AWB Chapter 95 Russia is isolated
Chapter 95 Russia is isolated
There was a guard of honor at the station, but it wasn't a grand affair. A general in a naval uniform led a group to greet them, introducing himself as a "special commissioner from the Palace Affairs Department."
"Mr. Wang, His Majesty is waiting for you at the Summer Palace." The general spoke quickly in Russian, and the translator could barely keep up. "Please follow me."
The convoy drove through the city. Wang Wenwu noticed that there were few goods in the shop windows, and the pedestrians looked tired. After the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian economy was on the verge of collapse, and the air was still thick with the smell of gunpowder from the 1905 revolution that had just been suppressed.
The Summer Palace is located in the suburbs, on the Gulf of Finland. It is more understated than the Winter Palace, but more luxurious—full of gold decorations, marble sculptures, and tapestries imported from France.
Tsar Nicholas II was waiting in the small reception room.
Contrary to Wang Wenwu's expectations, the Emperor of All Russia looked...ordinary. He appeared to be around forty years old, of medium height, with light-colored hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and pale blue eyes with a slightly unfocused gaze. He wore simple military uniform and no medals.
"Mr. Wang," Nikolai said, rising to his feet and shaking hands lightly, "thank you for coming."
"I am deeply honored by His Majesty's personal invitation."
"Sit." The Tsar gestured for a servant to pour tea. "You must have had a long journey. The Russian railways... are far inferior to those in Western Europe."
"fine."
After exchanging pleasantries about the weather and the journey, Nikolai got down to business:
"Mr. Wang, let me be frank. The Russian Empire is now...in a difficult situation. In the Far East, we have lost Port Arthur and Dalian, and the entire Pacific Fleet has been annihilated. In Europe, Germany is expanding, and Britain is on guard; we are attacked from both sides."
He spoke very frankly, even with a hint of frustration.
"So Your Majesty needs allies?" Wang Wenwu asked.
"We need friends," Nikolai corrected. "True friends. Not those so-called allies who only take and betray."
He paused, his eyes fixed on Wang Wenwu:
"I know Lanfang is very close to Germany. But Germany... is too ambitious. William wants the whole world, including Russian territory. And Britain... just wants to maintain the status quo and keep Russia a second-rate country forever."
"What about France?"
"France?" Nicolas smiled wryly. "France only wants us to help them fight Germany. But when we need help ourselves, they always have plenty of excuses."
Wang Wenwu understood. Russia was isolated.
"So His Majesty has found us?"
"Because you are different." Nikolai leaned forward. "You are also a rising power, suppressed by the old forces. You understand the feeling of a nation wanting dignity."
These words were spoken with great emotion, but Wang Wenwu remained clear-headed. Chen Feng's telegram had reminded him: the Russians were adept at playing the emotional card.
"What does His Majesty wish Lanfang to do?"
"Three things," Nikolai said, holding up a finger. "First, help Russia rebuild its navy. We need new warships, the sooner the better, and the more the better. Second, in the Far East... contain Japan. You demonstrated your strength in Java; the Japanese will be wary. Third..."
He hesitated for a moment:
"Third, if Russia and Germany go into conflict in the future, you... at least remain neutral."
Wang Wenwu paused for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, Lanfang is an Asian country. We have no intention of interfering in the wars in Europe."
"But you have military cooperation with Germany."
"That's a business partnership," Wang Wenwu stated clearly. "We sell the ships, and they pay. Just like France bought our 'Courbet-class' ships, and Britain wanted to buy our 'Cheetah-class' ships. Lanfang doesn't take sides."
Nikolai stared at him, his pale blue eyes showing disappointment, but also a hint of understanding.
"What about the first two things?"
"We can discuss it." Wang Wenwu opened his briefcase. "Regarding warships, we can design a special model for Russia. But the price... won't be cheap."
"Money is not a problem," Nikolai said, clearly lacking confidence—Russia's finances were bankrupt and it was being sustained by French loans.
"What will we use to pay?"
Nikolai took a deep breath: "Resources. Timber from Siberia, iron ore from the Urals, oil from Baku... Whatever you need, we'll give you. Exchange resources for technology, for warships."
Wang Wenwu was tempted. What Lanfang lacked most was resources.
"Specific plans can be discussed," he said, "but regarding containing Japan in the Far East... Lanfang's current focus is on Southeast Asia, and he has no intention of clashing with Japan in Northeast Asia." (This is temporary; in this era, novels that don't target Japan would be heavily criticized by readers.)
“No conflict is needed,” Nikolai said. “As long as you have a presence there, the Japanese will be distracted. They’ll think: Will this suddenly appearing Chinese navy help China? Will it threaten their interests in Korea and Taiwan?”
That's true.
"Your Majesty," Wang Wenwu concluded, "I need time to consult with the authorities back home. But in principle, Lanfang is willing to develop mutually beneficial cooperative relations with the Russian Empire."
Nikolai breathed a sigh of relief, and for the first time, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"That's enough," he said. "Mr. Wang, Russia is an ancient country, but it is undergoing a rebirth. So are you. Perhaps... we can all find our place in this new era."
The talks lasted another hour, during which details were discussed. Nikolai even pulled out a map and pointed to the Far East: "Here, here, if you need a port, we can provide that."
It was already dark when we left the Summer Palace.
The winds of the Gulf of Finland were cold, carrying a chill even in June. Wang Wenwu sat in the car, gazing at the lights of St. Petersburg outside the window, his mind filled with Chen Feng's words:
"Russia is bloated, but it has abundant resources. They can be utilized."
Yes, if a giant falls down, there are enough things to pick up for many people.
On the special train back to Berlin, Wang Wenwu organized all the meeting minutes.
London: Trade embargo easing, representative office, technical cooperation intentions.
Berlin: "Kaiser-class" orders, steel mill aid, Müller delegation.
Paris: Follow-up orders for the Courbet-class ships; opening of colonial ports.
St. Petersburg: Resources for warships, a tacit understanding in the Far East.
Four countries, four demands, four transactions.
Looking at the thick folder, Li Mingyuan sighed, "Minister, this trip... was worth it."
"It's only just begun," Wang Wenwu said. "We have to keep our promises and build the promised ship. When we get back, the young master will be under a lot of pressure."
"But we also gained a lot."
"Yes." Wang Wenwu looked out the window; the train was passing through the plains of East Prussia. "We've got our tickets. Now, we're officially at the table."
Just then, a communications soldier brought over a newly intercepted telegram—a secret telegram from the German Foreign Ministry sent from Berlin to London.
Wang Wenwu quickly deciphered the message, and the content made him raise an eyebrow.
"The British asked the Germans what they had discussed with Lanfang," he told Li Mingyuan. "The Germans replied: 'Commercial cooperation, not strategic.'"