Reincarnated as Nikolai II

"How to say, his technique for making people talk without torture is dazzling. In other areas, protest dispersal technique? Strike prevention ability? This is hard to express. Anyway, the Tsar also gladly approved. He might even keep an eye on him."

"The Tsar has accurate eyes for people."

The two lightly passed over it saying ’If the Tsar acknowledged him, he can’t be ordinary.’

However, when Nicholas first saw Bronstein, he internally exclaimed:

’Lev Trotsky.’

The founder of the Red Army.

==

Though the land reform carried out from the 4th year of reign was almost half revolution, breaking existing common sense and systems.

Actually, reform isn’t much.

By dictionary definition, reform represents the methodical and purposeful process of implementing gradual social changes and systematic improvements to existing systems, structures, or institutions. It involves carefully evaluating current practices and making calculated adjustments to enhance their effectiveness.

In other words, reform can be understood as an approach that preserves the fundamental framework of existing institutions or systems rather than completely dismantling them. Instead of radical overhaul or abolition, it focuses on making strategic modifications and refinements that improve functionality while maintaining core elements. This measured approach allows for continuity while still advancing positive change through thoughtful adjustments and enhancements.

"Are you joking with me now? What? Fill the treasury by raising import tariffs on Qing Dynasty? Or raise liquor tax more? You bring this as a tax policy?"

"...We apologize."

"Do you think those State Duma fellows will talk about tax increases in front of imperial citizens? In the end we have to do it! If we don’t do it, no one will! But all you came up with is indirect liquor tax or tariffs? Do you want to avoid responsibility that much? Can you call this tax system reform?"

The bundle of documents Finance Minister Kokovtsov threw decorated the shrinking finance ministry bureaucrats as it gloriously cut through the air.

"More, more innovative and future-oriented, something that clicks and flashes as soon as you hear it, make content that sounds plausible!"

Unlike the past when the Tsar told them specific direction, process, stages, and results, now he orders ’you do it.’

Though Nicholas stepped back recognizing Russia had completely deviated from original history’s orbit, to Kokovtsov this was a test.

Kokovtsov, half-addicted to radical change after personally experiencing shocking reforms.

He couldn’t be satisfied with such lukewarm content.

"Why try to keep existing systems? First think about destroying them!"

"What? After mir dismantling, zemstvos’ administrative power isn’t as developed as cities, making it hard to collect taxes like from workers? Ah, tax evasion is the Okhrana Director’s job, not ours."

"What sanctuary in taxes! Make a plan to take even pocket money if there’s income, from Grand Dukes to street beggars!"

This phenomenon wasn’t happening only to bureaucrats.

"Hey."

"Yes sir!"

"Do you want to die?"

"No sir!"

"Then, are you trying to set up a meeting schedule with Director Sekerenskiy for me to live?"

Kuropatkin, who gave face-to-face reports to Nicholas despite not being a cabinet member, was one of them.

Kuropatkin got another chance at military reform. Moreover, this time he received sufficient budget - if he fails, all responsibility falls on him.

Thinking it wouldn’t end with resigning to take responsibility but would be his life’s last moment, Kuropatkin couldn’t tolerate even a small failure.

"Do you know how many potential purge targets you almost created? Did we make the Military Supply Office for nothing? Zemstvos were mass executed for corruption just the other day, but you want to receive supplies from zemstvos?"

"I-I’ll fix it!"

"Military Supply Office must bid! If not possible, state enterprise! If that’s not possible either, prepare self-supply measures! Is this difficult? Is it difficult?"

Corruption is not allowed. Even if Kuropatkin himself is spotless and flawless, if his results are full of corruption, this is no different from his own corruption.

"General! The pension system reform plan by rank is complete! Would you look at the chart?"

"Hmm, increased from before. But inflation?"

"Ah, well since the existing system doesn’t have that part..."

At the staff’s stupid answer, Kuropatkin raised bloodshot eyes and picked up documents similarly to some department. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

However, Kuropatkin who staked his life nervously struck the staff’s head with those documents.

"Did I, tell you, to consider, inflation, or not! Any reason to make everyone starve to death 10 years after discharge? Won’t you and I eat it after discharge too?"

Though it wouldn’t pass financial review if set too high, this country’s military is somehow so used to poverty they’re passive even about these numbers.

"Listen everyone! One slip here means forced labor in the Urals! But! If you do just a little well, medals right away. Medals, yes medals. Those medals that guarantee your promotion and future!"

Among those gathered here for military reform, there’s no one whose neck isn’t on the line.

A soldier without promotion is a corpse. Those who’d miss promotion chances fearing purges weren’t here to begin with.

"Starting with 3rd class Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1869, I’ve received fifteen medals until now. Fifteen excluding foreign medals and honorary medals. These paper scraps decide whether your chest gets filled with bullet holes or medals. Understand?"

"We’ll work hard!"

"Sigh, start over from military welfare."

No higher to go from Army General? Can’t add more to shoulders and chest?

Nonsense. If it doesn’t exist, just create it through reform.

’Then reduce General positions and create something above.’

Just look at neighboring countries - don’t they have the Chief of Great General Staff (Großer Generalstab) and the once-fought Japanese Imperial General Headquarters Chief of Staff?

One Engineer General and Artillery General per era is appropriate, but too many Infantry and Cavalry Generals.

Though the imperial army is that massive, it’s all unnecessary. If many top organizational General positions are needed, then the organization is wrong.

Over a decade has passed since Count Dmitry Milyutin, the empire’s last Marshal, disappeared without a new Marshal being born.

Then a headquarters is needed to control all branch Generals, Corps Lieutenant Generals, Military District Commanders and Governor-Generals in place of Count Milyutin.

’Though I dare not rise to Marshal in rank... by position I could rise comparably.’

Isn’t this worth staking one’s neck on in this one life? Continue reading at empire

The safety-oriented, cautious and indecisive Kuropatkin is no more.

Success means promotion, failure means purge. Only a man with nothing to lose remains.