Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Seeing forces gathering beyond Warsaw day by day, Wilhelm II felt like he was developing anxiety symptoms.

"How did I barely turn Nicky’s attention to Asia! Throwing away such a heaven-sent opportunity?"

In Wilhelm II’s view, the reason Russia had been quiet for the past 8 months was because his Russian diplomatic policy had worked.

Though it would be difficult to be as friendly with Russia as during Bismarck’s time, at least stay away from hostility.

Make Nicky focus on Asian expansion rather than conflict with Germany.

He says it was all because he turned that double-headed eagle’s gaze.

"But, but you made even Russia move on this matter? Prime Minister von Bülow, if you have a mouth, speak. Weren’t you so confident France would lower their tail on their own?"

Unable to accept the suddenly reversed situation, the emperor turned his arrows toward the prime minister.

"...I didn’t know their alliance was this solid."

It’s hindsight. It’s unfair.

Count von Bülow couldn’t spit out such excuses.

Though he didn’t know what special methods they used, in the end Britain and France succeeded in drawing out even Russia’s military movements.

If Nicholas heard this, he would have been dumbfounded saying "Special methods? You mean shifting responsibility and results while handing over the trigger?"

Anyway, as a result, mobilization orders were issued.

"What will you do now? If we back down like this, not just the Junkers but even the people will point fingers at me."

Strong monarch. Emperor satisfying both morality and imperialism.

Wilhelm didn’t want to damage that external image at all.

Though cornered by the alliance of France, Russia, and Britain, Prime Minister von Bülow tried to view the situation as coldly as possible even in between. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"We must negotiate. Military pressure won’t work on France anymore. However, even though Russia issued mobilization orders, they haven’t entered wartime system. This signals we can end the situation here and still suggests possibility for negotiation."

"...This is the last time. Don’t drag this out anymore."

The longer this meaningless confrontation continues, the stronger the voice of Russia and France becomes as they call up more and more reserves.

Who would have even imagined the Tsar would move over mere Morocco?

But Russia was an incomparably purer autocracy than Germany - a country where mobilization orders were nothing when the Tsar got angry.

==

"Prime Minister Witte, sometimes I can’t believe you’re a moderate bureaucrat. Spitting out threats and lies like eating meals while negotiating like this."

"Isn’t it all thanks to Your Majesty’s grace?"

"Ha!"

Russia is bad at diplomacy.

When talking with Russia, you must prepare for war first.

Russia is simple and ignorant.

These stereotypes had become common sense in 20th century Europe. Though insulting, they weren’t wrong either.

However, Nicholas thought Witte might be a diplomat who utilized these perceptions better than anyone.

’Like in the original history’s Russo-Japanese War too. Witte lay flat on his back refusing to pay even a penny in reparations and ended the war.’ Continue your journey on empire

Though it might seem impossible for a country to lose a war and not pay money in this era, Russia did just that.

In that sense, since the Tsar played the strong card of mobilization orders, Witte could negotiate much more easily.

"The Anglo-Japanese Alliance, like other normal alliances, is renewed every five years. Ambassador Nicolson only said immediate termination is difficult due to the face of the parties involved - the Anglo-Japanese Alliance will end next year."

"So Japan’s last lifeline is cut too."

The Japanese Empire that held onto the alliance with Britain as if it were their last stronghold, their last leaf, even at Portsmouth.

Though Japan had desperately opposed with all sorts of gloomy words like coercive interference in internal affairs and violation of sovereignty...

Well, if Britain lets go of Japan’s hand, that’s that, isn’t it?

’Tsk, such a faithless alliance of pirates.’

When the intricate diplomatic chess match known as the Great Game drew to its conclusion, and Japan’s strategic value as a counterweight in East Asia began to fade, the dynamics of international relations shifted dramatically. The island nation that had once served as a crucial ally in maintaining Britain’s Asian interests found itself becoming increasingly peripheral to British imperial calculations.

In light of these changing circumstances, it was hardly surprising that British policymakers approached the dissolution of their alliance with Japan with pragmatic detachment. The partnership, which had served its purpose during more turbulent times, no longer aligned with Britain’s evolving global interests, making its abandonment a matter of practical diplomacy rather than sentimental consideration.

From the start it was an alliance of necessity and they were just using each other.

As a result, the Anglo-Russian Agreement was successfully concluded.

Splitting Persia in half.

Guaranteeing Black Sea passage and allowing strait control.

Recognizing British influence in Afghanistan.

Recognizing Chinese suzerainty over Tibet.

Though the Persian government would receive this content as after-the-fact notification and China didn’t have the capacity to care about Tibet, it was certainly a satisfactory deal for both sides.

Anyway, the hidden core treaty of this Anglo-Russian Agreement was - the rest of the content was just removing points of contention and pleasant-sounding words like mutual respect and cooperation.

Sure enough, when the Anglo-Russian Agreement was announced and France opened the window for dialogue, Prime Minister von Bülow quickly rushed to Morocco.

Now they’ll resolve the Morocco Crisis among themselves whether by dividing Morocco or exchanging it for other land.

Though the process wasn’t smooth, for just one mobilization order, the results were quite satisfactory.

’Next time we issue total mobilization, how much more delicious things will come to our hands... no.’

Originally, threats have more impact when the quiet kid in class suddenly tries to throw a chair shot.

If done too often, immunity develops and the drug loses effect.

Still, it would be a bit disappointing to only receive something from Britain so.

[To my dear distant friend and family, Willy.

This matter was very regrettable and held no personal feelings. Though I unwillingly gave in to Prime Minister Witte’s unilateral and shortsighted claims, I promise such a thing will never happen again.

...

..

.

By the way, these days prices are rising but strangely only grain prices are falling, making me quite worried. With global meat consumption trending up, perhaps Germany could import feed grain...]