The Rise of Australasia

Chapter 796 -596: Meeting with Nicholas II_1

After attending Dmitry’s coronation ceremony, Arthur chose to visit the nearby Saint Petersburg, bringing Queen Mary back to her family home.

Regardless, Russians are an important part of the Australasian population, and the relationship between Australasia and Tsarist Russia is still worth maintaining.

Times have changed. The current status of Russia and Australasia has undergone earth-shattering changes, and the Russian Government attaches great importance to Arthur’s visit.

In the East Palace, Arthur finally saw Nicholas II, whom he had not seen for about ten years. Nicholas II looked much older, though only ten years had passed, he seemed to have aged at least twenty years.

Letting Queen Mary catch up with a few little ones and members of the Russian Monarchy, Arthur and Nicholas II entered a meeting room.

"Arthur, it’s been a long time!” Nicholas II said with a good deal of emotion as he looked at Arthur, who was in the prime of life and full of vigor.

"It’s been a long time, Cousin Nicholas,” Arthur replied with equal feeling.

The last time they met, Nicholas II’s status was higher than Arthur’s. Now Arthur’s position in the European royal family had surpassed Nicholas II’s.

Although Arthur and Nicholas II were of the same generation, Nicholas II was much older than Arthur. The difference in their status also made them both feel sentimental about the changes in the situation.

"Thank you for your help before, otherwise the rule of the Romanov Family might not have been maintained,” said Nicholas II, who was very grateful to Arthur.

If it had not been for Arthur’s strong support during the previous revolution, he would not have had the chance to turn the tables from desperation, and Russia would have become a Republic by now.

Although the situation in Russia is quite chaotic now, with a large number of countries breaking away from it,

The essence is still under the rule of Tsarist Russia. If they develop peacefully for 20 years, Russia will still become the European Bulldozer it once was, as both its land area and population still lead other European countries.

"That’s what I should do, Cousin Nicholas. After all, maintaining Monarchism is the common goal of all European royal families,” Arthur said with a smile.

Nicholas II nodded, believing what Arthur said.

After all, he and William II managed to keep their thrones, and Australasia had exerted some effort in this.

Otherwise, Europe would now have two more powerful Republics, and both Hohenzollern and Romanov would have become part of European dynastic history.

"Arthur, the recovery of Russia’s economy still needs Australasia’s support. I hope we can establish further cooperation to help Russia recover its economic and industrial level more quickly,” Nicholas II said quite sincerely after reflecting for a while.

Although Russia can obtain support from Britain and France, support from these countries requires Russia to pay a higher price, and the sincerity is not enough.

Even though cooperation with Australasia is also an exchange of interests, Nicholas II understands that Arthur has no other demands and will not covet Russian land.

This is, in fact, determined by the distance of Australasia. Because it is far away in Oceania, Australasia does not pose a great threat to European nations, which is why Australasia can gain the trust of many European countries.

But it’s different with Britain and France. Even if they do not have direct demands for land, they will try every means to control a country, which is something many European nations do not want to see.

"Naturally,” said Arthur with a smile. “Of course, I am willing to see Russia regain its industry and economy because, after all, Russia is one of Australasia’s most important allies.”

"However, the help from Australasia is still somewhat insufficient. Russia still needs to gain English and French support to better restore order after the war.”

Nicholas II also nodded, agreeing with the proposal to secure English and French support.

The two most powerful countries in current Europe are Britain and France. To better restore order, they must also receive approval from these two nations.

"Arthur, I want to invite some Australasian officers to help train our Military. I intend to create a completely New Army and even push for a Military reform across all of Russia,” Nicholas II stated at the end of their conversation.

Arthur was not surprised by Nicholas II’s proposal for Military reform. After all, the performances of the Russian army throughout the previous war and Civil War were not commendable and could even be described as a complete mess.

Poor Logistics, disorganized command, mediocre cooperation, and inconsistent quality of weapons and equipment – this was the true face of the Tsarist Russian army from World War I to the Civil War.

This resulting in Tsarist Russia suffering immense losses during World War I and barely able to contend with Soviet Russia during the Civil War due to its compromised Military capabilities.

Improving the fighting ability of the Military was the first thing Nicholas II was determined to change.

