"How long will it take for our newly formed troops to become combat effective?" Nicholas II asked.
"Your Majesty, it will take almost a year." Sukhomlinov said.
"One year? No, one year is too long!" Nicholas II shook his head. A year from now, the war might even be over. If the Russian army had formed combat effectiveness at that time, it would be of no use at all.
"Half a year, Your Majesty, half a year is enough. However, we need countries such as Britain and France to provide us with weapons and equipment. With our own military production capacity, it is undoubtedly very difficult to arm millions of troops." Sukhomlinov said.
Nicholas II hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Although, asking for help from Britain and French made him a little embarrassed. But as long as Russian Imperial Army can regain strong combat effectiveness and defeat Germany people on the battlefield, even if it means losing a little face, it will be completely worth it. Besides, this time Russian Empire is helping Britain and French fight the war. Reasonably and logically, they should provide weapons and equipment reinforcements to the Russian Empire.
"Izvolsky, you are responsible for communicating with Britain and French and asking them to find a way to provide us with a batch of arms. Otherwise, our army will not be able to support Eastern Front. If there is any adverse impact as a result, they will bear all the consequences." Nicholas II said.
"Yes, Your Majesty. However, British Navy is now suppressed by German Navy. Even if they are willing to transport arms to us, they cannot transport them to our port!" Izvolsky said.
Nicholas II touched his mustache. "This is indeed a problem. However, this problem shouldn't be ours to worry about? Isn't it? I think Britain and French can definitely find a way to solve this problem."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Izvolsky nodded helplessly. He knew what Nicholas II meant, which was to leave the problem to Britain and French. As for Britain and France, in order for the Russian Empire to survive this war, they have no choice. We can only provide arms to the Russian Empire as much as possible so that Russian Empire's army can be re-armed. Otherwise, once German military and the Austrian army on the eastern front enter the western or southern front, this will cause Allied Powers to face failure again in these two directions. By that time, the situation will really get out of hand.
"Your Majesty, the current war situation is very unfavorable to us. Why can't we consider making peace with the Germany people and end this war?" Prime Minister Vyacheslav? Plehve suggested.
"Making peace? Making peace with Germany?" Tsar Nicholas II's face suddenly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"I will never bow to that arrogant guy, never!" Nicholas II objected firmly.
The arrogant guy mentioned by Nicholas II naturally refers to Wilhelm II. In fact, King of England, German Emperor and Russia Tsar are cousins and all relatives. However, in this war, they fought to the death. Empire, commanded by Wilhelm II, is thriving. But the huge Empire commanded by Nicholas II is gradually declining. Such a result was unacceptable to Nicholas II, who was also extremely proud. Therefore, even if the Russian army suffered an unprecedented defeat, he would never bow to Wilhelm II. Unless one day German military hits St. Petersburg and he becomes a prisoner.
"But Your Majesty, in this war, we are already in an extremely disadvantageous situation. At the same time, the domestic situation is also very bad. Various forces are adding fuel to the flames. If we cannot handle it properly, Empire will fall into a great crisis." Vyacheslav? Plehve said solemnly.
"You mean, does anyone want to oppose my rule? Send out the army, suppress those guys, send them all to Siberia to mine, or hang them all." Nicholas II ordered coldly.
Vyacheslav Plehve saw that Wilhelm II's attitude was so determined that he had no choice but to say no more. He knows very well that Wilhelm II's character is inherently paranoid, and no one can change his decision on what he must decide. If you try to persuade him again and again, it may even arouse his extreme disgust.
Another reason why Nicholas II is unwilling to make peace with Germany is that he knows that there is no free lunch in the world. When the situation is extremely unfavorable to them, if they propose peace to Germany, Germany will definitely open their mouths and put forward very harsh conditions. They would even be asked to cede large tracts of territory and pay huge war reparations. Nicholas II, I am not willing to pay such a heavy price. There was even a trace of luck in his heart. That is, if Russia wins this war, not only can they keep those interests, they can even cut a piece of flesh from the Germany people. Even if it is a tie, it is still a very good result for the Russian Empire. At least, you don't have to lose those benefits anymore.
"In the next battle, we must find a way to resist the attack of Germany people." Nicholas II looked at Minister of War Sukhomlinov.
"Your Majesty, Grand Duke Nicholas suggest that we shrink our defense line. Give up part of the territory in the west and shorten our logistics supply line. At the same time, lengthen the enemy's logistics supply line. In this way, we can buy a lot of time for our troops to rest and recuperate and arm more troops." Sukhomlinov said.
Nicholas II nodded, even though giving up a large area of territory made him very heartbroken. However, these territories were only temporarily surrendered. If we make peace with the Germany people, those territories will have to be given up forever. This is unacceptable to him.
"Okay, I agree with Grand Duke Nicholas's suggestion, trade space for time!" Nicholas II said. The reason why he is willing to pay these prices has only one purpose, and that is to win this war.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sukhomlinov replied.
Immediately, Nicholas II issued an order to reorganize Northwestern Front Army and Southwestern Front. Transfer Guard 1st Army Corps to the front line as the main force of the Northwestern Front Army, and rebuild 1st Army Corps, 2nd Army Corps, 9th Army Corps and Guard 2nd Army Corps, bringing the strength of the Northwestern Front Army to 1.5 million. Southwestern Front's 3rd Army Corps, 4th Army Corps, 8th Army Corps, 11th Army Corps will also be rebuilt. Adding 13th Army Corps, there will still be five armies with 1.5 million people.