Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Naval warfare.

A battle where massive warships fire upon each other on the rolling seas, aiming to sink the enemy first.

If we were to simply define modern naval warfare, naval forces can be broadly divided into three categories:

Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.

Even in this era, there are numerous small vessels like torpedo boats carrying machine guns to attack decks, but these are purely meant for inflicting casualties, not for sinking enemy ships.

Gunboats (ships carrying a single gun, mainly for coastal use) can potentially damage vessels, but not much can be expected from them.

Only guns mounted on destroyers are considered proper naval artillery. However, older destroyers sometimes lack the firepower to sink battleships.

With these common standards in mind, let’s analyze the forces of Japan’s Combined Fleet and the Far Eastern Third Fleet.

"We have 15 battleships. The enemy has 6 at most. However, their main force consists of cruisers and destroyers rather than massive battleships."

"Building thirty cruisers... They must be struggling with money but need to reinforce their forces. Their naval situation is crystal clear."

Having already separated from the Baltic Fleet and incorporated the existing Siberian Military Flotilla that had been defending the Far East, the newly unified Far Eastern Fleet, like Japan’s Combined Fleet, held daily meetings while waiting for one thing.

’...When the sea thaws.’

’Then their reign over both seas of Korea will end.’

While the army is undoubtedly the main force in this war and the navy serves as an auxiliary means fighting over ports and landing points, the admirals believed naval battles were essential to break the enemy’s will to fight and force their surrender.

Above all, their reason for needing naval battles was clear.

"They will receive steady investment, but our future is uncertain."

"If their fleet grows, they’ll threaten war again."

"So while we have the upper hand in force, we must sink as many as possible."

Under Yevgeny Alexeyev’s leadership, Admirals Romen and Zinovy Rozhestvensky steeled their resolve.

"Fortunately, with Major Roman leading the way, our forces are holding well at the Yalu River, but I hear the fortress is becoming like a rag. For combat efficiency, General Dukhovskoy will pull back the front lines."

"That’s when we need to step in?"

"Exactly. When the front line pulls back? It’s obvious. The enemy will happily follow us up to Liaodong. How do you think they’ll react when news of a naval defeat reaches them then?"

"...No supplies, no reinforcements, rear threat. If I were an army commander, I’d have nightmares and desperately rush to the fortress."

"Yes, every breathing day would be consumed by fear."

If they hadn’t transferred the Baltic Fleet, talk of the navy’s quick, decisive war would have been dismissed as the ravings of a war-crazed fool.

Logically, a decisive naval battle while trying to not only seize but maintain supremacy in the Far East?

Failure would destabilize Far Eastern dominance, and even success would require long recovery from bitter wounds.

Not to mention being viewed as just consuming budget in the process.

"I have no doubt this is what the Tsar desires. Why else would he send the Baltic Fleet and even concentrate the Port Arthur fleet in Vladivostok?"

"...Ten years. While that Roman was obsessed with building sandcastles with ridiculous budgets, I was stuck with this fleet. All for a single day of war!"

"I know, Admiral Romen. If you hadn’t continuously analyzed and reinforced against enemy forces, such plans would have been impossible. Be patient a little longer. The sun will soon shine on us."

While navigation becomes possible by breaking thin ice in late February, they deliberately wait until March when the weather fully improves.

’After waiting 10 years, what’s one more month?’

Roman was a common engineer who caught the then-Crown Prince’s eye, received medals, and rapid promotions while achieving such brilliant accomplishments, but Romen was different.

His family was simply a lineage of generals, nobility, and promotion was guaranteed just for breathing.

’If only for my bitter life.’

Then at least in this position, shouldn’t we crush the Combined Fleet before returning?

"When exactly should we set the decisive battle date?"

"Admiral Rozhestvensky, don’t worry about that."

"Admiral Romen?"

"Even Chairman Bunge, consumed by madness, shook his head at Port Arthur. When tens of thousands die at that Lüshun fortress, those monkeys will realize. Ah, we need naval bombardment to break through there."

"Even though we’re clearly waiting to sail when the weather improves?"

"That’s exactly it. Despite clearly being aware of our presence, part of the Combined Fleet will surely be sent to break that fortress. I guarantee it. If not, that place wasn’t made for humans of this era to breach."

It’s difficult to even destroy, let alone occupy, with mediocre army artillery. Roman, that crazy bastard, designed it considering enemy capture and even prepared ways to reclaim it.

Eventually, part of the Combined Fleet will be committed to attacking that fortress. Otherwise, those island dogs will just keep dying.

"If anything, it’s better if the Combined Fleet doesn’t move at all. That means enemy army deaths will match the number of bricks in that fortress."

"...Hmm, Port Arthur fortress, I’ve been there but is it really that impressive? It seemed grand but not impregnable."

Impressive? No, such a mundane word can’t describe that fortress.

That place wasn’t made for human conquest but rather to say ’We’ve prepared this much, so abandon any thought of attacking!’

Nevertheless, they will attack. As the Tsar said, they won’t have money to continue the war.

’I hear they even failed to sell bonds in America.’

Damages accumulate while external funding dries up. Even if they cross the Yalu River, can they afford to be leisurely?

They cannot. So they won’t avoid battle. Since the enemy can’t avoid the situation, how can a decisive fleet battle not occur?

A single day.

That day.

That day will come.

The very day the enemies sink into the sea.

This was the true value of the Port Arthur fortress and the grand strategy of the army and navy that Romen and Roman had prepared for years under Governor-General Sergei Dukhovskoy’s guidance.

When the enemy navy is forced to include Port Arthur fortress in their attack, victory through decisive fleet battle.

Who is the main force and who is auxiliary becomes meaningless.

It’s just a matter of order - in the end, the enemy will all die.

==

"The 300,000 regular troops that initially landed on the Korean Peninsula are their entire force."

"Don’t they have a well-established reserve system?"

"The reserve numbers maximum 850,000. If they raise the age limit for conscription, they could potentially reach 1.2 million, but the actual training period for reserves won’t exceed 6 months, and they likely can’t even consider additional conscription."

"They probably struggle just to maintain their current forces."

"The proof is in the Imperial Headquarters’ announcements. They’re clearly selling bonds with fabricated propaganda. It appears their funds are drying up."

Though not quite like the Far East where bullets are flying, St. Petersburg has also been quite hectic since the war began.

"While not conscription, Japan has a system called the Kokumin Army (similar to militia). Their estimated numbers reach 220,000."

"Combat effectiveness?"

"If even these forces deploy to the battlefield, the Japanese Empire won’t have the capacity to supply ammunition. We can treat it as just a number on paper."

"Our response?"

"With reserves waiting sufficiently in Vladivostok, Harbin, Haicheng, and other locations, we shouldn’t face any troop shortages."

Currently, 20 divisions worth of troops are deployed defending the Yalu River. General Dukhovskoy said he’ll soon give up the Yalu River, so he’ll probably draw on reserves at the appropriate time.