Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Once the Ottoman Empire falls, we'll be closer to victory in the war.

[First Australian Division Annihilated?]

[S, V, W, X, Y. The Five Hell Beaches of Gallipoli.]

[Gurkha Rifle Units and Indian Brigade Deployment, Sign of Anglo-French Troop Shortages?]

[Seddülbahir Fortress Battle, 20 Reach Beach Out of 200 Leaving Boats.]

"Hmm. Gallipoli seems to be quite a fierce battlefield indeed."

'...Damn.'

Yes, once that Ottoman Empire falls.

==

Unlike the first two weeks of the three weeks Kokovtsov and Kitchener met, which were spent arguing and haggling, the final week completed various agreements so smoothly it was exhilarating.

And as soon as Kitchener left, Kokovtsov organized these negotiation contents to report to the Tsar.

"Munitions including shells are just the beginning. Once they start relying on us, they'll depend more in the future, and above all, they'll try to protect us from German Empire's U-boats and commerce raiders."

"Quite successful. I didn't expect much, but alliance relations will grow closer too."

Unlike the Tsar's pleasure saying nothing develops relationships like money transactions, Kokovtsov couldn't just smile thinking of the price as the report continued.

"Prime Minister, why that look?"

"...It's nothing."

"Nothing indeed, I've watched you for 20 years since Witte's time, how could I not know?"

"There's nothing to worry about."

After staring at Kokovtsov for a moment, Nikolai said:

"Do you find the empire's reality regrettable?"

"..."

It hit the mark with devastating precision. Kokovtsov slightly bowed his head for a moment lest his expression betray the turmoil within him, but to Nikolai, watching intently from across the ornate desk, this subtle gesture only appeared as solemn affirmation of his words.

What Kokovtsov himself was trying to accomplish now was simple, though it weighted heavily on his conscience with each passing day.

Instead of 100 soldiers dying in the line of duty and their widows receiving meager pensions that barely sustained them through their grief, make 150 brave sons of Russia sacrifice themselves on the altar of duty while ensuring their families received hefty pensions that would at least give them dignity in their loss.

Somewhat exaggerated, in these delicate negotiations the Prime Minister had become a grim accountant of sorts, selling soldiers' lives for money - trading blood for rubles with a fountain pen rather than a sword. Each figure on the paper represented not just numbers, but futures extinguished and families torn apart.

He knows too. Looking at the empire as a whole, this is right. Post-war chaos will decrease, trade channels will open, and vitality can be breathed into the Black Sea that's been frozen like rigor mortis for nearly a year.

However, imperial troops will die more.

"That's reality. While Kuropatkin's General Staff tries to save imperial troops by even selling allies to the enemy, we try to make imperial troops die more."

"I don't think of it that way. This is all a righteous decision for the empire's future-"

"Enough, don't say things you don't mean."

Kuropatkin and himself. Who is right? No, is there even a right answer in this war to begin with?

If... What decision would Prime Minister Witte have made? What measures and solutions would he have prepared?

Though various thoughts crossed his mind momentarily, Kokovtsov didn't voice them.

To such Kokovtsov, Nikolai spoke calmly:

"There is no right answer. Both you and Kuropatkin did it for the empire."

Your Majesty Nikolai. Tsar of Russia.

Perhaps even more excellent than Prime Minister Witte, he says there is no right answer.

"Perhaps because you were under Witte, you too are closer to a bureaucrat than a politician."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a compliment."

A moment of silence. Nikolai quietly let Kokovtsov organize his thoughts.

Eventually, the report continued.

"It seems the Anglo-French forces won't be able to occupy Constantinople."

"Indeed."

A name now echoing even among the Entente, Mustafa Kemal.

Insufficient troops.

Insufficient firepower.

Insufficient combat power.

The Ottoman general who still manages to stop enemy landings despite all these shackles.

Though uncertain how General Brusilov's southward advance would have fared if he had been deployed to stop the Russian army, fortunately most Ottoman forces are gathered at that Gallipoli.

Meaning the Russian army's southward advance continues smoothly.

"General Brusilov reported Constantinople occupation possible within a month. Indeed, with the border touching Bulgaria breached and intermediate cities losing resistance, Constantinople is now the empire's."

"Good news."

"So if we start stockpiling supplies in Odessa port and Rostov-on-Don now, British forces will take them immediately."

Minister Kitchener wasn't wrong - Britain and France's shell shortage was serious.

So serious that there were even calls to completely replace all cabinet ministers.

Resolving this problem through the Russian Empire would be a good precedent and justification for exports.

"Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro. We've agreed to set aside the internal division issues of these four countries for now. This seems difficult to resolve immediately as Britain and Russia support different countries and have different positions. However, now that Constantinople is ours, we should have advantage in future negotiations."

"That side needs to sort out traffic including Albania later too."

Trying to resolve their complex interests now would only lead to someone's dissatisfaction, and it's uncertain how much could be achieved with the Great War in full swing.

So both Britain and France also promised to postpone this issue for now.

"Lastly, regarding the occupation of Turkey. Though Minister Kitchener seems to defer this as too big an issue..."

"They wouldn't want to just watch us monopolize it."

"For now, we've decided to receive recognition of sovereignty over the Bosphorus Strait and establish a military government involving all Entente powers."

"They say a government with everyone together, but we must hold the initiative. France won't care about the likes of the Ottoman Empire anyway, so try contacting them."

"I will do so."

Though Kitchener stayed only three weeks, considering the Entente's stagnant communication, this was quite a major relationship development and progress.

May 1915.

When Britain lost six more divisions at Ypres and casualties increased by 5,000 per day in Artois alone.

"Search the palace first!"

"The Emperor has fled! The palace is empty!"

"Cavalry pursue immediately! The rest secure up to the capital outskirts first!"

The Russian tricolor rose to the top of Topkapi Palace.

The fifth after Greece, Persia, Rome, and Ottoman.

It was the moment Constantinople's new master was decided.