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“More than anything, right now, the labor union activist Alexei Gastev is saying that for the progress of Russia, workers must become like machines. This, he claims, aligns perfectly with the Tsarina’s accelerationism, and he is mobilizing the workers.”

The mechanization of workers, huh.

That’s not entirely bad, as long as workers’ welfare is ensured.

Ultimately, it means becoming a cog in the machine for Russia, for the state.

Looking at it this way, isn’t the Tsarina like a heart, with the entire nation flowing through its veins like blood?

But still, if you ask whether this is actually feasible, that’s a bit questionable.

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

Can something like this even be reasonable right now?

“For the time being, there’s no real issue. Moreover, he is also a poet as a member of the Moscow Writers’ Association.”

“Hmmm.”

“Besides, we’re not sending political officers to every factory like those Communist Germans.”

That’s true.

We do not oppress the citizens of the United States.

Let’s liberate the workers!

We say that, yet the Communist Germans have political officers stationed in every factory for industrialization.

At least we are not doing that.

Factories aren’t military bases; why would there be political officers?

Of course, they’re not idiots either; I’ve heard they give out medals for meeting production quotas.

“Upon investigation, it seems Alexei Gastev venerates His Majesty, influenced by His Majesty’s accelerationism. For now, there isn’t any pressing issue, so we’re letting it be. Unless we were to make them work without wages, we’re implementing sufficient welfare policies for the workers.”

Seems like that kind of eccentricity is usual for someone like him.

While they claim to prepare for the Great Depression, it’s a bit… unexpected. I didn’t anticipate this extent, but we have another strange character.

“Hopefully, it will work out well. Whether it’s truly fine is another matter.”

“Well, if he becomes too provocative, we may have to intervene, but after all, Alexei Gastev is part of the Roman Nationalist Party.”

“Oh dear.”

So, a strange person is a member of my fan club.

“Initially, he’s not like the Bolsheviks who actively organized a new party; he’s influenced by His Majesty. Cough.”

I don’t know what to say about this.

Right now, isn’t it like the Anastasia fan club is up to something?

Yeah, well.

If they’ve made a mess, they might as well use Anastasia’s authority to do what they can.

“If it’s not too extreme, it might be okay to just let it be.”

It is indeed pretty red. The Soviet Union has already collapsed, and can’t we just repackage it as modified capitalism or accelerationism?

It’s not like they’re authoritarian like the Soviets either.

I’m not standing here brandishing knives to intimidate the workers!

Lately, I feel like if I really did wave a knife around, they’d be even more obedient. Anyway.

“However, if this continues, there will be black companies that overwork workers for more than 8 hours just to please the government. Proper regulations must be enforced.”

Seems like there will be companies turning into black companies just to feign loyalty.

“Of course, that will happen. Moreover, this feedback comes from the National Duma.”

“What’s going on?”

“During the five-year development plan, there was a suggestion to award medals to workers who work hard.”

“Oh, that sounds like a good idea.”

Awards are not bad at all.

“However, we need permission from His Majesty.”

“What is it?”

What are you so hesitant about?

I’m the grading Emperor. If you have something to say, just say it; if you don’t know, just ask.

“We should create a new National Development Medal, and I was wondering if His Majesty could personally name the medal.”

Now that you mention it, there was something like the Lenin Medal in the Soviet Union.

Should we make something like that?

After all, isn’t Anastasia in an idol-like position in the United States right now?

So, how about a Tsarina Medal or an Anastasia Medal?

“How about an Anastasia Medal, named after me?”

“Are you personally taking that name?”

Exactly. The idol of the nation, the Anastasia Medal (merch).

At this point, I can’t help but acknowledge it.

Just look at how they bought radios just to listen to my broadcasts. You can tell the level of support for the Tsarina just from that.

So, granting the Tsarina Medal wouldn’t be bad.

Alternatively, the Catherine Medal or something.

Even though it’s the United States, there’s a Tsar, and if the support for the Tsar is high, it would be alright to create a medal related to the Tsar.

“Well, if not the Tsarina Medal, a new double-headed eagle medal would be nice.”

“Hmmm, understood.”

No, no. While making a medal sounds good, I just had a great idea.

I snapped my fingers.

“Oh, I’d also like to personally award the medals myself.”

Right. I am directly granting the medals.

“Your Majesty will directly award them?”

“Wouldn’t that be a good idea?”

The idol of the people directly grants the medals. That’s nice.

That alone would likely bring a positive response from the citizens.

It’s no different from an idol singer personally giving away merchandise.

“Certainly, the workers will appreciate it. But wouldn’t it be annoying for Your Majesty?”

“This is necessary.”

Even that bald-headed Lenin has a medal with his face on it, and didn’t many Soviets receive that medal?

How absurd to have a red like him do such a thing.

To be honest, wouldn’t it be better to engrave Anastasia’s face rather than a bald head?

What about the Communist Germans?

While there’s no rule that says there has to be a medal system, the Communist Germans will need to invigorate the workers oppressed under political officers.

They’d probably comfort the workers and give praise through medals or something similar.

Even if they don’t do that, I have enough justification.

As Tsar, I am implementing various welfare policies for the workers.

Additionally, being a war hero, reflecting on the times of Nicholas II, it would show the changed world as the war hero Tsar of ‘that Romanov Family’ grants the medals.

It would carry a significant meaning.

“Hmph, since Your Majesty’s intentions are firm, I will prepare it.”

Now, with that, the talk of the medals is settled.

I shifted my gaze towards the Baron Beria, who was standing straight in front of me, awaiting my words.

Today, it wasn’t just the Prime Minister who came.

I called for both the Minister of Interior and the military head, Baron Beria.

