Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 366 008 Problems Brought by the Golovkin Mission

Teaching Nikolai became Solovyov's more important task since returning to St. Petersburg.

In this situation, as a teacher, he still needs to exercise self-discipline. Since he has pointed out those problems, he must not go to Madame Récamier, at least for the time being.

However, coming to the palace and becoming Nicholas's teacher made it difficult to avoid contact with Louisa.

Recently, she brought her daughters back to the Winter Palace and raised her five daughters in the Queen's bedroom. Nicholas and Mikhail's classes happened to be held in Constantine's Marble Palace, not far away.

The two brothers-in-law like their sister-in-law very much and are willing to play with their nieces, so in addition to the strict courses, they also have to arrange some free time for them.

"Just be so kind as to ask Misha and I to come to the palace."

"Okay, but you two have to pass a test. You can't fall behind in the lessons I taught you in the past week."

Nikolai and Mikhail were very obedient. They both knew that with Solovyov as the teacher, the courses would be more or less relaxed. Although there was a lot of content, there were more fables, so it was easier.

However, the exam question required Nikolai to write a short essay, and since Mikhail was young, the exam was relatively relaxed.

Although Nicholas was rather stubborn, he still wrote it down seriously.

This involves a story, namely "The people of Chu learn the Qi language", but when Solovyov asked the question, he added Paul's instructions in German.

Solche Schlingel wie die deutschen Prinzen (Don't let my son become a German prince)

Solovyov had been on duty in the palace for a long time and was deeply impressed by the nine children that Paul raised in the palace. The smartest one was undoubtedly the second princess. Elena, who married to Mecklenburg, was also generally the same in terms of knowledge.

As for Alexander, he was very impatient and even if he was asked to "learn a foreign language", he might still be very good at socializing, which also proved his diplomatic ability.

But when it comes to knowledge, it is obviously not the case.

As for Nikolai's short essay, Solovyov put a lot of effort into it.

"Well, that's interesting. Your Highness, I don't object to your idea. People are born with brains, which are also used for thinking and guiding their bodies on how to work. This idea is very interesting."

The short essay written by Nicholas is his understanding of this story.

Of course, the content this time can basically achieve the purpose.

After all, the original text is relatively short, and it is a bit difficult for children of this age to write more extended meaning.

But a stubborn child like Nicholas was still able to complete the writing smoothly and it didn't take him long.

Speaking of which, there is still a lot of room for improvement.

As for Mikhail's task, it was much easier, after all, the two children were two years apart in age.

By the way, when Tsar Paul was still alive, the couple's production plan seemed to be completed in cycles of two years.

"That's fine. You've already finished the homework and tests I assigned you. And the emperor wants me to go to the Little Winter Palace for advice. I can give you a break this afternoon."

What followed was the cheers of Nikolay and Mikhail. Kids of this age are full of energy and fun.

Solovyov was summoned to the Winter Palace because of the Golovkin mission. Alexander had a bad temper and he had always had a bad relationship with Alexander Saltykov. He was indeed very dissatisfied with the unfavorable result of the mission of his "Humphreysky" father-in-law.

So he thought of Solovyov. After all, he was an expert on Eastern issues and a genuine China expert in St. Petersburg. He had even completed many translation and writing works.

No matter how young he is, he is only a colonel in the Guards. At this level, he should not be able to join the core decision-making circle. However, regarding Golovkin's failed mission to the Qing Dynasty, he is also needed to analyze the current situation.

As for the Small Winter Palace, he was also very familiar with this place, but because he was away for a long time or in the Guards, he was no longer responsible for the guarding of the Winter Palace, and thus was far away from the Tsar's core circle.

This is a good thing. In recent years, the disputes among various factions in the court have become increasingly fierce. Taking advantage of the defeat by France in the Battle of Austerlitz, the conservative nobles are indeed exerting pressure.

