Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 398 040 Return of the Global Fleet

Long before the war with Napoleon began, even while the Russian fleet was negotiating with the Governor of Haiti in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue, the expedition had already set out from St. Petersburg.

Now, the fleet is speeding back to the Baltic Fleet base in Kronstadt, having completed Russia's first circumnavigation of the world in the early 19th century.

According to the estimated time, in early 1806, the Navy Department had reported the final return plan of the fleet. Since the "Nadezhda" also undertook the task of replenishing supplies to the Russian Aleutian base, the ship would return after arriving in Kamchatka, and therefore could not return with the "Neva".

The two ships moved separately, each carrying back goods traded in Guangzhou, in addition to some precious furs and walrus ivory, which were products recently obtained by the Russian-American Company through hunting in the Russian American colonies.

As for when to return, the Admiralty gave Alexander a time frame of between July and August, and if he could catch a tailwind, the return would be even faster.

It should be taken into account that the "Neva" underwent a modification before setting sail, and the bow was no longer in its completed state. Instead, it was a clipper bow built with wood, which could significantly increase the speed.

However, the "Nadezhda" did not undergo corresponding modifications, and when the two ships were in formation, it actually restricted the sailing speed of the "Neva".

On the way back home, since the "Nadezhda" would be about a month behind in the voyage, the "Neva" could also choose to sail at full speed, especially when approaching Kronstadt.

"Sir, our speed has reached 13 knots."

"That's not bad. It looks like this modification is still useful."

As the commander of this voyage, Krutzenstein and Lisyanski commanded the two ships respectively. Although the two cooperated well on the surface, they were also competing secretly and expressed their dissatisfaction with each other.

Lisyanski did not support the modification of the ship because "cruiser ships" were generally faster, but Crutzenstein modified the ship before setting off.

Although the facts cannot be proven because the two ships returned at different times and were assigned different missions, one thing that can be confirmed is that the clipper bow ship sails faster, not only in naval fleet operations, but also in scientific expeditions and commercial transportation.

Shortly after reaching the maximum speed, the lookout's call was heard.

"Look, it's land. We're almost to Kronstadt."

Next, there was a round of cheers. The "Neva" was the first to complete the round-the-world voyage. Although it was not comparable to the previous voyages, it had fired crew members and fought with the natives in the middle. But now it can be considered completed. It was not like Magellan who died halfway, or Captain James Cook who became a meal during a voyage.

The mission went very smoothly, but among several important tasks, except for selling a batch of goods in Guangzhou, none of them were completed in the end.

This was very bad. Before departure, a Russian ambassador to Japan was arranged, but the shogunate obviously did not buy it and almost detained the ship in Nagasaki.

As for Guangzhou, although there was a similar dance, the Governor-General's Office of Guangdong and Guangxi did not need this ship, so they just released it quickly. Under normal circumstances, the speed of handling departure procedures is not that fast.

Alexander received a report from the Admiralty that same day while he was resting in Peterhof Palace.

"I came back just in time, but it was such hot weather."

"But Your Majesty, according to the rules of the monsoon, it is quite appropriate to return now. A few months ago, they were still waiting for the wind to return in St. Helena. If they had not returned from Guangzhou in advance, their speed would not have been so fast."

"So, what should we do?"

This issue was finally passed to Sergei Kuzmich. As the Minister of War, he actually had to assist the navy. Speaking of it, the Minister of War of Tsarist Russia looked very much like the Minister of War in the early period of time.

There was no way around it. During the Queen's time, Paul had always been the Secretary of the Navy concurrently. As a result, this department did not seem to be very important. The most important things it managed were the resettlement of retired officers and sailors, the payment of pensions and benefits, making it more like a veterans' department.

"Your Majesty, I think you should board this ship at the appropriate time to pay tribute to our glorious sailors who have accomplished this feat."

Anyway, this statement was not very significant and Alexander was able to accept it quickly.

Then, in arranging the attendants for this embarkation, Alexander specifically mentioned the continuous schedule.

"Count Rumyantsev may go first to express his condolences. We will go on board in two days and receive a report."

He arranged it this way because everyone would be quite curious about it later, but Solovyov was very dissatisfied with this arrangement.

On the one hand, he had to board the ship once as Alexander's entourage, and then accompany Nicholas again as his teacher.

He was reluctant to board the ship these days, not because of other inconveniences, but because the transport ship between Kronstadt and St. Petersburg would take up a lot of time on the road.

The recent summer time is still quite precious. Taking advantage of the long days, Solovyov is laying the foundation in his own yard.

The construction process was not very fast, but he personally completed the design drawings and also made some simple composition and decoration plans.

No one could have imagined that Solovyov, who was so brave on the battlefield, secretly wanted to build his manor in the Rococo style.

It was unexpected, but considering that he was quite proud of the young widow, Madame Récamier, if he hadn't married her, he might have invited this lady to stay with him for a while after the work was completed.

Well, it sounds like she would make the young officers of the Guards in St. Petersburg envious. That lady is really beautiful. It's a pity that most of the officers of the Guards are uneducated, and Sukabulie is out to make a living.

This voyage was initiated by Count Rumyantsev. In fact, the Queen Mother had been exchanging letters with him, and there was even some ambiguity between them.
It was most appropriate that he was the first to go and express his condolences.

As for Alexander, he called Solovyov over because he had some issues to discuss.

"Your Majesty, you summoned me here at this time. What do you want to do?"

"You should have heard about the return of the Neva. Don't play dumb here, Solovyov. I want to ask you some questions."

