Chapter 384 Arrogance
Compared with the Second and Third Asian Periods, officials changed frequently during Nicholas’ tenure. In the past three years, the Russian Empire changed three foreign ministers and two the Home Secretary, two Education Secretaries, six Governor-Generals and Commanders, and two War Secretaries.
Nicholas had not made up his mind, not sure whether to focus on the Far East or follow the last wishes of all the tsars and gain access to the Black Sea first.
Although the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has not yet signed, Japan has made demands to the Russian Empire, asking the Russian Empire to protect the rights and interests of Japanese companies in Kanto, and asking the Russian Empire to withdraw its military advisers stationed in Goryeo and eliminate its influence on the Goryeo military. influence.
There is also trouble on George's side.
The lease between the Siberian Fleet and Nagasaki has expired. Japan has requested to terminate the contract and take back the concession. The Amur Military District is negotiating with the Nagasaki government on compensation for the concession.
The Amur Military District insists that the total value of property in Nagasaki exceeds 50 million rubles.
If Nagasaki wants to take back the concession, it can pay the money to the Amur Military Region, and the Amur Military Region will agree to withdraw from Nagasaki.
The asset appraisal of the Nagasaki Concession was organized by the Amur Military Region on its own and was not recognized by Nagasaki.
Nagasaki requested that Britain, Japan, and Russia jointly set up an asset appraisal team to evaluate the asset value of the concession.
On this issue, the Amur Military District and Nagasaki are still negotiating.
Compared with the ambitious and vigorous Japan, the Ottoman Empire is like an aging giant. With just a gentle push, the Russian Empire can get the coveted sea outlet.
George didn’t know who gave Nicholas his confidence.
Japanese macaques are vulnerable and can be knocked down by just throwing a hat.
The Ottoman Empire is in a desperate struggle. As long as it sends an expeditionary force, the Ottoman Empire will be slaughtered.
Let’s not talk about Japan first.
The Russian Empire wanted to attack the Ottomans, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the first to oppose it. The British uncle and the old German cousin also did not support Russia.
Even France will not support Russia.
The situation in the Far East is similar to that of the Ottomans.
The Russian Empire's invasion of Kantung has aroused the vigilance of all countries, and even the United States is secretly supporting the Japanese.
George was starting to come to his senses now.
Did Theodore Roosevelt order cruisers from Vladivostok really because the Vladivostok cruisers were irreplaceable?
Not necessarily.
At least the Americans' need for cruisers is far less urgent than Russia's.
So the slipway of the Vladivostok Shipyard is occupied, and the construction of cruisers for the Pacific Fleet and the Siberian Fleet will be delayed.
After the Xinchou compensation was determined, Japan was in contact with Germany and France and was preparing to order warships from Germany and France respectively.
This is also a bad signal for the Russian Empire,
“There is no doubt that we should focus on Japan to ensure our interests in the Far East.”
< br>George's attitude never changed.
“No, no, no, getting access to the Black Sea is the long-cherished wish of all Russians. Now for us, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we will never miss it.”
Alexei insisted on fighting against the Ottoman Empire.
"It is not difficult to defeat the Ottomans, but how do we deal with possible interference from Britain, France, Austria and Germany?"
George argued hard.
“France is our ally, and our relations with Britain and Germany have also been greatly improved, so we only need to send a general who is good at fighting to station on the Russian-Austrian border to form a threat to the Austrians. Enough deterrence——"
George finally knew where Nicholas's confidence came from.
He also knew the reason why Nicholas called him back.
Emotional Nicholas wanted him to deal with the Austrians.
To deal with the Ottomans or even the Japanese, George does not need to take action at all.
"Britain had to shrink its strategy because it was deeply involved in the Boer War. Now Britain is negotiating with the Boers. Just wait and see. Once the Boer War is over, the Anglo-Japanese alliance will be implemented. By then, Britain will treat us The attitude will be completely different."
George hopes to use this time to gain more benefits, such as the Bataan Fortress.
Once the Boer War was over, it would not be so easy to build a fort in Bataan.
The same goes for Germany.
The "Yellow Peril" promoted by William II was not aimed at the Qing Empire, but at Japan. The purpose was to hope that the Russian Empire would shift its focus to East Asia and reduce the pressure on Germany.
For the same reason, France does not want the Russian Empire to shift its focus to the Far East, so France's support for the Russian Empire is extremely limited in the conflict between Russia and Japan.
"George, in your opinion, if a war breaks out between us and Japan, who will win the final victory?"
Sergey’s angle is amazing.
This question is difficult to answer.
Comparing the national strength of the two countries, Japan is obviously at a disadvantage. Even the United Kingdom does not believe that Japan can defeat Russia, but only uses Japan to cause trouble for Russia.
