---

* * *

Thyssen Steel Production Company

Thyssen is a German steel company founded by August Thyssen, existing for 100 years, and in 1999 merged with Krupp to become ThyssenKrupp.

Why am I talking about a German steel company? Because it now belongs to us.

More accurately, we didn’t even acquire it; we just completely moved its headquarters to Russia.

During the German Revolution, they incurred massive losses.

Considering the occupation of the Ruhr, moving was a pretty nice choice.

How did we seduce them? It’s simple.

We agreed to receive Thyssen’s steel technology in exchange for helping the German Empire reclaim its homeland, with the condition that they would return it then.

Additionally, we promised a high position in their ranks if they stayed in Volga Germany. So, we settled the headquarters in Volgograd, Russia.

Now, with the help of Thyssen, a steel company is set to be established.

And, of course, it’s not just about utilizing the Thyssen Company.

We need a solid foundation.

I recalled the resources from my previous life and pulled information about where the deposits are located.

Not just oil.

“Investigate the Cola Peninsula and the Pechora region. We will find the resources we need.”

While reading books related to Russia in the library, I realized that oil was not the only resource in the Russian deposits.

I’m not sure of the exact spots, but I know in which regions they lie.

“Is there oil coming out from there besides Northern Manchuria?”

This time it’s not oil.

I suspect it might be iron ore and coal.

Well, we already have enough resources, but more is always better.

In the early days of the Great Depression, while America was digging itself into trouble, Russia aimed to maximize its potential.

“It’s a bit different. Just give it a try.”

I told them to dig. There’s no harm in trying.

Still, isn’t it better than a steel mustache to have a beautiful empress giving orders?

Thus, the Russian resource exploration team headed to the Cola Peninsula and Pechora.

“Ore deposits have been discovered in the locations blessed by the Tsar!”

“Coal has been found in Pechora!”

The remnants of my knowledge came in handy at times like this.

Originally, these would have been discovered in the 1930s, but we secured them faster, even if just by a few years.

With Duke Yusupov’s money, we established a steel mill.

“How does the Tsarina know of the resource locations in Moscow?”

Maria was surprised, and I chuckled while touching my forehead with my finger.

“I just take a shot in the dark. Russia has many resources, after all.”

“Indeed, your Majesty, you are a true saint!”

“It’s just luck.”

I waved it off.

I merely wanted to be much stronger than the Soviet Union in the original history, so it seemed a bit dubious, but using future knowledge makes sense.

But at this point, people would surely start believing I’m a saint sent down by the heavens for Russia.

Sometimes I wonder if this is right. Knowing the future and just acting like it’s nothing? That’s absurd. It’s not like the enemy I know has turned against me; it’s just someone who should have died and instead fostered the German revolution.

Let’s be prepared as much as possible. That was my thought, but I wasn’t completely heartless.

The National Duma has power, but as Anastasia, if I want to support monarchy and make people follow me,

I need to show enough trust and authority.

To have them follow my words overwhelmingly. Even if I step down from being Tsar and live quietly, it should still be said that a constitutional monarchy must be maintained.

So that everything I claim falls into place, and I can argue for the necessity of monarchy.

Monarchy must exist for national unity, and besides, there is benefit to it.

“Now, then, it seems Mr. Zworykin’s report has come in.”

“Recently, there are many departments requesting evaluations.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I had them do a lot after all.

Reading Zworykin’s report was very straightforward.

Tesla just added a little touch to Zworykin’s completed product. Plus, it included some of Philo Farnsworth’s technology.

What does that mean? It’s simple.

Television development has finally been completed.

Under my patronage, technological progress has been made beyond the original history, and thanks to Farnsworth’s support, Zworykin was able to focus on research.

Perhaps because he had things prepared, Zworykin returned from America and promptly produced the television.

It’s July 1928 now, isn’t it?

I believe Farnsworth unveiled his television system around August.

We were faster here. Of course, it was Farnsworth who created the prototype, but since I openly pushed for it, Zworykin could produce his faster.

Of course, there’s still a long way to go.

Isn’t it important that the backward Russia is fueling its tech?

I informed the Moscow Radio Station of this fact, and a newspaper article about television was featured on the front page.

