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Igor Sikorsky brought something related to the flying wing.

Oh, they’re still developing the flying wing on one side.

Not in a hurry, huh?

I always say, I don’t expect a finished product.

It means they don’t particularly wish for a flying wing from a place originally making helicopters.

“Your Majesty, about this flying wing, according to your design…”

“Is it not possible to make it?”

“We can create the shape, but we need to insert this new engine instead of a propeller. Even that isn’t fully refined, as we haven’t tested it yet.”

“You can deduce that much?”

“Moreover, it’s quite complicated to design. Well, it’s not impossible, but range might decrease, and fuel consumption could be high.”

You hit the nail on the head there.

After all, the advantage of the flying wing is that it has some stylish futuristic appeal. In reality, a plane with a tail is better.

To realize the advantage of a flying wing, computer flight technology must be introduced to truly exploit its benefits.

In other words, since there’s no computer flight technology in this era, it’s too heavy and inefficient.

But conversely, it means we can show off that we can operate even such inefficient designs!

It sounds absurd, but we have the capability to roll this out. That’s the gist of it.

So, what’s the problem?

“Fuel-wise, Russia has no worries, right?”

“Of course, that’s true. Then, what about that new engine you have in mind, Your Majesty?”

I also informed Igor Sikorsky about the new engine.

Of course, it’s still under secret preparation.

I’m just wondering if we can achieve more results.

“Will it be out around the ’30s?”

For now, we have to see what happens with the Great Depression first.

Well, at least Churchill isn’t sticking to the gold standard, so that’s a relief, but who knows what will happen.

“Hmm, that’s too specific. Where are you researching?”

“For now, let’s just say in Britain.”

They really need to hurry up with producing the jet engine over there.

“Trust me. It’s not like we’re going to produce a lot; it’s just for scaring off enemy aircraft, so you can make it like a plane with a tail.”

The flying wing is hard to make.

If it’s really put together, it would be nice if it could be at least at the level of the Nazi ho-229.

Ultimately, this flying wing is technically an unnecessary aircraft, but if we’re going to make it, wouldn’t it be nice to at least attempt something?

That spirit of challenge and experimentation could become a milestone toward future aviation.

“I understand.”

“Again, I’m not fixated on the stingray shape. We can just use sheer force to crush the Communists. After all, while you created Ilya Muromets, the field of development is different now, right?”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Igor Sikorsky took his leave. There is plenty of potential based on the materials he left behind.

The spirit of challenge is very important.

It’s just that I keep calling Igor Sikorsky often. There are other companies in Russia that can produce fighter aircraft.

The Sevresky Company is a bit different from the one where Ilyushin and Igor Sikorsky are working together, as they’re focusing mainly on fighter planes.

Founded by Alexander Nikolayevich Prokhorov de Sevresky, in original history, he fled to America due to the Russian Revolution and settled there after starting a business.

They say it was originally called the Sevresky Company, but then it was changed to Republic as a nod to Russia; however, in this timeline it ended with a White Army victory, allowing him to return from America and establish the company.

What does this company do, you ask?

It’s the company that made the famous P-47 Thunderbolt.

A fighter that played a significant role in defeating German and Japanese planes.

In other words, this fighter could have originally emerged from Russia, but due to Prokhorov going to America because of the revolution, it never saw the light of day.

In this worldview, since I’ve eaten, there’s no hardship regarding that.

Even though it temporarily went under due to the Great Depression, the current Russia isn’t facing that and is more focused on developing fighter planes.

I paired Mikhail Leontyevich Griglashvili from Derbent, Russia, with Alexander Kartvelishvili, an engineer from Georgia, who helps Sevresky Aviation in the original history.

So you see, the spirit of challenge is important. What if a historical figure, working in a different environment from the original history, receives more support and manages to achieve even greater results?

Of course, this challenge is based on my standards.

Take cars, for instance. The Russo-Balt and Lorraine-Dietrich companies have merged to create the Romanov Automobile Company, which has established a factory in Petrograd and is producing cars under a new lineup.

That one combined a foreign company, so rather than leveraging the Tsar’s authority, they’re ultimately going in with cash.

While there might be fewer cars on the road compared to Korea’s morning commute, Russia is just vast and is still in the process of producing vehicles for the people.

It wouldn’t be right to just give everything for free, so they sell it cheaply.

I occasionally call Duke Yusupov to check on how things are going.

