However, Russia's performance in recent years can only be described as barely satisfactory, with no significant developments in the fields of diplomacy and military, despite having a million-strong gray livestock. Yet, in the end, gray livestock are still livestock and cannot be compared to other well-equipped European armies.

Throughout Russia's military development history, there have been almost no outstanding achievements, relying mostly on piling cannon fodder and wearing down the enemy. In detailed battles, this approach is even more unbearable to see; it is only the thick blood that can support this kind of play.

Even though Russia has historically defeated France, it still had its capital invaded, and Moscow was set on fire before the weather forced Napoleon back to Western Europe.

This kind of strategy, while achieving ultimate victory, is not praiseworthy from Ernst's perspective. On one hand, the British were pinning down France in the east; on the other hand, there was significant disruption from feudal noble forces within France (including the occupied areas), and the fall of Russia's capital Moscow itself already speaks volumes.

If the Russian army's combat level and military literacy were just a bit higher, they wouldn't need to rely on the lives of gray livestock to fill the victory gap. One could say it's a victory of killing 400 enemies while losing 1,000 of their own, sustained only by the large population and high birth rate of that era.

Therefore, in Ernst's view, Russian military capability does not match some self-media praises from his past life that describe them as a "fighting nation."

Of course, one cannot deny that the resilience of Russians is commendable. Every time the enemy thought they could strangle Russia, the Russians managed to turn the situation around, which to some extent indicates that internally, especially at the highest levels, the non-surrender faction with a tough attitude towards foreign enemies formed the majority, at least as far as Ernst's historical knowledge from his past life goes, that's the basic fact.

As for Russia's diplomacy, it's even more beyond bearable. Whether it's Russia, the Soviet Union, or later Russia, the diplomacy level has been abysmal. If only they had someone like Bismarck, Russia wouldn't be constantly besieged by the "whole world."

Of course, the underlying reason for the shortcomings in military and diplomatic fields is the lack of strong national power, with economic level playing an important role among that power.

The highlight of Russia's economy was during the Soviet Union period, also when Russia was closest to world hegemony. Unfortunately, the "big, dumb, clumsy" Russians couldn't ultimately outmaneuver the Americans.

Thinking of this, Ernst said, "When we complete the initial phase of our First Five-Year Plan, Japan and Russia are highly likely to go to war. Now, Britain is essentially bleeding into Japan to replace Britain in standing off against Russia."

Director Maureen of the National Defense Security Bureau frowned and said, "With Japan's national power, they're not really likely to challenge Russia, are they?"

Maureen found the Crown Prince's ideas a bit shocking. Although the National Defense Security Bureau often dealt with Japan, the idea of Japan's limited national power confronting Russia, a world-class power, was hard to imagine.

Ernst understood his subordinate's thoughts, which were also the same as the perception of Japan by most countries worldwide. But, from Ernst's past world perspective, Japan truly achieved great power status through its victory over Russia.

Japan, although it had defeated a great power like the Far East Empire, wasn't seen as strong. Instead, it was the Far East Empire being too weak at the time. Defeating Russia, however, was different, as very few countries in the world could claim a guaranteed victory over Russia.

"You've dealt with Japan all these years and should know that Japan is not to be underestimated. Their culture has a kind of madness, and it's this madness that makes every Japanese like a sleepless, tireless, minimal-eating, hard-working machine. The mental state of the Japanese people is simply not that of normal humans."

Regarding Ernst's words, Maureen pondered for a moment. Upon further reflection on the social conditions in Japan, he had to agree that the Crown Prince's words were very reasonable.

"As His Highness said, the Japanese are indeed a group of lunatics. Not many human groups in today's world are as industrious and have such fanatical worship of the Emperor's government as Japan."

"Our members in the Japan division say that although the Japanese are short and thin, their work ethic rivals that of any country globally. Their military also has a somewhat willingness to die, possibly stemming from Japan's distorted Bushido culture, which is more extreme than militaristic Germany."

"Japan's ability to become the fastest-developing country in Asia in recent years, despite resource scarcity and national poverty, has a lot to do with its extreme national character."

"If the citizens of the Rhein Empire had this kind of character, then perhaps the economy of East Africa could double, or conflicts could be instigated globally; at least the whole of sub-Saharan Africa would be no problem."

Although East Africa was initially viewed on the international stage as a typical militaristic country with invasive tendencies, Japan is far more extreme than East Africa. After all, East Africa has scarcely overstepped its opponents, and while the British have had setbacks in East Africa's hands, it was due to a misunderstanding of East African national power.

However, Japan is not like East Africa. For any nation slightly aware, Japan's national situation is quite understandable, including population, industry, military, etc.

For instance, in the Far East War, both sides were playing straight, but the Far East Empire did a poor job—or showed no regard at all—for Japan's intelligence. Conversely, Japan had a deep understanding of the Far East Empire, and this detail greatly influenced the course of the war.

Thus, the South African War was not, in the true sense, an overstep challenge; the Far East War was. Ernst predicts that Japan will continue to challenge increasingly stronger opponents worldwide, starting with Tsarist Russia; subsequently, Britain and the United States won't escape.

And this is only a matter of time. As long as Japan continues to develop, it will inevitably expand outward and clash with various interest-holding countries in the Far East. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

East Africa is also within this possibility, considering the many important military bases and colonies East Africa has in the Pacific, especially the Southern Ryukyu Islands and the North Hawaii Kingdom. These (groups of) islands can even be considered Japan's Achilles' heel.

"Keep a close watch on the developments among the UK, Russia, and Japan. If a war does indeed break out between Japan and Russia, we must be prepared. Particularly with Russia—whether we can intervene lies in Russia being a key country," Ernst instructed Maureen.

As always, with every war concerning world order, Ernst intends to make a fortune in war profits, and the Russo-Japanese War is likely to be the first great power war of the twentieth century.

Currently, Japan's national power does not reach that of the great powers, and is even far behind from the same historical period. However, with British and American support for Japan, combined with Japan's fanatical military policies, the likelihood of a Russo-Japanese war is significant.

Without the indemnity of 200 million taels of silver from the previous world, Japan's industrial development is relatively challenging. Yet, Japan still managed to exploit the Far East Empire for some gains.

Ernst feels utterly powerless in this regard, mainly because, after the Far East War, the Far East Empire's feudal government became even softer, and Japan, dissatisfied with the result of the Far East War, intimidated the Far East Empire government several times afterward.

But this time, no one stood up against Japan. After all, the person responsible for the Battle of Far East at sea was still held accountable post-war and had lost prospects for war. Thus, internal power struggles prevented anyone from daring to take responsibility for triggering a war.

Yet, Ernst estimates that the current government of the Far East Empire doesn't have much time left to survive, and, by then, East Africa will need to adjust its foreign policy with the new government of the Far East Empire.

After all, the interests of East Africa in the Far East Empire must not be lost. It's not because Ernst is selfish, but these interests, if not occupied, will likely be sold by the Far East Empire government to other countries, which would actually be better used to enhance East Africa's national power.