The next day, Sergei, the Governor-General of Moscow and another uncle of Nicholas, came to advise the Emperor.
"Alexei told me about that matter. You're being far too reckless."
Nicholas and Uncle Sergei were strolling down the palace's opulent corridor.
"Do you think I did wrong as well?"
"No, no, of course not, Nicky," Sergei replied. He was a somewhat caustic and peculiar man, his thin lips producing a laugh that could make one question his sanity. "You are the Tsar of Russia; it is your prerogative. But as your elders, it is our duty to point out any mistakes so you can correct them."
"But I've already issued the decree."
The cause of the intense reaction from Nicholas's uncles was due to a statement he made after a ministers' meeting: "Count Witte, from now on, I ask you to organize and preside over the ministers' meetings and to discuss all matters raised by the ministers or those I wish to discuss."
An imperial decree carries significant political weight. This decree essentially sidelined the Council of Ministers, making the ministers' meetings the highest executive body during Nicholas II's reign. This marked a major advancement in Witte's career.
However, the amount of power is generally constant; someone's gain means another's loss. These Romanov grand dukes sensed an impending shift.
"Yes, yes, Nicky, your decree is significant, so you must use it cautiously. But listen, Nicky, don't view Witte as a loyal minister. I've long seen through him—his ambitions are far-reaching..."
Sergei, in his cryptic manner, began to attack Witte's character.
"Think about it, what kind of man would marry a Jewish woman? He's our Minister of Finance, constantly dealing with foreign Jewish financiers, the vampires. This can't be good for the future of the Russian people."
He concocted various malicious rumors about Witte.
Unfortunately, Nicholas's soul was no longer that of the Crown Prince indoctrinated by his father, tutors, and upbringing to believe in the divine right of kings, Slavic traditions, and anti-Semitism.
"So, Uncle Sergei, are you saying that my father's policies towards Jews and his appointment of Witte as Minister of Finance were contradictory? My father understood these matters well and still trusted Count Witte. I'm simply continuing my father's policies."
Nicholas's rebuttal left Sergei with only an awkward laugh, which was also quite eerie, so their walk ended there.
"Your Majesty, you did the right thing."
Upon returning to his office in the Winter Palace, the state secretary, Polovtsov, suddenly said as he waited to report documents to the Emperor.
"Which matter are you referring to?"
Nicholas was a bit surprised, still processing.
"I mean, Your Majesty, you have upheld the spirit of the late Emperor in abolishing the feudal system."
"The feudal system, you mean the grand dukes?"
"Yes, just like the ancient Rus' princes. Back then, Russia wasn't a unified Tsarist state; each prince ruled independently. The feudal system, in some form, persisted until Emperor Alexander II, although it took different shapes. The grand dukes frequently meddled in affairs that didn't concern them, just like in ancient times. Then, Emperor Alexander III put an end to this."
"Hmm."
What did Polovtsov's praise signify?
He wants me to block the interference of the grand dukes, so he must be speaking from a bureaucratic standpoint.
While pondering the political implications, Nicholas merely nodded and smiled.
After this episode, Nicholas's uncles, realizing they couldn't sway the Emperor's decision, temporarily quieted down.
But the calm didn't last long. Witte's proposal to appoint Anatoly Pavlovich Ivashenkov as Minister of Transport caused another stir.
Ivashenkov had worked in the State Control Department and was known for his integrity and impartiality. During Witte's tenure as Minister of Transport, he invited the highly respected Ivashenkov to join the ministry, later making him Deputy Minister. When Witte became Minister of Finance, he brought Ivashenkov over as Deputy Minister of Finance.
Given Ivashenkov's resume, he was a stable, methodical, and experienced bureaucrat—an exemplary official, highly praised by Witte.
However, since Ivashenkov was seen as Witte's right-hand man, many believed that as Minister of Transport, he would be merely a puppet, influenced by Witte.
Nicholas's uncles seized this opportunity, repeatedly telling him that this was "Witte's trick" and "he wants to be the Grand Vizier."
In Russian idiom, "Grand Vizier" refers to a powerful, treacherous courtier, a detestable figure.
Because these grand dukes were influential political figures, their persistent gossip and rumors stirred up the St. Petersburg court, leading many to believe Witte was indeed ambitious.
Even the Empress Dowager, who rarely involved herself in state affairs, sent her courtiers to ask Nicholas if everything was alright, causing him great distress.
"Your Majesty, Ivashenkov is not suitable for Minister of Transport, but Duke Shilkov can fulfill this role."
Amidst these rumors, Witte had to abandon his proposal to appoint Ivashenkov, but he quickly presented another candidate for Nicholas to review.
"I'm not familiar with this person. Can he handle the job?"
"Your Majesty, you can ask the Empress Dowager. I'm confident that if you tell her this person will be the Minister of Transport, she will wholeheartedly support it."
Doubtful, Nicholas relayed this to Empress Dowager Maria. Previously strongly opposed to Ivashenkov's appointment, Minnie now equally strongly supported Witte's second suggestion.
Her swift change of stance left a deep impression on Nicholas.
"I met Shilkov during the 1877 war. He funded a medical train to transport the wounded, and I was visiting Odessa to console the injured soldiers as Crown Princess. I was impressed by the train. Later, he visited me occasionally—we are good friends."
Shilkov, being part of the aristocracy and showing loyalty and patriotism, had won Minnie's favor.
So, with the Empress Dowager's strong support, Nicholas's uncles' schemes failed.
With this settled, Witte's position as chairman of the ministers' meeting was unchallenged.
But drastic changes abroad still occurred, news of the Treaty of Shimonoseki reached St. Petersburg, and a diplomatic change came.