The general Ruzsky has opened the laptop. Internet article "Рузский, Николай Владимирович" ("Nikolai Ruzsky"). One of the courtiers of the Emperor Nicholas II was remembering that allegedly the general Ruzsky held Nicholas II by a hand, other hand having pressed to a table before him the prepared manifesto on renunciation and roughly was repeating: "Sign this manifesto, sign. You don't see that nothing else remains to You? If You don't sign - I am not responsible for Your life". The general remembered the words of one of books: "The general Ruzsky was objecting, arguing, proving and, at last, after one and a half hours has received from the Sovereign a permission on the announcement through Rodzyanko that the Sovereign agrees to the responsible Cabinet of Ministers and suggests him to form the first Cabinet."
The general has closed the laptop and has begun to look through the book by Yevgeny Tarle "Крымская война" ("The Crimean War"; "Krymskaia voina").
"The tsar, in admiration from amazing activity and heroic bravery of Nakhimov, has sent to Sevastopol the adjutant (...) and has charged to him to transmit "a kiss and bow" for Nakhimov. A week later after that Nakhimov, with a bloodstained face, after the inspection of the artillery battery was coming back home - and suddenly to him towards a new adjutant with new bow from the Emperor Nicholas. "Sir! - Nakhimov has exclaimed - you with bow again? I thank you! I and after the first bow was sick the whole day!" The taken aback adjutant hardly immediately came to himself and from further words Nakhimov, who was angry with a disorder long ago in all organization of the rear on which the destiny of Sevastopol depended: "Bows, not necessary for us! Ask a whip here! The whip is required, sir! Sir, we have no right organisation!" - Nakhimov shouted. (...) Nicholas didn't send any more neither kisses, nor bows for Nakhimov."
The general continued to look through the book:
"The total, absolute impunity ... has been guaranteed to all thieves, bribe takers, embezzlers of public funds. Here in the middle of war, in November, from the most dangerous position, from the crew, which standing under Mount Sapun, where for a long time people die for hunger who are preferred not to be fed in general, and horses die who are fed with sawdust and shavings, the officer there comes in the intendant's administration and requires the money (salary). We will give the floor to him (writes and prints all this he in 15 years after the Crimean war when almost all personages were still living).
"- You are Mr. the managing director?
- Precisely so. What it is necessary for you?
- May I receive money for crew according to these requirements?
- You can receive money... but it will depend on you - he has added thoughtfully...
- Perhaps, money can be received now? Don't detain me, please.
The managing director has sighed, has rubbed a forehead as though reflecting on something, at last, acutely has looked at me, has coolly asked:
- And how many you give percent?
I couldn't even allow such patriarchal impudence and I haven't suddenly understood the managing director's question.
- What percent? From what?. Speak, please, - I have spoken, having a little been embarrassed.
- I ask you, the young man - has begun the managing director of preceptive tone - how many you pay me for that money which I will order to release for the battery of your crew? Ordinary pay me on eight percent and more, but you, artillerymen, the people stubborn, you like to bargain. Well, from you it is possible to take cheaper... However I warn: I won't take less than six percent for anything, it is impossible...
Such shameless and cool robbery has exasperated me".
The officer began to threaten that will inform the higher authorities. And the managing director went on:
"- Eh, young man! In you there is a lot of fever, and a common sense a little! What the fool I will be, - he continued, having suddenly inspired and having got up from chair, - if I distribute this money in vain? Money is necessary - take and pay! I am requiring not from the beggar: your commanders not six percent, and nearly receive ruble for ruble!
He stated all this in the presence of many officers who were in room. I then was very young, very inexperienced and couldn't digest such impudent shamelessness.
- Misters officers, - I have started talking, hardly constraining myself, - I ask to testify that the managing director says...
Infantry's have kept silent, and the hussar, smiling and having politely bowed, has answered:
- Sorry, we in family affairs aren't involve".
On that episode and was ended. The officer has gone away. He began to impose "requirements" of brigade in other places with same result..."
