Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 78 Flow of the Era (6)

though witte still seems anxious imagining all sorts of possibilities i could take, i didn't particularly mind.

"for now let's support them."

because in this country no matter how big financial power gets, it can't reach even the toe of power anyway.

==

returning to the prime minister's office after hearing chilling stories from the tsar again today, witte sat down without time to examine the tsar's true intentions.

even as just a minister he was busy without breathing room, but rising to prime minister now life's density became different.

"kokovtsov, give me everything i need to check."

"then first the ministers' requests."

first visible was documents submitted by interior vice minister ivan durnovo.

"...asking for an ukase expelling low social status jews from moscow? ukase? is he asking for an imperial edict now?"

"he asks for legislation expelling craftsmen, small merchants, workers to suburbs for urban security."

"knew he was discriminatory but this lacking in tact."

how can he make such demands when barely any time has passed since the imperial court made baron hertsel a noble by awarding him 4th class order of saint vladimir.

"seems this one will have trouble keeping his next position."

"prime minister, minister durnovo has grand duke alexandrovich moscow governor-general behind him."

"his majesty is someone who threw even the tsesarevich crown prince to the frontlines. hard to have long life acting wild just because backed by a grand duke."

witte tore the paper throwing it into the prepared trash bin.

such anachronistic agenda items still occasionally reach his desk.

'better his majesty doesn't see such items.'

if violent confrontations and armed uprisings were to erupt, with people wielding blades and citing these changes as their justification, it would create an extremely challenging situation for prime minister witte to manage and contain effectively.

beyond these pressing concerns, the prime minister's desk was constantly flooded with an endless stream of reports, petitions, and administrative matters requiring his attention - from local disputes to national policy decisions, all demanding careful consideration.

the momentous imperial edict issued in april of this year had formally proclaimed religious freedom throughout the empire, marking a significant shift in policy and introducing new dynamics into an already complex social and political landscape.

"must block orthodox church backlash well. should meet with archbishops too."

"i'll set appointments."

reconstruction plan for far eastern fleet that became empire's largest fleet.

still quite respected though not as much as war heroes, as a leader of military reform, what could be the matter?

"i quite like the general. a legendary figure rising to army general from commoner origins in the conservative military. anyone who knows your command at the battle of geok tepe in your youth cannot deny your ability."

isn't it because of outstanding ability as a soldier that you became minister and general despite not being noble?

"but asking to be saved? what does this mean?"

"idiots with only heavy bottoms whose life's greatest worry is how to get one more medal might not know, but i who carried out command reforms know. right, not everything. may not be exact. but i'm not completely ignorant!"

"so what are you saying?"

beyond pitiful seeing one older showing such weakness, witte felt like he might grow weary.

however kuropatkin's next words were enough to make witte's raising drink glass tremble.

"new military."

"...new military?"

"that's all i know. don't know about the guard coup or purge that might be behind it. but there must be something. if even i as army general only felt signs now, my neck might be on that list too. damn!"

first setting aside incomprehensible words that came after like purge or guard coup.

witte felt need to review general kuropatkin's words one by one.

"is there a new military in this country?"

".... it emerged. no, precisely it was created. just now completed."

"who is it? who did such crazy things when the imperial army properly exists?"

if such a group exists, its existence alone is treason and must be resolved faster than anything else.

another private organization within the military is high treason, but forces worthy of being called new military?

'which crazy bastard. perhaps grand dukes unable to accept their fate? or governor-general?'

it won't be internal troops or okhrana. though they work with the military, they're clearly organizationally separate. discover hidden tales at empire

"...his majesty the tsar."

but at kuropatkin's troubled voice answer.

witte didn't know how to respond.

instead only his hand brought the glass to his mouth.

seemed he needed to drink first before talking more.