The news of the Crown Prince being shed turned into news of him copsing through Prince Takehito who visited the ship, and by the next morning, it was distorted into rumors that the Crown Prince was in critical condition.
The incident kept growing.
With rumors even suggesting he might actually die, the government finally stepped in to handle the situation directly.
Foreign Minister Aoki Shuzo first met with Dmitri Shevich, the Russian Ambassador to Japan, instead of dealing with the now hostile travel party.
However, Ambassador Dmitri''s attitude was somewhat strange.
"This incident is beyond my authority as a mere ambassador, and I cannot give any official response before receiving instructions from above."
"Ambassador, let''s set aside our past ill feelings in the face of such a serious matter. Right now, the Crown Prince has copsed and we haven''t even been able to meet him. Admiral Romen is controlling all information!"
"Again, I cannot give any response regarding this situation."
As the Foreign Minister tried to suppress his rising anger by beating his chest, the Ambassador nced around before quietly approaching to whisper.
"...That madman Romen has escted the incident. He even told me we might need to urgently evacuate Japan. This damn fool, acting on his own without even consulting me!"
"W-What should we do? I''ve heard the Tsar will surely escte this incident!"
"It''s best to end this as quickly as possible. War... would be good for neither country."
Even the Ambassador and Foreign Minister, who had been practically mortal enemies since the start of the Trans-Siberian Railway construction, had to have a serious conversation when faced with the word ''war.''
"We can''t let Romen, that warmonger, leave for divostok. While the Tsar is a very wise man... he''s not so when ites to family."
"Hah, thank you for letting me know."
If Crown Prince Niki died, it would mean war, but ording to witnesses, the wound wasn''t life-threatening.
''The Crown Prince, known for being weak and gentle, must have copsed mentally and physically.''
Assuming the Crown Prince lives, let''s consider the worst case...
Inevitably, territorial concessions.
Russia maintains an expansionist policy, has emotional stakes, justification, and military superiority.
In this situation, the worst oue would be territorial concessions.
''Transfer of rights in China and concessions? Or inds and archipgos for ports and bases?''
The situation is too perfect for Russia. No other country can intervene, and if negotiations break down, war could break out immediately.
"...That can''t happen. If we back down further here, our continental advancement copses."
When they haven''t even properly secured a piece ofnd on the continent yet, they might lose territory instead?
That would immediately derail Japan''s grand n, and even before that, Russia could kick away the Japanese Empire''s foothold.
Through Korea.
''They say Queen Min, that fox, keeps trying to contact Russia.''
Being driven out of Korea, where China, Russia, and Japan are locked in a subtle power struggle, would bring down the empire''s aspirations.
While unsure how much to trust Ambassador Dmitri''s words, there was one point of agreement - the incident absolutely must not be dragged out.
End it cleanly before Crown Prince Niki leaves.
Sincere apology andpensation.
''We''ll have to start by applying the imperialw of lèse-majesté.''
Execute Tsuda Shinzo, have the imperial family apologize directly, addpensation, and send them off.
This should prevent war and stop the empire from being broken.
"Contact the Prime Minister immediately. This needs response beyond government level, from the imperial family itself."
The highest level of apology. That would mean Emperor Meiji himself, as a fellow imperial family member, should step forward.
The experienced Foreign Minister believed that if the Emperor himself stepped forward, their sincerity would reach Crown Prince Niki.
==
Even knowing the original history, it''s mere arrogance to think everything will go as I want.
So, confined to my cabin without even going on deck, I considered contingencies.
"If this drags on, should I copse again in front of everyone like a PTSD patient?"
That would make it more than just an apology matter, but it might also damage my reputation and standing.
I quite like the rumor that I subdued an armed assassin barehanded, so I don''t want to fall that far.
"Or should we leave for divostok first and have them send what we wantter?"
That might work better, but then thepensation would likely go to the Russian Empire rather than me.
So that''s rejected too.
"Sigh, it would be best to settle immediately without calling insurance."
It''s clearly 100:0 fault ratio, why are they dragging this out?
Lying in bed, I carefully examine the 1 ruble note in my hand.
The palm-sized note has a ck and white drawing of what looks like a temple. The year of issue is stamped in the center of the temple, with serial numbers written on both sides - money of the Russian Empire.
''In the end, money. Russia is a country that needs money.''
Why were reforms difficult in Russia and why did its military power gradually weaken?
It''s because there was no money.
This country only exports agricultural products, nothing special.
Conversely, while heavily dependent on imports from other countries, when others were developing, this country gradually became like a cart stuck in rasputitsa.
Then do I, the Crown Prince, have a lot of money?
No, I don''t. While I have various things likend, artworks, buildings, and imperial businesses, most are ambiguous as personal assets and difficult to dispose of.
And I can''t sell titles or offices for money like some other country, so what to do.
''I might as well lie down like this.''
Some might misunderstand, but my forehead genuinely still stings.
''About 50 million yen would be appropriate...''
I''m not sure exactly, but I heard the current Japanese Empire''s annual budget is just under 100 million yen.
It seems like a lot, but this country is still one of the few that hasn''t implemented the gold standard, and if cash is difficult, I''m willing to ept other things.