The general was looking through the book further.
"Nobody, except Nakhimov, in Sevastopol carried an epaulet: the French and British soldiers fired first of all at commanders. And long nobody couldn't understand Nakhimov's persistence in this question of deadly gold admiral's epaulets - Nakhimov, who so carelessly treated always a suit and jewelry, was so most deeply indifferent to gloss and differences.
(...)
Have reached a banquet. Nakhimov has taken the telescope from the signaller and has stepped on a banquet. His high round-shouldered figure in a gold admiral's epaulets has seemed at a banquet the lonely, absolutely close, evident target directly in front of the French battery. Kern and the aide-de-camp have made still the last attempt to warn misfortune and began to convince Nakhimov though to bend lower down or come to them for bags to look from there. Nakhimov, without answering, was motionless absolutely and he watched everything with the telescope towards the French. The bullet, already obviously aim has whizzed, and have hit in a bag with the earth nearby the elbow of Nakhimov . "They're pretty aptly shooting today", - Nakhimov has told, and at this moment a new shot have burst. The admiral without any groan has fallen to the ground as knocked down.
The rifled musket's bullet has struck in a face, has broken a skull and come out at a nape."
The general Ruzsky has concentrated his attention and has written the text of the telegram:
"Into Stavka.
To his imperial majesty to the sovereign to the emperor.
... I dare to report to Your Majesty on emergent necessity to take urgent measures which could calm the population, install in him trust and courage, self-confidence and in their future. These measures taken now on the eve of the forthcoming revival of fighting activity at the front, will pour in new forces in army and the people for manifestation of further persistence on fight against the enemy; I will dare to think that under existing conditions measures of repression can aggravate rather situation, than give necessary, long satisfaction. General aide-de-camp Ruzsky".
In Tobolsk on October 17, 1917 Emperor Nicholas II saw the piece of some newspaper: "the general aide-de-camp Ruzsky in Pyatigorsk as a part of group of arrested hostages is killed by one of the Bolsheviks with using a dagger ".
"God doesn't leave me, He gives me strength to forgive all my enemies and torturers, but I can't win against myself in one thing: the general aide-de-camp Ruzsky I can't forgive!".
The Emperor the book by Leskov has read a little.
Then He took a diary, and under the date "October 17" made a written record: "29 years have passed since the day of our rescue during the train wreck."
The ex-prime minister of the Russian Empire Vladimir Nikolayevich Kokovtsov sat in the his office-room - in the bank in Paris.
He has taken the memoirs, prepared for printing, and has opened them, remembering events of the life in Russia after coming to power of Bolsheviks:
"On the same platform there was a small group of soldiers from the neighboring railway wagon of the first class, with some the person of small growth in a navy form.
While I waited for giving of the railway wagon, this mister has approached me and between us there was following, memorable for me, a dialogue:
He. And we know, the citizen, who are You.
I. I'm not hiding and, as You can see, I am traveling in usual clothes and even in my old hat.
He. For You to be hiding there are no any reasons. We well know that comrade Trotsky has invited You to himself in assistants to help him to improve army's economy. Only allow to notice You that you will make nothing acceptable.
It isn't difficult to imagine what stunning impression have made on me these words. I literally didn't know how to react to them because clearly I understood what neither to disprove this ridiculous hearing, nor to confirm it, wasn't reasonable for me.
(...)
In reply amicable voices were sounded "it is correct, correct", and all company has turned to me with friendly handshakes. This minute the train in which structure have included three three railway wagons began to approach slowly the platform, and my wife with surprise sees this picture of friendly my chat with the team of sailors and soldiers.
... The subsequent events have again shown that there is some unknown and undiscovered destiny which patronized us in way and removed away off us the approaching danger more than once."
V.N. Kokovtsov has meditated. Then he have sealed the manuscript in a post package and have written the address of publishing house on a package.
January 27, 2018 19:26
Translation from Russian into English: January 29, 2018 00:09.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Сказка о шести процентах".