I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 518: The country is not in a good situation

In 1903, a coup d'état broke out in the Kingdom of Serbia, King Alexander I and his wife were killed, and the parliament chose Peter, the son of Alexander Karadjordjevic who had served in the Russian army, to succeed to the throne, and he became Peter I.

During the reign of Alexander I, the Kingdom of Serbia had close relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Alexander I once did not allow pro-Russian officials to join the cabinet.

After Peter I ascended the throne, relations with the Russian Empire improved rapidly.

After obtaining the support of the Russian Empire, Peter I proposed the concept of "Greater Serbia".

Greater Serbia means: wherever there are Serbs, there is Serbia.

Outside the Kingdom of Serbia, the region with the largest Serbian population was Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was placed under the trusteeship of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the Berlin Conference.

The Berlin Conference stipulated that the trusteeship period for Bosnia and Herzegovina was 20 years.

According to this provision, the trusteeship should have ended in 1904, after which Bosnia and Herzegovina would have gained independence.

During these 20 years, the Austro-Hungarian Empire invested heavily in Bosnia and Herzegovina, built railways and ports in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and even liberated serfs in the two regions through redemption.

The most important thing is that through Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Austro-Hungarian Empire finally had the long-awaited seaport, and not only formed a navy, but also began to build all-heavy artillery battleships.

Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to become independent.

Just last year, Austria-Hungary formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, a move that sparked strong opposition from Serbia.

After arriving in St. Petersburg, Radomir Putnik made his attitude directly clear to George that the Kingdom of Serbia could join the Balkan League, but the prerequisite was that the Balkan League must take the Austro-Hungarian Empire as its main target.

During the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, Radomir Putnik joined the Russian army to fight. Due to his pro-Russian stance, he was ostracized during the Asian War. It was not until Peter I became the King of Serbia that Putnik was able to come to the fore and rise rapidly.

George didn't waste time talking to Putnik and asked the most crucial questions directly.

“Is the Balkan League capable of fighting against the German-Austrian coalition?”

The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was comprehensive. As long as Austria-Hungary was attacked, Germany would send troops to assist the Austro-Hungarian army in the fight.

If the Russian Empire were to fall at that time, it would trigger a chain reaction and a full-scale world war would break out.

Putnik remained silent. Without the help of the Russian Empire, the Balkan Alliance would not have worked.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was not so bad. Although it had a large land area and a large population, its strength was not strong. Like the Ottoman Empire, it was a notorious sick man of Europe.

Germany's strength is not exaggerated. If Germany fails, not to mention Serbia, the entire Balkan Alliance combined will not be able to defeat it.

George's meaning is also very clear.

If the Kingdom of Serbia joined the Balkan League as George requested and set its sights on the Ottoman Empire, George would support the Kingdom of Serbia's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If the Kingdom of Serbia did not obey, it would cause trouble for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

So when the Kingdom of Serbia was attacked by the German-Austrian coalition, don't blame the Russian Empire for standing idly by.

What use are you if you are an ally who doesn't obey me?
In the words of Ya Er: The Russian Empire had only two allies, the Empire's Army and Navy.

George would also add that the Russian Empire has two brothers, namely the empire's industry and agriculture.

"This is something the Germans should be more worried about."

Putnik is a little crazy, and it sounds like he wants to tie the Russian Empire to the chariot of the Kingdom of Serbia.

What Putnik meant was that if a war broke out between the Balkan League and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then Germany should consider that if Germany got involved, it would trigger a world war, thus making Germany cautious.

It sounds like it makes sense.

But think about it carefully, the current emperor of Germany is William II, is there anything he can't do?

If it was arrogance that caused Nicholas to lose the Russo-Japanese War.

Then William II was just arrogant and conceited, no better than Nicholas.

George didn't have much time to waste with Putnik. He still had a lot of work to do. It would be more appropriate to let Milyutin deal with matters of reason.

Milyutin's words were indeed more effective than George's among those who had participated in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War in the Balkans.

There are some things George is not comfortable saying.

Milyutin was straightforward.

"George is an extremely rational person. He never makes mistakes and never accepts any form of moral blackmail."

Milyutin hopes Putnik will face reality.

If Putnik did not accept George's arrangement, then George would have no choice but to exclude the Kingdom of Serbia from the Balkan League and let the Kingdom of Serbia die.

Putnik should not expect that a treaty between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Russian Empire will tie the Russian Empire to the chariot of the Kingdom of Serbia. Now George is the one who has the final say in the Russian Empire.

“I understand your feelings. You want to protect the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I have a question. Do the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina need your protection?”

Milyutin's words made Putnik a little embarrassed.

The situation of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina is completely different from that of the Romanians in southern Dobruja.

The Romanians in southern Dobruja were treated differently by the Kingdom of Bulgaria, so they asked the Kingdom of Romania for help.

After the Austro-Hungarian Empire took over Bosnia and Herzegovina, it invested heavily in these two regions in order to win over the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, effectively improving the living standards of the people in these two regions, which was greatly improved compared to the period of Ottoman rule.

In Serbia, after Peter I proposed "Greater Serbia", he began to reorganize the military. The living standards of the people were not as good as those of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Therefore, the so-called "Greater Serbia" was nothing more than Peter the Great's wishful thinking.

"If you want to get Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must first expose the contradictions between these two regions and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and then the opportunity will appear."

Milyutin also has a dark heart. If there are no conflicts, he will create them.

"But before that, you must first give Grand Duke Yuriev enough respect, otherwise Grand Duke Yuriev will not support your request."

Putnik was like a primary school student who was taught a lesson by Milyutin without having a chance to speak.

