Though Witte still seems anxious imagining all sorts of possibilities I could take, I didn''t particrly mind.


    "For now let''s support them."


    Because in this country no matter how big financial power gets, it can''t reach even the toe of power anyway.


    ==


    Returning to the Prime Minister''s office after hearing chilling stories from the Tsar again today, Witte sat down without time to examine the Tsar''s true intentions.


    Even as just a minister he was busy without breathing room, but rising to Prime Minister now life''s density became different.


    "Kokovtsov, give me everything I need to check."


    "Then first the ministers'' requests."


    First visible was documents submitted by Interior Vice Minister Ivan Durnovo.


    "...Asking for an ukase expelling low social status Jews from Moscow? Ukase? Is he asking for an imperial edict now?"


    "He asks for legition expelling craftsmen, small merchants, workers to suburbs for urban security."


    "Knew he was discriminatory but thiscking in tact."


    How can he make such demands when barely any time has passed since the Imperial Court made Baron Hertsel a noble by awarding him 4th ss Order of Saint dimir.


    "Seems this one will have trouble keeping his next position."


    "Prime Minister, Minister Durnovo has Grand Duke Alexandrovich Moscow Governor-General behind him."


    "His Majesty is someone who threw even the Tsesarevich Crown Prince to the frontlines. Hard to have long life acting wild just because backed by a Grand Duke."


    Witte tore the paper throwing it into the prepared trash bin.


    Such anachronistic agenda items still asionally reach his desk.


    ''Better His Majesty doesn''t see such items.''


    If violent confrontations and armed uprisings were to erupt, with people wielding des and citing these changes as their justification, it would create an extremely challenging situation for Prime Minister Witte to manage and contain effectively.


    Beyond these pressing concerns, the Prime Minister''s desk was constantly flooded with an endless stream of reports, petitions, and administrative matters requiring his attention - from local disputes to national policy decisions, all demanding careful consideration.


    The momentous imperial edict issued in April of this year had formally proimed religious freedom throughout the empire, marking a significant shift in policy and introducing new dynamics into an alreadyplex social and politicalndscape.


    "Must block Orthodox Church bacsh well. Should meet with archbishops too."


    "I''ll set appointments."


    Reconstruction n for Far Eastern Fleet that became empire''srgest fleet.


    "Wish this would proceed as slowly as possible."


    "Have you read Admiral Romen''s East Sea Naval Battle report? The content aboutrge ship decks only needing huge naval guns-"


    "That one''s gone mad. Didn''t you notice when he received decorations? Pupils losing focus and drool pooling?"


    Also other national news that absolutely cannot be ignored.


    "Von Trotha''s promation from Germany. Policy to exterminate African Nama people."


    "They say tens of thousands are dying."


    "Greek Prime Minister Delyannis''s assassination? Was Greece also suffering frommunist terror?"


    "That one just fought over gambling house issues..."


    "..."


    Signing, cutting, holding, rejecting one by one like that, red gs begin turning outside the window.


    Thinking another day is setting like this, just as he tried to stretch briefly relieving fatigue, Witte had to receive a new guest before leaving work.


    "...General Kuropatkin?"


    Aleksey Nikyevich Kuropatkin. For Witte it was natural to be flustered by such an unexpected figure visiting without appointment.


    Entering without greeting, Kuropatkin seemed somewhat restless ncing left and right.


    At that sight Witte stood up telling surrounding officials:


    "We''ll stop here for today. Everyone go home."


    After secretaries including Kokovtsov left the office, only then did Kuropatkin approach Witte.@@novelbin@@


    And then, suddenly cried out:


    "Prime Minister! Please save me!"


    "What do you mean-"


    "The Prime Minister who worked together knows better than anyone how loyally I served the empire during my War Minister days!"


    "Hmm, first sit down. Would you like tea, or alcohol?"


    "...Vodka."


    With no secretaries, Witte personally brought sses cing them before him and pouring.


    General Kuropatkin still had time until retirement so wouldn''t havee so urgently about that.


    Still quite respected though not as much as war heroes, as a leader of military reform, what could be the matter?


    "I quite like the General. A legendary figure rising to Army General frommoner origins in the conservative military. Anyone who knows yourmand at the Battle of Geok Tepe in your youth cannot deny your ability."


    Isn''t it because of outstanding ability as a soldier that you became minister and general despite not being noble?


    "But asking to be saved? What does this mean?"


    "Idiots with only heavy bottoms whose life''s greatest worry is how to get one more medal might not know, but I who carried outmand reforms know. Right, not everything. May not be exact. But I''m notpletely ignorant!"


    "So what are you saying?"


    Beyond pitiful seeing one older showing such weakness, Witte felt like he might grow weary.


    However Kuropatkin''s next words were enough to make Witte''s raising drink ss tremble.


    "New Military."


    "...New Military?"


    "That''s all I know. Don''t know about the guard coup or purge that might be behind it. But there must be something. If even I as Army General only felt signs now, my neck might be on that list too. Damn!"


    First setting aside iprehensible words that came after like purge or guard coup.


    Witte felt need to review General Kuropatkin''s words one by one.


    "Is there a New Military in this country?"


    ".... It emerged. No, precisely it was created. Just nowpleted."


    "Who is it? Who did such crazy things when the imperial army properly exists?"


    If such a group exists, its existence alone is treason and must be resolved faster than anything else.


    Another private organization within the military is high treason, but forces worthy of being called New Military?


    ''Which crazy bastard. Perhaps Grand Dukes unable to ept their fate? Or Governor-General?''


    It won''t be Internal Troops or Okhrana. Though they work with the military, they''re clearly organizationally separate. Discover hidden tales at empire


    "...His Majesty the Tsar."


    But at Kuropatkin''s troubled voice answer.


    Witte didn''t know how to respond.


    Instead only his hand brought the ss to his mouth.


    Seemed he needed to drink first before talking more.