The Brewing Storm

Alexander is mulling over the entire situation.

The great powers of europe have denounced him and his governments legitimacy, imposed sanctions, and provide aid to the nobility. They even stopped the importation of russian steel, hurting his fiscal revenue.

'Thats quite the precarious situation. The governments revenue isn't enough to sustain the conflict longterm. And it takes time to liquidate the aquired assests. The best course of action would be to go in an all out offensive. The good news at least is that the rising price of grain is causing internal turomil across europe, distracting them. Preventing direct intervention in the civil war.'

'Hmm... there is already wide dissatisfaction among the peasentry over the increasing taxes the nobility is imposing upon them. In order to fund the civil war. Whilst the peasentry under my controlare immensly satosfied. Having been freed from the shackles of serfdom, allowing freedom of movement, decreased taxes, and being granted a plot of land that they can own, they are more then happy.

The rebels may have the support of the european powers, but I have the support of the people. Looks like its time for the next phase.'

-Kiev 1839 June 8-

"Honey?

"What is it my love?"

"The price of bread has risen again, and it looks like it will continue to do so, I... I don't think we will have enough money in the future to put food on the table if the price of food keeps rising, previously we could even sfford the occasional wheat bread, but now... even rye bread is expensive."

Hearing his wifes words the husband (Vlad) goes quiet. He knows about the rising food prices and is as worried as his wife, but he must put up a tough front, he can't let her, nor the rest of the family worry. So he goes to his wife and hugs her, comforting her while also saying

"Don't worry honeh, i've got it under control, I have some money saved up so even if the price of bread goes up we will afford it. I won't let anyone starve here."

'No matter what'

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes. I will go buy a newspaper to see whats causing all this. Don't worry I will be back soon."

"Be careful out there honey."

"I will."

He kisses her on the forehead and leaves.

Walking through the city a disgusting smell with a mix of shit, piss, trash, and many other things assault his nose. But he is already used to it, having been living here his entire life. Going past the dilapidated houses and avoiding the horse drawn carriages he enters the market place.

It seems to be quite lively despite the rising cost of food. After looking around for a little bit he finds exactly what he was looking for.

A newspaper stall.

He goes over and asks how much it costs.

"20 Kopeck, but for you I can give a 50% discount and charge 10."

"Thanks, with the rising price of food every bit of money saved it crucial."

"Indeed comrade. Also, if you are interested there is some extra informstion I can offer. There has been a rumor going around that an organization has been going around recruiting people, likely for an uprising in support of the tsar."

"An uprising? Isn't it dangerous? They'll get shot."

"Thats all I know, if you eant to know more you should ask around. Anyways, see you around comrade."

"See you around."

As he leaves he starts reading the newspaper. Seeing the title "The cause for the rise in food prices" he becomes intrigued and starts reading. Since thats exactly what he was lookimg for.

The more he reads the more he becomes agitated.

"S**a bl**t! Curse those damn nobles!

Taxing us and seizing all the grain for military purposes and export! What will we have left to eat! If only the tsar ruled us, with less taxes imposed on us and owning our own piece of land, we won't have to worry about starvation!"

His blood is boiling. If only, if only they were under the rule of the tsar, his familiy wouldn't have to worry about starvation anymore. They could even own a piece of land, something only the noblity could.

So, he makes up his mind. He will join the uprising. Why does it matter if he died from a gun shot or starved? At least if they rebel against the nobility there may be hope of survival. He will do what it takes to ensure his family doesn't starve, no matter the cost.

This scene takes place all across the empire, the peasents, having long suffered under the rule of the nobility have found themselves between a rock and a hard place. Either do nothing and starve. Or rebel agsinst the nobility, with a chance of survival. Its obvious what they'd choose.

The peasents are also further agitated by the propoganda Alexander is releasing, the newpapers mentioning promises of land ownership, and freedom.

The nobility however, are aware that the peasents are gathering up for a rebellion, however, how could they compromise? Decrease taxes? Oh pleaese, when hsve they ever listened to the demands of peasents, if they compromise now whats next iccreased freedom? and then what? abolishment of serfdom? Never. If they dare rise up they will simply be wiped out by the army under their control as usual, Right?

-Dologrukova Residence-

Elizaveta is out on the balcony, looking up into the vast night sky, with numereous stars shining beautifully. Her beautiful brown eyes shining with a trail of the milky way.

Honestly, when she heard all that has transpired ever since Alexander left she was shocked. After all, no other tsar, probably Ivan the terrible would ever dare try to pull of something like this.

At firat she doubted id the news was true, after all, it sounded too insane. But after verifying through various channels and getting additional information about the capture of the great city of novgorod by the tsars army she believed it.

She worried that maybe her family gets targeted as well, but for some reason nothing happend to her family. She suspects its due to her... special relationship with Alexander but its only speculation. Shes happy that at least her families safe. Shes now worried about Alexander himself, after all, if he is defeated the punishment is bound to be severe.

'I should send a letter inquiring about his well being. Hopefully he is fine. And not to mention, I should go to a church as well.'

As an orthodox christain woman, she goes to church at least once a month. Praying for the well being of her familiy and as of recently, Alexander.