“Are cars selling well? I haven’t seen many on the road.”

“There’s still no noticeable change, but sales are rising every day.”

The news about rising sales isn’t bad.

After all, it’s proof that Russia’s automobile industry is reviving.

Who knows what will happen when the Great Depression hits.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Those who used Russo-Balt company vehicles are increasing, and there are definitely more buyers than before. However, if you want to see noticeable changes…”

“If you want to see noticeable changes?”

Is there some other method?

For some reason, our Duke Yusupov is stammering and hesitating in his speech.

What exactly does he want to say?

Am I supposed to do something?

When I tilted my head as if to say, “Go on,” he finally opened his mouth.

“Ahem. Perhaps it would help if Your Majesty personally boarded a vehicle for a photo advertisement.”

So, am I going to be an advertising model?

Well, I do look impressive at first glance.

Honestly, I have an appearance that elicits “Wow!” just by seeing it.

If I advertise, I’ll have the title of Emperor, which is bound to have an effect.

But this is just in jest.

“What’s so challenging about that? There’s nothing I can’t do.”

Though it might not be in question, having the Emperor ride the car would undoubtedly showcase its reliability.

It’s also about the trust people have when they buy a car now. If I drive it myself, the effect would definitely be better.

Since there’s no television, there’s no way to do it otherwise.

I might as well connect with someone over in the States regarding TV.

“Please prepare an appropriate car for me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the automobile issue steadily improves, the only problem remains one.

The Great Depression. Yes. The Great Depression is a concern.

How will this world’s Great Depression affect us?

Still, we must tackle television before that.

Upon reflecting on that thought, I realized that advertisements would also be necessary; hence, having a television is essential.

I snapped my fingers and called for my assistant Maria.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Maria, I need you to find one more person to go see Beria.”

Since Zworykin is doing television research.

I’ve heard that Zworykin is making significant progress on that front.

If we can bring in Farnsworth, it could speed things up even more.

I’m sure they’ve already made a prototype or two, so I need to contact them.

“What about the pigeon?”

“Well, it shouldn’t take long to find someone. Anyway, he’s a good fit for this kind of task.”

Besides, the Okhrana doesn’t only consist of Beria.

I’ve already attached a few Okhrana agents to Frank Whittle, so it seems we can manage engine-related matters without Beria’s assistance.

“Who should we look for?”

“I’d say Philip Farnsworth, who unveiled the television prototype.”

I plan to share some materials related to Zworykin to arouse Farnsworth’s interest.

Honestly, I want to assign it solely to Zworykin, but it’s better to recruit talent quickly.

When America stumbles due to the Great Depression, we should be able to bring in a few individuals, right?

After all, it’s just a temporary collaboration we’re seeking.

Receiving some materials as support would still be fine.

Looking at it from another angle, if we fund Zworykin diligently, television could emerge, and later we could figure out how to procure televisions from America.

The reason I’m interested in the US is simple.

Due to Trotsky, America is also affected by the snowball effect that shouldn’t have existed.

What does that imply?

What if Trotsky causes the Chicken Revolution and someone like Farnsworth dies?

Even for that reason, we must approach it.

For instance, given that a talent needed for the Manhattan Project is in Russia, America’s nuclear development is unpredictable.

What happens if historically significant individuals die?

We should approach Zworykin’s materials to gauge interest, keeping the extremely confidential aspects to a minimum.

Co-operating on television production with America might be a good idea.

If it’s not a weapon, we could share that much.

While tactically progressing, we can try various things until America adopts the New Deal policy.

I’d been intending to reach out to Farnsworth before, anyway.

“Oh, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? What is it? Do you have something to say?”

“Duke Yusupov happens to be one of the investors in Farnsworth’s company.”

*Choke!*

Yusupov, who had yet to exit, was taken aback.

Wait, this guy is investing there?

“Hmm, if that’s the case, it should make things easier.”

So Yusupov is also investing in Farnsworth’s projects, huh?

If he’s poked around at anything potentially lucrative, then, well, I can see that happening.

Having already tasted the sweetness of radio, it was only a matter of time before he delved into television.

“Then we should send Duke Yusupov.”

Duke Yusupov gulped and creaked like a malfunctioning doll.

Don’t just think about taking money; lend a helping hand too.

* * *

In the original history, Yusupov fled to France after the Red Army’s victory with his modest remaining wealth; his fledgling business failed, and he ended up moving into a small apartment until his last days.

