The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1467: Chapter 233: Russian-Style Bureaucracy

But a metropolis like Moscow is different; officials higher in rank than the Constitutional Soldiers are everywhere.

Although the Constitutional Soldiers have the Tsar and Count Benkendorf as their backing, supporting them. However, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, many of the officials they have to deal with have their own backing, such as the various ministers of central departments and the Governor of Moscow, Duke Dmitry Golitsyn, who are prominent figures of the second and third ranks.

Although none of these individuals alone can wrestle with the Tsar, if you simultaneously offend three to five of them, the likelihood of the Tsar suddenly ’having a stroke’ will spike dramatically.

This statement is not alarmist, because certain personnel serving in key positions in the Russian court were indeed involved in the palace coup that killed the current Tsar Nicholas I’s father, Paul I, more than thirty years ago.

Not only is Tsar Nicholas I aware of this, but his brother Alexander I also knows it, yet neither Tsar has ever purged these people.

Whether nobility or Emperor, everyone tacitly avoids discussing this matter.

However, at private gatherings of the nobility, occasionally someone with a big mouth, after becoming intoxicated, will talk to guests about the precise details of that year when the Tsar was personally executed.

The vice president complained as he hinted to Arthur: ”The Constitutional Soldiers have been arrogant too long—not just me, even our Governor, Duke Golitsyn, can’t stand them. To be frank, Duke Golitsyn’s committee actually classified the case a few days ago, saying Volkov investigated it for ages but didn’t find anything substantial, and couldn’t provide concrete evidence of the youth’s rebellious conduct. According to the rules, people should have been released, and the case should have ended.”

”End here?” Arthur was surprised to learn of such an episode in the middle of the case: ”Then why did the Constitutional Soldiers come to court today?”

The vice president waved his hand and said, ”Don’t mention it, it’s likely Volkov reported it to the Emperor. Yesterday, the Emperor dispatched an envoy to Moscow, saying that the interrogation committee’s investigation results were unsatisfactory, dismissed Duke Golitsyn as committee chairman, instead appointed Sergey Golitsyn, Academic Director of Moscow University, as chairman, and other committee members were also replaced. If I remember correctly, the current committee members are City Defense Commander General Star, Tsar’s envoy from Moscow, Duke Alexander Golitsyn, Colonel Shubinsky, responsible for Moscow University’s Constitutional Soldiers, plus committee secretary Oransky.”

Arthur regrettably said: ”No wonder, I previously thought that with Duke Dmitry Golitsyn’s calm temperament and his usual sense of fairness, he should not wrongfully accuse anyone. Turns out someone new from St. Petersburg made the case take a new turn.”

The vice president spread his hands and said: ”The Duke’s temperament is indeed calm and fair, but before the Tsar, he wouldn’t stubbornly defend a young person. Count Benkendorf is eyeing this case, who in Moscow would dare act against the wind at such a moment?”

Arthur nodded; he knew that the vice president could explain these matters to him today, which sufficiently demonstrated his openness.

If he continued to press further, not only would it be impolite, but it would also seem quite ungrateful.

Arthur actively stood up to take his leave, saying: ”Talking with you is enjoyable, I originally planned to invite you for a meal together, but I still have arrangements afterwards today. Are you free this Saturday? A new French restaurant has opened near Tver Street; I tried it once, the flavor is quite authentic. I’ll have someone reserve a table tomorrow, and after confirming the time, I’ll have someone send an invitation to your office.”

The vice president laughed while seeing Arthur off: ”It’s truly an honor to have met you. In that case, see you on Saturday.”

The vice president did not persuade him to stay, only signaled the clerk to escort Arthur out.

Arthur walked out of the courthouse, standing on the stone steps at the entrance, lit his pipe and took a drag; the hallway remained misty. The two ivy plants standing on the windowsill had already turned dry yellow, the marble floor cold like frozen ice.

Arthur was pondering how to resolve the issue when he suddenly lifted his head and bumped into a familiar face—Herzen.

Previously taken away by his father, Herzen had reappeared at this moment, with a small wooden suitcase at his feet as though he had just sneaked out from the estate.

”Why are you back again?” Arthur was a bit surprised, ”Wasn’t your father taking you to Liang Zan Province to check the serf tax registers?”

Herzen appeared stubborn: ”He only gave me a reassignment order but didn’t personally supervise where I went. Of course, I need to figure out a way to save Ogarev first.”

Arthur sighed: ”Don’t do something foolish, you’re challenging your father’s authority here. Besides, Ogarev’s case isn’t as easily solved as you think.”

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, he heard the sound of wheels turning, and a four-wheeled carriage gradually stopped below the gray steps, with the window sliding down to reveal half an old face—it was Herzen’s father, Ivan Yakovlev.

The old man did not speak, but the mere appearance of his naturally authoritative face instantly made Herzen’s legs tremble with fear.

”What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to wait at home for the carriage that would take you to Liang Zan?”

”Sir?” Arthur hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, rarely initiating a greeting.

This old nobleman looked icy-hearted, but Arthur had yet to grasp his true temperament.

”Sir Arthur, come on up, I’ll give you a ride.” Yakovlev’s voice brooked no argument: ”As for you, Alexander, you’re grounded! Platon, you are to escort the young master back home; from now until he returns from Liang Zan, you must keep an eye on him without leaving his side!”

Arthur hesitated briefly, glancing back sympathetically at Herzen, but promptly boarded the carriage.

The door softly closed, and the vehicle quickly departed from the courthouse entrance, kicking up some gray snow.

”I don’t like beating around the bush, especially when someone pushes my son into the spotlight.”

Just a few seconds after the carriage started, the old man pointed remarks came through: ”You’re a British diplomat, I don’t believe you don’t understand the political atmosphere in Russia, nor do I believe you can’t identify people. What I truly believe is that you deliberately incited him.”