Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Russian Empire (3)
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"What is Germany's proposal?"
At Witte's question, I smiled inwardly.
As expected of the man who, alongside Stolypin, the last great statesman of the Russian Empire, had extended the empire's dying days with his brilliant insight.
Competent people were just so convenient. No need for long explanations—they grasped everything right away.
"Wait a moment, Witte. What on earth are you talking about?"
On the other hand, someone like Nicholas II was utterly frustrating.
The Tsar, clearly clueless about the situation, stared blankly at Witte and asked.
Witte let out a small sigh and turned toward the dim-witted Tsar.
"Your Majesty, I agree with the baron and the German Empire. If war with Japan breaks out like this, the Russian Empire will struggle—worst case, we won't avoid defeat."
"W-What? You too, Witte? You really think that?!"
Nicholas II's mouth fell open as if he'd been struck in the face with a hammer.
But despite Witte's firm assertion, Nicholas shook his head in disbelief.
"I can't accept that. Russia losing to Japan? No matter how I think about it, that doesn't make sense!"
"Nicky, this is the conclusion reached after in-depth discussions by our German Empire's government and General Staff."
"But..."
Even Prince Heinrich's words failed to make Nicholas II face reality.
Or rather, he couldn't.
In the end, there was no choice but to explain Russia's current predicament to the Tsar slowly and carefully.
"Your Majesty, consider this. If war with Japan erupts, the main theater will undoubtedly be the Liaodong Peninsula around Port Arthur and Manchuria."
"Uh, um..."
"The German Empire has no intention of belittling the Russian army. Russia is certainly stronger than Japan. But Russia's main forces are in Europe, not in the distant Far East, aren't they?"
"Ah..."
Groans escaped from the Russians present.
They were starting to realize it too.
Why Witte and I were saying Russia would lose to Japan.
"War Minister Kuropatkin. Assuming war with Japan in five years, how long would it take to transport troops and supplies from the homeland to the Far East?"
At Witte's question, Kuropatkin—the man who would command Russia's army in the original Russo-Japanese War—thought for a moment before answering with a grim expression.
"At least three or four months."
"That long?!"
Nicholas II cried out in shock at Kuropatkin's words.
But this wasn't the Russian government's fault.
The vast frozen expanse called Siberia, comprising most of Russia's territory, was still beyond human control.
"Your Majesty, the Trans-Siberian Railway is still incomplete. Some sections are open, but not enough for large-scale troop transport and supply from the homeland to the Far East."
"Facing the Japanese army with just the Far East forces..."
Witte shook his head at the Tsar's words.
Nicholas II, who had harbored a flicker of hope, hung his head.
The Far East Russian army was essentially a second-rate colonial garrison.
And true to Russia's reputation across eras for supply issues, they lacked not just weapons but even ammunition.
Expecting such a Far East force to hold off the Japanese was beyond even the hopes of Russia's incompetent generals.
"Oh, Lord..."
"Your Majesty, wouldn't it be better to negotiate with Japan instead?"
"Foreign Minister?"
"Japan wants war with the Russian Empire only for interests in Korea and China. If we cede Korea to them and yield some rights in China, surely..."
"Shut your mouth!"
A roar erupted from the military faction as Foreign Minister Lamsdorff suggested negotiating with Japan.
Lamsdorff frowned upon identifying the source of the shout.
"Bowing our heads to those cowardly island monkeys? The great Russian Empire?!"
"Admiral Alekseyev. Who said anything about bowing to Japan? It's just one step back to avoid a pointless war!"
"What's the difference from surrender?!"
Admiral Alekseyev raised his voice even higher in response to Foreign Minister Lamsdorff's rebuttal.
And for a moment, our eyes met.
'Yevgeni Ivanovich Alekseyev.'
The Tsar's favorite, a leading hardliner against Japan, and the Viceroy of the Far East during the Russo-Japanese War.
A core member of the Bezobrazov faction, with whom our German government had already made prior contact.
"Negotiations with Japan are absolutely out of the question. Manchuria, Liaodong, and Korea must remain under Russian dominion, even if it means some sacrifice!"
As Admiral Alekseyev shouted, slamming his fist, many nobles and generals nodded in agreement.
Witte and Lamsdorff's faction, naturally, did not welcome this.
'Admiral Alekseyev and the Bezobrazov faction are politically opposed to Witte.'
Alexander Mikhailovich Bezobrazov—another of Nicholas II's favorites not present here—was Witte's arch-enemy.
Because Bezobrazov had used the Tsar's favor for personal gain, meddling in Far East diplomacy, expanding Russian influence in Manchuria and Korea, and snapping up concessions.
Witte had opposed this and tried to block Bezobrazov, but Nicholas II thwarted his efforts.
By sidelining Witte on Far East issues and backing his crony Bezobrazov.
