Chapter 519 Smoke is rising
Alex is very lonely in St. Petersburg. Although she has given birth to 5 children with Nicholas, she still has not been recognized by the aristocratic class of St. Petersburg.
Remember Kshesinskaya? The dancer at the Royal Theater, she was Nicholas's lover.
After breaking up with Nikolai, Kshesinskaya maintained close relations with Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich and Grand Duke Sergei Mikhainovich.
There are now rumors in St. Petersburg that if Nicholas had married Kshesinskaya instead of Alex, then the crown prince of the Russian Empire would at least not suffer from hemophilia.
For Alex, this was simply a huge insult.
Alex was born into the Hohenzollern family and was raised by Queen Victoria since she was a child. She has her own pride that cannot be blasphemed by anyone.
The rumors in St. Petersburg were like a cold and biting needle, pricking Alex's heart, making Alex unable to breathe.
For Alex, St. Petersburg is like the pebbles in a turtledove's nest that will never hatch.
“Vladivostok is a completely different city from St. Petersburg. When I first arrived in Vladivostok, I was worried about not being able to integrate into this city. Later I learned that my The worries are unnecessary, because not only me, but also everyone in the city of Vladivostok is a stranger in a foreign land, and people must work together to survive.”
Anne was filled with sadness as she recalled the difficult journey.
When Anne first arrived in Vladivostok, the Yuriev Palace had not yet been fully completed. The port of Vladivostok was still the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet. George was only the commander of the Amur Military District, and the governor was someone else.
Recalling the original difficulties, Anne couldn't help but blush. George seemed to have a smooth sailing these years, but in fact only she knew what it felt like. As the Grand Duchess of Yuriev, she also suffered Pressure that ordinary people cannot bear.
Alex held Annie's hand and shed tears.
When Anne married George, although Alex had a high status, she had no real power and could not give Anne any help.
After Alex married Nicholas, Anne no longer needed Alex's help.
“The difficulties were only temporary. We quickly built a steel plant and began to develop science and technology, military industry, chemical industry, fur, home textiles, clothing, health care, medical treatment - the Far East is really a magical place, where , anything impossible may become possible——”
Anne’s words were a bit convoluted, but they did not affect Alex’s understanding.
“I just hope that Amusa can be in good health now——”
Alex is like millions of ordinary mothers, feeling helpless like never before.
"Take Amusa to Vladivostok, let him relax, and see if Eastern medical skills can have an effect on Amusa's condition."
Anne is more beautiful than George Knows how to convince Alex.
In order to treat Alexei's condition, Alex and Nicholas consulted famous European doctors, but there was never any good solution.
Don’t Alex know about the rumors in St. Petersburg?
As the queen, Alex knows very well.
The reason why Alexi can endure the slander of public opinion is because only Rasputin can control Alexei's condition.
Nikolai would give up the whole world for Alexei's health.
The same goes for Alex.
When George knew that Alex had agreed to take Alexei to the Far East, he was simply shocked. What he didn't do, Anne did.
“After returning to Vladivostok, I will organize a doctor’s consultation with Amusa as soon as possible, hoping to find the right treatment plan.”
Anne also wishes Alexey a speedy recovery.
"We must minimize the chance of Grigory (Rasputin) getting close to Amusa."
George is not sure whether Runev's judgment is right or wrong.
If it were just hypnosis and tranquillizers, then Gregory could die.
Compared with Radomir Putnik, Alex’s younger brother Valdemar, King of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, seems to be more difficult to deal with.
Valdemar, like Alexei, is also a hemophiliac.
Valdemar is only 27 years old this year. He has only one child, a princess, and no male heir.
Nicholas approached Valdemar, hoping that the Kingdom of Bulgaria could change its policy and effectively safeguard the interests of the Romanians living in South Dobroga.
"Nikki, I am the King of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. No matter what decision I make, it will be from the perspective of the Kingdom of Bulgaria."
Valdemar is not close to Nikolai, George It can even be felt that Valdemar is vaguely hostile to Nicholas.
That's right, the brother-in-law is somewhat displeased with his brother-in-law.
Especially Alex's stay in St. Petersburg, at least in Waldemar's opinion, could not be called happy.
This cannot be blamed on Nicholas.
Alex has the hemophilia gene. No matter who she marries, she will not be happy unless she chooses not to have children like Sergei and Paula.
Silgai and Paula adopted the two children of Grand Duke Paul and Princess Alexandra. Now Paula lives in Crimea with the children.
