Warsaw, the capital of the Kingdom of Poland, is governed not by a Polish monarch, but by the Russian Tsar who assumes the throne.
Since the era of Napoleon, the Polish people have once again fallen under foreign dominion, living in oppression and servitude.
General Ivan Jilinski, former Chief of Staff of the Russian Imperial Army and now the commander of the Northwestern Front, has established his headquarters in Warsaw. Perhaps he relishes the feeling of being a conqueror, as the Russians maintain a lofty status over the Polish. They wield power over the Polish population, who dare not resist.
By August 12, the preparations for the Russian Northwestern Front's military campaign were nearly complete, with the remaining tasks expected to conclude in the coming days. General Jilinski summoned the commanders and generals of the Northwestern Front for a military conference. The meeting room was aglow with the presence of star-studded generals from the First and Second Armies.
"Generals, the war has commenced. His Majesty the Tsar has decided to declare war on the Allies. As His Majesty's commanders, it is our duty to vanquish our enemies in the battles to come," General Jilinski proclaimed.
In the numerous conflicts that preceded, the Russian Empire had not emerged victorious, leaving a lingering frustration among the generals. Yet, even when faced with the world's most formidable army, their spirits remained undaunted.
"I have some excellent news to share. First, in our upcoming offensive against East Prussia, the German forces number fewer than two hundred thousand. Our strength is nearly three times theirs," General Jilinski said with a smile.
"Do we truly outnumber the Germans by such a margin? This is wonderful; victory is assured!"
"Even if the Germans possess superior weaponry and combat prowess, their numerical inferiority will render them no match for us. Furthermore, we have the elite Cossack cavalry!"
"The German main forces are preoccupied on the Western Front, engaged with the French. This is fortuitous; let the French clash with the Germans while we swiftly defeat them and claim victory."
The Russian generals buzzed with excitement, their confidence buoyed by the considerable advantage they believed they held. A decisive victory over the Germans would bring them immense glory and prospects for promotion and wealth. To the Russians, East Prussia appeared to be a land of unparalleled prosperity, ripe for plunder. Even if much of the spoils had to be surrendered to the Tsar, the generals would still reap substantial rewards. Thus, each Russian officer brimmed with optimism and anticipation for the forthcoming battle.
General Jilinski observed this response with a knowing smile, fully expecting such enthusiasm. It was perhaps his intention to provoke such fervor.
"The second piece of good news is that if we can reach Königsberg, we may have the opportunity to capture the German Crown Prince alive. Of course, the chances of this are slim. Should our assault falter, the Crown Prince will certainly escape. However, if we act swiftly and seize him, we shall find ourselves immensely enriched," General Jilinski continued.
All the generals' eyes lit up, some even breathing more quickly with anticipation.
In European high society, the German Crown Prince has become a legend. Having risen from humble beginnings to amass wealth rivaling nations, his capture could yield a ransom substantial enough to grant every officer a life of affluence. While none of these generals were impoverished, who among them would not desire greater riches?
"Wonderful! If we can seize the Crown Prince upon reaching Königsberg, we will be wealthy beyond measure!"
"Commander, please issue the order for our advance at once; we cannot allow the Crown Prince to escape!"
One after another, the generals volunteered for the mission, eager to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"The third piece of good news is that both the French and the British have agreed to provide us with weapons and war supplies. Once we secure East Prussia, their assistance should arrive. We will be among the first to rearm, becoming the most powerful army in the Russian Empire. Therefore, I implore you all to seize this opportunity and ensure we defeat the Germans!" General Jilinski declared.
"Yes, General," all the Russian commanders replied.
For them, this opportunity was indeed rare; should they miss it, such a chance might never come again.
"The date for the offensive against East Prussia is set for the 17th. On that day, the First and Second Armies will cross the border from the east and south, launching our assault on East Prussia and advancing toward Königsberg. I am confident that the Germans will not withstand our onslaught," General Jilinski asserted with unwavering certainty.
The other Russian commanders shared this confidence regarding the impending battle. The prospect of looting East Prussia and capturing the German Crown Prince only heightened their excitement. They knew they must give their all in this decisive encounter.
"Generals Leiningkamp and Samsonov, do you have any questions?" General Jilinski inquired.
"General, if our Second Army captures the Crown Prince, will the ransom belong solely to us?" General Samsonov asked.
The other Russian generals looked to General Jilinski, awaiting his response, as it pertained to their own interests.
General Jilinski shook his head. "We cannot claim it entirely for ourselves. However, I can assure you that the army that captures the Crown Prince will receive a larger share in future distributions."
General Samsonov nodded, satisfied with the assurance that even a portion was a worthwhile gain.
The other generals eagerly prepared for the coming battle. Under General Jilinski's command, their morale soared to unprecedented heights.