His business acumen wasn’t great, so unlike his earlier days managing Yusupov Palace for tourists in Russia, he had to give up on his business in France by the late ’20s.

However, in this altered history, he capitalized on the fortune preserved by Anastasia and did business with Tesla, raking in huge profits, also amassing wealth from Anastasia’s ideas.

Of course, to put it bluntly, he essentially transformed into the ‘Tsar’s Wallet’ for Anastasia, but when considering he almost completely lost everything, it’s akin to a resurrection from the ashes.

“Hmm, television, huh.”

After having made some money off the radio business, Yusupov had sought other opportunities, aside from what Anastasia had pointed out for him.

Thanks to the business ideas she shared, his perspective broadened.

He couldn’t monopolize everything domestically due to the Civil War’s aftermath, and with some German companies coming in, he turned his gaze toward America.

That’s when he discovered Farnsworth.

A figure similar to Zworykin, who was researching television in the Science Ministry back home.

“What if I support this guy and acquire the technology Russia desperately needs?”

In this way, perhaps the television development here, supported by the Tsar, would prosper significantly.

With such thoughts, Yusupov had effectively invested a hefty sum into Farnsworth, who was already looking for investors in America.

It wasn’t a small amount, yet investment in Farnsworth was only natural when considering the future.

The fact that the Tsar, a visionary himself, was eyeing the invention of television certainly meant the endeavor had a good chance of success.

Then surely, wouldn’t he have to hold a stake among the investors?

And upon discovering Yusupov’s investment in Farnsworth, the Tsar commanded again.

“It’s expected that something significant will happen in the US within the next year or two. I’d like to obtain television-related technologies from Farnsworth before that, if possible.”

The Tsar, who holds unparalleled authority since the establishment of the Russian Empire, issued his order.

So naturally, it had to be followed.

Duke Yusupov crossed the Atlantic with Zworykin.

While he initially thought he would merely obtain some materials, Zworykin adamantly insisted, and the Tsar approved as well.

Yusupov met Farnsworth alongside Zworykin.

“What brings you to this place, Duke? And who is this gentleman?”

“We’re currently researching television back home, Farnsworth. We need your help. More specifically, we need your technical assistance to discuss with Dr. Zworykin.”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Vladimir Kosma Zworykin. Like you, I am someone who wishes to invent television.”

Yusupov introduced Zworykin to Farnsworth, who was impressed to hear about television and wasted no time, pulling out some documents.

“This is the current research material I have on television in Russia.”

“Well, this isn’t everything, and it’s perhaps superficial, but it is impressive nonetheless. If I can help in any way, I’d be happy to do so.”

Farnsworth respected Zworykin, who had done television research in Russia, gaining new inspiration from his materials.

“Thank you.”

Duke Yusupov was a solid supporter of Farnsworth.

Moreover, it was said the Tsarina of Russia stood behind their endeavors, so naturally, he wouldn’t hold back in lending such support.

Zworykin got to see Farnsworth’s television prototype and encountered knowledge about televisions in Farnsworth’s lab.

“Indeed. Thank you. Thanks to you, I can now develop something new for Russia and His Majesty.”

Zworykin was already able to advance television development further than in the original history, thanks to the backing of the Tsar, alongside David Sarnoff, who had come to Russia from New York.

In addition to experiencing Farnsworth’s television and knowledge, Zworykin gained a newfound confidence in developing television.

“No, thank you. Thanks to your thesis, I’m able to glimpse the potential of cathode-ray tubes.”

Observing both inventors, Duke Yusupov felt a sense of unexplainable pride swell within him.

This was a historical moment.

It would become a moment that would greatly benefit Yusupov in the future.

“If you ever find a chance to come to Russia, please do. Our Sovereign is someone who cherishes talented individuals.”

“Haha, thank you. As an American, I suspect I’ll be in my homeland for a while. But if the war breaks out, I might come to Russia.”

Even though he had things to handle in America, Farnsworth genuinely wished to participate in Zworykin’s research.

There would be opportunities again someday.

“I see. Then, until we meet again.”

“Yes.”

In the original history, Zworykin became rooted in America, leading to a competitive relationship that resulted in lawsuits. However, in this altered timeline, they met as Americans and Russians, allowing for an earnest exchange of knowledge in an academic context.

Duke Yusupov returned to Russia with Zworykin, and not long after, they developed the first Russian television named ‘Zworykin Television.’

 

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