"Even if we want to attack, we have to think about the weapons and equipment of the soldiers, the supply of ammunition and food for logistics. The launching of the East Prussian and Galician campaigns has already consumed most of our logistical reserves, and if we want to plan a war again, we must at least have enough supplies to have any hope. Grand Duke Nikolai continued his point of view, refuting the proposal of the Prime Minister.

There is a rather unique situation, unlike all the countries in Europe, the current Russian military supports the suspension of the war, but the government supports the expansion of the war and the continuation of large-scale campaigns to win the results.

This is in stark contrast to the status quo in most European countries, whether it is Germany and Austria-Hungary in the Central Powers or Britain and France in the Entente powers, where the military is more willing to fight than the government.

Hearing Grand Duke Nikolai's rebuttal, Russian Foreign Minister Alexei had already expected it and said: "Your Royal Highness, please rest assured, logistics is the last thing we need to worry about. Our offensive has received support and recognition from Britain and France, and Australasia will continue to provide us with more supplies, weapons and ammunition. ”

"If His Royal Highness is not at ease, logistical assistance from Britain and France will arrive soon, and Australasian weapons and equipment will arrive in Vladivostok within a month."

After all, it is the beginning of the war, and the weapons and material reserves of various countries are quite sufficient, and Russia can also obtain enough weapons and equipment to start a war.

Although the Russian army was not so well equipped, at least not as in history, when several soldiers shared a rifle, and the rifle would only fall into the hands of someone else if they died in battle.

One rifle per man, and dozens of rounds of ammunition per man are the common equipment of the Russian army at present. As for what kind of rifle it is, and whether the ammunition can match it, it depends on the conscience of the Russian logistics department.

Fortunately, the weapons and ammunition supported by Australasia were matched, and accounted for most of the main Russian forces.

At least the combat effectiveness of the main Russian forces can be guaranteed, and judging from the final results of the current wars, the war is still biased in favor of the Russian side.

The war has been fought for half a year, and there is actually a clear contrast in the combat effectiveness of the armies of various countries.

The strongest combat effectiveness is Germany, and the combat effectiveness of the German Army is at the level of disconnection, and it is also the ceiling of the current combat effectiveness of the Army.

In second place is France, the combat effectiveness of the French army is slightly inferior to that of Germany, but the French army is able to withstand the offensive of the main German forces, and the combat effectiveness of the French army can be seen.

The current French army is not like the Second World War, and it is currently the last glory of France, the last dance of white France.

The third in combat effectiveness was the British unit. The British forces here do not refer to all British troops, but to the elite main British army that is not very numerous.

Compared with the armies of Russia and Austria-Hungary, the elite main British army was better equipped and logistically supplied.

In fourth and fifth place are Russia and Austria-Hungary, respectively. The combat effectiveness of the Russian army is still relatively weak compared to Germany and France, but after all, it has manpower that other countries are far from reaching, and the crowd tactics are still very powerful in this era when there are no weapons of destruction.

As for Austria-Hungary, the defeat of Galicia made Austria-Hungary's combat effectiveness several notches behind in the eyes of the population, and it was considered the weakest of the major European powers.

As for Australasia, it did not participate in this ranking because there were not many main troops sent.

But no one will underestimate the combat effectiveness of the Australasian army, which is comparable to or even surpasses the main army equipped by the British, plus the fourth division once fought with a German division on par or even slightly superior, which proves that the main force of Australasia is not weak in combat effectiveness.

"Your Majesty, England and France have promised us that they will bear all the costs of our offensive if we are willing to do so, and that they will forgive us a portion of our loans. Moreover, they will do their best to persuade Australasia to provide us with all the weapons and resources for the offensive, we just need to provide soldiers and organize this offensive. Seeing that Grand Duke Nicholas began to fall silent, Foreign Minister Alexei looked at Nicholas II and said with a blazing voice.

The reason why Foreign Secretary Alexei was so looking forward to launching another offensive was because the British and French masters privately approached Alexei and offered a bribe of 500,000 pounds in exchange for Alexei's strong support for the Russian government to launch a new offensive at the meeting.

As for Alexei's statement that Britain and France bear all the costs of the campaign, and Australasia is responsible for all the conditions of material and logistical supply, well, three percent is true.

This is also the practice of Russian officials at present, to deceive their superiors and subordinates.

Anyway, the Russian logistics department does not know how much material reserves the country has at present, and there is no clear figure for the amount of materials that Britain, France, and Australia have to support Russia.

"Did Britain and France really promise to bear all the costs of the campaign? Also forgive part of the loan? Nicholas II asked with some trepidation.

