Reincarnated as Nikolai II

No answer, not even as pleasantries.

"What? No?"

"I apologize, but I cannot give a definitive answer here."

"Why? Didn’t French Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Joffre declare since last year that the war would end this year?"

Of course, General Joffre’s statement meant ending the war by recovering French territory and peace negotiations with Germany, but anyway. They said the Western Front would end this year.

"Because we haven’t gained the upper hand yet. If we just endure like this, the war could stretch on for years."

At Kokovtsov’s razor-sharp statement, I briefly showed contemplation while setting down my glass.

Then raising my head again, I spoke to Kokovtsov. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Well, I trust our wartime Prime Minister. Yes, certainly."

Of course I trust someone I appointed. There’s no doubt about his ability after working with Witte for over a decade.

"But you know. If the war drags on, the entire empire except me might start doubting you."

Though it might sound like a warning to Kokovtsov, no one in this room doesn’t know this is meant for Minister Kitchener.

Naturally, Kitchener himself knew very well.

’British BEF expeditionary force organization was late, and the proud Royal Navy does nothing but naval blockade. If the Western Front just watches like this... We might not be able to hold on?’

Whether they can’t hold on or won’t hold on will have to be seen then, but this is a warning.

"Though I somehow ended up pointing a sword at my Billy, don’t forget that the wellbeing of imperial citizens is more important than punishing Germany. What use is victory or defeat in war when our imperial citizens are naked and starving?"

"I’ll keep it in mind."

"Yes, since I’ve met Lord Kitchener too, I’ll leave first."

I clearly conveyed my will.

That Russia doesn’t want a long war. So show us something definitive on the Western Front.

Since the winter operations failed, take some action whether summer operations, fall operations, or whatever.

The winter operations failed, and then in February and March you burned 240,000 French troops in Champagne? Threw 30,000 British troops into enemy trenches during three hours advancing 1km?

Still not enough.

In April, the enemy fired poison gas at Ypres, but France holds the defense line with human lives instead of gas masks?

Still insufficient.

I don’t care how many died on the Western Front or how great the damage was.

Only military achievements.

From now on, the Eastern and Western Fronts will communicate only through military achievements.

How much enemy territory was occupied.

How many enemies were killed.

I hope they show results.

Because we’ve already proven it with Poland.

==

"Damn it! Who is the occupation of Constantinople for!"

As soon as he returned to his pre-assigned room after the banquet, Kitchener threw his outer coat on the floor and shouted.

"Minister, please don’t worry too much. The Tsar’s words were just passing remarks."

"Ambassador Nicolson, have you been in this country so long and still don’t know? In this country, the Tsar’s word is law!"

Somewhat exaggerated, but the Tsar’s remarks just now could be interpreted as ’At this rate, shall we withdraw our anti-German forces?’

Why were Anglo-French forces deployed to Constantinople?

While importing resources from Russia’s Donbas region through the Black Sea is part of it, fundamentally it’s for Russia’s sake.

That Gallipoli showing poor performance insufficient in March and continuing into April? Wasn’t that too where hundreds of thousands of troops were committed all because of Russia?

And then what? BEF organization was late? The navy doesn’t move? No change on the Western Front?

’We’re putting Constantinople in your mouths to try to make that damned change!’

If not for this war, Russia wouldn’t dare dream of coming out to the Mediterranean so easily.

Wasn’t it just a few years ago that the century-long Great Game was barely settled as a draw?

Even thinking back on today’s conversation while standing with hands on hips for a long while.

’This country is thinking of pulling out if things go wrong. No, even if that’s my delusion, they absolutely won’t conduct offensives!’

If they truly had plans to attack, they should have brought General Brusilov from the south to Poland instead of putting some engineer as commander-in-chief.

"Sigh, Ambassador Nicolson. Prime Minister Kokovtsov just keeps making excuses that independent offensives are difficult with three fronts open."

"Looking at casualty ratios-"

"Yes, nonsense."

10,000 British expeditionary forces dying versus 10,000 Russian troops dying.

Comparing these itself is meaningless.

For that country where any random military district had 100,000-200,000 peacetime troops, 100,000 casualties? It would barely impact them.

But Britain is different. One winter operation killed 95,000 British soldiers.

Considering casualties accumulated since last September, both Britain and France can hardly find active duty soldiers anymore, all are conscripts or reserves.

Already voices of concern are rising in the homeland about too many dying.

Still, such complaints can be ignored during wartime.

The real problem Kitchener faced was.

’I can’t know how many more must die...’

That is, not knowing how many more times the BEF would need to be conscripted.

Meanwhile, the Russian Empire?

’Damn... You’re a country that can endure even a million deaths!’

170 million in the homeland. Approaching 200 million including surrounding grand duchies, satellite states, and protectorates.

The India of Europe, the China of Europe.

That’s the Russian Empire.

And then recreating that Russo-Japanese War era Roman Line in Poland.

"Who exactly is afraid of war..."

"Minister, from what I’ve seen of Russia over these years here, they certainly don’t fear casualties."

"Then what? Is there another reason they won’t budge their front lines at all?"

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"This country fears poverty more than death. They fear railways being cut more than front supply lines being cut."

The Tsar that Nicolson had observed was like that. They were strangely serious about rear economics even during wartime.

When every country shouted for short war, only Russia focused on industrial and system transformation.

Looking now it was foresight, but the Russia Nicolson had seen then feared the length of war more than the sweetness of winning a short war.

"How about trying negotiations keeping these points in mind?"

"Buy Russian army blood with money?"

"Try floating it casually in tomorrow’s negotiations. Nothing to lose by trying, right?"

Kitchener’s day of departure approaches soon.

Meaning it’s time to reach an end, whether agreement or breakdown.

"...Ambassador, tell me more details."

Ambassador Nicolson’s words had certainly shaken Kitchener’s heart.