NOVPUBWhile the French were making their subtle moves, the Russians also initiated the Great War in Central Asia.
Frankly speaking, March and April were not the best times for an offensive, but there was no choice, the Tsarist Government was racing against time.
Austria had lost contact with the Afghan Government, and the situation of the Tsarist Government was not much better; despite having operated for a longer period, the Russian bureaucracy was not taking their duties seriously!
The war had only just erupted when communication was lost on both sides. High-ranking officials of the Tsarist Government thought that no news was definitely bad news.
In order to gain the initiative in the war, the Russian military was forced to launch an offensive ahead of schedule.
Everything has two sides, and with the ice and snow melting at this time, the logistics pressure on the Russian Army was immense, but the Central Asian Khanate was not faring much better.
Although there was less logistics pressure on domestic operations, the outbreak of the war at this time affected the spring plowing.
For agricultural countries, this was undoubtedly a fatal blow. Although the Central Asian Countries did not rely solely on agriculture, with pastoralism also being a significant industry, the impact was still substantial.
With no alternative, as the Russian Army advanced, the able-bodied men were forced to enlist, significantly reducing the labor force in agriculture and pastoralism, leading to an inevitable decrease in production.
In the short term, it might not seem apparent, but it indeed affected the war potential of the Central Asian Khanates. In a sense, the Russians had already secured a victory in advance.
But none of this was in General Okinets’ consideration; from start to finish, he never regarded the Central Asian Countries as his adversaries.
To initiate an attack was to aim for a swift and decisive victory, so as to quickly push the front line to the Afghan Region and engage in a decisive battle with the British.
In this context, the long-term strategic advantage over the Central Asian Countries naturally seemed meaningless.
"Send a telegram to urge the domestic front to speed up. If this continues, we can only suspend the offensive in at most half a month."
With the outbreak of war, the disarray of the Russian military’s logistics management gradually came to light.
As the highest commander in the Central Asian Region, General Okinets had to coordinate with domestic officials for logistics supplies.
In peacetime, this wasn’t a problem, with the government centrally managing strategic materials to effectively balance the military.
In times of war, this was no longer appropriate. If the bureaucracy of the Tsarist Government were efficient, the problem would not be severe, perhaps just a delay of a day or two.
For a great power, sacrificing a bit of efficiency was not unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the bureaucracy of the Tsarist Government was constantly deteriorating. The reformists who promoted national progress during the reign of Alexander II had now become a corrupt and conservative faction.
Alexander III was not a decisively ruthless ruler, and the systems of the Russian Empire were imperfect, inevitably leading to some deficiencies in the bureaucratic class.
The middle-aged military officer in charge of logistics replied, "Commander, we have already sent five urgent telegrams. Apart from the first two, which received replies, the rest have gone unanswered. If nothing unexpected occurs, this latest telegram will likely meet the same fate. Perhaps these telegrams never even reach the hands of the logistics minister."
Intercepting telegrams from the front line would be impossible in other countries, but it was all too common in the Russian Empire.
Slow transport of logistics supplies did not necessarily mean a lack of transport capacity in the Russian Empire; more likely, the transport meant for military use was occupied by others.
The intensity of the war in Central Asia was not great, and the front line had a stockpile of materials like food and tents.
The real need for transport from the homeland consisted mainly of ammunition, medical supplies, and other military necessities not suitable for long-term storage.
The demand for transport capacity wasn’t excessive; the muddy roads might cause delays, but supplies were still manageable.
Before launching the attack, the Russian military had already accounted for these factors. If logistical support had been initially deemed insufficient, General Okinets would not have launched an offensive so early.
Upon hearing this news, General Okinets’ expression darkened ominously. He was no stranger to warfare nor to being sabotaged, but he had never encountered such betrayal.
Perhaps it was a matter of luck; Okinets had missed the first Prusso-Russian war.
During the second Prusso-Russian war, the unit he served in advanced along the Russian-Austrian border, and logistic materials were procured locally; at worst, a corrupt quartermaster would cause a delay of a day or two.
