Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

If Alexander avoids seeking medical help, he may have some underlying health conditions that are unknown to others, which is unavoidable at his age.

But falling ill so suddenly seems a bit too rapid.

However, the doctor's diagnosis ruled out the possibility that the Tsar himself had gone into hiding, which would have crossed the line between Sufi mysticism and Christian mysticism.

Judging from the Persian side's past behavior, they have already incurred a lot of hatred from Russia, so it's impossible for anyone to have any goodwill towards anything from the Persian side.

Moreover, Alexander was lazy in his governance, but he wasn't unaware of the situation; he knew about the secret organization.

However, even after taking the medicine, her condition has not improved after several days, and she is becoming increasingly weak.

Although Louisa was anxious, she tried her best to remain calm.

At least her daughters' husbands have been chosen, and the throne is no longer her concern. She is only worried about Alexander. Even the doctor brought by Solovyov can only give the Tsar some medicine; the rest is up to God.

This is how it is in the Russian royal family, and Solovyov didn't try to persuade him. He stayed in Taganrog to prevent any accidents from happening.

Although he knew about the abdication edict, only a few people had seen the original in Moscow, in addition to a copy sealed in St. Petersburg, as well as instructions to remain with Alexander.

This was after Solovyov mentioned the Qing Dynasty system, and the Russian side added an edict, at least Alexander himself still carried a set with him.

It was actually used to prevent any unrest. The Decembrists were just playing on a pun; the pronunciation of "Constitution" and "Constantine" is very similar.

Moreover, conspiracy theories have always been popular in Russia, and future developments will be beyond your imagination.

When Alexander saw that his condition had not improved after several days of medication, he summoned Volkonsky and Solovyov separately. Among the aide-de-camps, they were the two with the highest rank and the most loyal.

What was entrusted to Volkonsky was mainly the publication of the edict of succession, as well as arrangements for what would happen to him should anything happen to him, and he was also to send a message to St. Petersburg.

As for Solovyov, he didn't assign him any tasks.

"Your Majesty, if there is anything you wish to do, you can certainly arrange for us to carry it out."

“There’s something I need to ask you, Mishka. What do you think of my performance as monarch over the past twenty-odd years?”

"Your Majesty led us to defeat Napoleon. Although we suffered a defeat at Austerlitz in the early years, those foolish Austrians ultimately required Your Majesty's intervention. Otherwise, we wouldn't have achieved victory at Leipzig after our defeat at Dresden. If there are any problems, I think they lie within the country. Russia has a vast territory and a large population, making many things difficult to manage."

"That's true. I pray to God, but I feel powerless. Initially, I hoped to give the people a constitution and adopt a more lenient political system, but it didn't work out. Appointing Speransky, he certainly has the talent to govern, but unfortunately, there's opposition. Although Balasov is following my wishes, no one below him is objecting, and I won't put Speransky under house arrest. He's talented, but unfortunately, he comes from a humble background. If in the future…"

"Your Majesty, your mind is still quite clear, and I think you will get better."

"Physical illnesses can be cured, but mental illnesses are hard to heal. As I've said before, I can only pray to God; I'm powerless to change anything. The fact that Speransky was allowed to stay was because Arakcheyev followed my wishes. Mishka, you're a soldier, not a politician. Although you have political talent and your own methods, the position of Reich Chancellor needs someone else, unless you stop leading troops. But a sword as sharp as yours is invincible; you weren't even afraid of Napoleon."

"Your Majesty, that was merely fulfilling a soldier's duty, and I've been fortunate enough to survive until now."

“You say that’s true, but when it comes to politics, the more noisy and extravagant it is in a place like St. Petersburg, the more everyone lives behind a mask. In contrast, a place like Taganrog is quiet and peaceful, even better than yours. I know you’ve done a good job in Crimea, but this place is still the best.”

Alexander was still lying in bed, but his mindset was quite calm, and he even wanted to continue speaking.

At this point, he only mentioned Speransky, who could still be an asset to reform in the future. Moreover, if the leadership were passed to Nikolai, both Solovyov and Speransky, as representatives of the liberal military and administration, would work diligently, as neither of them liked political infighting.

However, Solovyov had not yet shown his cunning side. He did have some methods when it came to political struggles, but he just hadn't had the opportunity to use them.

"Your Majesty, I think you should rest."

“Let’s get straight to the point today, Mishka. Like ordinary friends, you and Nikolai are even closer than brothers. If we can discuss things clearly, we can do things well in the future. There are still many things to be done. I believe in your abilities, but while you are generally kind and resourceful, you lack decisiveness on the battlefield. Fortunately, you have many friends. Neserrodie used to be my father’s attendant. Although he disagrees with you, as a friend, he won’t cause you trouble. As for him, as the Foreign Minister, he is capable, but he’s always led by the nose by that bastard Metternich. In the future, if anything happens, you must correct his pro-Austrian tendencies. I even know you dislike Metternich.”

"You could say that, Your Majesty."

"Although Neserrodie is the Imperial Prime Minister, he should not be involved in domestic affairs. He is incompetent in both the military and administration, far inferior to Mr. Talleyrand in this respect. At least in recent years, we have seen that although he dominates foreign policy in France, he has also tried to make achievements in domestic affairs in order to emulate Prime Minister Richelieu. Neserrodie has no such role model. In our Russia, things have always been done from the top down, and there are always internal interferences. As I just said, he should not be involved in domestic affairs. In this respect, he is even far inferior to you. You have also achieved great success as Governor-General over the years. The development of Crimea is very good, which is reassuring."

