One-Eyed Parrot (2)

This spring, looking at the withered farmland, Sergei Witte had a premonition.

'Quite a lot of gold will flow out of the country.'

The gold standard, which was the top priority for reform, would likely be delayed several years due to this year's famine.

In the current era, the collapse of a country's gold standard means being pushed out of international trade.

Then what's most important when proceeding with internal reforms? Obviously, it's minimizing external threats.

Though England is going berserk because we're poking at the Middle East while expanding into Central Asia, this can't be stopped since it's been packaged as Alexander III's achievement.

And in this situation, they want to add Far Eastern expansion?

'It's greed. Really nonsensical greed.'

True to his bloodline, Crown Prince Nikolai, having gotten his hands on tens of millions of rubles, showed strong determination to use funds in the Far East.

"Finance Minister, I see hope in that Far East. You probably think I'm needlessly provoking China and Japan? Especially when it's ambiguous who to join hands with after Bismarck's fall."

"If you understand well, then please-"

"Witte. Do you know what's the most important virtue for a minister of ministers, the Finance Minister?"

Twenty-three. At that age, he had to give up doctoral studies due to family circumstances. He truly had to abandon academics with tears because of lack of money.

"I don't know."

"It's friendship with the Tsar. Not even funny, is it."

Yet somehow, desperation seeps through every word of the Crown Prince, who should never have felt want in his life.

"Now... are you telling me to prioritize friendship with Your Highness over imperial service?"

"No. Teacher Ivan who taught me since childhood. You know him? The current Finance Minister."

"Minister Ivan Vyshnegradsky..."

"Why is Minister Ivan soon to be dismissed? Simply because he's a liberal? Or because he couldn't prevent this year's famine?"

Thinking back, though somewhat critical of capitalism, he truly did his best in his position.

Famine worsened due to grain exports? It was inevitable while selling everything to resolve the empire's chronic deficit.

Being backstabbed while criticized by disciples he raised, isolated by media and nobles? That's unavoidable for a Finance Minister.

Crown Prince Nikolai's reason was very simple.

"Father simply abandoned him. Didn't give him power beyond Finance Minister. No role beyond resolving the given fiscal deficit."

That's why the Finance Minister, who was Crown Prince Nikolai's teacher, fell so miserably.

He attempted financial reform but lost the Tsar's protection.

"Sadly, Father is very ill. He's grown weaker than before I left for travel. Perhaps that's why people seeking me never end. Yet the reason I sought you isn't simply because Father likes you."

Now it seems the Crown Prince didn't come seeking permission or review.

"I just hope you can make what I want possible."

"...I'm not Your Highness's secretary. I cannot accept such requests."

"Oh my, did it sound like pressure? Don't misunderstand. I haven't ascended to the throne yet. So this should be seen as an equal transaction, or proposal. If you help me, I'll help you too - that kind of meaning."

Sincerity revealed between leisurely word choices. That sincerity made Witte more confused.

If the Crown Prince had wants, he should have gone to Tsar instead of a mere minister like himself.

That would be a more certain and quick way to achieve what he wants.

Yet coming to him means it's a matter that even His Majesty can't resolve immediately.

"...What exactly did you see in the Far East?"

What reason could there be for the innocent Crown Prince to come back and act so radically?

After hesitating briefly, the Crown Prince answered shortly.

"War."

"..."

At that calm answer, Witte realized.

Surely the Crown Prince was mad. Though the wound on his forehead had healed, the brain inside must have festered.

Because there were no signs of war in the Far East, and...

'...He looks as if he's already experienced defeat.'

Since Crown Prince Nikolai was just arguing to use his private funds for Far Eastern development.

War and development.

Defeat in the Far East.

All words that don't match common sense and reason.

Who would the Russian Empire lose to, and who would dare reconquer the Far East while the powers meddle in everything with eyes wide open?

Yet Crown Prince Nikolai held groundless conviction.

"The choice belongs to you who bears the burden of reform, but protecting the empire is my role."

Even leaving a warning.

Thus Witte's audience with Crown Prince Nikolai ended.

Unlike his bold visit, the Crown Prince gained nothing, but...

"...War, he says."

At least his delusion took root in Witte's mind.

With Wilhelm II starting his personal rule and refusing to renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia just recently, war in the Far East?

"...It won't happen, and mustn't happen."

The empire in the midst of reform had no capacity to endure such a major incident.

So even if war broke out in the Far East, if it wasn't the empire's affair...

The empire should not choose to intervene.

==

"Indeed, it didn't work."

My opinion that I would start Far Eastern development with my private funds so please put more effort into state finances and policy apparently only sounded like 'the Crown Prince's unreasonable order' to Witte's ears.

External imperial matters were irrelevant from the start to him who headed to the Finance Ministry solely for internal reform.

It's probably not just Minister Witte.

Father who advocates peace with the West, matching steps with Bismarck's diplomacy.

The Foreign Ministry which only tried physical integration rather than modern colonization.

The Finance Ministry which implements reforms only with taxes collected from imperial citizens.

No one would sympathize with what I'm arguing.

Nevertheless, I know.

Though we too are breathless with major reforms and have no room to look outside.

That the empire's rise and fall will be decided in that Far East.

"Isn't that right? Teacher?"

"Your Highness, that talk again? Do you hope the Far East is fertile like imperial black earth, or overflowing with gold mines as rumored?"

"No, Teacher should take my side."

"I'm already old and want nothing. Also, from an economist's perspective, Far Eastern development before the Trans-Siberian Railway completion is extremely inefficient."

