Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Solovyov met with several more people, all of whom were officers of the Guards, but he did not go to see Battenkov.

"My lord, this is the Emperor's order. He is not allowed to see anyone, but he is permitted to have freedom of movement within the prison, and even the freedom to write."

"Alright then, I know His Majesty will probably set up a review committee and review them later."

The committee was headed by the Minister of War, and Solovyov did not hold any actual position at the time; he was just there to observe.

Not long ago, several people committed suicide or died of illness, which is normal.

After all, before the committee comes to review it, it's inevitable that a few people will have taken the Great Memory Restoration Technique.

Or rather, given the harsh environment here, the food isn't very good.

Even someone like Solovyov, who could eat anything as long as it wouldn't upset his stomach during a march, was astonished by the food here.

After returning to St. Petersburg, he did not forget to make this request to Nikolai.

"If that's the case, then their treatment could be improved."

"In addition, I think this time we can restructure the Russian-American company and make the American territory part of Russia, which will be very important to Russia in the future."

"You had this idea back when Father Emperor was still alive, didn't you?"

“We were here back then, in this hunting lodge. Prince Alexander Golitzen was also a high-ranking attendant at the time. We came up from the ranks of attendants together, but later became generals, and I was the only one.”

Solovyov could still recall that back then, Paul was always thinking about matchmaking, but only Prince Golitsyn had questionable sexual orientation. He himself was younger and not in a hurry in this regard, so he escaped a disaster.

Moreover, at that time, Paul also dealt with the petitions of the Aleuts, requesting improvements to their treatment.

“If we send them to America, that would be one way, as you mentioned before.”

"The tribes there must be very interesting, but unfortunately I don't have time to go there now. If I could, I would even like to experience that wildness and desolation."

"Perhaps after we resolve some issues, you will have the opportunity to visit."

Solovyov's last run ended in Mexico City, without going to Rosberg.

But Rosberg's plans were all carried out according to his plan.

The Mexicans had no intention of provoking Rosberg, because the Russians were simply too strong.

This is a common practice on both sides of the Atlantic; even the British didn't always want to provoke Russia.

"There's something else that I'm even more worried about."

"Your Majesty, what is it?"

When Solovyov saw Nikolai's expression, although he seemed relaxed, it was as if he was in some kind of trouble.

“You know that after Griboyedov was investigated, I sent people to Tehran to negotiate the territorial dispute with the Shah of Persia. We were willing to cede some border land and withdraw from the disputed areas in exchange for peace. However, the Shah himself rejected this proposal and detained our envoy.”

The person sent was Menshikov, a descendant of the old benefactor of the Solovyov family, a minister whom Nikolai trusted, but who was an absolute fool in every respect.

But this time it really can't be blamed on Menshikov. He was detained when he went to Tehran, and the Persian army used its far larger garrison along the border to control some disputed areas.

Because of Osterman Tolstoy and Yermolov's involvement in the Senate Square incident, and with some generals currently under investigation, Nikolai decided to send Paskovich to the Caucasus Legion to oversee military affairs there.

While the Russian troops were handing over responsibilities and regrouping in the rear, the Persians launched an attack on the front lines.

Not only did they tear up the 1813 treaty between the two sides, the Persians this time didn't even give Britain any face.

The British ambassador to Persia was ordered to avoid conflict between Russia and Persia as much as possible. All indications suggested that Russia's army on the northern coast of the Black Sea and in the Caucasus had been strengthened. Solovyov's military reforms were effective because he had learned various military skills from Suvorov, Napoleon and Archduke Charles, and strengthened them with the doctrines of Frederick the Great personally passed down by the Duke of Brunswick. He had abolished the whip and used new ideological education to create a new army.

In modern armies, this is already considered the pinnacle. The only drawback is that Russian soldiers are often illiterate, and new recruits often need intensive literacy training.

Such an army, which was smaller and less capable of command than Napoleon's Grand Army, never had a fully-fledged staff. When he partnered with Clausewitz, both of them were still developing, and the latter was in the Prussian army at the time.

Solovyov himself is more strategic, and in terms of decisiveness, he is comparable to Archduke Karl, but not as decisive as his master and uncle. Although he can be said to be the strongest commander in Europe now, he also has some shortcomings, and these shortcomings were pointed out by his master early on.

Because of the reinforced legions, the British were even more cautious, protecting Menshikov through their ambassador in Tehran and also alerting the Shah of Persia.

It seemed better to agree to the Russians' conditions at this time, and the British knew that Russia was strengthening its power, and they had even studied Nicholas's character.

Although Nikolai, whom Solovyov had improved, had made considerable progress, he still treated some things as missions and even took some things for granted.

The gentlemen of Whitehall now hope that Russia will create trouble for itself and offend all countries except France and Prussia at some point in the future, so that they may have a chance to attack from several directions.

Even Britain could easily win over Prussia traditionally, which would then put France and Russia in a pincer movement. Although Catherine was closer to her two elder brothers, she might not be so close to her younger brother. Moreover, she also had to consider her son's throne, so her family in Russia was secondary.

Thus, the confrontation between Russia and Britain on the European continent will likely continue for quite some time, and the British particularly enjoy a chaotic Europe.

However, the pieces below sometimes overestimate their abilities.

Although the Shah of Persia was able to agree to release Menshikov, the Persian army was active on the front lines.

“But the Persian army will not win. They always have some problems with their minds. Although there are 8 men against 4 on the front line, Paskovich may lack strategy, but he is a brave man. The brothers are enough to deal with these enemies.”

"So, what should we do?"

"Wait for the right moment, then prepare to retaliate. I think you should let me go back, Your Majesty."

