Russian Empire. Coastal Governor-General District. Vladivostok. Russian Far Eastern Front Command.

The combat staff officer Liu Mengxiong looked pale and his eyes were deep, and he no longer had the calmness of the past.

"...Impossible, Impossible, Impossible, the troops they have transformed from cannot be absolutely impossible," the former elite officer of the Ministry of Defense who defected to Russia murmured to himself, with a confused expression, "According to military logic, according to their military traditions and education, and according to the routes of the General Staff, they will definitely move Mongolian troops to the northeast, first of all, solve the war here, and rely on space to exchange time in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia... Yes, four northern military division-level troops appeared in front of the Japanese. We have attracted their Royal Guards. They still have to guard the Bohai Bay. It makes no sense, absolutely no reason."

"This old bastard, Kropatkin, must be a Chinese spy." Liu Mengxiong's expression was already a little ferocious. "If you don't inform the military information at the first time, he will destroy Russia. We actually need to obtain accurate information from the Chinese newspapers. This is shameless betrayal. He betrayed Russia, betrayed the army, betrayed the czar, betrayed the bastard, I will shoot him with my own hands."

"It's enough that Grand Duke Gulaevich seems to have grown up ten years out of thin air. His past calmness turned into deep fatigue, but his eyes were firm as usual. "We have not failed yet. You must understand that even if the entire Baikal Front is destroyed, it will only be one-sixth of the Russian Army. What's more, the current confirmed losses. According to the Chinese, it is only more than 200,000, less than half of the Baikal Front. Russia will not be in trouble because of the failure of a battle."

Liu Mengxiong looked at the Russian commander, his violently undulating chest gradually calmed down, and his face gradually calmed down: "His Excellency Grand Duke, the problem now is that the post Baikal side is empty. In any case, the remnants of the Post Baikal Front can not last long. Now Kulun is also lost, the 36th Division heading south of Chikto was defeated, the Chinese are in the north of the starry night, and the Siberian Railway will be cut off at any time. Our problem now is no longer an attack, but how to prevent us from being isolated in the Far East by the enemy."

"Speak out the countermeasures." Nikolaevich said in great justice.

Liu Mengxiong took a deep breath and his expression returned to firmness: "Your Excellency, our only chance now is to withdraw our troops and rely on the fortress group in Vladivostok-Petakhabarovsk-Chita-Ulan-Ud-Irkutsk to hold on, and strive to gain time for domestic troops to aid. Now, the closest to Ulan-Ud, we have two mobilized divisions in Chita, and two infantry divisions that were broken in Manzhouli to replenish, and there are 40,000 supplementary troops. These troops can be mobilized to Ulan-Ud."

"In addition, our troops must shrink the Chinese army can destroy the Samsonov Corps in such a short time, which at least means that their mobile forces will not be less than twenty divisions," said Liu Mengxiong. "We must now make a choice now. The long Siberian railway line is full of weak links. Now the situation in Baikal is in crisis, and we cannot put heavy troops in the Far East and wait for death."

"Then what you mean is, let's retreat?"

"It's a contraction." Liu Mengxiong said, "Once the Chinese cut off the railway of Baikal and occupied Ulan Ud and Irkutsk, we will be unable to turn the world. Taking advantage of the present, we will gather our troops back. The six infantry divisions in the direction of Hailar should quickly retreat to Manzhouli and block the Chinese army's attack route. In the coastal direction, we defend three key points: Petakarovsk, Ussurisk, and Vladivostok. Here we leave eight divisions to restrain the Chinese people and leave another 40,000 supplementary troops. The remaining eight divisions, including Blagoveshensk's troops, were all transferred to the Chita-Ulan Ud direction, and use these forces to resist the Chinese army's attack on the rear Baikal direction."

"We can calculate that our army has drawn a total of eight infantry divisions from Binhai and Vishensk in Prague, 20,000 for replenishment, and four cavalry divisions. In Chita, we currently have two mobilized divisions, two infantry divisions, and 40,000 for replenishment. In Ulanwude, we also have a garrison division, two mobilized divisions, one cavalry division, and 20,000 for replenishment." Liu Mengxiong said, "In this way, we can concentrate ten infantry divisions and garrison divisions, four mobilized divisions, five cavalry divisions, and eighty thousand for replenishment. As long as we add enough weapons, it is enough to reorganize the Baikal Front."

"Our country can urgently draw another batch of troops." Liu Mengxiong continued, "according to the transportation capacity, as long as there is a week, we can draw three divisions from the Volga River Basin, as well as troops stationed in Eastern Europe, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Ukraine can all be mobilized one after another. In any case, the Chinese cannot cut off the Siberian railway."

"In the name of the Chinese threatening the security of the Holy One, I suggest that Your Majesty return to St. Petersburg." At this moment, Liu Mengxiong finally completely recovered his calmness, and even faintly showed a sense of fanaticism. "Now General Kropatkin is captured and his ability to turn the tide to save Russia is the only one who can save Russia. This is the emperor who gives you the opportunity to Russia. Don't hesitate. Please send a report to Your Majesty and take action immediately."

