Chapter 9
The next day, Darling Bory rides out to visit Andrew Bolkonski, hoping to wrangle himself into a better post. He's a bit annoyed with Rostov, who's just been sent 10,000 rubles, for talking about not wishing to be anyone's lacky.
He doesn't find Andrew, but he does see a lot of people in shiny uniforms attached to the two emperors, and he really wants to be part of that world.
He tries again the next day, and this time he manages to find Andrew, who is talking to a decorated general. Prince Andrew ditches the old general with a sightly contemptuous French accent, and Bory realises the unwritten law that would allow a mere Captain to do that. I am not yet sure what that law is. Is it the golden rule?
Prince Andrew says he's been thinking about Darling Bory and says he will talk to his friend, Prince Dolgorukov about him. Prince Andrew is willing to do this, the narrative tells us, because it keeps him in touch with the successful inner circle.
At the same time, a council of war is being held, and, against the advice of experienced generals, it is decided to advance immediately. The youth have advocated for it, with shiny optimism. I predict that this does not end well. Prince Dolgorukov was on the side of fighting asap, because obviously the Russians will beat Napoleon. He's pleased with the result - it's the first thing he says to Bolkonski, when they meet. Dolgurokov gets called away as soon as Andrew brings up Darling Bory, but says he'll do what he can. On the way out, they meet Prince Adam Czartoryski, who is (was) a real person.
Bolkonski is not a fan. There are other named characters, who may well show up in larger roles later, but it's difficult to tell who they are, and it's only small cameos in this chapter.
The chapter ends with the information that Bory is stuck with his regiment for a while, right up until the battle of Austerlitz.
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