"Your Excellency Marshal, the Russian Southwestern Army is nearly annihilated. In the coming six months, Russia is unlikely to pose a threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, the responsibility for maintaining the Eastern Front now falls solely on you. I must lead the Eighth Corps back to Germany." In Uzhhorod, QinTian bid farewell to Marshal Baron Hindenburg, Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army.
"Your Highness, shall we cease our offensive? The Russian Southwestern Army has suffered a catastrophic defeat, presenting us with an excellent opportunity to strike! If we launch an attack now, we could easily seize vast territories in western Russia," Marshal Hindenburg remarked.
Indeed, many Austro-Hungarian generals felt it would be a tremendous waste to halt their advance at this juncture. With the bulk of the Russian forces decimated, the territories of western Russia were ripe for the taking, akin to overripe peaches awaiting harvest. All that was needed was to reach out and pluck them.
Throughout this war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had been subjugated by Russia, fostering a deep-seated resentment among its generals. The prospect of delivering a crushing blow to the Russians was one they found hard to resist.
For QinTian, the decision was equally fraught with difficulty. Within the German ranks, there were many who yearned to capitalize on the opportunity to invade Russian territory. Previous campaigns had demonstrated that the Russian forces were no match for the mighty German army, even when mobilized with a significant number of troops. Given the strength of the German military, there was little cause for apprehension.
Nevertheless, QinTian had to quell his own ambitions and reject the counsel of his generals. After all, it was late October, and the harsh winter was imminent. The brutal Russian winters had struck fear into many; Napoleon and Hitler were both stark reminders of the risks involved. Until he was fully prepared, QinTian would not launch a reckless incursion into the heart of Russia. If war with Russia was to come, it would be gradual, methodical, and would not hinge on a few decisive battles. He understood that defeating Russia outright was a fantasy, as the vastness of its territory and its immense population were formidable obstacles to any would-be conqueror.
Moreover, QinTian eagerly anticipated the prospect of civil unrest in Russia. If a serious defeat on the battlefield could trigger a revolution, he would be in an advantageous position to seize everything he desired. He recalled another timeline where the Bolsheviks, seeking to exit World War I, had paid a heavy price to negotiate peace with Germany. Of course, when Germany eventually lost the war, the Bolsheviks promptly tore up the treaty and reclaimed their lost territories. In this timeline, if events unfolded favorably, Germany could effortlessly secure those gains. Should Germany emerge victorious in this war, the Bolsheviks would have no recourse to violate the treaty as they did before. Those territories would then become part of Germany, fortifying its power and establishing it as the true hegemon of Europe.
Of course, such thoughts were not to be shared with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Your Excellency, although we have dealt a heavy blow to the Russians, their main forces remain intact. Once mobilized, Russia can deploy millions of troops, and their strength must not be underestimated. Furthermore, the stalemate on the Western Front and the growing strength of the Anglo-French forces pose significant challenges for us. Therefore, I must return the Eighth Corps to Germany and deploy them to the Western Front to achieve a breakthrough," QinTian asserted.
"Very well, Your Highness. I wish you success on the Western Front," Marshal Hindenburg replied, his eyes reflecting a flicker of complex emotions. Internally, he was torn; he hoped QinTian would consent to assist in a renewed offensive, yet part of him desired a refusal. With the cooperation of the Eighth Corps, the chances of success in their new assault would increase while minimizing risks. However, such an alliance would also mean Germany reaping substantial rewards, leaving the Austro-Hungarian Empire with only scraps—an intolerable prospect.
Simultaneously, as the main force opposing the Entente, the fortunes of the German army on the Western Front were crucial to the success of the Central Powers in this war. Thus, both Marshal Hindenburg and the entirety of the Austro-Hungarian Empire hoped for German victories on the Western Front to safeguard their own stakes.
By late October, QinTian departed from Uzhhorod. The Eighth Corps began its northward journey back to East Prussia for reorganization, while the newly formed Ninth Corps was dispatched to the Kingdom of Poland. Should the Eighth Corps advance westward next year to engage in the major battles, East Prussia and Poland would depend on the Ninth Corps for defense. If feasible, QinTian also wished to establish another new corps to bolster defenses on the Eastern Front. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a staunch ally of Germany, it harbored its own interests.
As the Eighth Corps advanced north, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was also diligently reinforcing its three armies deployed on the Eastern Front, having suffered significant losses in the recent conflicts. With reinforcements, they would soon restore their strength. In fact, a newly formed army would also be sent to the Eastern Front, bringing the total to four armies—over 1.2 million troops. Such a formidable force was clearly not intended for mere defense. Following their victories on the Eastern Front, the ambitions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire began to surface.
Of course, these were merely the Austro-Hungarian calculations, entirely independent of Germany and QinTian. With the Russian Southwestern Army almost entirely vanquished, the Eastern Front crisis for Germany had essentially been resolved. This allowed Germany to focus on amassing strength in preparation for the challenges of the Western Front, where defeating the Anglo-French forces was the key to determining the outcome of the war.