“I have something to say to Baron Beria.”

“Just give your command.”

“Are our military’s weapons sufficient?”

“Yes. Old firearms are piled up as surplus. Is there a specific purpose you have in mind?”

“Do we still have those left?”

“Indeed, they still exist. Then we can make some good use of them.”

It seems I have some surplus weapons to send somewhere.

For instance, to a place like the United States, where Trotsky is located.

“Yes, considering the firearms have been passed down generations, we are currently transferring what our White Army used to the Polish forces.”

I see. Our weapons are continuously being developed.

It would be nice if we could produce AK-47s. I’ve heard a bit about the AK-47.

Moreover, Mikhail Kalashnikov, the developer of the AK-47, is in Russia.

Perhaps through gun development, something similar could emerge.

Hmmm, then should I toss out a bait?

“By the way, about weapon smuggling in the United States.”

“You’re talking about Trotsky.”

Exactly. He catches on immediately.

He quickly grasped the meaning of my words.

“Let’s sell some to them.”

“Are you thinking of instigating Trotsky to start a revolution in the United States?”

The Minister of Interior’s eyes widened in surprise.

I’m not looking for a revolution.

I simply want them to attract some attention in the United States.

“Well, that depends on his capabilities, but you both know, Baron Beria and the Minister of Interior, the United States exhibited tremendous strength in the Great War. Just by having the United States join in, Britain and France were able to turn the tide against Germany.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that. Didn’t they also help in our Civil War?”

Indeed. The U.S. helped us out.

“There are no eternal allies or enemies in this world. Why do you think the U.S. helped us? The great powers were anxious to catch the Bolsheviks, and during that time, the U.S. was overflowing with money and supplies. That’s why they gave us support.”

The point is to weaken the United States.

“While that is true, directly supporting them doesn’t seem right. According to the deflected Bolshevik testimonies, Trotsky argued most vehemently that the previous Tsar should be executed. Directly aiding someone like that seems problematic.”

It is indeed wrong to directly support the person who executed the Tsar.

I never intended to provide direct support anyway.

“Of course, I won’t help him directly. It’s obvious that would ruin our relations with the United States.”

I have my own thinking.

Try to provide support for Trotsky at a national level, then.

It would be odd for the Tsarina, who killed her parents, to support Trotsky, and wouldn’t the United States be furious about that?

I wouldn’t want to become hostile towards the United States either.

Even if the future of Russia becomes a superpower like the Soviet Union, it wouldn’t be wise to oppose the great United States.

“Then.”

“Let’s give excess surplus materials to the various Chinese warlords for free.”

It wouldn’t hurt to give away surplus weapons.

Aren’t you curious how the weapons handed over to the warlords would be used?

“Wouldn’t they reinforce their armies?”

That could indeed happen.

Though, this is adding to the warlords; Trotsky remains my goal.

What they do with the weapons is their problem.

“It’s one of two options: either they grow their armies to pressure surrounding warlords, or they sell the weapons to fund their finances.”

“Do you mean the latter?”

Surprisingly, I’m leaning toward that option.

“At least from what I see, they appear to be doing so already. Aren’t they selling them off right now?”

As I mentioned before, it’s confirmed that materials from their side are being smuggled into the U.S. It seems Trotsky’s Communist allies are in charge of that.

Even if I hand over weapons to the warlords, it has only been a short while since they started self-governance post the Hubei War, so they probably won’t engage in warfare immediately.

Wouldn’t they be too busy developing their regions?

In that case, they would need funds, and the weapons we provide could be the perfect commodity for that.

Naturally, those would flow more toward the U.S.

“That’s right.”

“And even if my expectations are wrong and they do reinforce their armies, that wouldn’t necessarily be bad for us. As long as they only grow their armies, their autonomy would be merely superficial, and China’s potential would also diminish.”

Either outcome doesn’t concern me.

After all, if I hand the weapons to ALL the warlords, the chances of them selling them off for the cash are higher.

Regardless, they must develop their regions in terms of self-administration.

Whatever happens to China, there’s plenty to gain by stabbing Japan in the back.

“Indeed, that seems likely.”

“So let’s give it a shot. It could flow toward Trotsky, or it may not; either way, I’m fine with it.”

Right now, the fact that Trotsky is smuggling weapons suggests he’s managing to earn some money.

I didn’t know chickens could wield such power, but hey.

If Trotsky insists on a chicken revolution, I might just lend a hand. That’s my take.

“Then, Your Majesty summoned me because you wish for the Okhrana to facilitate the route for more weapons to be funneled into America?”

“Exactly.”

He gets it instantly.

This is why I appreciate the current National Duma.

No matter what I say, they are considerate enough for this grading Emperor.

“Then I’ll give it a try.”

I feel a bit bad, but releasing the gruel into America is about the future hegemony of Russia in Europe.

At least in Asia, that might not apply.

For Russia to fully conquer Europe, the U.S. will need to step back a bit.

“By the way, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“May I ask what this painting is?”

Pyotr Wrangel pointed to the painting on the desk.

Ah, this is nothing special.

I just think since I’m investing in air force capabilities, I’d like to try something new. That’s all.

The naval enhancement exists only in words, so it seems we’re bound to leave it for now, just sufficient enough to protect Russia’s seas.

Still, to satisfy Kolchak, it seems we’d end up easily replicating the German U-boats along with a couple of aircraft carriers.

Anyhow, enough of the side talk.

I’m putting a lot into the air force, you know?

Especially, just in case, I’m considering producing lots of torpedo bombers and such, but even that feels just a bit lacking.

When it comes to fighters, wouldn’t flying wings be the romantic choice?

 

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