Chapter 5, you are mistaken, Natalie is to become the queen

However, neither Great Britain nor Ming Dynasty is foolish; while they presented enticing offerings to Nicholas I (specifically, the two types of 15,000-ton ironclad warships), they also made demands of Grand Duchess Natalia Pavlovna...

In the Throne Hall, seated on the throne placed before the double-headed eagle emblem of the Russian Empire, is a remarkably handsome man dressed in the blue uniform of the Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment (of which the Tsar is the commander), who bears a striking resemblance to Mikhail Pavlovich and Natalia Pavlovna.

At first glance, this situation seems very advantageous for the Russians, but Nicholas I did not wish to take sides between the Ming and the British... He only wanted to reap benefits without assuming obligations, and he was also unable to bear them.

What is the plan? The Tsar does not quite understand

The Ming Dynasty and the British Empire are so far apart, and both have solid national strength and shrewd calculations. Even if they confront each other, it is unlikely that they would immediately roll up their sleeves and engage in a full-scale conflict; they would only support expendable forces to wear down the opponent. In their view, the Rus' nation is probably just a massive expendable force!

"What? Is it that serious?" The Tsar was taken aback, "Is it still possible for him to become a military strategist?"

The actions of Nicholas I and Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich in deferring the throne to each other led a group of progressive officers in the Russian army, who had gained new perspectives in Western Europe due to the Napoleonic Wars, to feel that the opportunity to lead Russia towards progress had arrived—since the Romanov family was unwilling to take on the responsibility, why not let us do it instead

At that moment, Thomas Standon, wearing a high-crowned top hat and a blue double-breasted tailcoat, with the open collar revealing a white silk shirt and bow tie, and donning a pair of white tight-fitting trousers, entered gracefully while holding a cane. Upon reaching the Tsar's throne, he removed his top hat and performed a bow.

The Tsar furrowed his brow, troubled by the question posed by his sister, when a servant called out: "The British Ambassador Thomas Standon is here to see you, my lord!"

The one who can sit in this chair, without needing to ask, is undoubtedly the perplexing Tsar of Russia, Nicholas I. The reason he is considered perplexing is that he and his brother, Konstantin Pavlovich, seemed to have no idea what they were thinking. After the death of their elder brother, Tsar Alexander I, they were there, pushing and shoving over the Tsar's throne. It was not mere pretense or polite refusal that kept them from taking the throne; they genuinely did not want the position. The two brothers held the throne in a stalemate for a full twenty-five days.

However, the Russian Empire, bolstered by its victory over Napoleon and the subsequent triumph in Paris, along with its vast territory and large population (relative to other European countries), as well as its formidable army, can still maintain the facade of being the dominant land power in Europe. Yet, in the face of the industrialized powers of Great Britain and Ming Dynasty, anyone with a modicum of foresight can sense the decline of the Russian Empire, which has not even abolished serfdom.

No, it is construction! The Tsar's Road, constructed in the land of the Rus, with technology provided by the allies of the Rus nation

Winter Palace, Throne Room

At this point in the conversation, he cast a glance at his sister, Natalie

"Mikhail Pavlovich, Natalia Pavlovna, come here, come a little closer," Nicholas I beckoned to his brother and sister, urging them to approach him, and then he looked around. At that moment, many state officials, nobles, and the Tsar's attendants were standing in the throne hall. A few of them, who were quite close to Nicholas I, noticed the Tsar signaling to them and tactfully stepped back to provide space for the Tsar and his siblings to speak privately.

The Tsar looked at the dignified middle-aged gentleman before him and gently nodded, saying: "I am honored to welcome the ambassador to the Winter Palace as the Tsar."

While Nicholas I was troubled over matters concerning his sister, a servant in the throne hall suddenly shouted: "Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, Grand Duchess Natalia Pavlovna requests an audience!"

In the view of Nicholas I, there are three great powers in the world today, three that stand equally at the top

Thank you, and I wish you good health as well. The newly appointed Emperor Nicholas I had a serious expression, even somewhat indifferent, showing no excitement at all for his ascension to the throne. Naturally, he did not display much enthusiasm towards the British ambassador either

What? The Tsar's brow furrowed even deeper, "Is there a risk to life?"