"Your Majesty, since this is a round-the-world voyage, it will always involve China issues. I can provide advice in this regard."

"Yes, you are an expert on Chinese issues, but this time it also involves contact with Japan. When Count Rumyantsev comes back and presents his report, we will also discuss this issue."

Obviously, Alexander was quite excited. After all, this was considered a connection with China. Crutzenstein had a personal relationship with Drummond, the representative of the British East India Company in Guangzhou. Although Golovkin was not good at his job, this round-the-world voyage would definitely reach Guangzhou as long as they could pass through the ports along the way. "Your Majesty, it's just that at this time, I can't help but think that the Chinese government has always adopted a 'non-stick pan' attitude. When frying steak, there will be no rice crust at the bottom of the pan."

After hearing this, Alexander was a little displeased, but considering that Solovyov's judgment was always very accurate, he still signaled him to continue.

"Since we were able to complete our mission and bring back a large amount of precious goods during this voyage, it can at least prove that we can make a profit by going directly to Guangzhou through the Aleutian Islands and Kamchatka and selling goods there. However, we must also note that the Chinese government is like our local governor. It is inevitable that they will set some conditions during the first negotiation. I am still not optimistic about future actions."

"You are always so pessimistic. If Lisa wants to find you a wife, I'm afraid that girl won't be interested in you. She needs a positive and optimistic young man to be the husband of that girl."

"Your Majesty, this is just a name based on reality."

Alexander had heard some rumors about Napoleon's power and his preference for using reality to pressure others. Although Solovyov was not so aggressive, he particularly liked to present his reasons.

"How come you are imitating Bonaparte?"

The Tsar himself was somewhat curious. If he knew about the complicated relationship between Solovyov and Napoleon, this chain would inevitably become abstract.

"Your Majesty, if that's the case, there are many people in Petersburg who would imitate that Corsican. Their ideas are quite different from mine. There are pro-British 'Anglicism' and pro-French 'French ', but I am a realist and I don't lean towards either side."

Alexander didn't say much. This guy didn't even answer the question, but introduced himself.

"Well, I think the report will be here soon. And, I think you should know something about the issues involving Japan, right?"

Shogunate? Although Soloviev knew something about Japan, the first person to become bald was the Tsar himself as Alexander continued to fleece Japan.

"Although I am not an expert on Japan, I still understand the situation in Asia."

"Then you should be on standby at all times. We still need experts."

"Your Majesty, I will take my leave for now."

As he left his office in the Little Winter Palace, Solovyov also saw Count Rumyantsev.

However, the two men were not walking on the same road, so Solovyov gave way to avoid a direct encounter.

I don't know who he learned this from.

As for what to do next, he would take advantage of his familiarity with the terrain of the Winter Palace, get out of the palace, and quickly go to the Guards Headquarters.

When he goes there, he will also be assigned to the security work in Kronstadt, which is where he is more specialized.

On Alexander's side, he received Rumyantsev's report in his office.

"If this is the case, it seems that in the distant East Asian region, these countries are not very supportive of opening their ports. They can only conduct mutual trade at designated locations according to their wishes."

"Yes, Your Majesty. The smooth progress of trade in Guangzhou is also due to the good relationship between Mr. Drummond of the British East India Company and us. This is why we are able to sell some goods through the British trade route."

Obviously, the official attitude of the Qing Dynasty, the imperial court and the Governor-General's Office of Guangdong and Guangxi, was obviously consistent.

"And then, they were so eager to get us out that the exit formalities were very quick."

"Your Majesty, we cannot say that this is a complete failure. We just need to get Solovyov back. Although the contents of his official letter can be recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is still a problem of explaining many events."

"There's no need to rush. The distance from St. Petersburg to the capital of China is so far. It takes a long time for our merchant group to go from Irkutsk to Kyakhta and then to Beijing."

Distance can make people have enough patience, and Alexander is more concerned about the situation in Europe. He receives letters from the ambassador in Berlin every week to get the latest developments in Prussia.

In fact, France and Russia are now in a state of armistice. The "Neva" returned so smoothly along the way, in addition to the support of the British Royal Navy, the French officials gave permission for navigation.

In this way, the journey is indeed unobstructed. As long as the weather permits, there are not many pirates on the African coast now, so you can sail freely.

As for the problems in Asia, Russia's double-headed eagle is not actually targeting Siberia, but is more concerned with the south.

Some time before, representatives sent by the Serbian rebels also came to St. Petersburg and returned with Alexander's adjutant Paulucci.

In this Russo-Turkish war, a large-scale fight was inevitable. The Ottoman Empire had already declared war on Russia and began to mobilize their large army, which was seriously understaffed and unpaid, to prepare for a confrontation with the Russian army along the Danube River.

As for whether they have the ability to attack, in fact, the repeated defeats in past wars have shown that they do not have that ability. Since Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Empire has been weaker than the previous generation.

But considering the threat from the French, the problems in the Far East are really not important.

As for the state letters and state ceremonies, they can indeed be readjusted.

Solovyov, who was in the Guards headquarters, was also assigning a battalion to strengthen the port defense, but he didn't know that the work he had worked so hard on before might have to be adjusted.

Russia's leaders are really no different from leaders elsewhere. They all like to make temporary changes.

This was like a "bad habit" that could be spread throughout the whole world. It was indeed common. Solovyov complained in his heart, but he could only bear it. After all, in his current status, he was not even a general.

"You have to accept this situation, even if it's me."

Grand Duke Constantine spoke to him like this, and it was obvious that people of higher status would do the same.

(End of this chapter)