Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 109 009 Deer Hunter in a Leather Hat
The British racked their brains but could not think of any way to make money from the Qing Dynasty and get opium over. Whether Russia went to Kyakhta or Guangzhou, at least it could make money and buy suitable things.

In Kyakhta, barter trade was practiced, while the Russians went to Guangzhou, where the Thirteen Factories also took their work. They found that Chinese merchants praised the quality of sea otter skins, and thus found a new channel for the fur business.

However, at that time the number of sea otters was still large, and with the Russians' extensive management, except for the unfortunate Steller's Sea Otter, which was at the lowest point of the species, I have never heard of any species that could be wiped out so thoroughly by them in a short period of time.

Even in terms of animal extinction, the Russians are no match for some Western European colonists, nor for the Americans. After all, an oil spill can kill thousands of sea otters, and the Russians' killing may be just a drop in the bucket for a sea otter population of hundreds of thousands to three hundred thousand.

You have to know that the Russians also have Eastern cunning. Their fur business is not only about the warmest sea otter skin, but also various furs from Siberia to Alaska. There are still many varieties. Just providing a certain amount of sea otter skin can also make profits far beyond expectations.

Besides, the number of hunters of the Russian-American Company is really limited. Even if you ask them to hunt by the thousands, they will not be able to catch them in time, and they will be easily attacked by the chieftains of the nearby indigenous tribes. Some people say that Russian fur hunters are so cruel, but you only see the thieves stealing things, but you don’t see the thieves being beaten. In fact, Russian colonists were defeated by local tribes many times.

The ones with the greatest destructive power may be the Americans, they have sold people!

During today's outing, Tsar Paul was very happy after hearing about the horse racing competition among these young officers. At least among the Guards, there were still young officers who wanted to prove their bravery.

So the reward he took out was some fur hats. The most precious otter fur hat was given to Count von Paaren. One was for himself, and the other was obviously a women's fur hat. The meaning was self-evident.

Solovyov received a bearskin cap of the Guards Grenadiers.

"This is just right. Last year during the Battle of Trebbia, my hat was chopped off by the French soldiers. I just happened to have a new one."

Although he stumbled, he still managed to get fourth place. The main reason was that he was chasing the three in front of him, leaving the ones behind far behind, which was enough for him to pull the horse out and slowly cross the finish line.

As for the rest of the people, Tsar Paul was also particularly generous and gave each of them rewards.

As for the otter fur hat, which also came with a women's hat, Solovyov probably thought of the Tsar himself. This was a mischievous attitude, and he sometimes did not play by the rules.

Of course, the "little fairy" who was squatting on the door of the carriage and crying had cried so much that her eyes became peach blossoms. She would not respond if asked, and she would not fight back like usual if pulled.

"What's going on here?"

If anyone knew about this drama, only Solovyov would be the one to sigh.

The Countess would not tell him that her sister Maria had already accepted Count von Paalen's proposal a day ago. As for the wedding, it would be of no use even if the Countess and Count Lita objected.

The Tsar himself acquiesced to this kind of "free love", although he preferred to designate the marriages of his close confidants.

And we can also see today that because the wind was strong, this girl took out the otter shawl that was given to her, and it really has a good warmth-keeping effect.

"Kadis, don't cry like that. Think about the spring, the vitality and the blooming of all things. You should feel happy!"

After hearing this, she cried even harder, grabbed Solovyov's uniform jacket and began to wipe her tears, leaving her hood in the car.

She cried so hard, and I knew what was going on. However, Countess Maria did not come to comfort her sister. Although the relationship between the sisters cannot be said to be bad, after the news was revealed, as rivals in love, their relationship would not be very good for a while.

Elena could do nothing about watching her companion crying, so she winked at Solovyov and asked him to get into the carriage nearby.

Solovyov knew something about Count Pavel von Paalen from social circles, but the situation progressed so quickly, and it was indeed rare for two sisters to be jealous of each other for a young cavalry general.