Thomas Standon nodded and said, "As long as the Grand Duchess can become the future Queen of England, the British Empire is willing to transfer the relevant manufacturing technology of the sovereign-class ironclad warships to the Russian Empire"

"I remember, of course I remember," Natalie said in a lowered voice, her delicate face filled with concern. "But, but it seems he has forgotten his father! He mistook the portrait of Marshal Zhuge Youde hanging inside the General Staff Headquarters for that of Zhuge Liang."

His head was grazed by a bullet. Natalya Pavlovna, who has some medical knowledge, said, "It has caused a five-centimeter-long wound, and both the skull and the brain have sustained some damage"

Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich and Grand Duchess Natalia Pavlovna, this pair of siblings, have now donned their ceremonial attire and appeared in the throne hall of the Tsar. They are here to pledge their loyalty to the new Tsar and to express their blessings

Nicholas I, with a stoic expression, noncommittally addressed St. Anton: "Your Excellency, I will not discuss the marriage of Natalia Pavlovna until the mourning period for the late Tsar Alexander I has concluded. Furthermore, I hope to announce the construction of the super battleship Alexander I at the funeral of Alexander I"

The Tsar glanced at his little sister, smiled wryly, and said softly: "Standon, the baron, is quite a difficult character. He followed his father, who was a deputy ambassador, to the Ming Dynasty when he was twelve, and completed an education equivalent to secondary school at a noble academy in the Ming. Later, he served as a diplomat for a long time in both the Ming and our country, and is well-versed in the situations of both... You are now standing beside me, try to control your emotions; no matter what he says, do not get angry. Of course, in today's meeting, I will not agree to anything he proposes."

The Tsar furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then said to Natalia: "Natalia Pavlovna, the current international situation is becoming increasingly complex. The Empire is facing pressures and pulls from both the East and the West. In the potential confrontations that may arise in the future, both powers from the East and the West hope that Russia can become their ally. Our Empire also has its own aspirations... In this context, we need to have reliable friends in the power centers of both Eastern and Western powers. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Build?" Thomas Standong was taken aback, "Isn't it a purchase?"

On the very day that Nicholas I finally changed his mind and prepared to take on the mess of the Russian Empire, striving to be a good Tsar, a group of progressive officers from the Russian Imperial Guard launched an uprising with three thousand guardsmen, marching to the Palace Square (historically known as the Senate Square next to the Naval Ministry). Upon discovering that "someone intends to harm me," Nicholas I immediately became energized, promptly mobilizing troops to suppress the rebellion, and personally commanded at the front lines. He engaged in fierce combat with the insurgents on the Palace Square and ultimately succeeded in quelling the uprising.

Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich took over the Tsar's inquiry: "Doctor Shchedonov has examined him and there is no danger to life. However... it is possible that due to brain damage, he may have lost some memories."

"Is Wei Dao injured? Is it serious?" The first to ask was actually Tsar, which indicates that the relationship between the two is quite good

I do not know," Prince Mikhail shook his head, "becoming a military strategist is very difficult. Even if the mind of Dao is not injured, it may not necessarily achieve its desires. Now ... ...

Once the Russians have taken their stand, they will immediately become cannon fodder to be beaten. The British are likely to incite conflict among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The Ming Dynasty will exploit its complicated relationship with the Jin Empire to create trouble. The true goal of the Russian state is to capture Constantinople and rebuild the Eastern Roman Empire, and therefore, they do not wish to take sides between the Ming and the British.

Among them, two are the British and the Ming ... ! ... Just look at the 15,000-ton armored warship they brought to the Rus' country for promotion to understand!

"Use schemes to deceive the competitors within the family," Natalie said, "In each generation, there are only a few individuals who can become strategists, and the competition is quite fierce"

Baron Thomas Standon replied in Russian: "Hearing the cheers of the Rus' people for you, I rushed here at the first opportunity to convey the blessings from Britain and wish you good health"

Natalie thought for a moment, still not understanding: "So... Nikolai Pavlovich, where exactly am I supposed to go? To England or to the Ming Dynasty?"