In fact, I wanted to promote it openly. But then it would seem too much like everything revolves around me, which felt off.

Of course, the newspaper included a note that acknowledged the Tsar’s support.

“The Tsar has ascended, and Russia’s technology advances day by day!”

“Oh God! Bless the Tsar!”

Naturally, the entire nation was in a frenzy.

Isn’t it expected that an article about television development appeared in large letters in the newspaper?

Though, since we received help from Farnsworth, his name was also included, but it got overshadowed by mine.

“Your Majesty! Thanks to you, we have developed television!”

“What do you mean, thanks to me? Just keep striving for further television advancements.”

I provided substantial support to Zworykin, of course, and I directly named the initial television Zworykin Television.

And Zworykin also belonged to a company called “Romanov Electronics,” but he effectively monopolized the development and even filed for the patent.

In actual history, he competed with Farnsworth in America, but since he developed it almost exclusively in Russia, if we were to venture into America, it wouldn’t be surprising if we were the first in Europe.

The first television I received in Russia was far from what I knew television to be.

“This thing called television is fascinating.”

Maria looked at it with sparkling eyes, but it still wouldn’t be practical just yet.

“Soon, there will be color as well.”

Since it’s still in the early stages, we don’t have notable achievements yet.

One can’t be full from the first meal. We’ve laid the foundation, creating color is something Zworykin will take care of. I’ve already told him to try making it in color.

The problem is that even if Russia rides the technological wave like this, we won’t be able to prevent the upcoming Great Depression.

The Great Depression is not far off now.

America is already showing signs.

“Well then, the Great Depression is the problem.”

While the Russian economists might find it tough, having already experienced a civil war, when considering Russia’s current economic situation, they think it’s still much better than other countries.

Besides, the Great Depression is bound to happen soon.

It’s already approaching that time.

It would be wise to inform the citizens through the radio beforehand.

“I should start broadcasting about the Great Depression soon.”

“Is it finally time?”

That’s right. It is finally time.

Now the citizens need to know.

“I thought about telling them early, but what would it change? It’s better to let them know right before it hits.”

I don’t even know exactly when the Great Depression will strike.

The Okhrana’s American branch seems to be reacting to something, so we need to prepare as well.

To minimize overseas capital investment that could escape during the Great Depression, while the National Duma informed the people, they were preparing in advance.

So now, we can just relay the information.

There are those who threaten to inflict damage from the Great Depression; I’ll just drop subtle hints about it.

“Your Majesty. We are ready!”

Maria set up the radio for me.

I always say this, but it’s super convenient. Thanks to having the radio broadcasting equipment ready in the Kremlin, Maria can just prepare it and I can broadcast lying down.

The Tsar is also developing more technology to make radio broadcasting easier.

Alright then, let’s start announcing that the Great Depression is going to hit.

“People of the nation, this is your Tsarina, Anastasia.”

Your Tsarina Anastasia.

Under normal circumstances, I would have broadcast about the Tsarina’s experiences in the civil war. It’s not something I do every day, and this story would be quite lengthy.

Originally, I planned to talk about the tale of Brusilov, who has now passed away, pleading for his son’s life.

He led the surrendered enemy forces west and dealt with the remnants, then died as if he had completed his task.

It could serve perfectly as a story to use.

Afterward, Brusilov’s son was confined to a camp to prevent any foolishness. He pleaded for his life, so he was placed in the camp.

I had planned to embellish that story a bit, but it seems today I should instead talk about the Great Depression to tantalize the people’s curiosity.

“Today, I have started this broadcast to inform you of one thing.”

There will surely be calls to broadcast about the civil war!

Such a thing might come up quite a lot.

But Tsarina Anastasia is an emperor who cares about her people.

I need to announce that an economic crisis might hit in advance, giving the citizens time to prepare.

“There will soon be a global economic crisis. This is driven by the New World, and we cannot escape its impacts. Factory productivity will decline, companies will go bankrupt, the stock market will collapse, and many will throw themselves into the rivers. Though our Russia has already had the state directly intervene in the economy for national reconstruction, there will be repercussions. If we were to consider a country unaffected, it would probably be a communist state. Because all these issues stem from the fact that the Communists are orchestrating world revolution behind the scenes.”

