Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

When Mrs. Solovieu arrived in Antwerp, she unexpectedly met a man named Mr. Carnot, one of the founders of the French Republican Army, who once armed hundreds of thousands of troops in a short period of time.

This man had some contacts with Napoleon, but because Napoleon wanted to become emperor, he, as a representative of the Republicans, even leaned to the left on the political spectrum and withdrew from political life at that time.

"I have heard about your story, but you came back at the most critical moment. It's just that it's a bit of a waste of talent to defend a port like Antwerp."

"It is your opinion that France is in danger, and that is why we are here."

"But the Americans should have started negotiations. Although General Moreau was able to achieve some victories, his war situation in America is just like the war in 1813, and the combat effectiveness of the US military is just so-so. With the ports blocked and only a few warships and privateers able to go out, this war will probably end in vain."

"I also heard that the British are negotiating with the Americans in Ghent. The war should be over."

"There is just one problem. The speed at which this news reaches America will be very slow. In some places, the ceasefire can only be achieved after the peace treaty takes effect."

"I know you have done some research on optical communications. Is there a better way?"

"There should be, Mr. Carnot. But it's beyond my ability. Perhaps a genius will emerge from the École Polytechnique to accomplish this feat. Or maybe it will be someone else. Their breakthrough in physics will surely bring about a leap forward."

"Count, you are Josephine's nephew, right?"

"Yes, though because my stepmother was Aunt Josephine's cousin, she might have been called Rose."

"You also know that Napoleon packaged your aunt, right?"

"I've heard that sometimes some rulers, whether they are consuls in a republic or monarchs in an autocratic country, like to provide themselves with a certain degree of political legitimacy. Monarchs may come up with the divine right of kings, while republics may have a different situation, with a protector like Cromwell, or something else, or an elected monarch. But there is no Cincinnatus who gave up his political rights. It would be good if the dictator could do what Sulla did, but he killed too many people."

"What would you do if it were you?"

"Me? Fortunately, I am just a Russian general, a noble of moderate status. Marius and Sulla were both too bloodthirsty. In fact, the Jacobins who were guillotined at that time were not the leaders. If the real opposition, the degenerate Thermidorians and some of them were sent to the guillotine and their leaders were destroyed, Robespierre himself might not have to go to the guillotine."

"It's surprising. I thought you were a conservative noble, or at least neutral. I didn't expect you to be like Count Stroganov, or even more radical than him."

"But I don't want to do that. I have a wife and children. The current environment in Russia is not conducive to revolution. Instead, we should gradually reform to solve the problem."

"You are indeed very clear-headed, unlike others. But you love your wife, and you also like Madame Recamier, and some other ladies. I even heard that you are with Paulina."

"Ah, that's it. Maybe I'm not very good at saying no, if..."

Solovyov spoke like this today because he felt that Kano was a friend with whom he could talk about anything, so he talked more.

He didn't notice that Mihrima had listened at all, and the girl knew what her master's weakness was.

If there is a beautiful woman around and both of them are able to like each other, he will never reject the other party.

After getting married, Solovyov became much more stable in this regard. At least, except for the time with Maria in the Palace of Versailles, he never had any new people.

In fact, his relationship with Maria in the palace was not as ambiguous as that between Catherine and his deceased friend Mikhail Dolgorukov. This was also because he was avoiding Maria and was always blocked at the door and forced to work illegally.

Of course, Maria was still young at the time and didn't know much. Even after she got married, she was still like this, and nothing happened.
Therefore, there was no way to hide, but at that time Mihlima was still a little girl abducted by the Serbian warlord and did not know any of this.

Solovyov has also kept the affair between Louisa and Maria a secret. Although revealing it would not be fatal, it might affect his future.

But look at Czartoryski, he is about to elope with Louisa.

For the sake of her family, Louisa would not consider her seven daughters and adopted daughter, the daughter of Natalia Golitsyna (née Shakhovskaya), and she would also reject the Polish prince's reckless behavior.

Of course, in the end it just brought some laughs to everyone.

Although Czartoryski did this, he was a close friend of the Tsar and a former foreign minister, so naturally no one would do anything to him.

In fact, Solovyov does not need to worry about himself, because he is the son-in-law of the Dolgorukov family. If he were not too young, he would have been a general now according to his military achievements.

As for the battles he fought along the way, including his escape from Reims with Napoleon despite having similar forces, Alexander would not do anything to him. He was much more useful than Czartoryski.

"You are surprisingly frank."

"It's mainly for my friends. Many of my friends are gone now. Among the aides-de-camp who served with the Emperor, I am the only one who has a good career now and has become a general. Of course, Peter Volkonsky who served with the Emperor was already an aide-de-camp when I became an aide-de-camp, and he is also the nephew of my benefactor."

"You are a man of loyalty, and you are the same to ladies. I know why Madame Recamier likes you. She likes you because you are so frank. She doesn't like those cunning guys."

“But in Paris, many people have a second face.”

"That's true. That's why I don't want to return to political life, but now in France."

"Would you like to believe that Louis XVIII would not be sitting on this powder keg for long?"

"I have this feeling, but I don't know what will happen."

"Because during his reign, he always did things that were contrary to the norm. This will bring a lot of problems to France. Although I told you that it might be a leak of secrets, we are far away from spies here, so nothing will happen."

