Chapter 108 Bismarck of the Empire
George's words directly made Milyutin shut up.
Milyugin graduated from the Noble Middle School affiliated to Moscow University and the Military Academy. While studying at the Military Academy, he was listed in the military and never left the army until his retirement. He devoted his life to the Russian army.
It is a bit difficult to talk to Milyutin about governing the country. He is not good at it, and unlike George, he dares to speak nonsense even if he only knows a little about it. For a person of Milyutin's status, any speech is irrelevant. Be responsible and don't make unreal remarks.
"What do you think should be done?" Milyugin asked shamelessly. This is the correct attitude towards the discussion.
"Develop the economy, pay attention to people's livelihood, alleviate class conflicts, and shift the country's main direction from external expansion to economic development -" George opened his mouth. If Milyugin was willing to listen, George could talk until tomorrow morning.
“Be specific.” Milyugin was dissatisfied, everyone could use clichés.
“Let’s take this troop re-equipment as an example. Can we use this opportunity to modernize the empire’s military-industrial system? Not to mention the production of the most advanced weapons, at least not even bayonets and artillery. Right? "George really has details, the key is determination.
Russia is like an Internet writer in the 21st century. He knows everything but is not good at anything. At best, he is a snake oil, and at worst, he is greasy.
Russia’s military-industrial system is not vulnerable. It can build everything from rifles to artillery to warships. The key is not to build it well.
Russia is not short of talents. The Academy of Sciences was able to complete research on smokeless gunpowder in just a few months, which fully proves Russia’s foundation.
The fact that the dagger steel cannot pass is not a problem at all for Russia. The key is whether it wants to do it and whether it has the motivation.
Russia has no shortage of markets. The combined standing army and reserve force are nearly 2 million, ranking first among all countries in the world. This does not include the Cossacks recruited temporarily during wartime. With the Russian domestic market, it will not be able to support three more tulas. question.
"It's easy to say, do you know how much this costs?" Milyutin has been the Minister of War for 20 years, how could he not know the shortcomings of the military-industrial system.
"I have a question. After the army changes its equipment, what should be done with the replaced Berdan rifles?" What George is best at is not training the army, but making money.
"What else can we do? Gradually phase them out and hand them over to local troops, and store the unused ones." Milyutin was annoyed. Russia only began to replace Bodin rifles in 1870. Before the replacement was completed, Bodin rifles were about to be replaced. disuse.
The replacement of Bodin rifles took place during Milyutin's tenure.
"Romania has just become independent, doesn't it need advanced weapons?" George reminded Milyutin that he could sell them to the Romanians if he didn't need them.
Romania!
Yes, Milyugin suddenly stood up from his chair in excitement, and George was startled.
Milyutin was born in 1816. He is now seventy years younger and cannot be greatly stimulated.
But Miliugin lived a very long life. In another time and space, Miliugin lived to be 96 years old, and lived until a year before the outbreak of the world war.
“Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia all have similar needs. Their armies need equipment and they have no production capacity. If the empire helps them arm their armies, it will be more conducive to increasing the empire’s influence in the Balkans. ." George's multi-pronged approach, selling unused Bodin rifles to the Balkan countries is just the first step.
Not only do the countries in the Balkans not have the ability to produce rifles, they don't even have the ability to produce bullets.
If these countries are equipped with Bodin rifles, it means that they will be dependent on Russia for a long time unless they can establish their own military-industrial system.
It is much more difficult to build one's own military industry system than to be independent.
“By selling the weapons that are destined to be eliminated, the empire will have the money to upgrade the arsenal. Moreover, I suggest that instead of upgrading the equipment of the three major arsenals, we should establish a new arsenal to completely break the old ones. structure and introduce competition into the military-industrial system. "George is ruthless and will destroy a lot of people's jobs with one move.
The three major arsenals in Russia, Tula was founded in 1712, Xie Factory was founded in 1721, and Yi Factory was founded in 1760, with a combined age of 456 years.
Yi Factory, the shortest established factory, has been established for more than 120 years.
Although George does not know the specific situation of the three majors, it is not difficult to see from the experiences of Joseph and Igor’s masters and apprentices how complicated the situation of the three majors is, how intertwined the forces are, and the interests of all parties involved How many there are.
