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“Cough. No, it’s not. Alexei Gastev is involved in a worker support movement for the current road construction.”

What help can that person really provide?

I’m a bit worried about the Roman Nationalist Party, but real power lies with the National Duma, not the Tsar.

If the workers protest later and blame me, I’ll just shift the blame to the Duma.

Still, I can’t give Communist Germany any unnecessary justification.

What will they say if we oppress the workers?

“Well, I suppose it means to work hard like machines. But if they’re working like machines, they need to be paid well.”

“Of course. It’s not like I’m forcing them; they’re working in shifts and at night.”

Alright. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t be too bad. If there are no complaints, it won’t matter.

They’re on 24-hour full-time shifts, working even late into the night.

“Well, they’ll handle it.”

I really don’t know much about this field.

The only thing I can mention is to tell them to work hard or something like that.

Later, I might say on the radio, “I apologize due to the childish Tsarina. If it’s hard, please express your complaints confidently and demand improvements. If there’s a greedy boss not paying wages, push him to the Kremlin.”

If I say that, it should be fine.

“I feel really sorry for the workers.”

Even though it’s being handled by the National Duma, isn’t it a historically significant construction?

There are many roads destroyed in the civil war, so it’s only natural to fix them. Still, with Russia having gone through a revolution, we have to be cautious of the workers.

“You mentioned that you’re taking over an automobile company for the people. Doesn’t that mean the roads are a problem?”

“Excuse me?”

Why is that being brought up?

Ah, I might have said it out loud, but… cough, that’s a bit off.

It’s not certain that the takeover will go through.

If it doesn’t, I’ll have to get my hands on Russo-Balt.

“This is a propaganda poster drawn by Alexei Gastev.”

Alright. What kind of promotional material is this anyway?

When I received it and looked, my mind went blank.

There were oddly shaped people praying in front of a goddess that looked like me.

And what was written here was:

“‘The Tsarina will provide the people with automobiles, so shouldn’t we pave the roads? Workers, the roads are the lifeline of Russia, and your automobiles will run on them, so let’s pave the roads and repay the Tsarina’s grace!’”

Could it be that this is why things turned out like this?

In short, since the Tsarina said she’ll provide automobiles, they have to pave the roads to ride in them. This intention is reflected here.

Of course, it wouldn’t be only the Anastasia fans who would follow this.

This is bad.

I was thinking of touching some money from behind. What will happen now?

If we don’t actually start making automobiles, this is going to be a disaster.

Later, while we’re building the roads, what will the Tsarina be doing?

I’d really feel sad about that.

Should I just make an armored vehicle to prepare for Rasputitsa?

Alexei Gastev. This guy has got me craving black tea.

“If we can’t make the automobiles, it could be dangerous.”

“Have you not taken over Russo-Balt yet?”

Not yet, but…

Duke Yusupov surely will handle it well.

“I’m making an effort, but if it doesn’t work out, we should invest there. We have to meet the expectations of the people; is this Alexei Gastev person really okay?”

This guy is leading all of this, isn’t he?

I feel really uneasy.

If it weren’t for this guy, I wouldn’t have this burden. Didn’t he push for road construction everywhere?

“There’s a slight lack of a red flavor, but since our United States system is modified capitalism, it should be fine, right?”

“Hmmm. But it’s still problematic with the workers. Well, it’s not like we’re picking people from the fields. If the workers are struggling during the road construction, then improvements should be made.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Of course, I say this, but the Soviets didn’t hesitate to block the German army with sheer manpower like they were pulling people from the fields, but still, we can’t underestimate the workforce.

In the end, work is done by people.

And though there are complex reasons behind Imperial Russia, they oppressed the workers until the revolution broke out.

Even if we provide some welfare to the workers now, fundamentally, we need to increase the workforce.

Especially after going through a civil war, it’s even more crucial.

In this era, people directly translate into national power.

Especially now that we’re focusing on worker welfare, we should increase the population for future war preparations.

