It was obvious that Alexander had struck Nicholas I right in the lungs this time. Over the years, Nicholas I had abolished the Polish Constitution, shut down the University of Warsaw, forbidden the use of Polish in schools, removed trade barriers, suppressed the Catholic Church, and imposed forced conscription—all to completely assimilate the Poles.
What Alexander was doing now clearly ran contrary to Nicholas I's policies. Nicholas I urgently recalled Alexander to Saint Petersburg, wanting to know what exactly his son was thinking.
"Father, His Majesty the great Nicholas I."
Alexander addressed Nicholas I in a faintly teasing tone. The latter immediately began looking for a handy "weapon," ready to give the former a long-overdue dose of paternal love.
Alexander hurriedly backed away.
"Father, what you see is only the surface. I have another grand plan!"
Nicholas I's mood eased slightly upon hearing that. He had known his son could not be that foolish.
"Tell me your plan. I certainly—"
"I want to emancipate the serfs!"
Nicholas I's blood pressure instantly shot up. He immediately grabbed the candlestick beside him and hurled it over.
"Get out right now! Get as far away as you can!"
It was not only Nicholas I and the conservatives who could not accept Alexander's actions. Even some reformists felt that Alexander had gone too far.
The Polish rebellion had only just ended. They had finally managed to take power back from Poland, and now he wanted to hand it back again. Almost no one could accept such an approach, believing it would undoubtedly create fertile soil for another rebellion.
In Russia, whether one was a reformist or a conservative, the first thing to consider was always the Tsar's attitude.
If Alexander had not been Russia's heir apparent, they might all have considered advising the Tsar