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1-July-1920
Skirmishes had begun occurring frequently. After we destroyed many of their artillery pieces through our mobile artillery, reconnaissance aircraft and camouflaged special forces units, the Russians could no longer compete with us in that aspect.
We were destroying their ammunition depots and batteries every time they attempted to install them near the front to harass our stronger fortifications.
For several days, without being able to exchange messages with the Russians, numerous minor engagements took place. The enemy infantry tried to find some area through which they could move their troops without ending up trapped in the swamps.
The Ukrainian territory, covered in marshes, swamps and forests, had become our best ally. The rasputitsa was our main defense, but it was only a matter of time before summer arrived, dried the mud and ruined that advantage.
The days continued passing and the casualties on both sides increased, although not in overly large numbers. However numerous the skirmishes were, few ended up causing many deaths. Most of them were reconnaissance and probing operations carried out by both armies.
Finally, after several days of fighting, the Russians began opening channels of communication.
More and more enemy troops were arriving, accumulating along the border and exerting increasing pressure through their numerical superiority. However, they must already have realized that this would not be a victory achieved in a few days, as they had probably expected when they launched an offensive prepared in such little time.
Our aircraft and scouts had begun calculating the true size of the Russian army deployed in the region. That was why we insisted so much on opening negotiations and allowed the passage of a Russian delegation, specifically demanding that it be led by Michael Romanov.
We chose as the meeting point a village divided by the border between Ukraine and Russia.
I immediately sent for the ace I had hidden up my sleeve and brought Nicholas Romanov with me, surrounded by some of my men.
In theory, Vasyl was supposed to lead the negotiations. However, he was far too busy supervising the reconstruction of Ukraine and resettling the families displaced from the border regions by the Russian invasion.
Nor did he have any interest in speaking with the Romanovs. He hated the Russians and possessed no real authority over foreign policy, so he allowed me to go alone without raising objections.
When we arrived at the meeting point, two of our divisions deployed around the area in case the Russians decided to attack instead of negotiate.
We simply waited for the delegation to arrive.
It did not take long for several Russian divisions to appear near the negotiation area. An armored vehicle stopped on the outskirts of the village and the Tsar's delegation descended from it, protected by numerous guards.
My own men occupied defensive positions at the easiest points to defend.
''What is the meaning of this? Korol Wilhelm von Habsburg was supposed to be here to negotiate our territorial claims, but he is not among you. If this is a trap or an attempt to humiliate me, you will pay dearly for it'' said the man who appeared to be the Tsar while ordering his guards to deploy.
''Do you speak English or German? It would be better for us to use one of those languages so we can understand each other'' I asked in my Russian, which was still far from perfect.
''Yes, I speak German and English'' the Tsar replied while observing me harshly.
''Good, German then. King Vasyl will not participate in this meeting because, in reality, he does not possess true power over Ukraine, apart from directing some internal matters. I am the one who controls its foreign policy. This is not a trap or an attempt to humiliate you. We have simply spared ourselves the presence of an annoying intermediary who probably would not be the best negotiator, since Vasyl deeply hates the Russians'' I explained while walking and pointing toward the house where Nicholas was waiting in a room.
We entered the building accompanied by our men. Without wasting time, I sat in an armchair I had prepared beforehand and waited.
Several of the Tsar's guards entered first and carefully inspected the room. Finally, Michael crossed the doorway and took the seat placed in front of me. Some of his advisers settled into the nearby chairs.
''Good, my congratulations, new Tsar. You finally managed to win your civil war. I am pleased to inform you that we have in our possession numerous Menshevik and Bolshevik leaders, prepared to be handed over in exchange for certain concessions, of course'' I said while interlacing my hands and smiling.
''I suppose you are the pretender who holds under his power the Baltic territories belonging to Russia'' the Tsar replied, lifting his chin slightly while fixing his gaze on me.
''Rather, Herzog, already recognized by the British Empire and regent of Ruthenia. Without forgetting, of course, that officially I no longer control Ukraine'' I replied while letting my back fall against the armchair.
''You are next on my list. I intend to put an end once and for all to the farce that destroyed my family'' the Tsar replied.
''Well, that would be quite complicated. It would put British interests at risk and could cause you many problems with them, considering they are rather close allies. After all, you are using British tanks and aircraft. Attacking me may not be the most sensible option'' I said calmly, tilting my head slightly.
''I would not call them allies. Rather, they are unwanted trading partners. The only thing they truly care about is that Russia pays its loans, and they have not stopped reminding me of it'' the Russian Tsar replied.
''Then you will have to find another way to pay that debt. If you intend to seize Ukraine in order to squeeze it dry and use its riches to pay whatever you owe the British and French, that is not going to happen. Not without facing much harder resistance from us'' I said while passing a hand over my chin.
''I entrusted the attack to one of my marshals, but he trusted too much that Ukraine would fall without offering resistance. Our next attack will not be a plan improvised in a few hours. However, just like the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks, you will end up falling'' the Tsar stated seriously.
''Curious. I remember someone else who thought a war could be won in that manner… I believe it was your brother…'' I began to say, but the Tsar's fist struck the table.
''Do not speak of my brother, German. That war and your decision to support the Austro-Hungarians cost him his life and the lives of his entire family'' he said, pointing at me with his finger while clenching his teeth.
