Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 171 How to solve the financial difficulties? (Part 028)
Compared to Alexander's unpredictable temper, Paul's temper, which is like a March wind, is easier to get along with. At least when he is happy, he can make people around him feel comfortable.

Who knows what the Tsar himself will do after losing the game today? In fact, his temper is such that he will continue to go along with the flow.

Then it was time for Alexander himself to fire his cannon.
Solovyov was particularly lucky, as he got a big triple when he touched the cards.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it, Solovyov. You won the game by order. I have already made my promise."

"Sasha, this handsome young major is an expert, you have to be careful."

Maria Naryshkina did not forget to remind Alexander that she was also a little careful just now. If she played the wrong card, it would be her turn to make trouble.

Alexander was very smart. He now remembered the rules that Solovyov had mentioned and was also paying attention to his pattern of playing cards.

It’s not easy to win the game this way. I just happened to be lucky enough to get a big White Ox Eagle, but I may not be so lucky in the future.

The unlucky person at the table became the old lieutenant general, but it didn't matter if he just made a mistake. Alexander would compensate the loser afterwards and forgive the gambling debt.

However, the one who was most pleased to have his gambling debts forgiven was Prince Bagration. That night he arrested the three officers involved in the conspiracy, and they no longer had to worry about the money they lost - although Alexander released them afterwards because they were more or less his confidants, no one dared to mention the money.

Alexander still has to have fun when playing cards. He is naturally happy when he wins based on his own skills, but if it comes to a real fight, he still has to accept it after losing.

"I'm sorry, Martha, but you played the exact card I needed."

"Your Majesty. Oops."

There was no delay when it was time to win the game. Alexander played a lot of cards to the Polish girl and won a lot back in one go.

"It's okay, I will make it up to you. What do you like?"

"Your Majesty, I will tell you when the time comes."

"Well, keep fighting."

At this time, it was time for Solovyov to show his true skills. He wanted to go all in, but Alexander still discovered his trick.

You know, the young tsar who had not yet been crowned was very smart. He had been observing Solovyov's card-playing strategy, especially after he won several times in a row.

It turned out that he liked to play with all the same suits or mixed suits. After being targeted, Solovyov also found that if he couldn't make a winning hand quickly, there would always be a break.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and decided to go for a big one. After he had collected all the cards, he played a big one.

"Playing mahjong is really fun, Solovyov. You really beat the three of us."

"I'm sorry to make a fool of myself, Your Majesty. I was just lucky. It's always like this when playing cards, but not on the battlefield."

"Yes, you have been to Italy, with Alexander Vasilyevich. Well, count how much you have won. I will give you a reward today, and the losses will be counted to me."

Solovyov calculated that he had won more than 8,000 rubles tonight, which was neither a large nor a small amount. He had seen people lose more playing cards.

And Alexander spared the old lieutenant general from losing, he still owed Maria Naryshkina a little, as for how the two of them would make up to it tonight, it would definitely be a night full of passion.

Considering that Louisa's bedroom was quite far away, at least nothing would happen at night. Louisa also knew that Alexander always needed to seek comfort from young women in various places. She herself had someone to accompany her at times, although Alexander himself did not notice it.

Solovyov wanted to return to the cabin in the evening, but Alexander stopped him.

"Soloviev, if you win, it's like confiscating the property, right? I know you have some knowledge of art, and I think when I need you in a few days, come to my office and I will assign you a task."

He is now going to enjoy some time alone with his lover and doesn't want anyone to disturb them at night.

Solovyov went back to the cabin himself, but he also leaned over to the window to look at the sleeping Louisa.

In comparison, if it weren't for Alexander's own actions, this royal couple would not have been in the current embarrassing situation in the court. It is obvious who is responsible, but he is the Tsar after all and always has the final say.

Confiscation of property is a solution to the current problem. Alexander himself has determined that the conspiracy group's actions are regicide, but he has pardoned General Bennigsen, who is a foreign citizen, and Count Panin, who did not enter the final stage.

Even more unexpectedly, Count Panin had recently come to St. Petersburg and was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the responsible cabinet organized by Alexander himself.

However, Count von Paaren, who directly planned this incident, as well as the Zubov brothers and some generals, were severely punished in the end.

Before Alexander finally brought the members of the conspiracy to trial, he ordered the Guards to seal off the mansions and not allow anyone to take their property out.

When he arrived at the Tauride Palace, he remembered that after Prince Potemkin's death, his manager had embezzled money and was eventually imprisoned by Paul. The value of the property that was directly confiscated was already very high.

"The country's finances are tight right now. We have to do two things. First, we have to melt some of the silver tableware and decorations from the palace to mint silver coins. Second, we have to ensure the currency's circulation in the market. Third, we have to confiscate all the property of some nobles and merchants who have committed serious crimes. However, we cannot cut off their livelihoods. After all, many of them have families. To ensure their family's livelihood, some of their manors in the countryside can be retained."

Although this confiscation of property sounds like a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution, it is still very feasible. Moreover, if it is carried out in stages, it will always add money to the national treasury.

At this time, Solovyov was summoned to the Winter Palace by Alexander to discuss this issue.

"Your Majesty, Soloviev has come by order."

"Please sit down, Major. I know you are quite knowledgeable about art, so I asked you to come here."

"I think it would be more appropriate to ask Mrs. Le Brun's son-in-law Pierre to come at this time." "That young painter with a beard? He is married to Julie and has two daughters. Mrs. Le Brun herself might be more suitable. She has a strong ability to appreciate art and is a master of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. But it is not appropriate to let a famous painter, who is a foreigner, participate in this kind of thing. What's more, she is still in Moscow and has not returned yet."

