Chapter 400: No Money, So We Can Only Slaughter Pigs
Saint Petersburg. Ever since the Battle of East Prussia ended, life had not been easy for the Tsarist Government at the heart of the vortex.
Although the generals at the front had taken the blame, Alexander II understood that the real reason for the Russian army's crushing defeat was not the commanders' leadership.
If not for that order demanding a swift victory, the Battle of East Prussia might still have been ongoing. According to the original strategy, the Russian army only needed to hold the Prussians in check and rely on its naval advantage to secure victory through offensive operations.
Offense and defense were entirely different concepts. If the Russian army had adopted a defensive strategy, it absolutely would not have been defeated so quickly. At most, the Prussians' sudden reinforcement of troops would have cost them a few defensive lines.
"Money" had become the chief culprit behind this battle's defeat, followed by the Russian Empire's abysmal transportation, then the Tsarist Government's corrupt bureaucratic system, and only lastly this "decisive battle order."
Minister of War Khramed reported, "Your Majesty, we have already begun mobilization. The manpower losses at the front can be fully replenished within the next two months.
"As for the lost weapons and equipment, domestic arms manufacturers are preparing to work day and night. We have ordered the shortfall from Austria and will ensure that the troops are equipped before spring next year."
Khramed wisely ignored the matter of assigning responsibility. Although the main officers at the front had taken the blame, none had been dismissed or held accountable. They had merely been ordered to atone for their crimes through meritorious service.
Overall, their performance had still been passable. These officers were the Russians' greatest gains from the