Nicholas II showed his determination to continue the war, but this made the Russian officials bitter. If you want to continue the war, it is not so easy, and it is not enough to pay lip service.

"Your Majesty, Britain and France have rejected our request for a loan, and they are not willing to put pressure on the northern government for us in the negotiations." This was stated by Foreign Secretary Izvorsky.

The most serious problem facing Russia now is the imminent collapse of its finances. If the war is to continue, it will take a lot of money. It's a pity that Russia has long run out of money. Now the British are reluctant to lend to them, which undoubtedly makes the problem even more serious. Without money there is no way to mobilize the army, there is no way to procure weapons and ammunition, there is no way to continue the war.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Sergei. Werther opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything. He was going to propose a tax increase, but just now the Minister of the Interior Vyacheslav. Previ said that the situation in the country is already tense. If we propose a tax hike now, I am afraid that it will cause riots. At that time, in the case of internal and external troubles, it will be even more impossible for Russia to win this war.

Nicholas II's brows furrowed tightly, the problem of money is indeed a big problem. Without money, nothing can be done.

"Damn the British and the French, they clearly don't see us as allies." Nicholas II said angrily.

This is undoubtedly evident that France and Russia united in response to their old enemy, Germany. Britain and Russia signed the Treaty of Alliance in order to suppress the Allied bloc led by Germany. In the past, Britain had surrounded Russia everywhere to prevent it from expanding outward. In order to avoid giving Russia ice-free ports. The British tried their best to stop the Russians in the Middle and Far East, even supporting the Japanese in their war against the Russians. However, when the German threat to Britain grew, they chose to put aside their grudges and unite with the Russians against the Germans.

Just, now it seems. The British clearly used Russia as a pawn against Germany. This made the Russians very dissatisfied, especially now that Russia's interests were damaged, the British not only did not help, but also put pressure on Russia.

"If we want to defeat the Northern Army, how much more will it cost?" Nicholas II asked. Since neither the British nor the French can be relied upon, they can only rely on themselves. In order to win the war and defend the honor of the Russian Empire, Nicholas II was out of the question.

"Your Majesty, in view of our current defeat on the battlefield. If you want to defeat the Northern Army, you must send at least one million men to the Eastern Siberian Governorate. Therefore, it will take us a long time to prepare for a counterattack, and it will also cost a lot of military spending. It is expected that preparations will not be completed until next spring at the earliest. As for military spending, it is more than a billion rubles. War Minister Sukhhomlinov said.

"A billion rubles?" Nicholas II couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth. Of course, this amount of money is a large amount though. But for Nicholas II, it was still nothing. It's just that. He felt a little pain. The successive tsars of Russia have always increased the wealth of the royal family, and only he is the one who constantly spends the wealth of the royal family. This made Nicholas II feel like a loser.

"Okay. In order to defeat those yellow-skinned monkeys, these military expenses are borne by the royal family! I have only one request, and that is to win the war! Nicholas II said. If you haven't won the war after spending so much money, isn't that money spent in vain?

"Yes, Your Majesty." Sukhhomlinov nodded.

With the huge population base of Russia. Mobilize another million troops, it will be a breeze. Although Russia's industrial strength is weak, it is not a problem to arm an army of millions. At best, it is only necessary to equip these troops with artillery and ensure that the troops are generally equipped with rifles.

"Send some troops to Governor Anuchin first. Let him hold Irkutsk. When we're done, we're going to fight back against the yellow-skinned monkeys. Next year, we must defeat them completely. Nicholas II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Sukhhomlinov couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Nicholas II gave him enough time this time, and he would be careful to try to win as much as possible. As the Minister of the Russian Army, being defeated by the Northern Army was also a shame for him.

"As for the British and French putting pressure on us, we must resist it. Even if they don't want to help us, we can keep the war going. A look of determination flashed in Nicholas II's eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Foreign Secretary Izvorsky nodded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the current Russian Empire has reached its most critical moment. No matter what, we need to win this war, even at great cost. Let the whole world know that the Russian Empire is still a powerful empire that no one can underestimate. Nicholas II said.