Of course, even if the birth rate goes up from now, if we assume World War II happens around the same time as in original history, we might not be able to use them as soldiers, but we can at least keep the factories running.

Shall we start throwing out some bait?

“Excuse me, but even if the road construction is progressing, aren’t we eventually short on manpower?”

“That’s right. Ultimately, work is done by people.”

“We should also encourage childbirth, shouldn’t we?”

Let’s inflate the population!

When the great war breaks out, the damage might be similar to that in original history or even less.

So it’s better to increase the population starting now.

“Well, that’s nothing to worry about. The birth rate is currently on the rise.”

“Is that so?”

Hmm? Maybe after the civil war settled down and the country got a bit better, people started thinking about having kids.

“Normally, when living conditions improve, the population tends to increase, thanks to Your Majesty. However, it is a bit concerning that there’s an unexpectedly high preference for baby girls.”

Prime Minister Krivoshein said with a pleasant smile.

My efforts are significant?

Honestly, I was planning to bring it up myself, but since I’m not personally giving birth, it’d be awkward to tell them to have kids.

But the birth rate is rising due to me? Could it really be that women are saying, “Let’s have kids so we can name them after him!”?

Wait a minute—what did you just say? A preference for baby girls?

“Baby girls?”

I interrupted the Prime Minister.

A preference for baby girls? That’s a rather unusual trend.

“Well, your Majesty, of course, you are a woman. Naturally, many wish to give birth to daughters who resemble you.”

Hey, that’s not true. It was possible because it’s me; general women couldn’t possibly think that way.

There are even some who joined the army just to resemble me.

At this rate, they might need to increase the female army.

No, that’s a bit too far-fetched.

“Ahem. So the population is increasing?”

“During the last civil war, there were many casualties, but we are now at a recovery level.”

So they are recovering.

They must be trying hard to make babies.

It’s a bit of a… lewd thought, but…

“Isn’t that a bit too fast?”

“The children born from this will eventually become the workers of the United States, won’t they?”

Indeed. When they grow up, they will become workers.

The preference for baby girls is a bit concerning, but overall, an increasing population is a good thing.

So my efforts naturally lead to this. Not too bad.

“I acknowledge. At this rate, there might be many Anastasias across the country.”

“Hahaha. At this rate, it will become the Holy Anastasia Empire.”

Ungern is blabbering again.

Russia, with girls named after Anastasia.

Ah, this is kind of awkward.

“Even so, that might be a bit much.”

Of course, this is just a joke, so let’s ignore it.

Still, if that’s actually the case, it could be serious.

It’s not like just wishing to have a girl means you’ll have one, but it’s clear my existence has noticeably changed Russia.

The image of the bear country might change drastically.

“Recently, seeing how Communist Germany and Italy are quiet indicates they must be managing internal affairs. While they’re gaining strength, just as your Majesty said, we too must strengthen ourselves.”

True? Communist Germany and Communist Italy have been quiet.

Aside from the recent news about Germany defeating Britain and feeling all cocky, is there anything else?

“Are they really being quiet?”

“Yes. From what we hear from Poland, it seems they are also launching a new economic policy and focusing on reinforcing their internal strength. However, it seems the Italian Secretary is saying that once they subjugate Russia, the Italian Communist Party will be great, and they are promoting themselves in Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece.”

Italy, huh. Are they already eyeing the Mediterranean?

They’ll likely convert Yugoslavia into a communist regime, and even Italy should be able to handle Albania easily.

And Greece is… hmm.

Greece isn’t even on our side in the first place. Of course, historically, hasn’t Italy struggled against Greece? So wouldn’t Germany have to take care of Greece?

Right. Let’s leave that side alone.

If Greece were to transform into a communist regime against historical precedent, we could crack down on them without hesitation.

Since they’ve shown they can subjugate Britain and promote communism, Communist Germany will gradually start reinforcing internal unity.