"This is also thanks to His Majesty's support, and Count Arakcheev has been cooperating with my work."

"Yes, it's unexpected that you and the Count are friends. He's strict with people, while you're kind to your servants. He's rigid in enforcing the law, but you're flexible. He's not particularly innovative in inventions, only in terms of regulations. You, on the other hand, are good at inventions and know how to navigate social situations. The Count will serve Nikolai wholeheartedly after I'm gone. Don't be surprised that I'm saying this; even without a decree of succession, the master of Russia will always be Nikolai. Constantine married that Polish woman, and even according to the law of succession, the throne will eventually go to Nikolai and his son, and then to Mikhail. You've done a good job educating Nikolai; at least under the guidance of you teachers, he's acquired some knowledge. His character is more resilient than mine, that's beyond question. If you can do your best to help him, perhaps you can also eliminate the malpractices of recent years, which is also my wish."

If you have a boss who gives you free rein, even if you constantly disagree with them, you'll still be willing to do your best. At the national level, it's even more important not to personalize things. Such opportunities to fully utilize one's abilities mean that even if you were in the opposition in the past, you'd put aside those past opinions.

As for the long-standing problems in Russia, Solovyov and Karamzin, both of whom were in the court and had their own historical views, Solovyov was usually in the army or serving as governor-general, and even went on a mission to the Qing Dynasty, so this debate never had a chance to begin.

Moreover, Karamzin was older, and although he held the title of court historian, he was overwhelmed by Solovyov's views and power on every level.

Therefore, the outcome was already decided before the game even began.

Without Karamzin's discourse on Russian history, there would naturally be less resistance.

After all, Solovyov was closer to the monarch in every sense. He even taught the next monarch, and when the next monarch was still in his arms, his wife often had to breastfeed him. With these attributes of being a close and capable minister, as long as he didn't become an arrogant and domineering power minister, he could be said to be an invincible presence in the court.

"Your Majesty, if you put it that way, I am also willing to gradually eliminate the malpractices of the past."

“As expected of you, Mishka. You’ve been in the court for almost thirty years, and I’ve never seen you make such a promise as others, but the results you get are always much better than theirs.”

Nonsense. Russian nobles who make promises and guarantees are just trying to curry favor with the Tsar. There are plenty of people who can flatter, but very few who can actually get things done.

Even when Alexander felt he might not make it, and when his worries about himself, his hopes for the next Tsar, and the expectations and demands of his trusted minister Solovyov were all laid bare, he still spoke in such a lukewarm manner, never making any guarantees.

Considering the night Paul was assassinated, it was Solovyov who made a decisive analysis, while Alexander himself was acting. It can be said that things haven't changed in over twenty years.

Although Alexander said these words, he was still paying attention to Solovyov's attitude.

Of course, he wouldn't create a knife-wielding axeman or anything like that; not only did Taganrog not have the means, but such an approach would be laughable.

Alexander still had many things to say, but he also felt somewhat exhausted. The damage caused by the illness prevented him from being as energetic as he had been even half a month ago.

"Your Majesty, is there anything else you would like to say?"

"I've already prepared the edict, abdicating the throne to Nicholas. The original is kept by the Patriarch of Moscow, and it will be announced in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. I also have a copy, which Volkonsky will show you later. Given my current health, recovery is a pipe dream, so let's clear things up here. You always say Alexander the Great didn't properly arrange his affairs after his death; that's because he fantasized about being a god from the beginning. How can a human become a god? Do your job well; Nicholas still needs you, and he trusts you completely. Alright, that's all for today. If anything comes up, I'll have my attendant summon you."

After Solovyov left, Alexander summoned several of his high-ranking attendants and gave them some minor instructions, as well as instructions to send someone from Taganrog to St. Petersburg should anything happen.

But he didn't say a word about the secret society's activities, since he had received intelligence that these people might take action, but that wouldn't happen until next year.

Alexander could not have imagined that he would contract the disease so quickly and become critically ill. The Northern and Southern Associations were even less aware of this, and the news was likely delayed.

Only Solovyov knew that there might be a hasty uprising, but he could not voice this inference, otherwise his advice to these young people and his choice of Konovnitsyn as his eldest daughter's fiancé would be inextricably linked to this.

There are precedents in Western history, and there is even a typical example in the late Roman Republic. The informant action before the Italian League Wars made it impossible for the tribunes of the time to clear their connection with the Italian allies.

Solovyov was always cautious; even though he had already secured the chips, he was determined to bet everything at the most opportune moment.

His personality isn't suited to be a gambler; instead, he's been observing the market trends.

Alexander began to drift in and out of consciousness that evening, and his condition did not improve. Solovyov's medical team was well-staffed and was now doing everything they could to keep the Tsar alive. The longer he remained conscious, the better his chances of recovery.

However, Solovyov also discussed the Tsar's condition with the doctors in the Governor's Palace that evening.

At least in the presence of two of the Tsar's confidants, these doctors were able to give a conclusion.

According to Russian historical records, the Tsar's condition is unlikely to allow him to survive the rest of the month.

Solovyov thought that even if hormones were administered according to the Gregorian calendar, it would be very difficult.

The Tsar's lifespan was already counting down at this point.

And now, all arrangements depend on the ministers around them.

As for the next steps, they will need to be reported to St. Petersburg so that Arakcheyev and the royal family can be informed as soon as possible. (End of Chapter)