Seeing that Baykov was really confused, the young tsar became a little excited and said:

"Haha, let me tell you, friend. Today is April 23 in the Gregorian calendar! It's St. George's Day! ”

"Oh, I see, St. George's Day, Your Majesty." Baykov did not know that this day had nothing to do with his mission!

"Yes, my friend. St. George, our Georgi knight! Not only did he slay the dragon, but he also brought the gospel to the pagans, and the teachings of the Father were deeply rooted in the hearts of the people! Alexei was excited.

Baykov's brain is flying - slaying the dragon? Heathen? Could it be that it is China?

"You see, my friend, the reason why I have chosen to speak with you today is to keep in mind that no matter what compromises we make with that 'Chinese dragon' and what promises we have made to those infidels in China, please have absolute confidence in my determination and in the sanctity of our 'Third Rome'! One day in the future, as the Knight of St. George and St. Georgi, I will completely conquer that huge and ferocious Chinese dragon! At that time, the vast land of the East will be full of our Orthodox churches and priests, just as it is in Eastern Siberia! In other words, the East is our Orthodox Church, let the 'Catholic' Holy See in Rome and let their clergy deplore it, we are God's chosen people! ”

Alexei expressed his grand ambition, and suddenly felt more relaxed, and the thick beard on both cheeks could not help but twitch, like an epileptic seizure!

"I see. My great all-Russian despot, His Majesty the Tsar! I, Baykov, have been completely conquered by your ambitions! ”

Baykov was indeed impressed by this young man with a heart higher than the sky - whether or not this plan could be realized, and having such a wish at least showed that the tsar still wanted to do something, although the end result was either a generation of heroic kings or a generation of mentally handicapped and faint kings!

"At that time, should my teacher, dear Patriarch Nikon, himself go to the far East to spread the Gospel? It's enough for Moscow to have me - haha! Alexei suddenly added unsatisfactorily and smiled profoundly......

"......" Baykov could not cope and continued to act as the most loyal listener.

It took a long time for the young tsar to stop smiling. Very concerned at Baykov said:

"Of course. My friend, I also know that if you compromise with the Chinese in private, you offend your Moscow bureaucrats. Even though you have offended those people in the diplomatic yamen for my sake. I'm sure too. They will never appoint you again after you return. That is, you will be denied by them, my friend. ”

"Your Majesty. I ......"

"Mr. Earl, this is the sacrifice I need you to make for me. You have to swear before God that all this I said to you does not exist, that everything is your own dictatorship! ”

The tsar changed to a sympathetic look, looking at his "friend", there seemed to be a sense of expectation in it, but every word that came out of his mouth was so unquestionable!

Bayikov, who was originally immersed in sharpening his head and becoming a close minister of His Majesty the Tsar, was made to fall into a glacier by Alexei's words, and he was sweating profusely!

- yes, not really! Having disobeyed the written instructions issued in the name of the tsar and the diplomatic yamen, his mission was a complete failure, and there would be no "next time"! The most important thing is that the rich rewards you get through the mission will come to naught! And all you will get is an empty title of "earl"! You have to think about this yourself! Moreover, once he accepted this secret order and put it into practice, he would become the target of the entire Moscow aristocracy, and all the appointments and orders issued by the various yamen in the future would not have anything to do with him, and there would be no way to make a fortune!

"This ...... Your Majesty, I ......"

Once again, Baykov stammered, unable to organize any useful words at all.

"Haha, don't be nervous, you can think about it. But don't worry, my friend! Alexei seemed to have long been aware of Baykov's hesitation, so he did not blame him for his gaffe, without a hint of disappointment, but immediately said:

"You'll just have to endure for three or five years, my friend. It's not an instant, but it's worth the wait for a big deal! ”

"Your Majesty, what are you ......?"

As soon as he heard the word "big deal", Baykov's head instantly turned to the short-circuit state just now, and entered high-speed mode, and his eyes also shone again.

"Yes, big deal, my friend!"

