Reincarnated as Nikolai II

With this country’s name being "Russian Empire," I don’t oppose all imperialism.

However, the imperialism I speak of here contained a somewhat different meaning.

’Plunder beyond exploitation. Truly overwhelming exploitation.’

Like Belgium cutting off natives’ hands and limbs and massacring hundreds of thousands for productivity.

Like Britain inducing ethnic cleansing or civil wars in India or Africa whenever bored.

I wonder if we too must acknowledge and accept such an era.

Just thinking about it briefly, the sweet smell gathering in my mouth seems like it will transform me.

"Your Majesty, monopolizing Qing is impossible. Dozens of countries have feet in that country and we can’t drive them all out."

"Witte, do you think I don’t know that."

I’m not trying to talk about that kind of formal colonial form.

What this feeling, which may still be just momentary desire, means is:

’How far can I fall for the empire’s interests.’

If we constantly beat down that Asia and make them economic slaves, couldn’t we achieve industrialization instantly without caring about domestic markets?

When this era’s basic economic structure is ’production-forced sales’ not ’trade-mutual benefit’, what reason is there for us not to do it?

"We have no colonies. We’re not a colonial empire so I also abolished the oppression policies of Poland and Finland."

"That’s certainly true."

"Even I seem to waver a bit. Just 8 months. Though fighting those derivative powers, the empire revealed vulnerabilities. To make this empire strong... perhaps abandoning humanity a bit would be fine."

Though it may be a laughable worry after bloody purges, I wonder if there’s another way to grow the empire this quickly.

How did Japan reduce agriculture’s share below 20% in the 1930s when agriculture accounted for over 80% of national industry until the 1910s.

It was through Korea’s colonization.

They dumped all agriculture on Korea and succeeded in economic structure change and industrialization without taking any damage, responsibility, or risk themselves.

"Of course I know well. Breaking isolationism to increase colonies would lose much. I’m not a foolish monarch like my cousin Willy."

"Yes, from now on Your Majesty must stop those swayed by such desires."

"I suppose so. This country is still a latecomer after all."

Still in my heart exists the desire to ’guide’ that Qing.

Nevertheless.

’Tch...’

For now I must set it aside in a corner of my heart.

We haven’t become Asia’s master, we’ve just become able to walk with shoulders straight in East Asia.

The original purpose of the Russo-Japanese War wasn’t forming a colonial empire but creating economic growth engine for the empire.

More than this is greed.

I pride myself on knowing better than anyone the countless historical examples of nations falling due to foolish leaders’ failure to know their place.

In the end if colonial empire is difficult and natural growth can’t devour the West.

Only one method remains for me.

"...Indeed the only way is war."

It was a natural flow of thought.

"Hm? Did you say something perhaps?"

"It’s nothing."

Though I brushed it off since I couldn’t fully explain to Witte yet, my mind had already reached thoughts of the ’next war’.

War.

A great war incomparably larger than this Russo-Japanese War.

When that war half-destroys the Western world, won’t at least one opportunity come to us?

If so, it becomes clear how to spend the remaining decade or so.

We shall prepare and prepare again.

For the moment those colonial empires collapse, the opportunity to escape this frozen maze.

We’ll have to see whether we’ll die falling into the sea like Icarus caught in the great war, or survive like Daedalus.

==

Though Russia didn’t completely subjugate Korea, they couldn’t help but reach out.

"Korea is... a puppet state?"

"Tsk, that’s not it? They openly say Korea is independent?"

"Then what is it?"

Rather one step below that.

Officially the Russian Empire designated Korea as a ’protectorate’.

Whether Korea claimed this themselves or not isn’t particularly important.

Japan again claimed ’All incidents in East Asia are due to Korea’s strange diplomacy!’ as justification for war and Britain somewhat agreed.

America didn’t care as long as the Philippines weren’t touched and other countries had no voice at all.

Not a colony, not a fake country with puppet regime but a truly independent government and country ruled by yellow royalty.

Just Korea’s diplomatic rights were restricted only to Russia.

"First we should connect our Trans-Siberian Railway with Korean railways."

"Right, just nationalize up to here and give appropriate dividends to the Korean government and they’ll be satisfied."

"Width should be about 62 meters same as South Manchuria right?"

"Good, let’s prepare right away."

Still amid post-war cleanup.

When basic principles regarding Korea came out in the Portsmouth Treaty, Russian bureaucrats in Amur began moving in earnest.

Having rolled around the Far East for several years already, they knew well how to handle this poor country.

"Of course we must connect with Manchuria-Siberian railway first."

"For ports it’s better to get northern Korea centered on the Yellow Sea."

"Only resource is food. Not even wheat but rice? We don’t even eat that. Give it to Japan."

Korea’s value was only geopolitical, with almost no economic value.

So rather than direct economic exploitation, only transportation and ports were bureaucrats’ interests.

Meanwhile the Governor-General’s Office now directly neighboring Korea had somewhat different reactions. Experience more tales on empire

Korean Empire, Pyongyang.

"Minister Lee, first Russia and Korea have a protector-protectorate relationship so are clearly a community of destiny."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"You’re not military and I’m not your superior so no ’Excellency’. Anyway, even for a protectorate we must strive for independent military organization. We’ll provide study abroad and advisory group if wanted, so focus first on military reconstruction."

Why Prime Minister Sergei Witte and Tsar Nicholas II ultimately decided to leave Korea as a clearly independent nation held little significance to Roman, who viewed the diplomatic maneuvering with detached indifference. The complex negotiations and careful political calculations behind their choice barely registered in his thoughts.

Only the cold strategic reality remained in his mind - that Korea must now serve as yet another defensive buffer, one more shield in the grand imperial game, positioned to block Japan’s expanding ambitions and protect Russian interests in the Far East. The human cost and Korean sovereignty mattered far less than this tactical necessity.