Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 27 027 In Count Stroganov’s Residence

The family of Count Stroganov is indeed somewhat eccentric. Although there are many eccentrics among the Russian nobles, Soloviev always stayed on Million Street before, and there were many strange people on that street, all of whom he saw.

The eccentricity of the count and his wife should be reflected in their lifestyle, which is still the French way, especially the old count has been in the French royal court for a long time, and their life has always been more European. However, under the habits brought from Europe, they still prefer the Russian lifestyle, especially discussing things with the son of a squire like Soloviev.

After returning to Russia to marry, Count Pavel also realized a lot of problems. After all, Russia is different from France.

When he came back, the crown prince, who was the second heir, Grand Duke Alexander, wrote to him and confessed his "Jacobin" tendencies. In order to protect the Grand Duke and prevent him from making inappropriate comments in places where he shouldn't, Count Pavel's godfather was the Tsar himself. Regardless of his status as a close minister, they were also close friends for generations. On this basis, Count Pavel found his cousin, Count Nikolai Novosilitsev, who accompanied Alexander on a daily basis, to keep the secret together.

In fact, it was very simple. Before he came back from France and joined the "Jacobin Club", he was already very clear that the current environment in Russia was not ripe for great changes, and the results could even be disastrous.

After he returned to Russia, he had this idea even more, and the progressive forces in Russia were originally limited in strength, and if things went wrong, he would have to get himself involved.

Moreover, from the eyes of the empress, any person associated with the French Jacobin Club was prohibited from being active in St. Petersburg, and even the nobles who returned from France were exiled to their country estates, and could only be active in Moscow at most. It is known that there is still great resistance in Russia in this regard.

The power of the ruling class is very strong. Even when he was in France before, he was able to directly participate in the three-level conference and club activities. The count tried to remain restrained after returning, especially after he got married. Especially after seeing his son Alexander and daughter Natalia, returning to family life also diluted the passion of the past.

In fact, Solovyov himself believed that sometimes we should act according to national conditions and international environment. Even after success, domestic food shortages are also daily.

The count himself is also famous for his love of literature and art. His family is also a famous patron of art. The old count is a representative of the Russian Enlightenment. When they were not separated, they were neighbors with Mr. Voltaire in his later years. When they were in France, they also sponsored various research activities.

Especially after the old count came back, he was still the noble leader of Petersburg. At No. 17 Nevsky Avenue, various salons and gatherings of all sizes were often held, mostly in the fields of culture and art. If anyone talked about politics, considering that the family had lived in France for a long time, it was generally better to say less.

Today, when Count Pavel returned to the official residence at No. 17 Nevsky Avenue, it was already noon. He had heard about Solovyov's appearance in front of the Tsar before. The source of the news was naturally the Crown Prince.

This aspect would not arouse his interest now, but Mrs. Le Brun wrote to explain that this young captain wanted to introduce the mysterious East and was struggling with how to start writing. Mr. Count generously expressed his support, and also considered that it might involve communication in multiple languages. It would be better to communicate in person in this regard.

After all, he lived with Mr. Voltaire for a period of time when he was a child. The first Chinese in Europe was probably this leader of the Enlightenment. Even if you have read his books, you will think that his boasting makes sense, but it is just too much.

When the Count and his wife were in Russia, they still tried to speak Russian as much as possible. On the contrary, the local nobles used French in social occasions, which was a bit of a two-way race.

"I think it is better to talk in Russian at this time. After all, it is not a 'formal occasion', Captain, what do you think?"

"The guest should follow the host's wishes. If it is in China, it should be said that when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

The Count heard it and just smiled.

"There are two problems in this way. One is that others say that we are 'returned from overseas'. You are a guest in my house, and this is in Russia, not in France."

"It still depends on the host's opinion, madam. From this point of view, the decision is yours."

Then, when they are talking now.

"We have not spoken a word of French, why are we still arguing?"

Indeed, Solovyov and Count Stroganov smiled at each other and got to the point.