"Joseph, those Romanians living in South Dobroga are also Bulgarians, and you should also protect their interests."
Nicholas hopes Valdemar can understand the situation of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.
The Kingdom of Bulgaria is at the forefront of the fight against the Ottoman Empire, followed by the Kingdom of Romania and the Kingdom of Serbia.
The goal of the Kingdom of Serbia is Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The goal of the Kingdom of Romania is South Dobroga. Therefore, once the conflict breaks out, the Kingdom of Bulgaria is likely to be unable to get the support it wants from the Balkans.
“Alas——”
Valdemar let out a long sigh, he also had his own reasons.
“Those Romanians living in South Dobroga do not consider themselves Bulgarians at all. If war breaks out, the Romanians living in South Dobroga will not contribute anything to the empire. Instead, we will pass our information to our enemies.”
“Joseph, if you want to gain the support of the Dobroga people, you must first give them enough benefits.”
George was curious, don’t you know everything?
If you want to take something, you must give it first. Our ancestors have long told us what to do——
That’s not right. This is George’s ancestor, not your Nikolai’s. .
The political wisdom left to Nicholas by his ancestors is: Kill all the disobedient people, and the rest will naturally become obedient.
“They must first prove that they are worthy of the benefits I give them.”
Valdemar is a bit unsophisticated.
The intelligence on George's side is that Valdemar may have received a promise from William II, so he is confident.
The Kingdom of Bulgaria and Germany interact frequently. This spring, German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz just visited Sofia.
Before arriving in St. Petersburg, Valdemar first went to Berlin.
You may also pass by Berlin when you go back.
Is this asking for instructions early and reporting later?
After seeing Valdemar off, George and Nicholas Jr. were not in a hurry to leave, and the imperial meeting continued.
"I will let Sani persuade him, Joseph is too ignorant."
Nicholas was very angry, and there was no good way to deal with Valdemar.
“A moderate warning may be more effective.”
You're welcome, little Nicholas. No matter what pie William II drew for Valdemar, it would be hard for Valdemar to eat it.
The Kingdom of Bulgaria and Germany are separated by the Kingdom of Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What’s really going on? William II’s promises are far away but cannot quench the near thirst.
On the contrary, it is assistance from the Russian Empire, which can reach Bulgaria directly through the Black Sea.
"No, no, no, we can't do this, I can't hurt Sani, if we do anything to Joseph, Sani will be sad."
Nicholas to Alex The feelings are truly touching.
George didn't say anything. This matter didn't require Nicholas's consent, George and little Nicholas could do it.
George now understands that if everything goes through Nikolai, then many things will not be able to advance at all. Nikolai is like that, you push him and he will move.
The current Prime Minister of Bulgaria is Alexander Bodinov, who participated in the 10th Russo-Turkish War as a Russian soldier.
Alexander Bodinov was born in Moscow and lived in Moscow until he was 15 years old. He went to Bulgaria as an adult and became prime minister three years ago.
Before Valdemar came to the throne, the Bulgarian army was assisted by the Russian Empire. The officers in the army were all from the Russian Empire, so there was no problem with loyalty.
After Valdemar came to the throne, with the help of William II, the Kingdom of Bulgaria established two infantry divisions entirely using German standard equipment. These equipment were all provided free of charge by Germany.
George is not sure now how far the Kingdom of Bulgaria has been penetrated by Germany.
When it comes to dealing with the Kingdom of Bulgaria, George and Nicholas Jr. have basically the same attitude.
If Valdemar is obedient, it will be easy to say anything.
If you don’t obey, then someone else will be the king. Coups are too normal in the Balkans.
George didn't want to hurt Alex either.
But on this issue, George cannot compromise, he must put the interests of the Russian Empire first.
What George didn't expect was that before he took action, William II made the move first.
On August 3, a group of young military officers launched a coup in Sofia, the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and Alexander Bodinov was killed in his official residence.
The news reached St. Petersburg, and even George couldn't help but sigh that the people in the Balkans were really lawless.
The dignified prime minister of a country, and the prime minister supported by the Russian Empire, kills whenever he wants. He really thinks that the Russian Empire is easy to bully.
Little Nicholas was very angry and offered to go to Sofia in person to quell the rebellion on behalf of Valdemar.
Valdemar went to the Summer Palace early in the morning on the 4th to find Nicholas to say goodbye and to return to Sofia immediately.
Nicola was still hesitant, but George decisively refused.
Want to leave?
dream!
(End of this chapter)