The second more

After the end of the Franco-Prussian War, in order to strengthen his position in the country, Bismarck made a painful decision to attack the "papal infallibility" faction that advocated Catholicism on the grounds of opposing clerical power. And the Center Party also launched a tough counterattack, the reason is, "Napoleon, the First Emperor of the French Empire, could come back from the dead, why did Bismarck oppose the existence of God?" ”

Although the idea of Napoleon's resurrection was absurd in the top echelons of Europe, in France, where Catholicism is the state religion, this idea is accepted by many people, and many common people in Europe are skeptical of this widely circulated claim. Pope Pius IX of the Vatican also made a big fuss about Napoleon's resurrection and emphasized that it was God's favor to the devouts, but Napoleon refuted him very inappropriately.

"I'm sorry, but I believe in flying pasta...... Oh no, I support Catholicism, but I never go to church. ”

While Bismarck was busy fighting his cultural struggles and wits with the Catholics, Napoleon made a surprise request to visit St. Petersburg. It was a bombshell that instantly detonated St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the same time attracted the attention of Tsar Alexander II.

To this end, he also specifically consulted Prime Minister Gochakov on his views on French President Napoleon's upcoming visit to St. Petersburg. At this time, the ruler was no longer the Sphinx Alexander I of the north, and he did not care about Napoleon's use of different sects to consolidate his rule, after all, Tsar Alexander I strongly opposed Napoleon's liberation of the Jews and asked the Orthodox See to declare him a damned heretic. And yet now the visit of this damned heretic to St. Petersburg as the leader of the state is ironic for the political and religious patriarchs of the Middle East.

"We certainly welcome them, and it's a good political signal for us to break the deadlock that has been in place since the Crimean War. This is very important to us. ”

What Prime Minister Gochakov did not say was that at this time the reform of serfdom in Russia had entered a critical period, and with the rapid development of industry and capitalism, the contradictions between various strata were also rapidly intensifying, and St. Petersburg should actively look for ways to divert the contradictions in the country. However, at this time, Russia could no longer afford to fight a foreign war except to bully the Ottoman Turks, so he could only alleviate the crisis by forming alliances.

The more important question is whether Russia will choose Germany or France, and Gochakov suggests a two-sided investment, in which they must play the role of France's savior and reconcile their relationship with Bismarck.

To put it bluntly, it is a wall grass, but even as a wall grass, it must be the most important one.

"What about the German side?"

"Quite simply, we never talk about an alliance with the French, but only maintain economic and trade relations with them. In this case, Bismarck could not find any excuse to accuse us. ”

Since Gochakov said so, Tsar Alexander II could not hold his point of view either. He was not a man well versed in international political struggles, and often relied on the opinions of his prime minister.

However, the mentality of betting on both sides of Russia has long been exploited by Napoleon, he knows what Gochakov is going to do, and Napoleon continues to go down according to his wishes.

During this visit to St. Petersburg, he also prepared a special gift for the other party.

On August 10, Moscow ushered in a grand state visit.

The Russian side was very cautious about the French president's visit. Special caregivers were also arranged, but when Napoleon arrived outside the Hermitage Square, Gochakov scratched his nose with some embarrassment.

Alexander's Column is presented without any suspense in his previous years, as if triumphantly announcing the hasty defeat and flight of the French.

Weighing 600 tons, it is made of a single piece of granite, without any support, and stands on its own weight on the cornerstone, with an angel holding a cross at the top, and the angel stepping on a serpent on both feet, a symbol of victory over the enemy. It is also to commemorate the victory of Tsar Alexander I over the then Emperor Napoleon and the salvation of all of Europe.

Napoleon stood thoughtfully in front of Alexander's column, he was not angry, but looked at the angel holding the cross with a calm expression.

The sculpture is similarly expressionless.

Gochakov whispered a bad word, he thought he had arranged everything, but he did not expect to forget that there was still a stone pillar, the pride of Russia, and the knot of France.

"Your Majesty Napoleon, you listen to my explanation......"

Napoleon waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "This snake is so ugly that I think it would look better if it was replaced by Napoleon himself, what do you think?" Prime Minister Gochakov? ”

For Napoleon's sarcasm, Gochakov could only nod submissively, there were too many bad things happening in the Winter Palace that day, such as the statue of Ivan the Terrible that had been placed in the exhibition hall before actually fell from the pillar without warning. The tsar even considered it a sign of ominous luck at one point.

Napoleon was overwhelmed with emotion when faced with these stone pillars.

"Even if you once enjoyed endless glory, what can you do in the end? Alexander I was already dead, in a humiliating way. He wouldn't even have imagined that his old rival would stand again in front of his feats decades after his death. ”

Gochakov did not know how to answer the feelings of the French president.

"If I live longer than any of my opponents, that's a victory."

The last sentence he whispered to himself in French in a voice that no one could hear.

"I don't know if next time, I will have the opportunity to lead a million-strong army of France to commemorate the great achievements of Tsar Alexander."

"And wash away the shame of France in the country of blizzards."

At the same time, Alexander I, who was waiting for Napoleon's arrival in the East Palace, was still chatting and laughing with the nobles around him, when suddenly his heart suddenly panicked inexplicably, as if something ominous was imperceptibly penetrating his spinal cord and nerves.

Noticing that Tsar Alexander's face suddenly turned pale, the people around him hurriedly asked with concern, "What's the matter, Your Majesty?" ”

"Nothing."

Alexander II waved his hand pretending not to care, exhaled, then asked for a glass of water, and drank it with his head tilted to dispel the gloom in his heart.

After calming down, he explained to the people around him, "Maybe I'm thinking too much. ”