If George is convinced that Russia will win, then what does Japan have to worry about.
“It depends on who is in charge——”
George is really not arrogant. Even Alexeyev is a useless person. If you give him a heavenly army, he can't defeat him.
"George, you have never commanded a real war, so where does your confidence come from?"
Alexey is equally sharp.
George finally understood.
This group of princes in St. Petersburg put all their skills in talking and cannon. No wonder they can’t eat enough and can’t do anything well. "Amusa, why do you think the Dutch sold East India to me?"
George was thinking about how to explain to Alexey that those who are good at fighting have no great achievements.
For Alexei, only a "military god" like Suvorov who has never been defeated in his life can be called good at fighting.
There is no way around it. The history of the Russian Empire is too short and there is a lack of reference samples.
“Even if you beat the Dutch, what is there to be proud of?”
Alexei's understanding of war is indeed as superficial as George's understanding.
"It's better than this. You deal with the Ottomans, and I'll deal with the Japanese."
George clearly divided the labor, whether it was the mule or the horse.
"George, the empire does not have the ability to launch two wars at the same time."
Nicholas was in a dilemma.
It was even more difficult for George, who wanted to save the Russian Empire but didn't know how to do it.
Back at Yekaterin Palace in the evening, Demit and Brusinov visited hand in hand.
Demeter is still serving in the Guards as the commander of the Cavalry Division.
Brushinov had just returned from Warsaw, and another rebellion broke out in Warsaw.
Most of George's old troops in the Guards went to Vladivostok. In St. Petersburg, the only ones who had a close relationship with George were Demeter and Brusinov.
It is for this reason that despite their outstanding abilities, Demet and Brusinov were not popular in the War Department.
“The current situation in the empire is very bad. In the past few years, there were peasant riots due to tax resistance, unfair land distribution, serious oppression by lords, etc. - In the past two years, more and more workers have been rioting. I am now the biggest Our mission is to counter the rebellion, today in Poland, tomorrow in Kiev, and the day after tomorrow I don’t know where to go.”
Brushinov is exhausted, and for a man under 50 years old, he is as thin as a dry old man. .
"You deserve to be unlucky. Who asked you to publicly oppose the Minister of War——"
Demeter has lived a good life in the past few years, and he has become a general.
The current minister of war in the empire, Kuropatkin, had served as chief of staff to Skbylev, the conqueror of Central Asia.
Skbylev once reminded Kuropatkin: Once something happens to the country, I hope you will never assume the position of commander, because although you will make good plans, you do not have strong perseverance. Carry it out to the end.
Skbylev’s evaluation of Kuropatkin was accurate.
As a staff officer, Kuropatkin is qualified.
But during his tenure as Imperial Minister of War, Kuropatkin's performance was a disaster.
"Is it a responsible attitude to be as wise as you and not express any opinions or go against anyone?"
Brushinov showed no mercy.
Demeter spreads his hands, with your attitude, you deserve it!
“Why didn’t you go to the Far East?”
George didn’t know much about the situation of Demeter and Brusinov.
"How could it be our turn for such a good thing to show up——"
Brushinov was full of resentment.
"To defeat the empire, do you need to dispatch the Guards?"
Demeter is proud, and the Guards only needs to dispatch a commander-in-chief.
"You will suffer a big loss sooner or later."
George didn't like Demeter's attitude. He had never been like this before.
"This is the decision of the War Department, my thoughts are not important."
Demeter sighed, this is not something he can decide.
In this case, George has no choice.
Then drink.
It had been a long time since he had seen his old friend, and George accidentally drank a few more drinks. As a result, at the royal meeting the next day, George's spirit was a little sluggish.
Kuropatkin was inclined to launch a war against the Ottoman Empire and formulated a careful and complex plan for this purpose. Even if George was picky about the eggs, it was perfect.
The only problem is that the cycle of this plan is too long. The preparation phase alone will take at least a year and a half.
"This won't work. Time is of the essence in fighting the Ottoman Empire. We must end the war before other countries have time to intervene and completely defeat the Ottomans. Only in this way can we win."
< br>George is the commander-in-chief and is not good at making plans. He is only responsible for the overall strategy. Making plans is the job of the chief of staff.
"It is impossible to win without a careful plan. If we go deep alone, the tragedy of the Crimean War will repeat itself. We must be prepared to deal with interference from other countries and eliminate all hidden dangers, so that victory will be within easy reach."< br>
Kuropatkin was right, but something felt wrong.
Yes.
Plans can never keep up with changes. In theory, a perfect plan cannot exist.
Same problem as Demeter.
George's attitude didn't matter.
The key is that Nikolai was convinced by Kuropatkin's plan, and even Witte, who had always been opposed to launching a war, had to remain silent.
(End of this chapter)