''Compared to Germany receiving 5 billion francs from France after a few months of war, I''m being so reasonable.''
If war breaks out, they wouldn''t ept even 500 million yen, let alone 50 million.
Besides, they''ll beat up Qing themselves in a few years and extort 7-8 times this amount.
"Your Highness, Admiral Romen says he''ll inform the Japanese side this evening that you''ve awakened."
"Ooh, good."
Finally, the first negotiation is opening.
I''m not asking for much. Ten million yen per centimeter of forehead.
If they don''t like it, they can talk to my father again.
Though his means of dialogue might be a bit different.
==
''Two days until I turn fifty...''
Combat experience: Lena River minefield construction, Turkish monitor bombardment.
Military career: Admiral Romen, who rose from junior escort ship officer to cruiser admiral.
He wondered if this was really right.
Still, since it''s an order, he''ll do his best.
"After two days, the Crown Prince has awakened and is now in a very, very angry state."
"W-We would like to apologize directly-"
"He doesn''t want to meet anyone. Only close aides, or myself at most, have seen him directly."
"Ah..."
"Why did you do this!"
Here he paused briefly, wiping his face as if taking time to control his emotions, then continued calmly.
"Why did you do this to such a gentle person. Is it really true that the Japanese government had no connection to this?"
Though through an interpreter, Foreign Minister Aoki Shuzo seemed to understand everything just from the tone.
''...This is the biggest issue. The Crown Prince who was initially so friendly, even bowing in greeting, has be hostile.''
Beyond simply apologizing and being forgiven, the animosity of a future absolute monarch is quite a painful diplomatic loss.
"He is, how should I say, a person of firm convictions. He doesn''t easily change what he believes is right. That''s why he chose Japan for this trip, to see the peace in the Far East with his own eyes."
"...We know. We were also grateful for that."
"What use is that now, it''s all over. We''re leaving in three days."
Admiral Romen''s attitude, clearly more emotional than diplomatic, befitting a military officer.
''It''s rather fortunate he came out. Emotions tend to change with circumstances.''
The same goes for the Crown Prince. It''s the fourth day since the incident, and it seems they haven''t yet informed the Tsar.
''Time is running out. We need to make them stay longer using apology as an excuse, andplete perfect follow-up within that time.''
While outwardly showing maximum sympathy with Admiral Romen and unable to hide his devastated expression, Aoki gradually discovered light seeping through the needle''s eye.
"Anyway, since he refuses to meet directly, I stepped forward. So then-"
"His Majesty the Emperor!"
"...Hmm?"
"Our Emperor himself wille to Kyoto. Please don''t leave until then."
"..."
He yed his best card. If they refuse and leave, it would look like they''re rejecting the apology.
"Sigh, Foreign Minister. Didn''t I just say that His Highness is extremely averse to meetings?"
"That''s why we need the help of the Admiral and others. To be frank, saying that the Emperor ising shows our sincerity that we''re willing to ept any apology,pensation, or proposal."
"...You are sincere."
"The water is already spilled, we can''t just sit still."
''That''s why I''m doing this even with a mere admiral like you. Come on, speak inly.''
If this negotiation had to be done with that representative from divostok. No, even just with Ambassador Dmitri, the content would be obvious.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
They''d try to subtly put territorial issues on the table and connect them to this problem.
So end it here. Without leaving future ill feelings, and without major damage.
"Even if you tell me such things-"
"I apologize for saying this, but with Crown Prince Niki absent, you are currently the highest authority, Admiral."
"Hmm, is that so. Well then, it should be the best choice for His Highness."
The Admiral, seemingly finding it difficult to think through this himself, finally brought up one thing after losing words for a moment.
"The Tsar loves ships. Likewise, Crown Prince Niki loves ships the most."
"Is that so."
"How about funding the construction of onerge ship? It would be quite a meaningful gift for both of them, and His Highness would be pleased."
"Oh, one ship. That''s really a good idea!"
Several major inds, or rights in Korea or China were considered, but just one ship?
Moreover, considering the meaning behind the gift, it''s certainly a deeply considered opinion worthy of a close aide.
While arge iron ship would be expensive, still-
"Hey, adjutant! What huge ships are currently under construction?"
"Let''s see, Britain''s Majestic-ss battleship is being built in dock, and at 16,000 tons discement, it would be thergest."
"Then it should be bigger than that, right?"
"Shouldn''t it be? For the world''srgest ship, it should exceed 20,000 tons for a fully armed battleship... In yen... About 50 million yen? No, since we''re not Britain, direct construction would cost more. At least 60 million yen?"
"Eh?"
The interpreter quickly ryed in real-time to his ear, and for a moment he thought the units must be wrong, but the units and names of the continuing numbers were consistent.
"Hmm, having lived my whole life on deck, I''m not sure exactly how much this is. Anyway, roughly 60 million yen in Japanese Empire currency."
"..."
"Well, is money important? Since His Majesty the Emperor ising, it''s the sincerity that matters."
Reparations. They are clearly asking for money amounting to reparations.
Now the choice returns to Aoki Shuzo.
Pay reparations before fighting a war.
Or pay reparations after fighting a war.
He couldn''t easily answer.