The third Near East war didn’t even require mentioning; Austria supplied the logistics, and receiving them was all that was necessary, so he never worried.
But his good fortune finally ran out. In the Central Asian conflict where logistics were entirely dependent on the homeland, General Okinets finally experienced the extent of the bureaucrats’ abilities.
"Why wasn’t such an important matter reported in advance?"
The bureaucratic efficiency at home was formidable, but the military bureaucracy at the front wasn’t far behind. That the logistics department failed to reply three times — such an important issue was concealed from him, the commanding officer, was absurd.
The middle-aged officer who was questioned replied nervously, "We thought it was just due to the logistics department being busy with official duties and momentarily forgetting to respond; we did not expect..."
Without waiting for the middle-aged officer to finish explaining, General Okinets burst out angrily, tossing the cup in front of him towards him.
"You thought, everything is what you thought—what is the point of having me as the commander?
Do you think that just because you are assigned to the logistics department, I have no authority over you?
Or perhaps, you believe that the military law of the Russian Empire is not strict, and you want to try it out?"
A series of questions terrified the middle-aged military officer, who for a moment didn’t know how to respond.
To be frank, they were caught between the logistics department and the frontline command, bearing the brunt of displeasure from both sides.
With procurement managed by the logistics department and promotions controlled by the homeland, they could not afford to offend the higher-ups in the rear, especially since they were also under the command of the frontline headquarters.
To junior and middle-ranking officers, the logistics department might wield significant power as a lucrative posting, but to General Okinets, the commander, they were merely a subordinate department of the overall headquarters.
Although General Okinets might not have the power to decide their promotions, he certainly had the power to decide their fates.
The corruption of the Russian Empire was notorious, especially among those managing logistics—a hotbed of corruption.
If no one pursued it, there would be no issue. But if someone lifted the lid, accountability would have to be pursued.
This was a battlefield, and General Okinets could execute any bureaucrat involved with the evidence of corruption in military supplies.
"Commander, I... I..."
Before the middle-aged officer could explain, Okinets waved his hand and said, "That’s enough, Kratzwali. I know you all have your difficulties, and you can’t make decisions for the homeland.
But remember, we are now on the battlefield, and no matter who it is or what it is, everything must give way to war. I believe you understand what I mean.
I don’t care by what means you use, you must ensure the supply of logistics materials for me. If anyone drags their feet, I will have their head.
You can take this message to those masters back home. If there’s ever a shortage of supplies on the battlefield, or if there’s an issue with the supplies, I’ll go back and take it up with His Majesty the Tsarist.
I trust His Majesty the Tsarist will surely be perspicacious enough to root out the ones in the government who collude with the British and purposely delay the progress of the war,"
Killing people doesn’t solve problems, and Kratzwali isn’t someone who creates problems.
General Okinets isn’t an idealist; he didn’t wish to purge the Tsarist Government of vermin. He just needed those people not to cause trouble for him.
Bureaucrats like Kratzwali are far too numerous in the Russian Empire. Kill one, and another will appear. They are impossible to exterminate completely.
Even killing might provoke revenge from the logistics department, intentionally causing trouble for him.
This had precedents, and General Okinets had no desire to test it. After making his point, he promptly chose to leave well enough alone.
As for reclaiming the authority to allocate logistics materials, with the military itself responsible for coordinating the supply of materials, it was but a fantasy.
Having control over both the troops and the grain, unless it was the Tsarist himself leading the army, allowing anyone else to rise to that level would cause unrest at home.
The most basic checks and balances are universal. To try to break the rules is to court taboo. General Okinets, being politically astute, naturally would not jump into such a pit.
General Okinets’ "warning" to Kratzwali appeared in the latter’s eyes as a more terrifying blow than that from a demon.
Once a charge such as "colluding with the British" was validated, every single person in the logistics department would definitely be collectively picking up their last meal.
It wouldn’t just be one’s own downfall; even the families backing them would be doomed.
No matter whether they were nobility or not, since the reforms of Alexander II, the Russian Empire hasn’t had a tradition of sparing the nobility.