Nicholas I turned to look at his sister, "Natalie, what do you think?"

Natalie said: "He can still understand the language of the Rakshasas, and he can also speak it, and he remembers some things. I suspect... he might be plotting something."

Ironclad warships of this caliber are a symbol of national power during the industrial era, and only the Ming Dynasty and Great Britain in the world are capable of constructing them, while France, Prussia, Austria, and Russia can currently only build ironclads under 10,000 tons

Now, Nicholas I sits on the throne of the Tsar, with a somber expression, waiting for the state officials, high nobles, senior generals, and envoys from various countries in Petersburg to arrive; at the same time, he is troubled by the issue of alignment for the Russian Empire in the potential global confrontations that may occur in the future

Such a thing is simply unheard of! Throughout the history of the Russian Empire, there have always been ruthless means employed to seize the throne, and there have even been instances where a wife instigated a coup to usurp her husband's throne. Now, it is astonishing that two grand dukes have been at an impasse for twenty-five days to avoid becoming Tsar. Has the throne of the Tsar lost its allure?

Thus, Nicholas I had no choice but to immediately accept the oath of loyalty from state officials and members of the Privy Council in the throne hall of the Winter Palace after suppressing the rebellion, and he also instructed someone to notify the embassies of various countries in Petersburg that he had become the new Tsar of Russia

Both the British Empire and the Ming Dynasty, regarded as the "world's number one," seem to have coincidentally placed the Rus' Empire in the third position in the world, and simultaneously regarded the Rus' as a target for alliance.

Although the Russian Empire, France, Prussia, and Austria can all construct ironclad warships under 10,000 tons, this does not imply that the industrial strength of the Russian Empire can be compared to that of France or Prussia. In fact, when compared to the Austrian Empire, the industrial level of the Russian Empire falls short.

Thomas Standon nodded towards Grand Duchess Natalia Pavlovna, who was standing next to the Tsar in her court attire, and then addressed the Tsar: "Your Majesty, the Dukes of York and Albany are eager to meet your sister, the beautiful and charming Grand Duchess Natalia Petrovna, either in London or in Petersburg. I believe that the Duke and the Grand Duchess will surely fall in love with each other." Then he said to the Tsar: "Your Majesty, the Dukes of York and Albany are eager to meet your sister, the beautiful and charming Grand Duchess Natalia Petrovna, either in London or in Petersburg. I believe that the Duke and the Grand Duchess will surely fall in love with each other."

Lost your memory? The Tsar immediately looked at Natalia, "Natalia Pavlovna, does he still remember you?"

However, Nicholas I, who suppressed the rebellion, could no longer push the throne of the Tsar outward; if he pushed any further, it would lead to a republic! Although he did not wish to be Tsar, he still wanted to be a grand duke and continue living a carefree life. But what if a republic were to be established...? Hehe, France has killed so many people in its pursuit of a republic, not to mention the Russians, who already have a penchant for killing.

Thomas Standon chuckled, "Your Highness, the Grand Duchess, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is still a child! Moreover, the Ming Dynasty practices an electoral monarchy, where they select an heir from branches of three royal families. In the past one hundred years, no emperor's son has been elected. The House of Hanover is lacking successors, currently only Princess Victoria and Prince Augustus remain, and neither of them are children of the heir apparent. If you can bear offspring for the British heir, whether male or female, they will become the heir to the British Empire... Furthermore, the British Parliament looks forward to you bearing a healthy heir for the House of Hanover! Additionally, the Ming Empire is a conservative Eastern nation. Once you enter the Ming court, you will be closely monitored and lose your freedom forever. However, if you become the wife of the British heir, as long as you can bear an heir, you will have one hundred percent freedom. You can be with whomever you wish without interference. Moreover, you will receive a generous annual allowance provided by the British royal family.

Natalie calmly said: "Your Majesty, if I am not mistaken, the British Crown Prince is already 62 years old this year... and His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is much younger than him"