He looked at Grand Duke Nikolayevich still with a calm expression and said excitedly: "For Russia and Romanov, please take on this responsibility no matter what, you are destined to lead this army, this..."

"Send a report to Your Majesty." Nikolayevich said calmly, "I am making the suggestions of my army and begging to act immediately. In addition, the horse ordered the troops to shrink and ordered Chita's troops to leave only one mobilization division, and the rest of the troops gathered as fast as possible, and carried by train to the Ulan-Ude Front Army. All the vehicles in the army are used for the adjustment and deployment of the troops stationed at various key points. Now concentrate the ladder retreat plan of the front line troops in Chita. I will give you five hours to remember that every minute now will determine the fate of Russia."

Liu Mengxiong's pupils contracted and he nodded fiercely.

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Irkutsk, former Governor's Palace, is now the Tsar's Palace.

There was already chaos in the palace.

Reports from Chinese newspapers also reached here. The moment he received the telegram, Major General Mikhail Vasilyevich Alexeyev could not believe his eyes. But after he calmed down, he realized that this might be true.

The Tsar had already taken his favorite ministers to hunt and camp in Lake Baikal the day before. Nicholas II had always longed for the beautiful scenery and hunting grounds here, and planned to have fun here for a few days. This damn war lasted for four months, which really made the Tsar feel bored. Before leaving, he explained that it was not a particularly important thing, so don't bother yourself.

Alexeyev no longer cared about anything else, so he arranged for the messenger to go to Lake Baikal to find the Tsar and his guards.

Looking at the huge military map hanging on the wall, Major General Alexeyev felt a chill from the soles of his feet and head.

According to the Chinese, the entire rear Baikal Front was left with only the first and third army, trapped in a place more than 200 kilometers south of Kulun. Due to the fall of Kulun, the 14th Army of Baikal who went south to rescue the siege was obviously in danger. According to the report, the Chinese army occupying Kulun was mainly cavalry, and at their speed, they could probably be pushed to Ulan-Ude in one week.

Now, in addition to the garrison division, Irkutsk is a guard infantry division and two guard cavalry divisions accompanied by the Tsar. Ulan Ud is just two mobilized divisions, a cavalry division and some messy supplementary troops. The most urgent task now is to rebuild the defense in Ulan Ud and defend the arteries of the Siberian railway line.

What to do? The Tsar is not here, no one can order it without authorization

Alexeyev had no choice but to summon staff and make plans first. He called in the name of the Tsar Command and sent telegrams to various troops in the west, asking about the troops that could be transferred, and quickly formulated a plan for naughty dispatch and transfer of troops.

Two days later, the Tsar rushed back in turmoil.

His Majesty's face was a little gloomy and he was in a bad mood. Seeing Alexeyev, the Tsar barely squeezed out a smile: "Major General, the news you brought made me very sad. Our army was beaten by the yellow monkey, and I must admit it, it is frustrating."

"But this is not a big deal." The Tsar took a deep breath, "Even if he really lost two hundred thousand troops, Russia still has three million troops and another five million people to mobilize. In the name of his ancestor Alexander I, I can smash these yellow monkeys at any time."

Major General Alexeyev looked at the Tsar in amazement, as if he didn't know this Majesty.

"Okay, everyone, I know everything." The Tsar clapped his hands, "It seems that Russia should adopt more traditional tactics. Napoleon and Charles XII's ambitions were buried in the vast Russian land, and now it's the Chinese."

Alexeyev nodded involuntarily.

"It's no big deal." The Tsar seemed to be comforting others, and also seemed to be comforting himself, "This war in the Far East seems to be not as simple as an afternoon tea. The first round is over... But the Chinese will not be proud for too long. If they anger Russia, they will definitely be punished. Yes, these yellow monkeys have successfully angered me..."

Major General Alexeyev couldn't help but interrupt the Tsar's long speech: "Your Majesty, Ulan-Ude is now empty, do you see if you are from Irkutsk..."

"Major General, Irkutsk is the center of the empire's rule over Siberia." The Tsar shook his head, "The Chinese suddenly occupied Kulun. Can you guarantee that they would not come here suddenly? No, Major General, the Chinese are cunning. Ulan-Ude is indeed dangerous. In this way, I will draw from the west, and in the Far East..."

"Your Majesty, Telegram from the Far Eastern Front Command" Communications Staff hurried in and handed a telegram to the Tsar.

The Tsar took it and looked at it, frowned: "The Grand Duke wants to shrink his troops? Retract the troops from the Far East? What should I do if the land that has finally been captured in the Far East?"

Major General Alexeyev said, "Your Majesty's most dangerous thing is Ulan Ude now. As long as we keep here and hurt the Chinese people, we can still take back those lands. The important thing is to defend Ulan Ude and buy time for domestic troops."

