I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 385 The only warmth in the late winter

Witt's situation was worse than George's.

In George's words, Werther was the life-saving minister that Asan left for Nicholas.

In the position of Finance Minister, Witte performed very well. Despite Russia's limited funds, he not only guaranteed support for the Trans-Siberian Railway, but also passed the "Great Navy Plan", which brought the Russian Navy into a period of rapid development.

In addition to the Trans-Siberian Railway and the "Great Naval Plan", Witte also did a lot of unknown work, such as promoting the land redemption system, protective tariffs, currency reform, standardizing the Russian financial system, and even the Russian-French alliance and the three-nation intervention in Liaoning. , the Qing-Russia Secret Treaty, etc., in which Witte played a key role.

For the Russian Empire, it has now entered a critical period.

After all, it is external expansion.

Or continue to develop the domestic economy.

There were major conflicts between Witte and the radicals headed by Pobedonostsev.

Radicals believe that as long as the Russian Empire continues to expand and gain profits through external plunder, most of Russia's domestic conflicts can be resolved.

Japan used the Sino-Japanese War to extort 2.3 million taels of silver from the Qing Empire.

It’s not that Werther won’t give it, it’s that he really doesn’t have it.

For Nicholas, George paid for it.

This kind of thing is actually easy to handle, just chop off a few heads.

There was nothing Werther could do, the empire had its own national conditions.

Even if it is 100 million rubles, the imperial treasury cannot come up with it.

Of course, in addition to issuing bonds externally, funds can also be raised internally.

It can be said that Witte's outstanding performance as Chancellor of the Exchequer has a lot to do with George's support.

If the Russian Empire was issuing bonds on the pretext of attacking the Ottoman Empire, then I'm afraid the French would not help at all.

"No money? How is this possible?"

Witt came to George not to complain, but to hope that George would buy national debt.

As a result, someone really lost everything.

George never expected that someone would actually have the idea of ​​​​a waste of money.

This policy did not benefit the serfs, but enriched the Russian princes and nobles.

But when you are gathering wool, you cannot catch a sheep and gather it to death.

It would be easier to just say no to paying it back.

This bond is also difficult to issue.

In order to help serfs obtain land, Yaer introduced a series of banking policies so that serfs could obtain low-interest loans from banks to purchase land.

I don’t even talk about the feelings I grew up with.

That's what Vladimir had in mind.

Now that the empire needs money, it can't be left with nothing.

Referring to the habits of the Russian Empire, 100 million rubles is definitely not enough, and additional amounts will continue to be added during the implementation stage. The specific amount to be spent depends on the facts.

What could be more tempting than waging war?
The current target of the Russian Empire is not Japan at all, but the Qing Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

The empire spent money, but not only failed to alleviate the conflict, it was hard to say whether the capital could be recovered.

"Unless it issues bonds, the empire simply cannot afford this military expenditure."

Only established empires such as the Qing Empire and the Ottoman Empire can contribute sufficient benefits to Russia.

The evidence is strong.

George has helped Witt solve problems many times through underwriting and direct purchase.

"Although it sounds impossible, it is what it is."

The bonds of the Russian Empire were mostly sold through France.

The mineral mining rights along the Middle East Railway were auctioned for more than 2 million.

Poor people like Japan can't squeeze out any profit at all.

Through the Xinchou War, the coalition forces forced the Qing Empire to pay 4.5 million taels in compensation, and Russia received 2.85 million taels with capital and profits.

But the most rampant person now is either the emperor's uncle or the emperor's brother, emperor's brother, and emperor's brother-in-law. Whose head should be chopped off?

Think about the auction in St. Petersburg some time ago, when a certain Grand Duke shouted out tens of millions of rubles without blinking an eye.

Kuropatkin's plan is very good, but the only problem is that it takes a long time and costs a lot. Even if the risk of interference from other countries is not considered, the cost to the Russian Empire is more than 1 million rubles.

The nobles obtained low-interest loans from banks, and then let various Hebrew white gloves lend them out in the form of usury to make money on the difference.

A valid reason is required for the issuance of bonds.

After Witte became Chancellor of the Treasury, financial consolidation began with bank loans.

This requires generous donations from the imperial elite.

A few years ago, the local self-government council proposed extending the loan repayment period to 100 years.

In the development process of Chong Amul, Nicholas worked hard and devoted himself, and George recognized it.

But if you are wiping the butts of these grand dukes in St. Petersburg, forget it.

"If you don't help, the most difficult thing will be Your Majesty——"

Werther understands moral kidnapping.

"Shel, if Nicky needs my help, he will tell me personally."

George does not accept any form of moral kidnapping.

George cannot accept a drop of kindness from others, but must repay it with a spring of water.

It is possible to repay kindness with kindness and repay grievance with kindness.

