Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Otherwise, Chief of General Staff Kuropatkin seemed ready to personally command and drive soldiers to their deaths.

An Eastern Front offensive no one wanted.

Perhaps a battle unwanted even by those German soldiers surviving day by day in trenches opposite.

"...I'll prepare."

Though those holding guns don't want to fight, those watching pull the trigger.

That's what war was originally.

==

Europe, where fires not only didn't die out but spread further even after a year.

Then what state were those standing apart from this massive chaos in?

After the colonial era, Europe unusually conducted imports targeting the whole world while exporting everything from military, institutions, culture, manufactured goods, to technology.

Naturally, this was practically a worldwide boom excluding Europe.

"Just make it! Just make anything! Just attach a munitions label and everything sells!"

"Delivery risk? Ah, now they come to our ports and load it themselves."

Though Woodrow Wilson advocated "impartial neutrality" and U-boats sank the Lusitania killing even American civilians, America intended to maintain non-participation in the war until the end.

Because this country had already hit it big just through neutrality.

Exports that were 2.6 billion dollars in 1913 doubled in two years and still continued soaring.

Making last year's unprecedented four-month stock exchange closure due to unknown war look foolish, American stocks renewed all-time highs daily.

There had never been a time when Made in USA sold so well.

So no matter how much Britain and France pleaded for participation and looked askance at them just sucking honey.

'Why should we? Things sell so well just watching quietly?'

'My goodness, the great France importing food? That country with Western Europe's largest fertile land?'

Participation? Nonsense.

The entire New World was dazed from the money storm.

So much money poured in that even when the government announced "excess profit taxation policy," capitalists nodded in agreement.

Similarly, though smaller in scale, East Asia also met this boom. Continue your journey with empire

Particularly, East Asia rode this boom despite Korea and Japan participating in the Great War.

Japan gained considerable rights by joining the Entente.

They voluntarily sank SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth and received permission from Russia to advance into Shandong Province, then happily raided the Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands together with the Far East Fleet.

Though they tasted the fear of international isolation when even Britain cut alliance ties, through this war they formally re-emerged in international society as an Entente member.

It wasn't for nothing that the Japanese Empire sent expeditionary forces even to Europe.

They also tried their hardest not to miss this flood tide opportunity.

[Red Cross Recruiting Nurses for Expeditionary Forces!]

[Another Successful Ibuki Warship Escort of Australian Imperial Force (AIF)!]

[Japanese Army Steps in for British Singapore Rebellion!]

Without deep involvement, but making sure not to miss any gaps.

They diligently showed their face to international society.

And the money earned from war profits...

"...Almost all paid back."

Flowed straight through and out of the national treasury.

The cabinet led by Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, evaluated as savvy in financial policy and capable in diplomacy and fiscal policy, had to diligently save penny by penny to pay back Russo-Japanese War bonds to Britain and America first.

Though the amount wasn't large due to failed bond sales, the Japanese government at the time had no ability to repay.

"If these war profits continue just one more year, no, two more years!"

"Are, are we finally escaping deficit financing!"

The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) represented Japan's bold bid to establish itself as a colonial power and resist Western imperialism in East Asia. Japan sought to counter the expanding Russian presence in Manchuria and Korea, viewing these territories as vital to its own security and economic interests. This conflict marked the first time in modern history that an Asian nation defeated a European power, sending shockwaves through the international community.

Though Japan's subsequent defeat in later conflicts drove the nation into a period of deep psychological trauma and collective frustration, World War I (1914-1918) emerged as an unexpected source of renewed optimism and national pride. This global conflict presented Japan with fresh opportunities to assert itself on the world stage.

Beyond the substantial economic benefits gained through special wartime procurement contracts and military supply arrangements, Japan's role in supporting the Allied powers carried profound symbolic significance. The spectacle of an Asian nation serving as a crucial ally to European powers in their hour of need provided powerful narrative material for Japanese media outlets and government propagandists. This collaboration helped validate Japan's aspirations to be recognized as a modern, industrialized nation on par with Western powers. The government skillfully leveraged this partnership in their domestic messaging to boost national morale and promote a sense of Japan's rising international prestige.

Finally, their best news.

"...What about Russia?"

"Isn't it obvious seeing they allowed advance into Qingdao! We're clearly alliance nations fighting war together with Russia!"

The European war shattered what seemed like a structure permanently trapping them on islands after Russia completely advanced into the Far East.

Because with a shared enemy now, any past could be whitewashed.

Russia also had no reason to create friction with Japan while busy with European matters, so maintained an atmosphere of allowing their advance into China moderately.

And seeing these two countries become rapidly close in just one year, a certain peninsula nation.

"Ja-Japan advancing to the continent? The Far East Governor-General's Office allowing this?"

"What if the two countries become friendly and we alone face trouble?"

"We must send incomparably more troops to Europe than the Japanese Empire! Only then can our homeland survive!"

Became even more passionate about troop reinforcement.

While Japan could fully enjoy war profits with industrial and technological capability at the level of a middle power in this era, achieving economies of scale in domestic markets and lowering agriculture's share of industry to 70%.

The Korean Empire. This country still more suited to the name Joseon than its grandiose imperial title couldn't enjoy such profits.

No resources, no industrial power, and no capacity to advance overseas while imperialist nations were distracted.

So whether monarchist supporters or constitutionalists.

"Ga-gather more troops!"

"The assembly announces passage of the conscription bill today!"

"No job? In debt? Want to make money? Get on the train with a gun right now!"

No one opposed conscription and deployment.

Just as medieval Switzerland maintained their country by expanding mercenary business into a national enterprise.

Korea also prepared to send troops beyond the numbers Russia requested.

Once command authority is transferred, Russian forces would arm and train them anyway.

In an era where Europe absorbed everything, this country had nothing.

The only thing they had was manpower.

So their only export could be people.