Ch.151The Great Depression

# KFC’s Chairman (Secretary) Leon Trotsky

When the Great Depression hit, Trotsky, using the name Leon to avoid the Okhrana, extensively promoted KFC and attracted people suffering from the Great Depression to KFC.

He gathered those who were barely surviving, especially focusing on Black people who faced even more discrimination during the Great Depression because of their skin color.

“Fellow comrades of KFC, look at the reality we face! The so-called great United States is now like a candle in the wind! Countless unemployed people wander the streets like living corpses, and crops are rotting! Yet the White House, these so-called government officials, haven’t prepared any meaningful countermeasures. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Trotsky delivered his speech to countless Black Americans and workers gathered under the KFC flag.

The White House was incompetent. While citizens were dying, they were passing it off as the people’s responsibility rather than the government’s intention.

Trotsky, who had learned the art of agitation under the bald Lenin, was using this to his advantage.

“Comrade Leon is right!”

“They tell us to figure it out ourselves! How can that be called a government?”

Trotsky’s silver tongue, inherited from the communist idol bald Lenin who had seduced Russian Empire subjects with the Russian revolution, shone even brighter during America’s Great Depression.

Many American citizens were mesmerized by Trotsky’s eloquence, unable to come to their senses.

“Now, let us all rise up! We must change things ourselves! Let’s drag down that incompetent President Herbert Hoover and Andrew Mellon and hang them from the White House roof! Let’s establish a new government—a workers’ country free from racial prejudice that can escape the devastation of the Great Depression!”

Trotsky satisfyingly scratched the accumulated grievances in Americans’ hearts.

Indeed. Why should they suffer because of the stock market collapse?

Where did this economic crisis originate?

In Europe, communists were blamed, but the situation in mainland America was different.

For one thing, Trotsky’s KFC was based on racial equality, making it fundamentally different from the despised communism known until now.

“The economic crisis was predicted by many economists and socialists long ago! But the White House sneered and took it lightly, preparing no countermeasures! In this situation, those who suffer most are workers like you and me! We must no longer stand by and watch! We must rightfully rise up!”

“KFC! KFC! KFC!”

The Americans brainwashed by KFC were gradually turning red as they chanted “KFC,” even though they hadn’t painted their bodies with blood.

“Rise up, KFC! From Alaska to New York! Raise high the workers’ flag that knows no racial boundaries!”

KFC, which until recently had disguised itself as Kentucky Fried Chicken, finally raised not the chicken flag but the workers’ flag.

While the White House was distracted by the Great Depression, KFC began taking control of Kentucky.

Though Trotsky still smelled of savory chicken, his eyes were clearer than ever.

The more the American government fumbled, the closer the day of revolution would come.

Though it didn’t start as an armed struggle, after winning over the governor of Kentucky, they began expanding their influence in earnest.

The United States, which had taken over hegemony from Britain after the Great War, was now faltering.

# * * *

After the Great Depression hit, Russia didn’t have major problems.

With faith in me, people unconditionally followed my actions and the State Duma’s directives, meaning the citizens united to deal with the Great Depression.

And the united Russians, following Gastev’s worker mechanization, worked harder than ever before. While other countries were falling into the abyss, Russia was the only non-communist country that continued to grow.

The State Duma submitted a detailed investigation of Russia’s current situation during the Great Depression and the situation abroad for me to review.

As expected, other countries were in a miserable state.

What’s fascinating is that the Great Depression era seems better than Nicholas II’s time.

“Fortunately, there are no unemployed.”

Our situation isn’t bad at all.

Looking into the domestic situation during the Great Depression, there are no unemployed people, so at least no one will be dying on the streets.

At the very least, there’s no shortage of jobs.

“Isn’t it thanks to Your Majesty’s prepared reforms? The zemstvos across the country are guaranteeing workers’ rights and benefits, and these social policies are saving Russia from the swamp of the Great Depression. While America has over ten million unemployed, Your Majesty is truly remarkable!”

Maria, who now naturally worshipped me, exclaimed in admiration.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment without realizing it.

“Well then, that issue is settled. What has come up from the Okhrana’s American branch?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This is the Okhrana’s report.”

They’re monitoring not just the situation in America but also KFC—what’s happening there?

Right. Trotsky.

With the Great Depression, Trotsky must be up to something.

Reading the submitted report, things are taking a strange turn.

Centered around Kentucky, people are on the verge of uprising, claiming the government is incompetent in dealing with the Great Depression and needs to be overthrown.

Is it because of the Great Depression? The report is massive, like a pile of documents.

“Hmm, simply put, America is in a terrible state, right?”

“Yes. America is nearly destroyed. A group called KFC is rapidly expanding, centered around Kentucky.”

“Has KFC started a rebellion?”

Could they really have started a rebellion?

It would be interesting if Trotsky launched a rebellion.

“It doesn’t seem to be at the scale of a rebellion yet, but many cities are sympathizing with KFC. The Okhrana believes a rebellion might occur within three years at the earliest.”

“Three years? Hmm, I suppose they’re accounting for America’s potential response.”

What would happen to America if KFC rose up? Would Roosevelt become president as in the original history?

If Roosevelt were to die for some reason, delaying the New Deal policy, things could get interesting.

Russia has already implemented something similar to the New Deal—no, we’ve been implementing what we prepared even before the Great Depression—so America will eventually adopt our approach too.

The question is how long it will take.

And how Trotsky will exploit the situation.

So, let’s say Trotsky presents a solution to the Great Depression.

Then if Roosevelt adopts Trotsky’s approach with the New Deal policy, KFC’s influence would become enormous.

Wait, could this be bigger than I thought?

