Chapter 323: Open it up
Nicholas is immersed in the joy of marrying Alex.
But he seems to have overlooked that he is now the Tsar of the Russian Empire. In addition to his fiancée, he has more and more important work to do.
More than one minister complained to George that the new tsar was impatient with government affairs. He always wanted to complete the work as quickly as possible and then return to the harem to be with his fiancée.
Among all the imperial ministers, Werther was undoubtedly the smartest. He knew the relationship between George and Nicholas, so he came to George, hoping that George could help.
While Yasan was still alive, the Russian Empire decided to implement a new vodka monopoly system on January 1, 1894, in order to increase the empire's revenue.
This system has been in place for nearly a year, but due to resistance from various places, it has not been officially implemented.
In order to ensure the funding needs of the Trans-Siberian Railway, Witte served as Minister of Finance and also as Minister of Transport.
The problem now is that if the vodka monopoly system cannot be implemented as soon as possible, not to mention the funds for the Trans-Siberian Railway next year, even the salaries of government employees will no longer be able to be paid.
Princes like George and others will definitely have a lot of salary.
George really didn't expect that the empire's financial situation had deteriorated to this extent.
“Can’t we just continue to issue bonds?”
George knew why the vodka monopoly system had made little progress.
Wine merchants across Russia are actually the representatives of the interests of the powerful class. This industry is much more complex than the railway.
At the beginning of this year, the day before St. Petersburg was about to implement the vodka monopoly system, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Guards, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, reported to the Tsar that St. Petersburg had no plans to implement the vodka monopoly system. The reaction was extremely violent, with the possibility of bloody riots.
As a result, Asan has temporarily shelved the vodka monopoly system.
“There have been frequent problems with the bonds we issued in the past two years, and the issuance work was not smooth——”
Witt found it hard to say.
In order to completely redress the army, the empire issued bonds in France. This work was under the responsibility of Bunge, the then finance minister.
Shortly after the bond was issued, Banger was reported to have accepted a bribe of 200,000 francs from the French when issuing the bond.
Although subsequent investigations revealed that the bribe-taker was an official named Qi Ang under Banger and had nothing to do with Banger, Banger was still forced to resign.
Vishnegradsky succeeded Bunger as finance minister.
Not long after Vishnegradsky became Chancellor of Finance, the empire issued naval bonds. Soon after, a scandal came out, saying that Vishnegradsky accepted 50 million from the French Rothschild Bank. A bribe of ten thousand francs.
The secret of these two reports is that it was Vishnegradsky who reported Banger’s bribery.
Vishnegradsky’s bribery was reported by Qi Ang.
Therefore, Witt has lingering fears about issuing bonds, and he doesn't know what will happen when the time comes.
George was speechless, you guys are really capable!
“What do you need me to do?”
Since it is related to the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, George certainly cannot ignore it.
“If Siberian Bank can help underwrite the bonds, that would be the most perfect solution.”
No wonder Werther left so many grand dukes alone and went to look for George specially.
The so-called underwriting means that if it cannot be sold, Siberia Bank will take over.
"I will underwrite the bonds for you, and then you will lend the money from selling the bonds to others. Why don't I just lend the money to others?"
George won't do this. It’s because he treats George as his son.
In 1885, shortly after Asan ascended the throne, in order to gain the support of the Russian nobles, Asan decided not to collect additional bank reserves when the nobles made loans.
In the past, when Russian nobles took out loans, they had to charge one percent interest as bank reserves.
At the same time, Yasan also decided to reduce the interest rate on noble loans to 4.5%, and increase the loan limit from 60% of the previous collateral valuation to 75%.
Nicolas issued an accession edict a few days ago, the most important of which is to reduce the interest rate to 4% again.
For reference, the loan interest rates of most banks nowadays are as high as 8%-10%.
This was originally a benefit provided by the empire to the aristocracy.
But during the actual implementation process, many nobles lent the loaned money to others at high interest rates.
"Duke, if you think so, what will happen to others?"
Witt's moral kidnapping is perfect.
George had nothing to say.
Now that the imperial power has been successfully handed over, George went to Nicholas to say goodbye and return to Amur ahead of schedule.
Compared to the mess that is St. Petersburg, Amur is quite clean.
The reason George gave Nicholas was naturally the Sing-Japanese War.
The Qing-Japanese War continued. After the Lushun Massacre, the Japanese army shifted their attention to another base of the Beiyang Navy on the Jiaodong Peninsula.
Japan's expansion in East Asia attracted close attention from various countries. As early as early October, the Qing Empire requested Britain, the United States, and Russia to jointly mediate. However, the mediation failed because the British interfered.
