Chapter 559 Beating Workers
After Stolypin was assassinated, the situation in St. Petersburg gradually became tense again.
Although the Social Democrats tried every means to stigmatize Stolypin, no one can deny that Stolypin used his "tie" to effectively alleviate social conflicts in the Russian Empire. During the years when Stolypin was in power, the economy of the Russian Empire experienced unprecedented development.
When Stolypin died, the fiscal revenue of the Russian Empire reached 2 billion rubles per year. If calculated on a per capita basis, the Russian Empire had the lowest per capita tax burden in the world.
The empire’s annual expenditure on education is as high as 500 million rubles. In 1908, the empire began to implement compulsory education. From this year on, the number of primary schools increased by 10,000 per year. Compared with 1900, In 1912, the illiteracy rate among recruits dropped from 51% to 27%.
Since Nicholas came to the throne, the savings of residents of the Russian Empire have increased from 360 million rubles to 2.2 billion rubles.
Steel production increased from 163 million poods (1 pood equals 16.38 kilograms) to 300 million poods.
Coal production increased from 16 million to 220 million poods.
Oil production increased by 165%, cotton cloth and sugar production also doubled.
In response to the development of the Russian Empire, French economist Edmond Telly publicly stated in a newspaper: If the Russian Empire maintains the development rate from 1900 to 1912, then by 1950, the Russian Empire will will become the most powerful country in Europe.
So, who is stopping the Russian Empire from becoming the most powerful country in Europe?
Kokovtsev, who succeeded Stolypin as Prime Minister, was a cowardly man. He changed Stolypin's toughness and the number of people sentenced to death was greatly reduced. This made many people gradually become unscrupulous again. stand up.
Last winter, there was a strike at the Lerna gold mine in Siberia. The gold mine guards opened fire, killing 270 people and injuring 250. This was the most serious violent incident in the empire in the past three years.
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Romanov dynasty. There will be a series of celebrations in St. Petersburg, but Kokovtsev has not made any preparations. George has already had a premonition of something bad.
But this is not a bad thing. It is better for the empire's unstable factors to be exposed now than during the world war.
Whether to modify the battle plan cannot be decided in one meeting.
As usual, George stayed in the Winter Palace after the imperial meeting and dined with Nicholas.
George once again confirmed to Nicholas that if war breaks out, Germany will not launch an attack on the Russian Empire immediately.
“Yes, this is the same information I got, but Cousin George believes that William will be coerced by ambitious ministers.”
Nicholas still trusts William II Yes, Cousin George refers to King George V.
Both George V and Wilhelm II had already sent telegrams to congratulate Nicholas on New Year's Day.
"On the contrary, I think Germany's calm ministers will become the safety rope that prevents Germany from losing control."
George completely distrusted William II.
William II was a madman, he could do anything.
The deal between George and Tirpitz was initiated by William II.
William II's purpose was to drive a wedge between the Russian Empire and Britain. Unexpectedly, it was self-defeating. Instead, he was used by George to blackmail Britain and France again.
The Russian Empire now owes Britain more than 200 million pounds, which is equivalent to the Russian Empire's fiscal revenue for one year.
George felt that it was not enough and had to continue to borrow money from the British. Otherwise, the sunk costs of the British would not be enough to make Britain desperate for the Russian Empire.
"George, we can't always live in the past."
Nicholas hopes that George can forgive Britain for what it has done before.
"Nikki, have you ever thought about what would happen if we lost the Russo-Japanese War?"
George reminded Nikolai that dogs can't change that.
The smile on Nicholas's face froze instantly. After thinking about what George wanted, Nicholas suddenly took off the napkin from his collar and slumped down on the back of the chair, losing his appetite.
“In Constantinople, I told Polis never to place all hopes on the empire; now I also want to remind you to never place the security of the empire on the guarantee of its allies. . ”
George knew that Nikolai’s character was a bit weak and he needed someone to remind him at all times.
Leaving the Winter Palace, the municipality is preparing for the celebrations by arranging ice sculptures on the Neva River, learned from Vladivostok.
A lighting system is installed in the ice sculpture, with colorful light bulbs that will start to flash after being powered on.
