Reincarnated as Nikolai II

A strange battlefield in Liaodong Peninsula where not a single bullet exchanges despite Qing forces gathering to reclaim territory and Japanese forces refusing to retreat.

Oyama Iwao, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Second Army, felt his heart sink the moment he heard Russian forces were gathering above them.

'C-crazy bastards gathering forces at the border without a word?'

Though their territory is close, the very first principle in this war was 'don't touch Russia.'

Naturally, Oyama thoroughly separated foreign merchants and religious people from the battlefield while advancing, even helping evacuate them to Pyongyang if needed. All to not give powers the slightest pretext to intervene.

Yet who would have thought Russian forces would gather rapidly right above them.

With just that news couldn't advance a step north after occupying Dalian, and then one more piece of news adds.

The appearance of Crown Prince Nikolai.

With the Tsar's powerful special orders at that.

While Russian officers including Roman and Sergei trembled just from the Crown Prince being at the border, the Japanese side viewed the current situation like this:

Alexander III's strong will to intervene. And readiness for war.

The Russian Crown Prince isn't suffering from safety insensitivity. Looking at it any way, this shows the Tsar's firm will to intervene in the Far East.

"Damn bastard! Could tell when that so-called Emperor ordered railway construction!"

"Is Li Hongzhang sane, bringing them in again after losing national territory to Russia just 6 years ago?"

"If even a hair on Crown Prince Nikolai is harmed... They probably won't end with Korea."

Though Alexander III was Peacemaker in Europe, to the Far East, especially Qing, Korea, and Japan, Russia was nothing but a thug.

Whether taking 300km² of land claiming they invaded Amur region and suffered damage, or learning something strange and pushing iron ships to make all sorts of trade treaties when they couldn't even reach the sea before.

This time too, just Russia being Russia. But unlike before, pushing even the Crown Prince forward saying 'Ah, if you're annoyed, let's war.'

Openly representing Qing and backed by France and Germany.

Truly a cruel intention to trip running Japan.

Grinding his teeth, Ito Hirobumi traveling by sea arrived at Jinzhou City, located further inside than Dalian.

Japanese Empire occupying Liaodong.

Qing gathered to reclaim that Liaodong.

France, Germany, Russia ending half year's observation.

'All just wolves trying to eat away.'

When Ito and Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu arrived, everyone's appearances seemed to have matched stories already.

"Imperial Special Envoy Li Jingfang."

So even a mere imperial envoy who came knocking at the home island asking for armistice had leisure to greet first.

'Let's see. France wants Taiwan and Germany wants to protect their interests. Must have brought in Russia for balance among European countries.'

A state where they won't hesitate even passive intervention though not active.

Meaning they mutually don't oppose Russia's advance.

Meanwhile what Li Hongzhang and Li Jingfang want is indeed Liaodong's return. Additionally must have naturally calculated they'll definitely lose continuing war after losing entire navy.

Then now what Russia wants becomes most important...

"Haha, aren't you tired to talk business right after meeting? Let's catch our breath a bit first."

The problem was Ito couldn't know what orders that clear-minded Crown Prince received from his father.

Though clearly in victor's advantage and position to gain something, Ito couldn't take even one word lightly from that young Crown Prince without children.

When everyone kept their seats despite suggestion to rest a while, the Crown Prince rose first.

Then approached Ito and.

"Do you perhaps have cigarettes? Japanese ones would be nice..."

Wiggled empty fingers while smiling.

==

40,000 won expensive water pipe, pinnacle of technology e-cigarette, cigarettes keeping tradition, and cigars that you can't even inhale deeply wondering why smoke them.

Though with this body just occasionally having pipe, not particularly living without, still cigarettes have advantages in this era.

Like now, there's no better excuse for separate conversation.

And as far as I know, Ito is a known heavy smoker.

"Asahi cigarettes, first time."

"Not expensive but deep taste. Everyone enjoys regardless of class."

"Your English is skillful."

"Natural since I studied abroad in England."

Clearly shows using polite and educated English.

"Huu... First time seeing me alone?"

"Heard much in rumors. About the previous incident too."

"Haha, all past things I don't even remember."

For a moment Ito turned his head pretending to look far away. Seems because they sent final consolation money this year.

Wariness and hostility. How to loosen this person's thoroughly hardened mind.

Anyway the main characters of the talks are him and me. The rest are just extras.

'...Well sorry but can't help it.'

That which worked well before. The 'all father's will' strategy.

"Two months to Khabarovsk. And another 10 days here. Quite an ordeal coming such long way personally."

"Tsar's command, what could be done."

"Right, even I can't oppose Tsar's orders. But can't do anything about my true feelings, right?"

Ito waiting to see where this goes though not believing. I continued speaking.

