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* * *

“How about asking the British for a technology transfer for the aircraft carrier?”

“That might not be the best idea. It seems a bit off to be asking those Britons for so many things, doesn’t it?”

Yeah. This is a matter of pride.

Moreover, I don’t think the British will just hand over everything about their aircraft carriers. They were once our rivals in the Great Game, after all.

With Russia’s situation somewhat improving, we can’t just keep asking the British for favors.

In that case, maybe we should look for other options.

“What about collaborating with Japan on technology?”

“Japan?”

Suddenly, Japan comes into the picture?

I know they’ve rapidly deployed aircraft carriers. But still, do we really need to go through Japan?

If we’re gaining something, they’ll expect something in return.

“I believe our tank technology is ahead of Japan’s. Maybe we could give them some info in exchange for aircraft carrier cooperation?”

Give them tank technology for aircraft carrier technology?

That doesn’t quite add up.

“Still, giving them tank technology doesn’t seem right. Wouldn’t it be better to offer resources in exchange for information on aircraft carriers instead?”

Personally, I think handing over some tank technology while Japan focuses on its army and cleans up China even further during the Second Sino-Japanese War would be beneficial.

But what if we share tank technology and they later turn on us? Our army might suffer during such a betrayal.

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

If Japan doesn’t accept our proposal, I hadn’t thought about that.

Strengthening our naval power would be great, but in the end, the navy is just an auxiliary option as long as Russia can defend its own waters.

The British can just take care of control over the seas.

Those pirates wouldn’t care why they should help Russia.

We don’t need to land in Italy; we can just push down from the land with our mustached friends in Austria and hang the red Mussolini at a gas station.

But if Japan outright rejects us…

Then should we really consider sharing our tank technology?

Starting something is a hassle in itself. It wouldn’t be bad for Russia to develop aircraft carriers independently.

We could just bring in German engineers to help out.

Yeah. We can take our time with the aircraft carriers.

If it works out, we get an aircraft carrier; if not, we’ll just have to improve the performance of our aircraft for now.

Wait, does this mean the current military budget is focused on the army and the air force?

Can we even afford it?

“Or we could just form a group for technological cooperation among air defense agreement nations…”

“But that would benefit too many nations. We can’t do that.”

I decided to ask the ministers who were whining about the budget.

“So, does this mean the current military budget is skewed toward the army and air force?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. While we’re enhancing naval power, it still lags far behind the army and air force.”

To sum it up:

The navy has a few more battleships under construction, including several ships obtained from Germany, but compared to the army and air force, it still falls woefully short.

And of course, priorities have to fall where they must.

Let’s look at this coldly. Even if we were to disregard everything else, unless we’re planning to confront the U.S., there’s no land across the sea that we need to protect.

We must grow our army and air force to defend the land we currently hold.

“Well, let’s put off the aircraft carriers for now. I have a lot of old ships that Germany was trying to scuttle that we’ve bought, so now isn’t the time to focus on the navy.”

“We need a navy to turn the Mediterranean into our sea in the future, don’t we?”

“Right now, we have 10 battleships, 12 cruisers, 72 destroyers, and 20 submarines. Adding in other vessels brings the total to over 200. But even this, we can’t manage all at once, can we?”

“It’s only being maintained thanks to decommissioned ships and those we’ve bought from Germany. Besides, most of the ships are outdated. Once a generation of ships passes, it’s like putting a wall between us and their performance.”

In any case, pouring funds into the navy when it was already hard for Russia to fully arm its infantry with rifles during wartime was no joke.

It’d be impossible to match them with the latest warships.

So, both the Black Sea Fleet and the Baltic Fleet are composed mostly of older ships. Is that what you’re saying?

Isn’t that many?

“Your Majesty, the navy also needs more funding. To conduct an amphibious operation, we’d need an aircraft carrier, wouldn’t we?”

Just for a little amphibious operation, you want to pull out the aircraft carrier?

I dream of having an aircraft carrier too, but I refuse to throw money away on military expansion that leads to nothing.

Admiral Kolchak seems eager to make proper use of the navy.

But whether Russia can realistically build an aircraft carrier given its current situation is another question.

“I haven’t even proposed anything to Japan yet. As for the aircraft carrier, we could just lay down some guns and build a deck to land aircraft on later. There’s no need to rush; we can take our time.”

If we can’t make it properly given Russia’s circumstances, that would be a problem.

If we fail while trying to produce various things, that’s a waste of the budget.

Later, we could consider making assault landing ships, right?

That sounds alright.

Of course, as I said, this isn’t the right time to invest in a fleet.

“Okay. Then let’s postpone the aircraft carrier for now. I feel bad for Admiral Kolchak, but we’ll propose it to Japan as Your Majesty instructed, and if that doesn’t work, we can put it off.”

“If that’s Your Majesty’s will, then there’s nothing else to be done.”

“Right. Japan may share information about aircraft carriers with us, right?”

I had to comfort a downcast Kolchak.

Still, it seems like the air force is seriously considering the airborne aircraft carriers I proposed. I just decided to pretend I didn’t notice.

“Well, that said, we can’t just keep pouring the inflated budget into the military.”

“Then, do you have any thoughts on that?”

Aha. A response at last!

I rubbed my hands together eagerly, finally ready for my turn to speak.

“There are already many things in research and development. Shouldn’t we focus some energy on television research?”

“Television? What do you mean by that?”

Isn’t television still something not fully understood in this era?

“This is what I’m envisioning.”

I drew a sketch.

Unlike future wall-mounted thin televisions, this would be a cathode ray tube TV.

I roughly described that and how broadcasting would work.

Honestly, I’m just sketching because I lack knowledge.

