In the following days, as the cavalry units of the Allies encountered the Cossack Cavalry near Alma Heights, Kach River, and Yevpatoria, the military deployments of the Russian Empire gradually became clearer.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte and others had speculated, the ambitious Gorchakov was not only planning to target Sevastopol; there was also a sizable force near Yevpatoria.

Seated in the Sevastopol Fortress, Jerome Bonaparte immediately ordered 5,000 French soldiers to be deployed to Yevpatoria Town.

Currently, Yevpatoria Town already has a force of ten thousand people and thirty-six cannons (twelve 12-pound Napoleon Cannons and twenty-four 6-pound Napoleon Cannons). A circular trench has been constructed around Yevpatoria Town, with the outer trench lined with barbed wire. If the Russian Imperial Army attempts to rely on their cannons to break the barbed wire, then the fleet cannons at the Yevpatoria Port will become their nightmare.

After completing all this, Jerome Bonaparte felt that it was still insufficient and built several small forts around Inkman Mountain. The forts are connected by trenches, and each fort contains a heavy cannon, making it a veritable fortress.

And the time needed to construct such a grand project will not exceed four days.

Of course, far away in Bakhchisaray, Alexander II had no knowledge of these matters.

At this moment, he was standing at the gates of Bakhchisaray with Gorchakov and Marshal Jomini, watching the road in the distance, hoping to be the first to see his brother, Mikhail Nikolaevich.

It is necessary to give a brief introduction here. Mikhail Nikolaevich, born in 1832, is the youngest son of Nicholas I, and his purpose of coming to Crimea this time is to supervise the Russian Imperial Army’s operations.

Time passed by second by second in the long wait, and soon it was noon when a group of indistinct figures appeared in the distance, gradually approaching the direction of Bakhchisaray.

"The telescope!" Alexander II said to Gorchakov beside him, reaching out his hand to indicate the distant figures.

Gorchakov quickly handed the monocular telescope to Alexander II, through which he could clearly see the distant figures approaching them.

Indeed, this figure was Grand Duke Mikhail and his entourage.

Alexander II put down the telescope and continued to speak to Gorchakov, "Play the music!"

"Play the music!" Gorchakov shouted loudly, and the band behind him started playing the high-pitched and majestic court music with gongs and drums.

In the distance, hearing the music from Bakhchisaray, Mikhail Gorchakov turned and pointed toward the city of Bakhchisaray, speaking lightly to the Guard Battalion commander responsible for his protection, "I bet this is my brother’s idea!"

The Guard Battalion commander showed an understanding expression, praising the deep bond between Grand Duke Mikhail and Crown Prince Alexander.

"Right! The bond between us is especially deep!" Grand Duke Mikhail said with a slight smile on his mouth, unclear whether it was self-mockery or gratification.

Subsequently, Mikhail Nikolaevich spurred his horse towards Bakhchisaray, quickly reaching the city gates.

"Your Highness!" Said Mikhail Nikolaevich as he dismounted his warhorse and slightly bowed before Alexander II, who was there to welcome him, as a sign of respect. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Mikhail, you’ve finally arrived!" Alexander II smiled, nodded, and enthusiastically shook Mikhail Nikolaevich’s hand, saying, "If you hadn’t come, I would have sent someone along this road to search for you!"

"Thank you for your concern!" Mikhail Nikolaevich responded to Alexander II with the same humble attitude.

After a brief exchange of courtesies, Alexander II held Mikhail Nikolaevich’s hand and proceeded with him to the Crimea Command.

When Alexander II and Grand Duke Mikhail entered the Command, Commander Gorchakov quickly gathered all the deputies and staff officers within the Command and introduced them to Mikhail Nikolaevich.

Grand Duke Mikhail smiled and nodded at them, then explained the purpose of his visit to the Crimea Peninsula and expressed Alexander II’s hopes that he would assist the Crimea Command in completing the mission to capture Sevastopol.

"I hope that each and every one of you, including myself, will exert our utmost efforts for the cause of His Majesty Tsar Nicholas I, for the Slav dream!" Grand Duke Mikhail passionately addressed everyone present, raising his fist in the air and shouting, "Long live the Russian Empire, long live His Majesty Emperor Nicholas I!"

