Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 281: Where Is My Friend (3)

Nikita had analyzed this country in considerable detail before coming to Japan.

'A country that once ran through a period of high growth to the point of challenging the Russian Empire. A people who reached the status of a developing nation faster than any underdeveloped country.'

Can you believe that a medieval-level country grew enough to stand against our homeland in less than half a century through institutional reform called the Meiji Restoration?

To use a hypothetical comparison, it would be like present-day Joseon embracing Western culture and then invading China—a shocking level of development.

Of course, for Russia it was an expeditionary war, and Manchuria wasn't as developed as it is now, but still, the fact that they stood against us for a full year must be acknowledged.

'We did well, it's not that you did poorly.'

In truth, who could have imagined a Tsar like my father would appear and overturn the empire?

That's just an irresistible force, so there's no need to overly disparage this country.

Nikita acknowledges the progress of the Meiji Restoration.

Their abolition of class distinctions, social development, and ultimate centralization all deserve applause.

Nevertheless, why did this country begin to decline in the 20th century?

Nikita established several reasons for this.

First, the loss of purpose.

The Japanese Empire, which had been running for over 30 years with the single purpose of Seikanron (the advocacy of conquering Korea), half-abandoned external expansion after being defeated in the Russo-Japanese War.

For them, development meant becoming a colonial empire.

The country could only grow by creating colonies, which conversely meant that without colonies, there were clear limitations.

Perhaps decline was inevitable the moment they abandoned expansion.

Next, inadequate reforms.

Despite the establishment of the Meiji Restoration government, there were some reforms that weren't carried out, most notably land reform.

'The first thing Father did with Witte was land reform. That shows how fundamental it is to a nation.'

The reason this country's countryside is always poor, and farms inevitably go bankrupt in times of crisis:

It's simply because self-employed farmers don't have privatized land.

As a result, sons who escape the countryside for the city inherit this poverty. Just like the workers who flocked to cities after the emancipation of serfs.

Finally, the biggest limitation of this country is:

"Steel and oil."

The foundation upon which England could rule the world.

The reason America could embrace the special wartime economy and become a wealthy industrial nation without massive colonies like India.

All industries of this era revolve around steel and oil.

Steam engines have long been pushed out of industry, and coal engines are mainly used only in massive engines.

Now, industry runs on molten iron and oil.

And the Russian Empire held an overwhelming first place in both fields.

"Can you believe that Japan is the country with the highest emigration rate in the world? Workers are fleeing to places like Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States. Farms chronically lack land, and workers' conditions are poor, and if even capitalists find it difficult to do business, who wouldn't run away?"

"..."

"You might find it unpleasant, but reality is reality, you must acknowledge it. Japanese people are treated like coolies around the world. All because the homeland is poor."

A country lacking rubber, coal, steel, oil, and timber.

The Japanese Empire.

Though called a developing country, in reality, it's just a nation growing poorer and waiting to die.

We can't give them our markets, but Father has permitted providing them with nutrients to build their strength.

"...I want to ask one thing. Didn't the Tsar want eternal peace in the Far East?"

"That's right. He desires peace in the Far East."

"But the proposal that the Tsarevich is making now... isn't it the opposite?"

"To be precise, as long as the Far East is peaceful, he doesn't care about anything else."

"..."

Prime Minister Makoto's eyes opened wide as if he'd been hit on the head with a hammer.

However, Korekiyo beside him was showing a slightly different reaction.

'This country is finished if it continues like this anyway. It's impossible to continue deficit financing indefinitely!'

The more he thought about it:

'...This is the only way. Staying still means withering away!'

His eyes were gleaming.

Yes, what's the real reason this country has stalled? Isn't it because of the Tsar who keeps preaching about peace in the Far East?

If they had just eaten Korea.

If they had swallowed even part of China.

If they could have used that as a foothold to expand further.

If they'd had the opportunity to escape this damn island, everything would have been different.

If, instead of being a stepping stone themselves, they could use another country as a stepping stone:

'...This could work.'

The Empire might soar again.

"Please think carefully. In the world created by those Western powers, if you don't eat, you'll be eaten."

Perhaps peace never existed in the first place.

Only the superior and the inferior exist, and all relationships might just be predator and prey.

If so, shouldn't his homeland at least be on the eating side?

Steel and oil offered by Tsarevich Nikita.

Korekiyo's mind was already beginning to complicate with thoughts of what to do with them.

==

"It's obvious. They'll start by building ships."

"Is that really so?"

"What's the reason for offering oil and steel? They're giving it to build those, what are you saying?"

Naval power in the Far East has always followed a structure of Russia's Far Eastern Fleet versus the Combined Fleet.

Although it's become less visible due to disarmament, the naval power of both countries has been such a sensitive issue.

But here, a potential naval competitor has offered oil and steel?

"Anyone with sense would have understood immediately. It means it's okay to build up naval power, ignoring the disarmament treaty."

Father was that confident.

That no matter how much Japan rises and crawls, peace in the Far East won't be destroyed.

'Even if we fall behind in naval power... expansion to the continent is out of the question.'

Fighting the Russian Imperial Army in a land battle? If you're curious about what it means to wither and die, go ahead.