As the Tsarist army advances step by step, the flag of the Russian Empire is only one step away from the Vistula River, and Warsaw or the entire Poland has fallen into a precarious situation.
Because of Eggron's instruction, Count Alexander Walewski distributed asylum documents everywhere in Warsaw, allowing well-connected Poles to flee to France. After they came to France, on the one hand, they faced the "magnanimity" of the French emperor.
On the other hand, he was grateful; on the other hand, he continued to accuse the Tsar of the bloody suppression of Poland through various methods.
The catastrophe faced by Poland did not cause any waves in the political circles of European countries, because in the eyes of knowledgeable people, this was what was destined to happen. However, in the public opinion circles controlled by European intellectuals,
Among them, this incident has become another ironclad evidence of their exaggeration of "anti-Russian sentiment".
In their view, the Poles were like David challenging Goliath, using their weak body to resist the Russian giant. The destruction of Poland was tantamount to the fire of freedom being extinguished by the evil tyrant (although in fact the Poles themselves
There was also very serious oppression of peasants by nobles). While they railed against the tyranny and violence of the Tsar, they also used the experiences of the Poles to warn their people about what would happen to everyone once they were ruled by the Tsar's despotic power.
Not only in France, but even the British criticized this. In their view, although the Tsar's rule over Poland was a "legitimate" right confirmed by the Vienna Peace Conference, the Tsar's own violence and wantonness were extremely annoying.
Hate.
Under the influence of this wave of public opinion, the Polish resisters were regarded as heroes by the intellectuals who sympathized with them, and its exiles were also treated very generously.
One party is happy and the other is sad. The courtesy and favor received by the Polish exiles made the Russian people in Paris feel more or less uncomfortable.
Even the Pushkin couple, who have recently received courteous treatment from the emperor and his wife, and thus become famous, have faced similar embarrassments in social situations several times. Either someone talked about the Polish issue and expressed their dislike of Russia; or worse, someone
Polish exiles were present and made no secret of their hostility to the Russian poet.
If he were an ordinary person, he would probably choose to settle the matter because of public opinion. However, Pushkin has always had a bad temper. He never intends to back down. He not only wants to save face for his Russian motherland, he even wants to do his best to save it.
Diplomatic relations between France and Russia have hit rock bottom.
The last time Count Garmanin, the counselor of the Russian Embassy, visited him, it had already aroused his interest in becoming a bridge between the two countries, and now the situation of "fighting alone" for Russia's image has aroused his enthusiasm even more
.
He waited silently, hoping to get such an opportunity.
This opportunity came soon. One day not long after, the Palace of Fontainebleau held a grand summer celebration, and the Pushkin couple received an invitation from the Agron couple, inviting them to attend as honored guests.
Obviously, on such occasions where celebrities gathered together, if the emperor and his wife received them cordially, it would make the poet more famous.
Of course, Pushkin would not refuse this rare honor.
According to the agreed time, he and his wife took the carriage sent by the palace to the Palace of Fontainebleau.
As usual, Aigron met him alone first, and the two of them walked in the garden together, feeling the blue sky and water outdoors.
Because the two of them got along as friends in private, Aigron was not too restrained and greeted him quite casually, "My friend, how are you doing in Paris recently?"
"Thanks to you, Your Majesty, I have become somewhat famous in Paris. People want to see what foreign poets who can make friends with the emperor are like." Pushkin answered honestly, "However, they
The way they look at me is probably the same as looking at monkeys in an acrobatic troupe. They just want to see my face, but not many people care about my poems..."
"Hahaha, your requirements are too high! Poets are always high-minded, so they are lucky to find a few close friends." Aigron couldn't help laughing, "Although everyone just wants to see what's new when they meet you, but
It’s better than no one cares, isn’t it?”
"That's true." Pushkin also admitted that he really enjoys the feeling of being sought after - no matter what the reason for this pursuit is. "So, I am very grateful to you. Without your help, I and I
My wife will probably never achieve such fame in Paris."
"You're welcome. As a friend, this is what I should do." Aigron waved his hand, "Having said that, even if people don't know the goods now, I think they will understand how talented you are sooner or later. I just let everyone know in advance.
I just know you."
His Majesty the Emperor's praise made Pushkin feel a little secretly proud, and a smile appeared on his face, "Since you said so, I will use all my skills to create in the future, so as not to be ridiculed and lose my fame..."
…”
"This is what it should be!" Aigron nodded repeatedly.
Having said this, Aigron joked again.
"You have been in Paris for so long, have any ladies or ladies flirted with you? I think there should be many people who would like to experience the exotic customs of Russian poets, right?"
Pushkin originally just laughed at Aiglon's ridicule, but his heart immediately moved and he realized that he had found an opportunity.
Although he hopes to work on "French-Russian friendship," the two have never discussed political topics before, and he does not want to "pollute" the friendship between the two.
Therefore, he decided to be a little more skillful, find a seemingly casual topic, and then jump into it, so that it would appear that it was just a temporary thought.
And now, he thinks the opportunity has come.
"I was originally full of similar expectations, hoping to leave my romance in Paris, but the reality made me a little disappointed... Now at gatherings of ladies, the most popular topic is not Russian poets, but Russian poets.
A poor Polish poet or musician... I will probably become a has-been star soon, Your Majesty."
Although he deliberately said it in a casual tone, Aigron was very perceptive and immediately noticed his true intention.
There is still a huge gap between amateur players and professional players.
However, even if he saw through it, Aigron did not intend to tell it off, because for him, now is the time to "clean up the mess", and he himself also intends to get closer to Russia, so he just took advantage of the situation and let Pushkin be the one.
middleman.
