Chapter 29: War at the Summit

Anyone in the world would find it hard not to be on edge with a terrifyingly mean-looking slab of muscle sitting right beside them.

And what if that person weren’t merely rough-looking, but carried a weapon and went around picking fights day in and day out?

To the British Empire, Russia was exactly that.

A starving beast that could smash India, its most precious treasure, at any moment.

Of course, they were only close in physical distance; between the two stood a colossal concrete wall called the Hindu Kush. Not that it made any difference.

An ordinary man might be stopped by it, but with beasts like those, it was hard to shake the fear that they might smash through the wall at any moment.

“…What? Russia is going to annex Korea and build a massive naval base there?”

“Yes. The information has been confirmed.”

And now, since they couldn’t climb over the concrete wall, they were going to dig a tunnel around it?

Anyone whose blood didn’t rush to their head at that wasn’t human.

“…Is it truly confirmed? If the source is the Korean Empire, there’s a chance they deliberately tried to smear Russia….”

“Our intelligence service has finished cross-verifying it. The Russian Grand Dukes have been secretly planning a number of ventures….”

Had there been no information at all, it might have been another story, but with a tip this specific, verifying the facts wasn’t particularly difficult.

The moment the British Legation received the tip from Yi Beom-jin, it mobilized every intelligence network it had spread through Russia to investigate Russia’s plan to incorporate the Korean Peninsula.

Astonishingly, circumstantial evidence confirming it turned up everywhere.

“These Russian bastards have really lost their minds, haven’t they?”

“They haven’t lost their minds; they simply haven’t changed at all. This is hardly the first time, is it?”

If it had been France, of all countries, doing this, they might have wondered whether there had been some mistake, whether there was more to the story.

But Russia had a record, didn’t it.

It was only 20 years ago that Russia, having won a single war against the Ottomans, tried to sweep up everything from the Balkans to the Black Sea until the Great Powers intervened en masse.

Naturally, the British Empire could only conclude that Russia had won a war and, once again, lost all sense of restraint.

“The British Empire hereby gives notice that, should Russia incorporate the Korean Peninsula into its mainland, it will have no choice but to fully reassess trade relations.”

It barged straight into the Russo-Japanese peace conference and slammed the brakes on Russia’s rampage.

And America, with its eye on the Qing China market, naturally glommed on as well.

“In the interest of enduring peace in the Far East, and in accordance with the Open Door policy, the United States of America stands ready to actively mediate a peaceful resolution between Russia and Japan.”

A peaceful resolution.

Diplomatic rhetoric truly is a marvel; it can wrap interference in internal affairs in packaging that beautiful.

Britain and America climbed openly onto the negotiating table and began whittling down Russia’s list of spoils, item by item.

Incorporation of the Korean Peninsula into the mainland was, naturally, out of the question.

A protectorate through the stripping of diplomatic rights was likewise refused.

The most they would permit was, at best, that Russia hold a paramount position in the Korean Empire.

Because anything beyond that, and an unbridled Russia would obviously turn the Korean Peninsula into one big military base.

“An excessive indemnity against Japan likewise undermines the stability of the Far East. We ask that it be adjusted to an appropriate level.”

The indemnity demand meant to stomp Japan flat so it could never rise again was slashed nearly in half.

However recklessly Russia behaved, it was not so far gone as to miss the fact that if Britain and America entered the war at this point, Russia itself would be the one smashed to pieces.

Winning the war overwhelmingly, then getting fleeced at the negotiating table.

This, too, was a time-honored Russian tradition.

Nicholas II, who had been grinning ear to ear at the thought of swallowing Northeast Asia whole and being hailed as a great emperor to rival Peter the Great, was simply dumbfounded.

* * *

“Look at this! The English, again! Is this not a scheme to drag us down with the most absurd pretexts!”

As expected, the Tsar’s fury erupted.

“This is a war between our Russia and Japan! What right do Britain or America have to butt in!”

Watching my father’s hand tremble with such rage that he looked ready to hurl his teacup across the room, the filial devotion within me could not suppress its swelling indignation.

“Your Majesty, I can’t understand it either.”

“Yes! So you also think this makes no sense.”

“Yes. But what I can’t understand most of all isn’t the British side.”

The Tsar’s expression froze for an instant.

“Britain is a bad country that only ever thinks about tearing our Russia down, so fine, let that be. But those documents Britain supposedly put forward as evidence… how can those be real?”

“Ah….”

In that instant, the Tsar’s hand, which had been quivering with rage, stopped dead in midair.

“Your Majesty, I have an additional report on that matter.”

Yakov, who had been standing quietly to the side, opened his notebook and bowed his head.

“It is true that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made noises to that effect, but no plan to incorporate the Korean Peninsula into the mainland exists in official policy.”

“Then Britain was talking nonsense?”

“…No, Your Majesty.”

A brief silence hung in the air.

