Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 37 Tsar Bomba (4)

When carrying out purges for half a year, news naturally spreads across borders.

Germany, physically close to Russia, couldn't help but know about Russia's internal purges.

Wilhelm II, who drove out pro-Russians including Bismarck, felt a sense of disconnect whenever he heard news flowing from that Russia.

"With this, it's estimated over five thousand have had their heads cut off for serious crimes or been driven to Siberia."

"Receiving punishment without distinction between duke and commoner."

Though it's just like uncivilized Russia not ending with resignation or retirement, that wasn't what Wilhelm II found uncomfortable.

It was the disconnect with his cousin repeatedly doing things he would never do himself. That was the reason.

'My cousin and I are quite similar.'

The point that the previous generation advocated strong military authority.

The point that they had prime ministers they trusted in internal affairs, and the prime ministers were moderates shouting pro-Russian or pro-German.

The point of ascending to the throne around the same time inheriting complete imperial authority.

Finally, the point of throwing away things like constitutional monarchy.

Truly similar from inherited bloodline to cultivated environment.

In such similar environments, his cousin Nicky acts like a pirate ship captain sailing the Atlantic.

What made him so adventurous?

'Why kill all the nobles? Did Nicky not learn mercy, the virtue of monarchs?'

If he wanted that agricultural reform so badly, wouldn't dragging in traitors make them tremble more and continue reform?

No, making such a Duma in the first place makes no sense.

The German Empire formed by unifying multiple kingdoms needed a parliamentary system, but Nicky's country didn't particularly need a State Duma.

Though seeming to create the State Duma first and transfer power, Nicky stepped forward himself and swept everyone away in just 4 years.

Though fools might think looking at results that it was for strengthening imperial authority, Wilhelm II couldn't agree.

What kind of people are imperial family members? He knows better than anyone sitting on the imperial throne himself.

The moment you sit in this seat, in other words the moment there's nowhere higher to go in the empire, guaranteeing power becomes more important to the emperor than strengthening it.

"Prime Minister Hohenlohe, isn't it strange? Now Nicky is trying to walk a tightrope no one asked for."

"Isn't it a safe tightrope?"

"Well, I see it differently. It's starting at a loss, giving up the Mediterranean that Russia so wanted to advance into."

The purge appears successful in results. Nicky's domestic popularity rises daily and even while necks around him are being pulled out, the Duma and nobles don't hesitate to praise the Tsar.

Wilhelm II, who kept substituting the assumption 'if it were me,' finally reached the point of giving up understanding.

Whatever it is, now Nicky walks a path completely opposite to Wilhelm II himself.

Pro-French, anti-Austria-Hungary. And head bowed to Britain.

'Though ruling as a bloody emperor at home, is he scared outside?'

It can't help but be frown-inducing cowardice.

Former Chancellor Bismarck criticized in the Hamburg newspaper until right before death that 'the Emperor not making a reinsurance treaty with Russia was foolish.'

But Bismarck was wrong.

"Bismarck, if he had lived just a year or two more, he would have admitted his mistake seeing this sight."

"Though Russia is undoubtedly a great power, Nicholas II extremely avoids external friction. Even if it eats away at his own country."

"Bowing to Britain, bowing to France, and even bowing to those inferior yellow race they say."

What was it last year, asking to allow grain exports to feed German farm cows and pigs?

'Does Nicky have no pride?'

Saying he'll reduce his people's food to sell as feed to neighboring countries. How can he take such a low posture when it hasn't been long since the Triple Alliance collapsed?

"Whatever the case, saying Russia threatens Germany was nonsense."

"The Baltic Fleet has been reduced to half level they say. They're removing their own power to advance west themselves."

Though still rising upward, the effects gradually decrease and the inherent taste of purging disappears. I see it like kimchi that's too ripe.

Instead, another effect sharply rises from this point.

The side effects of purging. In other words, the aftershocks of the state's self-destructive behavior arrive.

'Must stop before there.'

If you can't keep this appropriate line it's indiscriminate oppression, but if you keep the line well it's rooting out corruption, national cleaning right?

Around this point Witte and other officials should step in with other alternatives-

"I was moderate only compared to radicals! Now that many radicals are dead, I'll fill that void!"

"Witte! Witte! Witte!"

"Officials, all follow His Majesty the Tsar! Only His Majesty will purely cleanse this country!"

Hmm, there's another unmentioned side effect of purging - even people safe from the blade get drunk on blood together.

'Witte's gone crazy. Though he still works very well.'

An era where everyone calls for punishment over forgiveness and good and evil are clear. Looking at this concept, this purge is hard to stop easily since it's packaged as 'punishment of evil.'

With two thousand people receiving death sentences in trial alone and thousands receiving the punishment just below death - exile to Siberia (whipping, cutting nose or ears then being sent east of Urals for labor).

Still, the time to stop has come.

"No matter how much I stir things up inside Russia, history will keep flowing."

Even the United States, land of freedom, devoured Puerto Rico and the Philippines in colonial greed, and the Hungarian Prime Minister was so angry he challenged his political enemy to a duel in this uncivilized era.

'99, end of the 19th century. Now the time has come for everyone to throw off such uncivilized ignorance and find reason and culture.

If they can't?

Ah, those who fall behind in history aren't even worth recording anymore.

They just need to prepare to be beaten thoroughly and kicked out of history.

"For example, my neighbor the Qing Empire."

Who dares say this empire lost the Great Game? This game isn't simple enough to end just by giving up the Baltic Sea. It only ends when a country's national power is completely depleted through tremendous war.

Russia with principalities like Finland but no colonies. Yet still the world's largest empire with just its mainland.

Strengthening imperial authority, agricultural reform, rooting out corruption, weakening nobility, suppressing the Duma - what I wanted to gain is done.

The purging game is over now.

Now is the time to turn eyes outward again.

The best way for this is going through a special opportunity - an event that can make the whole empire forget fear and move forward united as one.

"In other words, to overturn this situation with blood overflowing in every valley and return to daily life, we need national celebration. Understand why we need to hurry?"

"What? Yes!"

"Good, I'm truly happy you accept the confession. If you refused I would have had to find another way."

"C-confession? Do you mean confession like in church?"

"Looking at honesty they're similar. What's important is that I'm sincere. If people's hearts connect sincerely, what more is needed?"

"Th-that can't be. I like everything!"

Though we've only met five times and need time to get to know each other, fortunately she fully understood my circumstances.

Above all, our conversation matched quite well and time seems to flow quickly talking about her Far East life and sister Olga.

"Still, it might be hard to decide alone so ask your family's opinion too. If they oppose... sad but nothing can be done."

"Oh, time has already- I'll be going now!"

"Let's see about the answer for permission, I'll give plenty of two days."

"48 hours! I'll definitely return within that!"

Though the situation pressures me to hurry, I absolutely don't seek calculating and coercive relationships.

Watching Anna leave, I even felt somewhat proud inside.

Like becoming one more step adult.

I hope Prince Yusupov gives permission.