Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Anglo-Japanese Alliance (3)
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"So, what exactly are you planning to give Russia? Don't tell me you're thinking of handing over that 'submachine gun' you've been tinkering with?"
Field Marshal Waldersee sneered at me.
Of course. I knew he couldn't stay quiet for long.
'But even if we gave submachine guns to the Russian Empire, could they really use them properly?'
Of course, if submachine guns showed up in battles like the Siege of Port Arthur, the Japanese casualties would pile up far higher than in the original history.
But submachine guns were weapons that devoured ammunition at an insane rate.
I could afford to invest in them boldly because I knew this German Empire had God Harbor, who could produce gunpowder from thin air, bake bread, and more. But the Russian Empire was a nation that struggled with such severe ammo shortages during World War I that they couldn't even supply their own rifles.
Even if we provided ammunition support, it seemed unlikely the Russian Empire could handle the massive consumption rate of submachine guns.
'Still, sending a few hundred prototypes for field testing might not be a bad idea.'
I'd have to discuss this more with Schlieffen and Mr. Schmeisser later.
"Let's put submachine guns on hold for now. There are too many factors to consider."
With that, I continued laying out my thoughts.
"The most urgent need for the Russian forces in the Far East is ammunition. How about adding rifles, pistols, and machine guns to the support package?"
"Machine guns—you mean the MG99 or MG01?"
I nodded at Chief of the General Staff Schlieffen's question.
Both were German adaptations of the British Maxim machine gun, later refined and lightened into the MG08 used in World War I.
During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russians had turned the tide on the Japanese at Port Arthur with just about sixty Maxims. With high-quality German machine guns and ample ammo, they could inflict even greater losses than in the original history.
"In the war with Japan, the Russians will be on the defensive. Plus, I've had a personal idea brewing for a while. Combine that with machine guns, and their defensive power will skyrocket."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Barbed wire coils."
Trenches, machine guns, barbed wire coils.
The unholy trinity that turned World War I into hell.
The Japanese would need mountains of corpses to break through.
'Add submachine guns, shotguns, and lever-action rifles, and the damage would be even worse.'
"Barbed wire?"
Chief of the General Staff Schlieffen raised one eyebrow.
"You mean the stuff used to corral livestock?"
"Yes, exactly that. Sir."
"Hmm. I recall hearing once that the Portuguese used barbed wire for defense in their colonies. But what's this 'coiled' barbed wire?"
At Schlieffen's question, I pulled out my notebook and drew a long straight line on it.
"Standard barbed wire looks like this straight line."
"Right."
"It's already a tough obstacle for infantry on its own. But if we coil it like this..."
This time, I sketched spring-like circles below the line.
"It becomes far more durable and effective at stopping infantry. It turns into an impenetrable wall no one can cross on foot."
"Ha! Just changing the shape makes it an 'impenetrable wall'?"
"Then let's test it. Like the submachine gun demo Field Marshal Waldersee proposed last time."
"What?! You little...!"
Waldersee shot to his feet, looking ready to grab me by the collar.
Of course, Schlieffen immediately restrained him, citing all the eyes on us.
"Let's see how long you can keep strutting around...!"
Waldersee growled under his breath at me.
The old man didn't have much time left, yet he had plenty of fight in him.
"But isn't that worth a shot? We don't know how effective these coils will be in practice, but our goal isn't a total Russian victory anyway."
"Well said."
Everyone nodded in agreement at Foreign Minister von Richthofen's words—everyone except the still fuming Waldersee.
A massive Russian win wouldn't be ideal for me or the German Empire.
Russia just needed to avoid defeat.
That would create an opening for us to intervene mid-war.
"So, with the support items roughly decided, we can leave the details to the military. All that's left is getting His Majesty's approval and negotiating with the Russians."
People nodded at Foreign Minister von Richthofen's statement.
Wilhelm II wouldn't be an issue.
The Kaiser was so furious at Britain and Japan right now that he'd probably approve aiding France over Russia with a one percent chance.
The problem was the Russian Empire.
Just as the Junkers despised Russia, the Russians weren't fond of Germany either.
If they rejected our offer despite us stepping up, that would be that.
And Russia was infamous—right after the German Empire—for bungling diplomacy.
"We must convince the Tsar, Nicholas II, at all costs."
Nicholas II.
A kind man, but the worst possible leader—the last Tsar of the Russian Empire.
"If the Tsar opposes, that's the end of it."
"I have thoughts on that."
Chancellor von Bülow spoke up.
"The Tsar's favorites, Bezobrazov and Alexeiev, are hardliners against Japan and greedy to boot. Show them some proper goodwill, and they'll back us. It benefits them too, with their interests in the Far East."
"But the bureaucrats handling the real work worry me—especially Finance Minister Witte. He's no pushover like your average Russ noble."
Foreign Minister von Richthofen said gravely.
Sergei Witte.
Along with Stolypin, the brilliant minister who kept the Russian Empire from collapsing.
He was indeed competent and not to be underestimated.
But that's why he'd grasp the Japanese threat properly.
As the de facto head of the Russian bureaucracy, Witte was one of the few in real history who foresaw a possible Russian defeat before the war even started.
"We'll have to meet Witte in person, persuade and negotiate directly."
"Hmm..."
