A Blow from the Other Side

"Your Highness, I came to see you on the orders of His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

Moscow is the empire's second capital, and it has important palaces such as the Kremlin. If the fires of war reach this city, all of Moscow may be destroyed.

His Highness hopes you will give this careful consideration."

After secretly leaving Moscow and meeting Mikhail, Ivan began to convey Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich's request.

"Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich is my own uncle. Yet in this civil war, he stood on Grand Duke Nicholas's side. It truly chills my heart!"

Mikhail looked deeply disappointed.

Mikhail's father, Alexander III, was Alexander II's eldest son, while Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich was Alexander II's fifth son.

The two of them were, in truth, uncle and nephew.

"My apologies, Your Highness. His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich was also deceived by His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Nicholas.

However, His Highness has now realized that.

Therefore, His Highness is willing to help you take Moscow and win this war.

That would not only ensure that Moscow is spared destruction in the fires of war, but also keep your losses as low as possible.

More importantly, it would bring this civil war to an end in the shortest possible time."

Ivan continued.

Mikhail nodded. If Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich could turn his weapons against the other side, nothing could be better.

Of course, he did not believe for a moment the claim that Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich had suddenly seen the light.

It was merely a fig leaf to cover his shame.

Wasn't he actually trying to jump off Grand Duke Nicholas's broken ship in time to save himself?

If Grand Duke Mikhail had been at a disadvantage in this civil war, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich would certainly have paid no heed to their bond as uncle and nephew. He would have sent him straight to his death.

"So what exactly does my dear uncle want?" Mikhail did not want to waste any more time and got straight to the point.

"Your Highness, His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich hopes you will promise to keep him on as commander of the Mosk Military District," Ivan replied.

Mikhail shook his head.

Ivan's expression changed dramatically.

If Mikhail did not accept this condition, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich would not defect.

But even so, that likely would not change the outcome of the civil war. At most, it would only cost Grand Duke Mikhail some additional losses.

As for them, they would probably all come to a bad end.

"Moscow will be the empire's capital from now on," Mikhail added.

Ivan immediately understood what Mikhail meant.

Mikhail intended to change the capital of the Tsarist Russian Empire, moving it from Petersburg to Moscow.

Once Moscow became the capital of the Tsarist Russian Empire, the position of commander of the Mosk Military District would become extremely important. As tsar, even if Mikhail did not personally serve as its commander, he would certainly appoint a trusted confidant to the post.

Otherwise, Mikhail probably would not even sleep soundly.

"Your Highness, in that case, what about commander of the Petersburg Military District?" Ivan proposed another option.

Once Moscow became the empire's capital, Petersburg's status would decline.

If Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich became commander of the Petersburg Military District, his status would still be secure.

Unfortunately, Mikhail shook his head again.

Ivan's expression turned very grim. He thought Mikhail was driving them into a dead end.

"How about this? I would personally like my dear uncle to serve as minister of war," Mikhail said.

"Minister of war?" Ivan's eyes lit up.

Under the Tsarist Russian Empire's current system, the minister of war was unquestionably the army's foremost figure.

Going from commander of the Mosk Military District to minister of war would certainly be a major promotion.

Ivan nearly thought Mikhail was joking.

"Go back and tell my dear uncle. If he is willing to serve as the next minister of war, then he knows what to do. This is his only chance!" Mikhail said.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ivan nodded repeatedly.

Ivan then returned to Moscow that very night and reported the situation to Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

"Your Highness, are you really going to make Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich minister of war?" General Brusilov was deeply puzzled.

He knew that Mikhail would never trust Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

So appointing him minister of war seemed strange, no matter how he looked at it.

"If my dear uncle can turn his weapons against the other side, we can soon take Moscow and win this civil war.

This civil war will soon be over.

The empire will also be spared heavy losses.

As for the post of minister of war, it is indeed important.

But after I become tsar, I will reform the empire's military system. The minister of war will no longer direct the entire army and will only be responsible for mobilization, budgets, supplies, and so on. Training will be the responsibility of the individual military districts. The General Staff will handle troop movements and operational command." Mikhail laid out his entire plan.

General Brusilov understood what Mikhail meant. He intended to elevate the General Staff's status further while reducing the minister of war's power.

A minister of war who could not directly influence the troops under him was no different from a commander in name only.

Even if Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich was not truly loyal to Mikhail,

the threat he could pose to Mikhail would already be small.

What was more, if Mikhail directly intervened in the army's affairs, he could strip Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of his power outright.

Trading such a post for Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich turning against his own side in this war was undoubtedly a very good bargain.

Especially with so many foreign enemies eyeing them like tigers, the shorter this civil war lasted, the smaller the threat facing the Tsarist Russian Empire would be.

Inside Moscow, Ivan reported Grand Duke Mikhail's wishes to Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

When Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich learned that Mikhail intended to make him minister of war, he was overjoyed.

"Haha, excellent! It seems my dear nephew still trusts me a great deal. Whatever happens, I am his own uncle! Ivan, leave the city at once and tell Mikhail that the troops of the Mosk Military District will give him their full cooperation from now on!"

Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich made his decision on the spot.