I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 108 Bismarck of the Empire
  George's words immediately made Milyutin talk about autism.

Milyutin 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 whole life to the Russian army.

Talking to Milyutin about governing the country is indeed a bit difficult. He is not good at this, 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 must be responsible and cannot be Nonsense.

"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 the same 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 we can't even produce bayonets and artillery, right?" George really has it. 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 that it can't be built 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. Its standing army and reserve force combined are nearly 200 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 is no problem to raise three more Tula.

"That'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 we do 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 give them to local troops, and store the unused ones." Milyutin was annoyed. Russia only began to replace Bodin rifles in 1870. The replacement was not completed yet, and 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, Milyutin 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.

However, Milyugin lived a very long life. In another time and space, Milyugin 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 don't have production capabilities. If the empire helps them arm their armies, it will be more conducive to increasing the empire's influence in the Balkans." George said in a multi-pronged manner Next, selling unused Bodin rifles to the Balkan countries is only the first step.

Not only do the Balkan countries 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 establish a new arsenal to completely break the old pattern and introduce competition into the military industry. System." George was ruthless and would destroy a lot of people's jobs as soon as he made a move.

Russia's three major arsenals, 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, which has the shortest establishment time, has been established for more than 120 years.

Although George did 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 was, how intertwined their forces were, and how many interests were involved.

The absolute pull moves the whole body.

Therefore, George did not move the Big Three, but instead set up a new factory and reopened another one. The Big Three did not shut down, and continued to produce paper shells and copper cannons for export. If there were orders, they would make them. If there were no orders, he would just hang around.

Anyway, when they couldn't finish the orders in the past, they spent most of their time dawdling.

"This will offend many people and is very dangerous -" Milyugin is most worried about the counterattack from the old forces, and the assassination of Ya'er will cause endless consequences.

"It doesn't matter. From now on, all the criminals from the empire can be sent to Vladivostok, and I will take good care of them." George will not engage in a 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.

In exile, they were assigned to slaves wearing armor, narrowly escaped death, and would not be pardoned.

In Russia, not only are there sentences, but there are also salaries to be paid, and criminals can write letters in milk in prison. No wonder those people don't think of the czar as their father.

"George, don't you worry-" Milyugin hesitated to speak.

George knew what Milyutin wanted to say, and he was really not afraid.

George is usually either in the Oak Group or Gatchina. He doesn't go to restaurants to eat, doesn't watch ballet, and doesn't 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 can also be afraid. Sometimes I dream about being blown up by assassins until I'm covered in blood, about Katya being buried alive, about Olga being shot to death randomly in the basement, about the Baltic Sea being dyed red, and about Siberia. The wasteland is covered with bones—" The indifference 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 Pushrewsky told me that courage and loyalty are the most precious qualities of Russian soldiers - I will not do nothing because of fear, then I will There is no need to regret after the building collapses. When the time comes, I can proudly tell my children that I have fought hard against fate and that all of 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.

~~~
  Located on the banks of the Dembowica River, Bucharest 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 Ottoman invasion and 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.

George, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, accompanied Milyutin off the train. The Romanian palace guards on duty at the scene 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 his dress hat was a leather cord, which was tied around his 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 great 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 suit George's aesthetic, especially the gold emblem decoration, hood tassel and helmet gun. A white leather helmet, George felt it would be more appropriate to put it 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 a total of four prime ministers. The previous generation of Romanian grand dukes and the current king all successfully came to power with the support of the Bretianu family.

"Not as good as you, my old friend, you look as if you are forty." 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 Romania built to celebrate its independence last year.

The Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest had the same fate as the Royal Palace. The current Arc de Triomphe was 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 third one was built.

The palace of Carol I was also burned down many times and rebuilt many times. Just like the Romanian character, it is 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 skills and is smarter than the Italians.

It was easier to deal with smart people, and George believed that Carol I would make the right choice between Germany and Russia.

Although Russia's threat to Romania is great, the threat to Romania from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire is not that small. The German commitment can protect Romania from the invasion of the Russian Empire, but if one day, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Romania If a war breaks out between the two countries, who will the Germans help?

This is a no-brainer, 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, and the Russian army on the Western Route also had to accept the command of Carol I.

"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 were Bismarck's promises illusory, most of them were mere illusions.

Russia and Germany are also allies, the Czar and the Kaiser are still relatives, and a war breaks out between Russia and Romania. To what extent 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?
  Carol I was born in Germany and fought in the Prussian army.

The current Grand Duke of the Principality of Bulgaria, Alexander I, is the 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 10th Russian-Turkish War, and his ties to Russia are inseparable. Less than Romania.

Romania is located between Russia and Bulgaria.

This would be embarrassing, and 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 wonders if Russia noticed the connection between Germany and Romania in another time and space.

During 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 Prince Ferdinand Meindra, Crown Prince of Romania.

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.

Carol I and his wife gave birth to Princess Maria in 1870. Unfortunately, Princess Maria died when she was four years old. Until now, the Carrolls have not had any more children.

Not having it now doesn’t mean there won’t be one in the future.

If Carol I and his wife have a child in the future, Ferdinand will lose the right to inherit the throne. This is the reason for the "assuming".

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 1914, 10, Carol I died and Ferdinand ascended the throne.

On August 1916, 8, Romania joined the Allied Powers in the war, fulfilling the oath he made when he was sworn in, "I will rule this country as a good Romanian."

However, 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 a righteous extermination of relatives.

(End of this chapter)