Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 41 Undisguisable Greed (3)

If there was one thing I felt after wrestling with practical affairs for several years.

It was that I wasn't particularly talented in domestic affairs, except for historical changes.

For example, in the case of Joseon, I pursued neutrality with clear motives and purposes.

Although Minister Weber sent telegrams to St. Petersburg almost every other day, I made Joseon neutral (unlike Switzerland, where everyone's influence extended) without leaving any room for doubt.

However, when it came to general policies or laws rather than such historical changes, there were often times when judgment became ambiguous.

The current Jewish policy being pursued centered on the military was such a case - what I wanted was vaguely for the military to embrace Jews who had been excluded until now.

In 1880, twenty years ago, Jews had established their roots in the military to some extent.

They openly had munitions factories in Moscow, Jewish recruitment rates weren't much different from Slavic ones, and during the Second Eastern War (1877-1878), Jews were also active in fighting against the Ottomans.

So how did the Jews end up being expelled from the military?

'You again, Father.'

Our father who created an army for the Slavs.

As soon as he ascended to the throne - nationalization of all Jewish munitions factories, forced retirement of Jewish non-commissioned officers, and finally forced conversion of Jews.

After gifting this three-piece military expulsion set, Jews naturally became a race that only served briefly as soldiers in the military before leaving.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Anyway, I tried to bring in Jews to eliminate this chronic problem, but...

"Minister Sakharov, you forcibly returned a 65-year-old man to active duty and then sent him to military school?"

"To be precise, he's performing commander duties during the day and following military academy education at night."

In this age of paper administration, they managed to find records of only nine Jewish officers and then dragged in an old man who was just waiting to die?

"What did Minister Giers say?"

"The U.S. State Department announced that the Manchurian invasion violates the Open Door Policy. After hearing details through Ambassador Tower (Charlemagne Tower Jr.), they added that the South Manchurian Railway connecting Joseon and Qing is not something Russia should monopolize."

"Is it because of the upcoming presidential election?"

"Probably not. Secretary John Hay's Open Door Policy seems to show a strong will to protect long-term Asian interests."

In other words, should I understand this as a warning shot because they think Russia, having consumed Manchuria, is likely to continue feeding on Qing?

'France is in turmoil over Dreyfus, and Britain is preoccupied with the Boer War.'

So I thought we would naturally eat Manchuria without disagreement, but it's strange that such criticism is coming up again.

"Anyway, Secretary John Hay probably doesn't want Manchuria returned to Qing with such criticism. Perhaps it's just expressing displeasure."

"That must be it. Roman took Beijing alone, yet they're just running their mouths without having done anything."

However, while Japan is throwing fits in diplomatic circles about Russian forces having to withdraw from Manchuria, such criticism is concerning.

It feels like they're stacking up justifications one by one.

At this rate, Russia alone will look like the white people bullying poor yellow people. When in fact, all the white-skinned ones wanted to slice up Asia like a pizza.

"Then... see if they're interested in Joseon's railway."

The connection of the Trans-Siberian Railway nearing completion with the Manchurian railway. Add to that the current 12,000 kilometers of railway within China. Connecting these three is practically the Russian Empire's greatest interest and destiny, so it's a bit difficult to give away.

Although we've already built the Gyeongin Line between Seoul and Incheon that you coveted, one core construction right remains in Joseon.

'Originally, Japan should have completed it within a few years, but now they've withdrawn, so no one has taken it.'

The 450km Gyeongbu Line.

Not bad. If the Russo-Japanese War breaks out, Japan will definitely take Busan first and try to move up by occupying ports one by one.