Chapter 20
This is a bad day for Rostov. He's "in mufti" (civvies) so he can't go to the general himself, and Bory can't go the next day, even if he'd wanted to. That day, the 27th of June, the generals exchange medals, there's a dinner, and it's all very formal. Rostov manages to avoid Bory entirely, by pretending to be asleep and then sneaking out early the next day. He decides that he can't leave without having done all he can for Denisov, so he's going to try to hand the letter to Alexander, despite being in civilian-wear. His beloved Emperor can't possibly be anything other than magnanimous. He's also remembering his missed opportunity after Austerlitz. This seems to be another missed opportunity; he's directed to another officer, who, on hearing that Nikolai is a soldier, tells him to go back and hand it in to his own commander. Rostov now feels ashamed and hopes to get away before the Emperor sees him. He doesn't manage that either. A general who previously commanded Rostov's division spots him and asks why he's here, in mufti. The general also knows Denisov, and accepts the petition. The Emperor comes out then, and Rostov is able to watch, adoringly from the shadows, as the general talks to him for a few minutes. Eventually, the Emperor rides away, calling "I cannot do it, General. I cannot, because the law is stronger than I". And Rotov runs after him with the crowd.
Chapter 21
Rostov follows the Tsar to the square, where Alexander is meeting with Napoleon. They're giving out more awards. Alexander picks a random soldier from the crowd - Lazarev - to receive the honour form Napoleon. I wonder if this is the one who spoke to him after Austerlitz? I can't recall if that solder was named. Anyway, he gets a pension of 1200 francs for life, and then the emperors head off for another feast. Rostov listens to the voices around him talking about the password (unclear for what), which is given by Napoleon one day and Alexander the next, always self-congratulatory and in French. Bory appears and asks Nikolai if he's all right, because his expression is very dismal and troubled. Nikolai stands there a long time, remembering Denisov, and the hospital, and how Napoleon and Alexander are now friends, and Napoleon is accepted as Emperor. Why, then the hospital? He thinks of Lazarev rewarded, and Denisov punished. He's frightened of his own strange thoughts.
It's his hunger that distracts him, so he goes off to a hotel for some food. The place is packed with solders, so Nikolai gets some more gossip. Mostly about how none of the soldiers are quite satisfied with this sudden peace. Most are convinced that the Russians would have run if they'd held on a little longer. When one says it;s humiliating to look at the French now, Nikolai loses it and begins screaming about "who can judge the emperor's actions?", because he's convinced no one could comprehend them. Honestly, I'm pretty sure he's shouting to drown out his own doubt, that's the button that just got pushed. He shouts that once they, as soldiers, begin disagreeing with their orders, then there will be nothing sacred left - the next step will be to renounce god. Eventually, they all just agree to keep drinking.
The chapter ends by telling us that, in 1808, there is another meeting between Alexander and Napoleon, so I suspect we'll be getting another time skip.
Chapter 22
The timeskip is bigger than I thought. In 1809, Napoleon declares war on Austria and Russia attacks their old ally on his behalf. Most of Russian society is focused on changes in internal government. Mostly, real life goes on. This chapter is literally a single page long.
And that's the end of Part 5!
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