Zubov hurriedly bowed to Count Osterman. "What on earth has made you so angry?"
The latter threw his hands about forcefully, though his voice dropped several degrees. "His Majesty the Emperor has just decided to negotiate with the Persians over the division of Transcaucasia, in exchange for Persia's continued support for the expedition to India."
Zubov's face darkened at once, and he quickly asked, "Did you try to dissuade His Majesty?"
"Of course! Count Kutaisov and General Arakcheyev both tried to persuade His Majesty, but it was utterly useless. Some people were even whipped for it."
Zubov and Barclay exchanged glances, hesitated for several seconds, then turned and headed out of the palace together.
Count Kutaisov was one of the Tsar's confidants—if even his words carried no weight, then there was no point in people like the two of them, who were not in the Tsar's favor, trying their luck.
October 26, 1797.
Russia's special envoy for the negotiations arrived in Ganja and began talks with Abbas Mirza, Crown Prince of Persia. By then, Tbilisi had been under siege for nearly four months. Supplies within the city were nearly exhausted, and it could fall at any moment.
At a hunting ground in the Southern Suburbs of Saint Petersburg, servants chased after a herd of deer with hunting dogs. Before long, the cries and barking could no longer be heard.
Count Pahlen, Governor of Saint Petersburg and head of the Secret Police, looked at the slightly plump young man beside him, whose hair was thinning, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, you have probably heard that Prince Eugene of Württemberg will arrive in Saint Petersburg next week."
Crown Prince Alexander Pavlovich stared at him and nodded somewhat nervously. "Yes, I have heard. Is there something special you wish