The Tsar looked up at him and still shook his head: "No, General, you don't understand politics. Only with these lands in your hands can we have bargaining chips for negotiation. Otherwise..."

Major General Alexeyev swallowed and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty the Chinese gave up the land before, so they won the victory and the great Tsar Alexander I, who gave up the land to Napoleon, and finally destroyed the French dwarf army His Majesty, your concession is only temporary."

The Tsar still frowned and remained silent.

"Your Majesty" Major General Alexeyev's voice increased several times, "If you hesitate, once the Chinese occupy Ulan-Ude, you and the troops in the Far East will be separated, and they will soon be able to reach Irkutsk."

The Tsar's body shook violently, as if he was stung by a hornet, his face turned red: "What? The yellow monkey dared to threaten my safety? They dared to have bad intentions against the great Tsar, they were dreaming... Major General, I authorize you, no, I ordered you, horses to discuss the plan of the emperor's uncle. In addition, Admiral Alekseev, my train... But at this time, leave the capital..."

"The Telegram of His Majesty Baron Witt, Baron Wait," another correspondent adviser broke in.

The Tsar took it and looked at it. His face shone brightly, as if he grabbed a life-saving straw: "The Baron is right... Now he needs to contact Britain, France and Germany to try to mediate this war. Military affairs are very important, and diplomatic issues also need to be paid attention to. Yes, only I can take such an important diplomatic matter. I have been away from St. Petersburg for too long... The East is a disappointing place."

"Okay, Major General, it seems that the capital has more important things waiting for me. Russia needs me." Nicholas II patted Major General Alexeyev's shoulder, "I'll leave it to you. In the Far East, it seems that my emperor's uncle is on the way than Kropatkin. The troops east of the Ural Mountain will be handed over to the emperor's uncle for command. When I return to St. Petersburg, I will mobilize more divisions for him, twenty, no, forty, as much as I want. Believe in me, victory belongs to the great Russia."

Before Major General Alexeyev could respond, the Tsar shouted impatiently: "The navy generals and horses prepare special trains, and the guards, I want to go back to the capital to deal with important matters."

The next morning, the Tsar, who had recovered from his spirit after a night of rest, got up happily, slowly used breakfast, was about to inspect the guards, and then delivered a speech, preparing to leave Irkutsk in the afternoon, but was stunned by a series of news that followed.

Tbilisi, in the Transcaucasus, sent an urgent report: workers went on strike, students took classes, and demanded a variety of demands, some wanted to raise wages, some wanted to stop the war, some wanted to open a Duma constitution, and some demanded national independence.

St. Petersburg sent a telegram: The French financial representatives in the capital asked the government to provide truthfully with the situation, otherwise they would not be able to provide further financing.

News from Baku was confirmed: workers' strikes turned into destruction of factories and oil wells, and fires in oil fields can be seen dozens of kilometers away.

The Polish side has just confirmed that the convoy carrying taxes has lost contact for five days, and it is suspected that it was done by the Polish Socialist Party;

Chinese newspapers published headlines: The besieged Russian First Front Army, Third Front Army, and the 14th Siberian Army that was attacked south to reinforce were completely wiped out.

But the most deadly thing is this: the Siberian Railway was raided at night, and many bridges and culverts were destroyed, so the repair time could not be determined.

The Tsar was pale by the bad news one by one. Now he had only one thought left: the horse left this cursed place and ended the war immediately.

At this moment, the Tsar did not know that all kinds of people were traveling in the Russian Empire like the North Sea monster. They each had their own ideas, different means and different goals, but they had a common idea: that is, to overthrow the rule of the Romanov dynasty.

Russia's various parties with different purposes are preparing for various violent activities;

Russia's constitutional reformers are organizing a series of peaceful petitions and even more intense coercion;

The citizens of Russia, who are nervous by rising prices and increasing taxes, are looking for opportunities to vent their dissatisfaction and end the cursed war;

The soldiers in western Russia were shocked by the brilliant achievements achieved by the Chinese, fearing that they would be mobilized to the east as cannon fodder, and various conspiracies were underway within;

The ethnic minorities within the Russian Empire began to gradually learn some scattered news from the East, and an undercurrent that was indescribable began to surge;

The Russian Empire gathered a civilized nation-state, the various grand priests and national autonomy elements, and many factions began to incite nationalist sentiments semi-openly.

The chaotic Tsar and his civil and military officials did not know that the seemingly messy clues actually pointed to the same place in a tortuous and secret manner. Behind all this, there were hands from the Far East, steadily manipulating the various characters in the front desk, allowing them to write a symphony of the empire at dusk, step by step pushing this great empire that has dominated Europe for hundreds of years into a disintegration abyss.

Under the afterglow of the sunset, the shadow of the bronze statue of Peter the Great on the banks of the Neva River in St. Petersburg is dragging it down. I wonder what the real founding emperor would think in the face of everything in front of him? Where will the fate of this empire go?
Chapter completed!