I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 641 Departure
Nicholas liked to inspect the front lines, and he would often travel from Riga to the Black Sea, a distance of one or two thousand kilometers, which took one or two months.

Since the outbreak of the World War, George has been based in Constantinople and has almost never left except to attend meetings in St. Petersburg.

In Constantinople, George rarely came into contact with grassroots officers and soldiers. On the contrary, Alexandra had more contact with grassroots officers and soldiers because of her work.

The imperial nobles and officials attributed the unfavorable war situation to the queen's interference in government affairs and the war, and they still had expectations for Nicholas and were not completely disappointed.

The soldiers placed the blame squarely on Nicholas' incompetence.

No matter how long the queen's arms are, they can't reach the front-line base.

The so-called decision on the appointment and dismissal of officials was also made through Nicholas. Without Nicholas' support, the Queen's decree could not leave the Winter Palace.

The Cossacks' feelings are simple and pure. They will follow whoever is strong.

Since this winter, rumors have been widely circulated in Constantinople that the only way to save the Russian army on the northern front is to let Nicholas abdicate to Alexei and then let George serve as regent.

After Alexandra finished explaining, everyone's eyes were focused on George.

"Have a meal!"

George is calm and composed.

George had no real interest in being regent.

Nicholas was indeed responsible for the Russian defeat on the northern front, but it is unfair to put all the blame on him.

Little Nicholas has a greater responsibility than Nicholas.

Sukhomlinov, Zhilinsky, Ivanov, Rennenkamp, ​​and even Samsonov who committed suicide after being defeated, everyone who participated in this war has a responsibility.

Because of Nicholas' position and the Queen's extraordinary behavior, his responsibility was infinitely magnified.

What George was thinking about during this period was whether the huge and corrupt Russian Empire was still worth saving.

The empire does not belong to George alone, it belongs to everyone.

Zhilinsky messed up the Battle of Tannenberg, but not only was he not held accountable, he was also able to go to Paris as a liaison officer.

It is said to be derogatory.

But being demoted from bitter and cold Poland to the glamorous world of Paris is a job that many people dream of.

The Russian army suffered losses of more than 300 million in the first year of the war. Not only was Nicholas the Younger not held responsible for this, but after voluntarily resigning as commander-in-chief of the Northern Front, he also earned himself a reputation for not being power-hungry. This is simply outrageous!
The situation is tight at the front and at the rear. In August this year, the State Duma was re-elected and its size increased from 8 to 465. The State Duma did not discuss how to increase industrial production capacity and provide better protection for the front, but discussed whether to add five additional seats for Constantinople.

After the Ottoman Empire ceded Constantinople to the Russian Empire, the State Duma began to discuss whether to establish a governor-general's district in Constantinople or a province directly under the jurisdiction of the empire.

Before any conclusion could be reached, World War broke out and all issues not related to the war were put on hold.

Is such an empire worth saving?
These vested interest groups, who are obsessed with power struggles, engage in intrigue all day long, only care about their own rights and don't care about the lives of others, deserve to be thoroughly liquidated!

Alexandra was very disappointed. In her imagination, George should have stood up and turned the tide to save Russia from the disaster like he did in the Russo-Japanese War.

After dinner, Anne took Alexandra for a walk in the garden.

Boris (Alexandra's dog) is old and has to stop and catch his breath after walking a few steps.

Anne and Alexandra took two steps and then stopped to wait for Boris.

"Don't blame your father. He and His Majesty grew up together, and their relationship is so deep that sometimes I get jealous. Your father and His Majesty are both people who value affection, just like family. They may have conflicts, but there will be no war—"

Anne knew George and Nicola well.

"Amusha's body is not suitable for being a tsar. He doesn't want to be a tsar, and he doesn't even want to get married. Like Olga and the others, he doesn't want his children to suffer from hemophilia."

Alexandra was very sad. She had a good relationship with the princesses and they often corresponded.

Anne sighed deeply, even if Nicholas' children did not get married, hemophilia would continue to ravage European royal families.

Fortunately, this disease does not harm ordinary people.

"Since His Majesty has chosen the Queen, this is the price he must bear."

Anne also felt sorry for those children, but when she thought of their mother, she became cold as ice.

"How do you know those things?"

Anne is concerned about Alexandra's relationships.

"Everyone is talking about it. Before, they would hide it, but now it has reached the point where it is discussed openly."

Alexandra wanted to turn a blind eye, but she couldn't.

George also attached great importance to this issue, so after dinner, George returned to the headquarters.

Although Alexandra served in the army, she was always under George's close protection. She was surrounded not only by female officers but also by Cossack women who served as guards.

