The last census revealed about 5.5 million Jews within the empire.
And currently, the empire implements a conscription system.
Looking at just these two facts, one might think "Well, we could just gather Jewish recruits and form units," but the issue wasn't that simple.
"The Tsar wants us to create Jewish units."
"Then just make them. What's the problem? We already have Cossack units, Muslim units, and nomad units, don't we?"
To Sakharov's straightforward question, Dukhovskoy shook his head.
"While Finland's military is under our imperial army, they operate with their own command structure. Similarly, the Islamic units are merely under imperial control, but can't be considered the same as the imperial army. The Tsar doesn't simply want to create and control Jewish units like them."
If that were the case, he wouldn't have given such specific instructions. He would have just sent down an order to increase Jewish recruitment rates.
However, he wants units composed solely of Jews, units exclusively for Jews. Why?
"...Jewish units at a time like this. I can't think of any use for them except maybe in the Far East?"
"That's correct."
"Why on earth?"
"It seems the Tsar wants Jews to participate in the southern expansion policy."
"The southern expansion policy includes Central Asia, the Ottoman Empire, and the Far East. Only the Far East?"
"All of them."
The two major generals, tasked with preliminary work before the policy's official announcement, briefly pondered how far to develop this.
'If it were the Ottoman direction, Jews would eagerly join. They've been allowed to serve as soldiers but never as officers.'
'Perhaps he's seeking complete submission from the Jews?'
At that moment, Sakharov thought of one possibility and carefully expressed some concern to Dukhovskoy, one of the Tsar's closest advisors.
"Could this be the foundation for Jewish purge-"
"No. The Tsar sincerely wants to bring in the Jews."
"Hmm. Sincerity makes it even more difficult."
This Jewish unit establishment will likely follow the Cossack cavalry model - respecting some autonomy and individuality while ensuring they shed blood at the forefront for the empire's sake.
After organizing his thoughts, Sakharov shared his vision.
"The worst case would be if Jews see this as a penal unit."
"That must not happen."
"But our empire has been quite tumultuous lately. Ahem, pardon my words. Anyway, Jews have been excluded not only from officer positions but also from clerical work, craftsmen roles, drafters, guards, assistants, and even military factory workers. Why? Because they're considered untrustworthy wandering Jews."
Though not particularly sympathetic to the discrimination, Dukhovskoy nodded in acknowledgment. At least in the military, Jews had been thoroughly excluded.
"This country's military is Orthodox-centered. I don't fully understand their ideology, but I've never seen soldiers desert en masse just because they were told to eat something tasty."
"Apparently, just touching pork in their food is considered a sin."
"With people like this, gathering them all for special management sounds good. Fine. But Commander Dukhovskoy, name one Jewish general besides Denis Davydov."
"...Are there any?"
"Of course not."
Considering Denis Davydov was from a century ago, Dukhovskoy couldn't think of any living Jewish generals.
Finally, Dukhovskoy understood the key point of Sakharov's argument.
"So the core issue isn't just gathering troops to form units, but creating Jewish officers?"
"Those Jewish officers would naturally lead the soldiers below them. We need to give them a role like their rabbis, whom they call teachers."
Rabbis, who have never properly worked a day in their lives let alone farm, spend their entire lives studying in rooms yet earn the respect and support of all Jews. Sakharov wanted to incorporate this collective Jewish characteristic into the military.
"This is the best way to integrate Jews into the southern expansion policy. Create Jewish officers. A flower blooming in the desert stands out more - if we promote them appropriately, other Jews might eagerly gather under them."
Jews who create their own society and live together even within the empire.
Advice to create standout figures among them.
'So we just need to control those few officers.'
This might set a bad precedent of ethnic groups forming private organizations and power bases within the military.
However, it's also perfectly suited for the tightly closed-off Jewish community.
"Creating heroes. I should visit the Okhrana for this."
Dukhovskoy immediately headed to the Interior Ministry.
==
While planning to establish pilot Jewish units in Petersburg following the Tsar's orders, Dukhovskoy learned for the first time that there were so many Jewish factions.
"Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews, Ukrainian Jews, Belarusian Jews. Roughly thirty-nine branches of Jews can be classified by region and history."
"...That many?"
"Add religion, and Jews are quite diverse. They're further divided by scriptural interpretation."
"First time hearing this."
"Additionally, regarding your request, we searched the entire imperial army."
Dukhovskoy immediately read through the mere two pages of information that Sekerenskiy had gathered using the full force of the Okhrana.
After quickly reading, Dukhovskoy asked incredulously.
"Hundreds of thousands of Jews have served in this empire, but only nine officers? Just nine officers?"
"Of those, only two were usable, but since Serem recently emigrated to America, only one remains."
"Hertsel Yankelevich Tsam. Enlisted at 17, five combat experiences. Retired as captain after 41 years of service? Director Sekerenskiy, did I read this correctly?"
Dukhovskoy's military common sense seemed shattered by news of an officer serving 41 years and retiring as captain, but Sekerenskiy nodded in confirmation.
"Now you understand why Jews are leaving Russia. Captain Hertsel - well, he was promoted to captain the day before retirement. Meaning he never actually served as one."
Though he had guessed, the reality was too devastating for Dukhovskoy, who covered his face.
According to the documents, though he was competent enough to earn his regimental commander's recognition, Hertsel was repeatedly passed over for promotion because he was Jewish and refused to convert to Orthodox Christianity. Despite this, Dukhovskoy wanted to applaud Hertsel for serving 41 years.
Captain Hertsel's life itself was a triumph of human perseverance and a protest against Jewish oppression.
