Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 295: Chess of Giants (3)

There are times when Father falls into deep contemplation.

During such times, even those around him find it difficult to approach, pressed down by the solemn atmosphere.

"How many days has it been now?"

"Three days."

"Is it difficult for you too, Prime Minister?"

"Ha ha, how could it be difficult for me? I'm a man living day to day, so I'm just used to it."

"Then why don't you go and do something?"

"Well, that's a bit..."

"...You said it wasn't difficult."

"Even in old age, being afraid of His Majesty the Tsar remains the same."

I've heard that veterans often struggle with the gap between wartime and daily life, but seeing Prime Minister Stolypin display such behavior is absurd.

"And didn't you, Tsarevich, try to drive me out?"

"No, that was before the Great Depression, wasn't it? Think about your reputation back then, Prime Minister. And what do you mean drive you out? I don't have that kind of power."

"This old man's feelings were already hurt back then."

Bickering with this cunning Prime Minister before a door makes me feel like a child showing off petty tricks.

But once the door before us opens:

"He asks you to come in."

"...Let's go."

"Yes."

Such lightness instantly scatters into the air.

The Prime Minister who has continued his term once again.

And the Crown Prince.

Nikita couldn't know what would bring the two of them together before his father.

Moreover, the summons amid his father's continued deep contemplation naturally creates tension.

'Even at this age, I'm still a child who gets nervous in front of Father.'

Even though he had resolved to stop comparing himself to his father, is it that the human heart doesn't work as intended?

"You've come. Sit."

When face to face not as father and son but as Tsar and Tsarevich, such resolutions become meaningless.

"First, Prime Minister. About this Jewish immigration issue, what do you think about us accepting them?"

"Jews are a double-edged sword. They engage in finance and activate private finance, but at the same time, they establish themselves as a separate group within the country. To use a metaphor, they're like private organizations within the military."

"Integration is difficult indeed."

"Yes, it is."

The two began discussing the issue of Jewish persecution that has recently become more prominent.

"You're against it."

"I've always been against it. While nationalism can be tolerated, when religion is added to ethnicity, integration remains difficult. The reason Jews in our country are quiet is..."

"I know. It's because of me, isn't it? They only began to be accepted after entering my era. The short history means they haven't assimilated with the empire's citizens but are still in the process."

As the conversation between the two continued, Nikita recalled this Jewish issue once more.

With the Nazi regime in place, Germany is already using public power to try to kill individuals.

Let's say this part is understandable since they've been shifting the blame for their defeat onto Jews since Hindenburg's time.

But other countries:

'It's excessive. Aren't they excessively oppressing the Jewish people?'

Pogroms have become prevalent, transcending the religious logic of Protestants to become like a paradigm of the era.

Well, seeing how the Dual Monarchy started killing Jews as soon as war broke out with Serbia, it might be a phenomenon difficult to interpret logically.

"Nikita, I called you because I wanted to ask you too."

"Please speak."

"As you know, these Jews aren't a problem for me. It would be accurate to say that no issue rises to the surface during my reign."

"Why is that?"

"It's simple. Because it's me."

"..."

Nikita was left speechless at Nicholas's simple answer.

'Yes, that's the kind of person he is. A man overflowing with confidence to the point of self-assurance.'

At this point, perhaps it's his own problem for expecting a unique interpretation from his father.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with what he said, but at times like these, the irreverent thought that Father might have severe narcissism crosses his mind.

"I have no reason to designate Jews as enemies to unite the rest of the citizens like the Nazi Führer, nor do I need to consolidate power through conflicts between ethnicities like Roosevelt. Simply put, I'm not in a position to divide sides and choose one."

"...I'm different."

"Yes. Because this issue will explode not during my reign but during yours. Let me give an example. If Zionists insist that you build them a state, what would you do?"

In this vast empire, there have always been ethnicities or regions that historically wanted independence, and recently, the solution has always been one:

Independence is granted if they pay the price.

The Ottoman regions, which weren't incorporated into the empire despite their defeat, are an example, and Finland is the representative.

Similarly, just looking at the story of the one-armed general, Major General Hertsel, which has spread widely like a children's book, the reason the Jewish people were recognized as empire citizens is because they made great contributions during the Russo-Japanese War.

Then perhaps Father's answer is already determined.

"I would have to give it to them. What else could I do? But the price wouldn't be small."

"What do you mean by price?"

"If the United States continues to not accept Jewish immigrants, that is, if they don't intervene in this ethnic conflict issue, then Jews will have no choice but us, Russia, in the future as well. And Zionists will try to use our country's power to obtain independent territory and a state, so appropriate demands must be made. Participation in war, war expenses, and even the future political interests of the state."

"Hmm..."

Are Zionists the only ones who've tried to use imperial power to achieve their goals?

Such people have been abundant so far and will continue to appear.

Suppressing them with force each time is a loss.

"Nikita is thirty-two this year... That's appropriate."

"It is appropriate."

"What was I doing at that age?"

"That would have been right before the Far East War and after the purges and land reforms, so exactly when you were getting married, wasn't it?"

"I have vivid memories of the Qing Dynasty being in chaos, so that must be it. Ah, I've lived a busy life since my youth."