Anyway, he also knew that Pushkin only wanted to do this because he was full of enthusiasm and had no personal ambition. He used Pushkin to send a signal of approach to the Tsar. It would be best if he could succeed. If he failed, there would be no loss.
"Oh...poor Poles." So Aigron shrugged and then sighed softly, "There are indeed many more refugees from Poland in Paris now. I don't think you will blame me for opening up to them.
Let’s go to the country’s gate.”
"Providing shelter to homeless exiles is a righteous act. Your Majesty, although I am a Russian, I will never object to your move." Pushkin immediately replied seriously, "Besides...it's just me...
Personally speaking, I also sympathize with their plight. Although they are rebels, they are also victims."
"So how do you think the whole thing should be resolved?" Aigron asked with interest.
"Isn't it being resolved now?" Pushkin asked blankly, "Now, His Majesty the Tsar's counter-rebellion army has arrived at the gates of Warsaw, and the situation in Poland will soon be resolved..."
"Yes, the counterinsurgency will be successful soon, but then what?" Eggron nodded first, and then continued to ask, "Do you think this is the last time the Polish people will work hard for their own freedom? If the Poles continue
Having suffered the oppression they suffered before, I think Poland's resistance will continue, even in every generation."
Eggron's words made Pushkin suddenly silent.
Because he knew that what his friend said was indeed true.
Although he was a Russian aristocrat, as a freedom-loving romantic poet, he could actually understand the motivations and reasons for the Poles to launch a "rebellion", and he did not want to defend the tyranny of the Tsar.
However, in addition to being a "freedom-loving romantic poet", he was also a Russian at heart, and it was difficult for him to accept the negative consequences of the separation of the existing territories of the empire from the empire.
Any earth that has been swallowed will not be spit out again.
Therefore, while he sympathized with the Poles, he was unwilling to see the Poles' "rebellion" succeed in any case.
This contradictory mentality made it difficult for him to speak out against his will to defend himself and the Russian Empire.
"With the passage of time, all pain will be healed." After hesitating for a moment, Pushkin finally answered, "Although my motherland still has various unsatisfactory aspects now, in the future, it will become rich.
and prosperity, all kinds of suffocating tyranny and oppression will disappear. By that time, the Poles can also benefit from the development of the empire. They will become one of the richest provinces in the empire and enjoy the same benefits as the British.
The same personal freedoms and rights as French people - just like subjects in other parts of the Russian Empire. I believe that by that time, the Polish people will have no reason to seek to secede from the Empire. On the contrary, they will then become the Russian people
The closest Slavic brothers..."
"Because the current situation cannot be solved, do you choose to believe in the wisdom of future generations?" Aigron couldn't help laughing. "Oh, I understand that it is impossible for a Russian to give up his desire for land, even if it is you.
, you can only use this to bridge the gap between your dreams and reality.”
However, he naturally disagreed with this answer.
Pushkin, like many Russian intellectuals, had liberal romance and naivety. They believed that it was possible to maintain a "completely Western-style" Russia. They were unwilling to admit that the Russian Empire was a behemoth formed after repeated conquests.
This huge empire was only controlled by the iron heel of the Tsar.
Without the high pressure of the iron heel, the huge Russian Empire cannot be maintained. As long as Russia shows a slight sign of loosening, those ethnic groups suppressed by the iron heel will seek independence and escape from this "national prison" that is oppressive and suffocating in their eyes.
In other words, the "iron shoe" is the true nature of Russia, and any religion, royal family or political power is just a shiny skin on the "iron shoe".
It can be peaceful or unified, but it cannot be both at the same time.
However, Aigron did not intend to say such disappointing and unhelpful words to Pushkin.
"My friend, I also hope that the Russian Empire can become what you call a peaceful, wealthy and free country in the future, and I am even willing to help with this, because this is a good thing for all of Europe."
At this point, he sighed half-seriously, "You and I both know that because of all the past events, there is deep-rooted hostility between the Bonaparte family and the Tsarist royal family. We dislike and despise each other.
Until now, we are still in a state of open hostility... But I think this is extremely disadvantageous and unfair to the people of our two countries. We should sit down calmly and work hard for the two great countries.
Let’s have a good discussion about our future——”
After hearing what Aigron said, Pushkin, who had just been depressed, suddenly cheered up.
"Your Majesty, do you mean that our two countries should consider living in peace and facing each other normally?"
"Isn't it supposed to be like this?" Aigron asked with a smile, "In our dealings, you should be able to tell that I have no hostility towards the Russians, and I will never keep my past hatred in mind, so
... I have never been an obstacle to the friendly coexistence of our two great countries, and if we remain as hostile to each other as we are now, the responsibility will never be mine."
Because he received Eggron's unmistakable signal, Pushkin immediately put aside his creed of "not talking about politics" and rushed towards the goal he had in mind.
"Your Majesty, since you said so, I can also sincerely tell you that I came from Petersburg. Although the people there have doubts about you, they don't have the kind of hostility towards you that can be quickly eliminated...
It is true that we have had an unpleasant past, but that has passed. In my opinion, the only obstacles that stand between our two countries now are mutual suspicion and meaningless wars of words. As long as we put these aside, and
Open our hearts to each other, and I believe we can get along with each other like normal countries right away..."
Having said this, he subconsciously straightened up his waist again, and then assured Aigron. "And I am willing to act as an envoy between two great countries. If you allow me, I hope to convey your goodwill to Peter."
Let’s go to the fort and let us get over the last obstacle! Everything will be fine soon, Your Majesty!”