Bloody Heart

Thirty-seven years after Peter's death, the terrible wildness awoke from the soil, decayed and climbed out of the grave, and once again occupied the land of Russia.Ivan's enthusiasm for continuing his career after Peter's death was splashed with cold water.From being angry at the beginning, he gradually learned to look at the short-sighted struggle in the palace with a mocking attitude-there is no second Peter in the world.That Peter died, and everything was over; although the current crown prince also called him by his name, Ivan knew sadly in his heart that it was impossible for the emperor to be reborn on this cowardly child.

This Peter was also old enough to get married.Standing out from many candidates was a Prussian girl. When she learned that she had been selected as the wife of the Russian crown prince, she decided to abandon her previous German name and change her name to Ekaterina.This young couple is very interesting. As a Russian, the husband hates Russia, but admires the Prussian military system very much; the authentic Prussian/Scholar/wife resolutely abandons her husband Envious of his identity, he is determined to be a qualified Russian.This naturally made them hate each other.

Ekaterina had to give up relying on her husband and rely on her own strength to make Russia accept her. She set her goal first on language.Russian is probably the most difficult language on the continent, especially for Ekaterina who is from a completely different language family.Having studied German for 14 years, it is impossible for her to learn another language from scratch without feeling strenuous.

She had no choice but to redouble her efforts. Fortunately, the crown prince's wife did not lack courage and perseverance.However, it is known that she worked very hard to learn Russian, but she did not expect her life to be dying because of learning a language.

Queen Elizabeth I, who was visiting her son/daughter-in-law, returned to her room and took out her handkerchief as soon as she entered the room: "My God, this poor child! Vanya, you must go and see her!"

Ivan said sarcastically, "Why? Because my language almost cost her her life?"

"It's so heartless for you to say that," the queen sat down in front of him, "she's a German, and she's just been married—I think—for more than two months? The reason why she So hard, in the final analysis, is to want the Russian people to recognize and accept her."

"Well," Ivan nodded, "it's worth encouraging."

The queen waited for a while before asking, "So?"

Ivan looked at her strangely: "So what?"

"Aren't you going to see her?" Seeing Ivan's troubled expression, the queen grabbed his hand, "Listen, Vanya, you must go. You have to let this little girl know , everything she does is seen by everyone, especially by you. You know, getting your approval may make her happy for days."

Tsar/Emperor/Russia/country had to surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll go."

So the next day, he took a rare time to visit Ekaterina who was ill in bed.Because she got up in the middle of the night every day and stood barefoot on the ground without a coat to review—it is said that because she thought it could resist drowsiness—she caught cold and contracted pneumonia.Although Ivan felt that it was not worth the trip, he was indeed curious and wanted to meet the crown prince's wife who spent her life learning Russian.

When Ivan came in, there was no visitor beside Ekaterina's bed, she was reading a book.Seeing Ivan coming in, she immediately put the book aside, and Ivan saw that it was still a textbook as expected.

Ekaterina coughed twice and said, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Tsar/Tsar/Russia/Country, I can't get up to greet you. Please sit down."

Ivan just leaned against the door, didn't go in, let alone sit down.He looked at the textbook meaningfully: "To be honest, I think it's very unnecessary for you to do this."

The crown prince's wife followed his gaze and shook her head: "Is it unnecessary? I don't think so. I must let the Russian people accept me as soon as possible. First of all, I want to be a Russian."

"That's right," Ivan nodded. "It's just that you don't think this method is exaggerated? You are too eager for quick success."

The blond girl was a little embarrassed: "Ah, I have to be careful, this time is really dangerous..."

"No, no," Ivan interrupted her, staring at her with a half-smile, "Mrs. Ekaterina, are you so anxious to gain approval that you risk your own life? I do admit that I sympathize with you." The heart is a powerful thing."

"What does this mean?" Ekaterina's expression became confused.

Ivan didn't speak, just stood by the door and looked at her.The young Ekaterina was obviously not Ivan's opponent in this eye contact, and she was defeated after a while and looked away.

"Well, you are so perceptive, worthy of my motherland. In other words, it doesn't matter if you know these thoughts-I really want to take advantage of the sympathy of the people. I expected to fall ill, but You also have to believe that my original intention of standing barefoot on the ground is really to resist drowsiness."

"Well, you're so honest."

"Just now you said that I am eager for quick success, yes, I have to be so eager for quick success." Ekaterina smiled bitterly, "God, I, the crown prince's wife, will always have books and dangers, but I will never be happy. Peter Hate me as much as I hate you. Without his protection, I might be killed or abolished suddenly. I am here like a dandelion seed, pushed and swayed in the air by the air current, unable to control myself, and will never be able to take root! I had to find a solid support other than Peter. I chose you.

