Struggle in Russia

Count Rostovtsev nodded in satisfaction, and it was exactly as he expected. Bariatinsky paid special attention to the next military operation, and he knew that this ambitious young man would never be willing to watch an old man He has been rewarded for his meritorious service, but he can only waste his time in the Winter Palace.

Count Rostovtsev glanced at Dmitry Milyutin, and suddenly asked, "What do you think of Prince Bariatinsky?"

Dmitry was taken aback for a moment, because the question was a bit sudden. He and Duke Bariatinsky were both the military attache of the crown prince, but Bariatinsky had a better relationship with Crown Prince Alexander, and was the chief military officer of the crown prince. The relationship between him and the crown prince is so-so, it can only be regarded as making up the numbers.

It is impossible to say that Dmitry does not envy Duke Bariatinsky. After all, Crown Prince Alexander is the crown prince. Bariatinsky also won the trust and friendship of the Crown Prince, so the future will naturally be better.

It’s just that Dmitry is envious but not jealous. He is a very down-to-earth person and doesn’t like to play tricks, so he admits honestly: “Prince Bariatinsky is an outstanding nobleman with extraordinary military skills. Talent, and won the trust of the crown prince, the future is limitless!"

Count Rostovtsev smiled, and kept looking at Dmitry with a strange look, which made the latter a little puzzled.

"You are a real person," said Count Rostovtsev, "but in my opinion, you are not far behind Prince Bariatinsky in talent and ability!"

Dmitry was stunned. He didn't understand why Count Rostovtsev suddenly praised him. He knew that the count seldom praised anyone. What was going on today?

"Don't think I'm flattering you!" Count Rostovtsev smiled, "I'm telling the truth. In my opinion, your ability and talent are as outstanding as that duke, and you are the most outstanding young man in the empire." Talented man, you are even slightly better than that duke in some respects!"

Now Dmitry was completely stunned, because this evaluation was too high, and even he himself felt that this evaluation seemed a bit too high. So he said very modestly: "You are amazing, I am very aware of my ability, compared with Prince Bariatinsky, I am much worse!"

Count Rostovtsev shook his head directly, and said solemnly: "My friend, you don't understand your own abilities... Yes, you are indeed inferior to Duke Bariatinsky in commanding operations, but In terms of military co-ordination and military reform, your talent cannot even be matched by his flattery!"

Count Rostovtsev really did not lie about this point. Military generals or military directors are also different. Some people are better at commanding and are outstanding military strategists.

But other people may not be so good at command, but their ability in military organization is also frighteningly high.

And Dmitry is obviously the latter. He may command and fight a war, but he is a good hand in improving the military system and conducting military education. So later he could become Russia's Minister of War and undertake the modernization and reform of the Russian Army. So even if he has little combat achievements, he can get the rank of marshal like Bariatinsky.

In a sense Dmitry was more important to Russia than Bariatinsky. The former helped the Russian army to become a truly modern army, while the latter was just a typical Russian-style traditional warrior, and his contribution to the modernization of the Russian army was really limited.

If Count Rostovtsev was allowed to choose, he hoped that there would be more Dmitri in the Russian army, because with Dmitri the Russian army would not have to worry about reserving talents and keep up with the advanced pace of the world. And if they are all warriors like Bariatinsky, then the future of the Russian army will be hard to say.

It's just a pity that there are always more Bariatinskys in the Russian army, and there are very limited talents who can really organize well like Dmitry Milyutin. They are not often remembered, if at all.

But now Russia appreciates Bariatinsky-style generals more, so it can be said that Dmitry's talent is not appreciated by many, so Count Rostovtsev's praise for him is a bit in his opinion. Go too far.

"You are too famous. Compared with Bariatinsky, my fighting skills are far behind!"

Count Rostovtsev shook his head and said, "So what? Our army is not short of fighters, but organizational talents, talents who can train poor gray animals into elite soldiers. In this regard, you are beyond That duke is many!"

Dmitry was a little moved, because there are not many people who can understand him these days, and most people look down on the work of military organizations, thinking that it will be good for anyone to do it, who knows how bad this job is , who knows how difficult it is to organize an army of hundreds of thousands of people to guarantee their operations!

Of course, Count Rostovtsev did not talk to him just to praise Dmitry, he was not so free yet.

"My friend, if you want to play a bigger role and let the crown prince see your importance, you need a stage to show!"

Dmitry was taken aback, of course he knew the importance of the stage, but who can build this stage for him? Anyway, for the time being, he can't see such an opportunity.

Who would have thought that Count Rostovtsev said confidently: "I can!"

Dmitry was stunned. It wasn't that he didn't believe that Count Rostovtsev had the ability, but that he didn't know what his purpose was. Because the relationship between the two parties has not been that good, if Count Rostovtsev is a pity for his talent, it will not be all these years before he suddenly offered to help build the stage.

Dmitry knew that the count must have a purpose, and he was very worried about the ultimate direction of this purpose.

"Of course I have a purpose!"

Who would have thought that Count Rostovtsev would admit it openly, and he said with a smile: "You should be very clear that I am inclined to reform, and reform is not only a political issue, but also involves military issues. Our military system also Reform is needed, and I think only you can accomplish it!"

Dmitry was silent. He knew that Count Rostovtsev meant to let him completely side with the reformists, instead of remaining ambiguous as he is now. But he is a little hesitant, because the current situation is very hard to say. It is hard to say whether the reform will be possible or whether it will have a future. It is really difficult for him to place a bet now!