Chapter 175: Vasili
VVD0D95
Banned
Chapter 175: Vasili
March, 1619
Vasili, heir to the Russian throne found himself wondering when things would be normal, or rather not normal, but less chaotic. As far as he understood it, the war that had been fought over the past decade and more against Poland was over. The Polish King had recognised that he could not defeat Vasili’s father and therefore decided to come to terms.
The Poles had abandoned cousin Ivan and gone back to their own land. It should have been a time for peace and serenity, but Vasili supposed that after so long fighting, nobody really knew what that looked like anymore. Indeed, Vasili’s father was now moving around frenetically trying to sort out some dispute with the Boyars. What that dispute was, Vasili didn’t know nor did he particularly care.
He supposed he should, but he wasn’t even a man yet, he was only eleven years of age, what did he care about disputes? No, instead he was far more interested in talking to the man who stood opposite him. Jacob La Gardie, a Swede who had fought loyally for Vasili’s father and was now entrusted with ensuring Vasili learned something of arms.
Vasili looked at the man and asked. “This must be quite the downturn for you.”
He spoke in Russian, though he knew he should really speak in German or maybe some other language. Father wouldn’t be happy if he heard him speaking in Russian after all. La Gardie answered in heavily accented Russian. “How so, Sir?”
Vasili grinned. “Well, you’ve gone from being the famous commander smashing the Poles to having to look after me. Quite the downturn I would say.”
La Gardie smiled. “Not at all, Sir. It is an honour.”
“An honour?” Vasili asked.
“Yes, Sir. Getting the chance to work with you and ensure that you are prepared for your role is an honour.” La Gardie said.
“I see.” Vasili replied, a thousand thoughts whirring through his head, including what exactly he could learn from the man. He had many questions, but the one that immediately stood out was one that might perhaps not be immediately apparent to anyone but him. “What’s different between here and Sweden?”
“Sir?” La Gardie replied, blinking.
“What’s different between here and Sweden, in terms of culture, court etiquette and other such things?” Vasili asked. He was no doubt an odd person for thinking on such things, but still.
If La Gardie thought his question odd, it didn’t show on his face and he didn’t say anything to suggest he thought it odd. Instead, he answered directly. “Well, there are many things that are different, Sir. Firstly, the Riksdag of Sweden exists, this enables the nobles and the lower classes to voice some concerns about governmental policy whilst also acting as a check on any noble or person who gets too ambitious and threatens the stability of the Kingdom.”
“Do they hold onto the King’s ambition?” Vasili asked.
“They don’t, Sir.” La Gardie said. “Or at least they are not meant to.”
Intrigued Vasili asked. “What do you mean?”
“A good King knows how to ensure that his men fill the dominant positions in something like the Riksdag. He knows how to play to their emotions to make them think that he is looking for the same thing that they are. Even if he is not, it is important that they believe he is.” La Gardie said.
“And what if they realise that he isn’t?” Vasili asked.
“A good King will ensure that they never do.” La Gardie said.
“How?” Vasili asked.
“Guarded speech that gives enough to make it seem that there is something there, but not enough to expose a fault in the line of thinking.” La Gardie said.
“That sounds complicated.” Vasili said, he couldn’t imagine how something like that could work anywhere let alone in Russia.
“It is, but there are ways to bring about that perception.” La Gardie replied.
“How?” Vasili asked eagerly.
“A firm and proper character. Someone who does not give into the vices of mere mortals, and someone who knows what they stand for.” La Gardie said.
“So, not a Boyar then?” Vasili said, it was a joke he’d heard his father make once or twice before, in moments where he appeared deeply frustrated.
La Gardie smiled. “Indeed not. You are a member of a distinguished dynasty, Sir. Your duty is to ensure that you do not give into the temptation that lesser mortals might fall for. And one way to do that is through the rigours of military practice.”
“Oh?” Vasili said eagerly, hoping that he was about to be told he could do drill under La Gardie.
“His Majesty has asked that I begin your training as soon as is possible. And as such, I have some things that I want you to do before then.” La Gardie said.
“Of course!” Vasili said excitedly.
“You are to wake up as soon as the sun rises, and begin by doing various hand and feet exercises. You are to run through the corridors and grounds of the palace, and you are to eat a balanced meal for breakfast.” La Gardie said.
Vasili nodded eagerly.
“You will then meet me at the training ground for an hour of proper practise, before returning to your lessons.” La Gardie said.
Vasili felt some of his enthusiasm wane then. He didn’t want to go back to normal lessons. Those normal lessons with the old man who served as his tutor always made him feel nervous. Why, he didn’t know, but they did and he didn’t like it. But he knew that protesting this would make him seem like a child, and he wasn’t a child.
“When do I start?” Vasili asked instead.
“In two days’, time, Sir.” La Gardie said.
Vasili felt his grin grow wider. “Excellent!” That meant that there would be no chance for it to be changed. Excellent! “I look forward to it.” La Gardie didn’t reply, he merely smiled in response.