"I don't ask Ivan Braginsky to support me, I want thousands of Russians behind you. I want to be one of them."

An anxious and eager light flashed in the purple eyes of the crown prince's wife and Ivan, who were similar.Ivan was silent for a while, and finally said noncommittally: "Very good, then please continue to study, I will not disturb you."

Ekaterina smiled and picked up the book. "I'm sorry I can't see you off, goodbye."

After Ivan returned, Queen Elizabeth asked about her daughter-in-law's current situation with concern. In fact, she had just seen her the day before yesterday.Soon, because of the praise of the current empress, Ekaterina studied Russian hard and hoped to integrate into Russian society as soon as possible, which became known to the general public and aroused widespread sympathy. With a touch of love and respect.Ekaterina didn't say anything. After recovering from her illness, she humbly returned to her study and continued to study hard.

■

Over the past ten years, the wife of the crown prince, who worships Russian culture and respects Russian traditions, has gained a good reputation among the people, and there is no trace of her original country on her body.When Queen Elizabeth died, she entrusted her son Peter with confidence.

However, Peter's actions after his mother's death failed his mother's concern for him.As soon as he became tsar, he began to feast and feast, disregarding the regulations of the period of mourning.Ekaterina had advised him, but he regarded it as another hindrance of this hating wife, and completely ignored it.Yekaterina had no choice but to wear mourning clothes alone, crying and praying for a long time before the queen's coffin.Her behavior formed a stark contrast with Peter, intensified the accusations against Peter from all walks of life, and further enhanced her status in people's hearts.

After the mourning period ended, Peter's various absurd behaviors finally pushed people's dissatisfaction to the peak.Not even a year after he became Tsar, his wife launched a palace coup with the support of the Guards and kicked him off the throne.The coup d'état almost ended with flowers and applause, and people all over Russia were cheering for Ekaterina's entry into the Kremlin Palace.Only ten days later, on July 1, 7/6/2/7, Catherine II was crowned and sworn in as the Tsar of Russia.It is worth noting that on the same day as the Queen's coronation, her husband died of mysterious poisoning.

After stepping on her husband's corpse, Ekaterina could finally realize her wish to make a big splash, and Russia at that time did have room for her to do a lot.Everything needs to be rectified urgently, disorder is a normal state.The high budget deficit and the low efficiency of the administrative department made her exclaim how/maintain the operation of this country.However, the young queen was not overwhelmed by what she saw and heard. She showed amazing perseverance, just like she worked hard to learn Russian in those days, and dealt with government affairs day and night.She has to work 15 hours a day, except for sleeping and eating.She had to deal with documents piled up on nine large tables, and Ivan, who read the documents to her, could hardly find the Empress in the middle of the documents.As soon as she came to the throne, she announced that she would be the heir of Peter the Great, and her performance really gave Ivan a glimmer of hope.

After three years of her conscientious administration, the deficit of 1700 million rubles has turned into a surplus of 550 million; she has adopted Western/European economic policies, allowing tax revenue to rise in a straight line; , can be solved in a few minutes now; she also developed medical care and education with the help of foreign talents, was the first to inoculate smallpox vaccine/vaccination, and opened the first girls' school.With her encouragement, literature and painting also ushered in their golden age.

Everything really has the shadow of Peter the Great.

After the initial results of the reform, Ekaterina still followed Peter's example, facing Europe and opening the door.This time, she chose Western/European flourishing Enlightenment ideas.

Just three years after she came to power, Di/De/Ro, one of the representatives of the French Enlightenment Movement, faced the dilemma of having no money to marry a daughter.As a last resort, the scholar planned to sell all his books to make up a sum of money.Ekaterina was shocked when she heard about it, and quickly told Ivan, "Go and tell him, I will give him money to marry his daughter, and don't sell these books!"

Ivan rushed to France in a hurry. When he opened the box containing 16000 gold coins, both father and daughter were shocked. "The empress sent me to inform you that she is willing to use the money to buy all your books, the only condition is that unless she asks, these books must be used by you." Ivan watched the father and daughter stare wider and wider. She widened her eyes, smiled slightly and threw a heavier bomb/bomb, "And the empress also hired you to be her librarian. If you are willing to go, she promises to give you a salary of 1 rubles per year. "

When the librarian hired by a lot of money returned to Russia/country with Ivan, the public opinion in Western/Europe had already sung praises behind them.De / De / Luo suddenly became the best introducer of all kinds of technical personnel and scholars. After his recommendation, hundreds of teachers, doctors, scholars and craftsmen came to Russia to serve Ekaterina The "enlightened dictatorship" is building blocks.

