5

In the following days, numerous significant events took place. The number of people joining the Party of Georgian Patriots reached 250. People enlisted not only out of patriotism but also because they were paid for completing various tasks. Everyone needed money, so Giorgi allocated several hundred rubles a week for salaries. However, this created a new problem—funds were being spent too quickly. Despite selling off all valuable yet unnecessary possessions from the palace, the money was still catastrophically insufficient to cover all expenses.

Faced with this situation, Giorgi decided to use the system: he hired several workers using his points and brought in a merchant who took charge of procuring the necessary materials for cigarette production. Half of his men were engaged in manufacturing modern cigarettes, while the other half focused on preparing wood for paper production.

One might wonder: shouldn't they have technological limitations? Yes, such restrictions existed, but they could be bypassed through training. For example, blacksmiths could only create weapons based on technologies known before 1920. However, if they were shown more modern samples, say from the 1960s, they could attempt to replicate them. After numerous trials and errors, the craftsmen gradually mastered new technologies and began mass production.

Thus, Giorgi managed to enter the Tbilisi market, launching the sale of cigarettes. Initially, his goods were ignored due to their high price, but the situation changed dramatically when a government official purchased a pack and was delighted by its quality. He spread the word among his acquaintances, leading to a sharp increase in demand. Fortunately, the paper also found its customers—it was snapped up due to its high quality and affordable price. The main buyers turned out to be the wealthier segments of the population, and they were so numerous that the entire stock sold out instantly. Giorgi began earning more money than he had upon arriving in this world. This allowed his traders to expand their raw material purchases for further production.

However, soon his plans were disrupted by bandits. One day, they broke into a building in Tbilisi that Giorgi had rented for storing goods, completely looted it, and left a note:

"Come to Saburtalo district, on **** street, and hand over the secret of cigarette production. Otherwise, we will kill you."

Reading the note in his office at the palace, Giorgi frowned and set it aside.

"Could bandits really be this bold?" he muttered. "Ordinary ones? Unlikely. But this group is the largest in Georgia. Some even call them the mafia..."

He tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes.

"If I remember correctly, Stalin once started with them," he added, jotting something down on paper.

Who were these bandits that people feared so much? Above all, they operated with near-total impunity. Officials and military generals of the Russian Empire benefited from their activities—a portion of the stolen goods ended up in their pockets. Moreover, the bandits kept the population in fear, which significantly reduced the number of uprisings.

"It's better to eliminate them before it's too late," Giorgi said firmly, finishing his notes.

The paper listed the current stockpile of weapons and equipment produced in a short time:

Around 600 Mauser 98 rifles with matching bayonets;

20,000 rounds of ammunition;

25 Vickers machine guns with 15,000 rounds;

Medical supplies: bandages, anesthesia, stretchers, tourniquets, painkillers, and other essentials.

Medical supplies were necessary despite his soldiers' ability to recover within 24 hours. However, in the future, they could also be used for trade.

"One more thing left to do..." Giorgi said as he headed to the section of the mansion that his men had converted into workshops and small factories.

Entering one of them, he laid out the pre-prepared blueprints and materials—drawings he had made himself so he wouldn't forget them. Taking a deep breath, he felt excitement boiling within him.

"It's time to put my knowledge to use and create something new..." he muttered, getting to work.

He picked up a tool, glanced at the parts, and smirked.

"It's time to build a mortar and ammunition for it..."