“It is not in official policy, but numerous plans that Their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes were pursuing unofficially have been confirmed.”

“…What?”

“Construction of a naval base on the Korean coast, expansion of the Far East Fleet, plans to organize a garrison force… all of them were part of ventures drawn up by Their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes. On investigation, they were in truth nothing more than a smokescreen for Their Highnesses to carry off concessions, but that they were being pursued is an established fact.”

The Tsar’s face drained to a deathly pale.

The eyes that had been burning with hatred for Britain shifted in an instant to hollow dejection; even at a glance, the blow had clearly cut deep.

“So… the Grand Dukes drew up a plan to swallow the Korean Peninsula to line their own pockets, entirely on their own, and when it leaked, it handed Britain a pretext. Is that what you’re telling me?”

“A perfect summary, Your Majesty.”

The Tsar sank into the sofa and let out a sigh.

“Your Majesty, no matter how I think about it, this just isn’t right.”

I deliberately raised my voice a touch.

“This war was led by Your Majesty from beginning to end. Choosing His Excellency Makarov, sending General Kondratenko, stopping Japan’s surprise attack, even cutting off their funding… every one of those was Your Majesty’s decision.”

The Tsar’s gaze fixed on me.

“So why on earth are Their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes trying to divide up the spoils as though the war were won by their own fine work….”

Our dad pulled off an ultra hard carry to win this war, so why were the relatives getting uppity? That was the core of the anger I was currently putting on display.

Yakov might not buy it, but in the eyes of Nicholas II, at least, that was surely how it looked.

“Misha….”

“If Your Majesty had been able to approach this carefully, at the very least a protectorate would have been possible. But because Their Highnesses the Grand Dukes ran wild like that, it’s all gone up in smoke. The people who never shed a single drop of blood in this war shouted the loudest!”

Even the meekest, mildest pushover has things he absolutely cannot endure.

What parent in the world could bear being utterly humiliated in front of their own child?

Especially if that parent is an Emperor?

“…Yes. You’re right. We let them run far too loose. Elders of the imperial house or not, this goes well past the limit.”

“Your Majesty….”

“The reins need tightening. This time, once and for all.”

Of course, no matter what he says, I don’t trust Niki.

He may look brimming with confidence now, but the moment the Grand Dukes band together and put on their how-could-you-do-this-to-family act, his heart will melt on the spot.

Besides, even if the Grand Dukes couldn’t directly threaten the Tsar’s legitimacy, they had more than enough power to paralyze the governance of this country.

Above all, men at the Grand Dukes’ level would certainly know that Tsesarevich Alexei had hemophilia.

The Tsar was hale enough for now, but a frail heir meant the Grand Dukes could exert as much influence as they pleased in the years to come.

So I’d have to split them apart before they could close ranks.

“Oh, right. But when Section Chief Yakov and I looked into it, not all of Their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes were involved.”

“Hm?”

“Grand Duke Mikhailovich didn’t commit any real wrongdoing in this affair. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. It has been confirmed that His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Mikhailovich did not take part in the other Grand Dukes’ ventures.”

The Tsar nodded slowly and murmured.

“Come to think of it… Mikhailovich is also the one who brought you to this palace.”

-Knowing Niki, this’ll be enough for him to summon Mikhailovich this very evening and pour out all his woes.

No doubt about it.

The Grand Dukes ruined the war he had all but won himself, after everything he’d worked for, why is everyone doing this to him, thank goodness you at least are different… he’d serve up the whole full-course meal.

No more, no less; exactly that much would be plenty.

The Grand Dukes are vermin gnawing away at this country, but they aren’t low-IQ idiots.

There’s no way they’d fail to notice that the Emperor had suddenly become a different man, and if only for their own survival, they’d go hunting for the source of the disaster.

…And yet exactly one of their number didn’t get caught?

-Wow, and here you said you were writing letters to repay a debt of gratitude. Was this the plan from the start?

No idea what you’re talking about.

I am repaying it, aren’t I?

I’m giving him the chance to step off a wreck that’s obviously about to sink. What greater repayment could there be?

“I’m sure Grand Duke Mikhailovich will understand Your Majesty’s intentions perfectly.”

This is the excision of one of this country’s most rotten sores.

I’ll bring every method at my disposal to bear.

* * *

Just as Mikhail and Seong-jun had predicted, the Grand Dukes were registering the Tsar’s change more keenly than anyone.

Exactly one day after the Tsar announced he would investigate the entire Far East corruption package.

A grand dinner banquet was held at the mansion of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich.

Banquets hosted by the Grand Duke’s wife, Maria Pavlovna, were always the talk of Petersburg society, but tonight’s guest list was more extraordinary than ever.

Vladimir Alexandrovich.

Sergei Alexandrovich.

Nicholas Nikolaevich.

Alexander Mikhailovich.

Kirill Vladimirovich.

