Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 216

Chapter 216: The Tsar’s Travelogue (6)
The previous generation’s policies of reigning as Pan-Slavism’s leader while attempting indirect expansion.

Serbia tried to reversely utilize those policies to fill their own belly.

The Balkan Wars? Could Serbia have acted so recklessly not knowing how high the sky was without our Russian Empire behind them?

The Austro-Hungarian ultimatum? That Serbia’s calculations probably had neither Eastern Front nor Western Front.

They only dreamed of pushing up to Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve Balkan unification.

“How did your King of Serbia, so brilliant in domestic affairs, not make such a simple calculation?”

“Absolutely not! Who would dare predict the war would last so long? The assassination too was the same! Though the accident couldn’t be undone, we had to confront strongly to protect the nation.”

“Then Pašić, please give me a clear answer. Why does Serbia still come running to me unable to escape from delusion?”

Responsibility for the Black Hand – now amid the victorious nations’ party we can’t officially ask, and this part should be handled quietly.

Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination – even belatedly, the Serbian side should show some goodwill.

At minimum, if wearing the mask of a ‘Slavic’ people, they should show that much courtesy.

However, setting aside all such minor issues.

Why is Pašić so desperate to cling to Russia even here, not satisfied with Hungary?

‘It was just like when Prince George and Parliamentary Council Chairman Prime Minister Pašić came to the capital during the Romanov tercentenary.’

Then too they tried to borrow my power to clean up what they had done in the Balkans.

Saying they too are Slavic people.

Saying Russia needs Serbia so must help.

Same now.

“Why, not satisfied with this?”

Though they had their whole country taken away, they’re sneaking up to the corpse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire we brought down demanding their share.

However, the problem is that share is bigger than their stomach.

“I never once doubted Peter I’s intentions. I always supported and tried to help you.”

Not being able to pay attention to the Balkan front was really because the East was difficult. Anyway, that’s how it was.

From the start, wasn’t Pašić himself the leader of the Radical Party, the pro-Russian faction in Bosnia long ago?

“Albania will remain independent.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Don’t you know what America and Italy are plotting while staying in Paris? Try lying before me that Albanians are Serbian people.”

The principle of national self-determination. Just as Serbia has eyed everything where Serbian people barely set foot, now they must release non-Serbian people.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina will also be reduced but independent. That’s the best Italy can concede. I’ll try somehow to let you reach the Adriatic Sea.”

Still, since it would be hard to use if Serbia remains landlocked, we’ll appropriately guide them to be able to fight with Italy over the Adriatic.

“B-but no matter what, isn’t the Bosnia region land where Serbians live!”

“Thirty percent. Barely thirty percent. Rather over half are Bosniaks. And Bosniaks too are our Slavic people.”

If they had completely handed over negotiation rights with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If they had even intended to hand over the initiative from the Balkan Wars to us, the Slavic leader.

I might have allowed them Yugoslavia.

However, Serbia ultimately tried to create ‘South Slavism’ even within Pan-Slavism.

They tried to escape from under our wings.

“You’ve already succeeded in unprecedented expansion. Please be satisfied with this much and go back.”

“…This can’t be. You can’t drive us away like this!”

“Drive away? Then would you like to try swallowing all of Croatia and Bosnia to face Italy alone? Must you feel Bulgaria’s resentment in your body while blocking Greece at sea and tearing off chunks you gained to appease Romania before coming to your senses?”

The Russian Empire having gained dominance of the Black Sea and fully reached warm waters.

Italy seeming ready to explode unsatisfied with the Great War’s outcome.

Bulgaria still with extremely poor national sentiment.

And Romania now reborn as a Pan-Slavism member.

Serbia cannot let go of my hand first no matter what.

Letting go of Russia’s hand in these Balkans, in other words walking an independent line breaking from Pan-Slavism, is essentially excommunication from Catholicism. Officially becoming isolated.

“I have no personal feelings. Rather I’m just sorry I can’t give more. However, reality is reality, this is difficult even for me, Tsar of the Great Empire.”

“…Aren’t those Italians ones who couldn’t even come out of Isonzo?”

“They aren’t frightening, but if you resist, those Western nations will issue one ticket to Italy. A ticket allowing expansion into the Balkans.”

This would sound quite convincing to Pašić since Italy actually aimed for Balkan expansion during the interwar period.

Italy having eaten nothing was gradually becoming a pelican.

Meaning they look ready to at least open their mouth to check if they can swallow.

“Regrettable.”

“…No. Thank you for taking the time.”

After Pašić, who understood with his head but still couldn’t accept in his heart, trudged out of the room.

“Sigh, Kokovtsov.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If even Pašić on our side has such an attitude, what about other extremists?”

“In the worst case, sparks might fly to us too.”

“Can we remove the Black Hand, those people?”

“Though it’s for the Okhrana to handle, wouldn’t removing just the organization’s top be undetectable?”

“Doesn’t matter, remove them.”

Anyway relations between military and government worsened as much as possible throughout the war and even the Black Hand failed to establish itself as the military’s main force.

From the start I heard the current regent Alexander also doesn’t much like the pro-Russian Black Hand faction.

And even if worst comes to worst and the regent ascends to the throne proclaiming South Slavism once more.

‘By then someone else will try to remove him even if I don’t.’

I don’t worry since that’s a matter for the distant future.

Because in that Italy, someone who openly assassinates even neighboring country’s kings was growing up.

There is no Yugoslavia in my Slavic world.