The clever young tsar smiled and said, as if relieved to see the prey enter the edge of the trap as he wished, and continued to say gently:

"Three or five years is enough. We just have to wait until those stupid bureaucrats completely forget about your mission to China. After that, I will send you to Siberia as an Overseer, and then your losses will be multiplied, my friend! ”

Warlord? That's right, it's the so-called "soil emperor" overseer that the tsar himself said just now! Baykov's mind could no longer simply be immersed in the slightest uneasiness - he had just received the title of Earl, and if he could become the head of one of the Overseers after some tempering, it would be worth it! Even if you don't mention the huge profits, there is another point that is very tempting, that is, the sky is high and the emperor is far away! Moscow may be facing turmoil in the near future because of the young tsar's "promisingness" who "has a heart higher than the sky", and if it can seek a position somewhere in Eastern Siberia above 10,000 people, will it not be just right to be able to get out of this huge political maelstrom that has also formed?

Thinking about it from another point of view, if you offend the big nobles who are now in power in the court because you obeyed the secret orders of the tsar. It's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the Patriarch has begun to gradually distance himself from these great nobles. And the relationship between the tsar and the patriarch Nikon is not monolithic! Don't tie yourself to any one force, but should have your own foothold and right to speak...... In this case, what can I hesitate about?

"Ahh Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness! I will definitely do my best, even if I am wronged! Baykov, who had made up his mind, finally bowed deeply in gratitude.

"Haha, I knew you weren't the same as those pedantic people! Come, my friend, and solemnly swear your vows right before my Monomacher hat! ”

Alexei, who had been prepared, turned around and pointed to the famous yellow "Monomakh Crown[1][1]" not far away. Demanded.

No wonder you brought me here. It turns out that the tsar has already planned! This crown, which symbolizes the Tsar's "divine right of kingship", has always been placed in the Kremlin, and not everyone can see it casually. The fact that you have been brought here shows how well prepared you Alexei are for today's conversation -- Baykov suddenly realized. Secretly thinking about it.

Despite the displeasure of being calculated. But the shrewd aristocratic merchant Baykov still did the tsar's orders. After walking a few steps to the dazzling crown that was placed on the hat rack, he fell down on one knee solemnly and drew a cross on his chest. There are words in the mouth.

"The Father and the Virgin are above, I, Fyodor. Isakovic. Baykov, I swear in the presence of your Son, My Son Christ Jesus, that I will be completely obedient to the great all-Russian absolutist monarch, Alexei. Mikhailovich. The order of the Grand Duke Romanov has accomplished this mission. And I will always keep this secret between us, and I will never reveal a single ...... to anyone else."

"Haha, okay, my friend, that's enough! I am not mistaken, and you will always be my faithful friend, just as I have done to you! ”

Alexey, who took it when he saw it, decisively pulled up Baykov, who was kneeling on the ground, picked up twice the already filled vodka spirits from nowhere, and brought one of the glasses to Baykov, who stood up again.

"Before we drink this glass of spirit, I would like to kindly remind you, my dear Baykov." Alexey said.

"Please command."

"Hmm. The English had always thought that China, like India, was located in the upper reaches of the Ob River. Hehe, stupid British! And the cunning adventurers of the Dutch Lowlands, Calvinist pagans who wear a pair of trousers with the English! You have to be on the lookout for these people at all times! Don't mention any of our plans in front of them at any time! ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Fortunately, they are always looking forward to the sea route through the northern tundra, haha! Let them be so persistent. I have always believed that on the way to China, you have to follow the advice of Bukhara merchants. After all, they had been trading with the Mongols many years ago, and at that time, we in Russia had not yet set foot in Siberia. That's why I chose Ablin and Babatov as your assistants on this trip. Those stupid officials really thought I was attracted to the satin and rhubarb they sent me to use them, haha-"

"You're so wise!"

Despite the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, Baykov seemed to feel that the Tsar had something to say, so he patiently waited for his later explanation.

Sure enough, Alexei gave another specific suggestion, or rather an order.

(Chapter to be continued)

"A limerick poem. Hidden Head

Reading literature and reading history is only a long breath

I was saying that there was an opportunity back then

The layout is a long-cherished wish

It's hard to come and go

Get up and spend a hundred years

Point out the suffering and diseases of the world

The edge of the town was razed to the sea

Wen'an Wuding tears of joy

[1] The Monomakh Crown (Russian: Шапка Мономаха) is a Russian crown whose origins are variously described, with some suggesting that it was made in the 13th and 4th centuries as a gift from Uzbek Khan to Ivan I, Grand Duke of Moscow. It is also believed that it was given by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine IX in the 11th century. Its main structure is made of gold, the cross on it may have been added later, and the lining inside is made of black mink skin. (To be continued......)