No fewer than five of the Seven Warlords of the Sea who reigned at the summit of the Romanov imperial house had gathered in one place.

The single empty seat belonged to Sergei Mikhailovich, who had been summoned by the Emperor to the palace and could not attend.

Lavish dishes filled the table and the finest wines flowed freely, but the mood of the banquet was anything but convivial.

When Maria Pavlovna dismissed the servants, Grand Duke Vladimir slowly set down his glass and spoke.

“You all feel it, don’t you. His Majesty has changed.”

The already chilly atmosphere sank a degree lower.

“Let us be honest. Everyone here knows His Majesty well. The Niki we know couldn’t plan a hunt on his own, let alone a war, could he?”

Sergei Alexandrovich stroked his wine glass and nodded.

“Handpicking Makarov, predicting the Japanese army’s surprise attack, even severing their funding… did Niki truly do all of that?”

“It does defy common sense, certainly.”

Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich narrowed his eyes, arms crossed.

“Someone must be pulling the strings from behind. And this time, that someone has reached for our concessions as well.”

Vladimir nodded and swept his gaze around the table.

“We are all agreed, yes? That now is not the time to waste checking one another.”

By nature, the Grand Dukes, each enjoying enormous concessions of his own, had never been bound tightly into a single bloc.

The Alexandrovich faction, the Nikolaevich faction, and the Mikhailovich faction kept one another in check and, on occasion, even planted knives in one another’s backs.

But however poor the relations, when an outside enemy attacks, one must join forces. That is the way of things.

“Agreed.”

Nicholas Nikolaevich was the first to raise his hand.

Kirill, glancing at his father, nodded along, and Sergei Alexandrovich silently inclined his head.

Only Sandro, Mikhailovich’s own elder brother, hesitated a moment before giving a small jerk of his chin along with a sigh.

“Good. Then first, we must narrow down who the mastermind behind the scenes holding His Majesty’s strings might be.”

Vladimir fanned out his fingers one by one.

In truth, three strong candidates had already been shortlisted.

But there were more than enough grounds to eliminate the first two.

“It isn’t Pobedonostsev. If that old man had any real ambition, he would have been scheming since the days of the late Emperor. He is a conservative to the marrow; the very thought of manipulating an Emperor would never occur to him.”

“Then what about Yakov, the Okhrana section chief?”

“That man is a limb, not a head. And he is a fervent devotee of the Tsar besides.”

Vladimir smoothly folded down two fingers.

“Then, by process of elimination, what remains is….”

A heavy silence pressed down upon the table.

Every gaze drifted, as if of its own accord, toward the seat of the one man who should have been present.

“Let us consider the facts. We all know whose mistress Kschessinska is. Grand Duke Mikhailovich keeps His Majesty’s former lover at his side; of course he would be well versed in the affairs of the court.”

“And on top of that, every one of us stands to take a hit in this affair, yet Grand Duke Mikhailovich alone slipped out clean. There are limits to coincidence.”

Nicholas Nikolaevich snapped sharply.

“What’s more, he is absent from this very gathering. Heh heh heh, he cannot come because His Majesty summoned him personally, is that it?”

And on top of it all, one more piece of decisive evidence.

Vladimir lowered his voice.

“The boy from the Odoyevsky collateral line, the one His Majesty supposedly dotes on. The man who first brought that child to the palace was also Grand Duke Mikhailovich.”

“They say Niki is even giving that boy from the Odoyevsky collateral line an early education, meaning to raise him as the leader of the Okhrana….”

“So the two of them have been in bed together for ages. To think we are only noticing now.”

With this many pieces fitting together, could anyone still deny it?

“Let us stop here. There is nothing more to see.”

“Indeed… brother or not, with evidence this solid, I cannot take his side.”

Whether Grand Duke Mikhailovich had egged the Emperor on, or the two had conspired together, the fact that a blade was about to be pointed this way was beyond dispute.

When Grand Dukes ran a little short, surely they could divert a bit of the state budget; how petty did one have to be, to restrict even that?

“If His Majesty insists on taking the wrong path, is it not our mission, as the elders of the imperial house, to remonstrate and set him right?”

“Agreed. Let us pool our strength together. So that this country, Russia, may advance down the righteous path!”

After all the years they had spent loyally serving this country, now, at this late hour, their rights were to be restricted?

Tsar or not, this was plainly a step over the line.

“If anything, this is for the best. Drawing a clear line here wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.”

Soft as Niki was through and through, if the elders of the imperial house united and pushed as one, he would end up extending his hand with an apology in the end.

Whoever might try to manipulate the Tsar, in the end, Niki was still Niki.

Apply just the right amount of pressure, and he would surely tuck his tail and ask to be friends again.

“Mark my words. So long as we stand together, this is a fight we could not lose even if we tried.”

Viewed coldly, this fight was as good as over the moment it began.

Because the Emperor they had watched for decades was an incompetent beyond all saving.

~~~

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