I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 519: Smoke of Gunfire
Alex was very lonely in St. Petersburg. Although she had given birth to five children with Nicholas, she still did not receive recognition from the aristocracy of St. Petersburg.

Remember Kshesinskaya, the dancer at the Imperial Theater who was Nikolai's lover?

After breaking up with Nicholas, Kshesinskaya maintained close relations with Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich and Grand Duke Sergei Mihajnovich.

There are rumors in St. Petersburg now that if Nicholas had married Kshesinskaya instead of Alex, the crown prince of the Russian Empire would at least not suffer from hemophilia.

This was a huge insult to Alex.

Alex was born into the Hohenzollern family and was raised by Queen Victoria since childhood. She had her own pride and would not allow anyone to desecrate it.

The rumors in St. Petersburg were like cold needles, piercing Alex's heart and making it difficult for him to breathe.

For Alex, St. Petersburg was like a pebble in a dove's nest that would never hatch.

"Vladivostok is a city completely different from St. Petersburg. When I first arrived in Vladivostok, I was worried that I would not be able to integrate into this city. Later, I realized that my worries were unnecessary because not only me, but everyone in Vladivostok is a stranger in a foreign land. People must unite to survive."

Anne sighs as she recalls the hardships she faced back then.

When Anne first arrived in Vladivostok, the Yuriev Palace had not yet been fully built. The port of Vladivostok was still the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet. George was only the commander of the Amur Military District, and there was someone else as the governor.

Recalling the difficulties she had faced, Anne couldn't help but have tears in her eyes. George seemed to have been doing well these years, but in fact, only he himself knew what it was like. As the Grand Duchess of Yuriev, she also endured pressure that ordinary people could not bear.

Alex held Anne's hand, tears streaming down her face.

When Anne married George, although Alex had a high status, she had no real power and could not provide Anne with any help.

After Alex married Nicholas, Anne no longer needed Alex's help.

"The difficulties were only temporary. We soon built a steel plant and began to expand into science and technology, military industry, chemical industry, fur, home textiles, clothing, health care, and medical treatment. The Far East is truly a magical place, where anything impossible can become possible."

Anne's words were a bit confusing, but it didn't affect Alex's understanding.

"I just hope that Amusa can be healthy now-"

Alex, like millions of ordinary mothers, felt more helpless than ever before.

"Take Amusha to Vladivostok, let him relax, and see if Eastern medicine can help Amusha's condition."

Anne knew how to persuade Alex better than George did.

In order to treat Alexei's illness, Alex and Nicholas sought out famous doctors all over Europe, but there was no good solution.

Didn't Alex know about the rumors in St. Petersburg?
As the queen, Alex knew it very well.

The reason why Alexei could endure the slander of public opinion was because only Rasputin could control Alexei's condition.

Nikolai would give up the whole world for Alexei's health.

The same goes for Alex.

George was stunned when he learned that Alex agreed to take Alexei to the Far East. What he failed to do, Anne did.

"After returning to Vladivostok, I will organize a doctor's consultation with Amusha as soon as possible, hoping to find the right treatment plan."

Anne also hopes that Alexei will recover soon.

"We must minimize the chances of Gregory (Rasputin) getting close to Amusha."

George wasn't sure whether Runev's judgment was right or wrong.

If it were just hypnosis and tranquilizers, Gregory would have been fine.

Compared with Radomir Putnik, Alex's younger brother, King Valdemar of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, seems to be more difficult to deal with.

Waldemar, like Alexei, is also a hemophiliac.

Valdemar is only 27 years old this year. He has only one child, a princess, and no male heir.

Nicholas approached Valdemar, hoping that the Kingdom of Bulgaria would change its policies and effectively safeguard the interests of Romanians living in southern Dobruja.

"Niki, I am the King of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Whatever decision I make, it will be from the perspective of the Kingdom of Bulgaria."

Waldemar was not close to Nicholas, and George could even feel that Waldemar was vaguely hostile to Nicholas.

That’s right, the brother-in-law is somewhat displeased with his brother-in-law.

Alex in particular was not happy in St. Petersburg, at least in Waldemar's opinion.

This is not Nicholas' fault.

Alex has the hemophilia gene, so she will not be happy no matter who she marries, unless she chooses not to have children like Sergei and Paula.

Sergei and Paula adopted the two children of Grand Duke Paul and Princess Alexandra. Paula now lives in Crimea with her children.

