Reincarnated as Nikolai II

In fact, Willy, that bastard, had such great internal intimacy with me that he would send telegrams whenever bored even during the war saying things like ’You’re doing well. You can win. I support Russia.’

I went along with it since I had received help from the German military, but still.

"I don’t particularly oppose America. Even when President Theodore Roosevelt made an official pro-Japan position statement, I respected it. Even when you provided massive raw materials and war supplies, when your nation bought bonds, I respected it."

This wasn’t an issue to approach emotionally, and from America’s perspective, they just expressed support judging that Japanese superiority would help their Open Door Policy.

Similarly, Britain also helped Japan in this war fearing that if we won, we wouldn’t just get one or two warm-water ports but might swallow all of East Asia.

Wilhelm? This bastard purely hates yellow people while broadly speaking, he’s happy that he can drain both Britain and Russia’s strength simultaneously.

And it’s no different for us.

"Since the war began, we must have slaughtered over 300,000 Japs. Though not properly counted, you sent military observers so you roughly know. So let me ask, Ambassador McCormick. What benefit is there for us in ending the war now?"

Even though I get headaches looking at budget papers morning and evening, I can tell it’s our turn now even from far away.

Though war isn’t a simple turn-based game, I’m not stupid enough to let an enemy who’s lost supply capability advance south freely.

"Your Majesty, let me speak without reserve. Russia’s excessive military strengthening is making many countries anxious. This could lead to infringement of interests-"

"So it’s about your interests after all."

Nothing more to hear.

"Ambassador, we’ll end the private audience here. If you have anything more to say, tell Prime Minister Witte from now on."

If the war had dragged on more evenly, would America have come out like this? No, they would have tried to mediate while cosplaying as good guys with nice phrases about peace.

But this war isn’t at that level. We also fought while cutting our own flesh, and as a result achieved an overwhelming situation just looking at the war situation.

"Your Majesty, the British ambassador has also requested a meeting, how shall we handle it?"

"Let the Count handle it."

Do those Japanese bastards plan to deliver their surrender through others’ mouths too?

At least they seem to have realized they’ve now lost the war.

I immediately ended the private audience and summoned Prime Minister Witte.

And seeing the series of situations, Witte reached one conclusion.

"I thought things had improved a lot but... Your Majesty, it may be difficult to raise funds through bonds now."

"Why do you think so?"

"No matter how separately the great powers’ governments and private sectors act, they unite as one before ’infringement of major national interests.’ Even France won’t be able to step forward easily now."

Though considerable Russian bonds were issued during wartime, could it really change overnight like that?

’No, perhaps it could.’

The playground of the great powers.

Everyone’s together.

The world’s commons.

The Qing Dynasty.

The moment Russia tries to infringe on management rights beyond being the major shareholder of this country, all the great powers become uncomfortable.

Bond cutting is perhaps natural in that light.

Well, you can tell just by how Britain and America absolutely wouldn’t extend Japanese bonds issued during the Russo-Japanese War.

That psychology of being uncomfortable with others eating when they have neither the strength nor will to eat themselves.

"Sigh, tell General Dukhovskoy. To hurry the southward advance."

Even if it feels bad, we shouldn’t take any additional action here. Those things can’t send armies to Asia anyway.

"We’ll have to crush the Japanese army more thoroughly."

Instead, Japan. We must completely destroy Japan. If war is also a means of diplomacy, this would be the ultimate expression of will.

==

"Hmm, I thought maybe, but as expected."

"What news is it?"

"An armistice proposal came through diplomatic channels. Thanks to that, rather the Tsar hopes they won’t return alive."

There is no more Port Arthur defense battle. No more offensive and defensive battles blocking enemy northward advance.

Now that the enemy offensive has completely subsided, a short but sweet rest was taking place in Manchuria.

Both armies had entered a breathing period with no battles occurring.

"We’ve won everything but now they talk armistice. It’s absurd."

"General Roman, now we’re in the offensive position. The engagement ratio won’t be as good as when we were in the fortress."

Not just that. The supply lines lengthen as we advance south and the probability of getting caught in enemy tricks increases.

Probably with high probability the casualties will be greater than before and needless to say below that in Korea.

That’s why Dukhovskoy had planned just one rotation in Manchuria.

"Still we must do it. If their blood flows for the empire’s glory."

"That’s true."

The big picture is the same.

Even if we take somewhat more casualties.

Even if it’s more extreme than expected.

We must kill many enemies. Though Dukhovskoy doesn’t know exactly how many that number should be, the Tsar didn’t seem likely to be satisfied with half-measures.

’If I had to express it, it would be enough to leave no room for mediation to intervene-’

Deaths are needed enough to shut the mouths of those who freely spout about being strict mediating nations or guardians of peace. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Roman."

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

"You return to Port Arthur fortress. Go and either detonate all those mines or let them float away to sea, anyway clear the harbor."

"Will you send ships? Then-"

"Yes."

To win bigger here, only rear landings remain in the end.

Though we can crush the enemy with rotation, we can’t annihilate them, so we need to block their retreat path to prevent escape.

Of course, Russian forces will take significant casualties this way too.

Your journey continues on empire

"Many will die this time too."

"We’ve fought safely until now."

But the enemy will die more.

That’s enough.

Because that’s what war is originally about.