"Captain, have you read the works of Monsieur Voltaire before?"

"Sir, in this regard, I have the honor of reading some of the contents of "Essays on Customs". Is it possible to make a straightforward evaluation of it?"

"Of course, after all, that gentleman does not mind someone making an objective and rational evaluation of his works."

"Well, what I want to say is that without investigation, there is no right to speak. I think what Mr. Voltaire wrote, the British delegation sent to China a few years ago, or the prince of the Nguyen family coming to Fontainebleau are just appearances. Usually, the summary and analysis we make are all based on the information we can recognize. There are some things beyond our scope of cognition. In any case, it should be like this. Without a clear investigation, there is no right to speak."

"Well, that's true. So you want to use the translation of popular literature from the East to let us know the real Eastern world?"

"Indeed, I have two ideas. One is to translate a classic popular literature "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and the other is to refer to Eutropius's "Outline of Roman History" and the Eastern historiography that can be found, and do a compilation and editing. This project is huge. The potential is huge, and professional scholars are needed to participate. "

"I can understand that the book "Outline of the History of Rome" was originally in Latin. When I was in Paris, I studied some Latin at university and used this book at that time. The content itself is also very concise and is a very good basic textbook."

"But unfortunately, my Latin is not very good. I was able to think of this book because I saw a bilingual manuscript of Greek and Russian translated from my former superior, so I had this idea."

He did read this book. There are some books about Rome collected by "Third Rome" in Dmitry Volkonsky's house, which is not surprising. This book was dedicated to Emperor Jovian after Julian's death and the end of the Constantine Dynasty. The content of the book is relatively brief, from the founding of Rome to the present for the author.

Soloviev wanted to make such a book, and he also wanted Europeans to really understand the East. In fact, Russia and the Qing Dynasty are neighboring countries, and they know a little more about the situation than those Western European countries. The missionaries from Europe came, but it seems that the efficiency is not high, and many contents have not been able to spread to Europe.

"The Orphan of China" is a well-known story. Solovyov didn't want to take advantage of Voltaire's popularity, but Count Stroganov suggested that he analyze it.

"First, you should analyze the historical background of "The Orphan of China". I think this is a small achievement, and Mr. Voltaire."

"If I come up with this, I'm afraid someone will say that Mr. Voltaire wrote about a fantasy China."

So that's how it is. The five-act version of "The Orphan of China" took advantage of the popularity of Laotie. If Solovyov put the content of the original deconstructed version and then narrated the original content, it would go back to the story when the missionaries brought the magically modified translation version of Yuan Zaju to China. This can increase a lot of related readings. It is not necessarily to cause a new "China fever", but there is no problem in correcting the audio-visual.

Those versions of the adapted dramas were all works from the Enlightenment period, from 1735 to 1785. Anyway, they were all outrageous. If a Chinese person really watched them, knowing the background of the times, they would feel a little embarrassed.

After all, the cultural differences caused by the lack of understanding of the East accounted for a large part of diplomatic conflicts. In this regard, France and Russia are actually more sensible than the arrogant British Empire.

"What we want is the truth, Mr. Earl."

While they were chatting, the servants had already prepared lunch.

"I think this is a good time to eat fresh venison, which is at its most delicious in autumn."

Those who can live on Nevsky Prospekt are actually older than the nobles on Million Street. This palace was built in the 1750s as the official residence of the Stroganov family. This street itself appeared after the shipyard workers settled down and the Bolshaya Moskaya Street and the Malya Moskaya Street were built. After the fire in 1736, there were these new streets that were replanned from Empress Elizabeth Petrovna to the early days of Empress Catherine II.

Because it is newly built and replanned, it looks much better than the city of Paris.

And the venison dishes served on the table are carefully cooked and look very delicious.

"Come and try it. When you come to our place, you will feel like you are at home. We welcome any young person who is interested in art."