"No, it's not the right time yet." Nikolai kept Solovyov in St. Petersburg to stabilize morale. Although Miloradovich's injury was not enough to cripple him, the Tsar himself had granted him permission to leave his post as Governor of St. Petersburg.

Solovyov has now become the military governor of St. Petersburg, and his purpose here is quite clear.

As for the Persian Shahs, they were easier experience points to gain than the Ottoman Sultans, often having two or even three times the number of troops. Despite their numerical advantage, they couldn't fight many battles, and the numbers might even be inflated, since this often happened along the Danube.

Nikolai did indeed need to make arrangements, and it seemed that arrangements were being made for his military service in the Caucasus.

In that case, these prisoners of the Peter and Paul Fortress wouldn't require much explanation from Solovyov.

What will become of their wives and loved ones in the future?

After the French girl returned, Katya kept asking her about the latest fashionable hats in Paris, and also inquired about Mrs. Récamier's situation there.

Well, Katya and his wife had a good relationship, probably partly because of the checkbook his wife gave Solovyov, and because they got along well.

"Madam, that's how it is."

"Don't worry, Mishka always has a way. He'll be able to see His Majesty, and he certainly won't exile people to Siberia. Someone from our family has already served there, and life there isn't easy."

"Katya, let's not talk about this. Vasily has been there. It's not too bad at the border, but it gets more troublesome over time."

Solovyov was unwilling to go to these cold places. No matter how much Siberia was developed, it could probably only be developed in the area near the Ural Mountains; other places would not be able to.

“Miss, as for you, I have already taken you to see Annenkov. From now on, much of what happens will depend on you. I am not a member of the committee, and although Mr. Speransky, who is in charge of the trial, is my brother-in-law, he can only prevent your dear friend from going to Siberia. Hard labor and exile are inevitable, but I don’t know where you will be assigned in the end. If it is America, that would be better. There are French-populated cities in Russian territory there, and perhaps you can follow him there.”

“I’m willing to go with Ivan.”

"That's good. I'm now the military governor of St. Petersburg, and I'll arrange for the Emperor to inspect the exercises. The verdict will probably be announced around summer. Take the petition to the Winter Palace then. My son is always by the Emperor's side; he usually serves as a guard officer and is responsible for submitting petitions. He's like me, a bit tall and thin, with green eyes. He'll help you then."

"Sir, thank you for your help."

"Annenkov's mother was an old lady I wouldn't dare to mess with. Of course, there are quite a few old ladies in St. Petersburg who are not easy to mess with, and I might be even more 'bully' at home."

What does "bully at home" mean?

"that is."

Katya had just asked a question when she thought of something else. It seemed that the older aunt who had married into the Mushin-Pushkin family was the more difficult one to deal with. Solovyov wasn't afraid of her, probably because he was giving Polina's mother-in-law a way out.

Therefore, she didn't respond to that topic and instead started talking about new fashion trends.

And she was ready to spend money; she wanted all the trendy things now, after all, she was in her early thirties, which was the most charming time for a lady of leisure.

After having her seventh child, she did gain some weight, but her figure was still quite good for a wealthy woman of her age.

Therefore, she always orders new clothes and places orders with artisans, which can probably stimulate the economy. Nowadays, it is always these wealthy nobles who can drive demand in the luxury goods and clothing industry.

The situation of urban residents and serfs was extremely polarized. Some people might have some property due to the protection of their masters or their own businesses, but most people were poor in the city and could barely afford the rent, while those in the countryside were exploited and oppressed.

Solovyov was on the side of the nobility at this time, and he could only improve the treatment of citizens and serfs through changes in his own household and the area where he served.

Reforming and abolishing serfdom is important, but many other things need to be addressed.

Nicholas had just become Tsar, and it was necessary to let him settle in first. The Persians came up and caused trouble right away, so it was natural to deal with them.

However, Nikolai has decided that Paskovich will be in charge of the south, Arkady will go to the Americas, Essen will be in charge of Orenburg and Central Asia, and he himself will probably go to the Danube.

I went to the Danube River again, from Bucharest all the way to Constantinople.

However, the Ottoman Empire's actions at this point were not yet so dire, and Nicholas would not fight on two fronts simultaneously unless some changes led him to make a decision.

"I should get some rest too. There's nothing much going on in St. Petersburg right now, except for a lock called Solovyov that keeps some unsettling factors locked inside."

By spring, the Black Sea Fleet had already set sail, with the battleship "Azov" already departing. This was Lazarev's first battleship, and he himself could not have imagined that a full-fledged crew was on board.

After spring, things should probably get better.

But Louisa was still in the south, and she was to set off to return to St. Petersburg in the spring.

Judging from her letter, her health was very poor, and she couldn't even withstand a bumpy ride.

Fortunately, the journey from Taganrog to Kharkiv is not very fast, and Pierre's railway extends there, allowing her to travel from Kharkiv to Moscow relatively quickly.

The Empress Dowager showed some concern for her daughter-in-law's situation, as she was about to travel to Moscow.

Solovyov suddenly remembered something: Luisa had died in 1826.

If they had time, these two old lovers, who had such deep emotional ties in the past, might have been able to meet again and spend one last moment together.

Besides Louisa's letters, Solovyov also had the doctor's pulse diagnosis and medical records, which he could understand to some extent.

Given the current situation, it would be quite an achievement for Louisa to even manage to return to St. Petersburg; her health condition...
That year, Solovyov also had some bad premonitions, because Queen Louise had held on until her eldest daughter got married.

Alexander is no longer here, and Louisa's return is probably due to a mother's lingering attachment to her two daughters who are still at home.

1826 seemed destined to be a year of calamities. (End of Chapter)