Ch.149Black Thursday is Coming

# Thyssen Steel Production Company

Thyssen was a German steel company founded by August Thyssen that existed for 100 years before merging with Krupp in 1999 to become ThyssenKrupp.

Why am I talking about a German steel company? Because it’s ours now.

More precisely, we didn’t even acquire it—they simply moved their headquarters to Russia.

They suffered tremendous losses during the German Revolution.

Considering the Ruhr occupation, relocating was a nice choice.

How did we persuade them? Simple.

We promised to help the German Empire reclaim its homeland later and return the company then, in exchange for Thyssen’s steel technology.

We also offered high positions if they stayed in the Volga German region. They established their headquarters in Vologda Province, Russia.

Now, with Thyssen’s help, a steel company will soon be established.

And.

Of course, using Thyssen isn’t everything.

We need to build our own foundation.

I recalled knowledge from my previous life about where resource deposits were located.

Not oil fields.

“Investigate the Kola Peninsula and Pechora region. You’ll find resources we need there.”

I had seen Russian resource deposits while reading books about Russia in the library, and I knew oil wasn’t the only resource.

I didn’t know exactly where to look, but I knew which regions contained what.

“Are there oil fields there too, besides Northern Manchuria?”

This time, it’s not about oil.

I believe we’ll find iron ore and coal.

While we already have sufficient resources, more is always better.

While America was floundering at the beginning of the Great Depression, Russia should maximize its capabilities.

“It’s a bit different. Just try it for now.”

I ordered them to dig. There’s nothing to lose by trying.

Isn’t it better to receive orders from a beautiful empress rather than from a steel-mustached man?

And so the Russian resource exploration team entered the Kola Peninsula and Pechora.

“Iron ore deposits have been discovered in the place the Tsar indicated!”

“Coal has been discovered in Pechora!”

This is when my vague remaining knowledge proves useful.

These would normally be discovered in the 1930s, but we secured them a few years earlier.

Using Prince Yusupov’s money, we established an ironworks.

“How does the Tsarina know the location of resources from Moscow?”

Maria was surprised, and I touched my finger to my head and grinned.

“I’m just guessing. Russia has many resources.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty is truly a saint!”

“I just got lucky.”

I waved my hand in denial.

I just want to become much stronger than the Soviet Union of the original history, so I’m revealing future knowledge even if it seems a bit suspicious.

By now, people must truly believe I’m a saint sent by heaven for Russia.

Sometimes I wonder if this is right, but it doesn’t make sense to ignore future knowledge. Besides, the one who knows the future isn’t my enemy—rather, someone who should have died is alive and achieved the German Revolution.

I want to prepare as much as possible. That was my thought, but I’m not completely without ulterior motives.

While the State Duma has power, if I, Anastasia, want to support the monarchy and make people follow my words…

I need to demonstrate the faith and authority to match.

To make people follow my words overwhelmingly. To ensure that even when I step down as Tsar and live quietly, people will insist on maintaining a constitutional monarchy.

I need to make everything I claim come true, so people will believe the monarchy must exist.

The monarchy should exist for national unity. Above all, it has prestige.

“Now, let’s look at Zvorykin’s report.”

“Many departments are asking for your evaluation these days.”

“Can’t be helped.”

That’s because I’ve ordered so many things.

Reading Zvorykin’s report was very simple.

Tesla had apparently helped with Zvorykin’s completed product when he was bored, and Farnsworth’s technology was added as well.

What does this mean? Simple.

Television development has finally been completed.

Under my patronage, technological development has progressed beyond original history, and Farnsworth was able to focus on research with Yusupov’s support.

Since he already had preparations, Zvorykin created a television right after returning from America.

It’s now July 1928.

I believe Farnsworth publicly revealed his television system to the press around August.

We were faster. Of course, Farnsworth created the prototype, but with my direct support, Zvorykin could produce it quickly.

There’s still a long way to go, of course.

But isn’t it important that backward Russia is now filling up with technological pride?

I informed the Moscow radio station about this achievement, and television-related articles appeared on newspaper front pages.

