Ch.130Sponsoring the Red Flavor Chicken Restaurant

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“Above all, there’s a labor union activist named Alexei Gastev who’s mobilizing workers by saying that workers should become like machines for Russia’s development. He claims this aligns perfectly with the Tsarina’s accelerationism.”

Workers becoming machines.

That’s not bad, actually. But only if worker welfare is established first.

Becoming a mechanical part solely for Russia, for the nation.

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

But if you ask whether this is actually possible, that’s another matter entirely.

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

Is something like that even feasible right now?

“So far there haven’t been any problems. Moreover, he’s a poet and a member of the Moscow Writers’ Association.”

“Hmm.”

“We’re not like communist Germany, dispatching political officers to every factory.”

That’s true.

We don’t oppress the citizens of the United States.

They claim to liberate workers.

For workers’ freedom! They say things like that, but communist Germany actually places political officers in every factory for industrialization.

At least we’re not doing that.

Why would you put political officers in factories? They’re not military units.

Of course, they’re not stupid either—I heard they give out medals when factories meet production quotas.

“According to our investigation, Alexei Gastev reveres the Tsar and seems influenced by His Majesty’s accelerationism. For now, we’re leaving him alone as there aren’t any immediate issues. Unless he’s making people work without pay. We’re implementing sufficient welfare policies for workers.”

He sounds like the kind of eccentric who would exist in real life.

They say they’re preparing for the Great Depression, but this is… well. I didn’t expect this much, but it seems another strange fellow has appeared.

“It would be good if it works out, but whether it’s really okay is another matter.”

“If he becomes too provocative, we’ll need to impose sanctions, but Alexei Gastev is also a member of the Roman National Party.”

“Oh my.”

So this eccentric is a member of my fan club.

“He hasn’t formed a new party like the Bolsheviks did, he’s just influenced by Your Majesty. Ahem.”

I can’t really comment on this.

Is this basically saying that Anastasia’s fan club is behind all this?

Well, alright.

Since it’s already happening, I might as well use Anastasia’s authority to do what I can.

“As long as it doesn’t get too extreme, it might be good to leave it alone.”

It’s a bit too communist-like, but the Soviet Union has already collapsed, and we can package this as modified capitalism or accelerationism, can’t we?

It’s not like we’re authoritarian like the Soviet Union.

Get to work! It’s not like I’m threatening workers with a knife.

Lately, I’ve been feeling like they might be more obedient if I actually did threaten them with a knife, but anyway.

“But if things continue like this, there will be black companies working their employees more than eight hours to look good to the government. Make sure to crack down on that.”

What I mean is that some companies might turn into black companies out of excessive loyalty.

“Of course we will, Your Majesty. And there’s an opinion from the State Duma.”

“What is it?”

“During the Five-Year Plan, they’re suggesting awarding medals to workers who work diligently, as a commemoration.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

Medals aren’t a bad idea.

“For this, we need Your Majesty’s permission.”

“What is it?”

Why are you hesitating like that?

I’m the Emperor who grades. You can say whatever you want, ask what you don’t know, and that’s fine.

“We need to create a new Five-Year National Development Medal, and we were wondering if Your Majesty would personally name the medal.”

Come to think of it, the Soviet Union had things like the Lenin Medal.

So I should create something like that?

Anastasia is basically the idol of the United States right now.

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

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

“You want to use your own name directly, Your Majesty?”

That’s right. The Anastasia Medal (merchandise) for everyone’s idol.

At this point, I have to admit it.

Just look at people buying radios just to listen to my broadcasts. This alone shows how much support there is for the Tsarina.

So, giving out a Tsarina Medal doesn’t sound bad.

Or maybe a Catherine Medal.

Anyway, even though it’s the United States, we have a Tsar, and if support for the Tsar is high, it’s good to create medals related to the Tsar.

“Or perhaps a Tsarina Medal. A new Double-Headed Eagle Medal would be good too.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

No, no. Creating medals like that is good, but I’ve thought of a better idea.

I snapped my fingers.

“Ah, I could personally award the medals.”

Yes, I’ll personally award the medals.

“You personally, Your Majesty?”

“Wouldn’t that be nice?”

The idol of everyone personally awarding medals. That sounds good.

Just this alone would get a good reaction from the people.

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

“The workers would certainly like it, but I’m concerned about troubling Your Majesty unnecessarily.”

“I should do at least this much.”

Even that bald Lenin had medals with his face on them, and many people in the Soviet Union received those medals.

It’s quite annoying that those communists were so shameless.

Honestly, having Anastasia’s face on a medal is better than a bald man’s face.

I wonder about communist Germany.

They don’t necessarily need a medal system, but in their position, with workers oppressed under political officers, they’d need something to boost morale.

They probably use medals or something similar to appease and praise workers.

Even if they don’t, I have sufficient justification.

As Tsar, I’ve implemented various worker welfare policies.

On top of that, I’m a war hero, and compared to Nicholas II’s era, it’s like showing a changed world—a war hero Tsar from “that Romanov Dynasty” awarding medals.

That seems quite meaningful.

“Well, since Your Majesty’s will is firm, I’ll prepare for it.”

Alright, so we’ve settled the medal issue.

I turned my eyes to the Black Baron, who was standing properly in front of me, waiting for my words.

Today, it’s not just the Prime Minister who has come.

