Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 399 041 Who doesn’t have a national situation?
However, Alexander highly approved of the report provided by Count Rumyantsev and even went to the "Neva" for an inspection.

We will be inspecting and even having a meal on the ship to confirm the final results of the round-the-world voyage.

When Solovyov went to arrange the Guards' duty, he had no idea what Rumyantsev was up to. The count's father was Marshal Rumyantsev, the old boss of the Field Marshal, so there was no conflict between the two sides.

But it’s quite funny that the Tsar himself had to eat on the boat.

Apart from some high-end passenger sailing ships with strong self-sustaining capabilities that can provide more supplies and ensure that passengers always have fresh food, even the Royal Navy's battleships cannot always have fresh meat.

Solovyov had never served in the navy, but he had an old subordinate who was driven back halfway during this voyage. His name was Fyodor Tolstoy. He continued to cause trouble during this trip and had repeated conflicts with the officers on the ship.

Besides being a troublemaker himself, and being considered an "isomer" of Dolokhov, he also always complains about the food, which leads to conflicts with others on the ship.

As for this round-the-world voyage, the original cook of Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Rezanov shot himself on the deck. So the food for the second half of the voyage would probably taste even worse.

Moreover, during the journey, more than one person attempted suicide. Long-term sailing activities really test people's endurance, especially after several years.

During this voyage, only three people died in conflicts with Indians, one died of illness, one died from a recurrence of an old injury, and one committed suicide. Compared with previous voyages that often resulted in heavy losses, the Russians' round-the-world voyage was considered a success, and there was no case of scurvy throughout the journey.

This was something worth celebrating, because during the Russian Navy's long voyages, although living conditions were poor, only the highest-ranking officers could always eat fresh meat, ordinary officers could only eat salted beef, and the sailors' meals were even worse, there was not a single case of malnutrition throughout the entire journey, which can be said to be a great success.

However, after Count Rumyantsev and Count Stroganov came on board, Count Rumyantsev told the ship's cook: "The Emperor is coming to your ship, so prepare better food."

Anyone who hears this sentence will understand it.

So, when Alexander arrived on the "Neva", he expressed high praise for the food on board.

Solovyov was also a member of the entourage. When he boarded the ship, he also felt that this kind of thing was not very reliable, but he could not say anything.

But Alexander insisted on asking him a question, after all, there was a can problem involved.

"Soloviev, you have always advocated the use of canned food in the army and navy. I think this voyage is a good idea."

"But Your Majesty."

Solovyov just wanted to say, Alexander, you'd better stop using your magical powers. I don't want to answer this kind of question.

"Just tell me. The canning factory in Ryazan already has finished products. How is your glass canning storage capacity?"

"If it's sterilized and sealed properly, this canned food can at least survive the winter. As for the longer shelf life, the flavor of the food will be affected, but it won't be as bad as eating corned beef."

"Hmm? Corned beef?"

Solovyov pretended to be indifferent. In fact, he had exposed Count Rumyantsev's trick, but he would not be hated. He was not the only one who spoke like this.

Alexander didn't feel that he was deceived. He was very smart and knew that there were always people trying to fool him.

"Yes, sire, corned beef. The English eat more of it, but we always bring livestock on board, so the amount of fresh meat we can eat is very limited."

Moreover, there were no refrigerators in that era, so even refrigeration was difficult, let alone freezing. Eating cold watermelon might cause an upset stomach.

"The ship's supplies are limited, your majesty."

After he added this, Alexander's expression became very interesting.

But at this time, he did not intend to say it. The Tsar himself directly issued an order to commend the crew, especially their commander.

As for the issues involved in the report, Alexander raised them to Solovyov on a battleship in the Kronstadt naval port.

"Soloviev, if we want to go to China again, what should we do if we send a diplomatic mission instead of presenting the letter of credence through a merchant group?"

"We still need to prepare in advance, Your Majesty. The Chinese emperor obviously doesn't know enough about our situation, which is why he issued such a strange order."

"Yes, if Guangzhou is opened as a port, it will affect the port trade in Kyakhta. It is hard to understand their thinking."

"Your Majesty, this also has its benefits. At least it proves that the Chinese emperor still hopes to maintain a stable relationship with our country. It's just that their vision is limited to places like Kyakhta or Tarbagatai, or the trade routes in Central Asia."

"You are only the deputy chief of the operations department of the General Staff, which really doesn't allow you to make the best use of your talents."

"But your majesty, asking me to join the civil service is a bit torturous. Besides, the promotion of civil servants is still different from military merit."

Alexander found it funny to hear this, Solovyov was indeed very strong in military achievements, but he could also quickly improve himself through cultural means, which must be because he was unwilling to be deeply involved in the court and politics.

"Even if you become a civil servant, you will be a fifth-level civil servant, not a 'ten thousand-year-old ninth-level civil servant'. You don't have to worry about this."

Solovyov was unwilling to be a civil servant, probably because Chekhov's thoughts were deeply imprinted in his mind. After all, the images he created were too ironic.

Including but not limited to "Chameleon", "Man in a Shell" and "Death of a Clerk". Moreover, in Russia, apart from the regime changes, no matter who is the emperor, the following one is still very exciting, but the homogeneity of the drama is too serious.

"But Your Majesty, I am also thinking that if we are to go on a diplomatic mission to China, we must also let the other party know clearly about our official rank sequence, and the two sides must be able to correspond."

"What about Japan?"

"I think this is Mr. Rezanov's problem. He is currently on his way to Rossburg to supply food there. However, Cruzensten's report also made it very clear that there was indeed inappropriate behavior among the crew, but our diplomats did not do any homework on Japan." "It seems that you have been thinking about the problem of Japan again these two days?"

