Looking at the radiant Prince in front of him, a flash of astonishment crossed the Military Attendant's face. He was quite curious about what kind of magic the Princess Menshikov had used to bring about such a dramatic transformation in Prince Menshikov in such a short time.

However, now was not the time to be curious. The Military Attendant could only suppress his curiosity and lead Prince Menshikov from St. Petersburg back to Tsarskoye Selo.

Exiting the castle, Prince Menshikov and the Military Attendant walked to the carriage adorned with the Romanov Clan's emblem. Upon seeing Menshikov and the Military Attendant approaching, the coachman straightened up immediately, and the white horses pulling the carriage perked up alongside their handler, exhaling a warm breath from their white nostrils.

"Prince, please," the Military Attendant extended his hand, inviting Prince Menshikov to board the carriage.

Prince Menshikov naturally sat inside the carriage with a sense of entitlement. The Military Attendant and the coachman sat on the driver's seat together.

The carriage slowly started to accelerate through the streets of St. Petersburg. After traveling for nearly five minutes, they left the city center, crossing a pebble-paved road through the outskirts. On either side of the road were endless grasslands. If you stood on the roof of the carriage and looked into the distance, you would see the forests on the outskirts of St. Petersburg.

After traveling through the St. Petersburg suburbs for over an hour, a large palace complex gradually appeared. Menshikov and the Military Attendant finally arrived at Tsarskoye Selo, located on the outskirts of St. Petersburg.

Entering Tsarskoye Selo unhindered, Menshikov and the Military Attendant soon arrived at the grand gates of the Catherine Palace.

Stepping out of the carriage, parked at the foot of the steps to the Catherine Palace, Menshikov slowly walked down and raised his head to look at the majestic palace perched on the steps, feeling a complex mix of emotions in his heart.

Just a few months ago, he was still the most trusted general in the hands of the Tsar. But who would have thought that in just half a year, he would become what he was now?

If not for the Ottoman Empire, I wouldn't have ended up like this!

Thinking of this, Prince Menshikov couldn't help but clench his fists.

Had it not been for his near-embarrassing failed diplomatic mission in the Ottoman Empire, Menshikov wouldn't have become the laughingstock of the Russian Empire's diplomatic world, and His Majesty Nicholas I wouldn't have distanced himself from Menshikov because of his failure.

Ultimately, it was all the fault of the Ottoman Empire! Why couldn't they just surrender honestly? Why did they have to resist the great Russian Empire!

After months of neglect, Menshikov's resentment towards the Ottoman Empire grew. He swore that within his lifetime, he would destroy that vile heretical empire... He believed that it wouldn't be long before he achieved this wish!

Filled with resentment, Menshikov stepped onto the stairs leading to the Catherine Palace. Inside, he was guided by the Military Attendant into one of the rooms.

When the Military Attendant opened the door, Prince Menshikov saw Nicholas I and others.

Menshikov quickened his pace to enter the room. He first knelt to pay respects to Nicholas I, and after receiving Nicholas I's permission, Menshikov approached Nicholas I.

"Tell me about your previous plan," Nicholas I first explained why he had summoned Menshikov, then pointed to the map of the Near East and asked Menshikov.

Menshikov gratefully looked at the Minister of War Dolgorukov. He knew that without Dolgorukov's help, his plan could never have reached the ears of the Tsar.

Dolgorukov, standing by, calmly accepted Menshikov's gratitude and pointed to the map, reminding Menshikov, "Prince Menshikov, don't keep the Tsar waiting too long!"

"Yes!" Menshikov responded resolutely.

Then, Menshikov reiterated his plan to ambush the Ottoman Empire's ports in Constantinople and Sipuno to Nicholas I.

After hearing Menshikov's plan, Nicholas I immediately asked him, "Menshikov, if I entrust all the Empire's ships in the Black Sea to your command, can you guarantee to completely annihilate the Ottoman's entire fleet in the Black Sea within a month? Remember, all the ships!"

Faced with Nicholas I's unwavering expression, Menshikov hesitated for a moment, then saluted Nicholas I and firmly replied, "I can assure you, I will annihilate all the Ottoman fleets within a month!"

"Good!" Nicholas I smiled again, turned to Dolgorukov, and said, "Did you hear that? Prince Menshikov said he would annihilate all the Ottoman Empire's ships within a month!"

"Understood!" Dolgorukov promptly responded to Nicholas I.

