I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 559 Beating Workers

After Stolypin's assassination, the situation in St. Petersburg gradually became tense again.

Although the Social Democrats tried every means to stigmatize Stolypin, no one can deny that Stolypin used his "tie" to effectively ease social contradictions in the Russian Empire. During the years when Stolypin was in power, the economy of the Russian Empire achieved unprecedented development.

When Stolypin died, the Russian Empire's fiscal revenue reached 20 billion rubles per year. If calculated per capita, the Russian Empire was the country with the lowest per capita tax burden in the world.

The empire spent 5 million rubles on education every year. In 1908, the empire began to implement compulsory education. From that year on, the number of primary schools increased at a rate of 1900 per year. Compared with 1912, by 51, the illiteracy rate of new soldiers had dropped from 27% to %.

Since Nicholas ascended the throne, the savings of residents of the Russian Empire have increased from 3.6 million rubles to 22 billion rubles.

Steel production increased from 1.63 million poods (1 pood equals 16.38 kilograms) to 3 million poods.

Coal production increased from 1600 million to 2.2 million poods.

Oil production increased by 165%, and cotton and sugar production doubled.

Regarding the development of the Russian Empire, French economist Edmond Tally publicly stated in the newspaper: If the Russian Empire maintained the development speed from 1900 to 1912, then by 1950, the Russian Empire would become the most powerful country in Europe.

So, who was preventing the Russian Empire from becoming the most powerful country in Europe?
Kokovtsev, who succeeded Stolypin as Prime Minister, was a cowardly man. He changed Stolypin's tough stance and the number of people sentenced to death was greatly reduced, which made many people gradually become unscrupulous again.

Last winter, a strike broke out at the Lena gold mine in Siberia, and the mine guards opened fire, killing 270 people and injuring 250. This was the most serious violent incident in the empire in nearly three years.

This year marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Romanov dynasty. There will be a series of celebrations in St. Petersburg, but Kokovtsev has made no preparations. George has a bad feeling.

But this is not a bad thing. It is better for the empire's instability to be exposed now than during the world war.

Whether to modify the battle plan cannot be decided in one meeting.

As was customary, George stayed at the Winter Palace after the imperial conference and dined with Nicholas.

George once again confirmed to Nicholas that if war broke out, Germany would not launch an attack on the Russian Empire immediately.

"Yes, this is the same as the intelligence I received, but Cousin George believes that William will be coerced by ambitious ministers."

Nicholas still trusted William II, and cousin George referred to King George V of England.

Both George V and William II sent telegrams to congratulate Nicholas on the first day of the new year.

"On the contrary, I think Germany's calm ministers will become a safety rope if Germany gets out of control."

George had absolutely no trust in William II.

William II was a madman and he was capable of doing anything.

The deal between George and Tirpitz was revealed by William II.

William II's goal was to alienate the relationship between the Russian Empire and Britain, but he ended up making things worse and was instead used by George to blackmail Britain and France again.

The Russian Empire now owes Britain more than 2 million pounds, which is equivalent to one year's fiscal revenue of the Russian Empire.

George felt that this was not enough and he had to continue to borrow money from Britain. Otherwise, the sunk costs of the British would not reach the level that would make Britain do everything for the Russian Empire.

"George, we can't keep living in the past."

Nicholas hopes George can forgive Britain for what it has done before.

"Niki, have you ever thought about what would happen if we lost the Russo-Japanese War?"

George reminded Nicholas that a dog can never change his nature.

The smile on Nicholas' face froze instantly. After thinking about what George meant, Nicholas suddenly took off the napkin from his collar, slumped back in his chair, and no longer had any appetite.

"In Constantinople, I told Polis never to pin all his hopes on the empire; now I also want to remind you never to pin the safety of the empire on the guarantees of your allies."

George knew that Nicholas' character was a little weak and he needed someone to remind him at all times.

Away from the Winter Palace, city authorities were preparing for the celebrations by arranging ice sculptures on the Neva River, a move they had learned in Vladivostok.

