Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 152 009 The conspiracy is about to surface
In late February of the Julian calendar, Count von Paaren was officially appointed and returned to serve as minister.

Unexpectedly, Count Rostopchin was dismissed from his post as director of the Diplomatic Academy because of his slow progress and failure to complete the final text of the peace agreement with France in time.

Count von Paaren was overjoyed at this time. Many of the things he did were successful. Especially his position as Minister of Posts. He could see all the letters as long as they were not delivered privately, which allowed him to spy on what everyone was doing.

It was even possible to frame Paul based on the information obtained and exclude those senior ministers who were still loyal to him.

However, there were a few people he found difficult to deal with. One was Kutuzov, who often went to the palace to play cards with the Tsar. This general never left any written letters. He only ever chatted with Paul, so there was definitely no written evidence.

"This fat man who is blind in one eye has never been ruled out. The tyrant trusts him very much and has transferred him back from the post of Governor-General of Lithuania to serve as the commander of the Vyborg garrison."

"But none of them are from his side, at least not from our side. They are very cunning."

Count von Paalen listened to Count Zubov's words and agreed with them. After all, among these people, this Count was the one who had a close relationship with Kutuzov.

But Kutuzov was actually very loyal and would not join in these conspiracies. He was also very tactful. Paul had assigned him many tasks, and generally he did a good job, so he was promoted all the way.

It is said that this old, blind, sleepy fat man will soon become the military governor of St. Petersburg, with the power to govern troops other than the regular army of St. Petersburg and Vyborg.

"So can we win him over?"

"This old guy, he won't get involved. And we must also pay attention, he has a good relationship with Rostopchin, and he has several regiments of troops under his command. If we don't act fast enough..."

"Don't worry, Count. The tyrant won't have time to mobilize the troops outside the city, and these people won't be able to play any role."

Indeed, although Count von Paalen's plan was hasty, it was still relatively feasible. After mobilizing a large number of Guards officers, he would be able to place his own people in place, and replace the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the Semenovsky Regiment and the 4th Battalion of the Putin Regiment, who were under their better control, without their knowledge.

Even the excuses have been thought of. Although such a plan looks childish and ridiculous, it is highly feasible.

The matter of Kutuzov being appointed as the military governor of St. Petersburg has also been put on the agenda, but it is unlikely that he will be appointed immediately. The current governor is Count von Paalen.

In fact, Solovyov couldn't understand it. It sounded like Xiao Duozi was going to rebel against the emperor. The composition of the Chinese imperial power and the Russian imperial power were somewhat different, but it always seemed outrageous that these close ministers who benefited greatly were carrying out a widespread conspiracy.

Moreover, they also think that they are righteous. However, judging from Alexander's style, it would be difficult to use such a group of people who dare to kill the king with confidence in the future.

Wouldn't it be more convenient for these greedy fools to simply kill all the royal family members and ascend the throne themselves?

After all, the Russian royal family had been small before. If Paul and Maria had not given birth to so many children, there might have been a succession crisis soon, and it would not be surprising if Boris Godunov appeared again.

The result for them will probably be that most of them will be transferred out or exiled, and they will not accept the appointment for long.

The servants in Count Stroganov's house actually found out the news.

"Alyoshko, have you got any news?"

"In reply to Master, I learned this from Master von Palen's entourage. His master has been serving in the Guards Cavalry Regiment recently and rarely goes home. He went to do some work for Master Count and said he was going to deliver an invitation to Count Zubov's house."

"Oh? When your Majesty ascended the throne, their relationship wasn't very good!"

"That being said, I heard that of the four Zubov masters, only Master Platon usually comes to Master von Paalen's house. Sometimes General Bennigsen comes, and there are a few people, and there is also a man in red clothes who looks like a lord from the British Embassy."

After hearing this, Count Pavel Stroganov wiped cold sweat from his forehead. Although he was only the Grand Chamberlain, this position could be high or low, and usually he just served as a face in the court and used his talents in socializing between the royal family and the great nobles.

But these people come from several different directions. If they are put together and they don’t chat about some unspeakable things at home, that would be weird.

"Misha, I remember your funny way of expression, how did you say it?"

"If it's a normal love story, it should be Romeo and Juliet, but this is like Romeo and Fourier, which doesn't look normal."

"It seems that we need to collect more evidence. At least we can warn the emperor and His Highness."

The Stroganovs had always been close to France, and they had a family like Count Pavel who actually participated in the Jacobins and witnessed the storming of the Bastille on the streets of Paris. Even his good friend and third uncle, Prince Dmitri Golitsyn, took part in the storming himself while studying in Paris.

But regardless of the position, Count Pavel was very clear about the troubles that would come from being close to Britain, and he would inevitably be used as a gun. Although Paul was chilled by Austria's micromanipulation, the British's promise was not fulfilled, which made him clearly realize that Russia would always be used for whatever it wanted to do on the European continent.

"The British must be thinking of doing something. Their diplomats came to Count von Paalen's residence. This is not a simple matter. Alyoshka, go and claim the reward. This information is worth a lot of money. This is the reward."

"Thank you, Master!"

Although the rules in Count Stroganov's household were strict, the master treated his servants kindly and gave them generous rewards, so the servants were very loyal.

"It seems, Misha, that your speculations are actually quite close to the truth. In addition to Alyosha, I also sent some servants out to get some even stranger news."

"The question is, what are they going to do? If it's the British, I'm inclined to think it's a conspiracy, but if it's a military coup, what benefit can they get?"

