Standing on the dock, Jochen stomped his foot hard, and the air he exhaled formed into clouds of white smoke.

Russian Foreign Minister Robertov, who came to greet him at the pier, greeted him and bowed slightly: "Welcome to St. Petersburg, Your Highness Joachim, I feel very honored for your arrival, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nikolai should have come down to greet you, but because of the extraordinary period, His Royal Highness cannot come in person, if there is any neglect, please forgive me." ”

Jochen also saluted: "Your Excellency, I deeply regret the death of His Majesty Alexander, and bring my father's deepest condolences. Cousin Nicky is now suffering from the loss of his father, and it would not be appropriate for him to come and meet me. Your Excellency the Duke doesn't have to mind. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty Frederick, for your condolences, and thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding. You will first go to the Winter Palace and then arrange a meeting between you and His Royal Highness Nikolai. Robertov said.

"It's all up to you." Jochen nodded in gratitude.

After chatting with Robertov, he came to greet the German ambassador to Russia, Ladurin, and greeted him with a smile: "Welcome, Your Highness, you go to the Winter Palace to rest first, and tomorrow I will go to meet you, mainly about how we can reach a consensus with Russia on the issue of Qing Guo, I hope to hear your opinion." ”

"Thank you, Your Excellency Ladurin, but my visit this time is completely courteous, and I don't care about political and diplomatic issues, you still have to find His Excellency Luo Denghan for specific questions. I'll go to the embassy tomorrow to see how you work. ”

"Okay, Your Highness, then I'll be waiting for you tomorrow."

Alexander III died on 20 October, and as a sign of condolences and an opportunity to reach some consensus with the Russians on the Qing Dynasty, Jochen sailed on the newly built royal yacht Hohenzollern (II). From the port of Kiel, through the Baltic Sea, to St. Petersburg by land and sea, the ship also arrived with the German Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Rodenhan.

Although Jochen's visit was completely courteous, and the specific matters were all negotiated and negotiated by Deputy Foreign Minister Luo Denghan, it did not mean that Jochen could not have a relationship with his cousin when he met. If Nikolai could have expressed his desire for an agreement between Germany and Russia, negotiations with Robertov would have been much less difficult.

St. Petersburg, which has been the center of the Russian Empire since Peter the Great moved its capital here in 1712, also shows Russia's long-standing ambition to gain access to the sea.

The Baltic Fleet was also the most powerful Russian fleet at this time, and the German Navy had to divide its forces to cope with the pressure from the Baltic Fleet before the Kiel Canal was opened. And this problem will continue until 1900.

Germany Don't look at the interference of Jochen, the strength of the German Navy is far stronger than in history, but looking at the speed of the Russians' expansion, Jochen also has to admit that the navy is now a little inadequate.

In 1884-1892, the Russians started construction of 4 Catherine-class battleships, and in 1887-1889 2 Alexander-class battleships.

At the same time, the Germans built only 2 Oldenburg-class battleships and 2 Electoral-class battleships. Although the two Oldenburg-class ships are still in German ports, they are no longer German warships.

Then 1889-1894. The Russians began construction of 5 more battleships, including the Twelve Apostles, Gangut, Navarlin, the Three Saints, and the Great Sisoy, while the Germans had only 4 Brandenburg-class.

In the following 1895-1900, the Russians started construction of 3 Petropavlovsk-class, 1 Rostislav, and 3 Peresvet-class, a total of 7 battleships.

And the German Admiralty's plan is only 5 Brandenburg-class upgrades, so it's no wonder that Muntz shouts every day that the navy is not enough.

And such a powerful naval fleet allowed Germany to carry it like a man, and Germany historically supplied coal to the Russian navy on expeditions. The provision of logistical support along the way was not only to win over Russia, but also to send away this powerful fleet on its back as soon as possible.

And who would have thought that such an unbeatable fleet would collapse in the Far East.

In order to reduce the burden on the German Navy in the next 10 years, Jochen hoped that the Russians would be able to send some of their ships to the Far East after receiving Arthur, so as to strengthen the Far East Fleet on the one hand. Increase the pressure on the Japanese. On the other hand, don't let them stop under the noses of the Germans every day and add to the jam of the German Navy.

Just as Jochen sat in the carriage and was thinking, he arrived at his lodging, the Hermitage.

Located on St. Petersburg's Palace Square, the Winter Palace is a majestic imperial palace that symbolizes the power of the Russian Empire. Designed by the famous Italian architect Rastrelli, it is an outstanding example of Russian Baroque architecture in the mid-18th century.