"I'm saying we should at least establish the foundation. Well, like stationing troops, fleets, reorganizing military districts..."

"Why does everything seem to only cost money related to military?"

My childhood economics teacher and now scholar helping with practical work, Teacher Nikolai Bunge.

Even Teacher Bunge, my closest aide who only thinks of me, shows reluctance toward my Far Eastern development plan.

"And increasing military districts in East Siberia will hinder development there. Especially financially."

"Hah..."

Yes, if the empire's top scholar and former Finance Minister says so, it must be so.

Honestly, I'm not confident in winning against Teacher Bunge with logic.

Not just Teacher, but conversations with everyone I meet flow similarly.

To move them by logically explaining my argument... I'm not confident in persuading them through debate.

The moment I bring up Far Eastern development and strengthening, a shower of questions pours down - Why bother? Why now? Why? What else?

In the end, what's allowed is just supporting and settling immigrants with the consolation money from Japan, like a child buying snacks at a stationery store with pocket money.

Even that, Count Tolstoy is making a fuss that this year's consolation money will soon run out and end next month.

"So in the end, they won't touch my private funds but it's impossible as state policy."

Perhaps because of France's fall through royal extravagance, Romanov imperial finances and government finances are clearly separated.

A certain amount comes from the government, but that's just money for maintaining the imperial household, not my personal spending money.

"Yes, I thought it wouldn't be easy."

Though I went around here and there, didn't it take me a full three months just to return from Vladivostok to the capital?

Pouring national power into such a distant place must sound like moon development to them.

But it's too early to give up.

"So I'm saying! Let's prepare from now for the Trans-Siberian Railway completion!"

"I-I heard Your Highness advocated increasing troops in the Amur Military District-"

"Hey now, man!"

"Ah, was that not true?"

"...Rumors spread fast. Is it because you're a Duma deputy representing citizens?"

"I'm not a worker representative but a farmer representative so I don't know! Then goodbye!"

"That Far East is overflowing with immigrant farmers! Hey, don't run away!"

"They don't vote!"

Still, who would dare oppose the first idea of the officially recognized next emperor, the Crown Prince?

"I thought deeply about why it's vulnerable despite people gathering in the Far East, and it's clearly due to severe qualitative decline. That's why I need your help."

"Are you saying commercial development is sufficiently possible even without the Trans-Siberian Railway construction?"

"That's right! Resources and manpower overflow, and isn't trade active? Is there anywhere else in our empire that actively exchanges with America like that Far East?"

"Certainly trade volume with the Japanese Empire and United States has increased in that region... Your Highness."

"What?"

"This is the Education Ministry. Local education is the provincial Duma's job."

"..."

Basically, until the Trans-Siberian Railway is completed, there's no choice but to strengthen the region itself.

"Still only you, Witte! It's still our country's land, we must do the basics! Guarantee education, commerce, security, and free trade! Allocate budget immediately! Later, state-developed planned cities will be trendy!"

"Aaah! The Tsar won't allow it! As I've said repeatedly, there's no budget!"

"That place is half lawless! Rather than being satisfied with settlers, make immigrants unable to settle! Let's support immigrant regiments like Jews. Weren't Cossack regiments all from such backgrounds!"

"Six years mandatory service and nine years reserve. Who will farm the Far East! And the military is a money-eating group. Absolutely not!"

Now officials hug their documents tight and run away just seeing my face.

Is it my imagination that the number of people I meet in corridors is gradually decreasing?

"...Still only you."

"Pardon?"

"Romen Nikolai Nikolaevich."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"You said you know Baron Andrey Koff?"

"He's acquainted with my father? We also greeted him last time in Vladivostok."

"Your family alone has five living generals, and combining connections would spread throughout the army?"

"That's... not the case?"

"Good, I'll give you a mission. Go tell the Far Eastern Governor-General to increase troops in subordinate military districts. I'll provide my personal funds."

"So suddenly?"

"No matter how I think about it, if nothing else, we must increase military district troops."

"Your Highness, the governor's independent troop increase could move the Interior Ministry's Okhrana. Please stop pushing me into danger. I want to live quietly."

Fuck, this won't work, that won't work. What exactly can a Crown Prince do in this country?

Wasn't Russia an absolute monarchy with complete centralization? Why can't the Crown Prince do anything freely?

'Damn... If I were at least forty.'

No matter how much I shout and cry out, I can't escape the frame of 'unreasonable plan by Crown Prince without practical experience.'

But then can I stand out at weekly state council meetings? Not that either.

How much could I stand out among the empire's greatest minds? I just give my assigned railway reports during my speaking turn.

Everyone is loyal to Father, not me.

Naturally, the grand plan of a bright young twenty-three-year-old Crown Prince who couldn't suppress anyone with power was nothing but a mere dream.

Still, my poking around everywhere from summer to fall wasn't completely ineffective it seems.

One day while advocating about the Far East almost like a protest, Father called me.

"Son, I hear you've been very interested in the Far East lately."

"Yes, Father."

Perhaps Father would be moved by my plan?

After all, he's the one who ordered the Trans-Siberian Railway plan. Surely with excellent insight and foresight-

"It's not good to be too absorbed in one thing. I have something in mind for you."

"For me?"

"A monarch is also a soldier with command authority. The time has come for you to serve in the military too."

"...What?"

Th-this isn't right.

My thoughts that were organizing to explain my plan internally until just now crumble like dust.

"Join the military. It's worth experiencing once."

"Ah."

Indeed, the protest's effect was tremendous.