I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 676 Overtime Pay

As the Russian Civil War ended, the situation on the Western Front gradually became clear.

The German army, which was already at the end of its strength, was finally unable to continue after crossing the Marne River. Although the Eiffel Tower was within reach, the German army was forced to stop.

What forced the German army into a defensive state was the entry of the US military into the war and the counterattack of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

After April, as many as 25 American troops arrived in Europe every month. By the end of July, the number of American troops under Pershing's command had increased to 125 million.

Under the command of General Moschena, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps performed outstandingly in the Battle of Amiens, not only repelling the German attack but also capturing 2.6 German troops.

What is particularly encouraging is that half of these 2.6 German troops voluntarily laid down their arms and became prisoners of war of the Allied Powers.

While counterattacking on the Western Front, the Russian army was not idle either.

After the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Russian army on the northern front experienced chaos that almost caused it to collapse.

Thanks to the efforts of Ruzynski and Andrei, the Russian army on the northern front regained its footing and controlled the front line within Belarus.

In order to support the Russian army on the northern front, Brusinov mobilized the Bulgarian and Romanian armies to cooperate with the Russian army in the Balkans to launch an attack on Austria.

At this time, the Austrian commander was replaced by Conrad.

After the old emperor died, the young Emperor Karl tried to negotiate peace with the Allies, but the leak of the news caused a rift in the relationship between Germany and Austria-Hungary. After that, Ludendorff never sent reinforcements to Austria-Hungary again.

Without the help of the German army, the Austro-Hungarian Empire would have been unable to resist the Russian attack.

Brusinov deployed 800 armored vehicles and 600 artillery pieces, including 1800 rocket launchers.

Boris and Ferdinand realized that this was the last battle against Austria-Hungary, so they sent all the troops except the capital garrison to the front, which allowed Brusinov to dispatch 160 million troops.

The total number of troops Conrad could command was only 85.

Among them, the soldiers recruited in 1918 were all over 40 years old.

This situation was not unique to Austria-Hungary; Britain had already increased the mobilization age to 50.

The French army also had infantry divisions composed entirely of soldiers over 40 years old.

At the same time as Brusinov's attack, the Kingdom of Italy also regrouped and cooperated with the Russian army to launch an attack on the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Something speechless happened.

Throughout August, Allied forces were winning victories on almost every front.

Only the Italians suffered another crushing defeat, not only losing 11 people, but also having two cities occupied by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Although these two cities are small border towns and insignificant, the appearance of such news in the newspaper gave people the impression that the Austrians seemed to be more capable of fighting than the German army.

The new Austro-Hungarian Emperor Karl probably thought so too, so his order to Conrad was to launch a counterattack against the Italian and Balkan coalition forces at the same time.

Conrad felt like crying when he received the order. He felt like he had received an order from the Nine-headed Monster to get rid of Benboerba, the master and his disciples of Tang Monk.

Tang Monk is easy to catch.

The Monkey King who caused havoc in Heaven is really not someone you can mess with.

George also imagined himself as Monkey King, beating to death some Duma deputies who opposed the empire's heavy tax on liquor on the grounds of "not competing with the people for profit".

The abolition of the liquor monopoly was another piece of evidence of Alex's meddling in politics. This woman used the excuse that brewing liquor wasted grain to not only abolish the liquor monopoly, but she even hoped that Nicholas would issue a "prohibition order."

Nicholas was still rational and did not completely follow Alex's advice.

But Nicholas didn't have much rationality left. After the abolition of the liquor monopoly, Russia's liquor tax dropped sharply by 90%.

As early as 1894, Russia's annual tax revenue from alcohol reached 7 million rubles.

In the last year of Stolypin's rule, Russia collected 19 billion rubles in taxes from vodka.

The pension plan, over which the Constantinople Duma had been arguing for two months, amounted to only 10 billion rubles.

With such a huge income, Nicholas actually said he didn't want it. Nicholas was still the Nicholas with a gold watch worth 15 rubles and had no concept of money at all.

George not only wanted to impose heavy taxes on alcohol, but also on all goods that were beyond the consumption capacity of ordinary people, such as French champagne.

In other areas, George may not have a say.

George's first pot of gold came from champagne. Until Nicholas abdicated, the champagne used in the entire palace was provided by George. George knew the profit of champagne too well.

Nicholas has shares in George's champagne business, and for this reason, the tax rate on champagne has always been the same as that on vodka, with no difference.

The difference in price is huge.

In Russia in 1918, prices also rose dramatically. In Constantinople, which was famous for its stable prices, a loaf of bread only cost 15 kopecks before the war broke out, but now it cost 1 ruble and 20 kopecks.

1 ruble is equal to 100 kopecks.

The vast majority of vodka is produced in Russia and does not incur import taxes.

George wants to increase the tax rate on champagne imported from France to 100%.

This means that if you import a bottle of champagne worth 15 rubles from France, you will have to pay an import tax of 15 rubles.

