CHAPTER 574: CHAPTER 565: RUSSIA’S NON-STICK PAN

Witnessing the significantly diminished anger of Nicholas I, Menshikov finally breathed a sigh of relief. He understood that maintaining a golden silence had allowed him to narrowly escape the first day unscathed.

Next, it depended on how Menshikov would explain (or shirk responsibility) to Nicholas I.

If he managed to pass the blame successfully, Menshikov could escape unscathed, but he certainly couldn’t count on retaining his dual governorship of Crimea and the Caucasus.

If he failed to pass the blame, Menshikov would be awarded a one-way ticket to Siberia, specially prepared by Tsar Nicholas I.

Although Nicholas I, as the leader of the Russian Imperial nobility (Tsar), would not easily confiscate the properties of erring nobles like the Great Eastern Empire, exile to Siberia was an essential measure.

When the Decembrists attempted a palace coup and were defeated, Nicholas I also executed only the ringleaders and exiled the rest to Siberia.

However, they were escorted step by step by specific personnel to Siberia, resulting in many deaths along the way.

The mistake Menshikov made was much smaller than that of the Decembrists, so he could take a special carriage to Siberia (if Menshikov failed to shift the blame).

"Your Majesty! I am a sinner of the Russian Empire!" Menshikov began by humbling himself and admitted his mistakes to Nicholas I.

"I did not ask whether you were guilty! I asked what exactly happened to Sevastopol!" Nicholas I sternly questioned Menshikov, "A force of 70,000 couldn’t defend a small Sevastopol! What exactly is your role as governor?"

"Your Majesty, the Anglo-French allied forces were simply too numerous!" Menshikov immediately cast the first blame at England and France: "They deployed nearly 200,000 troops (an exaggeration) in Crimea, and our forces were no match for them!"

When Menshikov mentioned "200,000," Nicholas I’s face also showed a shocked expression, his thoughts still lingering in the Napoleonic Wars where he had no concept of industrial mobilization, making it hard to imagine how the Allied Forces maintained such a large army for distant warfare.

Thus, Nicholas I subconsciously refused to believe Menshikov’s words, "Menshikov, you are at least considered a soldier! Do you know what it means to maintain an army of 200,000? Moreover, Britain and France’s logistical support relies on maritime transport!"

"Your Majesty, I dare to swear by my ancestors that everything I said is true!" Menshikov hastily explained, "The logistical transport of the Allied Forces indeed relies on maritime routes, their fleets are so numerous... It’s like a giant city floating on the sea... When my officers saw their fleet for the first time, they were already..."

At this point, Menshikov stopped speaking, knowing that some words should not be spoken further.

"Already what!" Nicholas I loudly yelled, "Are your soldiers still the empire’s soldiers? Where has their bravery gone?"

"Your Majesty! I assure you, every one of my soldiers is the best!" Menshikov quickly defended his subordinates.

"Then why did you lose Sevastopol in just over a week?" Nicholas I questioned Menshikov.

Menshikov continued to tell Nicholas I about the Battle of Alma, but focused on the initial stages and how his forces repeatedly resisted the British assaults.

In Menshikov’s account, the Kingdom of Britain’s army was akin to the reincarnation of Napoleon’s forces, and the Russian Imperial Army, with its indomitable spirit, repeatedly resisted the British attacks, inflicting heavy losses on them.

"Since you claimed to be in a stalemate with the British forces, how was your position broken through?" Nicholas I questioned Menshikov.

"Your Majesty, it’s because I trusted Admiral Kiriyako too easily!" Menshikov advantageously shifted the blame to Kiriyako: "When I received Kiriyako’s message, three regiments stationed on the ’Telegraph Hill’ heights had already retreated; I had no choice but to follow commands and withdraw the main forces!"

In his view, if it wasn’t for Kiriyako being taken out in one wave by the French Army on Telegraph Hill, he wouldn’t have chosen to retreat.

"Where is Kiriyako now?" Nicholas I gritted his teeth and asked Menshikov.

"Your Majesty, I’ve heard Kiriyako has already been captured by the French Army!" Menshikov replied to Nicholas I.

"Didn’t you say Kiriyako retreated? How was he captured?" Nicholas I questioned Menshikov.

Menshikov then continued to narrate to Nicholas I about the subsequent battle for the Sevastopol Path, also bringing in the backing of Mikhail Gorchakov’s brother.