"In comparison, Japan is more closed than China, but from the perspective of knowledge, because of the long-term existence of the Dutch, they know a lot about the outside world. Moreover, Japan is a small country, and its territory is comparable to some European countries, so they will naturally learn about the outside world. At first, they sent envoys to China to learn, and later Chinese monks went to Japan, and the maritime trade between the two sides has been talked about a bit. In short, the Japanese are willing to learn but closed to the outside world, and they are not friendly. The Chinese emperor, although there is some arrogance of a great country, is generally friendly. It’s just that the understanding of us also depends on whether the emperor himself is qualified."

Solovyov's evaluation of Emperor Jiaqing was actually that he was a good person, but that was all.

But he also cannot say that if he talks too much, there will be too much subjectivity. He still needs an objective statement.

"As for their rules, Solovyov, how much do you know?"

"Your Majesty, at least there is no need to rush now, but we must let the Chinese emperor know that Russia's attitude towards them is still friendly and committed to mutual exchange."

"But the emperors of China are indeed very rich, and their palaces are no less beautiful than Versailles, and they probably have better exquisite objects than we have."

“But there are other ways.”

Solovyov despised Britain's approach. If we use a black humor approach to talk about Britain's trade with the Qing Dynasty, it would be that in terms of free trade, it might not be open only to the British.

The rest of the European countries coming from the sea, that is, Russia's own trade ports on the northern border, would be politely rejected according to the Qing emperor's edict, and even their departure speed would be accelerated because they were to be "expelled". The efficiency of the procedures was far greater than any other departure procedures for European merchants, and they did not even get any benefits from it.

You know, the Dutch are very sensible. They know exactly what kind of women the adults like. Their ability to recognize money also comes in handy here.

This involves the issue of national conditions. There will always be "rewards" for the "tribute" to the Qing Dynasty. In addition to ordinary mutual trade, the rewards under this tribute trade can also be regarded as an advanced trading model.

The problem Solovyov was considering was that if he wanted to take the maritime route, he would definitely have to engage in a legal battle, which would test the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At least someone like Czartoryski would not be able to do it.

But that doesn't mean others can't do it. Badberg and Count Rumyantsev both have this ability, and even someone like Alexander Saltykov is not incapable of it.

The specific problems were theirs, and Mrs. Soloviev joined the army to avoid the trouble of wrangling.

But the diplomatic mission will probably fall into his hands in the future. If he has a higher status, he can be the chief envoy and have certain decision-making abilities. If he is a deputy envoy, there will be more troubles.

"Soloviev, no matter what method is used, you will have to participate in it when the time comes."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have thought about that as well."

It was Alexander himself who spoke in time and confirmed that there would be a large-scale diplomatic mission in the future.

There is no way. The tribute is too much, so this excuse is still acceptable, and it is also from far away.

It is probably a consensus that the British do not know the rules.

"Well, if you can reach the rank of a fourth-level civil servant or above, I can consider letting you serve as the chief envoy."

What Alexander said actually set the tone.

Regardless of whether Solovyov relied on his real ability or military merit, it was obvious that he had reached the threshold.

The corresponding military rank for a fourth-class civil servant is major general. He is now a colonel. If he really marries a noble lady in the future, his rank will be promoted accordingly.

Moreover, for Russia, the Fourth Anti-French Alliance is just around the corner, and it is only a matter of time. There are also "potential threats" such as Türkiye and Sweden, and defeating them can also accumulate some military merits.

This is almost enough to be a major general, and there is even a chance to move up a little bit. With his age and qualifications, he would only be a lieutenant general in 1815, and it is impossible to be higher.

Firstly, he is relatively young; secondly, his title and family background are not enough; thirdly, his military achievements can only bring him to this position.

Alexander made this promise because he considered that there was no one in Russia who was more familiar with the situation of the Chinese than he was.

In addition, this time on the "Neva", obtaining these furs, walruses and other specialties, as well as tea purchased from China, can still make a lot of money.

Although it is said that it can make money, we also need to take into account that on the way in the ocean near Guam, the ship took on water due to strong winds and heavy rains, and some rotten and spoiled goods were thrown into the sea, which was worth 20,000 Spanish sterling.

In addition, there is also the method of managing the North American colonies, which Alexander has considered.

He was also unwilling to leave Rossburg full of French people. He would have to allow the Russians to go there in the future. Rescuing people from Santo Domingo was only a temporary measure. After all, these people did not obey the rule of the current French government.

As for the Duke of Enghien, he is not only enjoying popularity among the chiefs, but also has good relations with the high-ranking colonial officials and governors of the strongholds sent by Spain. As for him, the only direct descendant of the Prince of Condé of France, the young girls are all crazy about such a handsome uncle.

In this way, even though Spain, as Napoleon's ally, did not have a good relationship with Rossburg, the relationship between the Governor of New Spain and Governor Rossburg was relatively harmonious.

Compared with the British who would send people out at every turn and even attack the Viceroyalty of La Plata, the Russians were still relatively capable. At least in such marginal areas where force was deployed, they would not come up with any strange ideas.

According to this series of reports, Alexander still had a more ambitious idea. Although he would need to use the British strongholds on the way for his next circumnavigation of the world, it would always be useful to establish good relations with Portugal, build Russia's own stronghold in Africa, and have good relations with African chiefs and kings.

He did not explain this matter to Solovyov. After all, he believed that Solovyov was just an "Oriental expert" and might not be so familiar with other aspects. Alexander himself, as the Tsar, did not have such a wide range of knowledge.

But this is a bit of judging others by one's own standards. Solovyov does have some skills, and he is very studious. He is even now supplementing various materials.

(End of this chapter)