The absolute pull moves the whole body.
So George did not move the three major ones, but set up a new factory, reopened another one, and did not close the three major ones. He continued to produce paper shells and copper cannons for export. If there were orders, he would make them, and if there were no orders, he would make them. Just mess around.
Anyway, when the orders could not be completed in the past, they spent most of their time dawdling.
“This will offend many people and is very dangerous——” What Miliugin is most worried about is the counterattack from the old forces. The assassination of Yaer will leave endless consequences.
"It doesn't matter. In the future, all criminals from the empire can be sent to Vladivostok, and I will take good care of them." George will not do any five-year tour of Siberia.
Why do rebellions in Russia keep happening?
The dominance of the aristocratic class is certainly the main reason, and the "exile to Siberia" is also one of the important reasons.
People’s exile means being assigned as slaves and wearing armor. They will live a narrow escape and will not be pardoned.
Russia not only has a prison sentence, but also a salary. Criminals can also write letters with milk in prison. No wonder those people don't regard the czar as their father.
"George, don't you worry-" Milyutin hesitated.
George knew what Milyutin wanted to say, and he was really not afraid.
George is usually either in the Oak Group or in Gatchina. He does not go to restaurants to eat, does not watch ballet, and does not participate in messy aristocratic activities. If an assassin wants to assassinate George, he must have a chance.
George would not ask the assassin face to face why he wanted to assassinate him. Being born into the royal family is the original sin and is unforgivable.
“I’m also afraid. Sometimes I dream about being blown up by assassins until I’m covered in blood. I dream about Katya being buried alive. I dream about Olga being shot to death randomly in the basement. I dream about being killed in the Baltic Sea. Stained red, dreaming that the Siberian wasteland was covered with bones—" The coldness in George's tone made Milyutin couldn't help but doubt that these things had really happened.
“From the first day I entered the Guards, General Pushlevsky told me that courage and loyalty are the most precious qualities of Russian soldiers-I will not do anything just because of fear. If I don’t do it, I won’t have to regret it after the building collapses. Then I can proudly tell my children that I have fought hard against fate and that all this is God’s will.” George even found a way out for himself. .
Milyutin's breathing was rapid, and he looked at George with passionate eyes. Now he was extremely sure that George was the "Bismarck" he was looking for.
~~~
Bucharest, located on the Dembovica River, is known as "Little Paris" and is the second largest city in Southeast Europe after Constantinople.
During the Grand Duchy of Romania, Bucharest was a fortress.
In 1477, the Romanians repelled the invasion of the Ottomans, so they named the fortress Bucharest, which means "City of Joy". There are many lakes in Bucharest, and the Dembovica River runs through the city, dividing the entire city into two even parts. Romanian Prime Minister Jan Bretianu welcomed Milyutin's arrival at the train station.
Wearing a gorgeous palace dress, George accompanied Milyutin off the train. The Romanian palace guards on duty saluted George with a gun, and the Romanians who came to welcome Milyutin cheered enthusiastically.
Although after Romania became independent, concerns about becoming a Russian client were increasing day by day, but compared with the Ottomans, the Russians are still cute.
"Honorable Super Duke Yurievsky, welcome to Romania-" The Prime Minister did not ignore George because of his age, and looked at George with interest.
George's smile was apologetic. The hat cord of the dress hat was a leather cord, which was tied around the chin and was a bit tight. George was not comfortable and could not speak conveniently.
Except for attending palace banquets or major festivals, George almost never wears a big dress. After wearing a big dress, he feels like a big rooster in full bloom.
The background color of the big dress is white, with a red breastplate. All the threads used on the dress are gold threads. It does look beautiful, but it does not conform to George's aesthetic, especially the gold emblem decoration. The white leather helmet with tassel and helmet gun, George felt it was more suitable to be placed in a museum.
"Constantine, you seem to be in good spirits." Milyutin is very familiar with the Prime Minister. Konstantin is the Prime Minister's middle name.
The Bretianu family is the most prominent family in Romania. Their family has produced four prime ministers in total. The previous generation of Grand Dukes and the current king of Romania all succeeded with the support of the Bretianu family. Ascend.
“Not as good as you, my old man, you look like you are forty years old.” The Prime Minister and Milyutin exchanged commercial compliments.
