Reincarnated as Nikolai II-Chapter 257: East Asian New Order (5)

Although in the Russian Empire when problems arise it’s all blamed on the Duma or the cabinet, and when things go well it’s due to the Tsar’s virtue, is Stolypin really cornered to this extent?

"As interest rates exceed 6%, small and medium businesses are going bankrupt in succession. Many industries have long depended on policy financing. No, they were naturally operating their businesses assuming loans would be extended and support would come!"

Still, it’s not like we applied direct pressure like stock trading restrictions or production limits as we did crudely in the 19th century.

These were softer, more indirect regulations like loan restrictions, land regulations, additional permit restrictions, and tax impositions.

"The problem is hoarding money! Taxes were levied based on the government’s fiscal soundness, but while achieving the largest surplus in imperial government history, you’re supporting Chiang Kai-shek? Where will that arrow point? Won’t they think their money was stolen to give to another country?"

That could be the case.

Still, Stolypin is clearly a Prime Minister appointed by the Tsar, and with my authority alive, who would dare to directly oppose-

"Roman Kondratenko of the military, Kornilov, Mannerheim. Former Foreign Minister Sazonov. Ignatieff, called the father of imperial education! Even Admiral Romen, the former Navy Minister who has been bedridden on his deathbed, is publicly criticizing me!"

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"Why Admiral Romen suddenly?"

"Due to navy budget cuts and fleet construction cancellation..."

That makes sense. Moreover, these are all people I appointed or who are completely loyal to me.

I did release the Duma’s constraints, but somehow the upper and lower houses seem excessively noisy. In this situation, unless I step in to block them, a lame duck crisis seems likely.

The military openly opposing the cabinet?

The military is simply the foundation of this country’s patriotism. It wouldn’t be strange if flames of doubt regarding Stolypin’s loyalty ignite, along with responsibility for failing to control them.

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I understand their feelings.

Anyone can see that Stolypin is ruining this country.

’However, this doesn’t seem like a problem I can solve.’

I can’t step forward and shield him, taking the criticism instead, can I? After all, this country’s administration is led by the Prime Minister, not me.

Instead.

"Stolypin, right now all that matters is that impeachment papers don’t land on my desk. Correct?"

"...I’m not sure."

"How could you not know, think about it. The current crisis will just be a passing memory. Isn’t that right?"

Since all our Prime Minister’s anxiety seems to depend on the existence of this ’depression,’ I can add reassurance with certainty.

"The economy is worsening? Imperial citizens’ lives are getting harder and capitalists are wailing? Even so, they’ll be better off than foreigners who can’t even cry as they die."

"Your Majesty... How can you be so certain? Actually, even though I understand it intellectually, I’m still anxious because I can’t see this crisis with my own eyes."

Prime Minister, I’m sorry but the truth is, I can’t really see the crisis well either.

Real-time television broadcasts, Ford selling 15 million T-models annually, rapidly emerging private airlines, crowded theaters and Mickey Mouse, the United States GDP about to hit $60,000.

Even I can’t see that country falling.

Moral hazard, corruption, and degradation in a thriving country?

That country is still enforcing Prohibition and is one of the countries that hasn’t escaped Christian legal interpretation.

Stock and asset bubbles? How well must the United States be doing for mergers and acquisitions to be more trendy than establishing branches in other countries?

How well they’re living can be seen just by looking at the Ford Model A.

Chairs that could be used in luxury sofas, equipped with the latest technology like car radios as standard. The latest technology with basic clutch and brake pedals, plus throttle and gear shift mechanisms, and four wheels and four cylinders.

Simply put, it’s the only country in the world where highway driving at 100km/h has become possible.

That’s innovation, that’s progress.

Even our imperial citizens, if each household had the basic set of American labor-saving appliances of this era—that is, radio, refrigerator, electric iron, fan, electric lighting, vacuum cleaner—it’s exciting to think how much new labor power could be created.

Conversely, they’ve reached an era where households have basic appliances like a dowry, but we’re not there yet.

I’m even envious just watching.

As I nodded and listened to his outpouring of anxiety, gradually Stolypin was looking for my answer.

However, I have only one thing to tell him.

"Don’t worry. I won’t cut you."

"...Even if the depression doesn’t come?"

"Come on, how could that be possible?"

Then I might have to cut him. Honestly, Prime Minister Stolypin is becoming close to a traitor beyond just being disliked.

But isn’t the reason I implemented the Prime Minister system for times like this?

"...Your Majesty, you still haven’t answered my question."

"I have only one thing to tell you. Grit your teeth and endure. The depression is coming."

Whatever Stolypin’s true heart is, he has already made a political short position.

Then even if the current trend is long, you at least must become the empire’s greatest pessimist.

"I believe in you. So endure."

The depression is coming.

That’s what the Prime Minister is for.

That’s what Stolypin is for.

==

Even though it was confirmed that Russia was the winner of the Far East in the 20th century, that fact didn’t bring peace to China.

In the Far East, Russia blocked Japan’s penetration through Manchuria, made Korea independent, and clearly drew borders with China, but there were no further physical changes.

In other words, the Chinese world was still in complete chaos.

"Let’s clean up the opium addicts! Round them all up!"

"...Anyway, what’s the point of arresting them when we can’t even imprison them? And when these people are released, they just crawl back into opium dens?"

Since the East India Company dumped opium into the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century to secure silver coins needed for Canton trade, this country’s opium consumption hasn’t decreased for a single year.