There were other meanings in the words, this was what Nicholas II thought at this time, but he was not sure how it would be, and took a deep look at Ernst's group, who had already ridden their horses and brought back their prey, to embark on a hunting journey again.

"Siberia is a good place, although it is very cold, but there are many resources, and the future is a world of resource competition, and whoever controls more resources will have a greater say."

During the hunt, Ernst was idle and bored to express some of his opinions, but for the aristocrats living in 1910, they valued military prowess most of all, including the army and navy.

Pouting his lips with disdain, a nobleman said with some sarcasm: "Your Majesty Emperor Nicholas, Count Ernst likes the Siberian region so much, we can sell him a piece of land, 10,000 US dollars and 1,000 square kilometers, how about this deal, Your Majesty Nicholas II?" ”

This sarcastic remark did not have the effect he expected, and Ernst looked at Nicholas II, who was smiling and silent, with a very serious attitude.

"I value the future of Siberia, and if His Majesty Emperor Nicholas agrees, I have no reason to refuse this deal."

In 1867, the Russian Empire sold 1.7 million square kilometers of land in Alaska for $720, and the price of land increased more than tenfold in 30 years.

Ernst's answer surprised the aristocracy, for in their eyes the land was a synonym for barrenness, backwardness, and desolation, and although it was true that there were many resources, the difficulties in mining, transportation, and living were generally of greater strategic significance to the Russian Empire than to practical significance.

Unlike Alaska, it was not sold to Ernst in its entirety, but to select a small piece of land to sell to Ernst, which would have no effect on the strategic layout of the Russian Empire, and 1,000 square kilometers of $10,000 was just a casual price, and if Ernst wanted a piece of land of his choice, then the price would naturally need to be increased.

Without affecting its own layout, exchanging a piece of useless land for a large sum of cash, how could the Russian Empire refuse such a deal? Especially when Nicholas II himself had other ideas......

Although Ernst's words moved the hearts of the Russian aristocracy, they were embarrassed by the Alaska affair, and the deal was one of the most humiliating things in Russia. Now that Ernst has ruthlessly exposed it, the faces of the nobles will naturally not look good.

I was moved but couldn't speak, after all, no one wanted to bear the charge of Russian traitor. In the future, the land that Ernst bought was deserted, and once it was developed, they were sinners of the Russian Empire, and the benefits were not much to bear on themselves, such things fools like to do.

Nicholas II was interested in taking advantage of the opportunity, but after thinking about it, he shook his head and said: "The Russian Empire will not sell a single piece of land, not even the useless Siberian region. ”

After saying this, Nicholas II walked away directly, and the nobles were somewhat disappointed, and if Ernst really wanted to buy it, then it would be a big gain for the Russian Empire. Of course, it is the nobles who think this way, and some of the attentive have already seen some clues from it, including Ernst.

What does it mean to say that the Russian Empire would not sell a single piece of land, but then to say that it was barren and useless? It shows that there is still hope for a deal in this matter. But hope is hope, and if Ernst can hope to be able to guarantee this as soon as possible, because his forces in the Manchus have no place to live at all.

Emperor Guangxu has died, the Empress Dowager Cixi has also died, Ernst's plan has been completely frustrated, the current Manchu Empire is on the way to reform, no one can guarantee how Ernst's thousands of elites will be in the future, the only thing he can do now is to try to let them have a piece of land to live on, and slowly develop waiting for his call.

Naturally, the conversation of the nobles also reached the ears of the ladies and ladies in the carriage, and when they talked about Siberia, the nobles were full of ridicule, laughing at Ernst's blindness and his commercial talents. Speaking of which, there is also Mary in the ridicule, and there is a mockery of Mary in and out of the words.

Ernst's fiancé was very good, so good that most of the Russian aristocratic ladies could not find it, and it was reasonable to have some excessive words under jealousy.

The faces of the Grand Duchess Oujia and the Grand Duke Tatyana were ugly, although they were not their fiancés, but after all, they were their future brothers-in-law, and it was very unsightly to be ridiculed like this on their faces now. Of course, while they were angry, they were also a little dissatisfied with Ernst, 10,000 US dollars and 1,000 square kilometers of Siberian land, such a deal only a fool would be willing to make.

Archduchess Maria had been silent ever since she learned of this, not because she was so disappointed and faceless that she didn't speak again, but because she thought there was something in it that they couldn't see, and Nicholas II and Ernst knew very well that it must not be that simple.

The hunt was soon over, and Archduchess Maria was very complicated at this time, because she had something in her heart for a long time, and she decided to tell Nicholas II today, even if it would make him very dissatisfied.

Archduchess Maria's personal maid was by her hostess's side all the year round, and she naturally knew about it, so she never had a smile on her face from the beginning of the banquet, and the negative emotions of nervousness, apprehension, and uneasiness occupied her heart all the time, which made Archduchess Oujia look at her suspiciously from time to time.

The luncheon meal was mainly taken outdoors, and the ingredients were the game brought back by the nobles, including Ernst's elk, of course.

Again he saw Tolubko, but at this time he had his grandfather Tolubko the Elder by his side. Ernst was also different from the beginning, he was surrounded by Grand Duke Mikhail, who had been with him for a long time.

"Dear Prince Ernst, it is our honor to be friends with Tolubko!"

The elder Tolubko came to Ernst with his grandson, greeted Archduke Mikhail, and then saluted Ernst respectfully and expressed his honor.

"Mr. Tolubko, I am friends with little Tolubko, since we are friends, there is naturally no honor or honor between us, and what you just said has the meaning of tarnishing our friendship."

"No, no, no, I don't think I mean that, Russia and Austria have been fighting for many years, and the marriage of Her Royal Highness Maria and His Royal Highness Prince Ernst is something that both Russia and Austria should congratulate, and your friendship with little Tolubko is also a good start."

I don't know if the old Tolubko is confused or if he really thinks that the two countries will develop in a better place in the future, but at this moment, no matter what old Tolubko says, Ernst needs to nod his head in agreement, because his every move may also affect the situation between the two countries at this time.

The identity is different, the old Tolubko naturally can't stay here for too long, and after saying two sentences, he naturally leaves and leaves, and Tolubko has never spoken.

I don't know whether to say it to Grand Duke Mikhail next to him or to himself, Ernst muttered: "This is not what I want." ”

"But your identity is meant to be."

Grand Duke Mikhail saluted slightly, and Ernst turned around and sure enough, it was Nicholas II, and on one side of him were several daughters, among whom Grand Duke Maria had a look of shame.

"Your gift to Mary is so valuable, not even my father has ever given such a precious gift."

Nicholas II sighed a little, it was not uncommon for Nicholas II to see such a big and pure sapphire, but if he was asked to give it to his daughter as a birthday gift, he really couldn't take it. It's not that he's reluctant, the main thing is that he has four daughters and he also needs to pay attention to the influence, even if he is a tsar, he can't do everything he wants.

"Your gift to Mary is the most expensive, because it is fatherly love."

Ernst didn't feel numb, because these were real words, and what Ernst said was extremely serious and sincere, but who could detect a trace of envy in those words?

Nicholas II was not moved, he showed a wry smile, if he was really a good father, then how could he let his daughter be the object of his use? Even though she was getting along well with Ernst now, there were some other elements in it.

"Your Majesty Nicholas, when God has given us identity, it has already destined us to take on some things, which we cannot refuse and cannot refuse, and Maria will live well in Moravia in the future, I can guarantee this, I am Ernst Franz!"