Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 262 029 When you get to Martinique, you can go directly to find your relatives.

The voyage was smooth. Among the six Russian battleships, four were 74-gun battleships. The voyage was also extremely smooth. Even during the voyage in December 1803, they were accompanied by ocean currents and unusual trade winds. On the voyage, the entire fleet quickly arrived at Cape Verde from the coast of Africa. After replenishing supplies in this Portuguese territory, they continued to set off.

If you just consider this voyage, it is quite boring. There is a lack of entertainment on the ship, and the Russian Navy has not received such a distant voyage mission for a long time.

However, thanks to improved health regulations and supplies, fewer people got sick on the road.

"Solovyov, this should be attributed to you. The army's health regulations were considered very effective during Generalissimo Suvorov's expedition, ensuring the health of our soldiers, and they were also extended to the navy."

Of course, this was something that happened during the time of Tsar Paul. Rear Admiral Seniavin knew about it. It was what Paul heard when he angrily denounced the old men of the Naval Committee in front of him and praised him, a young officer who was the captain of a battleship at the time. .

"But we must also pay attention to hygiene. Also, the drinking water must be safe. Every time we go to a supply point, we should replenish fresh water."

Speaking of which, apart from the captains, Solovyov was actually the eldest officer among the officers in Senyavan's expeditionary fleet, but when he was in the meeting, he was the youngest one present.

"There is no problem with supplies. If necessary, we can also use the supplies on the supply ships. As for the lost supplies, the cash we carry is enough to purchase supplies at ports along the way, especially Puerto Rico and Guantanamo, Cuba."

It's a bit strange for Senyavan to say this. After all, the names of these two Spanish colonies are always a bit abstract when spoken by Russians.

After all, these two places will be under the control of the Americans in the future, but this will also be a hundred years from now.

"These are not problems. We also have sufficient medicines. If we want to deal with the tropical climate, we must also pay attention to safety. I think yellow fever and malaria are caused by mosquito bites. We must ensure the safety of the entire fleet."

"You are the one who made the plan. In fact, you need to work harder when executing it. After all, we have no relatives in the West Indies."

Solovyov was also a little helpless. After all, he was the one who proposed the plan, but he had some relatives here.

This was a good thing. I didn't meet my stepmother's cousin in France, but she came to visit her and went straight to Martinique.

France and Russia are still at peace. Now Duke Enghien has accepted the appointment of the Russian Czar as the Governor of Roseburg. He sets out for the French colonies. As a member of the Bourbon royal family, whether to arrest him or not, in fact, This will cause difficulties for all governors.

However, Duke Enghien did not want to cause trouble, so he planned to use a pseudonym to land on the island. He also changed into the clothes of a Russian captain and appeared in the dressing room of the battleship.

"You want to go to the island with me?"

"Unlike my real status, I can pretend to be your deputy. For example, a name like this, Captain Louis Buffon, how does it sound?"

"This is still a Frenchman, but he can cover up some problems. After all, there are too many French officers in Russia. Regardless of whether they are royalists or people who came to make a living before the war, there are too many such people, and they cannot investigate them one by one. It's just that "Your Highness, you need to restrain your sharpness and don't show your noble temperament in front of the French people when you are walking. That will be exposed immediately. Everyone knows the nobility and arrogance of the Bourbon royal family."

"My poor niece too?"

"Besides her arrogance, she is also pitiful and pitiful. But I do know that she is already engaged to someone and is about to get married."

"God bless, Louis-Auguste's soul in heaven should also be happy. His only living daughter has her own destiny, and may be able to find happiness. But who is the groom?"

"Can you keep it a secret? It's like I'm asking you to put away that temperament of yours?"

"Of course I can keep it a secret, but you also managed to get together with the usurper's sister and let her give you a child."

"Ah, don't talk about this kind of thing. There will be a scandal if it gets out."

"I know, I will keep this matter secret."

The Duke was noble, arrogant, and more or less aboveboard, so he was unlikely to reveal other people's secrets.

"It's Archduke Karl."

"Ah, as expected. Only this heroic knight is suitable for Marie Therese and can protect her safety."

Then they stopped discussing these issues. Although tidbits are sometimes interesting and everyone is willing to share them, some need to be kept secret.

Going to Martinique for supplies is also a must-go, so that's about it.

The governor of Martinique was somewhat panicked when he saw so many warships flying Russian flags appearing here.

"The other party is sending out flags and asking about our purpose of coming. General Senyavan, you can reply to them. We are just here to seek supplies. How about sending a messenger?"

"I think we need a 'local' at this time. Misha, I think it would be very suitable for you to go."

"Okay, I can go."

Soloviev had been on the ship long enough, and getting off the ship would always give him a breath of fresh air.

However, he took Belzoni with him, but left Adela on the ship.

"Can taking Hercules with him deter the other party?"

"It's safe for him to go with me, but I don't know if my bad reputation in Paris can spread to the West Indies."

"Don't be funny, that's impossible."

But Soloviev's relaxed mentality also made everyone less nervous.

"Okay, you can go, but we just need to explain our purpose."

Admiral de Joyce is the current Governor of Martinique. He led the French fleet here. First, he had to transport the expeditionary forces to Saint-Domingue, and then he came here to serve as the Governor. He got along well with the locals.

Soloviev was brought to the admiral. Martinique was not big, so he was quickly taken to the Governor's Palace.

"Sir, what is the purpose of your coming to Martinique to request supplies?"