Under normal circumstances, Alexandra should be accompanied by a maid, a nanny, and even a tutor.

Due to Alexandra's strong opposition and military regulations, there were less than 20 people around Alexandra.

Alexandra's lady-in-waiting (housekeeper) was called Caroline, the wife of an officer, and a graduate of the Smolny Girls' School, which only accepted girls from the nobility.

"Sasha is well-liked by the officers, but she treats everyone equally and never has private dates. Even when she hangs out with the officers, she hangs out with them in a group. Most of the discussions are about military and politics, and never involve emotions—"

Caroline's report made George both worried and relieved.

George and Anne had three sons and only one daughter, Alexandra.

As his father's favorite, George certainly didn't want to marry Alexandra off. But after hearing Caroline's description, George was happy and worried that Alexandra would go astray.

How could it be possible that Boris already had a child and Alexandra didn't even have anyone she loved?

It’s not that I don’t like it.

"Sasha often corresponded with the princesses, especially Princess Olga. When he was in St. Petersburg, Sasha often stayed with the princesses -"

George was stunned.

The Tsar's princesses did not want to marry.

What's going on? Is Alexandra planning to join the princesses for warmth?
Outrageous!

Off the charts!
George didn't have time to investigate Alexandra's interpersonal relationships, and returned home to find a solution with Anne.

"I would rather my children live alone than accept an Olga-style marriage."

Anne's mind was far more open than George had imagined.

Although Olga was the Tsar's sister, not only was her marriage unhappy, but she also became the topic of conversation among the aristocracy in St. Petersburg, a tragic life.

"I should have let her get in touch with little Philidor."

George regretted that he should have chosen one that was more pleasing to the eye.

"Heh, who was it that disliked little Fili for being too effeminate?"

Anne was in a bad mood, and George was largely responsible for Alexandra's character.

The first person that most girls admire is their father.

If Alexandra looked for a partner based on George's standards, she would end up living alone.

Since Alexandra was a child, there have been so many people who care about her. Anne never objects to Alexandra's contact with others, but George is picky and doesn't like anyone.

You want to take the cabbages from my house, but don’t you look at your own character?

"That was the beginning. You have to find a way to get her back."

George now thinks that the nickname Sasha is too masculine. It's not as good as Alex.

That's not right either. Alexandra's nickname is not Alex.

"Great! Are you blaming me now?"

Annie is not to blame, both husband and wife are responsible for this matter.

"Isn't it your responsibility?"

George has always believed that the family model is that the man works outside and the woman works inside.

"Go to the study and sleep! I don't want to see you now—"

Anne was increasingly displeased with George.

George went to the study in dejection, not daring to offend the menopausal woman.

The next day, George asked Christie if there were any good talents in the army.

Christie was very sad. Am I not the same in the eyes of the Grand Duke?

That's not possible either, because Christie and Alexandra are related by blood, so they are excluded.

From this perspective, there are really not many people who meet George's standards.

Young officers who graduate from military academies usually start their careers in the army as lieutenants, a level that is simply out of George's sight.

Nobles start their military service as captains, and are cannon fodder at the front lines. To be qualified to enter George's eyes, one must at least be a colonel.

Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to become a school officer before the age of 30.

There were also some lieutenants who performed outstandingly.

During the Battle of the Carpathian Line, Lieutenant Alexander, who parachuted into Victoria with the paratroopers, was awarded the Third Class Order of St. George for his outstanding military achievements.

Alexander was also of the right age, only 25.

After George looked at Alexander's photo, he rejected it outright.

He looks like a savage who has not yet fully evolved. Not only Alexandra, but even George looks down on him.

Taro Kawabe, who fought with the 14th Army in the Anatolian Peninsula, led a small team of only 14 people and captured nearly 200 Ottoman officers and soldiers, including Ahmed Jamal, one of the three great Ottoman heroes.

George didn't even look at the photo.

Lin Jianian, deputy chief engineer of the Constantinople Arsenal, is only 24 years old. He graduated from the Amur Engineering University and studied under Kanunikov, the founder of Amur Industry. He has a bright future.

This person even has children, and two of them, a boy and a girl.

George had no choice but to get married first and then start a career. No wonder his grades are so outstanding.

Alexandra didn't know that George was racking his brains for her lifelong event. As usual, she went to the temporary health school to train novice field doctors. After get off work, she went to the officers' club with a group of young officers to see white thighs.

The dancers in the officers' club were all from the Ottoman Empire. They were beautiful and had great figures. Their feet were as tall as a person. Their white thighs were faintly visible under their fiery red skirts. Alexandra, like the other young officers, was drooling over them.

(End of this chapter)