The Prime Minister was born in 1821, five years younger than Milyutin, but looks older than Milyutin.
This is the difference between being the Prime Minister of a weak country and being the Prime Minister of a powerful country.
The Royal Palace of Romania is located next to the famous Palace Square, which will be the future Revolution Square. Standing in front of the palace gate, you can vaguely see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, which was built by Romania to celebrate independence last year.
The Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest had the same fate as the Royal Palace. The current Arc de Triomphe is still wooden and collapsed soon after. In 1922, a stone one was built to celebrate the victory in World War I. It was demolished in 35 years and a second one was built. Three.
The palace of Carol I was also burned down many times and rebuilt many times. Just like the character of the Romanians, they are indomitable.
Carol I, who was born in Germany, is 44 years old. He is a person who is very good at sizing up situations. He has first-class team-building skills and is smarter than the Italians.
It would be easier to deal with smart people, and George believed that Carol I would make the right choice between Germany and Russia.
Russia’s threat to Romania is certainly great, and the threat from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire to Romania is not that small. The Germans’ commitment can protect Romania from the invasion of the Russian Empire, but what if one day? , a war breaks out between Austria-Hungary and Romania, who will the Germans help?
There is no need to consider this at all, the Germans will definitely help Austria-Hungary.
So Carol I also needed Russia's commitment.
"Your Majesty sincerely invites you to St. Petersburg to participate in the celebration of the anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. I can also use this opportunity to reminisce with old friends and miss the days when we fought side by side." Milyutin is qualified to say this. He and Carol I They indeed fought side by side.
The plan for the Tenth Russo-Turkish War was formulated by Milyutin. After Romania joined the war, Carol I served as the commander-in-chief of the Western Route Army. The Russian army in the Western Route also had to accept Carol I. command.
"Thank you for your majesty's invitation. I will congratulate your majesty in person." Carol I did not refuse, nor was he qualified to refuse.
Not only are Bismarck's promises illusory, most of them are just pictures.
Russia and Germany are also allies. The Czar and the Kaiser are still relatives. A war breaks out between Russia and Romania. How far can the Germans help?
Even if Russia does not take action, if a war breaks out between Romania and Bulgaria, can the Germans still help?
Carroll I was born in Germany and joined the Prussian army to fight.
The current Grand Duke Alexander I of the Principality of Bulgaria is Prince of Battenberg from Germany. He served in the Prussian army in his youth and later in the Russian army. As a member of the Russian army, he participated in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War. , and the bond with Russia is no less than that of Romania.
Romania is located between Russia and Bulgaria.
This is embarrassing. It is not an exaggeration to describe Romania’s current surrounding environment as surrounded by wolves.
So if Ya San is willing to make a promise to Carol I at this time, Carol will never refuse.
George didn’t know if Russia had noticed the connection between Germany and Romania in another time and space.
In World War I, Romania finally chose to join the Allied Powers, where Russia was located.
In the exchange between the elderly, it was not George's turn to interrupt.
Accompanying George is the Crown Prince of Romania, Prince Ferdinand Meindra.
Ferdinand's father was Leopold, Prince of Hohenzollern, and Carol I was his uncle. Because Carol I had no children, Ferdinand was chosen as Carol I's presumptive heir.
Carroll I and his wife gave birth to Princess Maria in 1870. Unfortunately, Princess Maria died at the age of four. Until now, the Carrolls have not had any more children.
Nothing now doesn’t mean there won’t be anything in the future.
If Carol I and his wife have a child in the future, then Ferdinand will lose the right to inherit the throne. This is the reason for the "presumption".
Carol chose Ferdinand as his heir, in addition to blood relations, but also because the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I was the cousin of Ferdinand's mother.
It is known that Ferdinand came from the German Hohenzollern family, so Ferdinand was also related to the Kaiser.
On October 10, 1914, Carol I died and Ferdinand ascended the throne.
On August 27, 1916, Romania joined the Allied Powers to participate in the war, fulfilling the oath he made when he was sworn in, "I will rule this country as a good Romanian."
But due to Ferdinand's "betrayal" of the Hohenzollern family, the angry William II erased Ferdinand's name from the Hohenzollern family's genealogy.
This can be regarded as extermination of relatives for justice.
(End of this chapter)