I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 533 Physiological Allergy
Britain did attach great importance to arms purchases from the Russian Empire and Germany. Edward VII specially sent former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour as a private envoy to St. Petersburg to demand that the Russian Empire terminate its transactions with Germany.

Nicholas put all the blame on George and asked Arthur Balfour to find George.

Arthur Balfour came to the Admiralty to find George, and was ridiculed by George as soon as they met.

After the Russo-Japanese War, Edward VII took the initiative to ease relations with the Russian Empire and attributed Britain's support for Japan to the self-assertion of then British Prime Minister Balfour.

Balfour voluntarily resigned after the signing of the Treaty of Vladivostok, and the reason announced to the public was health discomfort.

"What does my deal with Tirpitz have to do with you?"

George directly criticized, you British people have really long arms.

Balfour is in a very bad situation now. Not only did he resign as prime minister, he also lost the election and even lost his seat in the House of Commons. His only job now is to serve on the Imperial Defense Council.

"Your dealings with the Germans may affect the security of the British Empire, which of course has something to do with me."

Belfort is flexible and can remain calm even when spit on his face.

"Don't worry, if the Germans cross the English Channel one day, I will bring the Baltic Fleet to help you."

George was full of malice and started cursing as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Your Excellency, Grand Duke, aren't you worried that your actions will affect the relationship between the Russian Empire and the British Empire?"

Belfort had a headache. This man was totally disregarding the overall situation. A barbarian was indeed a barbarian.

"Oh, you were the first to support the Japanese."

George was digging up old accounts. He was a direct beneficiary - and victim - of the Russo-Japanese War.

"Grand Duke, what will it take for you to give up your deal with the Germans?"

Belfort is based in the present and looks to the future.

George's expression changed quickly and he started complaining immediately.

After the British Dreadnought were three Bellerophon-class ships, then three St. Vincent-class ships, and following the start of construction of the Neptune last year, two more Colossus-class ships were started this year.

With this calculation, the UK currently has 10 dreadnought battleships built or under construction, ranking first among all countries in the world.

As the first country to build all-heavy artillery battleships, the Russian Empire currently has only seven all-heavy artillery battleships that have been built or are under construction, which is completely incomparable to the British Empire.

"Are seven all-heavy-gun battleships too few?"

Balfour gritted his teeth and said that George should be considered the initiator of the arms race between Britain and Germany.

The British Royal Navy and the Russian Imperial Navy have different positioning. The Russian Imperial Navy is only used to protect the interests of the Russian Empire, while the British Royal Navy's mission is to maintain its global hegemony.

George ignited the arms race and then hid in St. Petersburg to watch the fun. If the British were asked to choose the most hated Russian, George would be the winner 100%.

"The Russian Imperial Navy has no intention of challenging the Royal Navy, but it must at least have the strength to confront the German Navy."

George's requirements were not high, just a copy of Tirpitz's naval plan.

Balfour returned empty-handed; George's request exceeded his authority.

George was not in a hurry, as there was not much time left for Britain. On the third day after George returned to St. Petersburg, Tirpitz also came to St. Petersburg and urged George to complete the transaction as soon as possible.

Stolypin came to George and told him to delay for a few more days as Britain and France had already officially begun discussing a loan plan with the Russian Empire.

Stolypin's appetite was even bigger than George's. He proposed a loan plan of 10 billion pounds to Britain and France, half of which was an interest-free loan. Stolypin, like George, was a freeloader.

Neither the British nor the French agreed to such a large sum of money, half of which was an interest-free loan.

So Stolypin revealed to the British and French that George and Tirpitz were negotiating on the technology of the 45-caliber 330-caliber triple-mounted naval gun.

Balfour was going crazy. He hadn't dealt with the submarines and torpedoes yet, and now a naval gun appeared.

What's next? Airships? Planes?
"Grand Duke Yuriev was severely stimulated in Berlin. After returning to St. Petersburg, he submitted a naval plan to His Majesty, requesting the construction of four all-heavy artillery battleships, six battlecruisers, and 4 heavy cruisers."

Stolypin did not lie, there was indeed such a naval plan, but it was not drawn up by George, but by former Navy Minister Alexei.

"The empire's finances are extremely tight and there is simply not enough money available, so your majesty allowed Grand Duke Yuriev to raise funds on his own."

Stolypin sighed and looked gloomy.

"Grand Duke Yuriev is so rich, is he going to raise funds in this way?"

Balfour couldn't understand that although George was annoying, he didn't look like a fool.

All countries' high-tech weapons, no matter whether they are world-leading or not, are kept hidden for fear of being discovered by others.

George, in order to raise funds, even gave up national security -

Although this is not very rational, if it is combined with George's identity, it does seem like something a Russian Grand Duke would do.

"The technologies sold by Grand Duke Yuriev do not belong to the Empire, but to the companies under Grand Duke Yuriev's name. When Your Majesty asked, Grand Duke Yuriev said that this was a normal business practice."

Stolypin's explanation made Belfort want to curse.

It seems that this is where the free trade of the Russian Empire is applied!

"One billion pounds is too much. It needs to be cut in half at least. And it is impossible to get such a large sum of money in the short term."

Balfour no longer worried about George's arms sales. If George's demands could not be met, George would be deemed an enemy.

"Mr. Former Prime Minister, please show your enthusiasm for buying Japanese government bonds during the Russo-Japanese War. This amount of money is easy for your Empire on which the Sun Never Sets."

Stolypin once again opened Belfort's scars.

Belfort should miss Witt now.

Look at the people who ruled the Russian Empire after Witte stepped down.

Unlike the angry Balfour, Tirpitz fully felt the wealth of the Russian Empire after arriving in St. Petersburg.

Although the Russian Empire had no money, the grand dukes of St. Petersburg were all tycoons.

On the day Tirpitz arrived in St. Petersburg, George held a welcome dinner for Tirpitz at the Navy Ministry. Tirpitz was so excited that he drank a few more glasses and slept until the next morning.

Not long after getting up, Tirpitz received an invitation to the Winter Palace, and in the evening Nicholas held a reception for Tirpitz at the Winter Palace.

After Nicholas, it was the Minister of War, Nicholas the Younger, who was also a German son-in-law, who held a welcome banquet for Tirpitz.

After little Nicholas came the banquet of Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Germany, widow of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

On the fourth day in St. Petersburg, Tirpitz's eyes were already wide open and he became physically allergic to the word "banquet".

(End of this chapter)