activa-t Chapter 114. Prince Jonathan
Chapter 114. Prince Jonathan
Chapter 114. Prince Jonathan
"Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is located at the mouth of the Baltic Sea on its eastern coast. It consists of several small islands, and the most important buildings, such as the Royal Palace and the Old Parliament Building, are concentrated on the two islands of yesterday and today (City Island and Knights Island)."
"The palace's exterior was completed this year, and the King and the royal family immediately moved in—"
After listening to Sergei's detailed explanation, Panin smiled and drank his tea.
"I don't understand. The Duke is clearly showing off his knowledge, so why does he say he's talking about what he doesn't understand?"
Sergei looked at the other man and said, "Because my shallow knowledge is full of loopholes and shortcomings in front of you, the true Swedish ambassador."
Panin looked as if he had just realized something: "So the Duke wants me to be his teacher."
"Isn't that what the ambassador meant by inviting me for tea?" Sergei retorted.
Panin laughed twice: "Call me Panin, or Count, you are the ambassador."
This time, Sergei did not flatter the other party, because compared with yesterday's cold attitude, the atmosphere of the conversation was obviously more harmonious today.
Panin stood before the "railing," looking at a row of buildings on the island across the sea, and asked, "Does the Duke know what this is?"
Sergei shook his head.
Panin looked at him: "The Royal Palace."
"That's the palace?" Sergei asked in surprise.
He had no idea that the building separated from them by only a river was the newly built royal palace of Sweden.
"Therefore, simply memorizing knowledge is useless. No matter how big or small a country is, it has its own foundation, which is not limited to military strength and political capabilities, but also includes culture, economy and so on. Only by traveling more and seeing more can we better become its partner."
Panin returned to his seat.
"Tomorrow I will meet with the King not only to gain a thorough understanding of the new royal palace, but also to learn about the original palace that was destroyed by fire—the Three Crowns Castle—as well as the current state of affairs in Sweden, its diplomatic stance, and the situation within the court."
"And to truly establish a long-term foothold in the Swedish court, one must further study its culture, geography, and..."
The current economic and social situation, and so on.
After finishing his conversation with Panin, it was already noon. The two went to a nearby restaurant and had a local meal. Afterward, Sergei went to the residence arranged for him by the Swedish royal family.
"Sir, Yuri and his men have found lodgings just one street away from us," said the butler, Roman.
"Where are the guests?" Sergei asked.
"They're already on their way."
Sergei nodded.
"Sir, what did Panin mean by what he just said?" Roman asked.
Before parting, Panin suddenly told Sergei that "the person truly in charge of the Garden Mansion is Prince Jonathan."
He also slipped Sergei a note.
The Garden House, where they lived, was used by the Swedish royal family to entertain diplomatic envoys and distinguished guests.
You'll find out when you get there.
Sergei looked out the car window at the local customs and scenery.
Today's conversation went even more smoothly than he had expected.
Besdov's letter of recommendation was, after all, of some use.
As for the knowledge about Sweden, he merely pretended to "memorize" it for Panin.
He certainly knew more about the deeper aspects of Sweden, including that Sweden was in the later stages of the "Free Age," which ended more than 30 years ago with the "Great Northern War," and the coup that occurred more than 10 years later.
But the conversation with Panin was not about showing off.
What he knew were all major events in Swedish history, but even the most detailed accounts couldn't surpass those of Panin, who had lived in Sweden for so many years. Moreover, Panin's understanding of the Swedish court and the common people was something history couldn't provide.
Therefore, he needs Panin's help.
He would also use his time in Sweden to establish a solid and close relationship with Panin, so that Panin could more easily become Catherine's right-hand man after returning to Russia.
Sergei looked down at the note Panin had given him.
"Is this a greeting gift?" He smiled.
After a period of travel, the carriage arrived at the Garden Mansion, a row of palace buildings.
It was very close to the palace, less than three streets away, but when Sergei saw the room that had been assigned to him, he couldn't help but frown.
It wasn't a separate residence, but rather a room in a palace, and the furnishings were very simple.
"What's going on! How did you arrange things? Is this how your country treats the Russian ambassador?" Roman and his servants questioned the person in charge sternly.
"I am very sorry, but because the King has distinguished guests to entertain, the No. 3 room originally prepared for you has been repurposed."
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The mansion's steward smiled apologetically.
Sergei glanced at the other man: "I want to see Prince Jonathan."
The manager's smile faltered slightly.
Clearly, the Russian ambassador hadn't expected the other party to mention Prince Jonathan's name. It was obvious that the Russian ambassador had already found out that the real person in charge of the mansion was Prince Jonathan.
Roman now understood what Panin meant by those words.
"I'm sorry, Ambassador, the Prince has important business to attend to and is not here," the steward said with a smile.
The prince had already given instructions, so he naturally wouldn't let the other party bother the prince.
"If you don't want this matter to embarrass the Prince when I meet the King tomorrow, you'd better ask the Prince first before giving me an answer," Sergei said, and then went into the room.
"Please wait a moment, Ambassador. I will send someone to find the Prince immediately." The steward hurried away.
A short while later, there was a knock on the door. Roman opened it to find a middle-aged man with a thick beard, and the steward standing behind him.
"Ambassador, I'm so sorry, my subordinates have been incompetent and made you stay in such a room." Jonathan apologized as soon as he saw Sergei.
Then, in front of Sergei, he reprimanded his men.
"What kind of work are you doing? Giving the ambassador such a shabby room! Immediately upgrade him to the best suite!"
Roman reminded him, "Your Highness, it should be Hall 3."
Jonathan explained to Sergei, "Ambassador, it's not that I didn't want to arrange for you to stay in Hall 3, but there are indeed guests staying there. To be honest, they are the King's distinguished guests, otherwise I would have given it to you no matter what."
"As for the other residences—our royal family has been receiving far too many guests lately, and they are already full. It would be inappropriate to ask the guests to move out, as it would be beneath the dignity of the nation. I hope you can understand, Ambassador."
Sergei smiled.
"Your Highness is too kind. I stay in the same kind of room as Russia in Sweden's eyes. There's no question of whether it's appropriate or not. It's all equal. I understand perfectly."
"By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the King's distinguished guest staying in Hall 3 should be the King's younger sister, Lady Johanna Elizabeth. She is the mother of our Grand Duchess of Russia. I have a good relationship with her, so I'll go pay her a visit later."
Prince Jonathan's expression changed slightly, and he began to take this young Russian ambassador, who was not yet 30, very seriously.
The other party is not simple at all!
Not only did he elevate the treatment of his residence to a level that showed Sweden's contempt and insult towards Russia, but he also became acquainted with the King's own sister!
"Please wait a moment, Ambassador. I just remembered there's another residence. The guests left yesterday, and the servants should have already cleaned it up. I'll go check it out myself now."
Sergei smiled and nodded, and Prince Jonathan departed.
Upon entering the corridor, Prince Jonathan's face was grim.
He knew, of course, that the King’s sister, the Princess Anhat-Zebust, had been to Russia and that her daughter was a Grand Duchess of Russia, but what did that have to do with Sergei?
This young man is just a Russian nobleman, not a Russian Grand Duke, nor the husband of a Russian Grand Duchess!
"Take them to Hall 7 in half an hour!"
"Yes."