All That Fuss for Nothing

In Saint Petersburg, ever since receiving news of the Anglo-Persian Secret Treaty, Alexander III had lost quite a bit more hair.

Casually tossing aside the telegram in his hand, Alexander III complained, "Those damned British—can't they just behave themselves for once?

We've only had a few peaceful days, and they're already stirring up trouble again. Do they really think we're so easy to bully...?"

Heavens bear witness, he truly did not want to make trouble right now. Wouldn't it be nice to quietly focus on development? Why did they have to stir things up?

Finance Minister Alisher Gulov advised, "Your Majesty, this is a British plot.

They deliberately provoked a conflict in Persia at this time in order to interrupt the Russian Empire's recovery. We absolutely cannot let their scheme succeed."

He was genuinely afraid that the young and hot-blooded Tsar would fly into a rage and charge off to war with the British regardless of the consequences. Such things had happened quite often under previous Tsars.

More accurately, such things were common all over the world. It was only in modern times, after learning countless lessons from their predecessors, that people gradually became more rational.

The Russian Empire was not suited to launching a foreign war at present. First came the Prusso-Russian War, followed by the economic crisis; the Russian Empire was at its weakest point.

Before Alexander III could answer, War Minister Paladru Wald spoke first. "Everyone knows this is a British plot, but so what?

The interests of the Russian Empire cannot be violated. The Persian issue is merely a test by the British. If we do not cut off their delusions, even more trouble will be waiting for us afterward.

Once the outside world believes that the Russian Empire has declined, the enemies we must face