“Joseph, those Romanians living in Southern Dobruja are also Bulgarians and you should protect their interests as well.”

Nicholas hoped that Valdemar would understand the situation of the Bulgarian Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria was at the forefront of the fight against the Ottoman Empire, followed by the Kingdom of Romania and the Kingdom of Serbia.

The Kingdom of Serbia's target was Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Romanian Kingdom's goal is Southern Dobruja. So once the conflict breaks out, the Bulgarian Kingdom is likely to not get the support it wants from the Balkan Peninsula.

"Ugh--"

Waldemar sighed deeply; he also had his own difficulties.

"Those Romanians living in southern Dobruja do not consider themselves Bulgarians at all. If war breaks out, Romanians living in southern Dobruja will not contribute anything to the empire, but will pass our intelligence to our enemies."

"Joseph, if you want to win the support of the Dobruja people, you must first give them enough benefits."

George was very curious, don't you know everything?

If you want to get something, you must first give it. Our ancestors have long told us what we should do.

That’s not right. This is George’s ancestor, not your Nicholas’.

The political wisdom that Nikola's ancestors left to Nikola is: kill all the disobedient people, and the rest will naturally become obedient.

"They must first prove that they are worthy of the benefits I give them."

Waldemar was a little adamant.

George's intelligence was that Waldemar might have received a promise from William II, so he had nothing to fear.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria and Germany have frequent interactions, and this spring, German Navy Marshal Alfred von Tirpitz visited Sofia.

Before arriving in St. Petersburg, Waldemar went to Berlin.

I might pass through Berlin on my way back.

Is this a case of asking for instructions early and reporting late?
After seeing off Waldemar, George and little Nicholas were not in a hurry to leave, and the imperial meeting continued.

"I'll let Sunny persuade him. Joseph is too ignorant."

Nicholas was very angry, but he had no good way to deal with Waldemar.

"A warning that's neither too big nor too small might be more effective."

Little Nicholas was not to be frank. No matter what pie William II painted for Waldemar, it would be difficult for Waldemar to get it.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria and Germany were separated by the Kingdom of Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If anything really happened, William II's promises would be of little use.

On the contrary, aid from the Russian Empire can reach Bulgaria directly through the Black Sea.

"No, no, no, we can't do this. I can't hurt Sunny. If we do anything to Joseph, Sunny will be sad."

Nicholas's feelings for Alex are truly touching.

George didn't say anything. George and little Nicholas could do it without Nicholas's consent.

George now understands that if everything has to go through Nikola, many things cannot be pushed forward at all. Nikola is like that thing, he will only move if you push him.

The current Prime Minister of Bulgaria is Alexander Bojinov, who participated in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War as a member of the Russian army.

Alexander Bojinov was born in Moscow and lived there until he was 15. He moved to Bulgaria as an adult and has served as prime minister since 3 years ago.

Before Valdemar ascended the throne, the Bulgarian army was formed with the assistance of the Russian Empire. The officers in the army were all from the Russian Empire and there was no problem with their loyalty.

After Valdemar ascended the throne, with the help of William II, the Kingdom of Bulgaria established two infantry divisions that were fully equipped with German standard equipment, all of which were provided free of charge by Germany.

George is not too sure now what the Bulgarian Kingdom has become after being infiltrated by Germany.

George and Nicholas the Younger had basically the same attitude towards the issue of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

If Valdemar is obedient, everything will be easy.

If he doesn't obey, then someone else will be the king. Coups are very common in the Balkans.

George didn't want to hurt Alex either.

But on this issue, George could not compromise, he had to put the interests of the Russian Empire first.

What George didn't expect was that before he could take any action, William II took action first.

On August 8, a group of young officers launched a coup in Sofia, the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and Alexander Bojinov was killed in his official residence.

When the news reached St. Petersburg, even George couldn't help but sigh that these people in the Balkans were really lawless.

The prime minister of a country, and the prime minister supported by the Russian Empire, was killed at will. Do you really think that the Russian Empire is easy to bully?

Young Nicholas was very angry and offered to go to Sofia in person to quell the rebellion on behalf of Valdemar.

On the 4th, Valdemar went to the Summer Palace to say goodbye to Nicholas early in the morning and returned to Sofia immediately.

Nicholas was still hesitating, but George decisively refused.

Want to go?

dream!

(End of this chapter)