see how powerful they are, but they are more thoughtful than the others. Alexander II felt that his life would be shortened if he dealt with these grandsons every day. .

Count Shuvanov gave him a different feeling. This man was supposedly a first-class smart man, but he could listen to his instructions honestly. This felt so good!

Anyway, for the first time, Alexander II felt that the person recommended by Count Rostovtsev was good, knew the rules, knew how to advance and retreat, and especially could think about his father.

Alexander II decided to listen carefully to Count Shuvanov's words. Those who perform well must be given a chance to perform!

"Tell me what you are thinking!"

Count Shuvanov secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The reason why he was so honest was not because he couldn't afford to offend either Duke Dolgoruky or Pobedonostsev, not to mention that there was Rostov above him. Count Zev was watching, and every day he felt like he was walking on thin ice. Not to mention being scolded, even if he was beaten, he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

"I think this is weird!"

He thought for a while and replied: "It stands to reason that Duke Vladimir is just a run-down lothario. He has neither powerful friends nor money. How could he suddenly disappear under the eyes of the third part?"

Alexander II nodded, he couldn't figure this out either.

However, Count Shuvanov did not give an answer immediately, but raised a new question: "This is only the second one. What is even more puzzling is that the third part has turned St. Petersburg upside down, but... No trace of him was found, how is this possible?”

Alexander II nodded again, which was really puzzling. Although Pobedonostsev is not good at the business of the third part, it does not require skill to conduct a city-wide search. With the human and financial resources of the third part, it has been in vain several times in a row. This really shows that some problems.

He asked: "So?"

Count Shuvanov replied decisively: "So I think we have an internal problem!"

Alexander II was stunned, never expecting Count Shuvanov to give such an answer.

Is it a little too bold to accuse the third film of having internal problems? If you can trust even the third part, who else can you trust?

Count Shuvanov glanced at it and saw that Alexander II had listened to his words, and then said slowly: "Although there are some problems within the third part, there may be some bureaucracy, corruption, and there may be false publicity for personal gain. But I don’t think these are big problems. Most of the people in the third part are dedicated to sharing His Majesty’s worries. I think the problem is with a very small number of people!”

Alexander II stared at him and asked: "Which very few?"

Count Shuvanov lowered his head and replied: "I am just guessing, and there is no solid evidence at all. For example, Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, who is now physically and mentally exhausted and just wants to hang up his crown and leave, may deliberately leak the news, and for example, Duke Dolgoruky, In order to compete for power with the chief, he may also deliberately cause trouble..."

"You are very courageous! Earl!" Alexander II stared at him and said.

Count Shuvanov quickly explained: "Your Majesty, I am just doing an objective analysis. They are indeed suspicious, aren't they?"

"Aren't you afraid that the two people will find trouble with you if the news gets out?" Alexander II asked with a smile.

Count Shuvanov replied: "Afraid! But I am always Your Majesty's minister and I am only responsible to Your Majesty."

Alexander II just smiled, obviously this level of loyalty was too ordinary for him. However, Count Shuvanov did not have the extravagant expectation of success in one attempt. For him, this kind of thing must be said, and he must take the initiative to say it whenever he has the opportunity. Saying it several times will always be useful.

Alexander II asked: "Then do you think the two of them leaked the news?"

Count Shuvanov replied: "I don't think the possibility is very high. As long as they are not stupid, they will not do such stupid things!"

Alexander II curled his lips and said deliberately and contemptuously: "Then what's the use of what you said?"

Count Shuvanov quickly explained: "Of course it works, Your Majesty! What I mean is that people who know the inside story of the third part are more or less likely to leak the secrets. It is very likely that the secrets were leaked in one unintentional sentence. I have seen similar situations many times. The people who leaked the secrets probably did not do it on purpose. They might just be chatting with friends and mistresses because they couldn’t control their mouths and gossip, or they were deliberately showing off. Similar things are not uncommon!"

Alexander II was stunned because no one had ever said such a thing to him. Does it make sense? Of course!

He knew the gossips of the nobles very well. At those balls and salons, the nobles would say anything just to make a beauty smile. In many cases, the news obtained from the circle was much faster and more accurate than the official news.

So it’s entirely possible that some loudmouth leaked the news just to please the girl!

But he immediately thought, even so, how to check?

Count Shuvanov replied: "If you can't find it, there is no need to find it! I think the most important thing is to make up for it! The confidentiality of the third part should be strengthened and various rules should be improved to ensure that no one dares to leak secrets in the future. Make sure that if someone leaks the secret, you can follow the picture and find out the evidence!"

Alexander II nodded. This should and can be done, otherwise there may be more jokes in the future. But what does this matter have to do with the arrest of Duke Vladimir?

Count Shuvanov admitted honestly: "The relationship is not very big. I just felt it was necessary to improve the work process and rules of the third part... As for the case of Duke Vladimir, I think There is no point in worrying about who leaked the secret now, the focus of the next work should be on how the Duke escaped from arrest!"

Alexander II was stunned and asked in surprise: "Then how do you think he escaped capture?"

Count Shuvanov nodded and said: "I have some guesses about this. How did he escape capture in the first place? I think someone should have tipped him off, and this person is probably Maria Mulla. Countess de Beauvoir! Only she has the ability and motivation to help the Duke!"