Alexander's words were concise and struck straight at the heart of the problem. Yet to Nicholas I, they sounded exceedingly unpleasant. He neither wished to compromise with the Poles nor admit his own mistakes.
As for building railways now, it was already too late.
"So you went to Austria and learned only this? You weakling—how are you supposed to inherit this empire? I will never compromise with those traitors!"
Nicholas I once again made his position clear.
"Father, that fool Venyabetlovsky deserved to die. If not for his reckless antics, the situation in Poland would never have become this bad."
Nicholas I still dismissed Alexander's view with contempt.
"That Venyabetlovsky fellow did deserve to die, but the Poles do not deserve to be buried alongside him."
"Father, your hesitation is meaningless."
Alexander could not help but complain.
"What do you know? You honorless wretch! The Poles want to restore their Kingdom? If they restore the Kingdom, where would that leave my dignity?"
"Father, your sense of honor is worthless. If you still intend to personally lead an expedition, I suggest you make a choice."
At the mention of personally leading an expedition, Nicholas I could not help but grow wistful for a moment. He truly wanted to lead troops to Constantinople and see it for himself. Though he did not wish to admit it, that desire seemed destined to come to nothing.
By then, the Austrian Empire had already extricated itself from the Spanish War, while the shackles on Britain were also about to be removed.
Previously, the British government had repeatedly warned Russia not to continue expanding and to halt its war of aggression against the Ottoman Empire.
The likely outcome was that Russia would fail to conquer its target after prolonged attacks, Britain would enter the conflict to