Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Ten years ago in '98, War Minister Kuropatkin.
Stay updated through empire

Annoyed at nobles lounging around in the military crying "Give me another star!" while collecting salaries, he legislated retirement ages for generals.

Thanks to this, the formula of "no promotion means retirement" completely took root in the Russian Imperial Army regardless of rank and position.

And this applied equally to the Okhrana, who were technically military personnel under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"Why didn't you ask for another star?"

"Lieutenant General Dukhovskoy, you don't have much time left either."

"This is perfect for me. Why would I take General rank? Central politics? Factional fights? Noble games? At this age, you naturally want to quit everything from disgust."

"Though I'm older."

The conversation between Lieutenant General Sergei Dukhovskoy and Director Pyotr Vasilyevich Sekerenskiy, both confidants of the Tsar and power players who'd held important positions long, was more mundane than expected.

"I entered the security department in '85, and that became the Okhrana - I've lived as secret police for over 20 years."

Though by Major General retirement age Sekerenskiy should have gone home long ago, he'd worked until now under the Tsar's protection.

"At this point you learn. That getting down from Director is harder than rising to it."

"Of course, with how many people in this country want to take the Director's head."

"Count Dashkov left, Minister Olave left, and now even Minister Giers is leaving. I should go too."

Having downed strong liquor heavily, Sekerenskiy seemed to have not even a speck of lingering attachment.

"Hmph, then let me ask the opposite. Why did the war hero refuse General rank?"

"An old man should go home... is what I'd like to say. But it's not such a noble heart. I want to commit some corruption."

"Oh? You say this in front of me?"

"Army General postings are fundamentally different from the abundant Corps Lieutenant Generals. Naturally with limited numbers, they're extremely strict from background up."

So decades ago, to rise to General rank you needed not just ability but backing from military royalty and Grand Dukes.

Of course that disappeared too when the previous Tsar focused only on the military every day.

"But I, from cavalry background, eat up General rank for several more years?"

"...Other cavalry Lieutenant Generals won't even have a chance for a while."

Simple logic. When desk positions (TO) are full, others can't rise regardless of ability.

"Who is it? Who's being pushed by no less than the Petersburg Military District Commander?"

"Acting sly asking when you already know. 14th Corps Commander of Warsaw Military District."

"Lieutenant General Aleksey Brusilov."

From Tver Dragoons, long service in Caucasus units, former Cavalry School Director.

A pure cavalry Lieutenant General through and through.

"I wasn't certain. After all, there's Lieutenant General Roman."

"That fellow will rise well on his own. He's the only one from our cavalry who'll survive."

Looking more deeply into the military engagements of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), an intriguing pattern emerges regarding cavalry operations. Statistical analysis reveals that the proportion of cavalry-to-infantry combat encounters was remarkably minimal compared to previous conflicts, suggesting a shifting paradigm in modern warfare.

Nevertheless, General Dukhovskoy maintained an unwavering commitment to traditional cavalry doctrine. His conviction in the cavalry's enduring strategic value was so strong that he actively blocked the advancement of several promising junior officers who advocated for more modernized military approaches. Even when faced with opportunities to enhance his command structure through these promotions, he steadfastly refused, prioritizing his traditional cavalry-centric vision over potentially beneficial organizational changes.

"You said it wasn't noble, but it's quite grand."

"Truth is I don't want to work. Kuropatkin who was below me keeps poking around everywhere - I don't want to hear his orders and it's hard to adapt to changes at my age."

"Hehehe."

Watching Dukhovskoy trying to hide his embarrassment, Sekerenskiy felt a sense of kinship.

Sometimes those who should go must go. Sekerenskiy well knew that especially in times of change, knowing when to let go was also tremendous courage and ability.

"How's the Okhrana? I heard it's becoming independent from the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"Now Okhrana won't handle serious crimes anymore. The security force of police school graduates has more personnel and will do better."

"Less blood on hands then."

With military-police separation happening in this era, Sekerenskiy had to acknowledge the end of the era of searching village mirs and beating up captives.

"Your successor?"

"Unlike Lieutenant General, not corrupt. So it's not for me to decide."

"Tsk, won't tell me?"

"You already know."

Lieutenant General Dukhovskoy, old enough to have adult grandchildren, sulking and shrinking - quite an unfitting sight. Sekerenskiy opened his mouth along with the wine glass.

"Instead, I chose who'll be responsible for the largest St. Petersburg branch. Lieutenant General must have heard the name too. Being of Jewish origin, he has high loyalty to His Majesty the Tsar."

"Oh, who?"

Dukhovskoy too had been impressed by Okhrana's activities during the Russo-Japanese War.

They occupied a unique position in society - entities that existed in a peculiar liminal space, transcending the traditional boundaries between military and civilian life. They were neither soldiers bound by strict military protocol, nor ordinary citizens living conventional lives.

Their worldview and daily existence set them distinctly apart from the general population. The way they processed information, made decisions, and navigated through life followed patterns that seemed to operate on an entirely different wavelength from regular society. Their habits, routines, and even their understanding of normalcy existed in a realm that few could truly comprehend.

But capital city chief? Though not this time, it meant possibility of becoming Director next generation or the one after.

To lead Okhrana's core branch requires being close to omnipotent - not just loyalty but also understanding politics, organizational management, faction control.

Simply being good at combat might make you a military academy graduate officer, but Okhrana comes with all sorts of additional conditions.

Stories of promising new generation talents are always exciting to the elderly.

As Dukhovskoy urged while filling his glass full of liquor, Sekerenskiy answered.

"Lev Davidovich Bronstein."

"...First time hearing it. Is he capable?"

"Ability... His operation execution ability is ordinary."

"But?"

Sekerenskiy had to think about how to express Bronstein.