In the eyes of Nicholas II, such a thing is really no different from pie in the sky.

The cost of the campaign, the consumption of weapons, equipment and materials are all borne by the allies, and Russia only needs to dispatch its own manpower that is completely lacking, and can also obtain a part of the loan forgiveness, isn't this the benefit of taking it for nothing?

"Yes, Your Majesty. Britain and France also promised to let Australasia temporarily take charge of the supply of supplies if they could not be transported from the North Sea or the Mediterranean, from Vladivostok to the front line by land. Foreign Minister Alexei nodded calmly and said.

Although the Anglo-French representatives did not promise so much, if Nicholas II asked, the Anglo-French representatives would definitely support Alexei.

After all, the purpose of Britain and France was to allow Russia to launch a campaign on the Eastern Front to relieve the pressure of war on the Western Front.

As for such a small question as how much to bear the cost, no one cares, anyway, Nicholas II does not know.

Hearing Alexei's assurance, Nicholas II nodded with satisfaction, and when he looked at Grand Duke Nicholas, he asked: "If Britain and France can provide us with weapons, equipment and resource supplies, then do we have the ability to launch the next offensive?" ”

Grand Duke Nikolai still wanted to fight for it, thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I don't think it's suitable to launch another offensive at this time. German reinforcements have arrived, and we have to deal with more German troops. A better decision at the moment would be to reduce the scale of the war and reduce our losses and casualties to a relatively small number. ”

"Enough, Nikolai." Nicholas II was somewhat dissatisfied and directly called the Grand Duke Nicholas by name.

"The difficulties you raised have been solved by Alexei, why are you hesitating now? There is not a bit of the appearance of the Grand Duke and the Chief of the General Staff! I know you're worried about the Empire's losses and casualties, aren't you? In order to solve the contradictions that the empire is currently facing, to quickly resolve this war, and to get the licking wounds of the loot we want, it is imperative. ”

Nicholas II said dissatisfiedly: "Because of this damned war, our international trade, the export of foreign resources, etc., have almost all stopped. Britain and France also did not have enough loans to help us, and if the war continued, our economy would collapse, and the country would collapse! And at this time, my dear Grand Duke, you are still thinking of reducing the scale of the war and fighting a continuous war. It may have brought fewer casualties to the population, but the state could not support it then. I didn't survive that time. ”

Nicholas II had shortcomings of one kind or another, but as the ruler of a vast empire, Nicholas II was clearly not an idiot.

As the supreme ruler of this country, all the current situation in the empire, Nicholas II naturally understood.

Although the life of the Russian upper echelons as a whole seemed to be very prosperous and wealthy, it was not affected in any way by the war.

However, the life of the Russian civilian class is not easy, and due to the impact of the war, the Russian people are now underfed and clothed, and they are constantly worried about the danger to their lives because of the war.

In the first two months of 1915, more than a dozen strikes broke out in Russia's major factories, all of which indicated that the crisis in Russia was so serious that it was even dangerously destabilizing the country.

Any country can fight a war of attrition in this war, but Russia cannot. According to Nicholas II's estimates, Russia can hold out in the war for more than a year at most, and if it does not win the war as soon as possible, and use the joy of victory, a large amount of booty, and huge profits to make the Russian people change their minds, I am afraid that the Romanov dynasty will be ruined.

"I see, Your Majesty. I will organize armies to conduct large-scale campaigns and strive to decide the situation in Eastern Europe in one battle. Grand Duke Nicholas nodded helplessly and agreed to Nicholas II's request.

Nicholas II talked about this, and even if the Grand Duke Nicholas no longer wanted to start this war, he had to carry out the orders of Nicholas II.

Because it is not only about the casualties of the people, but also about the survival of the royal family and the country.

If Grand Duke Nicholas disobeyed the orders of Nicholas II, it would be a betrayal of the Russian royal family in the eyes of others, and would be rejected by the entire Russian aristocracy, and it was also possible that he would be removed from office by the angry Nicholas II.

Rather than having someone else sit in the position of Chief of the General Staff to start a campaign, it is better to keep yourself in a position that is enough to determine the outcome of the campaign, and do your best to get fewer casualties for the Russian people and soldiers.

"But Your Majesty, I also hope that throughout the campaign, the army will receive all the supplies promised by Minister Alexei. It's not just about the outcome of the battle, it's about the survival of the country and the royal family, as you said. Grand Duke Nikolai finally demanded.

3000 words for the first update, ask for a monthly pass, ask for support!

(End of chapter)