[PS: Prince Old Gorchakov, after being shot multiple times and falling from his horse, died from excessive blood loss during treatment at a dressing station, retrieved by his subordinates.]

"In that battle, we and the French had engaged in a strategy of piecemeal reinforcement! Since our soldiers were far inferior in weaponry and equipment, so..." Menshikov explained to Nicholas I the reasons for the failure.

"Weapons! Weapons!" Nicholas I repeated twice, then exclaimed in frustration, "I refuse to believe that without weapons, my army cannot fight! Menshikov, tell me what’s going on with their weapons?"

"Your Majesty, after the failure of the Sevastopol Path contest, I led the remaining Russian Army at the Kach River and encountered the British Fourth Division! After a battle, we managed to seize some weapons from them. (The Russian Army was in collapse at that time.)" Menshikov explained to Nicholas I, "Through testing, we found that the weapons the Allied Forces were generally prepared with had a range 2-3 times longer than ours, which means they could shoot at us before we even got close, and when we entered their range, they could shoot at us a second time! Our soldiers have to endure two rounds of shots from them before we can retaliate!

Our morale was significantly diminished after these two rounds of shooting."

"Do you mean to say you were afraid of the Allied Forces’ rifles and thus did not dare to lead the troops back to Sevastopol? Am I right?" Nicholas I questioned Menshikov.

"Your Majesty! I am not afraid of death!" Menshikov shouted to Nicholas I, "But more than death, I fear failing to accomplish the task you have entrusted me with!"

"Hmph!" Nicholas I snorted coldly and sharply said, "You still remember the task! If you truly understood it, you should have led the troops back to Sevastopol, not let Sevastopol fall to the Allied Forces! (Nicholas I pointed outside the palace) Look at how England and France are rejoicing now!"

"Your Majesty! Forgive my frankness!" Menshikov spoke humbly yet firmly, "The fortress of Sevastopol is doomed, and the time the Anglo-French forces have left us is inadequate for us to reinforce Sevastopol! While I can lead the troops to relieve the siege, even so, we would still lose Sevastopol... only to increase the casualties... I withdrew to Perekop equally to prevent the connection between the Crimea Peninsula and the Russian Empire from being severed!"

"So! I should thank you then!" Nicholas I sarcastically said to Menshikov.

Menshikov raised his head, straightened his chest, and replied to Nicholas I, "Your Majesty, I know that in your eyes I am already a failed general! I am willing to accept any punishment from you!"

Nicholas I looked at Menshikov standing below the steps and for the first time saw this once-favored official, now a disgraced one, had aged beyond recognition.

Does he really want to punish him?

"Menshikov!" Nicholas I called out softly to Menshikov with a complex expression.

"Your Majesty!" Menshikov bowed in response,

"Go home!" Nicholas I sighed, waved his hand, and said to Menshikov.

"Thank you for your mercy!" Menshikov bowed to Nicholas I once more and then left the Amber Hall.

After Menshikov left, only Nicholas I remained alone inside the Amber Hall.

After a while, Nicholas I rose from the throne and went to the window.

Gazing through the glass at the descending sunset in the distance, he felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness.

Could it be that his Empire would gradually decline like the setting sun outside the window? No! I will never allow this to happen!

Nicholas I’s eyes became exceptionally sharp, and he clenched his fist with determination.

For the future of the Empire, he must resolutely fight against England and France!

"Father!" Suddenly, a voice came from behind Nicholas I.

Startled by the familiar voice, Nicholas I turned to the crown prince behind him and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"Do you have any matters that need attending to right now?" Alexander II cautiously inquired.

He clearly remembered his father saying he was going to "interrogate" Menshikov, but now, he couldn’t see Menshikov’s figure. Was the interrogation already over?

"It’s over!" Nicholas I shook his head and said to Crown Prince Alexander, "I’ve already sent Menshikov home! From now on, Menshikov can never set foot in Tsarskoye Selo again! Do you need anything?"

Nicholas I’s words relieved Alexander II; regardless, his father did not impose severe punishment on Menshikov.

According to the current analysis by the Ministry of War, the fall of Sevastopol is already inevitable, and Menshikov bears only a small portion of the responsibility!

"My teacher wishes to meet with you?"