"Don't mind me, Misha. In a few days I shall be the laughing stock of all Petersburg."

"I know, but you should also put yourself in their shoes. What you like may not necessarily be suitable for you. When the other party knows that you sisters have written letters, he also has the right to choose. Just like when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince got married, he didn't just have one marriage partner ready."

"I don't care, I'm already a joke. Give me your gun, I won't live anymore." After saying that, she reached out to touch Solovyov's revolver. It was unknown whether she really wanted to commit suicide or was just joking.

"If you use a gun to smash your own head, or shoot a big hole in your chest with your heart, it will not look good when you die. It will be troublesome for us to collect your body, and your brains and bones will be exploded everywhere." Solovyov's gun was not loaded when he was not on duty, so it was useless to take it, but he had to stop her from making trouble.

Solovyov knew that this girl loved to show off. If she knew that this way of dying would not be pretty and would cause great damage to the beautiful body that she was so proud of, she would calm down and stop making trouble.

Of course, this method of dissuading suicide is indeed outrageous. Solovyov has killed people and seen many people being killed during the year he went out, so he can be said to be very familiar with this kind of identification.

Moreover, when he saw the little goblin touching her cheek, then her chest, and then hugging his shoulders and continuing to cry, he knew that this half-grown little girl had a very poor ability to endure. When she grew up a little, her psychological endurance would be much better.

In addition, it is the feeling of having our bodies pressed together. I didn't expect that this petite girl has such big breasts, which are soft and elastic. This is something she particularly deserves to show off, just like her beautiful shoulders.

"If you think crying it all out will make you feel better, then go ahead and cry."

Of course, everyone present knew that these two were even less compatible. If the tall and mighty little Count Palen was a good match for the two sisters, and they had to make a choice, then Major Solovyov, who was quick-witted and calm, and busy with his career all day, was not so compatible with Countess Ekaterina Skafronskaya. This girl liked men who were full of security, and her mind was full of romantic love. She was just embarrassing herself in front of the royal family and her distant cousins ​​by hugging the major and crying.

"Well, don't cry anymore. The emperor is going to hunt in the spring. He wants to hunt stags. I will come back from hunting a deer and roast the venison for you to eat."

This girl also has a bad habit, which is being greedy. When she heard that there was venison to eat, she finally stopped crying.

Female deer are not hunted in the spring because it involves the reproduction of the deer herd.

The young officers who came to participate in the deer hunting were all aware of this. They had to rely on their luck when searching in such a large forest.

Solovyov happened to be in the same group with the cavalry major general, and he did ask this question.

"I like both of them, but if I have to choose, I choose Maria. She is obviously more mature. Katya, she is still a child, a little fat cat. And have you ever had that kind of experience?"

"When I was in Italy, I had one with a noble lady from Milan."

"As far as I know, although Katya likes to flirt, she has no experience in this area. She is actually a pure and silly girl. She should be worthy of a man of noble character, so that the whole world will envy this gentleman for having such a beautiful wife."

This was the earl's idea, but it was completely off the topic, and he didn't know what the girl's future would be like.

The Count was obviously very experienced in matters between men and women, and he was always with Maria.

Solovyov shook his head and knew why the "little goblin" lost.

Of course, the two of them continued to move forward with their hunting rifles. These guns were made by the Tula Arsenal according to the needs of the royal family. Therefore, based on Solovyov's original design, there were some improvements in appearance, which looked very gorgeous. However, it was good to use the guns smoothly. The count found a stag. Judging from the speed of the horns, it should be a good deer.

"Misha, are you going to hit me or am I going to hit you?"

"You go first, Count, although I promised Katya that I would hunt deer for her and roast her meat for her to eat."

"You and her are more like siblings or good friends, which is not very suitable. In the future, she will look for love and long to be loved, but I don't know if she can find it."