I summoned both the Minister of Internal Affairs and the head of the military, the Black Baron.

“I have something to say to the Black Baron.”

“Just give me your orders.”

“Do we have enough weapons for our army right now?”

“Yes. We have old firearms and small arms piled up as surplus. Do you have any use for them?”

“They’re still around?”

They’re still around? Then they could be useful.

I have some places where I could send these surplus weapons as gifts.

For example, places like America where Trotsky is.

“Yes, as our weapons continue to evolve through generations, we’re even passing on what our White Army used before to the Polish military.”

I see. So our weapons are continuously being developed.

It would be nice if we could make something like the AK-47. I’ve heard a bit about the AK-47.

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

If we keep developing firearms, something similar might emerge.

Hmm, maybe I could drop a hint?

“About weapons smuggling to America.”

“You mean Trotsky.”

Yes. He gets it immediately.

He quickly understood the meaning of my words.

“Let’s sell some to them too.”

“Are you thinking of encouraging Trotsky to start a revolution in America?”

The Minister of Internal Affairs asked with wide eyes.

I don’t expect a revolution.

I just want to stir things up a bit in America.

“That depends on his capabilities, but as both the Black Baron and the Minister of Internal Affairs know, America demonstrated tremendous power in the Great War. Britain and France, who couldn’t gain the upper hand against Germany, were able to turn the war around thanks to America.”

“Yes, I know that. Didn’t they also help us during our civil war?”

That’s right. America did help us.

“In this world, there are no permanent allies or enemies. Why did America help us? The great powers felt threatened by the Bolsheviks, and at that time, who had an abundance of money and resources? America. That’s why they supported us.”

Basically, I want to weaken America.

“That’s true. But isn’t it problematic to directly support them? According to the testimony of defected Bolsheviks, Trotsky was one of the most adamant advocates for executing the previous Tsar. Directly helping such a person is a bit…”

Directly helping someone who executed the Tsar is indeed problematic.

I never intended to help directly anyway.

“Of course, I won’t help directly. Why would I risk ruining our relationship with America? That would be obvious.”

I have my own thoughts on this.

Just try directly supporting Trotsky at a national level.

Not only would it be strange for the Tsarina to help Trotsky, who killed her parents, but America would be furious.

I don’t want to antagonize America either.

I don’t know if future Russia will become a superpower like the Soviet Union, but it’s not good to be hostile toward the heavenly empire of America.

“Then.”

“Let’s give our surplus materials to the various warlords in China for free.”

We can just give away surplus weapons.

Aren’t you curious about how these weapons, once in the hands of warlords, will be used?

“Won’t they strengthen their armies?”

That’s possible.

But this is just a side option for the Chinese warlords; Trotsky is the main goal.

How they use these weapons is their business.

“It will be one of two things. Either they’ll build up their armies to pressure neighboring warlords, or they’ll sell them to fund their finances.”

“You think it’s the latter?”

Surprisingly, that’s what I’m expecting.

“At least that’s what I see. They’re already selling them now, aren’t they?”

As I mentioned before, it’s confirmed that Chinese materials are being smuggled to America. From what I can tell, it seems communist party members affiliated with Trotsky are handling the smuggling on the Chinese side.

At the very least, even if we give weapons to the warlords now, they won’t immediately go to war since the Beiyang War just ended and federalism has just begun.

They’re probably already overwhelmed with developing their own regions.

For that, they’ll need funds, and the weapons we provide will be suitable material for generating funds.

They’ll naturally flow more toward America.

“That’s right.”

“Even if my prediction is wrong and they strengthen their armies, that’s not bad for us either. If they only focus on building their armies, federalism will be just a facade, and China’s potential will decrease.”

Either outcome is fine with me.

If we give weapons to all the warlords, they’re more likely to sell them for money.

After all, they need to develop their regions under federalism.

No matter how China changes, there’s plenty to take from Japan after what they’ve done.

“I suppose so.”

“So let’s give it a try. It’s fine whether they flow to Trotsky or not.”

The fact that weapons are being smuggled means Trotsky is making some money.

I didn’t know chicken would be that powerful, but well.

If Trotsky wants to make a revolution with chicken, I can give him a little push. That’s it.

“So, the reason Your Majesty called me is because you want the Okhrana to create routes to put more weapons into American territory?”

“That’s exactly it.”

He understands perfectly when I explain.

This is why I like the current State Duma.

They’re considerate of this grading Emperor no matter what I say.

“Then I’ll give it a try.”

I feel a bit sorry, but releasing this abscess on America is crucial for Russia’s future hegemony in Europe.

Asia might be different.

For Russia to completely dominate Europe, America needs to step back a bit.

“By the way, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“May I ask what this drawing is?”

Pyotr Wrangel pointed to a drawing on the desk.

Ah, this is nothing special.

Since we’re investing in the air force anyway, I want to try something new.

Naval expansion has only been discussed but not implemented beyond what’s needed to protect Russia’s seas.

Of course, to satisfy Kolchak, we’ll probably end up with a couple of aircraft carriers and plenty of copied German U-boats.

Anyway, putting aside the tangent.

We’re investing quite a bit in the air force, right?

I’m thinking of having lots of dive bombers made just in case, but that alone doesn’t satisfy me.

When it comes to fighter planes, flying wing aircraft are the dream, aren’t they?