Ch.108Naval Budget (2)

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“What if we ask Britain for aircraft carrier technology transfer?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Isn’t it a bit much to keep asking the British for this and that?”

Right. This is a matter of pride.

Besides, I doubt Britain would fully share their aircraft carrier technology with us. They were once our adversary in the Great Game, after all.

Russia, even though our situation has improved, can’t keep asking favors from Britain.

If that’s the case, perhaps we should consider other options.

“What about technical cooperation with Japan?”

“Japan?”

Japan comes up suddenly?

I know Japan deployed aircraft carriers quickly in actual combat. But still, why specifically Japan?

If we’re getting something, we’ll have to offer technology in return.

“I believe our Russian tank technology is ahead of Japan’s. What if we share some of that in exchange for aircraft carrier cooperation?”

Trade tank technology for aircraft carrier technology?

That doesn’t seem like a fair exchange.

“Still, giving away tank technology is a bit… don’t you think? I believe it would be better to offer resources in exchange for aircraft carrier technology cooperation.”

Personally, I think sharing some tank technology might be good. It could even lead Japan to focus more on their army and “pacify” more of China during the Sino-Japanese War.

But if we share tank technology and they betray us later, our army could suffer greater casualties.

“What if they refuse our offer?”

Japan doesn’t accept our proposal.

I hadn’t considered that.

While strengthening our naval power would be good, the navy is ultimately just an additional option for Russia—we only need to be able to defend our own waters.

Control of the seas is Britain’s problem.

Even if those pirates say, “Why should I do Russia any favors?” it doesn’t matter.

We don’t necessarily need to land in Italy. We can push down from the ground with our mustached friend’s Austrian forces and hang the Red Mussolini at a gas station.

But separately, if Japan refuses…

Should we then offer to share even tank technology?

The initial effort is the troublesome part. Developing aircraft carriers ourselves wouldn’t be so bad.

We could do it with German technicians.

Yes. We can take our time with aircraft carriers.

If we succeed, we gain carriers; if not, we should focus on improving aircraft performance.

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

Can the budget handle this?

“Or we could create a technology cooperation group among Anti-Comintern Pact nations…”

“That would benefit too many countries. That won’t work.”

I decided to ask the ministers who were making noise about budget issues.

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

“Yes, Your Majesty. While we are strengthening our naval power, it lags far behind the army and air force.”

To summarize what they’re saying:

The navy is currently building several more Fyodorov-class battleships, plus we have ships acquired from Germany, but compared to the army and air force, the navy is significantly behind.

But it makes sense that the navy would be a lower priority.

Let’s be realistic. Unless we’re planning to fight America, we don’t have territories across the ocean that we need to defend.

We need to build up our army and air force to protect the land we currently hold.

“Look, we can deal with aircraft carriers later. We already have many ships that Germany was going to scrap but sold to us instead. Now is not the time to focus on the navy.”

“But don’t we need a navy to make the Mediterranean our sea in the future?”

“Right now we already have 10 battleships, 12 cruisers, 72 destroyers, and 20 submarines. With other vessels, we have over 200 ships. We can’t even properly maintain all of these as it is.”

“Most of those are being maintained thanks to ships purchased from Germany, and many are outdated. When it comes to ships, the performance gap between generations is like having a wall between them.”

Russia couldn’t afford to equip its fleet with the latest warships, especially when it struggled to arm all its infantry with rifles during the war.

So the Black Sea Fleet and Baltic Fleet, with their combined 200 or so ships, were mostly outdated models. Is that what they’re saying?

Isn’t that still a lot?

“Your Majesty, the navy does need more funding. If we want to conduct amphibious operations, don’t we need aircraft carriers?”

They’re arguing for aircraft carriers just for amphibious operations, hmm.

While I too dream of aircraft carriers, I refuse to bankrupt us through military expansion.

Admiral Kolchak really seems to want to make proper use of the navy.

But the question is whether building aircraft carriers is feasible given Russia’s current situation.

“We haven’t even made a proposal to Japan yet. As for aircraft carriers, couldn’t we just remove the guns from a ship and build a deck to put fighter planes on it? It’s not like the air force can build flying aircraft carriers. We can take our time with this.”

If Russia can’t build them properly, that’s also a problem.

Failing after trying to build various things would be a waste of resources.

Maybe we could try building amphibious assault ships later.

That seems like a good idea.

Of course, as I said, it’s not time to invest in the fleet yet.

“Well then, let’s postpone the aircraft carrier issue. I’m sorry for Admiral Kolchak, but as Your Majesty suggested, let’s propose to Japan first, and if that doesn’t work, we’ll put it off.”

“If it’s Your Majesty’s will, there’s nothing we can do.”

“That’s right. Japan might share their aircraft carrier knowledge with us.”

I had to console the dejected Kolchak.

However, it seems the Air Force Department is seriously considering my suggestion about flying aircraft carriers. I decided to pretend I didn’t notice.

“Anyway, we can’t invest all our growing budget in the military.”

“Do you have something else in mind, Your Majesty?”

Yes, yes. Now you’re finally bringing up the topic.

Thinking it was finally my turn, I rubbed my hands together and began to speak.

“There are already many research and development projects, but wouldn’t it be good to put effort into television research?”

“What do you mean by television?”

Is television not well-known in this era?

“This is what I’m envisioning.”

I drew a picture myself.

Not the thin wall-mounted televisions of the future, but a cathode ray tube TV.

I roughly sketched how one would watch broadcasts on it.