As for Alexander himself, he had to abandon some of his liberal ideas, make concessions on the issue of emancipating serfs, and prepare to replace a group of people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It seems that Czartoryski's Polish plan is about to fail. The next people to take over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are still relatively conservative aristocratic bureaucrats. In Russia's foreign policy, although the attitude towards Europe remains unchanged, the voice of the peace faction has become stronger.

"Your Majesty, Colonel Solovyov has arrived by order."

"Let him come in and fetch Count Golovkin's report."

What Alexander had been discussing with Speransky was the change in the powers and responsibilities of the court system, whether to adopt the Bourbon French style of court rulings, or to maintain the status quo and govern Russia's vast territory separately according to the traditional administrative governor and military governor.

He did not expect that the issue would be discussed for such a long time that it exceeded the schedule.

This was done with the cooperation of Speransky, an outstanding administrative secretary. One can imagine how many administrative and judicial issues were involved here.

Speransky temporarily withdrew only to look for Count Golovkin's report.

And Solovyov now had to face questions from the Tsar himself.

"His Majesty."

"Sit down and talk, Solovyov. I think you should know something about Count Golovkin's mission, right?"

"Your Majesty, do you mean the process of this mission or the final result?"

"I think it's both. Before you set out, you seemed to be pessimistic about this mission to China."

"That's true. Although our country and China have had many exchanges in history due to territorial borders and bilateral trade, when sending envoys, we must also take into account that when European countries visited the capital of China in the past, diplomatic etiquette has always been the focus of both sides. The current Emperor Jiaqing is the son of the former Emperor Qianlong, and he should have witnessed the diplomatic disputes of the Macartney Mission."

"Hmm? So what do you think? I've read Count Golovkin's report. He claimed that he encountered obstruction from the local military governor in Uliastai because of the kowtow issue."

After Alexander said this, Solovyov thought for a moment and gave his answer. "We need to see what is stated in the report."

Speransky returned soon, holding in his hand the report of Count Golovkin's delegation.

"Since the Count has 'completed' his mission, Your Majesty, I think there is a strange thing, why did he stay in Irkutsk and not come back?"

"Colonel, Count Golovkin has not given his reasons in this regard."

When Speransky said this, Solovyov also frowned. It was obvious that the failure of this mission was not entirely the responsibility of the Qing Dynasty. Golovkin, who had been in Europe for a long time and was accustomed to European diplomatic rules, had received instructions from Alexander and Czartoryski to meet the Chinese emperor and perform the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows. However, the problem was that Golovkin's understanding was obviously wrong.

The statements in the report are similar to the "Mission Notes" that Macartney originally published, attempting to shirk his own responsibility.

However, Solovyov also saw the problem. Golovkin obviously did not kowtow to the portrait of Emperor Jiaqing as General Uliastai requested when he was at General Uliastai's residence.

"This is entirely a problem caused by miscommunication between the two sides, Your Majesty. However, Count Golovkin's subsequent claim to mobilize the troops of the Siberian Governorate to take action in the Amur River Basin is inconsistent with our country's current foreign policy."

"That's true. Our relationship with China is mainly about maintaining bilateral trade."

After Alexander made his decision, it was actually very clear that he was not willing to disperse Russia's military strength when the situation in Europe was so tense.

In particular, Russia has always been highly vigilant against the Ottoman Empire and the Qajar Dynasty of Persia. Whether it is Russia attacking or the Persians attacking, or now the Ottoman Empire's interference in the internal affairs of the two Balkan vassal states, it will share Russia's military strength.

Not to mention that France is still in the west. Although Austria has surrendered to France, Russia has not yet shown any intention of ceasefire with France, let alone an agreement.

These problems are relatively basic. What is more important is that China is too far away, and the cost is extraordinary.

In addition, during the Qianlong period, the Qing Dynasty still gave people a very strong feeling, which led to European countries generally being cautious about the Qing Dynasty's policies. It was mainly a trade issue.

