There are many wars and conflicts in the history of Russia, but the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905 holds a special place among them. Defeat in it was one of the reasons for the end of such a state as the Russian Empire. But ten years before the Russo-Japanese War, another conflict occurred, which allowed the Japanese Empire to become convinced of its own strength. It was the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 that became the final exam for the nascent army and navy of the Land of the Rising Sun. However, sometimes one grain of sand is enough for a well-oiled mechanism to fail. And such a grain of sand for the course of history was a simple, if not average, young man who, at the whim of unknown forces, ended up at the right time and in the right place. He saved at least one of those people who had considerable chances of changing the course of the future war. No, the rescued man was neither a member of the august family nor a multimillionaire. Not a brilliant scientist or a famous manufacturer. But Captain 2nd Rank Yeenish was considered one of the leading artillery specialists of the entire Russian Imperial Navy. Welcome to the Northern Fleet of the Qing Empire, gentlemen, Russian volunteers! And may God help you!