That’s right. This is precisely what I’m targeting.

I subtly diss the Communists.

Why are there Communists behind this?

When has Judeo-Bolshevism ever had its facts clear?

This is politically appealing for the anti-communist states.

All our troubles are because of those Communists.

People tend to want something to rely on during tough times, while also needing someone to blame.

That will become Communist Germany and Italy.

Later, when Russia goes to war with those two, the public’s support for war will also rise along with it.

I don’t care; it’s definitely all the Reds’ fault!

I’ll push the narrative back to the Reds.

“However, whether we survived that civil war or not, we’ll survive this one too. Just like always. Trust in the National Duma and believe in this proud Russia!”

With that, the brief broadcast concluded.

And this broadcast would provoke the attention of the United States, which has its embassy in Moscow.

The U.S. sent an ambassador straight to the Kremlin.

“How can you do this? We’ve helped you so much!”

The ambassador was scolding me.

“Huh? Are you talking back to the Tsar? No matter how much power you’ve passed to the Duma, I’m still the owner of this nation. How dare a mere ambassador?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Only then did he regain his senses and hurriedly try to correct his attitude.

Well, it would be a little strange for a nation to curse its own.

“Right. Of course, you’d be angry. Since it was said by someone from America.

And you know we appreciate the help the United States gave us.

But what did I say? I only spoke based on facts.

Of course, it’s what I said out of concern for my own country, but to people in America, it must feel like the Tsar cursed their nation directly.

For regular people, that’s understandable, but I am the Tsar.

What the Prime Minister of the National Duma said is one thing, but the Tsar’s statements are more dangerous.

Once the Great Depression hits, they’ll say that my prediction was accurate, but at least for now, it will only seem like a diss.

But hey, I have my reasons to say what I did.

Right now, signs are showing clearly, I can’t just deceive my citizens to appease America, right?

“Really?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure there’s no problem back home?”

Are they taking the economic crisis too lightly?

Or is it because they’re a wealthy country, so they think it doesn’t matter?

Whichever it is, it’s quite pitiful.

It seems the U.S. is trying to dismiss my predictions.

“That… that’s…”

Looking at his face, it seems he can’t retort effectively.

Given his expressions, it seems there’s a hint that something is brewing within America.

After all, talk of the Great Depression started ten years before it blew up, so if they respond too lightly, what can I say?

“Well, the ambassador likely doesn’t know either. For now, there are just signs; human affairs can’t be predicted. You never know how things will turn out.”

The Great Depression might not even happen.

But you never know! There might be some miracle and the economic crisis could avoid us.

Though the signs already indicate it will happen, Trotsky seems to be getting active too.

What might that imply?

That Trotsky is sensing something too.

“That’s right. No matter how much your Majesty predicts,”

Did I say it was because of what’s happening in America?

No, I didn’t. The Communists were what I mentioned in the broadcast.

The Communists are behind the Great Depression.

Those Communists are the cruel fiends perpetrating all these acts.

“Isn’t it just mentioning the Communists? The problem isn’t America, it’s those Communists themselves.”

“Those Communists?”

The ambassador responded with a dazed expression.

What’s with that dumbfounded look?

Do you think there are no Communists in America? It wouldn’t be long until they rise with a chicken leg in hand and rebel.

“Yes. The U.S. must be wary of the Communists. I constantly tell my own people that the Communists are fiends who worm their way into the hearts of those who are suffering. The defeated Communists didn’t go to Germany; Bolsheviks have their factions, drawing a line with the General Secretary of Germany. They can’t survive in Europe, and there’s no point in discussing the East; it’s all too obvious where they’re headed.”

That’s right. It’s the New World. North America, to be clear.

Don’t treat Communism lightly.

I stated that openly.

Of course, I’ll refrain from discussing Trotsky. I doubt they’d believe it if I mentioned him. But Trotsky’s Chicken Revolution would be quite useful to refer to during the Great Depression, wouldn’t it?

And America will assign all the blame to the Communists.

I’ve effectively provided America with justification.

“I’ll make sure to relay this back to my home country.”

“Isn’t this mutually beneficial for both of us?”

Though I can already see the end approaching.

 

---