"Your Majesty, there should be no problem for me to check the accounts, and you know my background."

"Yes, I know your family background, which is also useful. When my father was alive, he trusted you very much. Go and rob the home of that poisonous snake Peter von Paalen for me!"

"But, sir, you must also consider that it was his son who arrested him."

"I know this very well, but you cannot let him transfer his property. This regicide should be punished accordingly! Also, you must raid the house of the traitor Tarejin!"

It was what happened in the Guards that ultimately led to Paul's assassination. Even during the current review, there were too many people involved in such a major case as Paul's assassination.

Among those involved in the conspiracy, there were many wealthy nobles. Admiral de Ribas was found to be involved in the conspiracy, but he was already dead, so No. 1 Million Street was not included in the scope of the property search.

Count von Paalen's official residence in St. Petersburg was indeed large in scale. In addition to this place, he also had an estate in the countryside. Since his three adult sons had already married and lived separately, they were not implicated. This was mainly because Count Pavel himself had captured his old father.

But they have all been suspended from their jobs, so when their properties are confiscated, a portion of it needs to be left for them.

As for the property, that’s nothing. What’s more important is what kind of explosive communications can be seized from these official residences after they are sealed off.

Especially in his plot to bring Count Zubov back to St. Petersburg, these letters of contact with the British played a role in the conspiracy, which was more valuable than the 80 rubles of property found in his home.

"All these letters must be collected without any damage and sorted into categories!"

But there is the issue of artworks, and also the question of how much of von Paaren's property will be confiscated into the national treasury when his property is confiscated.

There was no choice but to invite Mr. Pierre Guerin and his old father.

Baron Sergei came here on crutches. He also admired the count's residence and couldn't help but sigh.

"Emperor Paul has given him so many rewards, he should abide by the rules and not have such unreasonable expectations. Misha, you must be loyal to the emperor and don't have unreasonable expectations."

"Dad, don't worry about this. What Russia needs now is stability. If something big happens, everyone from the nobles to the common people and even the serfs will be involved in the disaster. Only stability and order can keep the people at peace. Only foolish rulers will invite war."

"Yes, but where are the account books? If you ask me to come, I must help you, and the master in charge will check the accounts."

"Dad, this is our family's housekeeping skill. You came here just to see where the current accounts are related to. To be honest, although the incident happened suddenly, it took two days to seal this place, so it is inevitable that some evidence has been destroyed."

"I understand, son. It would be a shame if you didn't learn this craft. Even if I gave you a younger brother now, I wouldn't have enough time to teach you. But never mind. I will write down all these experiences. You may not need them in the future. If you have a son, or if your potential younger brother grows up in the future, he can learn from you."

"Dad, don't be so confident. What if another sister comes?"

"What do you think about letting your son-in-law learn this skill when Yulia gets married in the future?"

Baron Sergei thought so, and Solovyov, as his son, was helpless.

However, after he checked the accounts, he found that many of the income in the accounts were related to some local businessmen, so he began to interrogate Count von Paalen's butler.

The housekeeper felt very regretful. The father and son were really powerful. The son dug deep into the ground and did not let go of a single copper coin in the official residence; the father was even more ferocious and even interrogated the transferred accounts and outstanding debts in detail.

Prince Alexei Kurakin looked at the father and son and said that if Baron Sergei had not had a lame leg, he should have come to work as an assistant to the Minister of the Interior or to the Attorney General, and there would definitely be no mistakes in the audit.

Of course, these little tricks were left over from when their family was managing the property for Prince Menshikov's family in the past. Just by relying on Arkhangelsk, Solovyov's grandfather was able to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars. This was discovered during the interrogation of Peter the Great.

Baron Sergei also remembered this lesson, and incorporated many of the methods used by the great Tsar. It can be said to be a one-stop operation without any mistakes.

Of course, the Countess was more trusted by the Queen, so all her personal properties were collected and not confiscated.

If they were all taken away, the gold coins from this family would bring in millions of rubles.

It is still unknown how much will be confiscated from some nobles, businessmen, both big and small, as well as nobles who have colluded with the British.

Count Nikolai Zubov was lucky in that he was the son-in-law of the Field Marshal, so only the property in his official residence was confiscated, and nothing in the estate was touched.

Count von Paalen's family came from Courland, and there was still a large amount of property in the manor in his hometown. This required special notification to the governors of Lithuania and Courland to go to the countryside and dig up everything, but a lot of property was left behind.

Prince Alexei looked at the account book and called his cousin Prince Vasily, and there was greed in their eyes.

"There are so many regicides. Should we suggest to the Emperor to arrest a few more?"

"Vasya, you are a born bastard. You spend all your time plotting other people's property! The emperor will make his own judgment when the time comes."

Alexei knew that he was already very greedy, but he should be more restrained when doing work for the emperor. This cousin dared to touch anything, including plundering the property of relatives. Greed is a fault, and insatiable people really make people feel disgusted. The eldest brother has never been married and has illegitimate children. At the same time, we must also consider that the bulk of his family's property must be given to his younger brothers. Isn't this satisfied?

Even among the bad guys, people like Prince Vasily are indeed among the more despised bastards.

It took half a month to complete the search and seizure of Prince Alexei Kurakin's property after the final registration. If you calculate it all, this is a considerable amount of income.

If there were such a harvest every year, not only would the country's finances be improved, but even if they did a good job, Alexander could give them some rewards, which would be a considerable income.

(End of this chapter)