Embezzlement and bribery in ordinary times, committing minor faults didn’t matter, as everyone did the same, and the law does not punish the masses.
But colluding with the British, that’s treason. And the Tsarist Government was never lenient towards traitors.
Seeing General Okinets’ gaze turn to him, Kratzwali hurriedly assured, "Commander, please rest assured. I will urge the homeland to expedite the delivery of the materials."
...
In the Russian Military Logistics Headquarters in St. Petersburg, Minister Argent on duty was idly passing the time by reading the newspaper.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man burst in with an urgent telegram in hand.
Argent disapprovingly said, "What’s the matter, Paser?"
Paser responded with a wry smile, "Minister, it can’t wait any longer. If we delay further, there will be serious trouble.
This is a telegram from the frontlines. General Okinets warned us if the logistics materials are not delivered on time, he will accuse us of colluding with the British to His Majesty the Tsarist."
Argent’s face went pale as he cursed, "This is an outrage. How can the Logistics Department be threatened by him?
Paser, you’re overreacting. If General Okinets wants to make accusations, then let him go ahead.
Such an absurd charge, would His Majesty the Tsarist even believe it? Order the transport teams to find an excuse to delay, and let’s see what he can do!"
Being threatened was one thing, but Argent feared the precedent it would set. If he yielded to General Okinets’ threat, and other Russian Army generals started doing the same in the future, wouldn’t the Logistics Department be at their mercy?
Paser shook his head, "Minister, I’m afraid that won’t work. If General Okinets has dared to threaten us, he might have some evidence in hand.
According to the telegram from Kratzwali, the matter of loaning military trains to capitalists for transporting their goods has been exposed.
If General Okinets lifts the lid on this and asserts that we have colluded with the British to intentionally delay the transport of strategic materials, there will definitely be a thorough investigation at home.
What might happen then is hard to predict," Paser elaborated.
After hearing this explanation, Argent immediately realized the severity of the issue. Enjoy new chapters from freewebnovel.com
If it’s proven that the Logistics Department intentionally delayed the transport of strategic materials, whether or not they colluded with the British would not require evidence; it would be up to the Tsarist to decide.
Considering the importance of this war, Argent had reason to believe that Alexander III would use their heads to deter the bureaucrats at home.
Similar incidents had occurred during the Prusso-Russian War. Back then, the high-ranking officials of the logistics department were used by Alexander II as target practice.
Those who forget past mistakes are doomed to repeat them. With such an example, the bureaucrats of the Logistics Department knew better what not to do.
Having realized the situation, Argent decisively ordered, "No more words needed, then. Begin organizing transport immediately and deliver the materials to the front as soon as possible. Don’t give General Okinets any reason to complain."
In essence, as long as the logistics materials arrived at the front lines on time, the issue of loaning military trains to capitalists to haul goods was an issue of no consequence.
Even if someone exposed it, the Logistics Department would be well equipped to handle it, and it would not draw the attention of the Tsarist Government.
On the other hand, the consequences would be severe.
Paser hesitated, "Minister, it’s not that we don’t want to be quick, but the military trains have all been loaned out.
If we go back on our word now, we’d be offending too many people. You know those capitalists aren’t without backing; they’re connected to too many powerful figures."
This was a practical concern; average capitalists, regardless of their wealth, would not have the audacity to borrow military trains to transport goods during war.
Russian bureaucrats weren’t known for their integrity; simply confiscating their goods without recognition was child’s play.
If crossed, some patrons might be severe enough to slap them with the charge of misappropriating military trains, leading directly to their family’s eradication.
The ones bold enough to bribe the Logistics Department and borrow military trains for their goods stood on the shoulders of giants who could weather such risks.
Having regained his composure, Argent coldly said, "Just send them a message then. If they need someone to blame, let them blame General Okinets!
Don’t be afraid of offending people; this sort of thing should not be exposed to light anyway. If it really comes to light, we may go down, but they won’t fare any better," Argent concluded.
...