''Hum… Good, let us leave the games aside. What kind of deal would you offer me if I told you that your brother Nicholas and his entire family are still alive?'' I asked, looking at him fixedly.
I saw one of the Tsar's eyes begin to twitch and his entire hateful gaze concentrate on me.
''My brother is dead. If you have found a double or prepared some kind of deception, you will pay dearly for it, German'' he replied while trying to control his reaction.
''Aha… Alexander, bring the deposed Tsar'' I ordered, looking toward my officer.
''I am in no mood for jokes'' the Tsar said as he stood up, ready to leave.
Then Nicholas appeared through the door of the room.
He looked visibly nervous upon seeing his brother again.
''Hello, Michael'' Nicholas said softly.
The new Tsar remained staring at him as if a ghost had just appeared before him.
He slowly walked toward his brother and extended a trembling hand until he placed it on his cheek. He touched him carefully, as if afraid he would disappear the moment he looked away.
''Brother…'' the Tsar murmured.
It did not take him long to embrace him tightly while I heard his broken breathing.
''How are you alive…?'' the Tsar said.
''In a few words, I received orders from the Kaiser to get your brother out of his palace. The fire was a distraction. So, you are welcome for saving his life'' I said while resting my head on one hand. ''I am sorry to interrupt this reunion you have longed for so much, but we have something to negotiate. I want a non-aggression treaty and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from the area, leaving only what is necessary for border watch duties. In exchange, I will continue guaranteeing your brother's good care''.
''All this time… alive… Why did you not write anything? Do you know how difficult it was to receive the news that you had died? To have to lead the war while believing your entire family had been murdered?'' the Tsar asked while placing his hands on Nicholas's shoulders. He looked as if he were about to collapse.
''Willy isolated me from the world while the war continued and Karl… made sure it stayed that way'' Nicholas replied, staring at me fixedly.
''So, what? Do we have a deal? We are losing far too much money keeping our troops mobilized because of your invasion'' I asked, watching the Tsar.
''I will take my brother with me and you will hand over the Donbass. We will also sign a grain trade agreement to guarantee the feeding of my people'' the Tsar demanded, frowning.
''The Donbass is mine and I do not intend to hand it over without fighting to the death. Before seeing it in someone else's hands, I would rather reduce the entire region to ashes. And as for your brother… he does not want to leave'' I replied with a smile.
''How could he not want to return home? Is that not so, brother? Now that…'' the Tsar began to say while turning toward Nicholas.
''My wife, my son and my daughters are in his hands. If I leave, I do not know what he will do to them'' Nicholas replied.
The Tsar immediately turned toward me.
''You see? He does not want to leave. A true pity to discover that your brother is still alive and not be able to see him again for who knows how long'' I said calmly. ''However, I can offer you an agreement for the sale of grain. There is not too much available, because almost the entire Ukrainian harvest, which has not even been gathered yet, has already been sold. The harvests of Ruthenia and the Baltic, on the other hand, still have no buyers''.
I settled back in the armchair before continuing.
''To sweeten the agreement, I will also hand over all the Menshevik and Bolshevik leaders we have imprisoned. That way, you will be able to present yourself as the victor of the war and claim that the true objective of your offensive was to force us to hand over the traitors, instead of admitting that you tried to annex Ukraine and failed''.
''You are a bastard… You are using my family as a shield'' the Tsar muttered through clenched teeth.
''It is your decision. If you want to carry the death of your brother and his entire family on your shoulders, continue the attack. Otherwise, it would be better for us to reach an agreement'' I replied, keeping my breathing calm.
The Tsar remained silent for several seconds before answering.
''You will hand over all the leaders within a week. We will sign an agreement for the purchase of grain at a twenty percent discount compared to the international market price. You will also sell industrial fertilizers and steel produced in the Donbass. You must guarantee a minimum quantity of production for us, also at a discount. In addition, you will rebuild the railway system you destroyed to facilitate trade'' he demanded.
''That is much more reasonable. However, I was not born yesterday. You will use the steel to rebuild your military industry, so you will have to look for that material in Siberia. I do not intend to hand you anything you can use to strike me in the future'' I replied, shaking my head.
''Then you will reduce tariffs. You will only be able to impose a maximum of five percent on Russian products entering your markets, while we will retain the right to set whatever tariffs we consider convenient'' the Tsar counteroffered.
''But everything you buy must be paid for in gold'' I replied.
''Done'' the new Tsar said after letting out a sigh.
''Good. You obtain a treaty you can present as a victory and I save myself a costly war. I suppose we both win'' I said while standing from the armchair. ''Just remember that your brother will return with me''.
''I want a direct line to communicate with him, no matter where you keep him detained. I also want preparations for his return to Russia to begin'' the Tsar demanded as I prepared to leave.
''I cannot do too much about that until August. Then we can speak about your brother's possible return'' I replied, looking at Nicholas.
''What will happen in August?'' the Tsar asked, looking first at me and then at his brother.
''Things, Michael…'' Nicholas replied before looking at me. ''Karl, may I stay and speak a little longer with my brother?''
''You have a couple of hours to speak with him about whatever you want. But remember to return or there will be consequences'' I replied while checking my watch and leaving the house.
I breathed deeply and remained contemplating the horizon.
''Come on, Alexander. Now we have to decide how to return the population to their homes without damaging the harvest too much'' I said while beginning to walk back toward Ukraine.
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