Just when the Germans were considering how to defeat the Russians, the Russians were also considering how to kill the Germans! Even when the Russo-Japanese War just ended, the Russians had already begun to consider the future situation of fighting against the Allies as a whole. However, compared with the prince's foresight, the Russians knew nothing about the strategies of the Allies, and they could only formulate Russian war plans through speculation!

But first, the Russians have to solve their funding problem first. Well, that's right, it's the funding problem! In order to win the Russo-Japanese War, the Russians consumed up to 3.2 million rubles on the battlefield every day! (2.6 million rubles in history) With the continuation of the war, the Russians' treasury, which was not sufficient, quickly became able to run away. After the war, although Britain and France provided loans of more than 2 billion francs, most of the money was used to fill fiscal loopholes and stabilize the domestic situation, and not much could be used as military expenditure.

The Russians face a very serious problem, how to use limited military expenditure to build an army that can cope with the needs of future wars. After all, if you take the money from Britain and France, you have to fight for Britain and France! In the palace in St. Petersburg, senior Russian military leaders gathered together to discuss the issue of what to do in the future Russian army.

"I think that under the current circumstances, it is no longer appropriate for us to continue to pay equal attention to the navy and army. If it makes sense that the empire invested a lot of money to build a navy in order to occupy the Northeast and suppress the Japanese navy before that, then now, in Europe, what Russia needs more is a powerful army rather than a navy!" Army Minister Kulopatkin first stabbed his former naval comrade.

"In Britain, Germany, France, and the United States are building naval forces in the hope of catching up with this wave of naval technological innovation, you, Kulopatkin, actually attacked and slandered the navy for personal gain. This is simply a crime! I admit that in the war in the Far East, I have an unshirkable responsibility, but I still want to remind you here that the sea control of the Baltic Sea is directly related to the security of our country along the Baltic Sea. This is one of our most important industrial bases, and to the north of the Black Sea is Russia's granary Ukraine. In order to ensure these crucial areas, I believe that the construction of the navy must not only not be left behind, but also must be accelerated." General Essen, currently the Minister of the Russian Navy, said.

"Okay, I have a few questions. Can you answer me? First, can our country build a new type of dreadnought at present?" asked Kulopatkin.

"It's not possible yet. The Borodino-class battleship is already the largest and most advanced battleship we can build at present. This battleship is still quite a distance away from Fearlessness, so we must strive to catch up." General Essen said.

"Second, the Germans currently have 6 dreadnoughts, and there are no less than this number of warships being built on the ship platform. So I would like to ask General Essen, how much money does the empire need to invest and how long it takes to build a fleet that can compete with the German high seas fleet in the Baltic Sea? The German navy's construction fund is terrible! Just last year, the German Navy's funding was as high as 12 million pounds! I would like to ask the Minister of Finance again, can the empire provide the same funding for the navy?" Kulopatkin showed a winning smile on his face.

"Third, I personally think that the Black Sea Fleet is enough to suppress the broken Turkish Navy. Even if they acquire the Prince Albert armored cruiser, it still cannot change this situation. Therefore, it is not very meaningful to update the shipbuilding system for the Black Sea Fleet to build a larger dreadnought to deal with this weak enemy. At least it is not what needs to be done now. Therefore, I suggest that the expansion of the Black Sea Fleet can be put on hold for the first time." Kulopatkin made up the last blow!

Looking at Essen's anger, frustrated and speechless expression, Kulopatkin felt a secret feeling. It was not that he had any personal grudges with Essen, it was entirely because his butt determined his head. As the Secretary of the Army, he naturally had to run for the interests of the army. For the army of a country, there are two biggest enemies in the country, one is the Ministry of Finance and the Duma, who decides the master of the money bag, and the other is the Navy... The master of the money bag with him! Now his combination of punches is basically going to knock the second enemy to the ground, right?

"Everyone, I hope everyone can put aside their prejudices and consider the future of the Russian Empire. I admit that for a long time, the empire's fleet in the Baltic Sea could not compete with the German Navy at all, but we still need a powerful fleet as the most basic deterrent force!" Essen calmed down his excitement and said.

"If we don't even have the most basic deterrence, then the German high seas fleet can open a gap along the Baltic Sea coast at any time, and then the powerful German army can land in the Polish region, the Gulf of Riga, or even near St. Petersburg! The strategic depth we are proud of will be greatly reduced due to the sea. Just imagine, if we lose the Baltic Sea coast, can Russia still persist? Can you tolerate the German fleet showing off its power on the Baltic Sea and sweep our cities again and again with heavy artillery?"

"As long as the army can obtain enough resources, this situation will not happen at all. General Essen, you cannot exaggerate the Germans and belittle the Russian army for the sake of the navy." Kulopatkin said dissatisfied. "And I did not say that we would not build a navy. I think we can build submarines, torpedo boats, destroyers, and develop mine tactics to defend the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is very small, and mine warfare and lightning strike ships are very useful in offshore defense. I think you must have a deep understanding, right?"

Kulopatkin's words are thorny, which obviously implies that when Essen led the fleet to ferry before the outbreak of the South China Sea Battle, the warships hit thunder. But to be honest, Kulopatkin's words also make some sense. In the Baltic Sea, submarines and mine wars are indeed powerful tools for offshore defense, and of course, more importantly, they are more cost-effective...

"The Baltic Sea needs a powerful fleet, and the Black Sea also needs a powerful fleet. We cannot let the Germans do whatever they want in the Baltic Sea. Although the British promised that they would deal with the German navy, we cannot place our safety on others! As for the Black Sea? I think there is no need to expand in a short period of time, at least within four years. Our Black Sea fleet is enough to suppress the Turks. There is not enough funds to build the navy compared to the Turks, right?" Just as Essen was about to fight with Kulopatkin again, Nicholas II made the final decision.
Chapter completed!