Staff are hanging colored lights on the trees on both sides of the street to add color to the St. Petersburg night.
The motorcade passed by the Royal Theater, and the entrance of the theater was crowded with people buying tickets. Tolstoy's opera "Tsar Fedor" will be performed tonight. The Tsar was a noble monarch, but His character is a bit weak, and he seems a bit similar to Nicholas.
Another gimmick of this opera is that the heroine Kshesinskaya had a romantic affair with Nikolai when they were young.
Well, everyone wanted to see the Tsar's Lover perform. George didn't want to look, he didn't rush home and let the convoy circle around St. Petersburg.
It can be seen that the financial situation of most St. Petersburg people is not bad. They are wearing new clothes and new shoes. They are well-dressed and have rosy faces. Some people are carrying vodka to drink with them on the street. , when they are drunk, they fall asleep on the street. At this time, the police will get them into the car and take them to the sobering room in the police station.
It would be a tragedy if it was not discovered in time.
After George's military reform, the homeless in St. Petersburg almost disappeared. When George went to Sevastopol a few months ago, it seemed that there were not many homeless people on the streets, but now there are many more.
"Many homeless people are from Europe. They heard that if they immigrated to Siberia, they could get land, so they came to try their luck."
Kolchak still served as George's aide-de-camp, and Mannerheim went to Warsaw to take up a post. , was soon promoted to major general.
“This is a welfare policy only for Russians, what does it have to do with these Europeans?”
George was angry, once these people fail to achieve their goals, they will become the security of St. Petersburg Hidden danger.
Kolchak is innocent, this has nothing to do with him.
George called Kokovtsev and reminded Kokovtsev to control the influx of homeless people into St. Petersburg.
Kokovtsev promised on the phone that the policy would be introduced as soon as possible.
George also didn’t know how long Kokovtsev’s “as soon as possible” was.
At the end of January, representatives from various countries participating in the celebration ceremony arrived in St. Petersburg one after another. Polis personally led the delegation and thanked Nicholas in person for the Russian Empire's support for the Kingdom of Bulgaria.
"Bob, you are my brother, I will definitely help you."
Nicholas really had nothing to say to his relatives.
Constantine, who arrived in St. Petersburg later, was not so easy to talk to.
Before arriving in St. Petersburg, Constantine first went to Berlin.
Constantine's brother Georgi (too many Georges to remember) came to George to say goodbye. He no longer served as the Minister of the Kingdom of Greece to Russia and was preparing to return to Denmark to continue his naval career.
"I'm really fed up. He (Constantine) has not learned any lessons from Valdemar and will bring disaster to the Kingdom of Greece."
Georgi doesn’t mince words.
George didn’t know why these kings were so persistent. They probably wanted to have both sides, but unfortunately the fire was not enough and they always crossed the border.
“Don’t go to Denmark, how about going to serve as deputy commander of the Mediterranean Fleet?”
George hopes that Georgi can play a greater role.
“Is this a formal invitation?”
Georgi came to George to say goodbye, which in itself showed his attitude.
"Of course, taking office immediately after the holidays."
George hopes to increase coordination between the Mediterranean Fleet and the Greek Navy.
Constantine's attitude does not represent the attitude of the Greek military, otherwise the military alliance would not have a coup.
Now the relationship between Constantine and the Greek military is a bit on guard against each other. Constantine has not forgotten the rebellion of the Greek military. The generals of the Greek military also maintain considerable respect for Constantine. level of vigilance.
George threw Georgi into the Mediterranean Fleet. If anything happened to the Kingdom of Greece, Georgi would be of great use.
Since he accepted George's invitation, the next day Georgi appeared at the banquet in the Winter Palace wearing the uniform of a Russian navy general.
Constantin was very unhappy and asked why Georgi was wearing the uniform of the Russian Navy.
“I have accepted George’s invitation and will soon serve in the Mediterranean Fleet.”
Georgi said that I am just a worker. Of course, I will go wherever the boss asks me to go. where.
"As long as you are happy."
Constantin's attitude towards Georgi was very cold, and he didn't look like a brother at all.
(End of this chapter)