Chapter 12 Cossacks
Ekaterina and George did not enter the house because the corridor was full of people. Except for Ye Luoxin’s family, the rest were disabled veterans adopted by Ye Luoxin. , and the orphans of the Guards who had no one to care for them.
Four years ago, the tenth Russo-Turkish War broke out between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The two sides fought fiercely, with the total number of troops participating in the war exceeding 1.1 million.
Russia won a great victory in this war, not only regaining the southwestern region of Sarabia lost in the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, but also forcing the Ottoman Empire to recognize Montenegro, The three countries of Serbia and Romania became fully independent, giving Bosnia and Herzegovina the right to autonomy and bringing Bulgaria into Russia's sphere of influence.
Through this battle, Russia formally established its leadership position in Eastern Europe.
This was not enough. The Ottoman Empire was forced to cede Kars, Batumi Ardahan and Bayazit to Russia, and agreed that Russian warships could freely pass through the Bosporus. It also paid an indemnity of 200 million rubles to calm down Asia II. of anger.
This was Ya Er’s last major victory.
In the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, the Ottoman Empire joined forces with Britain and France to defeat Russia. Tsar Nicholas I committed suicide in despair and passed the throne to Asia II.
The Ninth Russo-Turkish War was also the only time the Ottoman Empire won in all the Russo-Turkish wars.
But this war caused Russia to lose the results of almost all previous wars with Turkey.
Therefore, the Tenth Russo-Turkish War has a double meaning for the Russian Empire and Asia II.
Ye Luoxin’s Guards also participated in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War. As the most powerful army in the Russian Empire, the Guards made outstanding contributions in the war and avenged their previous shame. Ye Luoxin After the war, he took the initiative to bear the living expenses of many disabled veterans, and adopted many orphans of the Guards who had no one to support.
The Guards have a tradition of helping each other. Many troops have mutual aid funds initiated by officers, so that some guys who spend a lot of money can successfully survive the financial crisis.
But no one has ever been able to do this to Ye Luoxin.
As the tsar's attendant general, Ye Luoxin's income is still very generous.
Seeing these disabled veterans and carrot heads of all sizes, George understood why Andrei wore Ye Luoxin's old clothes.
It is estimated that Ye Luoxin spent most of his income on veterans and orphans.
Children have nothing to say and are very curious about everything they look at.
The veterans’ eyes were very eager.
The treatment of soldiers in the Russian Empire has always been ranked among the bottom three in Europe. During the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, the total annual expenditure of a Russian soldier was only a pitiful 32 rubles, including the soldier’s salary and supplies. , and clothing expenses.
The salary of the Guards is slightly better, but generals like Ye Luoxin also need to prepare their own war horses and military uniforms. After all, Ye Luoxin's salary is not much left.
The disastrous defeat in the Ninth Russo-Turkish War prompted Army Minister Milyutin to reform the Russian military system.
After the reform, the treatment of Russian soldiers has been better, but it is still at the bottom of Europe.
According to Russian regulations, veterans injured in the war can receive a pension of 3 rubles per month until death.
This is the result of the reform. Previously, veterans only had pensions after they were 60 years old.
Although prices in Russia are relatively low among European countries, 3 rubles per month is not enough to sustain life in a big city like St. Petersburg.
After Ye Luoxin left the Guards and lost part of his income, the veterans who received Ye Luoxin's monthly support also lost their source of livelihood.
Now that Ye Luoxin has the opportunity to return to George's side, the veterans are very happy. When George's eyes look at them, the veterans take off their hats and cover their chests to bow to George.
George smiled and nodded in response, and a child about the same age as George bravely came over and stood next to Andre.
“This is my brother, his name is Peter——”
"Hello Peter, how old are you?" "Nine years old -"
"That's the same age as me. Have you gone to school?"
"Yes. Yes, at the Military Military School in Poltava."
"How is it there?"
"No, I always don't have enough to eat-"
Peter is about the same size as George, obviously thinner than George, which makes George confused.
With Ye Luoxin's income level, there is no reason for Peter to starve.
“The conditions of the Non-commissioned Officer Armed Forces School are poor, and students are encouraged to endure hardships and stand hard work. The level of logistics supply is not good——” Andre also graduated from the Non-commissioned Officer Armed Forces School and knows the situation better: “——The current situation It’s much better than before. When I was in school, the food standard per person was only 12.5 kopecks per day. It was a miracle that I didn’t starve to death.”
Kopecks——
George was a little confused. He knew that Russia's common currency was the ruble, but Gobbi really didn't know.
The kopek is the most basic monetary unit of the Russian Empire. 1 ruble is equal to 100 kopecks, similar to yuan and cents.
But in the eyes of Andre and Peter, George's confusion was unworldly.
This is not surprising. Nicholas, the last Tsar, was also a person who had no idea about money.
Once Nicholas's horse was frightened, a Cossack guard subdued the frightened horse, but the guard was almost dragged to death by the frightened horse.
Nicholas immediately gave instructions: give him 15 rubles or a gold watch and let him choose.
George has just met two new friends. Yekaterina has also completed the interview. Ye Luoxin has officially become George's tutor and will leave with George later.
Peter was in high spirits and helped Ye Luoxin pack her things.
Andre's eyes finally looked at Ye Luoxin with envy.
“Can you bring Andre with you?” George asked.
"Why?" Ekaterina was curious. George had never asked Ekaterina for anything. This was the first time.
When Ya Er was alive, George lacked nothing.
“After you guys left, I was the only one left——” George was depressed. He had many followers around him, but he lacked people with whom he could communicate.
This is a reasonable request, and Catherine must meet it.
Andre was very excited and looked at George with grateful eyes.
Ye Luoxin was even happier. He kept promoting his son to Yekaterina and George: "Andre is a great young man. He started practicing riding and sword skills at the age of seven in preparation for joining the Guards. He will definitely be an excellent Cossack.”
This is not a special requirement of Yeluoxin, but the growth path of most Cossacks.
Cossacks do not pay taxes, do not perform labor, do not need to turn in spoils of war, and have many privileges.
When the Tsar needs it, the Cossacks must respond unconditionally to the Tsar's call, and in addition to weapons, war horses, clothing and other equipment need to be prepared by the Cossacks themselves.
(End of this chapter)