There were many people who wanted to kidnap George. After the New Year, the royal family celebrated at the Winter Palace as usual, and George was also invited.

Grand Duke Vladimir made a surprising statement at the banquet, proposing the establishment of a royal foundation to help members of the royal family who are in financial distress.

George was curious.

The annual income of the Grand Duke of Russia totals one million rubles. Not to mention ordinary people, ordinary nobles can't spend it all in a lifetime. How did you get into financial distress?
This is actually normal.

Take Grand Duke Vladimir, for example. He and his wife hold banquets every now and then, and their daily expenses are more than that of Nicholas's family. His salary is really not enough.

Grand Duke Vladimir is still a major customer in the champagne business.

Vladimir proposed that the princes donate part of their assets to the foundation to maintain its operation.

George laughed out loud, could he be any more shameless?
"George, do you agree?" Mikhail, the only uncle of Yaer's generation, asked George directly.

"Agree, but not to support the royal family, but to support the poor who have no means of survival——"

George was worried that Mikhail wouldn't understand, so he added: "The real poor!"

“Isn’t that the government’s job?”

Vladimir is eloquent.

George didn't want to talk to a silly dog.

"The members of the royal family represent the dignity of the royal family. If their lives are in embarrassment, then the dignity of the empire will be trampled on by people on the ground. We have the responsibility to maintain-"

Vladimir thought George was at a loss for words.

"Income of millions of rubles a year——"

George looked at Nicholas who looked embarrassed.

One side is the emperor's uncle, and the other side is also the emperor's uncle.

Nikolai was indeed in a difficult position.

George hates that iron cannot become steel. Although feelings are important, principles are more important.

"There are millions. You can't use your own income to measure other people's income."

Vladimir is still shouting.

The princes all looked ambiguous.

Everyone knows George is rich.

"Nikki, do you agree?"

George gave the choice to Nicholas.

"I--"

Nikolai was very upset. He knew that this proposal was very unfavorable to George, but this was the common wish of almost all the princes. Even Sergey and Alexey said nothing. Nikolai was under great pressure.

"Very well, I agree."

George was finally completely disappointed with Nicholas.

No matter how much criticism George received before, Nicholas always stood firmly on George's side.

George knew that Nicholas, as the Tsar, would one day consider issues from the perspective of the entire empire, and George had already been mentally prepared.

When this day comes, George deeply understands how cruel the adult world is.

"George, you don't have to—"

Nicholas's eyes were filled with guilt.

Sacrifice yourself to benefit everyone?
Sorry.

George now also has a family, a family, and worries, and cannot be manipulated by others.

Vladimir overlooked one thing. George opened a bank.

Therefore, it is not Vladimir who has the final say as to how much income George has, but George.

And many of George's businesses are highly related to Nicholas.

Nicholas was the Tsar, and if George paid, could Nicholas get out?
This issue has not yet been clarified, and bad news came from Crimea.

After suffering from the disease for nearly 20 years, Georgi finally couldn't hold on any longer.

After George received the bad news, he took a train to Crimea overnight without waiting for Nikolai.

Georgi's condition was indeed very bad. He fell into coma many times after the New Year. He was as thin as a skeleton and was already in a dying state.

Queen Mother Maria stayed with Georgi during this time.

Doctors told George that Georgi could die at any time.

George looked at Georgi lying unconscious on the hospital bed with extremely complicated emotions.

Although Georgi teased George many times when he was a child, George did not hate Georgi.

It's just a child's prank, it hasn't risen to the level of "hate".

When Ya Er was alive, the Georgi family lived in Gatchina Palace and were known as the "Prisoners of Gatchina".

George and Asia live in the Winter Palace.

Recalling Georgi showing George his playroom, there was more jealousy than ridicule.

Now think about it, Georgi and the Tsar went to Denmark for vacation, and every time they came back they would bring gifts to George.

George still remembered Georgi's joy when he sold the champagne for the first time.

If it hadn't been for that accident, Georgi would have been the most powerful prince in the Russian Empire.

The doctor came to remind George not to stay in Georgi's ward for too long.

Just as George was about to leave, Georgi suddenly woke up.

"Joe—George—"

Georgi struggled with every word.

"Don't think too much, rest in peace and recover, everything will be fine."

George tried to comfort him, but his eyes turned red unconsciously.

The Queen Mother, who had been by her side, couldn't help crying and burst into tears.

Doctors and nurses are on standby and ready to rescue at any time.

Georgi's voice became weaker and weaker, and he kept mumbling to himself.

"Stop talking and have a good rest -"

George wanted to tuck Georgi's hand back into the quilt, but felt Georgi's force.

George came close to Georgi's mouth and heard Georgi speaking clearly.

"George, let's go back to Amur and don't come back again——"

George finally couldn't hold back his tears.

The remaining warmth of the remaining winter will also disappear.

(End of this chapter)