This is really all I can do since I lack technical knowledge.

I don’t know how effective my words will be after postponing Kolchak’s aircraft carrier plans.

“I see. This way, people across Russia could have an audience with Your Majesty without you having to travel personally.”

“What?”

“You must have been inspired by radio broadcasts. Even now, many people are delighted to hear Your Majesty’s voice on the radio, but if they could see you directly…”

Wait, how did they interpret it that way?

Well, as long as they understand it has something to do with television, that’s good enough.

“So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be good to look for investors from various countries?”

“Do you have any countries in mind?”

The only country I have in mind is America.

“I’m thinking about the United States.”

Since Philo Farnsworth is in America, it would be good to collaborate with them.

It would be nice if we were ahead of America in some fields, but for television, cooperation with them seems appropriate.

After all, Philo Farnsworth was the first to invent electronic television.

“Then I’ll look into it. So this television research is currently being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology?”

“There are already several people researching it. Since we’re on the topic, how about we go see them?”

Since the topic came up, I decided to visit the Russian Academy of Sciences in person.

“Hello everyone. It’s an honor to meet scholars who are contributing to the advancement of human science today.”

“Your Majesty, what brings you all the way here?”

What brings me here?

Obviously, I came to see how things are progressing.

“I wanted to commend Dr. Tesla regarding his radio work.”

“Ahem. Your Majesty is already providing more than enough support.”

Yes, I know I’m providing support.

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

Yusupov’s support is separate from that.

“Is the wireless research progressing well?”

“I promise you this: before I die, all of Russia will be connected wirelessly. I will prove that I am greater than that Edison fellow.”

I didn’t even bring up Edison.

It seems he’s quite fixated on Edison.

He must be wondering what Edison will be doing while he’s creating a wireless revolution here.

“Very good. I like that. Now, about television. Is there anyone developing it?”

“I believe Zworykin here is researching television.”

Tesla brought forward a man who appeared to be Zworykin.

Indeed, he was really here. This means Russia could lead television development.

Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Zworykin, Theodore von Kármán, plus many other physicists. I’m excited to see what they’ll produce.

“Oh, so you’re Zworykin?”

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

“I hear you’re developing television.”

I thought history had changed and he might be developing something else, but it seems he’s working on television while assisting Nikola Tesla.

This pleases me.

“Yes. It’s something I’ve been interested in for a while, and the Department of Science and Technology offered to support my research and development.”

Good. That’s fortunate.

I’m quite satisfied. This means we can expect television.

After television, I should set my sights on computers.

But before that, it might be good to share my drawing to help ensure the television looks like the ones from actual history.

I handed Zworykin the television design I had shown to the State Duma.

“I want the television to look something like this. Is that possible?”

“Well, since we haven’t developed it yet, it’s hard to say. But I’ll try my best to achieve this design.”

Yes. I like the word “effort.”

Personally, I think the people here are naturally talented.

They’re historical figures who left their names in world history because of their genius.

Isn’t it exciting to imagine what these people could create if they also put in effort?

Still, I pretended not to know.

“Oh, really?”

“It’s Your Majesty’s command, so of course I’ll try.”

“Thank you. I’ll look for foreign investors too, so please develop it to your heart’s content.”

The Duma members who followed me also seemed interested in the ongoing research and development at the technology department.

Even if America helps, once television is developed, won’t Russia’s status change?

I’m looking forward to this.

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Empire of Japan

Meanwhile, the Empire of Japan entered into emergency meetings after receiving the proposal from the Russian Navy Department.

The fact that Russia—the northern bear, a country that once dominated the world with its navy—had requested aircraft carrier technology from the Imperial nation was significant.

This was an important event that would further inflate the national pride of Japan, which was already steeped in it.

After the Hara Takashi cabinet, which had been maintained through the Great Earthquake and improved relations with Russia, stepped down, Kato Takaaki was appointed as Prime Minister, forming a new cabinet.

This new cabinet seriously considered Russia’s request.

“The United States of Greater Russia has requested technical cooperation regarding aircraft carriers.”

“From the United States of Greater Russia?”

Prime Minister Kato Takaaki decided to hear the opinion of Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi regarding the proposal received from the Russian ambassador.

While they say it’s about aircraft carrier technology, what they really want to know is how advanced Japan’s naval technology is.

“In exchange, the United States offers to provide resources needed by the Empire.”

“Hmm. If Russia needs aircraft carriers, it means they’re rebuilding their navy, which could become a threat to the Empire, couldn’t it?”

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

To counter the Italian fleet.

What this implies is that they intend to engage in naval battles with Italy to make the Mediterranean a Russian sea. Whether this benefits the Empire is another question.

“Would this benefit us?”

“With resources, wouldn’t the Empire continue to rise like the sun?”

“What if we send our fleet all the way to Europe to fight Italy instead?”

Prime Minister Kato Takaaki seemed to consider for a moment before shaking his head.

The war hasn’t even broken out yet, so that doesn’t make much sense.

“That won’t work, no matter what. There’s no benefit in sending our fleet to the European theater. It’s not just Russia there, but Britain and France too. Besides, hasn’t Russia already promised that the Empire can advance into China? Extending to Europe is still beyond the Empire’s strength.”

Why should the Imperial fleet die in the distant Mediterranean?

“They say aircraft carriers, but it’s essentially the same as handing over the Empire’s latest ship technology. Hmm.”

That was the problem.

Although Russia is currently an ally, they once fought naval battles against Japan.