Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Especially as Prime Minister, Ito couldn't help but think of war expenses even if they gained Korea through all-out amphibious landings.

'Already issued 97 million yen in bonds just this year. With 4-5% interest bonds, the maximum bearable amount without national bankruptcy is about 800 million yen.'

Within that, is it possible to eat up Korea, invade Manchuria, gain the upper hand, and negotiate peace?

"...No indeed. This is a war we shouldn't wage."

Rather, yes rather, it would be right to create a structure to divide Korea and Qing with Russia.

If they could build naval power to guarantee safe sea routes, continental expansion would be quite possible even without the Korea-Manchuria-Qing route.

Clearly, Ito's reason gave such definitive calculations, but.

"The Tsar has insulted our Great Japanese Empire! How can we call ourselves an imperial nation if we endure this?"

"Public sentiment is heaven's will, and even the commoners in the streets desire the cabinet's righteous decision. Prime Minister, please don't delay the decision."

"Th-the military is inflaming war sentiment without consultation!"

The entire empire except for him and a few moderates was pressuring him.

To start the war quickly.

To occupy Korea immediately.

Ito, who canceled his tour and returned, gritted his teeth and maintained his reason while contemplating 'war with Russia.'

The conclusion, as always, came out as 'economic destruction upon starting war.'

The one who suffered humiliation was Ito himself.

The one who's been suppressing the current desire for war and maintaining domestic affairs is also Ito himself.

"Prime Minister Ito, what are you doing? Do you know how much the Russian army stationed in Manchuria has grown since negotiations with Russia broke down?"

"Then resign! The Great Japanese Empire doesn't need cowards!"

Yet, the world pushes his back.

"...War. War, is it."

Though it shouldn't be mentioned so easily, it was a definitive solution compared to merely superficial diplomacy.

Even for the moderate Ito, the option of war was tempting in the whirlpool of war sentiment.

"Make one last, final proposal for negotiations."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

If complete subjugation of Korea was difficult, at least dominant interests in Korea.

Plus at least equal opportunities for commerce and industry in Qing.

If even one of these was difficult, at least the right to dispatch troops to Korea to appease the military and subjects.

If they could just get this much concession-

"Following Korea's request, our Empire demands the withdrawal of troops guarding the Japanese legation and renegotiation of trade treaties. Additionally, as both countries promised not to exercise military influence on land or sea in the Korean Empire based on the past neutral country treaty, we hope this will be observed. These are the wishes of the Imperial Foreign Ministry."

"Oh, good! Russia is determined to see blood!"

"This is saying let's go to war, right? Right? Prime Minister, what are you doing? Why aren't you drafting the declaration of war! Our military will move first, so just deliver it later!"

"...Ah."

Ito felt like he heard something snap in his head.

Domestic opinion was a problem, but the real problem...

'At this point, doesn't it seem the Tsar doesn't want peace in the Far East at all?'

Was Russia, which matched hands with domestic opinion.

With pressure squeezing strongly like a press from both sides, it was impossible for Ito to hold out with reason alone.

Finally, on December 9, 1903, Togo Heihachiro's fleet appeared in the waters off Incheon.

And three days later.

The declaration of war was also delivered with a time delay.

==

The clash between Russia and Japan in the Far East.

While the powers thought there wouldn't be war due to the two countries' drawn-out negotiations, Japan's surprise fleet dispatch instantly overturned the situation in the Far East.

"Japan has declared war on Russia!"

"It's war, war!"

"Japanese bond interest rates are soaring!"

Japanese bonds, mainly in London and New York markets, instantly broke through 6%.

It was evidence that everyone predicted Japan's defeat from the start.

While most powers predicted Russia's victory, regardless of win or loss, Britain faithfully played its role.

[Prime Minister Balfour warns Five Oceans Fleet will gather in Far East if anyone intervenes]

[British Empire declares alliance will definitely be kept!]

[France draws line that Franco-Russian Alliance is limited to Europe based on former Prime Minister Maurice Rouvier's principle]

Though both sides had the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and Franco-Russian Alliance cards, this rather created a perfect 1-on-1 battlefield.

A war with no room for third party intervention. The Japanese army, which struck from the start, had decent momentum.

"The enemy's Far Eastern Fleet is all docked in Vladivostok!"

"They won't try to force their way out for two months due to sea ice!"

A war started right as ice began appearing in the waters off Vladivostok after deliberately waiting until December.

The occupation of Korea, the first objective of this war, was quite smooth.

They sent forces through Incheon to occupy Hanyang, seized the crucial ports on east and west coasts, and above all.

"Surrender! We didn't come to fight the Korean army!"

"...We won't resist."

They captured Korea's cabinet and king.

It could have been troublesome if the king escaped like during the Russian legation incident, but the start was good.

"Not even a mouse is visible at the Russian legation!"

"The ships docked at Port Arthur and Jemulpo apparently left months ago!"

Of course, Russia never had the option of protecting Korea in the first place.

Instead.

"Come, come quickly! I've been waiting for you for 10 years!"

"According to Korean intelligence so far, the enemy commander is First Army Commander Kuroki Tamemoto with forces estimated between 40,000 to 50,000 crossing through Pyongan Province heading this way!"

"Even though the winter Yalu River is easy to cross, this is too dismissive of me!"

Russia in its own way thought the start wasn't bad.

Roman Isidorovich Kondratenko, who had waited for this war more than anyone, couldn't understand why the Japanese army tried to occupy cities like Incheon, Busan, Hanyang, Pyongyang, and Haeju first instead of coming straight to Manchuria.

And after all that, they only sent 50,000 troops to Manchuria.

'How great a man must Lieutenant General Kuroki Tamemoto be to try crossing the Yalu River with just that many troops? Do they think the fortress I built is worthless?'

If so, it couldn't be more insulting.

"All forces prepare for battle!"

The battle between the First Army, Amur Military Administration, and Russian Army Eastern Expedition Force.

It was the start of the first land battle, <Battle of the Yalu River>.