"Governor, we are going to Saint-Domingue to protect the expatriates. Do you know what the situation is like there?"

"It's not good, but as far as I know, there are very few Russians in Saint-Domingue, but you have dispatched so many warships on this trip."

"As the fleet commander of the Saint-Domingue expeditionary force, I think you should also know that General Dessalines is different from General Toussaint Louverture. The former does not have a high level of education and is very unfriendly to whites and mixed-race people."

"I know this, so your purpose is to maintain order and people's freedom?"

"But it is not an action as an ally of France. In the absence of any alliance between Paris and St. Petersburg, this is a special action to avoid humanitarian disasters. It is originally intended to be peaceful, but when necessary, special military operations can also be launched to protect the safety of expatriates from various countries."

The admiral was confused by a bunch of new terms, but he was very experienced and knew that the other party had said a lot, which was actually a harmless passage and request for supplies.

"You can stop at Fort-de-France for supplies and stay for a few days, but after that..."

"Thank you, Governor-General. In addition, I have an unwelcome request."

"Young man, don't stop talking halfway and let me, an old man, guess the riddle."

The other party spoke directly and gently, and Solovyov knew that there was something going on.

"My stepmother was born in the West Indies. She is from the De Buk family and her name is..."

"Oh? The counselor of our parliament here has this last name. I heard him say that his daughter was lost at sea. But he is not in Fort-de-France. If you want to find your relatives, you can go to Le Robert's plantation. He is a rich man who owns a sugar factory and plantations. If what you said is true, I think Mr. de Riveri will be very happy."

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't be so polite. We are willing to do a lot for friends passing by, but if there are enemies coming, we will still fight hard."

In fact, the journey from Fort-de-France to Le Robert is not far, and even starting in the morning can catch up with lunch.

However, the first thing to do is to let the supply ship dock to replenish fresh water and food, as well as local specialties, mainly coffee, cocoa and white sugar.

Speaking of which, in this era, the plantations in the Caribbean should be the most prosperous and wealthy period. With the war, technological progress and competition from other colonies, local products will not continue to be popular, and then slowly become tourist attractions and resorts.

Solovyov has to go back to the ship to report the results of the communication to Duke Enghien and Senyawen.

"This is good. We have a reason to go to the island, but most people still have to stay on the ship."

"Dmitry, you still have to consider what to do if these sailors clamor to experience exotic customs?"

"Then let them go to the island in batches, but they must come back on time. Otherwise, we can only ask the French gendarmes and garrisons to catch them back."

Senyawen is a wonderful person. He has great prestige in the fleet and strong management ability. The sailors are still very convinced of him.

As for the naval infantry on board, they lined up at the dock and were also communicating with the French garrison in a friendly manner. Both sides behaved very smoothly and nothing major would happen.

However, Duke Enghien wanted to visit his relatives with Soloviev. He was just watching the fun and not afraid of trouble.

"Are you sure you want to go to Le Robert with me?"

"Of course, I am also curious about this. Who are your relatives? Besides, I don't have to worry about being recognized here. There will definitely be no one in Martinique who knows me. I just need to pretend to be your deputy."

As a deputy, not an adjutant, he must be a good goalkeeper.

"Well, Captain Louis Buffon, you can go with me, but there are also Belzoni and Adela."

"You really favor that little girl and raise her as a sister?"

"I guess so, and letting her go to the island with me will also broaden her horizons."

If we talk about the island of Martinique, the most famous person is probably Josephine. Her home is in Les Trois-Sillais, which is opposite Fort-de-France, and Solovyov doesn't know where the "stepmother's cousin" he has been looking for lives, and the old lady at home is still there!

Only on a tropical island, you obviously need to be careful of poisonous snakes, especially the vipers on the main island, which are very poisonous. Fortunately, they are not common and rarely appear in towns. They are mainly found in plantations and mountain forests.

No one would take the initiative to provoke these poisonous snakes, and their journey will go from the west to the east of the island, where there should be plantations.

"It looks like a prosperous and wealthy island, Louis."

Duke Enghien still needs to adapt to his new role. It was only after Solovyov called him several times that he responded.

"Ah yes, you are right, Michel, but just like there are poisonous snakes on the island, the British may also be eyeing this place."

"After all, it is a country of honey. But when I was in Paris, I heard that the wife of the First Consul did not show her teeth when she smiled. Although there is a sense of mystery and special charm, I suspect that it is on this island of honey that she ate too much sugar and caused tooth decay."

He did not forget to remind Adela who was eating candy: "So, you can only eat this piece of candy today, for your health and to have a good set of teeth."

Adela and Solovyov rode on the same horse. She sat sideways and hugged his neck, so that Solovyov could not ride too fast.

"Yes, sir, this is the last piece of candy today."

"Good boy, you can eat two pieces tomorrow, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. And on this island, I think it's not just sugar, but also coffee, cocoa, and bananas."

Unfortunately, bananas were only introduced recently, but Martinique still has this thing. After all, it is a tropical climate, and nothing is strange when it grows.

Even if the four people rode slowly, they soon passed the middle hill and saw Le Robert in front.

This is the hometown of Solovyov's stepmother and the mother of his three new brothers and sisters.

Although the town looks small, it has been renovated. The church has a white exterior wall, and other buildings are also brightly colored.

Although this is a French colony, it should be said that it has more French style, but because of the special island environment, it is also different.

"Hey, Misha, we'll be there soon. Do you want to go to say hello?"

"There's no rush. I still have a token with me, so it's convenient to visit relatives."