I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 503 Another one dies

Alexei's death really had nothing to do with George.

However, rumors spread in St. Petersburg the day after Alexei's death, claiming that Alexei was forced to death by George.

This is absolute nonsense. Vladimir was so excessive at that time, but George didn't do anything to Vladimir, let alone Alexei who had been dismissed from his post.

George had no time to pay attention to the rumors in St. Petersburg. He now had more and more positions, his work was getting busier and busier, and he had to rest later and later.

In addition to being the Governor-General of the Far East and Commander-in-Chief of the Military District, George now also serves as the Minister of the Navy and is also responsible for military reform. He is more powerful than Sergei was back then and is truly second to none.

George's staff team is now growing larger and larger. Not only does the navy and the military reform have a team each, but the Governor of the Far East and the military region are also independent of each other and each has a team in charge.

In terms of the navy, Peter is now more professional than George, allowing George to focus more on military reform.

In addition to shortening the service period, George's military reform is divided into four parts. The first is to boost the morale of the Russian army.

The victory of the Russo-Japanese War had nothing to do with St. Petersburg. It dealt an almost devastating blow to the morale of the Russian army. The naval mutiny fully proved that the morale of the Russian army was on the verge of collapse.

George improved the treatment of the Russian army and raised the treatment level of officers and soldiers of the local garrison forces to the same level as that of the Guards.

As expected, this decision was opposed by Stolypin.

George increased not only salaries, but also equipment levels and welfare benefits, which made the empire's already stretched finances even worse.

The current Guards are the same as when George served. Cavalry is cavalry, infantry is infantry, there is no concept of mixed formation.

George equipped each Marine division with an artillery regiment and increased the number of machine guns to 60. Although this plan was welcomed by the military industry, Stolypin was uncomfortable.

Stolypin agreed that George should be in charge of military reform because he hoped that George could help the empire save money and use more funds to develop economic strength.

After George's series of combined blows, the number of troops has indeed decreased, but next year's military expenditure will soar by at least 20%.

"The results of the Russo-Japanese War prove that our current armaments have lagged behind the development of the times. In order to ensure the safety of the empire, we must do this."

George hoped that Stolypin would accept the plan.

"Yes, it is indeed necessary—"

Stolypin was not opposed to it, but he hoped to reduce the pressure on the finances caused by military reform in a more moderate way.

"Military reform cannot be achieved overnight. We can proceed in stages. For example, we can improve soldiers' salaries next year, and then start improving equipment after a few years when the financial situation improves."

"Peter, do you know how many years it took the Empire to replace its new rifles?"

George was an eyewitness to this incident.

Stolypin was speechless. When the empire began to equip itself with new rifles, Stolypin was still studying at St. Petersburg University.

"Even if we start upgrading our equipment from next year, we will be thankful if we can complete it within 10 years."

George is less optimistic.

Improving equipment levels is a very complicated task. The military's controversy over machine guns mainly lies in the consumption of bullets. Given the Russian Empire's logistical supply level, if each Marine division is equipped with 60 machine guns, it will bring unprecedented pressure to the logistical supply.

So logistics is the second part of George’s military reform.

"Your Highness, please take into account the actual situation of the empire and the average equipment level of each country when planning."

Stolypin advocated gradual progress.

Although an arms race had already begun between Britain and Germany, Stolypin did not believe that the competition between Britain and Germany must end in war.

Edward VII was William II's uncle. When Queen Victoria died, William II's name was at the top of the guest list.

Nicholas is the second. In order to challenge Britain's maritime hegemony, Germany put almost all its resources on the navy, and the development of the army was suppressed. At present, the equipment level is similar to that of the Russian army.

This is also the purpose of George's decision to upgrade his equipment.

Britain and Germany are engaged in an arms race over navies.

If the Russian Empire's army improved its equipment level, the German army would have to respond accordingly. This had nothing to do with the relationship between Nicholas and William II.

George hopes to join forces with Britain to completely defeat Germany.

As for the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, George didn't take them seriously at all. Even if they did not reform, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire were no match for the Russian army.

"Peter, I haven't asked the army to start equipping armored vehicles yet--"

George was dissatisfied, he had been very restrained.

Artillery and machine guns are just so-so, and armored vehicles are the big spenders on military expenditures. If George equips the Guards with the equipment level of the Fu Division and the Kazakh Division, Stolypin would be furious to death.

"Your Highness, the purpose of military reform is to protect the security of the empire, not to sweep across Europe!"

Stolypin was worried that George would be like the song goes, our Russia will punish the whole world.

Oh, I almost forgot, this song seems to be written by George.

You are really multi-talented.

"Peter, if we don't do this, then we can't guarantee the safety of the empire."

George wanted to tell Stolypin directly that World War was not far away.

In other words, world war could break out at any time.

In another time and space, the fuse of the world war was the assassination of the Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which triggered the world war.

So George is not sure now whether the world war will break out on time in 1914, just like in another time and space.

What if the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary is assassinated tomorrow.

Then world war will break out the day after tomorrow.

In another time and space, before the outbreak of the World War, the Russian Empire had a total of 140 million standing troops. After the outbreak of the war, the Russian Empire underwent several mobilizations and ultimately mobilized a total of 1580 million troops.

Compared with the 1580 million troops, the money spent now is really nothing.

"George, you are a military god. We all believe in you and will protect the empire."

Stolypin's level of flattery is not even as good as little Nicholas.

Little Nicholas had never been to the Peter and Paul Fortress since Alexei's death, as if it were a den of wolves and tigers.

Although little Nicholas also believed that Alexei's death had nothing to do with George.

But little Nicholas was sensitively aware that St. Petersburg was becoming more and more dangerous.

The aftermath of Alexei's death had not yet subsided, and the death of Grand Duke Vladimir, who had been bedridden for a long time, brought rumors in St. Petersburg to a new level.

Alexei and George just differ in politics.

Vladimir and George really had a conflict over the issue of Kanto.

(End of this chapter)