Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Because the previous General Staff had carried out military reduction over several years, the Duma had completely forgotten the time when a third of the national budget was used for the military.

"Tsk, how long has it been since the war ended? When Kuropatkin was reducing forces, they acted like spending money on the military was patriotic, but now when we actually need to spend, they turn their backs on us?"

Simply put, this country’s government now hates spending money.

Unlike Kokovtsov, who encouraged industrial growth including heavy industry even during wartime, Prime Minister Stolypin hit the empire’s bright economy from behind right after taking office with tax increases, stronger regulations, and interest rate hikes.

’Internal affairs are their business, so I shouldn’t interfere. But of all times, they attempt austerity measures when I’m trying to reform the military?’

Whether stocks fall or companies struggle, these aren’t matters of concern to him in uniform.

But austerity? Ah, the military is clearly the one taking the biggest hit from this.

The military, a group with zero productivity that only consumes food and money. Moreover, after recently acting up about modernization, the eyes looking at this military are becoming increasingly unfavorable.

"Sigh, if only Kokovtsov had stayed for 8 more years. That person, perhaps because he was a wartime prime minister, understood immediately."

Roman, who had put his feet up on the desk and leaned back, longed for someone who had already left.

Kuropatkin, how on earth did that person manage to butter up the Duma and cabinet to secure so much budget from this position?

War? No, military spending wasn’t small even before wartime.

Even considering the arms race prevalent in Europe at the time, the budget level that suddenly increased right when Kuropatkin became Chief of Staff cannot be explained.

The devil’s mouth that branded all opposition as disloyal subjects and anti-social misfits whenever he appeared at the Duma to give a speech.

The Brahma of the military (many-headed Indian god) who, like the political rumor that eyes were attached to the back, never once had a knife stuck in his back.

"...Should I just push through. Except for childish young representatives, there shouldn’t be many who would directly oppose me."

Originally, he would have moved without minding anyone’s gaze to fulfill his promise with the Tsar, but unfortunately, Stolypin’s austerity measures were holding Roman’s ankles.

When support would be insufficient even with help, the administration acting this way left Roman, who led the military, confused.

So today too, while unable to push through with his reputation alone, nor able to back down, his worries only grew.

Bang-

The door opens, breaking his contemplation.

"I said don’t come in-"

"Roman, it’s been a while."

An elderly gentleman in a stylish black fedora holding a cane stood before him.

"Prime Minister Kokovtsov... How did you come here without notice?"

"I walked, how else would I come? Hearing rumors all the way in Moscow that our new Chief of Staff is losing sleep over worries, I came to see."

With that, Kokovtsov sat down heavily on the sofa right in front.

Putting aside his awkwardness, Roman was naturally about to sit in the seat of honor, but quickly came to his senses and sat on the opposite side.

"Ahem, I apologize for not contacting you often."

"It would be stranger if the one holding military command authority of the Imperial Army frequently made private contact with a retired official."

"No one would make such misunderstandings."

Kokovtsov was already a former prime minister who had held power for a long time, making him too prominent for such concerns.

Though he stepped down cleanly, his juniors, acquaintances, and subordinate officials were still active.

This meant that with their eyes wide open watching, no one would raise issues about mere contact with the Chief of Staff.

"Coming without notice like this, do you have something urgent to discuss?"

"Rather than me, it seems our General Roman has much to say."

"You know what issues I have?"

"Budget. More precisely, the military buildup issue that goes against austerity, isn’t it?"

Since he seems to have come already knowing everything, there appears to be no need to hide or explain anything more.

"Did you stop by the palace before coming here?"

"I did."

"You naturally would have met His Majesty. And you must have met Stolypin too?"

"Of course."

"Tsk, if you’ve come at Stolypin’s request to persuade me, you’ve come to the wrong place. Whatever that fellow says, I will raise up the military. Whether by overturning the Duma or collecting public donations, I won’t be picky about methods."

When Kokovtsov admitted to visiting the palace beforehand, Roman immediately pulled back and strongly stated his position.

Even with Roman’s attitude, Kokovtsov still didn’t lose his smile.

"Haha, seems you’ve been through a lot."

"Indeed, it’s not just picking fights over everything, but cut this, investigate that corruption. It’s just killing me."

"General Roman, though I’m past my prime, what would you do if I had a way to solve all of that?"

"...Solution, you say?"

Roman expressed doubt at Kokovtsov’s proposal.

He couldn’t understand. This was close to a pie fight over dividing up the fixed national budget.

Since administrative expenses would have to be cut elsewhere if military budget increased, it was obvious Prime Minister Stolypin would never allow it.

"The justification of war allowed the blessing of nearly unlimited budget during wartime. Because we had to achieve victory even if the government went bankrupt."

"...That’s right."

"But now that the war is over, everyone is acting as if they were robbed of money by the military. Cutting budget, reducing troops, cutting welfare, just ignoring our very existence."

The unexpected visit of the former prime minister.

Military clashing with the cabinet.

The new prime minister whose popularity has declined despite just taking office.

Military and cabinet conflict.

Roman, having carefully connected all current imperial situations and Kokovtsov’s continued explanation.

Without realizing it, he first thought of that word.

"You don’t mean a coup-"

"So through the Republic of China-"

Silence immediately follows before the words are finished.

Though their words overlapped, both clearly heard what the other said.

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Roman closed his eyes, unable to even make excuses.

Then he quickly got up and locked the door to prevent any possible escape, just in case.

If former Prime Minister Kokovtsov left the room now, there might not be a chance to clear up misunderstandings.

"...Chief of Staff?"

"I heard the words Republic of China, up to there."

Silence falls again.

Unending tension.

"Could I... hear more about that method?"

"..."

Roman felt he absolutely had to hear that solution.