I actually wanted to promote it directly, but that would make the country revolve too much around me, which didn’t feel right.

Of course, the newspapers did mention “with the Tsar’s support.”

“Since the Tsar’s accession, Russia’s technology advances daily!”

“God save the Tsar!”

Naturally, the entire nation went wild again.

It’s only natural when television development is splashed across newspaper headlines.

Of course, Farnsworth’s name was mentioned since we received his help, but it was overshadowed by my name.

“Your Majesty! We developed television thanks to you!”

“It wasn’t because of me. Please continue working on television development.”

I provided massive support to Zvorykin and personally named the early television the “Zvorykin Television.”

And while Zvorykin also became part of “Romanov Electronics,” he essentially monopolized development and even obtained patents.

In actual history, he competed with Farnsworth in America, but since he developed it almost exclusively in Russia, I think it might be the first in Europe, if not in America.

The first Russian television I held was far from the television I knew.

“This television thing is fascinating.”

Maria was looking at it with sparkling eyes, but it would still be difficult to use properly.

“Later, color will come out too.”

It’s still in the early stages, so there aren’t any remarkable achievements yet.

You can’t fill your stomach with the first spoonful. Now that we’ve laid the foundation, Zvorykin will take care of making it color. I’ve already told him to try making it in color.

The problem is that even with Russia’s technological advances, we can’t prevent the coming Great Depression.

The Great Depression is not far off now.

Signs continue to appear in America.

“Well, the Great Depression is the problem.”

Russian economists say that although it will be difficult, considering Russia’s economic situation after experiencing civil war, we’re in much better shape than other countries.

The Great Depression will happen soon anyway.

That time is approaching now.

It would be good to inform the public via radio so they can prepare.

“I should start broadcasting about the Great Depression soon.”

“Has the time finally come?”

Yes, the time has finally come.

The public needs to know now.

“I thought about doing it earlier, but knowing in advance wouldn’t change much. Rather than causing unnecessary panic, it’s better to inform them right before it happens.”

I don’t know exactly when the Great Depression will hit anyway.

The Okhrana’s American branch reports increasing signs, so we should start preparing.

We’ve minimized foreign capital investments that might flee during the Depression, and while the State Duma hasn’t informed the public, they’ve been responding in advance as much as possible.

So now all that’s left is to inform the people.

To hint that there’s something causing the Great Depression.

“Your Majesty, I’ve prepared everything!”

Maria set up the radio for me.

As I always say, this is truly convenient. Thanks to the radio broadcasting equipment installed in the Kremlin Palace, I can broadcast while lying down if Maria prepares everything.

The Tsar is developing more technology to make radio broadcasting easier.

Now, let’s broadcast the warning about the impending Great Depression.

“My fellow citizens. This is your Tsarina, Anastasia.”

Your Tsarina Anastasia.

In the original timeline, I would have broadcast the Tsarina’s civil war stories. It’s not a daily broadcast, and these stories are quite long.

Today I was planning to broadcast the story of how Brusilov, who is now dead, asked me to save his son.

He led surrendered Red Army troops westward to deal with Red Army remnants, then died as if he had completed his mission.

It’s perfect as a story to tell.

Afterward, I put Brusilov’s son in a camp to prevent him from causing trouble. He only asked for his son to be kept alive, so I put him in a camp.

I was embellishing it a bit, but today I should tell the people about the Great Depression to keep them on their toes.

“I’ve started this broadcast today to inform you of one thing.”

Broadcast the civil war stories now!

I expect many will say this.

But Tsarina Anastasia is an empress who thinks of her people.

She must reveal the impending economic crisis in advance to give the people time to prepare.

“A global economic crisis will soon occur. It originates from the New World, and we cannot say its effects won’t reach us. Factory production will decrease, companies will go bankrupt, the stock market will collapse, and many people will throw themselves into rivers. Although Russia has already directly intervened in the economy for national reconstruction, we won’t be immune to the effects. Perhaps the only countries without damage will be communist countries. This is because, ultimately, the communists are manipulating everything behind the scenes for their world revolution.”

