Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

The Guards discussed military reforms and proposed adding staff officers to the command structure. They soon received the support of Chief Engineer John Peter van Suchteren, then Director of Munitions.

His previous work included many aspects such as mapping, communications, engineering and logistics. The munitions director's organization was still built in the style of Austria and Prussia, so the scope of work was also very wide.

When he heard the news, he had just finished mapping the Russian Empire.

"That's it, Your Highness, I think it is feasible to put logistics and some departments separately in the new Munitions Department, emphasizing supplementary supplies, and the military operations and combat planning parts can be placed in the Staff Department, our This is what Napoleon did. Their actions were very efficient, but they also had to take into account some of the opinions of the German officers and make appropriate adjustments."

"But Comrade Chief Engineer, you are Dutch."

Hearing what Constantine said, Van Suchteren also shook his head and said: "We Dutch are just 'Germans' in the lowlands. Some people will definitely say so. That is to say, we have always been in the lowlands." The people in charge of the drawing work are all professionals and have nothing to do with the German officers in the command organization. , no one is here to gossip. Your Highness, the Guards are all good. They have little prejudice and do a lot. As for you, don’t touch that book. It’s a manuscript I just bought. , a small part of the complete Latin manuscript of Aristotle published in Strasbourg in 1469."

It is obvious that Van Suchteren is knowledgeable and impartial in judging matters. He considers many issues, but it is just his personal collection. Before sorting it out, he does not like others to touch it.

"But Solovyov was there, and he also touched your manuscript."

"It doesn't matter, Your Highness, that part is sorted out and is different from the new things. You know, I only have a few hobbies. I collect manuscripts everywhere, as well as various precious books and maps."

As for what Solovyov saw, it was a bit difficult for him. After all, his Greek level was not enough to support him in reading some content.

"But, Mr. Chief Engineer, my Greek is indeed not very good. Those who learn that language well are just living fossils. But I also thought of one thing, that is, military education must keep up."

"Yes, Colonel, a military academy should indeed be established. I have also seen the results of your discussion."

Van Suchteren put down the work at hand, stood up from his desk, and came to the front of Grand Duke Constantine.

"It's just that we have too many things to do. The reform of the command structure is urgent. We can no longer rely on the Austrian staff structure. And I also want to explain that General Verother's approach is still based on the wishes of the Supreme Commander. ”

That is to say, he said this in front of Grand Duke Constantine. General Van Suchteren knew that the Grand Duke must have advised the emperor himself, but the effect was not great.

His comments could indeed be regarded as saying something for Velosse, but the unfortunate Austrian general died not long before they said this.

But when Van Suchten said this, he stopped there and did not go further.

Next, he continued: "As for the education level, we will open the military academy this year. With the compressed academic system, it will take two to three years for the first batch of students to enter the army. These low-level officers It will take time to become qualified soldiers, but it is still feasible for existing officers to continue their studies and obtain the qualifications of senior commanders through education.”

"Indeed, many of our generals should learn from it."

But Grand Duke Constantine also knew that in order to do this, Alexander's approval was needed.

Then he looked at Solovyov, who was still pretending to read Greek.

"Misha, you said it yourself. You're not very good at Greek, so stop pretending."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Also, take out the list of schools you drew up."

After Van Suchteren read it, he marked some of the schools with a pencil.

"These schools should be built as soon as possible. As for the colonel of the communications department, you have always been in the Guards. You should be very clear that the army does have a dedicated communications department."

Only then did Solovyov remember that the messenger officers were organized separately from the Guards and retainers. Generally, a colonel officer was responsible for commanding these "messenger" officers and was responsible for delivering orders among the army.

And things like communications schools are now just signals and semaphores. If there is any place where they are more useful, it is the navy.

"But this way, I have to divide your power."

"I don't like to make combat plans, although this is what the military director has to do. I prefer to engage in production construction and territory planning. After all, I am still an engineer."

"Yes, I also hope to become an engineer, but I am an infantry officer."

"You still have some skills. In the future, whether you are a commander or teaching courses on the podium, you will be successful."

Obviously, Van Suchteren also likes to support his juniors, and he prefers research rather than tedious and often meaningless administrative work. Moreover, there is no administrative affairs department that can manage these administrative tasks.

His willingness to decentralize power also supported Archduke Constantine's plan.

Later, it was Alexander himself who approved the plan, and he did see some opportunities.

What did you see? Even if he adds some young officers whom he personally trusts more among the various divided departments, this opportunity will still exist.

Therefore, in early February 1806, the position of Director of Munitions, which had a lot of tasks in the Russian army, was actually split.

However, Solovyov thought the results were a bit outrageous.

In addition to the Minister of War, the Russian army also includes the Chief of General Staff, Director of Munitions and Director of Education.

If it were placed with some red deer, I wouldn't have to worry about missing one of the three officers.

Of course, that has a lot to do with the fact that I studied under French and German students when I was young, but I didn't learn everything and didn't pay attention to logistics.

For such an organization, Van Suchteren is in charge of the Director of Munitions in charge of military supplies and construction. The position of Chief of General Staff is held by Count Peter Tolstoy, while the position of Director of Education is held by Count Peter Tolstoy. No one cared about it for a while.

