"Is it really okay for us to accept Germany's proposal so obediently?"
Late at night, Count Witte's mansion was visited by the Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, Count Sergei Witte, who looked worried as he spoke to Count Witte.
The Russian Empire had already accepted the proposal from the German Empire.
Although there were still many matters to be negotiated in practical terms, the Tsar had made up his mind, and Count Witte's silence indicated his approval of this decision. The matter was already settled.
"I'm still not sure if this is really the most correct decision for Russia. Moreover, even with the support of the German Empire, how can we ensure victory in the war?"
In response to Count Sergei Witte's words filled with doubts, Count Witte nodded while pouring wine into his glass.
This was a very reasonable question. After all, weapons, depending on the ability of the user, could be the most powerful tools or just a pile of useless scrap metal.
And Count Witte knew very well that the Russian Imperial Army and its commanders he was familiar with were not particularly outstanding.
Sometimes it even made one sigh involuntarily.
"Vladimir. Our goal is not to defeat Japan. We just need not to be defeated."
"What? What does that mean?"
"The war with Japan is a meaningless war for our Russian Empire, especially in the current situation."
Due to the continuous poverty and hunger, the patience of the Russian people had reached its limit.
Of course, Count Witte also had his share of the responsibility. He had adopted an excessive grain export policy in order to promote the industrialization of the Russian Empire. However, in any case, in the worst scenario, the war with Japan might become the fuse that ignites the anger of the Russian people.
"We must never let this country fall into the hands of those naive revolutionaries."
Although it would be ideal if there were no war, the situation had long since gotten out of Count Witte's control and was gradually developing towards the extreme.
People like Bezobrazov and Alexeyev, relying on the Tsar's favor, had created unnecessary tension in the Far East for their own self-interest and power. And Japan, with the support of Britain, had started to prepare for war.
"The war is just a matter of time."
Since the storm could not be avoided, it was necessary to be prepared to face it.
That was why Count Witte had accepted the deal proposed by Baron Hans von Joe, the young man from the East who had come with Prince Heinrich.
Count Witte's goal was to minimize Russia's losses in the war with Japan and, at the same time, preserve the national strength to the greatest extent possible.
To this end, it was necessary to end the war as soon as possible, and the Baron had pointed out this path for him.
"Where on earth did the Kaiser find such a person?"
At first, he thought the other party was just a smart boy, but after directly contacting Hans von Joe, Count Witte found that this young man was as cunning as the British.
Fortunately, the interests of Germany and Russia had coincided. Otherwise, the situation would have been even more difficult.
"Northern Manchuria."
"What?"
"When reaching a peace agreement with Japan, they will help us gain control of the Northern Manchuria region, and maybe even Mongolia."
This was what Count Witte had obtained through the deal with Hans, and it was also the minimum condition that Britain and Japan could accept.
"Of course, we must give up the Korean Peninsula and Port Arthur (Lüshun)."
"However, just getting Northern Manchuria... it's not so bad."
"Yes, it's not a bad condition."
Count Witte nodded upon hearing the words of Foreign Minister Sergei Witte.
Even those British pirates couldn't raise too many objections to Russia's demand of giving up the Korean Peninsula and Port Arthur in exchange for Northern Manchuria.
Of course, the Bezobrazov faction, which had invested a large amount of money in the Far East, would be disappointed, but this might not necessarily be a bad thing.
After all, Count Witte had opposed the senseless expansion in the Far East from the very beginning. He preferred to develop steadily and solidly.
"Of course, the prerequisite is that we must not lose this war first."
Once they were defeated in the war, all the mediations and the acquisition of Northern Manchuria would come to nothing.
Since there was no other choice, accepting Germany's military assistance and striving to obtain the available benefits was undoubtedly the best strategy.
Although it felt like being led by the nose by a child, such a sacrifice could still be endured for the Russian Empire.
"Such a sacrifice is worthwhile for the Russian Empire."
Count Witte murmured softly and raised the wine glass in his hand.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Long live the Empire of Japan!"
"Hurrah!"