If this happens, foreign intervention might truly be necessary.

“Yes. That America, which once soared without knowing how high the sky was, is now falling.”

So it has come to this.

But if the rebellion ends quickly, America will come to its senses.

Even if Trotsky makes a big move, it probably won’t be as significant as it seems.

First, Black people are among his supporters.

Even if white people join KFC, will they be able to overcome their inherent racial discrimination?

Even in modern times, discrimination against Black people persists in America.

No matter how desperate they are to join KFC, will they be able to work alongside Black people?

Even if the civil war drags on, America has the “host’s cheat map.” They’ll rebuild the nation quickly.

Then we’ll just do what we need to do in the meantime.

While America fumbles, Russia will soar by absorbing many resources and talents.

“Your Majesty, it’s time.”

“So it is.”

I suppose it’s time to head to the Duma.

# * * *

The state of the State Duma was terrible.

Why, you ask?

“Kh! Bring me a bowl of vodka!”

They’re going crazy with national pride.

During the Great Depression, only Russia, excluding communist countries, didn’t fall into recession.

Naturally, centered around the Roman National Party, they were indulging in extreme nationalism.

They even claimed that the projects Russia undertook during the civil war and for national reconstruction were “being copied by communist countries,” essentially saying Russia was the first to implement countermeasures against the Great Depression.

“The British Empire is suffering as the effects of the Great Depression spread to its colonies. France’s damage appears smaller because the Great War’s impact was so severe. Even Japan, which enjoyed prosperity through exports, has been hit hard. Divided China isn’t doing badly, but it’s not a great power, so there’s nothing to discuss.”

Even Japan was hit hard?

Ah, that makes sense. They must be in chaos too.

I didn’t warn them about being careful with the gold standard either.

Of course, to prepare for a perfect backstab, it wouldn’t hurt to do something to gain more favor with Japan, but I’m hesitant to share more information with Japan beyond this.

History is changing, after all.

I can’t help them overcome the Great Depression even a little. They wouldn’t listen anyway, and Japan has been in recession since the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Japan should follow its original historical path, with militarism flourishing due to the Great Depression.

That’s how they’ll start a war, isn’t it?

At least they have Southern Manchuria, so they’ll try to exploit that somehow.

Meanwhile, we have abundant resources and increased agricultural production.

Whether it’s exports or imports, our economy is under state intervention, so nothing will change.

“Only our Russia is soaring during the Great Depression, so the day when Russia’s double-headed eagle dominates all of Europe is not far off, Your Majesty!”

Ungern is jumping with joy.

Yes, that’s exactly what Russia is like now.

“France’s damage is less compared to other countries, but the Commune has started to act up.”

“In Britain, there’s talk of squeezing more from their colonies.”

“Countries under our influence, like Poland and Turkey, are in a relatively better situation.”

France is as expected, and Britain is truly being Britain.

To be honest, they’re not wrong.

Looking at the current situation, Russia really does seem to be soaring.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a long way to go. We need to build more schools, hospitals, and so on. Continue outsourcing to construction companies and promoting heavy industry.”

Even the Soviet Union’s heavy industry grew fivefold during the Great Depression.

We’ve been pushing forward continuously since before, and Russia’s national power is rising vertically day by day.

“Your Majesty, aren’t we pushing too hard?”

Prime Minister Krivoshein was worried.

Well, the current State Duma has maintained Krivoshein’s cabinet thanks to the popularity gained during the civil war.

It would be troublesome if support declined due to failure during the Great Depression.

“We must push harder especially during times like these. Just look at America—crops are rotting while unemployed people line the streets. During our reforms, our population continues to grow, and cities in each region are expanding under city dumas. Infrastructure expansion is the natural next step.”

This is a bit of an exaggeration, but we need to create jobs diligently.

“Your Majesty, then we should focus on internal management.”

“Yes. The great powers have been hit hard. The nouveau riche country, America, has investors dying off internally, and an abnormal form of communism called KFC is spreading. Meanwhile, we’ve minimized damage, and Russia is a self-sufficient country. We must tighten our belts during this period.”

Let’s not be complacent at times like these.

Public facility development projects are not insane actions during the Great Depression.

When the people overwhelmingly follow the Tsar’s authority, this is precisely the time for possible gambles and solutions to the Great Depression.

“As Your Majesty said, farmers in eastern Ukraine and across Russia are using tractors to increase agricultural production.”

Yes, that’s how it should be.

Having messed up collective farms, I have no intention of exporting grain while boasting like the Soviet Union.

“We are no longer the Russian Empire of Bloody Sunday. Now is the time for Russia to soar again.”

We’ll use the Great Depression to catch up with other countries.

While America can’t get its act together due to the Great Depression and KFC, Britain is tied up with the Great Depression and its colonies, and France is dealing with the Commune, Russia will continue to thrive and reverse all previous disadvantages.

And that also prepares us for a new war.

Communist Germany probably thinks the same way?

Being isolated and communist from the start, they’ll probably pair up with Italy to promote communism and build military power while other countries suffer from the Great Depression.

Then we must do the same.

We must always consider the possibility that France, with its rampaging Commune, might turn communist.

“Then, next is military reinforcement.”

“Communist Germany and Italy are probably strengthening their military during this period too. What’s the current status of our weapons development?”

We must continue developing the latest weapons.

At least to not fall behind Communist Germany or Italy. We must keep developing the latest weapons.

“Despite the Great Depression, we’ve established a submarine command and produced quite a few U-boats.”

“Oh, really? That’s good news.”

So we’re heading in the direction of submarines then.

Is it still unrealistic to create a large fleet with battleships or aircraft carriers?