"A government that favors the British, like what Queen Elizabeth Petrovna did, brought our government closer to the Bourbon king, but this is different. The British obviously have no contact with any member of the royal family, and the crown should be the same family."

Stroganov knew nothing about this, which meant that Alexander, who had no secrets from him, was not directly involved. You know, Alexander blocked Count Pavel's talented wife in the corridor and wanted to pursue her, and finally told the count about it, just to ask for the count's forgiveness.

But Stroganov was unwilling to say it to Solovyov face to face. After all, he just had the phrase "I am the emperor's confidant" pasted on his forehead. However, since the issue of imperial power was involved, he had to produce more sufficient evidence.

"Ha! This Count von Paalen, who always boasted of his honesty and integrity among the ladies of the court, has now done such a thing."

"You must know more than me, Pavel."

"I don't think you'll be in the mood for any jokes today, Misha. Do you know what Lady Leven thinks of the Count?"

"do not know."

"That's right. You have to sit at the children's table for dinner. After all, you can coax children and play with unmarried princes. I don't know if Mrs. Liven's evaluation is normal."

Madame Levin was the governess of several young ladies and was also responsible for raising Nikolai and Mikhail. However, Solovyov was always absent when she gave lessons. Madame Levin would not appear during the princes' recreational time and practical classes, which were often occasions where Solovyov appeared. It was not surprising, after all, the lady was very old and was almost 60 years old.

"What did the lady say?"

"She said that Count von Paaren was the most honest and cheerful man, and it seems that this reputation is no longer true."

"Maybe they are just hypocritical and cunning people. There are always people like this in politics, who try to gain their own interests instead of pursuing true morality."

"Since you can say that, I think I should formally introduce you to His Highness. Although your behavior is sometimes a bit reckless, at least your heart is bright, and you are very loyal to your friends and monarch."

But one thing needs to be ruled out. He once slept with Louisa in his arms one night and they were very emotionally attached. This kind of thing cannot be told unless Alexander is King Zhuang of Chu.

Although he was so tolerant that even if Louisa really had a lover and gave birth to a girl, he would raise her as his own child, sometimes he would not be so tolerant.

The reason for his tolerance was that he had too many lovers, and he couldn't bear to see Louisa looking so lonely and pitiful in the Winter Palace, so he came back frequently recently.

But apart from his relationship with Louisa, he was a well-known honest and loyal person who would never engage in conspiracy.

The count was going to tell Alexander and the Tsar what had happened, but you never imagined that there would always be someone who would come out to cause trouble at this critical juncture.

Paul heard about a duel between late February and early March.

At this moment, Alexander came to the Mikhailovsky Palace with his entourage. The father and son were sitting in the office. Count Kutaisov was accompanying Paul, and behind Alexander were Stroganov and Solovyov. Alexander still felt that when he came here to see his father, he should bring the young adjutant he sent with him.

"It's ridiculous to duel together like this. I heard that it was a duel between Alexander Ribeaupierre, a young man from Switzerland, and Czetveltinsky, a Polish prince! What are they going to do? Jealousy for a woman? Some people ask for confidentiality, but others ask, ha! What are they going to do? If I knew about this, these two little bastards should be expelled from the country. It doesn't seem like... Misha, I remember you dueled with a secretary from Venice for the honor of Madame Lebrun and her daughter?"

"Yes, sir, there was such a thing, but I had not had the opportunity to see you at that time."

"It was early enough. Your duel was a just one. When I found out later, I was not punished because you are a rare talent. And since you are Russian, it is unlikely that you will be expelled from the country."

Paul was still angry, and he didn't say it clearly because von Pahlen insisted on keeping it secret, but Dmitri Naryshkin leaked the matter, and there were even rumors that the fight was caused by jealousy over Paul's mistress, Anna Gagarina.

The Tsar usually did not punish duelists, but since the reputation of someone close to him was involved, he decided to intervene personally.

However, according to what Alexander and Count Stroganov knew, the young Swiss man did not like Princess Gagarina, but liked Princess Yusupov's daughter with her deceased ex-husband, Ekaterina Potemkina.

What's even more outrageous is that Ribeaupierre, who is 21 years old, is very rich, and the girl he likes is the cousin of the "little fairy", who is only 14 years old this year. The outrageous part is that Ribeaupierre is handsome and very popular in social circles.

Paul also liked him very much and often asked him to be his aide-de-camp. He also promised that he would be assigned to the diplomatic department or the national bank in the future, where he could show his talents.

"Why would this useless boy get into trouble at this time? Once he recovers from his injuries, I will send him back to Switzerland!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down first. I don't think things are that simple." Count Kutaisov was still trying to calm Paul's temper.

Of course, Solovyov knew about this. After all, the "little fairy" treated him as a "good sister" before she got married. He knew that her cousin was being pursued at a young age by this Swiss boy.

As we all know, the Engelhart sisters are both very beautiful, and their daughter is also very beautiful. When they stand together in social occasions, they are like a string of dazzling jewel necklaces.

"But I know Sasha. He probably won't like Princess Gagarina. After all, she's not his favorite."

Solovyov blurted out the gossip that the "little goblin" had told him in front of the people in the room.

Unexpectedly, Paul's temper disappeared, and he smiled and turned his gaze towards him.

"If you want to protect your friend, you need to provide evidence!"

"In fact, my friendship with Sasha is not like that of the three Dolgorukov brothers. We are colleagues in protecting the emperor, and sometimes I can learn about his affairs."

(End of this chapter)