Reincarnated as Nikolai II

The Great War's clash was the result of choosing to just fight rather than squeeze more.

Then did they only spend on military? Of course not.

Cultural and historical teabagging never misses in such psychological warfare.

"Leipzig's Victory Monument finally completed with 6 million marks! Our proud history that crushed Napoleon! And perfect with the first Emperor's statue beside it!"

"...Good. Then we'll begin preparations for Napoleon the Great's centenary from this year. One Arc de Triomphe isn't enough. First establish the centenary committee, build Sorbonne University annex, rename Paris's largest street, build additional Napoleon memorial museum, then grandly hold Emperor Napoleon's state funeral at Notre-Dame, and magnificently host the Warsaw Duchy founding ceremony you so fear right in Paris. We'll send invitations in advance. Keep them well."

"This bastard?"

"What the fuck?"

Hostility impossible to hide.

As time fills, Europe gradually ripens like earth's produce maturing.

Great powers' sincere psychological warfare.

Perhaps this heightened atmosphere is why Balkan countries could fight among themselves.

Because no one had confidence to deliver the decisive blow that would overflow Europe's cup here.

Just considering 1913's situation, it's already beyond return with one agreement like Morocco.

Germany forward-deploying two battle cruisers and two fast armored cruisers to the Mediterranean. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Mehmed Pasha, de facto leader of the Ottoman Empire, openly declaring they'll sink British colonial navy in the Mediterranean if war breaks out.

Already drawing up domestic power as it comes.

Now realizing we must draw up power to the very last.

"General Kuropatkin."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Rearm Finland and Poland as much as possible. And prepare troops that can be drawn from Asia too."

"Understood."

Colonial armies possessed by Britain, France, Germany, even Netherlands and Belgium smaller than one of our provinces.

I too prepare to draw other countries' armies, insufficient with homeland troops alone.

At this point, Archduke Ferdinand's assassination in Sarajevo seems just an adequate pretext.

Probably even without that incident, given the current situation, someone would have had to launch a preemptive strike.

==

The Amur Governor-Generalship no longer governed just the Amur region and changed its name to Far Eastern Governor-Generalship.

Though Roman, the third governor-general, passed on his term after the Russo-Japanese War, the direction he left remained clear.

No, subsequent governors-general and dispatched military advisors and administrators all had to faithfully follow this tone.

"Now we must militarily incorporate these East Asians as part of the empire too."

"Let's keep their unique culture but reform their military system to be compatible with ours."

"And prepare them to be used for the empire when needed."

As the Greek Empire did in its expansion era and the Roman Empire followed.

Russia's methods of strengthening forces during expansion weren't particularly special from the past either.

Haven't we introduced such military incorporation systems transcending religion and ethnicity in the expansion process to Ukraine, West Asia, and Central Asia from the start?

Cossack units, Islamic units, nomads' cavalry units, Central Asian regional border guards all follow the same method.

While acknowledging the unique historical and cultural circumstances that shaped each nation's development, we must carefully adapt these elements to create something workable in our modern context. The goal is to preserve the essence while making practical adjustments for contemporary implementation.

In that sense, there was one country that fit these requirements better than Manchuria: Korea during its late Joseon period. The Korean peninsula had developed sophisticated administrative systems and cultural institutions that, while distinct, could be more readily adapted to modern governance structures. Its experience with balancing tradition and modernization, particularly during the 19th century, provided valuable insights into managing such transitions.

Korea. Current fifth Governor-General Pavel Rennenkampf couldn't help but be extremely satisfied with Korea's changes.

'Though it's just putting them in uniforms and teaching them to shoot... Still, except Japan, no country in Asia had such trained soldiers.'

Of course, the soldiers only shoot, and the commanders aren't particularly skilled in strategy or tactics.

It's positive that quite a few fought participating with Russia during the Russo-Japanese War, but colonial troops don't become great power level with just one experience.

'But aren't there many?'

Can you believe this small country maintains an army of 100,000?

From 28,000 standing army and 15,000 volunteers during the Russo-Japanese War, they've developed this much.

Though the numbers are inflated including imperial guards and military police for security maintenance... Anyway, it's more than doubled.

Except for military, the empire's intervention in that peninsula country wasn't large, so Korea surprisingly came out quite receptive to military changes.

However, Governor-General Pavel knew too well the limits when that poor country implemented volunteer military service.

"No money. Military industry imports everything except uniforms. Didn't greatly ride the empire's economic boom either. Just got a slight taste."

Conscription. Only implementing conscription in that country would complete the Far Eastern frontline base that the Russian Empire desired.

An army unsupported by budget is difficult to expect qualitative improvement, so it must increase quantitatively.

That country's navy... might as well not exist.

As Governor-General Pavel was gazing at Korea wondering 'When will that peninsula be able to implement army conscription?'

Orders flew in from the capital.

"...Maximize Korean military armament and prepare them to be deployable from now?"

It's not impossible since railways already connect from Korea to Europe. Just takes long.

However, if it were simply sending one corps level, such orders wouldn't have come down.

What would they do bringing one colonial corps all the way to Europe?

"...This is."

Though Russia is Korea's protecting counterpart, Korea also has the duty to participate in Russia's wars.

That's the definition of mutual defense.

"An opportunity for conscription."

It's also an opportunity given to Pavel.

While former Governor-General Roman became a war hero by excellently defeating enemies, Pavel's military achievement would depend on how well he raises these Koreans to send to Europe.

As many as possible. Not one corps but minimum four or five need to be sent.

"Hey, adjutant. Contact the Korean Military Ministry. No, no. I should go myself."

Gathering forces from Manchurian Chinese too and squeezing from Korea, how many could be gathered?

Wouldn't it be more than a decent military district?

'There's no such thing as free great power goodwill.'

Though uncertain whether war will really break out in Europe, or rather if the Tsar plans to strike first.

He's a soldier. He follows orders.

And now the Tsar wanted Korea and Manchuria to conduct an expeditionary war this time.

Just like Russia had done.