■

Two years later, Ekaterina was no longer satisfied with merely demonstrating her position and determination through actions. She devoted herself to thinking and wrote a "Sacred Decree" with hundreds of articles.She wrote in the "Sacred Edict" that she wanted to establish "a decree that prohibits the rich from bullying the poor", and she realized very ahead of time that "the people were not created for the monarch, on the contrary, the monarch was created for the people".To the Enlightenment thinkers, this is simply the gospel of history. Vol/Tay even exaggeratedly praised the Queen as a student of the Goddess of Justice and Humanity.

Ekaterina herself seemed to be very proud of herself. Immediately after promulgating the "Oracle", she convened a new code compilation committee to turn her "law of complete equality" from an idea into a reality.After the establishment of the committee, she has been busy with government affairs and has no time to check their work results. One day she suddenly remembered this matter and asked Ivan to check it for her. "If I go, they may be cautious, but you will make them feel supported." The queen thought very thoughtfully.

After Ivan came back, she immediately put down the government affairs in her hands, and asked earnestly, "How is it? What part of their code has been drafted?"

But Ivan sneered: "I don't see them 'drafting' anything. They're still in the 'reading' stage, if there is one at all."

Ekaterina was stunned for a moment, and then realized: "You mean they plan to discuss orally first, then record and organize? Oh, that's good too, but it must be slower."

"No," Ivan waved his hands exaggeratedly, his purple eyes were full of sarcasm, "They are reading the "Oracle" aloud!"

"what?!"

Seeing the empress' stunned expression, Ivan added fuel to the fire: "Since the committee was established, this is the only thing they've done. Can you imagine? These committee members don't even know what they're supposed to do." .”

"What a bunch of trash," the Queen immediately became anxious. "I told them to 'reference' my oracle instead of reading it over and over again. What's the point of doing that? God, I'm going to talk to them now —what the hell was going on in their minds?"

Ivan stretched out his hand to stop her. "Perhaps because no one here knows what a 'law of absolute equality' really is?"

The queen looked at him and gradually regained her composure.Ivan continued: "Your Majesty, you seem to have gone too far. Even France/country, where the enlightenment idea originated, has not formulated a 'law of absolute equality'. Or, I think, you can understand it this way— — there is absolutely no such thing.”

"What do you mean?" The queen was a little unhappy.

Ivan sneered: "I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but you were immersed in the formulation of the "Holy Edict" at that time, and I couldn't bear to hurt your enthusiasm for building the Utopia. But now you really have to pay for it You have practiced, and I have to come here to correct you. Your Majesty, of all the people here, only you have been immersed in the ideals of Enlightenment.

"Freedom, equality, fraternity - the spiritual food for the suffering people, how many people really understand the price they need to pay to realize them? It is not formed by a word of mouth or a flash of brain. On the road to these , is bound to be covered with blood—the blood of the ruling class—the blood of you, your cronies, and nobles! Enlightenment, its real meaning is not so much to liberate human nature, but to reshape a country .

"You, Empress Ekaterina, do you really have the courage to drive yourself off the throne?"

The purple eyes stared at the queen quietly, like a frozen sea.The queen defended herself dissatisfied: "What you said is too extreme. I just hope to build a better autocratic country with the help of the part of enlightenment that is conducive to governance. 'Enlightened autocracy', you all Speaking of me, have you forgotten that there is also the word “dictatorship” after “enlightenment?”

Ivan shrugged noncommittally. "Theoretically, there is indeed a middle ground, but once the people's minds are released, it is not so easy to control. Your Majesty, there will be no middle ground at that time."

The Empress was clearly distraught now, and she started pacing the room. "...Is this your personal opinion? Are you saying this to me just to show that you don't support my position?"

Ivan laughed: "Why do you still ask this kind of question? Your Majesty, I am the will of the country."

Ekaterina sighed heavily and sat back on her chair.

A year later, due to the outbreak of war with Turkey, most of the members of the Codification Committee were going to serve, and the Committee announced an indefinite adjournment.The codification of the law came to an end.