When Count Witte raised his glass and was satisfied with the deal with Hans, a grand banquet celebrating the conclusion of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was in full swing in Tokyo, the capital of Japan.
"Forming an alliance with the British Empire is truly a remarkable and moving thing!"
"Taking this opportunity, our Empire of Japan can now stand proudly among the great powers of the world."
"Certainly! Hahaha!"
The high-ranking officials and nobles of the Empire of Japan present clinked their glasses with each other, and laughter filled the air.
This was a joyous day for Japan to rank among the Western powers. How could they not be beaming with joy?
Of course, the Westerners had never thought of regarding the Japanese as their equals.
However, the Japanese were completely unaware of this. They were immersed in a beautiful dream of happiness and full of expectations for a bright future.
Katsura Tarō, the 11th Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan, was no exception.
"Katsura, you're here."
"Your Excellency Yamagata!"
The appearance of Yamagata Aritomo, known as the father of the Japanese Army and the leader of the Chōshū Domain, made Prime Minister Katsura immediately bow respectfully.
If someone saw this, they might think that Yamagata was the Prime Minister.
Just from this scene, one could immediately tell who was the actual person in power in the current Empire of Japan.
"You've really worked hard for the success of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance this time. It was indeed the right choice for us to elect you as the Prime Minister."
"I don't deserve such praise, Your Excellency. Without your support behind the scenes, how could I have accomplished this great feat alone?"
"Hahaha! You really know how to flatter. But with this alliance, we can vigorously promote the expansion of our military forces."
"Naturally."
"Hahaha!"
Prime Minister Katsura and Yamagata clinked their glasses and laughed heartily.
"Katsura! Yamagata!"
However, this cheerful atmosphere was broken by the angry shout of an old man coming from the entrance of the banquet hall.
When they turned around to look, Yamagata's face immediately twisted into a frown.
"... Itō."
Itō Hirobumi.
He was one of the giants in the Japanese political arena, known as one of the "Three Great Men of Chōshū" together with Yamagata Aritomo and Inoue Kaoru.
His sudden appearance made the banquet hall fall silent instantly, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over it.
"How dare you, how dare you conclude an alliance with Britain without notifying me! Do you really intend to go to war with the Russian Empire?"
"Itō, this is not the place to talk. Let's discuss it outside."
Yamagata showed a look of annoyance on his face and let out a sigh.
It was precisely for this reason that he had deliberately avoided meeting Itō, but it seemed that this had backfired instead.
Yamagata forcefully pulled Itō out of the banquet hall. Looking at his still furious old friend, he opened his mouth with a somewhat disappointed look in his eyes and said:
"The dignified Shunsuke (Itō Hirobumi's former name) has actually become a coward."
"I want to save the Great Japanese Empire from being destroyed by you warmongers! Do you really think that our Japan can defeat Russia?!"
Itō Hirobumi firmly opposed going to war with Russia.
Although he had once led the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russian Empire was by no means comparable to the corrupt and incompetent Qing Dynasty.
In Itō's view, going to war with Russia was like hitting a stone with an egg.
"Then are you going to just hand over Korea and Port Arthur to those Russians?!"
Yamagata, extremely angry at his friend's attitude, shouted in a passionate voice.
In order for Japan to truly become one of the great powers, it was necessary to annex Korea, use it as a base, cross the vast Manchuria, and march into the mainland.
How could they stop just because they were afraid of Russia!
"Japan today is no longer the Japan that trembled in the face of the Black Ships. We have enough chance of winning!"
"Chance of winning? Against that huge Russian Empire? This is madness! Why don't you understand?!"
Itō Hirobumi shouted with a look of despair on his face, but Yamagata Aritomo turned a deaf ear.
He just showed deep disappointment towards Itō and shook his head.
"Everything has already been decided. While you were having those meaningless negotiations with those Russians, everything was already settled."
"You, you bastard..."
Yamagata turned around and left, leaving Itō, who was full of anger, behind.
For the prosperity of Japan, Korea, and even the vast Qing Dynasty, were all targets that must be seized.
Even if this path was destined to be stained with blood.