March on Moscow

On the morning of May 20, 1898, in Volgograd, the square in front of the governor's residence.

The officers and soldiers of the Caucasus Military District's 1st Infantry Division had already assembled there.

At the same time, large numbers of imperial citizens had gathered around the square to watch.

Over the past few days, the tsar's assassination and the question of succession to the throne had caused a tremendous uproar.

The people under Mikhail's rule naturally hoped that Grand Duke Mikhail would become the new tsar.

During his years as governor of the Don River, Grand Duke Mikhail had implemented a number of policies to develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods.

Moreover, Mikhail's businesses had provided a great many jobs, greatly increasing the incomes of many people and markedly improving their standard of living.

This had also made Mikhail deeply loved by the people.

Surrounded by a group of officers, Grand Duke Mikhail mounted the platform.

Loudspeakers had already been set up to ensure that Mikhail's speech could reach every corner of the square.

"The empire's most loyal officers and soldiers, the empire's kindest people. Our beloved tsar was assassinated in a despicable attack and has left us forever.

"But those damned bureaucratic lords in Petersburg, instead of trying to catch the murderer and avenge His Majesty, have begun plotting a new conspiracy.

"Under the Law of Succession to the Throne, I am the first in line to the throne. By all rights, I should inherit it and become the empire's new tsar.

"But those conspirators want to pin the crime of assassinating His Majesty on me, dump a shit bucket over my head, and strip me of my right to the throne.

"Then they intend to place my niece, Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, who is only two and a half years old, on the tsar's throne and make her the empire's fifth empress!"

Mikhail's voice reached the ears of every soldier and civilian in the square.

An uproar broke out among them all.

None of them had ever imagined that the succession to the imperial throne could have such a despicable and sinister side.

Many spoke out against the injustice done to Grand Duke Mikhail, believing that the bureaucratic lords in Petersburg were utterly shameless to try to steal the throne that belonged to him.

The officers and soldiers in particular were furious.

They were soldiers of the empire, but also an elite force built by Grand Duke Mikhail himself. How could they tolerate this?

"If Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna becomes tsar, then the empire's power will inevitably fall into the hands of those bureaucratic lords. The entire empire will become a tool for those fellows to pursue their own interests.

"The empire will inevitably decline step by step, and may even collapse!

"As the son of His Majesty Alexander III and the younger brother of His Majesty Nicholas II, I absolutely cannot tolerate any of this. I will reclaim the throne that belongs to me!

"Now, in my capacity as governor of the Don River, commander of the Caucasus Military District, and commander of the Black Sea Fleet, I declare that the troops of the Caucasus Military District will march on Petersburg, reclaim the throne that belongs to me, and take back the glory that belongs to us!"

Grand Duke Mikhail issued the order.

"Yes, Your Highness!" all the officers and soldiers answered loudly.

"God will protect us! I firmly believe that victory belongs to us! Ura!"

"Ura! Ura!"

The officers and soldiers roared.

The imperial citizens watching also joined in the roar.

Mikhail was very pleased to see this.

According to the plan, the Caucasus 1st Infantry Division would be the first to depart from Volgograd, traveling by boat upstream along the Volga River straight to Kazan.

There, they would transfer to trains bound for Moscow.

Although Petersburg was still the capital of the Tsarist Russian Empire,

Moscow, the old capital, still wielded enormous influence.

The Kremlin in Moscow was also where the tsars were crowned.

At the same time, it was the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church and a traditional spiritual symbol.

Once he took Moscow, Grand Duke Mikhail could hold his coronation there and become the new tsar.

In some respects, Moscow was more important than Petersburg.

The Caucasus Military District had twenty infantry divisions, ten cavalry brigades, four mountain infantry brigades, and one heavy artillery brigade under its command. In addition, Mikhail had issued an emergency mobilization order to mobilize another twenty infantry divisions.

So, naturally, the 1st Infantry Division would not be the only force committed to the fighting.

Under the operational plan drawn up by Chief of Staff General Brusilov, the Caucasus Military District would commit fifteen infantry divisions, ten cavalry brigades, and one heavy artillery brigade.

The remaining five infantry divisions and four mountain infantry brigades would stay behind to guard their home base.

Southern Caucasus in particular had long been a major point of contention between the Tsarist Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The area around Van, especially, was under Ottoman control.

With the main forces of the Caucasus Military District heading north to reclaim the throne for Grand Duke Mikhail, the Caucasus region would inevitably be left short of troops.

The Ottomans might seize the opportunity to attack.

The Caucasus Military District therefore had to make the necessary preparations.

Once the newly mobilized twenty infantry divisions were combat-ready, there should be no problem.

"In my name, send telegrams to the governors throughout the empire, to every province and region, and to the cities under them, demanding that they submit immediately and not obstruct my army. Otherwise, they will be regarded as our enemies!" Mikhail continued to order.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Yakov immediately went to send the telegrams.

"Then, Chief of Staff, let us each lead our troops according to the established plan!" Grand Duke Mikhail continued.

"Yes, Your Highness. In that case, I'll see you in Moscow!" General Brusilov replied.

According to the established plan, Grand Duke Mikhail would personally lead ten infantry divisions, four cavalry brigades, and one heavy artillery brigade north along the Volga River.

General Brusilov, meanwhile, would lead five infantry divisions and six cavalry brigades overland through Donetsk, Kharkov, Voronezh, Ryazan, and other places to Moscow.

The two great armies would advance side by side, forming mutually supporting flanks and able to come to each other's aid.

Given that transportation within the Tsarist Russian Empire was currently in a poor state and there was no complete railway network,

transporting troops and supplies by water along the Volga River was undoubtedly very important.

Fortunately, Mikhail had established an inland river fleet in advance and equipped it with dozens of gunboats.

Although these gunboats were small in tonnage and insignificant at sea,

on the inland rivers, they had no equal.

With the inland river fleet, Mikhail could maintain a firm grip on the Volga River and ensure the transport of troops and logistical supplies.

This would undoubtedly be highly advantageous to the coming operations.

Grand Duke Mikhail's rallying of his troops and march on Moscow caused a tremendous uproar throughout the Tsarist Russian Empire and even the entire world.

Everyone knew that the struggle for the throne of the Tsarist Russian Empire had finally reached the point where force of arms would be used.

Or rather, a civil war that would soon sweep across the entire Tsarist Russian Empire had already broken out!