In other words, the British did not understand the rules and still wanted land. In fact, as far as free trade is concerned, except for the British who were restricted to Guangzhou, other countries could also trade outside Guangzhou. In addition to the Kyakhta port, Russian merchants also had a trade route in Kazakhstan, and they also owned warehouses near Beijing.

The British are still very jealous of this last one.

As for the Qing Dynasty's current desire to control Russia through the Kyakhta port, it is not that it can contain Russia's Siberian governorates in terms of rhubarb and tea, but that these places in Siberia are relatively dependent on trade with the Qing Dynasty.

But Count Golovkin's report, when held in hand, did not make sense.

Solovyov also saw territorial demands in the Amur River Basin in the report, which was even more ridiculous than using military force.

When Czartoryski was foreign minister, he always made such unrealistic demands.

"Your Majesty, if we really have to 'cede territory', the Chinese emperor will not accept it. Our foreign minister...Excuse me for being frank, he really knows nothing about the situation in China, and does not understand what attitude we should adopt towards the Chinese emperor in current diplomatic occasions. It can even be said that if the Kyakhta port had not been open for trade, it would have had disastrous consequences for us. The Emperor Jiaqing mentioned in the report...Well, it should be said that he is not as wise as the late old emperor. Moreover, through this mission, if the Governor-General Uliastai presents a report that is unfavorable to us to the emperor, then Kyakhta's trade will also be affected."

After all, tribute and mutual trade are a form of high-level diplomacy with oriental characteristics.

Solovyov's concerns were not without reason. The expedition team's business near Guangzhou went smoothly in the first stage, but the Governor-General's Office of Guangdong and Guangxi soon issued an instruction not to allow Russia to trade in Guangzhou, claiming that this would affect the trade in Kyakhta.

At this time, Alexander, Solovyov and Speransky were still unaware of this situation, but Solovyov's analysis was indeed something that Emperor Jiaqing and the Governor-General's Office and the Governor's Office could do.

In addition, the British always broke the rules in Guangzhou, which led to the Qing Dynasty having a very bad impression of the "British barbarians" and inevitably affected Russia and other European countries' trade with China.

Therefore, strict management is still implemented in Guangzhou.

As for the British causing trouble in Guangzhou, the Governor-General's Office of Guangdong and Guangxi also received many reports of related conflicts, ranging from provoking disturbances, trade disputes, disputes over going to certain occasions, and the activities of warships and merchant ships at sea. In short, it was very troublesome.

"It seems that there is no way to solve this problem."

"If necessary, someone who knows the rules should be sent to China, but it should be done after some time. I think it would be more appropriate to send an envoy on the 20th anniversary of the current emperor's accession to the throne."

Emperor Jiaqing became emperor in 1796 when Emperor Qianlong abdicated, so it would be more appropriate to put the time at after 1815.

After all, this time the Golovkin delegation's explanation was even worse. Both countries' new emperors had ascended the throne and came to congratulate them.

No matter how you look at it, it's all signal delay, which is really not very funny, and the reason is even a bit ridiculous.

I really don’t know how the Poles arranged it, but Czartoryski always aroused Solovyov’s contempt.

With his current level of knowledge, he is more or less unable to understand the international situation. It is probably only a matter of time before he steps down as Foreign Minister.

Due to Russia's current series of diplomatic failures, Deputy Foreign Minister Count Stroganov's journey to London should end here.

"Your idea is good. The journey to China is so long, and Golovkin's mission was such a failure. We have to wait for the right time before we take action next time."

Moreover, Alexander also had an idea.

"Soloviev, are you willing to go to China as an envoy at that time?"

This is a good job, and no one else would be able to do it. As long as you don't learn from that big liar Shen Weijing and follow the rules, there will be no problem.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go to China as an envoy, but by then our country's foreign policy may also have to undergo some changes."

"That's right, Solovyov. Now that there is no war, your task is to educate Nikolai and Mikhail."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am happy to serve Your Majesty and Your Highnesses."

"You can quit."

Now that the meeting with Alexander is over, we can finally move on to the next topic.

(End of this chapter)