Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Just as Germany was facing major checks from Britain due to its frenzied naval power expansion immediately after entering the 20th century.

Russia too, until the early 90s, had been undertaking massive warship construction under Alexander III’s leadership. Having built up naval power for no less than 11 years, it was perhaps natural that Britain mobilized all its diplomatic power to check Russia, crying about the Great Game and dangers to India.

World’s #1 army, #3 naval power. Among these, this Far Eastern Fleet accounted for 60% of the empire’s naval power.

After Nicholas’s reign began, they only built a ship here and there, but while naval power didn’t increase, it didn’t weaken either.

Port Arthur fortress, which emphasized its role as a military base rather than a port for logistics.

Two of Japan’s few battleships and multiple escort ships were secretly dispatched here.

"As expected, they were still receiving supplies through the port, just without the Pacific Fleet!"

"Begin bombardment quickly!"

Moving part of the Combined Fleet to the Yellow Sea was an enormous gamble for Japan.

However, the enemy’s Far Eastern Fleet hadn’t moved an inch for the past few months.

Their war-making capacity was now truly showing its limits.

Finally, the fact that to break through that fortress, that damned fortress, they absolutely needed the power of large ships with large guns.

These three factors overlapped, forcing Imperial Headquarters to finally permit the navy’s sortie.

But only two battleships as core strength.

No amphibious operations.

Quickly pour out firepower and retreat.

If these conditions were strictly observed, the two battleships could return to the East Sea by next morning unless the Far Eastern Fleet and Combined Fleet clashed directly.

Time was tight, but if well maintained, they could break Port Arthur fortress without a naval vacuum.

But was it too rushed?

"Huh? There’s something all over under the water?"

"M-mines! Those Russian bastards covered the waters in front of Port Arthur with mines!"

"Abort operation! Abort operation! Absolutely do not approach..."

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BOOM- KABOOM-!

The battleships Yashima and Hatsuse only realized after closing to sufficient distance to pour out their prepared shells.

That they had been sailing at full speed over a minefield.

The Hatsuse sank first, with 450 sailors who couldn’t escape going down with it, and the Yashima, which was trying to escape belatedly with help from escort ships, followed its companion to the Yellow Sea palace of the Dragon King five hours later.

The Russian army, which had no intention of using Port Arthur harbor if war broke out in the first place, had assigned two minelaying ships from early in the war to lay hundreds of mines in nearby waters.

Does fate truly exist? The fate of the two battleships that sailed the seas two months longer than in the original history ultimately remained unchanged.

In fact, since those Russian navy bastards were crazy enough to lay mines in front of their own harbor even with their fleet present, they would have met the same mine ticket ending in the Dragon King’s palace even if the Pacific Fleet hadn’t withdrawn to Vladivostok.

==

Unlike typical battlefields, fighting in Manchuria had its own peculiarities of this land.

First, there are no cities.

Of course, there are places where many people gathered and achieved commercial development, but unlike the ’cities’ that people commonly think of, they hadn’t achieved proper modern development.

Similarly, while there are railway strategic points, there are almost no strategic points that absolutely must not be lost militarily.

If any, perhaps coastal ports like Port Arthur? But there are several other ports even without this one.

Nevertheless, the Japanese army couldn’t advance north with Port Arthur at their back, and Russia also had no intention of continuing delaying actions based on Port Arthur, so bloody engagements continued daily.

Even amid this, as summer approached, except for Port Arthur, the war was taking on the aspect of an attrition battle just consuming troops and supplies.

Then.

BOOM- KABOOM-

The Combined Fleet’s two battleships that had never shown themselves on the battlefield self-destructed as they approached Port Arthur’s waters.

"...Is this for real? They actually fell for this?"

"They must have been that desperate? They probably wanted to divert attention with a surprise attack on the port."

"Why would we use Port Arthur harbor? It would take a year just to clear the mines laid there to use the port again."

Even Roman, commanding as fortress commander, was dumbfounded at news of two enemy battleships being sunk. They really fell for this? How? Why?

Roman didn’t know that in the original history, their own mines hilariously led their own forces to declare ’Yellow Sea sortie impossible!’, but anyway from his view those two battleships had simply approached confidently and suddenly performed a suicide show.

==

This news, almost embarrassing to consider as a deception tactic, was immediately delivered to Vladivostok as well.

Whatever those bastards ate wrong, if the Combined Fleet put on such an expensive show, Russia too should show something comparable.

"Sortie! The enemy fleet is at its most vulnerable now!"

"We’ve waited 7 months for this day!"

"Alright, let’s go in!"

What? They just lost 2 of their barely 6 core battleships to mines, and not even temporarily for operations?

This is a God-given opportunity, a reward for the time we’ve endured.

The enemy can’t avoid battle anyway.

For sovereignty of the Yellow Sea? No. At this point, it doesn’t matter if they do maritime supply or troop movement through the Yellow Sea.

East Sea. Below here is their mainland. Even if they defend their mainland with coastal artillery, there are ports in Korea like Busan.

The Combined Fleet with so much to protect won’t be able to avoid or flee despite being at a disadvantage.

"All forces, sortie!"

Ding ding ding!

While the sortie bells rang heavily in Vladivostok, which had been quiet throughout the war, on the orders of Far Eastern Fleet Commander Admiral Alekseyev.

Similarly, Commander-in-Chief Dukhovskoy, upon receiving news of the navy’s sortie and that Port Arthur was still holding well, began his own preparations.

"The navy left Vladivostok harbor this morning for the decisive battle. We, from now on, prepare for rotation!"

The Japanese army that had endlessly replenished reserves from the mainland like cockroaches no matter how many were killed.

As of today, that replenishment ends too.

Now only Russia will receive troop reinforcements through the Trans-Siberian Railway.

==

The 4th general offensive began as soon as General Keller’s Siberian Corps was blocked from moving south.

Although Port Arthur fortress was accumulating fatigue and casualties from continued general offensives, morale remained high as ever.

After all, aren’t we winning the war?

"Hold on! This is the last offensive! Those bastards have no more reserves to replenish!"

"Half-strength 2nd Army? Weren’t you guys farming until last year?"

The difference between active duty troops who had only prepared for war until now and reserves who were just conscripted and given 3 months of short training.

The difference between an army with morale raised by continued victories and an army frightened by sustained defeats. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Above all, the difference in firepower pouring from a stable fortress.

Port Arthur fortress, backed by all these overwhelming differences, continued its scene of massacre today as well.