As emperor of the Russian Empire, Nicholas II knew that what is now Russia was decaying. After the Russo-Japanese War, the world powers generally began to despise Russia and not take him seriously. This was unacceptable to Nicholas II. If Russia loses again in this war, then they will be completely disgraced. Therefore, even at great cost, Nicholas II hoped to be able to achieve victory. The weakened and decaying Russian Empire needed a victory to make the world realize that they were strong. It's like a dying tiger, but it still makes other beasts dare not provoke.

"Yes, Your Majesty! Long live the Russian Empire, long live His Majesty the Tsar! ”

The Russian ministers were inspired by the call of Nicholas II. As the highest-ranking officials in Russia, they are naturally unwilling to taste the bitter fruits of defeat. Especially being defeated again and again. In that case, they, who are decision-makers, will also have no face!

By the time Nicholas II was determined to continue the war, the 200,000 Russian troops surrounded in Kulen were already in a desperate situation. After the Northern Army surrounded them, it did not launch an offensive, except for endless shelling, it was a siege. This is obviously an intention to starve all the 200,000 Russian troops in the encirclement to death!

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

The hundreds of artillery pieces of the Northern Army were still roaring, and the artillerymen barely had to aim, just firing shells directly into the encirclement. As long as the shell is fired in, it can kill or injure the Russian officers and soldiers inside. At this moment, 200,000 Russian troops were compressed in a place outside Kulen that was no more than ten kilometers long and wide. That's a lot of crowding for 200,000 people.

Although the Russian army temporarily repaired some simple fortifications, it was undoubtedly very difficult to withstand the shells falling from the sky. They were only able to pray to God that the shells would not fall on their heads.

"Young marshal, Lao Maozi can still hold on now, it seems that their perseverance is much stronger than we imagined." Lieutenant General Zhao Xifu, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division and commander of the Western Front Command, lamented.

"We've been besieging them for so many days. Presumably, these guys are almost at the point of running out of ammunition. Wu Haoxuan said affirmatively.

The Russians did not carry much war materials, especially during the opponent's assault on Kulen, which were depleted very quickly. After the logistical supply line was completely cut off and supplies were lost, it was only a matter of time before the more than 200,000 Russian troops were starved to death.

"Young marshal, according to our estimates, the Russians and Britain will not be able to hold out for a few days. We fire so many shells every day, which is also a fatal blow to the morale of these old hairy people. Major General Shi Qingshan, commander of the 5th Infantry Division, said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, he naturally believed this. However, the sooner Lao Maozi here is resolved, of course, the better. It's already mid-August, and in less than two months, the cold winter in the north is coming. When the time comes. Large-scale combat operations must be cancelled.

"Young marshal, an urgent call from Sheng Jing." Zhao Hu, the chief of the guard, sent a telegram to Wu Haoxuan.

Wu Haoxuan took a look, and then said, "Everyone, our negotiations with the Russians have broken down. They did not accept our proposed conditions, and theirs were too harsh. So, it looks like we're going to have to fight this war. As for when it will be over, it depends on how long the Russians can hold out. ”

"Lao Maozi rejected our conditions? That's okay! After the more than 200,000 Russian troops are eliminated, they will not have many troops in the entire Far East and Siberia. If they don't want to give us back those territories, then we'll take them ourselves. Lieutenant General Zhao Xifu said.

"That's right, what you can't get on the battlefield, Lao Maozi doesn't want to get it from the negotiating table, we are not easy to bully." Major General Shi Qingshan also echoed on the side.

Wu Haoxuan nodded: "From tomorrow, intensify the shelling of the Russian army." All the mortars also joined in, moving forward step by step. I'd like to see how long they can hold out. ”

"Yes, young marshal." The generals all nodded their heads one after another.

At this time, the surrounded Russian army was also living like a year. Shells that fall from the sky every day take the lives of countless Russian * soldiers. Their food is also about to bottom out, and their weapons and ammunition are almost exhausted. Almost everyone knows that they are going to fail soon. (To be continued......)

PS: The second update arrives, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you for the book friend 151109223557968, Feng Yuezheng, and Liu Lijin of Dongshan Village, Ningxiang County! Thank you book friend xiaohei1218, Ice and Fire Age, dizziness and shame, I have a premonition of urgency 1, gpz, and the monthly pass of the years of dreams!