After listening to this, Kano also knew that Solovyov was definitely going to make a big fuss about some issue.

Solovyov did this because of Kano's political inclinations. He did not like speculators and ambitious people, but rather people with principles.

Strangely, this was the family’s position until Kano’s grandson, President Kano.

"What is it you want to say?"

"The Count of Artois will definitely take action to retaliate. First, the property will be divided, then those who betrayed the Bourbon royal family, including those who agreed to execute the king. Any of these three actions will be a dangerous signal that will cause Paris and even the provinces to explode."

"That sounds like something the Count of Artois would do."

"As for the future, when we cut costs, cut civil servants, and let the military only get half pay, things will go wrong. Then, we will have to return some taxes."

"It seems that you have done a very detailed study of France."

"And the current attitude of French bankers. If they do something else, such as a misjudgment, the financial market will be in chaos. At this time, someone will definitely take action."

"What will happen then?"

"That's not possible."

So much for the spoilers Solovyov gave to Kano.

But Carnot was a smart man. He knew the positions of various factions in France, and he would not even be surprised if Bonaparte came back one day or a republican general came to power.

You know, although Bonaparte went to Elba, Moreau was in the United States, and some of the past celebrities had not left the stage, and even some of the celebrities.
Anyway, this is probably how it is in France. Who knows what might happen.

But on the way back to the residence, Mihrima was no longer as submissive as usual and started to act a little bit like a spoiled child.

"Master, should we go to the jewelry store to have a look?" "Girl, why did you think of this today?"

"Although you and your wife gave me a lot of jewelry, but..."

"It's a good thing to know how to dress yourself up. I'll take you there."

Katya's purpose of sending her here was quite strange. She was not unaware that she was a greedy fox, especially since Mihrima was prettier than when she was a child, and would be even prettier when she grew up.

Because now in my father-in-law's family, before Prince Vasily the Younger can obtain a higher official position, it will probably be me, the son-in-law, who will be the pillar of the family.

Katya, on the other hand, doesn't care much about her former mistresses and is even somewhat tolerant of them.

If I were to arrange this girl for myself.
It wasn't that Solovyov was unaware of it. After all, he was the one who picked up the child and raised him, and treated him as a family member.

It's just that Adela has her own consciousness, and their relationship does develop in the direction of brother and sister. In the end, she is given a husband who is pretty good except for his age.

But this girl finally figured it out now.

Maybe it was because she accidentally heard me mentioning women to Kano before.

"Master, I am willing to serve you forever."

"I know, but what about this necklace?"

Put it on her, this neck looks so beautiful for a girl.

She is probably more beautiful than Katya was at this age. There are many beautiful women around the Mediterranean.

"It's very suitable, but master, this may be very expensive."

"This is nothing compared to the money I spent on Madame Recamier before."

Although the lady had some money of her own, and spent it like water, so much so that Solovyov was worried that she would spend it all in Paris, so he made some other arrangements.

"It's still too expensive, Master."

This girl is more sensible. After all, she has seen so many bloody environments since she was a child, and she is still very strong inside.

"It doesn't matter, it's just a necklace. It's just..."

Solovyov recalled some things again. Isn’t Antwerp a place where diamonds are processed and distributed?

He himself didn't like diamonds, and even Katya was surprised by this.

But there were other jewels, and he saw a ruby ​​ring that was indeed big enough.

"Lima, what do you think of this?"

"Master, are you going to give it to the lady?"

This little girl probably noticed before that there were always various kinds of rubies in Katya's jewelry box, and Katya should have told her about it.

"That's it"

"Madam won't refuse."

Although Katya's life was simple compared to others, she was a lady from a special prince's family after all. She was the queen's maid before she got married, and her husband was a favorite of the tsar.

It's worth spending the money.

But Solovyov was not sure about Mihlima. What did his wife mean by sending this girl?

It was not until she took a bath and returned to the servants' room in the evening that Solovyov could not help but ask.

"Madam is also worried that some woman might take a fancy to you when you are out."

"Uh, am I that attractive to women?"

"Although, according to what Madame said, your situation is far worse than that of Prince Kurakin, Madame Recamier also said that you have this problem."

"But you."

"I am willing to stay with you forever, and Madam has allowed me to do so. And you said so yourself."

"Girl, I know you heard it, but I didn't expect it."

"Please help me unbutton my clothes. I can't reach the back of my skirt."

This girl pretended to be clumsy, but in fact her slender white arms were able to touch the small hook. This girl's flexibility was comparable to Katya's.

But the greedy fox Solovyov never misses such an opportunity.

After he helped his maid to undress, there was only a layer of intelligence silk inside.

Speaking of which, this girl is really amazing.

"Master, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, you are getting more beautiful."

"I am willing to serve you and my wife. You are so kind to me. That's it..."

"Just what?"

"nothing."

This girl is really awkward. She is now acting coy again, but this has hit Solovyov's weakness.

"Look at the moonlight. It's so beautiful."

The candles were extinguished, and Solovyov was now able to transform from a greedy fox into a big bad wolf.

If I go back, I don’t know what Katya will say.

According to the tacit understanding between husband and wife, Solovyov was not afraid of his wife, but he still felt something was wrong. (End of this chapter)