"So, what on earth do you intend to give to Russia? Don't tell me it's your 'submachine gun'?"
Marshal Waldersee said to Hans in a sarcastic tone.
As expected, this guy couldn't stay quiet for long.
"However, even if the submachine gun is handed over to the Russian Empire, can they use it well?"
Of course, if submachine guns had appeared in the Battle of Port Arthur, the number of Japanese soldiers' corpses would definitely be much larger than in the original history.
But the submachine gun is a weapon that consumes a huge amount of ammunition.
The reason why Hans can boldly invest in submachine guns is that he knows that the German Empire has Fritz Haber, a genius who can make gunpowder from the air and even make bread. However, the Russian Empire doesn't even have enough bullets for its own use, and it even faced a serious shortage of ammunition during World War I.
Even if they provide ammunition assistance, the Russian Empire will probably find it difficult to bear the huge ammunition consumption of submachine guns.
"However, as a field test, it is indeed worth considering providing several hundred prototype guns."
Regarding this point, Hans needs to discuss it further with General Staff Chief Schlieffen and Mr. Schmeisser later.
"Let's put the matter of the submachine gun aside for now. There are too many factors to consider."
After saying this, Hans continued to express his thoughts:
"At present, for the Russian troops in the Far East, the most urgent need is ammunition. In addition, we can provide additional rifles, pistols and machine guns. What do you think?"
"Regarding machine guns, do you mean the MG99 or the MG01?"
General Staff Chief Schlieffen asked, and Hans nodded.
These two types are both German improved versions of the British Maxim machine gun. Later, these machine guns were lightened and improved, becoming the MG08 used in World War I.
During the Russo-Japanese War, with only about 60 Maxim machine guns, the Russian army made the Japanese army taste the hellish feeling during the Battle of Port Arthur. If equipped with high-quality German machine guns and sufficient ammunition, it can force Japan to pay a much higher price than in the original history.
"During the war with Japan, the Russian army should act as the defender. In addition, I have had a plan in mind for a long time. If this plan is combined with the machine guns, the defensive capabilities of the Russian army will be doubled."
"Oh? What is that?"
"It's the 'circular barbed wire'."
Trenches, machine guns, and circular barbed wire - the three magical weapons that turned the battlefield into hell during World War I.
If the Japanese army wants to break through these defenses, just piling up corpses may not be enough.
"Coupled with weapons such as submachine guns, shotguns, and lever-action rifles, the Japanese army can suffer even greater losses."
"Barbed wire?"
General Staff Chief Schlieffen raised his eyebrows and asked.
"Is it the kind of barbed wire used to enclose livestock?"
"Yes, General Staff Chief, that's the kind of barbed wire."
"Okay. I heard before that the Portuguese army used barbed wire as a defensive facility in the colonies. But what exactly is the 'circular barbed wire'?"
In the face of Schlieffen's question, Hans took out a notebook from his pocket and drew a long straight line on it.
"The traditional barbed wire, as you can see, is in this straight-line form."
"That's right."
"This form is already a rather difficult obstacle for infantry. But if the barbed wire is made into such a circular structure..."
Hans drew several spring-like circles below the straight line.
"The durability of the barbed wire will be enhanced, and its ability to block infantry will also be significantly improved. It will form an insurmountable barrier that cannot be crossed by bare hands."
"Hah! Just changing the shape makes it an insurmountable barrier?"
"You can give it a try, just like the demonstration of the submachine gun that Marshal Waldersee proposed before."
"You... you scoundrel!"
Waldersee suddenly stood up from his seat, as if he was ready to grab Hans by the collar at any moment.
However, he was immediately dissuaded by Schlieffen: "There are so many people here. Calm down."
"Let's see how long you can be so cocky..." Waldersee said through gritted teeth in a low voice.
This old man is quite energetic despite his advanced age.
"But this is indeed a good proposal. As for the actual effect of the circular barbed wire, I have no idea. Anyway, our goal is not to let Russia win a great victory."
"That's right."
Except for Waldersee, who was still fuming, everyone nodded in agreement.
It's not a good thing for Hans and the German Empire if the Russian Empire wins too convincingly. Russia just needs to avoid defeat, so that they can find an opportunity to intervene in the war.