Currently, the Russian army’s total strength exceeds one million, and naturally, Nicholas II doesn’t have such grand ambitions to reform a million-strong military all at once.

Having taken the list of requirements provided by Nicholas II, Arthur finally understood that Nicholas II’s needs concerned the reform of a small portion of the military, specifically the current Russian First Army Group.

The Russian First Army Group now is a collection of Russia’s elite forces, totaling 316,000 personnel, comprising 5 armies, each with 3 divisions.

One can see a clear characteristic of the Russian military, which is somewhat bloated in size, with an average of over 20,000 personnel per division, a stark contrast to the average size of 16,000 per division in the Australasian army during World War I.

Such a massive scale of the army group led to a tremendous increase in logistical pressure, and the weapons and equipment, along with logistical resources allocated to each division, were not as plentiful as one might imagine, also leading to the dire logistical situation of Russia throughout World War I.

To undertake a reform akin to burning one’s boats, Nicholas II decided to completely emulate Australasia within the First Army Group by creating new type divisions of 16,000 personnel each.

To better learn from the organization and deployment of weapons and equipment of the Australasian Army was also an important part of the Russian military reform.

This also meant that after the comprehensive reform of this entire army group, Russia would have to expend a tremendous amount of resources and time, and the costs would certainly not be small.

"A complete reformation of the entire First Army Group?” Arthur asked with some curiosity.

"Of course,” replied Nicholas II with a nod, his expression turning slightly serious as he spoke, “Time waits for no one, and Russia’s condition demands a more excellent military. I will disband part of the military to reduce military expenses, and all these reductions will be used for the reform of the First Army Group.

Arthur, the reformation of the military will also need the strong support of Australasia, and Russia will certainly not forget the friendship of Australasia.” At the end of his speech, Nicholas II turned his gaze to Arthur, speaking very sincerely.

Helping Russia with military reform?

For Arthur, this was hardly a problem. First and foremost, whether Russia was powerful or not, had no disadvantages for Australasia; it could even add a reliable ally.

Secondly, only if Russia becomes powerful, will it be able to successfully confine Germany within Europe if World War II were to break out in the future.

After all, if one were to rely purely on Britain and France, it would be very difficult to defeat Germany during World War II.

The development of this world is already different from history, and the signing of the American island alliance made Arthur question whether the United States would join the Allied Nations in the future as they did in history, rather than the Axis powers.

Moreover, with Russia currently being very chaotic, confronting the upcoming Second World War with the present European situation is virtually impossible.

If Britain, France, and Russia could join forces to counter Germany, then perhaps they could suppress the Germany of history.

Although it is uncertain whether this world will develop as it did historically, the rise of Mussolini in Italy and the birth of the German Nazi Party must keep Arthur on alert.

A Russia that has regained its strength could not only contend against the Island Nation in the Far East but also face a Russia that may spark war in the future.

After weighing all considerations, making Russia more powerful is beneficial for Australasia’s development, so naturally, Arthur wouldn’t refuse Nicholas II’s proposal.

"Of course, that’s no problem, cousin Nicholas. As an ally of Russia, I would naturally be pleased to see Russia’s strength,” Arthur replied with a smile and a nod, agreeing to Nicholas II’s proposal.

"Russia’s military reform will need weapons and equipment, training of officers, and so on – all of which Australasia is willing to provide to Russia. We also welcome more Russian officers to study abroad in Australasia and learn more about military tactics and military thought.”

Helping one is helping, and helping two is the same. Military students from Finland and Russia could also be arranged to learn together through concentrated education, and so on.

For the time being, Arthur needn’t worry about conflicts arising between these two countries, since neither Nicholas II nor Dmitry are fools, and being from the same royal family, the two countries naturally have an advantageous relationship.

If Nicholas II is wise enough, he could completely sign an alliance with Finland, thereby increasing his influence in Eastern Europe.

Even if this may mean forgoing Finland as a territory, for Russia, unifying domestically is of greatest importance at the moment.

Reclaiming the nations that have declared independence, including Lithuania among others, without a special event or war, would be very difficult for Russia.

Even Lithuania, under Polish control, with the support of Britain and France, would be beyond Russia’s reach.

The hope for Russia to reclaim these nations might rest upon a powerful country destroying these independent nations in the future.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!