"Speaking of which, Mr. Count, you don't seem to have lived in France. You are more enthusiastic like the country folk of Ryazan. You know, my father is a squire in Ryazan."

"As Russians, we should be enthusiastic. When I was in Paris, everyone was equal. If it were me, I would restore the freedom of serfs."

"Pasha, I have told you many times that you should entertain guests more instead of talking. You should talk about your experiences in Paris and your insights, either to the emperor and the prince, or in the salon, not at the dinner table."

This couple can be said to be a model couple except for their political views. Obviously, the countess doesn't discuss politics very much, and the ladies who listen to this are all those older female officials who are more or less concerned about these things.

"Well, Sonya, you are right. We can change the topic. This winter, here in St. Petersburg, there will be another live chess performance."

"Just like what our family organized last year? Then Alexander Sergeyevich (the old count) will be very happy. He likes this kind of lively real-life competition the most."

"Do you want to play chess? I should be considered a good player. Among the adjutants of the Grenadier, I still maintain a perfect victory."

Speaking of chess, it may be the highest level skill among the brain and muscle memory of this body. Solovyov left this skill behind. Many other skills, including language ability, are "Deleted accounts" are accumulated again.

"It's not like that, Misha. It's a game where real people play the chess pieces, and the players give instructions on both sides."

If I were to explain it to readers, it would be like Ron playing Sorcerer's Chess in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". The nobles were watching the chess match and the performance at the same time. In short, it was very lively.

"Ah, then I understand! But who will play the king and who will play the queen?"

"Of course we found soldiers and theater actors. Were you in Petersburg last year? At that time, the competition was quite lively, but it was also accompanied by some. After dinner, we went to the garden to drink tea. , let’s talk about these things.”

The reason is that the old Count Stroganov, as the leader of the Petersburg nobility, was hosting a visit from Gustav IV and preparing for his engagement to Grand Duchess Alexandra. As a result, the Swedish king messed up the matter. , which led to a serious diplomatic turmoil between the two countries. Until now, although Tsar Paul himself has a bad relationship with his mother, his hostility towards Sweden has always existed. It was only because of Russia's political interests that he did not send troops. Destroyed Stockholm.

As for venison, Solovyov obviously has a good appetite when he eats it. He said that he is the son of a squire, which is indeed true at all. But to be able to maintain such grace and still eat so many gourmets, he obviously has to do it. Very delicious.

"You like this dish very much, Misha. When our family entertains guests, we rarely have such a good appetite."

"Countess, if you read those legendary stories and think that some warriors are very good at eating, you probably won't be surprised about my appetite. These dishes are so delicious and the seasonings are just right."

"Of course, this is a chef from Prague, making a Bohemian home-cooked dish."

This is venison roasted with potatoes. No wonder, the Hungarian "gulash" dish and the red cabbage soup in the Russian countryside are also relatively affordable dishes.

"Isn't that the same as that Hungarian dish?"

"You look like a hussar when you're gobbling it up." The countess said this, probably because Hungary's famous dish is "gulash", and the uniforms of the hussars are all in Hungarian style, but the colors are different.

"We also all know that you are a friend of Misha from the Dolgorukov family. You two have the same name day, but you are one year younger than him. That lively hussar sometimes meets His brother is here. And you, the 'inventor,' wouldn't be able to do many things without his help."

The earl then joked that it was obvious that what these young people were doing could not be hidden from the eyes of others. Anyway, it was some harmless business and promotion.

Moreover, the countess is also one of their clients. Under the appearance of a literary lady, this lady also likes to settle accounts.

"Misha, can we purchase the overseas sales agency rights for this 'Little Bee' you made?"

This well-dressed princess is surprisingly good at running a business. Her husband and father-in-law were both enthusiastic patrons. Although the family had a strong financial resources that could not be used up by generations, it still needed practical management. She believed that as the hostess, she should manage the family property seriously. Otherwise, sooner or later, we will face huge troubles. This kind of thing is so common in Europe and even around the world.