Unlike the Charlottenburg Palace in Germany, Schönbrunn Palace in Austria, and Buckingham Palace in England, the Winter Palace feels like the Russian Empire, huge, empty, and cold.

Entering the interior of the East Palace, although the decoration is very extravagant and luxurious, the huge interior space makes this luxury not only not look tacky, but has a sense of grandeur, highlighting the strength and wealth of the Russian Empire.

For now, at least, the Russian Empire is still the steamroller of Europe that Western Europe talks about.

After a few hours of rest in the luxuriously decorated rooms of the Winter Palace, he received an invitation to dinner with Nikolai. Over dinner, Jochen met the de facto ruler of the Russian Empire.

History has judged Jochen's cousin as "mediocre", and Nicholas II, as monarch, relied entirely on the officials he appointed, completely isolating himself from the outside world. Most of the appointed officials are flatterers, and very few are actually capable.

Moreover, Nicholas II, who believed in the divine authority of the king, never paid attention to the people, believing that his power was a godsend and did not need to care about the feelings of the people at the bottom, so during his reign, the people's demands and protests were basically bloodily suppressed.

But such Nicholas II was not a decisive monarch, and the soft-eared Nicholas II was indecisive in diplomacy and administration, vacillating in his attitude, and his ministers had a great influence on him.

Moreover, Nicholas II was also a person who trusted and connived at those whom he believed in or had a good impression of, which could bring German-Russian relations closer.

"Thank you very much for coming, cousin Jochen, I'm sorry I didn't come to greet you at the first time." The young Nikolai was a little thin, tall, handsome, peaceful, and elegant, in contrast to the sharpness and arrogance that emanated from the brow of Jochen's own boss, Wilhelm II, and was very appealing.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, cousin Nicky, I am sorry for the departure of Uncle Alexander, and my father is also sad, he asked me to convey greetings to you. I see that you look a little tired, and although I can imagine that you have a lot to deal with right now, you still need to take a break. Naturally, Jochen was also willing to have a good relationship with the tsar of the Russian Empire.

"Thank you for your concern, and thank you Uncle Frederick for your greetings, and I wish him good health." Nikolai responded.

After the two had dinner together, Nikolai was the first to speak: "Cousin Jochen's visit to St. Petersburg this time should be due to the current impasse in our negotiations with the Qing Kingdom. ”

"While it is true that I would like to reach a consensus with Russia on some issues, the main purpose of my visit is to mourn Uncle Alexander. And you will be married in November, and you will bring my blessings with you. The main negotiation issues should be left to His Excellency Rodenhan and His Excellency Robertov.

Russia and Germany are neighbors, and the Romanovs and Hohenzollerns are even more in-laws, and the two sides have a centuries-old friendship. Prussia used to fight side by side with Russia, and we have good trade relations, so I don't worry about any difficulties in reaching a consensus. Jochen erased the political overtones from his body and reaffirmed the intimacy between the two countries so that the meeting would not be so utilitarian at first.

"Of course, I also hope that we can reach a consensus so that it will be beneficial to us." Russia, of course, wanted Germany to be on its side.

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the absence of the secret alliance between Germany and Austria, the agreement on the Black Sea coast, and the fact that trade remained fairly stable, relations between the two countries were now considered to be in the honeymoon period. If Germany and Russia can reach a consensus, it will be much more difficult for Britain to oppose it.

On the other hand, if Germany and Russia reach an agreement first, then the French will be thrown aside, and the Germans are more than happy to do things that can undermine the proximity of Russia and France. Historically, after the intervention of the Three Kingdoms to return Liao, Russia and France immediately put Germany aside and went to discuss the issue of "remuneration" with the Qing State alone. In the end, I had to go to Britain again, and then Britain and Germany put pressure on the Qing country, and only then did they get their share, and now the Germans have to do their best to kick the French out of the way first.

"Of course, I hope so, too." Jochen smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll listen to my cousin, let the two Excellencies worry about the specific matters, and don't talk about these things between us." Nikolai smiled and said, "Cousin will stay in St. Petersburg until the time of my wedding, right?" My cousin came to St. Petersburg for the first time, so he should have a good tour, but unfortunately I couldn't accompany him, which is a great pity. ”

"Now that you have a lot of affairs during this time, why am I embarrassed to bother you."

The two then chatted a little more about homely things, and then ended their first conversation. The first meeting between the two was very smooth, and both parties left a good impression on each other. (To be continued......)