There is a lighting system installed inside the ice sculpture, with colorful bulbs that start flashing when powered on.

Workers are hanging colorful lights on the trees on both sides of the street to add color to the night in St. Petersburg.

The convoy passed by the Royal Theatre. The entrance of the theatre was crowded with people buying tickets. Tolstoy's opera "Tsar Fedor" was to be performed tonight. The Tsar was a noble monarch, but his character was a bit weak, which seemed a bit like Nicholas.

Another gimmick of this opera is that the leading actress Kshesinskaya had a romantic affair with Nikolai when they were young.

Well, everyone wanted to see the performance of the Tsar's lover. George didn't want to watch it. He didn't rush home and let the motorcade circle around St. Petersburg.

It can be seen that the economic situation of most people in St. Petersburg is pretty good. They wear new clothes and new shoes, are well-dressed, and have rosy faces. Some of them carry vodka and drink it in the street. When they are drunk, they fall asleep in the street. At this time, the police will take them to the car and send them to the sobering room in the police station.

It would have been a tragedy if it had not been discovered in time.

After George's military reform, homeless people in St. Petersburg almost disappeared. When George went to Sevastopol a few months ago, there seemed to be few homeless people on the streets, but now there are a lot more.

"Many of the homeless are from Europe. They heard that they could get land if they immigrated to Siberia, so they came to try their luck."

Kolchak remained as George's adjutant, while Mannerheim went to Warsaw and was soon promoted to major general.

"This is a welfare policy only for Russians. What does it have to do with these Europeans?"

George was angry. If these people failed to achieve their goal, they would become a security threat to St. Petersburg.

Kolchak is innocent and this has nothing to do with him.

George called Kokovtsev and reminded him to control the influx of homeless people into St. Petersburg.

Kokovtsev promised on the phone that policies would be introduced as soon as possible.

George also didn't know how long Kokovtsev's "as soon as possible" would be.

At the end of January, representatives from various countries participating in the celebration ceremony arrived in St. Petersburg one after another. Boris personally led the delegation to thank Nicholas in person and thank the Russian Empire for its support to the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

"Bob, you are my brother, I will definitely help you."

Nicholas is really kind to his family.

Constantine, who arrived in St. Petersburg a little later, was not so easy to deal with.

Before arriving in St. Petersburg, Constantine went to Berlin.

Constantine's younger brother Georgy (too many Georges to remember) came to say goodbye to George. He was no longer the Greek Kingdom's ambassador to Russia and was preparing to return to Denmark to continue his naval career.

"I have really had enough. He (Constantine) has not learned any lessons from Valdemar and will bring disaster to the Greek kingdom."

Georgi was blunt.

George didn't know why these kings were so persistent. They probably wanted to have the best of both worlds, but unfortunately they were not brave enough and always crossed the line.

"Instead of going to Denmark, how about serving as deputy commander of the Mediterranean Fleet?"

George hopes Georgi can play a bigger role.

"Is this a formal invitation?"

The fact that Georgi came to say goodbye to George showed his attitude.

"Of course, I will take office immediately after the holidays."

George hopes to increase cooperation between the Mediterranean Fleet and the Greek Navy.

Constantine's attitude does not represent the attitude of the Greek military, otherwise the military alliance would not have staged a coup.

Now the relationship between Constantine and the Greek military is somewhat defensive. Constantine has not forgotten the rebellion of the Greek military, and the generals of the Greek military are also quite vigilant against Constantine.

George threw Georgi to the Mediterranean Fleet, so that he could be of great use if anything happened to the Kingdom of Greece.

Having accepted George's invitation, Georgi appeared at the banquet in the Winter Palace the next day wearing the Russian Navy general's uniform.

Konstantin was upset and asked why Georgy was wearing a Russian Navy uniform.

"I have accepted George's invitation and will soon serve in the Mediterranean Fleet."

Georgi said, "I'm just an employee, so of course I'll go wherever my boss tells me to go."

"as long as you are happy."

Constantine's attitude towards Georgy was very cold, and he didn't act like a real brother at all.

(End of this chapter)