Skobelev had been away from the capital St. Petersburg for several years, and this secret return, on the one hand, briefed Alexander III on the current situation at the front, and most importantly on the specific reasons for the crushing defeat of three divisions lost last year. On the other hand, it is also a request for more assistance from the rear, otherwise the front line may fall into a terrible vicious circle.

Of course, it was not easy for him to come back this time, although it was already the beginning of spring in the northeast and other places, but Russia, which is located in the northland, was still a bitter cold. More than a month of rapid horseback and whipping was also a hellish and painful journey for Skobelev, who was already accustomed to his military career. However, as commander-in-chief of the Far Eastern theater of operations, he was forced to return to St. Petersburg. If the northeast launched a large-scale attack at this time, there would be no supreme commander on the front line, so his return this time has become a top secret.

When Skobelev walked into the throne hall, Milyugin was stunned, they were comrades-in-arms a few years ago and participated in the Russian-Turkish war together. Later, after the end of the war, Skobelev was directly transferred to the Far East to carry out the war with the Northeast Autonomous Region, although there were several years of going there, but at this time Skobelev had long lost the sharp spirit he had at the beginning, and he looked very old.

The Imperial Throne Hall is resplendent in gold, no weaker than the royal palaces of other European countries, and it is the most sacred center of power in Tsarist Russia, full of artistic luxury, and under the majesty and coldness of endless power.

Although Alexander III had a smile on his face when he saw Skobelev, there was a hint of gloom in his eyes, and it was clear that the tsar was not satisfied with the achievements of the generals in front of him.

Skobelev entered with a man in military uniform, burly in his fifties, with a round face and two thick beards under a hooked nose. However, his hair is noticeably inferior to the bushy beard, grayish hair color, and Mediterranean hairstyle.

This person is named Mikhail Ivanovich Dragomilov, who is currently the head of the General Staff of the Russian Empire. Until the age of forty, he either taught at the Academy of the General Staff or held a civilian position. By 1869, he became chief of staff of the Kiev Military District. Four years later, he served as commander of the 14th Infantry Division, which during the 10th Russo-Turkish War successfully commanded the division to cross the Danube near Zymnicha and fought in the Battle of Sipka. Now taking the post of head of the General Staff College also fully demonstrates the Tsar's trust in this person. There have been rumors that he will take over the post of commander-in-chief of the Kiev Military District of the four major military regions in two or three years.

Speaking of which, Dragomilov and the current Minister of War Milyugin are both the founders of the military ideology of the Tsarist Russian Army, but the doctrines advocated by the two sides are very different. In the Prussian-Danish War, the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War, the German Army has become recognized as the first army in the world. Even with the strength of the Northeast Insurance Corps, if you talk about the average quality of the soldiers, it is obviously not comparable to the German Army. However, Wang Yi also believes that if the main division in the northeast is compared with Germany, the strength of the two sides should be equal.

Because of the status of the world's first army, the German army naturally became the main object of study in all countries of the world, so there was a debate between Dragomilov and Milyukin about the future direction of the development of the Tsarist Russian army.

Dragomilov believed that the Prussian Army was strong because it was strong-willed and fearless, and the ordnance was relatively unimportant. And Milyugin believes that the strength of the Prussian army stems from the research and bold application of new military weapons. Because the former has a strong idealistic tendency, it is not recognized by later military circles. The latter, comparatively speaking, is more valued.

However, for Tsarist Russia, because of the backward level of science and technology, low productivity, the whole country is still feudal serfdom, the land is vast and the people are poor, and the land is bitter and cold, so for the tsar, who lives a luxurious life all day long, his heart is more inclined to the former. Such a huge country has a population of more than 100 million, so for the tsar, the most worthless thing in the empire is people, and it is not a problem to take people to death. Coupled with the vast territory and vast strategic depth, it was not easy to really conquer Tsarist Russia. However, the Tsar had always liked to face Europe and learn from Europe, and naturally understood that it was impossible to realize the dream of conquering Europe by relying only on Dragomirov's theories.

Somewhat similar to the American idea that God blesses America, Russia is a nation that considers itself different and unique. In Dostoevsky's novel The Demons, the nationalist Shatov said: "A truly great nation never disdains to play a secondary role in humanity, or even a first-class role, but must play a unique role." If a nation loses that faith, it ceases to be a nation...... The only nation that embodies God's will is the Russian nation. ”

It is this realization that the tsars of successive generations have regarded themselves as the Third Rome, willing to fall, and lagging behind Europe is obviously unacceptable to them. As a result, Dragomilov can now only be the dean of the General Staff College, and Milyugin, who pays attention to the development and updating of weapons and equipment, is the Minister of the Army. Of course, both tsars were used, but in different considerations.

"Greetings to His Majesty, Commander-in-Chief of the Far Eastern Theater of Operations, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev. May God bless my emperor until he grows old. ”

Whether it was true or not, Alexander III immediately got up from the throne, walked up to Skobelev, who was kneeling on one knee with a smile on his face, put his hands in his hands, and said: "General Skobelev, please, you have worked hard in the past few years." ”

"My emperor is lenient, and his subordinates dare not be ashamed, and they can't keep the enemy out of the country, which is a dereliction of duty for their subordinates."

Milyugin laughed at this time and said, "Your Majesty, let's let General Skobelev talk about the front line." ”

Because of the secrecy of Skobelev's return, it was obviously not suitable for a large-scale military meeting, and only four people including Alexander III were left in the throne hall. If someone leaked the news, the intelligence officers in the Northeast would only need a telegram to make Tsarist Russia run into big trouble in the Far East.

"Can you find out the specific reason for last year's defeat?"

"This ......" Skobelev hesitated for a moment, and then said: "The specific process of this matter has been determined, the Northeast Insurance Team used some means to drive our three divisions to the east, and later entered the encirclement they arranged in advance, although I sent troops to rescue, but at that time the main force of the Northeast Insurance Team was attacking on all fronts, and our pressure was very great." ”

"What does a means mean?" Alexander III asked suddenly.

Skobelev opened the leather bag he had brought, took out a few pieces of paper from it, and placed them in front of several people present.