■

Ra / Ji / She / Fu once asserted: "No reigning emperor will voluntarily give up his power.... Once the slaves under the heavy shackles are desperate and furious, they will use obstacles to prevent themselves. Shattered by the shackles of the slaves...Soon there will be great men among the slaves to replace the fallen nobles, but these great men will throw away the power to oppress others. This is not a dream, We have seen through the thick veil of time, and we have seen a full 100 years ahead."

Unfortunately, his prophecy was partially fulfilled before the war between Russia and Turkey was over. On 1/7/7/3, Pu/Ja/Joe/off led the uprising under the banner of "conquering/fighting the wife who usurped the throne for Tsar Peter III".This was the largest uprising in Russian history, and it took two years to be suppressed.And Radishev, who made the assertion and led them to carry out the uprising before, is a group of intellectuals cultivated by Yekaterina's "enlightenment".

At this time, the empress, apart from disappointment and anger, gradually agreed with Ivan's view: the "absolute equality law" she once advocated, once it becomes a reality, will be a serious injury to herself and the authoritarian/noble/noble class .

In the same year, her old friend De/De/Low came to visit her and proposed to write an Enlightenment work, hoping to gain her support.Ekaterina received him warmly, but didn't say a word what De/De/Lo wanted to hear most.Finally, the scholar who was sent out said to Ivan in disappointment: "Your queen, Her Majesty Catherine, is undoubtedly an absolute monarch."

Ivan told the empress herself about this evaluation, and Ekaterina was noncommittal, but told him: "Go and get me all the works of that guy."

Ivan Qi said: "Are you still interested in his works?"

"No," the Empress flatly denied, with a gloomy expression, "I want to keep them in my hands as well as the "Oracle", so that no one will be harmed."

The Pu/Ja/Joe/F uprising seems to have completely changed the Queen's position. She has changed from an advocate of enlightenment ideas to a complete anti-enlightenmentist-like most absolute/absolute monarchs.She accused the French Revolution: "The name French must be eradicated forever!"

Even at the end, she declared in desperation: "Equality, it's a monster!" which amounted to a negation of much of her previous decades of effort.

Ekaterina, she wanted to be an autocratic monarch different from the traditional sense, but finally had to succumb to the trend of the times.

■

开始放弃启蒙主义以后，仍然希望建功立业的女皇便把目光转移到了开疆拓土上。1/7/7/2、1/7/9/2和1/7/9/5年，伊万三次与罗德里赫、基尔伯特瓜分菲利克斯的领地，最终从地图上抹去了这个国家。在这个过程中，伊万获得了获得46万平方公里土地。

In the 18s, he even incorporated A/La/S/Ja in North/America/America into his territory, becoming the close neighbor of Matthew and Alfred.

Empress Ekaterina triumphantly declared: "I came to Russia/country empty-handed, and now I have finally brought my dowry to Russia/country, which is grams/li/m/ya and Poland/land."

She is indeed entitled to be so proud.

On 1/7/9/6, this unique female emperor came to the end of her life.

Lying on the bed, she said regretfully: "Tsar/Emperor/Russia, if I live to be 200 years old, all Europe/Europe will fall at your feet... Let's name my grandson Alexander, I hope that he, like Alexander of Macedonian, will build a great empire across Eurasia—the Great Russian/Russian Empire.”

Ivan recalled the scene talking to Peter the Great when he was lying on his hospital bed before his death decades ago.How similar is that to the scene in front of me, full of unwillingness and regret for unfulfilled ambitions.After Peter died, there was Ekaterina; after Ekaterina died, will anyone inherit her mantle?Or will all her efforts be eroded and conquered by the deep-rooted wildness?He was deeply concerned about this.

He stood by the bed and watched her slowly close her eyes.From the failure of "Enlightened Despotism", he already knew what was going to happen to him, so he didn't have the passion to continue his ambition after Peter's death.The last flames in the side stove slowly receded into black, cold charcoal.

The author has something to say:

The part of Ivan as an introduction ends w the next chapter the Soviets appear...

Let me briefly talk about the setting of the Soviet role in this article, mine protection.

1. The name of the Soviet is Paul Braginsky (but it has nothing to do with Paul Korchagin);

2. The Soviet is a national ideal, not a national will. This is the essential difference between him and Ivan.The so-called national ideal refers to people’s concept of a country based on consciousness and ideals. The Soviet was born because of the awakening of the party/people in October/February/month, and a republic appeared in the ideal; it finally changed with the changes of the times. Became the Soviet Union/Russia.And Ivan is the will of the country, born from the concept of "country" in the material sense. He is closely related to territory, culture, people's emotions, and war.

That’s all for the part that may be a bit of a surprise for the time being, happy reading w

Part II: War