Yes, this is exactly what I’m aiming for.

I’m subtly disparaging the communists.

Why claim communists are behind it?

When was Judeo-Bolshevism ever based on clear facts?

This is politically effective for anti-communist countries that hate communism.

All our hardships are because of those communists.

People naturally want something to lean on during difficult times, but they also need something to blame.

That will be communist Germany and Italy.

When Russia later goes to war with those two, public support for the war will rise accordingly.

I don’t care, it’s definitely the Reds’ fault!

I’m pushing the “blame the Reds” narrative all the way.

“But we survived that civil war, and we will survive this too. As always. My fellow citizens, trust the State Duma and trust this Russia that you are proud of.”

With that, the brief broadcast ended.

This broadcast ended up provoking America, which has an embassy in Moscow.

America sent their ambassador directly to the Kremlin Palace.

“How could you do this? After all we’ve done to help you!”

The ambassador is angry with me.

“What? Talking back to the Tsar? Even though I’ve transferred power to the Duma, I’m still the ruler of this country. How dare a mere ambassador?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

He finally came to his senses and hurriedly corrected his attitude.

Well, I’d be upset too if someone cursed my country.

“Yes, I understand you’re angry because I said it originated from America.

And I know America has helped us.

What did I say? I only spoke based on facts.

Of course, I said it out of concern for my country, but to them, it’s as if the Russian Tsarina just cursed them.

It might be fine for ordinary people to say such things, but I’m the Tsar.

It wasn’t the Prime Minister of the State Duma who spoke, but the Tsar’s words are somewhat dangerous.

After the Great Depression hits, they’ll say my prophecy was right, but for now, it just looks like I’m disparaging them.

But you know what? I have something to say too.

The signs are clearly visible now, and I can’t lie to my people just to be considerate of America, can I?

“Is it true?”

“Pardon?”

“Is there really no problem in your country?”

Aren’t they taking the economic crisis too lightly?

Or is it that they’re such a wealthy country that they don’t care?

Either way, it’s truly pathetic.

It seems our America wants to ignore my prophecy.

“W-well…”

Judging by his face, he can’t refute me.

This suggests there are already signs of something brewing within America.

People had been saying the Great Depression might happen ten years before it actually did, so if they handle it too carelessly, there’s nothing to be done.

“Well, you probably don’t know either, Ambassador. There are only signs for now. Human affairs are unpredictable, and we don’t know what will happen.”

The Great Depression might not happen. That’s the implication.

Who knows? Maybe some miracle will prevent the economic crisis from coming.

The problem is that the signs are already too visible, and Trotsky is also reportedly active.

What does this mean?

It means that Trotsky also senses something.

“That’s right. Even though Your Majesty predicts many things.”

Did I say America caused it?

No. What I mentioned to my people in the broadcast was the communists.

Communists are behind the Great Depression.

The communists are definitely the vicious perpetrators of all these acts.

People naturally want something to lean on during difficult times, but they also need something to blame.

That will be communist Germany and Italy.

“So I mentioned the communists, not America. It’s the problem of communism itself.”

“The communists, you say?”

The ambassador responded questioningly with an expression like he’d been slapped.

Why such a stupid face?

Does he think there are no communists in America? Soon communists will rise up holding chicken legs.

“Yes. America should be wary of communists. As I always tell my people, communists are like evil spirits who prey on the hearts of struggling people. The communists who were defeated in the civil war didn’t all go to Germany. The Bolsheviks have factions within communism and draw a line with the German secretary. They find it difficult to stay in Europe, the East isn’t worth discussing, so where would they go?”

Yes, the New World. North America.

Don’t treat communism as someone else’s problem.

I made it clear.

Of course, I have no intention of mentioning Trotsky. I don’t think America would believe me anyway. But wouldn’t Trotsky’s chicken revolution be useful during the Great Depression?

And America can blame everything on the communists.

I’ve essentially given America a justification.

“I’ll inform my country for reference.”

“It’s good for both of us.”

Though the end is already in sight.