Ch.77Fyodorov Arsenal

# They’ve Already Made Something Like This?

This seems too futuristic for people of this era.

For a brief moment, I wondered if this person might be from the future like me,

But assuming it’s just my lack of knowledge, I cautiously approached Tsiolkovsky.

“Did you create all of this yourself?”

If this is real, it would be incredible.

“My hearing is poor. But I desperately want to pursue this rocket research! Just once, with what remains of my life!”

His hearing is poor?

I see. No wonder he just says whatever he wants to say.

But if this is true, it’s believable.

If this Tsiolkovsky were to work together with Goddard, what amazing things might they create?

My heart was racing.

Isn’t this precisely the history I’m creating?

I showed these documents filled with space travel theories directly to Goddard as well.

“Mr. Goddard, what do you think?”

Mr. Goddard’s eyes sparkled as he received Konstantin Tsiolkovsky’s theories from me.

Then he glanced at Tsiolkovsky.

It’s the look of someone observing a truly rare specimen, wondering what kind of person he is.

As Tsar, this is all I can do.

I should have studied more about space-related theories.

Even though I studied in the library out of boredom, why would I learn about space when I couldn’t even go there?

Even if I had studied it, it would be nothing more than information about space.

My approach is simply: I’ll provide the money, you do the work.

So, Goddard, is it possible?

“This has potential. It would be impossible in our lifetime, but if this rocket technology develops…”

Then it might be worth trying.

I never dreamed Russia would have such a figure.

There’s still so much knowledge I don’t possess.

Well, being buried in a library doesn’t mean you can know everything.

He must be a historical figure I’m not familiar with.

He seems too nuanced to be someone possessed like me. If so, he must be a genius of this world.

“May I have paper and pen?”

If this person is genuine, this is worth believing in.

So, I decided to employ someone who might advance Russia’s space field even further.

After all, Russia in this world needs to stand tall as a benevolent Russia.

I wrote a message for Tsiolkovsky on paper given by the Black Baron and handed it to him.

[In our Russia, every single talent is precious. If you can truly produce results with rockets, I will permit it.]

I want to believe he will definitely succeed.

If rocket technology is properly developed, couldn’t we crush Germany in war?

As long as we don’t have to use nuclear weapons, wouldn’t that be good?

“I will definitely show you results!”

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. And Robert Goddard.

I wonder what this combination will achieve. I’m curious.

“Wouldn’t this be a waste of budget?”

On the way back, Finance Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Bernatsky spoke with an anxious voice.

Yes. Looking at it that way, it does seem like a budget waste.

“It seems promising, but I’m not sure if Your Majesty should invest in it personally.”

The other ministers don’t seem particularly enthusiastic either.

Yes. It probably looks that way now.

But I’m doing this because it’s worth investing in.

In this era, to speak of such space theories would be impossible unless one were quite mad.

“Just looking at this theory, can’t you tell that Mr. Tsiolkovsky is a considerable genius?”

No matter how I look at it, this person seems remarkable to me.

Perhaps what I don’t know is not just due to my ignorance of history, but he could be an unfortunate great figure buried by other historical figures.

Most likely, he’s one of those figures reevaluated after death.

If I were to return to modern times and look him up, he’d probably be a notable figure.

Perhaps Soviet space technology originated from this man’s theories.

“That may be true.”

They still don’t seem convinced.

Yes. I suppose it might seem strange in this era from any perspective.

At least now, when rockets haven’t been properly developed yet.

But later, when they’re weaponized and produce results, the ministers will acknowledge it.

Moreover, I plan to draw funds from Prince Yusupov for this rocket project.

In other words, we’re not running it solely on the national budget.

“Let’s wait and see. If this produces results, we’ll have a field where we lead ahead of other countries.”

Technology that surpasses everyone else.

We can stay ahead of America before they catch up.

We might even launch satellites decades earlier.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It would be problematic if other countries like Britain and France learned about this.”

Even though America wasn’t interested, I’m not sure if Britain and France would follow suit if they knew, but it’s better to be cautious.

“We’ll be careful.”

Come to think of it, there was something else I wanted to try.

Since we’re out, shouldn’t we do something more?

For example…

I’ve always wanted to tour a factory.

I should speak directly. After all, I am the leader of this country.

Of course, I’m just a figurehead, but still.

“Hmm. While we’re out, I’d like to tour a factory as well.”

“A factory, you say?”

I’m not doing this simply because I want to have fun.

“Don’t those newspapers seem terrible? The Germans, I mean.”

Looking at those German newspapers, communism has been established, but there are workers who are displeased with communism.

What does this mean?

Thinking in reverse, it’s about us now.

In other words, there might be people who want to rebel against the current United States of Greater Russia.

Yes. It’s just that simple.

Public sentiment must always be monitored, especially since Russia is vast.

Perhaps there are some who harbor dissatisfaction towards me.

We should do this to identify such individuals.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So I’d like to see one of our factories.”

It’s a simple reason.

Absolutely not because I just want to sightsee.

Originally, I wanted to go down to the provinces to check, but as Tsar, I’ve been holding back.

“There’s the Fyodorov Arsenal in Moscow.”

Arsenal? That’s a firearms production factory. Yes, it’s about time I saw it. Don’t you think? Especially since it’s a weapons production site, there will be a lot to prepare.