This count should be a good brother-in-law. After proposing to Countess Maria, he began to worry about his sister-in-law.

"Why do you say that?"

"Your marksmanship at the shooting range must be better than mine, so you should come."

"OK then!"

The hunting rifle Solovyov used was a carbine that had been sawed off a section. According to his shooting experience, it was much easier to hunt deer with this rifle than to engage in a firefight with the enemy on the battlefield. At least he didn't have to worry about being shot to death.

As for this shot, he didn't hit the head. He was afraid of damaging the antlers, so he aimed at the spine.

Since the deer was behind a big tree, it would not instinctively anticipate such danger.

With the sound of a gunshot, many birds were startled, especially the sparrows and crows that lived here in winter.

After being shot, the deer started spinning in place and kicking its legs, which was a sign that its spine was broken.

"Good marksmanship, you are indeed a good hunter."

The count was a straightforward man. After he rode over, he saw that the deer was not completely dead yet and was still struggling.

"If you want deer blood, you have to get fresh blood. I have leather bags and jars on my saddle, but they can't hold much."

"Yes, I hope the hunters sent by the emperor can come soon."

This guy is also planning to make more, but please note that pregnant women should not use it.

It wasn't just them who had hunted. Paul wanted to hunt deer, but it wouldn't be surprising if he hunted something else, such as a wolf or a wild boar. But in comparison, deer were more suitable.

The situation of the Dolgorukov brothers was similar, but they hunted - roe deer.

Today, when we went to the hunting cabin to eat barbecue, the side dishes were quite complete.

"What a big deer, Pasha! You are big and strong. If it weren't for you, the little hunter wouldn't be able to drag the prey back."

Although Solovyov was a little taller, he was still shorter than these guards.

"We have to thank Count Palen. We also released a lot of deer blood. There are many treasures on the deer."

As for the fresh venison, after cutting it, several officers roasted it directly over the fire with hunting knives or rapiers. Unlike Solovyov, after opening the luggage roll, there were many tools and seasonings inside.

"You have brought the kitchen here, Major."

Solovyov did not feel too proud of what the female officer said;

"To eat well, you have to be well prepared. There are grills and iron plates here."

Although he has a good appetite, he cannot eat food that is medium-rare or medium-well cooked, as he feels that it is unhygienic.

Such a large piece of venison leg was roasted quickly. He cut it into small pieces with a hunting knife, added sweet peppers and cabbage, and served it on a plate to the women.

"Don't you want to eat it yourself?"

“I like to eat my tenderloin fried in oil, coated in a little flour first.”

At the dining table, Paul and Alexander were still discussing the interesting things that happened during today's trip, and their discussion was not interrupted by venison.

"These young people are really interesting. What are they doing over there?"

"Father, they roasted and ate the meat at the same time. What they served us were all large pieces of meat that had been cut into pieces. How do you think it tastes?"

“Very good, but a bit spicy”

"Your Majesty, it is pepper powder."

Paul must be intolerant to spicy food, and Russians mainly eat sweet peppers on a daily basis. Although this kind of chili powder is used, they will not sprinkle so much.

But the young people all thought it was a good idea, especially the growing girls, who were in a critical developmental period. The queen herself began to feel a little lack of manners when she saw Maria and Catherine eating.

"I never saw you two kittens like this when I was in the palace."

Of course, she also knew that Paul's arrangements in the palace, when the family had dinner together, although not so many requirements for the female members, were not rich or lacked novelty.

Today, not only her own daughters are here, but also the maids from noble families. This is Russia, which is somewhat different from the German court.

"They are like this only twice a year when they come to the hunting grounds in Pavlovsk. But it's okay. Although the social activities in Petersburg are enjoyable, coming to the hunting grounds or the countryside can also escape the depressing city life."

The Queen had this attitude, and the Tsar himself thought so too. Apart from social activities in St. Petersburg, things were not relaxing.

(End of this chapter)