The coat of arms of the Rumyantsev counts was adorned with the motto "Not only by arms", and one of the most famous representatives of this lineage, Alexander Rumyantsev, was later nicknamed the Russian D'Artagnan. For his outstanding diplomatic achievements, cunning, agility, and sharp mind, he was highly valued by emperors and empresses.

Alexander Rumyantsev came from a declining Kostroma nobility. His life could have remained modest if his father had not arranged for him to join the Preobrazhensky Guard Regiment. There, Rumyantsev's fate changed dramatically. One day, while he was on duty, Peter I passed by with his entourage. The sovereign stopped, inquired about Rumyantsev's name, engaged him in conversation, and the next day took him on as a servant, noting his intelligence and agility.

Gradually, the young officer was entrusted with responsible tasks, and he always handled them well. When Tsarevich Alexei fled abroad, Peter I assigned Rumyantsev and Count Tolstoy to find his secret hideout and return him to Russia by any means necessary. This was an extremely difficult task, but the tsarevich was found and brought back. For some time, Rumyantsev effectively led the secret service, investigating the plans of the Ukrainian hetman Pavel Polubotok against Russia. In 1724, Peter I appointed him extraordinary ambassador to the Ottoman Porte, where he successfully defended Russia's interests in relations with the Turks for six years.

Upon returning to his homeland, Rumyantsev found difficult times. Old friends had either died or were in retirement or exile. Power belonged to foreigners, Osterman, Minikh, Levenvolde, and Biron. Rumyantsev was shocked by the waste of the treasury on the personal needs of Anna Ioannovna's favorites. His protest against corruption ended with his exile to a village in Kazan.

Later, Rumyantsev was brought back to court, and he concluded important treaties for the country with Turkey and Sweden. He was considered for the chancellorship, but court intrigues ruined these plans. Thus, the life of the Russian D'Artagnan came to an end in the silence of his estate.