"Then, the items for aid are roughly determined. Leave the detailed issues to the military department. Next, we just need to get the permission of His Majesty the Emperor and then negotiate with the Russian side."
In the face of Foreign Minister Richthofen's words, everyone nodded one after another.
As for Kaiser Wilhelm II, there is no need to worry at all. The current emperor is extremely angry with Britain and Japan. Even if they propose to aid France, there is still a one percent possibility that he will agree.
The problem lies with the Russian Empire.
Just as the Junkers dislike Russia, the Russians don't like Germany very much either.
Therefore, even if they take the initiative to offer support, if the other side refuses, there is no solution.
What's more, Russia is a country that is almost as "weak in diplomacy" as the German Empire, isn't it?
"Anyway, we must persuade Tsar Nicholas II."
Nicholas II.
He was kind-hearted, but he was the Russian Empire's last tsar with the weakest leadership ability.
"If the Tsar opposes this matter, then this discussion will end here."
"I have an idea about this."
Bülow said.
"The Tsar's confidants, Bezobrazov and Alexeyev, are hardliners against Japan and also greedy people. If we show our sincerity appropriately, they will stand on our side. This is also beneficial for those who have interests in the Far East."
"But I'm a bit worried about the bureaucratic group in charge of practical affairs, especially Finance Minister Witte. He's not as easy to deal with as an ordinary Russian noble."
Foreign Minister Richthofen said with a solemn expression.
Sergei Witte.
He was a capable minister who, together with Stolypin, supported the Russian Empire on the verge of collapse.
Indeed, he is a very capable and formidable figure.
However, precisely because of this, he should be able to correctly recognize the threat posed by Japan.
As a powerful figure among the bureaucrats of the Russian Empire, Witte was also one of the few people in history who believed that Russia might lose in the event of a war with Japan after the Russo-Japanese War broke out.
"Regarding Witte, we can only persuade and negotiate with him in person."
"Hmm..."
"Chancellor, please let me go to Russia."
"Baron, you?"
When Hans raised his hand and expressed his willingness to go to Russia, everyone's eyes were fixed on him.
Especially Waldersee, who widened his eyes as if to say it was simply absurd.
"Since I proposed this matter, I should take full responsibility for it."
More importantly, Hans couldn't trust the diplomatic capabilities of the German Empire.
This incident was a crucial part of his plan.
Rather than watching it fail, he would feel more at ease if he took the initiative himself.
"Don't be ridiculous! Sending a young whippersnapper like you to Russia, the Russians will laugh at our German Empire!"
"Hmph, perhaps it's not a bad idea to send the baron to Russia."
"Posadowsky!!"
When Vice Chancellor Posadowsky-Wehner sided with Hans, Waldersee raised his voice.
However, since his stance shifted from the conservative faction to the progressive faction after the Prisons Bill incident, the Vice Chancellor had a very poor relationship with Waldersee and completely ignored his objection.
"This matter needs to be carried out secretly. Especially the British, they will definitely not like our plan. But if the baron goes to Russia, who would suspect anything?"
"That makes sense."
Foreign Minister Richthofen nodded.
Just as he said, if the British learned of Germany's plan, the mysterious saboteur known as the "Prince of Wales" would surely jump out and obstruct their actions at every turn.
After all, that's how the British are.
"Hah! Do you really intend to send this kid to Russia? What does he know about diplomacy?"
"Umm... but thinking about what happened in France before, maybe it's worth a try..."
"Chancellor! Even you say so?"
"Of course. Just as the Marshal said, it's impossible to let the baron go alone. So, how about inviting Prince Heinrich to go along?"
Foreign Minister Richthofen's suggestion was unanimously approved by everyone.
"Indeed, Prince Heinrich's wife is related to the Russian royal family. Visiting Russia in the name of visiting family members is quite reasonable."
Grand Duchess Irene of Hesse.
She is the elder sister of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, the wife of Nicholas II.
However, like her younger sister, she also inherited hemophilia and has experienced the tragedy of having a short-lived son.
"Prince Heinrich performed very well when he carried out diplomatic missions in the Far East. He can be trusted."
"Damn it, everyone's gone crazy. It's simply insane."
