A Difficult Situation

In Kazan, fierce fighting continued.

The troops of the Caucasus Military District had already occupied half of Kazan.

The forces of the Kazan Military District and the Orenburg Military District were being driven back at every turn.

The entire city of Kazan had been reduced to rubble in the fierce fighting.

In the face of massive casualties, the morale of the Kazan Military District and Orenburg Military District troops had suffered a severe blow.

More and more soldiers were surrendering to Grand Duke Mikhail in battle, even though they had previously called the troops under his command rebels.

But to stay alive, they now had no choice but to scramble to join the rebels.

"Your Highness, the offensive is going very smoothly across all units. We have broken through multiple enemy defensive lines. More and more enemy troops are surrendering to us. On some fronts, entire formations have already surrendered.

"If nothing unexpected happens, we will soon be able to take Kazan and annihilate the enemy forces here!"

Major General Viktor Sakharov delivered his report.

Grand Duke Mikhail nodded. "Grand Duke Nicholas has transferred his main forces to deal with General Brusilov. That is undoubtedly our opportunity. Order the 8th Cavalry Brigade and the 10th Brigade to begin advancing toward Moscow.

"First, take control of the strategic positions along the railway. That will also help us advance on Moscow afterward."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Major General Viktor Sakharov replied.

"Your Highness, General Vasily is here with an urgent report," his secretary Yakov reported.

"Let him in," Grand Duke Mikhail replied.

Major General Vasily, director of the Intelligence Bureau, then entered. After saluting Grand Duke Mikhail, he began his report.

"Your Highness, the Ottomans launched an attack on the southern Caucasus, but the troops led by General Belyayev drove them back.

"However, according to the intelligence we currently have, the Ottomans will certainly not let the matter rest.

"Abdul Hamid II has already ordered a large-scale mobilization.

"At the same time, they have placed many orders with the German Empire, purchasing German weapons and equipment and hiring German military instructors.

"All of this shows that, after their attack was repulsed, the Ottomans not only failed to abandon their invasion plans, but intend to expand the scale of their invasion.

"The Caucasus Military District is very likely to face a major Ottoman attack next."

Major General Vasily's expression was grave.

Grand Duke Mikhail's expression could not help but turn serious as well.

Although the Ottoman Empire had grown severely weakened,

In the past, the Caucasus Military District would not have regarded the Ottoman Empire as a threat at all.

But now, the main forces of the Caucasus Military District had gone north, leaving only a portion of its troops behind.

If the Ottoman Empire attacked with all its strength, it would undoubtedly pose a very great threat to the Caucasus Military District.

"Order our mobilization accelerated. Make every effort to prepare to repel the Ottoman invasion," Grand Duke Mikhail ordered.

The Caucasus Military District already had twenty infantry divisions in the process of being formed.

Once these units were fully formed and combat-ready, even if their combat effectiveness fell short of the veteran troops', with the support of advanced weapons and equipment, they would at least be beyond the Ottomans' ability to match.

Leaving everything else aside, they would have no trouble holding back an Ottoman invasion.

Once the civil war was over and he had gained complete control of the entire Tsarist Russian Empire, Grand Duke Mikhail would have plenty of time and means to deal with the Ottomans.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Yakov replied.

"Also, have the Black Sea Fleet prepare. If necessary, it can launch an attack on Istanbul!" Grand Duke Mikhail instructed.

With Mikhail's support, the Black Sea Fleet had grown considerably stronger.

By comparison, the Ottoman Empire Navy was already a navy in name only.

With the Black Sea Fleet's strength, it would have no trouble dominating the Black Sea.

Once the Black Sea Fleet launched an attack, the Ottomans would be unable to resist it.

However, Istanbul was, after all, the Ottoman capital. At the same time, the British, in order to contain the Tsarist Russian Empire, were always looking to blockade its navy in the Black Sea.

Once the Black Sea Fleet launched an attack, it would inevitably trigger a series of chain reactions.

Therefore, Mikhail still needed to consider carefully whether to deploy the Black Sea Fleet.

"Yes, Your Highness." Yakov nodded.

"Your Highness, according to the intelligence we have received, the Germans are now targeting the empire.

"Besides actively providing the Ottomans with support in every area, they are also giving substantial support to resistance forces in Poland and the Baltic Sea region.

"Activities opposing imperial rule in Poland and along the Baltic Sea coast are emerging one after another.

"Armed clashes have even broken out in quite a few places.

"More than half the forces of the Huasha Military District and the Vilna Military District were transferred to the domestic battlefield, and all were committed to the campaign to surround and attack General Brusilov.

"As a result, the Huasha Military District and the Vilna Military District now seem to be struggling to cope.

"If this continues, I fear the situation in the Warsaw region and along the Baltic Sea coast will grow even worse."

General Vasily brought the matter to his attention.

Mikhail nodded. He had already considered this when the civil war broke out.

Or rather, Mikhail had already guessed that the enemies around them would not miss this opportunity.

Sure enough, those enemies had now begun to act.

"Grand Duke Nicholas and the others were willing to transfer troops stationed in these regions in order to defeat us. A situation like this was inevitable.

"Once we win this civil war, everything will return to its proper course.

"This also forces us to win the civil war as quickly as possible.

"The longer it drags on, the more unfavorable the situation will become for us!"

Mikhail said.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

None of those present doubted that they would win the civil war.

They simply could not be certain how long it would take to achieve victory.

"Your Highness, we have also discovered that, in the distant east, the Japanese have begun making small moves. Not only have they begun increasing their troop presence on the Korean Peninsula, but they have also become increasingly assertive in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Korea," Major General Vasily said.

Mikhail had always remained wary of the Japanese.

After establishing the Intelligence Bureau, he had also made the Far East a major focus of its attention.

"It was inevitable that the Japanese would seize this opportunity to make trouble. Unfortunately, we cannot attend to the Far East right now.

"Once we have won this civil war, we can set about resolving matters in the Far East!"

Mikhail sighed.

Major General Vasily nodded. He understood as well.

Some matters were more important and urgent than others, and winning the civil war was undoubtedly the most important.

Everything else would have to wait for the time being.