This rise of irresponsible hardliners like Bezobrazov and Admiral Alekseyev soured Russo-Japanese relations irreversibly, becoming one of the triggers for the Russo-Japanese War.
A great misfortune for the Russian Empire.
But helpful for me and the German Empire.
Ironically so.
"Didn't you hear the Germans? War means defeat!"
"Talking defeat without even fighting? Even Kuropatkin has turned coward!"
"What? Coward?!"
"Everyone, calm down."
At my words, the Russians—divided into Witte's faction and Alekseyev's, hurling insults and on the verge of fists flying—flinched and halted their bickering.
Confirming the room had quieted, I spoke again.
"First, even if the Russian Empire wants negotiations, Japan won't accept. With the Anglo-Japanese Alliance signed, Japan has no reason to negotiate with Russia, and Britain won't sit idly by."
Moreover, Japan's current Prime Minister Katsura Taro and the power behind him, Yamagata Aritomo, were as hardline on Russia as the Bezobrazov faction.
The leading negotiator, Ito Hirobumi, had long been relegated to the sidelines.
With hardliners dominant in both Russia and Japan, war was inevitable.
"But don't worry, Your Majesty. Prince Heinrich and I came to Russia to support you against Japan."
"Is that true?"
Nicholas II, who had been gloomy at the talk of possible defeat, lifted his head to look at me.
"Yes. His Majesty the Kaiser was furious about the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and wishes to aid the Russian Empire against Japan's clutches."
"That sounds just like Willy."
Nicholas II and the Russians murmured in agreement.
The Wilhelm II they knew was exactly the type to do that.
Of course, in reality, it was my idea, approved unanimously by the cabinet and military.
"The German Empire's government is prepared to provide large-scale arms support to Russian Far East forces if war with Japan breaks out."
"Arms support?"
"Oh!"
The Russians, who moments ago had been so despondent even talks of negotiating with Japan surfaced, all brightened up without exception.
All except one.
"What are the conditions?"
Only Witte, his eyes sharp as a whetted blade, eyed me warily.
"The arms support will be limited strictly to the Russian Far East. That's Germany's condition."
"What? That's all?"
"Of course. This aid stems purely from the 'goodwill' of His Majesty Wilhelm II."
At my words, Witte's gaze sharpened even more.
Yeah. Honestly, even I'd find it hard to believe.
"Your Majesty, we must accept Germany's proposal!"
But others thought differently from Witte.
Especially Admiral Alekseyev and the Bezobrazov faction, whose political lives hinged on the Far East and who had already received our 'gesture'—they were the most enthusiastic.
"The Far East Russian army's most urgent needs are weapons and ammunition. German support would resolve much of that!"
"I-Is that so?"
"Absolutely, Your Majesty. And the superiority of German weapons is already proven."
"That's true."
As I chimed in, Nicholas II nodded with a face already half-convinced.
And then Prince Heinrich, who had watched quietly until now, drove the nail home.
"This is hardly a bad deal for the Russian Empire, Nicky."
"Heinrich, tell me more."
"Of course."
Prince Heinrich nodded readily.
My job here was pretty much done. The prince would handle the rest expertly.
Now, only one thing remained.
"Could we speak privately for a moment?"
Witte.
"Of course, Finance Minister."
I nodded and replied, so Witte led me to the empty adjoining room.
There, he fixed me with a fierce glare and spoke.
"What is Germany's real game here?"
"Game? As I said earlier, it's purely out of goodwill..."
"Ha! Goodwill? From the German Empire and the Kaiser? I'd sooner believe the sun rises in the west!"
Hmm. As expected, he doesn't buy it.
"Whatever Germany's intentions, it's not bad for Russia. With our support, at least you won't lose to Japan."
"But you won't win either. Is that what Germany wants?"
A mutual defeat between Russia and Japan?
Witte asked me directly.
No need to lie here.
"There's an Eastern saying: 'When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold.'"
"If Russia loses, Germany suffers too?"
Witte pondered my words.
Then he looked at me as if struck.
"It's Britain. You sly little weasel."
Sly like a weasel, huh?
This guy's jokes are over the top.
"If Russia loses to Japan and its southward push stalls, Britain will start checking Germany in earnest. That's why you're offering arms support."
"But do you have other options?"
"Tch..."
Witte clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction at my words.
He clearly didn't like our blatant intent to use Russia, but he truly had no alternatives.
Hardliners like Admiral Alekseyev were clamoring to accept German aid to protect Far East interests, and the Tsar, who favored them, was agreeing.
And above all, defeat in war would cost the Russian Empire far too much.
"Let's make a deal, Minister Witte. We'll help steer the war so Russia can end it with some gains, even if concessions are needed."
And so, Witte took my hand.
"How far can you go?"
"It depends on how much the Russian Empire is willing to give up."
With that, his face said he'd squeeze out every last gain possible.