To sell to China and Poland, there should be no defects.

“Yes. Let’s go there then.”

“Very well. I’ll arrange for a guide.”

Ah, wait. That’s one thing, but…

Is it appropriate to go as the Tsar?

“Ah, just a moment.”

I raised my hand to stop the ministers who were moving busily.

“Yes?”

“Apart from the Tsarina going, wouldn’t it be better to appear less conspicuous?”

If I go to the factory as the Tsarina…

If the Tsarina just shows up, people might have complaints but won’t be able to express them.

So, it might be good to pretend to be an ordinary person.

For example, pretending to be a journalist from America would be good.

That way, people full of dissatisfaction under the new Tsarist regime with the banner of the United States might eagerly express their complaints.

“Is there really a need for that?”

“In ancient times, in that Eastern country, kings would disguise themselves in commoner’s clothes to understand the hearts of their people. It’s called an incognito visit.”

At my words, everyone tilts their heads as if wondering what I’m talking about, but I just mean let’s go around like that.

A foreign journalist reporting on the reality of the United States, and a Russian worker dissatisfied with their government.

In such a relationship, wouldn’t there be much to open up about?

“I understand what you mean, but whether it will be effective…”

“It’s better for you to go openly. The situation is different from before the civil war.”

“Everyone will praise Your Majesty.”

The ministers are unnecessarily worried. That makes it more suspicious.

Honestly, does it make sense that everyone would praise me?

All I’ve done is personally enter recaptured cities and speak a bit in the Duma.

That’s how it should be effective.

Could anyone express dissatisfaction in front of the Tsar?

“Isn’t it better than the Tsar appearing directly?”

The ministers are needlessly trying to stop me.

If something goes wrong, these people will beat up the factory employees saying, “How dare you to the Tsarina~”

Of course, I’m not the factory owner, but I am the Tsar who implemented policies that make the factory run that way.

And fixing that is my job going forward.

* * *

Sergei was a worker at the Fyodorov Arsenal in Moscow.

The Fyodorov factory produced the Fedorov Avtomat, and Sergei had taken a job at the Fyodorov factory for his livelihood after the Red-White Civil War.

The work was surprisingly simple.

Being young, he only did odd jobs like sorting or moving boxes full of weapons.

Before the Red-White Civil War, they say factories treated workers like dogs and there were constant protests, but Sergei didn’t know about that.

Originally, after the Red-White Civil War, the United States of Greater Russia was a capitalist country with mixed socialist policy characteristics, so thanks to policies that considered workers, Sergei could work in an environment that treated workers better than the pre-civil war generation.

“Come on, let’s eat lunch and get back to work.”

The ammunition sorting supervisor, Uncle Ma, clapped his hands and led the employees.

Although lunch was simply bread, the rest environment was properly established and good.

But today was a bit strange.

Other factory workers were buzzing with excitement.

At that moment, the factory manager, who had been talking with a man in a suit, approached where Sergei and other workers were eating lunch and clapped his hands.

“Workers, listen up. Today, important people will be inspecting the factory, so let’s not show too relaxed an appearance.”

Important people inspecting the factory?

“Yes!”

Who could these important people be?

In the past, when important people came, they would protest for bread. Nowadays, they’re told not to play around too much.

Yes. But who’s coming?

“Who’s coming?”

Finally, Sergei raised his hand and asked out of curiosity.

“Members of the State Duma want to personally see if this factory is running well. Journalists are coming too, so everyone be honest.”

Honest? Just do as usual?

Come to think of it, I recently saw a newspaper article about German workers being treated like slaves by soldiers.

Of course, not everything in Russia is good, but at least here, rest times and freedom are properly guaranteed.

Neighboring uncles who were conscripted into the Red Army and returned by the White Army said that compared to ten years ago, the country has become much more like a proper nation.

Looking at that, the current Tsar is indeed a remarkable figure.

These important people must be related to the Tsar.

So I’ll show them a hardworking image more than ever.

“Yes!”

Others seemed to share Sergei’s thoughts and answered energetically.

And shortly after.

Ministers from the State Duma came to inspect the factory.

And there was one woman who seemed out of place, exuding a truly noble aura.

“I’m a journalist from America here to cover Russian factories. Are there any inconveniences you face while working at the factory?”

She asked Sergei questions while glancing at the ministers.

Inconveniences? Honestly, there are some.

I’d like to eat different types of bread, but that’s too much to ask, and the work itself isn’t particularly arduous.

But.

‘I’ve seen that face somewhere before.’

It’s definitely a familiar face. Yes. A few years ago, towards the end of the civil war. The day before I was about to be conscripted by the Reds, the Bolsheviks. The Empress on horseback who proudly entered Moscow after capturing it. The brave woman who ended the civil war by throwing herself into the flames. The figure known to those French people as Russia’s Joan of Arc.

The Tsar of the United States of Greater Russia, Anastasia.

In public, she’s also known as Anastasia I, the first Tsar of the new Russia.

Sergei thought he had good observation skills if nothing else.

Logically, isn’t it strange for just one journalist to accompany such important figures?

Of course, there are some well-built individuals attached as fellow journalists, but still.

Why is the Tsar here now as a journalist?