All the deputies and staff officers present also raised their arms and shouted loudly, "Long live the Russian Empire! Long live His Majesty Emperor Nicholas I!"

After meeting with everyone within the Command, Gorchakov, Alexander II, and Mikhail entered a room in the old Royal Palace of Bakhchisaray together.

"Mikhail, tell me... how is Father’s... no, how is His Majesty Emperor Nicholas I’s health recently?" Alexander II asked Mikhail as soon as they sat down.

"His Majesty Nicholas’s health is still quite good!" Grand Duke Mikhail said to Alexander II.

"Is that so? Then I can be at ease!" Alexander II breathed a sigh of relief, as he, far away in Crimea, was still worried about Nicholas’s safety.

"However, His Majesty wants me to inform you that your mission in Crimea has ended, and you can now return to St. Petersburg!" Grand Duke Mikhail replied to Alexander II.

"Return?" Alexander II exclaimed in surprise, shaking his head firmly at Mikhail, saying, "No, I can’t just leave like this! If I return now, our army might face significant issues!"

"Significant issues? What’s happening?" Mikhail Nikolaevich looked at Alexander II in confusion, then glanced at Gorchakov.

"It’s like this!"

Commander Gorchakov explained to Grand Duke Mikhail that due to the recent inability of the Russian Imperial Army to rally, Alexander II had to send people to promote among the troops that the Crown Prince stands with them.

The inspired Russian Imperial Army (Slav livestock) felt gratified, and their morale was stronger than before.

If Alexander II were to leave at this moment, the soldiers would feel deceived, and morale would not only fall back to the original state but might even encounter bigger issues.

"I see!" Grand Duke Mikhail, of course, understood how the morale of an army affects its combat effectiveness. After pondering for a moment, he suggested Alexander II report the situation to Nicholas I and let Nicholas I decide.

"Brother, I’m just a messenger! The real decision about your stay or leave still lies with our father!" Grand Duke Mikhail shrugged and said helplessly.

"I will explain this issue to His Majesty the Emperor!" Alexander II nodded, then turned the subject and asked: "Since His Majesty the Emperor appointed you to oversee the war in Crimea, how much do you know about the situation there?"

"Crimea?" Grand Duke Mikhail thought for a moment and shook his head, saying: "After receiving His Majesty the Emperor’s appointment, I hurried over nonstop!"

"Let me tell you then!"

Alexander II detailed to Grand Duke Mikhail the various issues faced by the Russian Empire on the Crimea Peninsula, and Grand Duke Mikhail’s expression changed from indifference to shock.

"Brother, are you sure you’re talking about our army?" Grand Duke Mikhail was somewhat incredulous at Alexander II’s words. His father clearly told him that the Russian Imperial Army had no issues on the Crimea Peninsula; it was only because his brother Alexander was somewhat weak and unwilling to sacrifice necessary costs for victory.

This is why Nicholas I dispatched him to Crimea to replace his brother.

"I can assure you that every word I said is the real situation of the Imperial Army!" Alexander II emphasized.

"Then why are we fighting them here? Isn’t this just sending ourselves to death?" Mikhail lowered his voice and said to Alexander II.

Afterward, Alexander II also told Mikhail about the imperial treasury situation that Nicholas I had not disclosed to him.

"Father... no, His Majesty the Emperor, is planning to stake everything!" Mikhail responded to Alexander II.

"Very likely!" Alexander II nodded and replied to Mikhail.

"What should we do now?" Mikhail inquired of Alexander II.

"What else can we do? We can only attack!" Alexander II replied helplessly, then with a serious expression asked, "Mikhail, tell me honestly if father thinks we are deliberately delaying the attack, which is why he sent you to replace me and launch the attack?"

Grand Duke Mikhail pondered for a while, nodded, and said: "That’s right! Although father didn’t explicitly say it, that’s what he meant!"

"Ah!" Alexander II sighed, "I knew it, father must think this way!"

Just then, a knock sounded from outside the room, and Alexander II loudly called out, "Come in!"

Ivanov Gorchakov entered the room, saluted the three present, and then informed them that Marshal Jomini had completed the detailed plan for the attack on Sevastopol.