Especially since Communist Germany has had problems with Anschluss, they’re surely getting ready to deal with Austria.

“That’s why there’s a rush on road construction.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. There are limits to just having railroads. As you said, those Germans are publicly criticizing us, so it’s clear what they mean. Consequently, the National Duma sees the need for more radical internal reforms so that we don’t fall behind them.”

Right. Roads ultimately activate transportation networks, leading to greater economic activation than Russia’s current railroad-centered movement.

It’s a given advantage, but even just in the United States, most milk, vegetables, fruits, and clothing rely on roads.

In such a scenario, how much worse do you think it is for Russia, with extensive land and inadequate road infrastructure?

In the end, infrastructure needs to be activated.

Before the world I lived in collapsed, a Russian friend I had who naturalized in Korea commented on how overly backward we were, likening it to a nuclear-armed cold Africa.

We must prevent such a future from happening.

“Just because there’s no war doesn’t mean we don’t fight Germany. They’ve already targeted us several times, so we must retaliate against them.”

“Exactly. Before the war, it’s a competition of systems with Germany. And as war approaches, we absolutely must win this competition.”

“How about we have a showdown with them during the Great Depression?”

In the National Duma, I no longer need to mention things for everyone to come together against communism.

Right. In the end, the Great Depression is the problem.

When the Great Depression hits, we cannot fall behind Communist Germany.

When all other countries fall into despair, we need to show growth.

We have to prove that it’s not the Communist Party that is right, but the modified capitalism that is correct.

Simply maintaining the status quo will not demonstrate our superiority as a system.

Let’s not show any backwardness while relying solely on resources and population superiority and demonstrate strength that doesn’t yield to Germany.

Coincidentally, Germany has become the embodiment of communism, the hotbed of communism, and unlike original history, they’re even at a lower class and likely can’t compete.

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind, and I clapped my hands.

“Well, this means I should contribute too. Just so you know, during the Moscow city construction project, I personally stepped in.”

“Your Majesty. Surely, you can’t mean…?”

What I intend to say is simple.

I just plan to casually show up at the construction site.

I think everyone would be thrilled if I did that.

This could be marketed as the Emperor being close to the people! This is prime propaganda material.

So, confidently, I raised my hand and opened my mouth.

“I will show my face and participate in the road construction labor.”

However, the reaction was not good.

Everyone had expressions that clearly said, “Uh, this is not the way.”

“While it was necessary to intervene during the Moscow city reconstruction for public sentiment, the road construction is a matter of Your Majesty’s dignity.”

“No, I’m just playing a symbolic role.”

I’m merely a figurehead.

It’s like a famous actress suddenly jumping into an advertisement or something.

Isn’t it totally harmless?

“Your Majesty, if this happens, the National Duma will be slandered.”

“The National Duma will be slammed for this?”

Why would they be?

Even if they’re insulted, can’t they say, “Look, the Tsarina is doing this”? Isn’t that a bit relieving?

Would there even be such comments?

Why would the National Duma care?

“The National Duma would most certainly be in chaos, asking what they’re doing putting the Tsarina to work.”

“Is that really how it would go down?”

Hmm, maybe I’m thinking of it like an idol.

I might feel uneasy if my beloved idol were working.

“Even when you directly visited the construction site during the last Moscow city reconstruction or provided rations to the children who lost their homes due to the civil war, the White Army had many things to say.”

I see. It was similar even back then.

After all, the White Army soldiers are those who were with me, so of course, it makes sense.

It would definitely feel awkward for them to see a princess they placed above them doing labor.

“Then there’s nothing I can do.”

It can’t be helped. Truthfully, I wanted to ask if the members of the National Duma could step in instead.

These people have plenty to do, so it can’t be helped.

In the end, everyone was dissuading me, and nothing came of it.

I wonder if I need to create some justification, at least?

This was for the potential failure of my automobile business.

With a little support, I started the automobile business by stating that you’re paving roads. Shouldn’t this work?

 

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