It’s not because of anything else. Those veteran generals with prestige and qualifications are either too old or have been transferred to other fronts because the war situation has changed. For example, Gudovich, one of the old marshals, is no longer in Petersburg at this time. , right behind the Caucasus front where something had happened and Commander-in-Chief Tsitsyanov was despicably murdered by the Baku Khanate.

As for Count Kamensky, it is obvious that his violent temper is not suitable for this position.

The more patient Kutuzov had just fallen out of favor due to the frontline war, so he also took the blame. If Prozorovsky, another veteran, had not interceded, he would have been forced to retire directly.

As a result, the position of "Director of Education" is now vacant.

Fortunately, there are no military schools that require "directors of education" to build. This job is not important now. Therefore, there are currently "three officers" in the Russian army. This is a dumbfounding result.

And Solovyov has to go back to teach His Highnesses Nikolai and Mikhail.

Obviously, their education does need the right people to guide them. General Landsdorf is more like a guardian, and it is these tutors who really teach.

After David Marra's French lesson, it was Solovyov's turn.

He also realized a problem, that is, Nikolai's addiction to military command was too great, and he always had to find a way to curb it.

Therefore, he also found General Landsdorf.

"Young man, you brought me here because His Highness Nicholas is interested in military science, right?"

"Yes, you should also notice that His Highness's hobby is exactly the same as that of the late Emperor. In addition, there are some things that should not be said. The Emperor and Grand Duke Constantine both encountered trouble when they first went into battle. Only However, His Highness Constantine's performance on the battlefield was acceptable. , General Rosenberg was there again, and our battle across the river was only a small defeat. And His Majesty, his luck was really bad. During the Battle of Austerlitz, if he had not made up his mind to attack the enemy, he would have faced Bonaparte. The battle may not be like this now.”

He had spoken with great restraint, and General Lanzdorf could sense it.

"So, what are you going to do, is to give His Highness Nicholas some special lessons?"

"What I thought of was to use a game to solve this problem. When I first entered the palace, the three female grand duchess who were not yet married played a similar 'King Game' on the map. It is not impossible now. Bring out this kind of content.”

Moreover, Solovyov really came up with a plan.

"If you want to play chess with your highness, just find a palace servant with excellent chess skills. And your approach makes me see a kind of military exercise on the map."

"It can be said to be a kind of exercise. In addition, it is an ancient Chinese game, Go. However, my ability is limited and I only know some basic contents."

But in fact, Solovyov has no place to play chess for a long time, so it would be good to remember a few basic rules.

In terms of chess deduction, this hexagonal grid can still simulate the battlefield environment, and it can also interest Nikolai. Children of this age still have a strong desire to win.

If he fails, he may be asked to study harder.

"But it's just a game. Don't let His Highness get too addicted."

"Don't worry about this, Your Majesty. I just need you to endorse some things, especially the arrangement of the class schedule. You must assign more homework to Your Highness."

A child’s biggest opponent is probably homework.

Moreover, although the homework assigned by Solovyov was not very intense and not top-level in difficulty, it still required Nikolai to put in more effort.

After all, the two brothers and four sisters in the family couldn't take care of him, and his mother was in the palaces of Gatchina and Pavlovsk, with the main educational tasks. The parents were General Lanzdorf, and the teachers taught the classes. The burden is relatively large.

Of course, all teachers agree with assigning homework.

They all found a problem, that is, Nicholas and Mikhail's learning ability is still relatively average.

Therefore, it is very necessary to assign some homework.

These two noble princes enjoyed the treatment that children only had 100 years later, and they had to assign homework.

As a result, the ones who supervised their homework at home were mainly General Langsdorf and his wife, and sometimes the two children had to bring their homework to the palace.

So, Nicholas and Mikhail, while having a noble status, were also treated in advance.

Even their homework, when taken to Louisa, aroused her curiosity.

You know, if the sisters-in-law of these two grand dukes wore glasses, they would be very teacher-like.

Then, the work of supervising homework at home was handed over to Louisa.

In other words, the sister-in-law has always had a good image in their minds, so it's nothing to let them do their homework in the queen's bedroom and be watched by their nieces.

Even Louisa wrote a letter to Soloviev, who gave this idea, saying that homework should be arranged for the grand duchesses, but considering the different educational levels of boys' and girls' schools, and the younger age of these children, the intensity of homework should also be adjusted.

It seems that it is not without effect. Soloviev is still very satisfied with the current situation. At least Nicholas's stubborn character will make him work hard when facing a lot of homework.

In this way, it should be able to hone his temper and not be like Alexander.

Speaking of which, the teacher that the empress hired for Alexander was of high level, but the educational effect was not very good.

This is also limited by the times. Nicholas caught up with the good time. In addition to arranging homework, Soloviev is also making test questions and standard teaching materials.

Nicholas and Mikhail will suffer in the future, and they are now giving intensity.

Moreover, according to the education model discussed by Alexander and Louisa, children should be divided into several stages to receive education, and royal family members and noble children should generally be admitted to school. In addition to being divided into boys' and girls' schools, the school system of the aristocratic girls' school has been fixed. The boys' school is based on the Tsarskoye Selo High School and St. Petersburg High School, and also includes primary education and higher education. Tsarskoye Selo High School itself is equivalent to the junior high school level, and university education is the final stage.

In this way, the more than 900,000 rubles saved by Louisa every year also have a place to go, which can be said to be a happy ending for everyone.