"If... This is really if, if Imperial forces had gone just a bit deeper into Liaodong, I wouldn't be here. Instead Governor-General Sergei and that friend standing behind earlier. Friend called Roman would be here instead. Of course not alone, but leading forces from all our empire's military districts."

"..."

Not wrong words. If Qing was pushed to capital, surely all powers would rush to drive out Japan.

However, wrapped this obvious fact as 'Tsar's august command.'

Yes, letting them know me being here now. Forces gathering above their heads. France and Germany joining here. All our father's will claiming Far Eastern expansion.

"But I'm different. Don't know how much you know about me, but I don't view war very favorably."

"This war is to punish Qing trying to oppress Korea and return sovereignty-"

"Yes yes, well must be detailed circumstances and interests. Though I don't know well."

Cutting off Ito's words as he tried to explain like teaching, he got quiet again. Telling me to talk more.

"Huu, what's that land mass worth. Ah, making people die and live."

Looking down on the incident while leisurely leaning on wall smoking, can feel Ito's eyes rolling.

'Yes, Li Hongzhang didn't bring me in, see? This is all war monarch our Alexander III Tsar His Majesty trying to eat up Far East completely! Though I'm a bit different.'

One thing I want to say calling Ito alone.

"In my eyes. Like this results are obvious."

"What results?"

"War between our Russia and Japanese Empire."

My perspective on series of situations.

"Liaodong land? Korea? Never particularly interested but just think whatever. Power country's expansion historically natural development and inter-country war something even our Russia has done many times."

At my words Ito's eyelids slightly shake.

"However like this. In my eyes not distant future. So probably high chance huge war predicted between Russia I rule and you all. So I chose mediation though different from father's desired direction."

Ito must know this part well too. Probably unlike me realized continental advance means war with Russia while watching our three countries intervene.

"...Strange Crown Prince sent to Far East when thoughts differ from Tsar. Truly strange."

"Because father is in seriously ill condition. I'm the person who'll be next Tsar."

"..."

From today I'll get official unfilial son label directly opposing father, but think it's worth it if can delay Russo-Japanese War even just 1 year.

"I don't want war with Japan. No, any country. Nevertheless won't hesitate if war to protect. So this is neither persuasion nor enforcement but question I truly want to ask. Does Japan want war with Russia?"

"Ah, keep talking idealistic things so don't know what tune to match."

"Haha, really? Then let's change question. Do you think Japan can win fighting our Russia now?"

I asked question cutting pride to Prime Minister Ito trying to keep avoiding.

"That's unknowable, no?"

"No, you'll know. Probably know better than any military officer. Must know well if don't want to lose even Korea."

Not just coming innocently immersed in ideals from continent's end to end.

Know reality better than anyone, but just pursuing ideals.

"Cooperating with Qing forces this chance we could even eat Korea? At least could swallow all Manchurian land as price for driving you out. Even though father wants that and no official would dare oppose. Why has our empire still not directly intervened? Though collision with Japan plainly visible even to mere Crown Prince's eyes."

Well that's because no war funds and reforms ongoing plus railway completion far so projecting influence to Far East is crazy with current empire's strength... but.

Still acknowledge point that thanks to my noble will and wise thinking too.

"Anyway since Russia and Japan fighting would be good for no one. If that happens only Britain behind you would be happy, would be good for no one."

"That's all thanks to Crown Prince? Treating me too naively-"

Bang!

"Your Highness!"

"Roman? Don't you see conversation ongoing?"

"The Tsar... has passed away."

"...What?"

"News just delivered through Communications Department. Urgent report His Majesty passed away this morning while resting in Livadia. Must return to St. Petersburg right now!"

"...Fuck."

Of all times father passing now. Dropping cigarette in mouth as about to leave, I turned to Ito still in conversation and left final words.

"Previous words should be seen not as mere Crown Prince's empty talk, but will of Russian Empire's monarch Tsar. Hope you agree with me."

"..."

"If still can't believe then just leave. I yielded enough too."

Said all I wanted to say to Prime Minister Ito.

Whether he accepts my sincerity or not, this talks' results won't change much but future relations and direction of both countries will change.

"I have no time, let's resume talks immediately."

Entering room I immediately sat and shouted.

Anyway main contents all delivered in advance and now just push and pull negotiate then sign to end.

All must have heard news as gazes looking at me changed in just an hour.

Regardless, talks already started must see end and I have no time.

If rejected here I'll leave right tonight and someone else will appear at negotiation table instead of me. Probably danger contents will change a bit accordingly too.

Now decision power passed to Prime Minister Ito who started war.

Whether satisfy here and shake hands to end.

Or see end with Russia according to our father's will after funeral.

I was ready to kick chair and leave for father's funeral anytime and.

scribble scribble scratch*

Knowing that well, getting Ito's signature didn't take long.