As the atmosphere gradually leaned towards sending Hans and Prince Heinrich to Russia together, Waldersee cursed in a low voice with a look of disbelief on his face.
But there was nothing he could do.
Nowadays, Waldersee, unlike the powerful marshal in the past, is just a semi-retired old man without any real power.
Without power and the support of the people, his words are ultimately empty.
In the end, Waldersee left his seat in a fit of anger, just like he did at a rehearsal.
However, everyone just cleared their throats lightly, and no one tried to stop him.
"What do you think, Chief of the General Staff?"
"The baron can do it. Personally, I'd prefer him to follow a military path, but..."
"Alright. If the Chief of the General Staff says so, then it's settled."
"Very well, it's decided."
Just as Schlieffen muttered some words that sounded ominous in a low voice and expressed his agreement to send Hans to Russia, War Minister Gossler, who had been hesitant, also cast his vote in favor.
"Then, have a pleasant journey, Baron."
And so, Hans' first overseas trip was thus decided.
...
Some time later.
St. Petersburg, the Russian Empire.
"The German side has proposed military cooperation with our country?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. This is the latest news from our ambassador to Germany."
Sergei Yulievich Witte, the Minister of Finance of Russia, frowned upon hearing his secretary's report.
The German Empire wants to cooperate with Russia?
Those arrogant Prussian Junkers?
For Witte, this is not only unbelievable but also a proposal that cannot be easily accepted.
"What on earth is their intention for those Prussian warmongers to make such a proposal to us Russians?"
So, Witte asked himself.
Why did Germany make such a proposal to Russia?
Out of goodwill?
Or are they now planning to improve their relations with the Russian Empire?
"Whichever it is, it's all nonsense."
Since the current German Emperor Wilhelm II unilaterally abrogated the secret treaty between Russia and Germany, Russia and Germany have been maintaining a hostile relationship.
However, now that emperor is proposing to restore relations with Russia and suggesting cooperation?
This is difficult to understand no matter how one looks at it.
"There must be some other ulterior motive."
Witte paced back and forth in his office, lost in deep thought.
Suddenly, he remembered something that had happened recently.
"The Anglo-Japanese Alliance."
Yes, that's it.
The alliance between the island pirates and the island monkeys that was aimed at the motherland of Russia.
As someone who had dedicated his entire life to the Russian Empire, Witte felt nothing but disgust towards it.
Not to mention that not long ago, the former leader of those island monkeys had even pleaded with the Russian Empire to form an alliance.
They had been bowing and scraping just a moment ago, but then they pulled off such a stunt. Just like what the protagonist of a novel he had recently started reading, Admiral Qi from the "Great Ming Dynasty," said, the Japanese have no sense of credibility at all.
"It seems that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has thrown that emperor into a state of confusion."
As someone who didn't know much about the inside story, this was the only speculation Witte could come up with.
After all, it was a well-known fact that Wilhelm II, as a proponent of the Yellow Peril theory, especially hated Japan with a passion.
Although he hadn't expected that emperor to take such an active step.
"Even so, we can't accept Germany's proposal lightly."
It's still unclear what exactly Germany intends to do with Russia, but in any case, there's no need to act according to Germany's wishes, nor is it necessary.
"What's more, we in the Russian Empire still have to consider our relationship with France."
The French, who bear a deep grudge against Germany, will never sit back and watch Germany get closer to Russia.
If this leads to problems in the diplomatic relations between Russia and France, its only ally, it will be an extremely troublesome matter for both the Russian Empire and Witte.
Therefore, Witte hoped to adopt a cautious attitude towards Germany's proposal, but...
"The problem lies with His Majesty."
The great Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
If his abilities were as outstanding as his character, Witte would have been content. But unfortunately, Nicholas II was more like Louis XVI, an incompetent and indecisive monarch.
"This is not without precedent."
A long time ago, incited by Wilhelm II, Nicholas II had rashly wanted to abrogate the alliance with France.
He had no understanding of the importance of the alliance with France and was simply averse to it just because France was a republic.
It was Witte himself who had stopped that absurd farce back then, so he couldn't help but feel worried.
Would this kind of thing happen again?
"Please summon Count Lamsdorf and Minister Kuropatkin."
"You mean the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War?"
"Yes, it seems that we need to discuss this incident together."