Nicholas I once again turned to Prince Menshikov and issued his latest appointment to him.

From this moment on, Menshikov has been appointed as the Governor of both the Crimea and the Caucasus Regions, responsible for commanding the Russian Empire's Black Sea Fleet, as well as handling all military and administrative affairs in the Caucasus and Crimea Regions of the Russian Empire.

This appointment by Tsar Nicholas I can be said to have created a vassal emperor governing the Caucasus and Crimea.

During Menshikov's tenure as Governor, no one other than Nicholas I could interfere excessively with Menshikov's affairs, even Dolgorukov, the Minister of War, could only communicate military directives to Menshikov as suggestions rather than commands.

This appointment by Nicholas I not only surprised Menshikov but also made Minister of War Dolgorukov feel it was a bit tricky. His original intention was for Menshikov to act under the control of the Ministry of War, but he unexpectedly created a governor he could not control, somewhat like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

However, through Nicholas I's appointment of Menshikov, Dolgorukov also realized that their Tsar was truly determined to dismantle the Ottoman Empire.

After a brief moment of surprise, Menshikov's face was filled with excitement. He immediately thanked Nicholas I and expressed that he would promptly eliminate the Ottoman Empire Navy.

"I only give you one day, after one day, you will immediately go to Sevastopol to take up your post!" Nicholas I, unwilling to delay even a moment, ordered Menshikov.

"Your Majesty, I can set off now!" Menshikov immediately responded.

"Set off now?" Nicholas I looked at Menshikov, then nodded, "Then set off as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Menshikov, who accepted the appointment, decisively saluted Nicholas I.

After Prince Menshikov left the room, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Nesselrode, who had been silent, cautiously inquired whether they should inform the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia of the Russian Empire's upcoming actions so those two countries could assist the Russian Empire at critical moments, adhering to a prudent diplomatic approach.

"That is not necessary at all!" Nicholas I rejected Carl Nesselrode's suggestion, confidently saying, "I want them to witness our great success of conquering Constantinople before they even react. Only then will they be more submissive to the Russian Empire, not daring to harbor any other thoughts."

Carl Nesselrode could only remain silent about Nicholas I viewing the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia as "son states."

As a German, he sometimes also found it hard to understand the extreme arrogance and extreme inferiority embedded in the Russian nature, such contradictory traits being perfectly combined in a Slav was indeed unfathomable to him.

It was precisely due to these two personalities that Carl Nesselrode's diplomatic strategy was often criticized, and many in the Russian Empire considered Carl Nesselrode a despicable German, a traitor that harmed the interests of the Russian Empire.

Since Nicholas I was confident in handling the current situation, Carl Nesselrode naturally did not wish to dampen Nicholas I's mood.

Having navigated the political world for many years, Carl Nesselrode relied on swaying with the general direction to gain the trust of Tsar Nicholas I.

Subsequently, Nicholas I issued orders to Minister of War Dolgorukov, requiring him to issue marching orders through the Ministry of War to Paskievich, stationed in the Danube Duchy.

The aim was to seize the passage through Silistra before Menshikov destroyed the Ottoman Empire's warships, then split into two routes, one attacking Varna to secure sea transport supplies, and the other attacking Erdine, opening the passage to Constantinople.

Receiving the order, Dolgorukov immediately assured Nicholas I that the Ministry of War would hastily deliver the Tsar's command to the troops.

Subsequently, Nicholas I also ordered Orlov to impose strict control over expressions within the Russian Empire, arresting anyone who issued statements disloyal to the Russian Empire. Nobles were no exception!

No one understood better than Nicholas I that beneath the sacred Romanov Eagle Flag, many sympathizers of the Decembrists were still lurking.

If the Russian Empire relaxed its domestic oversight, those rats lurking in the shadows would once again emerge.

"Understood!" Count Orlov, who seemed to agree without hesitation on the surface, was internally indifferent to Nicholas I's orders.

Having controlled the "Third Department" for many years, he was somewhat aware of the undercurrents swelling beneath St. Petersburg, which included some elements seeking to overthrow the empire.

However, Count Orlov dared not arrest them; in St. Petersburg's intricate web of powers, a silent tacit understanding has formed among the nobility—so long as no one breaks the balance, various powers will tolerate their development.

This peculiar political balance is precisely the hallmark of St. Petersburg politics.

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