"Chancellor, send me to Russia."
"You, Baron?"
As I raised my hand and volunteered for Russia, all eyes turned to me.
Waldersee especially bulged his eyes in disbelief.
"This was my idea. I should see it through."
More than that, I couldn't trust the German Empire's diplomats.
This was a key part of my plan.
Better I handle it myself than watch it fail right in front of me.
"Don't make me laugh! Send a brat like you, and the Russians will mock the German Empire!"
"Hmm. Sending the Baron to Russia might not be such a bad idea after all."
"Posadowsky!"
Vice-Chancellor Posadowsky-Wehner backed me, and Waldersee raised his voice.
But since the imprisonment bill, the Vice-Chancellor had shifted from conservative to progressive, souring his relationship with Waldersee. He ignored him completely.
"This needs to stay secret. Britain won't like our plans. But who would suspect the Baron?"
"Makes sense."
Foreign Minister von Richthofen nodded.
As he said, if Britain caught wind, the phantom Prince of Wales would pop up to sabotage us at every turn.
Brits were just the type.
"Ha! You're really sending this kid to Russia? What does a child know about diplomacy?!"
"Hmmm. But thinking back to the Shunjiwang business, it might work..."
"Chancellor! Even you?!"
"Of course, we can't send the Baron alone, as the Field Marshal says. How about asking Prince Heinrich to accompany him?"
Everyone nodded at Foreign Minister von Richthofen's proposal.
"Prince Heinrich's wife is kin to the Russian imperial family. We can frame it as a family visit."
Irene, Grand Duchess of Hesse.
She was the older sister of Nicholas II's wife, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna—Alix.
She'd suffered the same hemophilia tragedy, losing a son young.
"Prince Heinrich excelled as a diplomat in the Far East. We can trust him."
"Damn it, you're all mad. Utterly mad."
As the mood shifted to dispatching me with Prince Heinrich to Russia, Waldersee muttered in disbelief.
But he was powerless to stop it.
Unlike his former glory where even birds feared him, Waldersee was now a half-retired old man with no real authority.
The cries of the powerless and unpopular rang hollow.
In the end, like at the demo, Waldersee stormed out in frustration.
Everyone just cleared their throats awkwardly; no one tried to stop him.
"What do you think, Chief of Staff?"
"The Baron should manage. Personally, I'd prefer he walk the path of a soldier over a diplomat, but..."
"Hmm. If even you say so..."
"Good. It's decided."
Schlieffen muttered something ominous under his breath but agreed to send me to Russia. War Minister Gossler, who'd been gauging the room, raised his hand in favor.
"Enjoy your trip to Russia, Baron."
And so, my first overseas trip—in past life or this one—was set.
A short while later.
Russian Empire, St. Petersburg.
"The Germans are proposing military cooperation with us?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. Word just arrived from our ambassador in Berlin."
Russian Finance Minister Sergei Witte frowned at his secretary's report.
The German Empire to Russia?
Those arrogant Prussian Junkers?
It was hard for Witte to believe, and impossible to accept lightly.
"What scheme are those Prussian warmongers cooking up to make such an offer to Russia?"
So Witte pondered.
What was Germany's angle here?
Goodwill?
Or mending fences with the Russian Empire at this late hour?
'Either way, nonsense.'
Ever since Kaiser Wilhelm II unilaterally tore up the secret Russo-German treaty, the two nations had been at odds.
Now that same Kaiser offering cooperation to restore ties?
It didn't add up, no matter how he sliced it.
"There has to be an ulterior motive."
Witte paced his office, deep in thought.
Then a recent event crossed his mind.
"The Anglo-Japanese Alliance."
Yes, that.
The unholy pact between island pirates and monkey-men aimed at his mother Russia.
As a man who'd devoted his life to the Empire, Witte couldn't help but be disgusted.
Just recently, that monkey clan's former head had begged for alliance with Russia.
And now this backstabbing? As Admiral Yi from the novel Koreya—which Witte had recently taken to reading—said, the Japanese lacked even basic honor.
"Looks like the Kaiser's gone mad over the Anglo-Japanese Alliance."
Not knowing the full story, that's all Witte could conclude.
Wilhelm II's "Yellow Peril" rhetoric, especially his loathing of Japan, was infamous.
Though Witte never imagined he'd act this aggressively.
"Even so, we can't accept rashly."
He still didn't grasp Germany's full intentions, but Russia had no reason or obligation to dance to their tune.
'Plus, we have to consider our ties with France.'
The French, nursing grudges against Germany, wouldn't sit idly by if Russia cozied up.
And any strain on Russia's sole alliance with France would spell disaster for the Empire—and Witte.
So Witte wanted to tread carefully with Germany's proposal, but...
"The problem is the Tsar."
The benevolent Tsar of Great Russia, Nicholas II.
If only his abilities matched his character—but alas, Nicholas was as inept and indecisive as Louis XVI.
'He has form, too.'
Long ago, Nicholas had nearly scrapped the French alliance on Wilhelm II's whim—simply because France was a republic and he didn't like it.
Witte had blocked that madness himself, so he was understandably anxious.
It could happen again.
"Summon Count Lamsdorff and Minister Kuropatkin."
"The Foreign Minister and War Minister, sir?"
"Yes. We need to discuss this together."