Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: The Tsar’s Travelogue (3)
Woodrow Wilson, truly feeling it from the moment we met, was certainly a man who had walked a path of righteousness his whole life.

‘Reminds me exactly of Witte. Closer to a bureaucrat than a politician.’

Indeed, Wilson was receiving the highest evaluation among past presidents for his administrative policies as a president who won the war, so he seems to have been a truly timely leader during wartime.

However, the man I confirmed with my own eyes was clearly blinded by his self-proclaimed morality.

“Congressional matters are something I must resolve, what reason is there for a foreign emperor to worry? Also, this war won’t happen again. If you’re concerned about France’s burning revenge, that’s clearly wrong. France won’t preemptively attack Germany.”

“I know, I know very well. Since this is an unofficial meeting I’ll say this, but that country is a coward. They don’t know how to use alliances and don’t even know whose hand to grasp. Beyond all that, most disappointing is they’re not self-reliant. War alone is out of the question.”

The Republicans are hostile to him.

The British and Irish descendants hate him.

His support base that opposed war with Germany and Mexico has disappeared.

The morality he advocates may be noble but his country is utterly vulgar.

The appearance they showed throughout the war, and their post-war attitude proves this.

In fact, that America is not such a moral country.

Furthermore, far from being world police, they’re a country that doesn’t even know how to leave their house.

“If there’s something I’ve felt ruling the empire for decades, it’s that everyone has their own capacity. Since lifespans given to individuals differ, perspectives must differ too.”

“Truly a fatalistic view.”

Though he twisted my bloodline to mock me, I didn’t mind.

“I don’t even believe in fate like being born to be emperor. Instead, let me give examples. Duma representatives are those who look 4 years ahead. They stake their lives on one election. Nobles look ahead 10 years short term, a generation long term. But their vision is narrow, knowing only their surroundings. Intellectuals, experts don’t even know how far ahead they look. They just predict and anticipate, vainly looking at the ‘future.'”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Just an extension of my earlier question. You, in other words America, how far ahead are you looking?”

Germany’s possibility of recovery loomed like a shadow over Europe – its industrial heartland still intact, its population skilled and numerous, its pride wounded but not destroyed. The factories of the Ruhr Valley stood silent but ready, waiting for the day restrictions would loosen.

France and Britain’s desire for revenge simmered beneath diplomatic pleasantries. Their cities lay in ruins, their fields scarred by trenches, and a generation of young men lay buried in foreign soil. They demanded reparations with a fervor that bordered on desperation, their economies strained to breaking point by four years of total war.

The United States, uniquely able to maintain reason in neutrality after Russia’s withdrawal, found itself in an unprecedented position. Having entered the war late, its homeland untouched by destruction, America’s fresh perspective stood in stark contrast to the blood-soaked vengeance of its European allies. Its growing industrial might and financial power gave its words new weight in global affairs.

Italy, showing bloodshot eyes full of dissatisfaction, paced like a caged animal at the edges of the peace negotiations. Its sacrifices seemed forgotten, its territorial ambitions dismissed, its dreams of empire denied. The bitter taste of a “mutilated victory” turned its gaze inward, where new ideologies were beginning to take root.

All these issues remain scattered within the Allies despite the treaty being concluded.

“Why don’t we join the League of Nations? Why does the empire want the Allied forces dissolved? Simple. Because I’m already struggling just to control and reestablish the Slavic nations. Because we have no strength left to do anything more here.”

“Is this humility or criticism? Even if as Your Majesty assumes, Congress opposes and the structure, timing, location, process, results – everything is uncertain about that war breaking out again, nothing changes. The United States will make the righteous choice once more and will win.”

“Good, then shall we consider we both agree for now there won’t be your claimed ‘prosperity upon peace’?”

So what did America gain by joining the war?

Reparations, territory, economic treaties, revenge – excluding such imperialistic benefits, were the justice and values they advocated realized?

‘No.’

In the end, the United States achieved nothing. If they were truly serious, they should have properly stirred up the colonial issue first.

As the conversation continues, I’m convinced this man’s mask is peeling off layer by layer.

“Recently I released a prisoner. His name is Józef Piłsudski, a Polish nationalist and socialist. Though there were suspicions he tried to assassinate my father in the past, I had forgiven him once under my conciliatory policy.”

Piłsudski was actually involved with an organization that tried to assassinate my father and was sentenced to Siberian exile, but was later released under the pro-Polish policy.

However, after fighting under the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Army again, he was captured again and ended up thrown in a camp.

“Still, I forgave him. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Imprisoning him is more harmful to the empire. He’s someone who’s fought battles approaching zero probability since the time Poland was divided between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Prison couldn’t possibly contain him.”

“Wouldn’t such a person be even more dangerous? Frankly, isn’t he someone who might commit terrorism?”

“No, he is neither intellectual, Duma representative, nor prime minister. I too pondered why this man fought such a difficult battle. And I came to know. He knew this Great War would happen.”

“…”

Piłsudski’s full-scale military activities began from 1904.

He established secret military organizations, gathered Polish nationalist will, and actively contacted the Austro-Hungarian Empire to gain support.

“Numerous evidence tells he knew war would break out in this Polish land. Yes, he looked ahead 4 years, 8 years. No, even further into the future.”

“Is this the future he saw? A future absorbed by the victorious empire?”

“I said he looked far ahead, not that he saw the right answer.”

That was the one reason I released Piłsudski. Further future. Greater vision. Because he can no longer commit terrorism now.