George originally thought that the knife was aimed at himself, and no one would object.

Unexpectedly, this also aroused opposition from some Duma members.

The Duma's reason for opposition is that increasing import taxes will affect sales prices, which in turn will affect people's consumption enthusiasm and reduce their quality of life.

people?

Oh, ordinary Russians can't afford champagne. After a busy day, drinking vodka is heaven, which can make you forget all the troubles in life. The high-ranking Duma deputies must drink champagne.

"According to the normal process, it may take us one month to decide whether to impose import taxes - then another month or two to determine the increase ratio - then it will take about two or three months to determine the scope of the import taxes - and finally -"

Igor really didn't delay on purpose. This is the Duma's process and efficiency.

Since the Constantinople Duma was convened, the fastest resolution passed was only one day, which was about the salaries and benefits of Duma members.

Workers in St. Petersburg have to work more than 12 hours a day, while Duma deputies only work 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, and can enjoy 3 months of paid vacation every year.

The salary of a Duma deputy is 100 times that of a worker in St. Petersburg.

"Tomorrow the Duma will be in session."

George couldn't bear it anymore. He gave you a chance, but you were useless.

The deputies probably thought that George could be fooled just as Nicholas was, so the Constantinople Duma, which had only been established for less than two months, became completely rotten, just like the St. Petersburg Duma.

"Tomorrow is the weekend—"

Igor was in a difficult situation. Duma deputies were very firm when it came to defending their rights.

"Then give them overtime pay."

George fights magic with magic.

Igor grinned, his black front teeth particularly eye-catching.

George was disgusted. It was not that he was short of money, so why didn't he get two dentures made of gold? If he didn't have the money, George would pay for it.

Igor didn't care. Having no teeth didn't prevent him from drinking.

The seat of the Constantinople Duma is called the "Peace Palace", which embodies the people of Constantinople's beautiful expectations for peace.

What happens every day in the Peace Palace is not peaceful. The parliamentarians are very petty and can argue for a week over a kopeck.

The guards of the Peace Palace are elite troops drawn from the Balkan Legion.

The parliamentarians who were forced to go to work on Sunday came to the Peace Palace cursing, only to find that the guards on duty outside the palace included not only the Balkan Corps soldiers in white combat uniforms, but also sailors in sailor shirts.

Since becoming Secretary of the Navy, George's guards have changed into navy shirts, a custom that is still retained today.

The main venue for the parliamentarians' meetings is an oval hall. The parliamentarians sit in a semi-circle around the rostrum on the first floor of the hall. There is also a decorative railing on the second floor, which has not been used before.

When the congressmen entered the meeting room, they found that George and King Ferdinand of Romania were sitting on the second floor, overlooking the entire meeting room.

George's prestige in Constantinople was still high, and the parliamentarians immediately cheered for George, with enthusiastic "Ura" mixed with "Your Majesty the Tsar", and some people even paid homage to George.

George had a blank expression on his face. He wanted to see what the congressmen could do.

Bang! Bang! Bang!
Igor banged the gavel and announced the start of the meeting.

Felix the Younger, who presided over the meeting, announced that the first item on the agenda was whether pensions should be paid to soldiers killed in battle in accordance with imperial regulations.

Igor and Felix Jr. are determined to achieve their goal in one fell swoop and solve all the problems that have accumulated over the past two months today.

The parliamentarians, who were so enthusiastic just now, were suddenly poured a bucket of cold water on their heads.

It was only then that the lawmakers noticed that the door to the meeting place had been closed.

"Don't look at it. If we don't get any results on all the topics today, we will have to work overtime."

Igor smiled.

The congressmen looked at each other in confusion. What do you mean? Do we need your overtime pay?
Although no one can have too much money.

But working overtime just for overtime pay is undoubtedly not cost-effective for the lawmakers.

The MPs’ time is worth much more than overtime pay.

"What are you doing? Are we going to work overtime with them?"

Ferdinand was horrified; the Kingdom of Romania also had a parliament.

"Let's see—"

George is not in a hurry. Today's meeting is very important for both George and the congressmen.

The deputies did not know that today's meeting would determine their fate, as well as the fate of the State Duma.

If George is present and the MPs still don't know what's best for them, then don't blame George for dissolving the Duma.

Stolypin also dissolved the Duma.

The two years after Stolypin dissolved the Duma were probably the most peaceful and harmonious two years in Russian history.

"Why bother? If you become the Tsar, who will dare to disobey your orders?"

Ferdinand didn't understand. Those who had such thoughts usually died quickly and didn't survive more than three episodes.

When Ferdinand was alive, the Romanian Kingdom was relatively stable.

After Ferdinand's death, Carol's son Mikhail succeeded him.

Carol launched a coup and forced his son Mikhail to pass the throne to him.

During World War II, Carol abdicated and the Kingdom of Romania was destroyed.

(End of this chapter)