Catherine and the Black Emperor

053. Population Census

10 month.

A sudden visit from a court minister disrupted Sergei's leisurely life.

"Human trafficking has always existed in Russia, not only among serfs but also among ordinary people! It's a huge, dark market for profit. I was in charge of the census, and I blocked their path to wealth, so someone hired someone to kill me. I beg you, Your Highness, to save me!"

Sergei looked at the old man who was pleading with him.

He remembered this man; at a court assembly, he had proposed a census to Elizabeth, which was essential for Russia at the time, so he remembered it vividly.

"It would be best if you told His Majesty about this, so why did you come to me?" Sergei asked.

"Naturally, it's because someone is obstructing things."

Do you have someone you suspect?

"Member Harry East"

"Is there any evidence?"

The old man named Fyodor shook his head.

"Then there's nothing I can do. Without solid evidence, I cannot meet His Majesty, and the arrest of a senator also requires His Majesty's order." Sergei looked helpless.

"I did not ask you, Duke, to arrest the senator. Because of Senator Harrydon's obstruction, His Majesty has repeatedly postponed the census. I am powerless to do anything about this matter. However, my wife and daughters and I are under threat to our lives, which makes me extremely anxious. I really have no better options than to place my hopes on the secret committee."

Sergei smiled and said, "The other courtiers are wary of the Secret Committee and keep their distance. Lord Fyodor, you have a different way of thinking. You can go to the Chairman. He is more capable than I am."

Fyodor gave a wry smile.

"To be honest, Your Grace, I initially wanted to approach Shuvalov, but I know very well that this matter is not about ability, but about character. I believe that everyone in the court is well aware of your and Shuvalov's character."

He paused.

"The position of vice chairman can be no less important than that of chairman, especially since you, Duke, were once Her Majesty's personal guard. I believe my judgment is correct."

Sergei fell silent.

Fyodor knew it was time for him to make his move.

"All my belongings amount to 3 rubles, which I have already had brought over; they are right outside the house."

3 rubles is a considerable sum of money, an astronomical figure for ordinary people, but not much for a court official. Brummer's annual salary was 3 rubles, but for Fyodor, it was all his wealth.

The fact that the other party told someone to bring money when they arrived shows their sincerity.

But that's not what Sergei wanted.

"Sir, you should know what the crime is of bribing an official of the Secret Committee, especially since you bribed the vice chairman of the Secret Committee."

"No, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to ask for your help, Your Grace, to protect my wife and daughters. This is the reward I'm paying you."

Sergei remained silent.

Fyodor was extremely anxious, believing that Sergei's words were a silent rejection.

He was extremely frustrated: "Duke, if even you won't help me, I really can't think of anyone else who can save my wife and daughters from this predicament. We will truly be doomed."

"To be honest, I support your proposal to conduct a census, and I sincerely admire your courage to make this suggestion before Her Majesty the Empress."

Fyodor smiled wryly. Sergei had said such complimentary words; his next words should have been a polite refusal and an apology.

"I agree," Sergei said.

Fyodor nodded: "I'm sorry to bother the Duke."

He got up and left, but after taking one step, he stopped and turned to look at Sergei.

"Duke, what did you just say? You agreed?"

Sergei smiled and nodded.

Fyodor looked like he had misheard, then his face lit up with elation. He expressed his gratitude to Sergei and ordered the men outside to bring all the money over.

Sergei raised his hand: "My lord, there's no need for that. I'll help you without taking a penny."

Fyodor was puzzled.

Sergei explained, "I am willing to take the risk because I respect your character, and of course, if I ever need your help in the future, I hope—"

"No problem, Your Grace. I will repay your kindness to me, Fyodor, even if it means giving up my official position!" Fyodor patted his chest and assured him.

Sergei nodded.

Fyodor was in high spirits as he left the Saltykov residence.

However, after several days, he still couldn't find anyone protecting him near his residence, and he couldn't help but feel nervous.

He peered outside through the gap in the curtains.

"Since they're secret police, they can't possibly be easily discovered by someone like me. Otherwise, how could they have escaped the eyes of those criminals?"

Fyodor consoled himself.

In fact, Sergei only sent one person, and that was Yuri.

Besides trusting Yuri's abilities, he also didn't want to use the power of the secret committee to avoid giving Shuvalov any leverage over him.

He wanted to distance himself from Fyodor as much as possible in court, because he had other plans.

Fyodor's character and integrity were exactly what he needed, and besides, he didn't have a "partner" in the Russian court who could speak with Elizabeth—like Besdudev and Aprakshin.

"It's time to find an opportunity to give this frustrated old minister a push."

The opportunity soon presented itself.

Elizabeth was extremely busy that day, as there were just too many government affairs to handle lately. Sometimes, even the Queen herself would complain that she didn't know which ones to deal with first.

Razumovsky suggested holding a ball that evening, as a way to relax and also to boost the Grand Duke's confidence—Peter had been hiding in his room every day because of his disfigurement.

Elizabeth agreed.

At the banquet before the ball, Sergei pretended to be drunk. Elizabeth noticed his unhappy expression and was concerned about her young and promising courtier.

"Sergei, what made you lose your temper after drinking? Throwing a tantrum is not something to be praised for a vice-chairman of a secret committee."

Sergei hurriedly apologized: "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I won't attend the ball afterwards, so as not to cause any further trouble. The steward didn't do a good job; I just lost my temper before he came."

This answer immediately piqued Elizabeth's curiosity.

"What happened? Did your philandering get into your home and Anastasia and Ivan found out? You should understand that after becoming the vice chairman, you need to get rid of your lecherous ways, or you'll be used by schemers!"

Sergei hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, Your Majesty, you misunderstand. These days, talk of romance in the palace has nothing to do with me. I was angry because when I asked the steward, he didn't even know how many serfs I had!"

"I am troubled by the fact that I do not know how many serfs I have, and how I should deal with and allocate them so that they can be used to their fullest potential!"

"It's like the Prime Minister not being able to answer how many people there are in Russia, and Your Majesty having to issue decrees concerning the lives of the people without sufficient research and basis."

Besdudev, who had been standing beside Elizabeth watching with schadenfreude, froze with a smile upon hearing Sergei's last words.

That bastard!

He slept with his daughter, Agafia, sided with his enemy, Shuvalov, and is now undermining him!