I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 529 Opponent
During the Russo-Japanese War, Japan sold government bonds in Europe, and France's subscription amount was more than 20 times the issuance amount. Whether Nicholas remembered this debt or not, George always remembered it.

When Moltke visited St. Petersburg, he had an in-depth exchange with George.

When leaving St. Petersburg, Moltke invited George to visit Berlin that winter, and George gladly accepted.

The French certainly don't want to see close relations between St. Petersburg and Berlin.

But Anne is German, George is the son-in-law of a German, and is a relative of William II. Isn't it normal for relatives to have close relations?
George would not abandon his alliance with France and join the German-Austrian alliance.

But after some persuasion from Berlin and Paris, George was not only willing but also very proactive.

"Give William my regards and invite him to visit St. Petersburg when the time is right."

Nicholas did not refuse to contact the Germans, and he had a good relationship with William II.

This is again the case: I originally wanted to shine my heart on the bright moon, but the bright moon only shines on the ditch.

Through the marriage of Nicholas and Alex, it is not difficult to see the malice of William II.

William II knew that Alex was a carrier of the hemophilia gene, but he still tried his best to promote the marriage between Nicholas and Alex. This was clearly intended to make Nicholas childless.

George pretended not to know and arrived in Berlin on the last day of 1909 to begin his visit to Berlin.

William II attached great importance to this event and personally presided over George's reception, holding a welcome dinner for George at the Berlin City Palace.

"George, the Balkan Alliance led by you has caused great concern in Vienna. This will lead to a serious deterioration of the situation in the Balkans."

William II was an outspoken man known throughout Europe for his blunt character.

To put it nicely, it's straightforward.

To put it bluntly, it's reckless.

Nicholas was ambitious and made a lot of jokes.

William II made just as many jokes as Nicholas.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, if we want to deal with Vienna, there is no need to go through so much trouble."

George acted as arrogant as the rumors said.

George's reputation was not much better than that of William II and Nicholas.

There are too many idle people in Europe with nothing to do. Gossip about royal families of various countries is flying everywhere. The suicide of the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire can be blamed on the Russian Empire. What else can't they do?

In 1889, the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Marie Vechera, committed suicide together in the Mayerling hunting lodge.

This incident originally had nothing to do with the Russian Empire, but various legends that the Russian Empire murdered Rudolf are still circulating in Vienna.

For the same reason, in St. Petersburg, there are more than a dozen versions of Rudolf's suicide, each more absurd than the last.

Most of the negative news about George in Europe focused on his background. After all, when George was born, Alexander and Catherine had not yet been married, which added more legendary color to George.

The downtrodden prince survives from a desperate situation——

Wrong. It should be the story of the illegitimate son who fought back, turned the tide and saved the empire from disaster. Only such a story would be talked about with relish.

“Grand Duke, based on the close relationship between St. Petersburg and Berlin, the Russian Empire should join the German-Austrian alliance, jointly overthrow the old order, and win a wider living space for the Russian Empire and the German Empire.”

When Moltke the Younger was in St. Petersburg, he tried his best to persuade the Russian Empire to join the German-Austrian alliance.

George did not refuse directly, but left the Germans a little room for imagination, which made the Germans see the possibility of winning over George.

William II was well aware of George's influence over Nicholas.

As long as George can be convinced, the possibility of the Russian Empire joining the German-Austrian alliance will be greatly increased. "If you abolish the alliance with Vienna, St. Petersburg and Berlin can establish a new alliance."

George left the choice to William II.

If the Germans really abandoned the Austrians, then George would not mind an alliance with Germany.

William II had an ugly expression on his face. He glared at George for a while and then walked away in anger.

Before George had time to feel embarrassed, Moltke the Younger took the initiative to explain.

"Your Majesty is also in a difficult situation. The Russian Empire is Germany's most important partner, and Vienna is Berlin's brother. Your Majesty cannot abandon either side."

This explanation is worse than no explanation at all.

The next day, Moltke the Younger invited George to visit the German General Staff.

George met the author of the "Schlieffen Plan", former German Chief of the General Staff, Alfred von Schlieffen, at the General Staff.

Although Moltke the Younger came from a prominent family, Schlieffen was the spiritual leader of the German army. He was 75 years old this year, retired in 1907, and led Germany's military reform in 1893.

The core of the Schlieffen Plan was to hold back the Russian Empire on the Eastern Front, concentrate troops to attack France via Belgium, defeat France before the Russian Empire completed its mobilization, and then turn around and attack Russia.

Although Schlieffen died in 1913, the German army continued to fight according to Schlieffen's plan during World War II. If the war potential of the Russian Empire had not far exceeded Schlieffen's estimation, Schlieffen might have become the greatest strategist in Europe.

Schlieffen was full of curiosity about George.

In particular, George's performance in the Russo-Japanese War completely refreshed Schlieffen's evaluation of the Russian Empire.

"Strategy and tactics are important, but the overall strength of a country is the fundamental reason for victory. Even without me, the Russian Empire will win the final victory, and Japan has no chance of winning at all."

George hoped that Schlieffen would understand that he was still a long way from being a top strategist.

Schlieffen's tactical qualities are unquestionable, but in terms of strategy, Schlieffen has great shortcomings, and Germany does not currently have the strength to challenge British hegemony.

Even though George kept advocating the British threat theory, if the Russian Empire targeted Britain, George would be the first to oppose it.

George certainly wanted to break British hegemony.

But the current Russian Empire does not have this strength.

So George was very happy to see Germany take the initiative to provoke an arms race with Britain. With the Germans at the forefront, they would be there to hold up the sky if it fell.

"Grand Duke, I have included your command in the Russo-Japanese War in my book without your permission. I hope you don't mind."

After retiring, Schlieffen stayed at home writing books, ignoring worldly affairs. The book he is currently writing is called "The Commander in Chief".

"Of course not, I'm honored—"

George was curious about what Schlieffen would think of his performance in the Russo-Japanese War.

Apart from George's early negativity, it shouldn't be too bad overall.

Schlieffen is now retired.

What really made George alert was Hindenburg, who accompanied Schlieffen to meet George.

Paul von Hindenburg was promoted to general in 1903. After the outbreak of World War I, Hindenburg was responsible for commanding the German army's war against Russia on the Eastern Front.

If nothing unexpected happens, Hindenburg will be George's main opponent in the future.

(End of this chapter)