After pondering about Captain Hertsel, Dukhovskoy asked the director.
"Can we work with this?"
"In what way?"
"Inflate his military achievements and have the imperial government belatedly award him decorations."
"This might invite criticism of the government."
"That's why I'm asking you. Can you focus the work precisely on this Hertsel person?"
It needs to be done in a way that doesn't provoke anti-Semitic or pro-Jewish voices, but solely praises Hertsel's contributions and promotes him.
Sekerenskiy smiled lightly at Dukhovskoy's question.
"By next month, Hertsel will be a hero and hope for all Jews."
For the Okhrana director, changing one person's life was nothing.
Whether pushing them down to rock bottom or raising them to the heavens.
==
[War Minister Sakharov: All religions must be protected as long as they pay taxes.]
[Captain Hertsel Rediscovered: A hero who silently supported the empire from the bottom.]
[41 Years of Waiting: Exceptional Official Imperial Decoration.]
When the media opened fire simultaneously, the trend was created overnight.
"Captain Hertsel? He was a lieutenant for 13 years? My God, how did he endure?"
"I heard his colleagues submitted petitions for his promotion."
"They say he's getting a medal too?"
The military is the most conservative institution anywhere in the world. Even though America accepts many immigrants, whites remain the core of its military, and though Britain has numerous colonies, pure Britons form the core of its army.
To be recognized in such an institution.
"Captain Hertsel, are you home?"
"What brings you here so early in the morning?"
"Good morning, we're from the Imperial Merit Office. In recognition of Captain Hertsel's achievements, despite not being Christian, you will exceptionally be inducted into the Order of St. George. Considering your religion, this will be substituted with the equivalent Order of Vladimir, 3rd Class. First, we need photos."
This was unfamiliar even to Hertsel, who had served in the military.
Already retired and doing volunteer work in the Jewish community, Hertsel didn't know how to react to the soldiers gathered in front of his house since morning.
"We hope you'll attend next week's award ceremony. Well then."
The soldiers showing respect to Captain Hertsel with military precision, and journalists recording and photographing everything.
Hertsel received the respect he never properly got during his 40-plus years of military service. Suddenly, everyone was proclaiming his honor and showing respect.
After the Merit Office soldiers left, neighboring Jews who had been watching from a distance rushed to Hertsel.
"Hertsel! The whole world is talking about you! How did this happen?"
"I-I don't know either. I thought I'd forgotten everything about the military after retirement, but suddenly they're making such a fuss."
"Don't lie! Haven't you been reading the newspapers?"
The neighbor handed Hertsel a stack of newspapers.
[Colonel Belukheim: He was undoubtedly the best company commander.]
[The exemplar of an uncomplaining man finally recognized.]
The world seemed to have turned upside down overnight to mock him, but after receiving the decoration a week later and seeing his pension increased, the sixty-plus-year-old man finally realized the world had changed.
The moment when the world recognized him, something he thought would never happen. He never dreamed such days would come before his death, and the treatment, unimaginable for a mere captain, continued daily.
'...It wasn't in vain.'
His life, despised merely for being Jewish, finally seemed to shine brightly.
When going to the synagogue, Hertsel proudly wore his decoration, and when walking the streets, he walked with his chest proudly out, gleaming with gold.
After receiving the decoration and experiencing a few days of honorable life, one day a paper arrived for Hertsel.
「Reactivation Order: Captain Hertsel Yankel Tsam is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and accordingly, the retirement age is temporarily extended. -Petersburg Military District Commander, Major General Sergei Dukhovskoy-」
"...Huh?"
Military service typically begins at 19, or usually after age 20.
For a moment, Hertsel thought the paper was meant for his grandson, but his name was clearly written on the order.
The Petersburg Commander, responsible for guarding the capital and major cities, was ordering him back to the military.
Never mind the promotion to lieutenant colonel, he was sixty-five years old. Though not sick, he was at an age where death from a cold wouldn't be surprising.
"There must be some mistake-"
"There's Captain Hertsel!"
"Captain! Please wait a moment!"
When Hertsel unfolded the order in front of his house, journalists who seemed to have been hiding somewhere surrounded him.
"Captain Hertsel, it's admirable that you've decided to return to service! With your Order of St. Vladimir 3rd Class, your promotions should be smooth sailing - how far are you planning to go?"
"I-I should be preparing for the grave-"
"Please give some advice to young Jewish soldiers serving in the military who look up to you!"
"After 41 years of waiting, the empire is finally recognizing you! How do you feel right now?"
"I'm happy but I can't just be happy about this-"
"You mean you're too overwhelmed with joy to express it in words?"
"With Captain Hertsel, now a beacon of hope for all Jews, returning to active duty, we're really looking forward to seeing how many juniors will follow in your footsteps!"
"..."
Hertsel, a man of noble patriotism and silent sacrifice.
Hertsel, a man who became a hope for Jews by maintaining his faith even in the military.
Hertsel, a man who pledged to serve the empire once more after the entire empire praised his name in his twilight years.
A perfect Slavic fairy tale was completed in an instant, though no one knew who wrote it.
Before he could enjoy his newly recognized honor, when Hertsel came to his senses, he was already in uniform standing at the St. Petersburg station.
"...Why am I here?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Hertsel Yankel Tsam! Welcome back to the army! I'm Colonel Felix Sumarkov Elston, your direct superior. Ah, perhaps the name Yusupov is more familiar?"
Before he could ask why his direct superior was the Tsar's in-law, Colonel Elston grabbed and shook Hertsel's hand.
Of course, journalists were photographing their meeting.