The reason why Japan is able to launch a war is entirely due to the support of Britain.
As Japan's power expands in East Asia, Britain will also benefit from it.
The Russian Empire and the United States were willing to mediate, but the United Kingdom did not want the Russian Empire and the United States to intervene, so the mediation ultimately failed.
Although Japan has the support of Britain, it does not have the ability to completely defeat the Qing Empire, and it cannot occupy the Qing Empire with all its strength.
So the war must eventually end with negotiations.
George wanted to return to Amur as soon as possible and not let the Japanese win easily.
Nicholas didn't want George to leave.
Nicola is really good to George.
In yesterday's imperial meeting, Nicholas proposed that the Siberian Fleet be included in the Amur Military District command system, with George fully responsible. This proposal was strongly opposed by the Grand Admiral of the Navy, Grand Duke Vladimir. Alfred secretly told George afterwards that the entire Gatchina Palace could hear Grand Duke Vladimir's roar.
Nicholas was very angry. Alexander, who had expressed his intention to serve in the Siberian Fleet to George in Crimea, later suggested that Nicholas dismiss Grand Duke Vladimir from his post.
Nikolai backed down again, and he said helplessly to Alexander: "How could I fire Uncle Volodya? He is my father's biological brother!"
Everyone knows that Nikolai values feelings. , will not be harsh on relatives.
This is why some people in the royal family dare to roar in Gatchina Palace.
In the days of Asia II and Asia III, no one dared to roar in front of the Tsar.
So thinking about it this way, there is a reason why the Empress Dowager did not want Nicholas to be the Tsar.
"George, I need you to stay with me now. As long as you are in St. Petersburg, I won't worry-"
Nicola's trust in George could not be higher.
So from the next day, George also began to attend the imperial meeting.
At the end of the year, the Imperial Council has a heavy task. One of the key issues is whether to continue building new warships next year.
The empire is so poor that it cannot even pay the salaries of government employees, but the Navy has proposed a huge shipbuilding plan to build 10 battleships and cruisers next year.
"This is completely impossible, unnecessary, and incapable -"
Witt is on the front line of saving money.
“Whether it is necessary or not is not your decision. Inability is your problem!”
Vladimir understands the distribution of powers and responsibilities.
George looked on with cold eyes.
The navy's military expenditure is actually not much. The army has always been the bulk of the empire's military expenditure, and the navy only accounts for a small part.
So Vladimir was furious, and Sergei and Nicholas Jr., the grand dukes serving in the army, remained silent.
Alexey and other naval princes share the same hatred.
Because one party was the uncle of the Tsar, the other ministers were helpless and ignored the matter. For a while, Werther was left alone.
“The current warships of the empire are enough to protect the empire’s maritime borders. If we need to strengthen our strength, we should also lean towards the Far East.”
Werther fought hard, trying to drag George down with his words.
“This is an internal matter of our navy, it’s not your turn to speak!”
Vladimir is extremely powerful, which means that you just need to give the money, and don’t care how the big men spend it.
Witt looked at George with pleading eyes.
What can George say? If he openly opposes it, he will become a military traitor.
So Werther turned to Nicholas for help.
Nicholas was absent-minded.
Vladimir was probably a little carried away and actually pointed the muzzle at Nikolai.
"Nicky, cheer up and don't get distracted!"
Now George had something to say.
When Vladimir quarrels with Werther, George can ignore it.
If Vladimir talks to Nikolai properly, George can ignore it.
While Vladimir is the uncle, Nikolay is the nephew.
But this is not the attitude towards the Tsar.
But in front of so many people, George did not speak directly, but lightly knocked on the table.
Vladimir finally looked at George.
George smiled and said if you have anything to say later.
Nicholas was indeed uninterested in political affairs. The imperial meeting only lasted an hour and ended without any results from the discussion.
As soon as Vladimir stood up, he was stopped by George.
"Varodia, wait a moment - Sher, Niki, Amusha (Alexei), Sandro (Alexander), you will also wait a moment."
George called all the princes to a halt.
"What are you doing? Tell me if you have anything to say."
Vladimir looked impatient.
Sergey, little Nikolai and Alexei said nothing.
Nicholas had already left the room and came back after a while.
After George and all the royal ministers left, he asked Dejan and the Grand Duke's entourage to leave, leaving only the royal family members in the room.
"Nikki has become the imperial czar. I think we should give Nikki the respect he deserves."
George has been holding back until now and is already furious.
“Do you still need to say this?”
Vladimir knew what George meant, and of course he would not admit disrespecting the Tsar.
"I mean, you must not only respect the Tsar, but also give me the respect I deserve!"
George opened up as soon as he came up.
(End of this chapter)