The reason why George gave the task of educating Putnik to Milyutin was because he had more important tasks.

When Nicholas was visiting France, Prince Alexei suddenly fell ill and the royal doctors were helpless. Fortunately, Rasputin intervened and Alexei's condition was brought under control.

George called Runev and asked about Alexei's condition.

Last winter, Runev led a special medical team from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg to treat Alexei's condition.

Alexei's condition was indeed very complicated, and Runev didn't have any good solution. He also didn't know what method Rasputin used to control Alexei's condition.

"This may be God's will!" Runev suggested some time ago that Alexei go to Vladivostok and organize Vladivostok experts to consult on Alexei's condition.

George has not yet mentioned this to Nicholas.

Runev's medical skills are quite good in St. Petersburg, but they are not well-known in Vladivostok.

The best doctors in Vladivostok all had their own jobs and it was impossible for them to put down their work and come to St. Petersburg to consult with Alexei.

But George couldn't tell Nicholas this directly.

In Nikolai's eyes, the whole world is not as important as Alexei, so it is natural to let medical experts from Vladivostok come to St. Petersburg for consultation for Alexei.

It takes at least one month to travel from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg and back.

Including the time it takes to consult with Alexei, it will probably take at least one or two months.

George really couldn't do this.

George wanted Alexei to go to Vladivostok.

But Alexei's body was not suitable for long-distance travel, and it was not realistic to take the train to Vladivostok.

If they went by boat, it would probably take half a year to go back and forth, and Nicholas was worried.

So the matter is at a stalemate here.

"Does Rasputin have medical skills?"

George couldn't see through Rasputin's depth now.

The Imperial Secret Police had already thoroughly investigated Rasputin, and found out that he was just a charlatan who had no medical skills at all.

But Rasputin was able to control Alexei's condition, which cannot be explained scientifically.

"He may have been hypnotized a little bit, or he may have been given tranquilizers, but that's all speculation, I don't have any evidence."

Runev was so bold that even George was shocked by what he said.

Tranquilizers are sleeping pills. If you take an overdose of them, they can kill you.

Hypnosis is even more dangerous. Except for that madman Rasputin, no one would dare to use hypnosis on Alexei.

"How serious is Amusa's condition?"

George had made up his mind. When Nicholas came back, George suggested that Nicholas go on a tour to the Far East.

Amur is the Amur of the empire. Nicholas visited Amur once before he ascended the throne. It has been more than 10 years now.

Over the past decade, Amur has developed very quickly, which is completely different from what it was before. George hopes that Amur's current situation can have an impact on Nikola.

"Normally, His Highness's condition should have been effectively controlled - but His Highness's identity is too special, anything could happen."

Runev is not sure how long a person with hemophilia can live, as it ultimately depends on the effectiveness of the treatment.

Two days later, Nikolai and his family returned to St. Petersburg with Rasputin.
Due to Alexei's sudden illness, Nicholas interrupted his trip and had to return to St. Petersburg early.

George went to the Summer Palace to visit as soon as possible.

Nicholas spoke with great pain about Alexei's illness.

"Amusha's crying is like a needle piercing my heart. I wish I was the one suffering from the disease. If I could, I would give up everything I have in exchange for Amusha's health. God is too cruel to me. Sunny and I only have Amusha as our child."

Nicholas was tortured and began to become mentally confused.

Nicholas and Alex had not only Alexei but also four princesses.

"Niki, take Amusha to Vladivostok to relax and let him see the beautiful mountains and rivers of the empire."

George didn't dare tell Nikolai directly and asked Alexei to see a doctor.

"You are right. Amusha will be the Tsar of the empire in the future. He should take a good look at the beautiful mountains and rivers of the empire. But not now. When Amusha recovers, I will personally take Amusha to every corner of the empire."

Nicholas did not understand George's meaning correctly.

George failed to convince Nicholas.

But Anne convinced Alex.

Vladivostok not only has an empire, but also probably the best medical skills in the world, the most developed fashion, and the richest culture in the world, which has an unparalleled attraction to women.

When Anne came to the Summer Palace, she brought Alex a set of the latest cosmetics and Alexei a complete set of children's toys.

Due to his frail health, Alexei was forbidden to participate in any strenuous exercise, not even riding a bicycle.

It is basically impossible for Alexei to run and play like other children in his life. Once his body starts bleeding, it is difficult to control it, and it may even be life-threatening.

A five-year-old child is old enough to play with toys.

There was naturally no shortage of toys in the palace. George's toys from those days filled the entire room, and Georgi once showed off to George.

In George's eyes, the royal toys are just like that. Apart from being more exquisitely made and more expensive, there is nothing special about them.

The toys that Anne brought for Alexei were a set of plasticine.

The plasticine from another time and space did not appear until 1956. Its main raw materials were flour and tartar powder, cooking oil, salt and water.

This thing is not only fun to play with, but also edible. Apart from being difficult to digest, there are no more serious consequences.

The most important thing is that the plasticine is very soft and will never hurt Alexei.

Alexei likes plasticine very much and can't let it go. Alex and Anne sat next to him and watched Alexei playing with the plasticine, and subconsciously talked about this trip around Europe.

"Europe is terrible. There are too many people and it's too noisy—"

Alex is a bit of a loner and doesn't like to interact with people.

This doesn’t matter to Alex. As a queen, it is necessary for her to remain mysterious.

But for Alexei, it was not a good thing.

"When I was in Vladivostok, I often stayed alone and didn't think about anything. But being too quiet is not good either. Siberia is too big and there are too few people. Sometimes I left Vladivostok and didn't meet anyone for a whole half month—"

Anne's words immediately piqued Alex's interest.

(End of this chapter)