As for how effective what I said would be, while putting off Kolchak’s aircraft carrier plan is uncertain…

“Indeed. With that, Your Majesty wouldn’t have to travel all around Russia just for the citizens to see you.”

“Really?”

“So you conceived this idea from the radio broadcast? Indeed, even now, many are delighted to hear Your Majesty’s voice on the radio, and if they could see you in person…”

Wait, how did he connect that?

Well, as long as they grasp the concept of television, that’s a good thing.

“So, I think it would be a good idea to seek out investors from various countries.”

“Do you have any particular countries in mind?”

If we’re talking about a specific country, it would only be America.

“I’m thinking of the United States.”

Since Philco Farnsworth is in the U.S., it would be good to collaborate with him.

It would be nice to have areas where we can outpace others, but it seems right to cooperate in the field of television.

After all, Farnsworth invented the world’s first electronic television.

“Then I’ll look into it. So, this television research is already underway at the Ministry of Science and Technology?”

“Yes, there are already a few people researching it. Since we’re on the topic, would you like to go see them?”

Since we’re on the topic, I decided to personally visit the Russian Ministry of Science and Technology.

“Hello. It’s an honor to meet the scholars contributing to humanity’s scientific advancement today.”

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”

What brings me here, of course, is to see how things are going.

“I’m here to honor Dr. Tesla for his work in radio.”

*Clears throat* “Your Majesty has already provided plenty of support.”

Yeah, I’m aware of that.

A significant portion of the Russian national budget goes to Dr. Tesla.

Yusupov’s support aside…

“Is wireless research progressing well?”

“Absolutely. I promise that until the end of my life, all of Russia will be connected by wireless. I will prove that I am greater than that Edison fellow.”

I didn’t even mention Edison, but it seems he’s very much on his mind.

He must be wondering what Edison will be up to when he brings about a wireless revolution here.

“That’s good to hear. Let’s discuss television now. Is there anyone currently developing it?”

“I believe that friend, Zworykin, is researching television.”

Tesla brought forth a man named Zworykin.

Indeed, he’s really here. So Russia could lead the development of television.

Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Zworykin, and Kálmán Tihanyi too. There are many other physicists. I wonder what will come out of this.

“Ah, so you’re Zworykin?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“I hear you’re working on developing television.”

I thought history would shift and they would develop something else instead of television, but it seems Nikola Tesla is helping him develop television too.

This pleases me.

“Yes. I’ve been interested for a long time, and the Ministry of Science and Technology told me that if I applied for support, they would help with my research, so here I am.”

That’s a relief.

I’m quite satisfied with that. If so, it seems we can expect television.

Next, I’ll need to look into computers.

Before that, it might be best to throw in my design for a television that looks like one from real history.

I passed the television design I had shown to the Duma to Zworykin.

“What I want is for television to look something like this. Is that possible?”

“Um. It’s hard to say as it’s not something we’ve developed yet, but if it’s like this design, then I’ll certainly try my best.”

Great. I like the word “try.”

Personally, I see everyone here as incredibly talented.

These are historical figures who have left their names in the world due to their genius.

What kind of things could come out if these people put in effort together?

But I deliberately feigned ignorance.

“Oh really?”

“Your Majesty’s command of course compels me to try.”

“Thank you. I’ll look for foreign investors as well, so please feel free to develop it.”

The Duma members who came after seemed to show interest in the ongoing research and development at the Ministry.

Even if the U.S. does assist us, developing television might change Russia’s standing, wouldn’t it?

I’m quite looking forward to that.

* * *

Japanese Empire

Meanwhile, the Japanese Empire entered into an emergency meeting after receiving the Russian Navy’s proposal.

Of all nations, Russia, the northern bear that once ruled the world with its naval power, has requested aircraft carrier technology from the Empire.

This is a significant event that would only deepen the national pride of a Japan already soaked in patriotism.

With the Great Kanto Earthquake and improved relations with Russia leading to the resignation of the Hara Takashi cabinet, Katō Takaki was appointed Prime Minister, ushering in the new Katō cabinet.

This new cabinet seriously considered Russia’s request.

“The Russian Republic has requested technical cooperation regarding aircraft carriers.”

“From the Russian Republic?”

Prime Minister Katō Takaki decided to hear the opinion of Navy Minister Takurabe Takeshi regarding the proposal he received from the Russian ambassador.

While it’s about aircraft carrier technologies, underlying this is the question of how good Japan’s ship technology is.

“However, the Republic side is willing to transfer resources necessary for the Empire.”

“Hmm. The fact that Russia states the United States needs aircraft carriers implies they’re planning to rebuild their navy, which could pose a threat to the Empire, don’t you think?”

“According to the Russian ambassador, they claim they are strengthening the Black Sea Fleet to counter the Italian fleet.”

“To counter the Italian fleet.”

This ultimately means that they plan to engage in naval battles with Italy to turn the Mediterranean into Russia’s sea, which brings up the question of whether that is beneficial for our Empire.

“Would it be beneficial to us?”

“As long as there are resources, the Empire should continue to rise even further.”

“Why not send our fleet to Europe to fight Italy instead?”

Prime Minister Katō Takaki seemed to contemplate for a moment, shaking his head.

The war hasn’t even started yet, and one wonders whether it’s meaningful.

“Even so, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Sending a fleet to the European theater would provide no benefit to us. Besides, it’s not only Russia there, but also Britain and France. Moreover, didn’t Russia already agree that the Empire could expand into China? Advancing into Europe would still be too overwhelming for the Empire.”

Why should the Empire’s fleet risk its lives across the vast Mediterranean?

“It’s called an aircraft carrier, but it’s really no different from providing the Empire’s latest ship technology. Hmm.”

That was a bit concerning.

Now we have an ally that is Russia, a nation that once engaged in naval battles as well.

 

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