Chapter 679 Yuriev sets the stage, Yusupov sings the opera
The reason why Nicholas established the Duma was to cope with the growing calls for dissolution in Russia at that time.
During Nicholas' reign, the Duma's performance was unsatisfactory, and this did not improve effectively after the provisional government came to power.
The overthrow of the Provisional Government proved that the Discourage system was not suitable for Russia.
At least not suitable for Russia now.
On the 25th, former Duma member Vasily Maklakov, who once caused a sensation in St. Petersburg with "Tragic Situation, Crazy Driver" and "Why We Are So Harsh to Our Heroes", wrote in the "Constantinople Daily" Published article: "Vanity Fair for Careerists".
This article, in the form of a memoir, tells some unknown stories that happened inside the State Duma when Marklakov was a member of the State Duma.
One of them is a story about the feud between the late Speaker of the State Duma Rodzianko and the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army on the Northern Front, Nicholas the Younger.
In 1915, the Russian army was fighting fiercely with the German army on the front line. The State Duma delayed the 1916 budget of the Russian army on the northern front by an entire amount in the name of Suhomlinov, the former chief of the Russian army's general staff, suspected of corruption. It took four months and was not passed until February of the following year.
Nicholas Jr. approached Rodzianko and hoped that the State Duma could pass the budget as soon as possible.
Rodzianko asked young Nicholas to wait patiently, citing the empire's financial difficulties.
Nicholas Jr. accused Rodzianko of being a dead man, and the two had a big quarrel in Rodzianko's office. The matter eventually ended with the Tsar providing private money to fill the gap.
As a former member of the State Duma, Maklakov's article was very persuasive and caused widespread controversy in Constantinople.
Radicals and royalists demanded the abolition of the State Duma. Disputes claimed that Maklakov's article was an attack on Constantinople. Neutral people suggested that the qualifications of members of the State Duma should be reviewed.
No matter which faction, everyone thinks that George should take the throne.
George also has a group of "royal literati" under him.
On the 2nd, Louis, the former editor-in-chief of "Amur Daily", published an article in "Balkan Times": "Empty talk harms the country, do our job well", calling on people to do more and be less political.
Witt also published an article in the "Daily Constantinople": "Our Most Important Work at the Present", bluntly expressing his dissatisfaction with the State Duma.
For a time, all the newspapers in Constantinople opened fire on the State Duma.
A writer who wanted to defend the State Duma had his article submitted to the newspaper but was returned on the grounds that it was inappropriate.
Defending the State Duma when everyone is shouting about it will definitely trigger a larger-scale war of words, which George is not willing to see.
Edel, a supporter of the State Duma and former professor at St. Petersburg University, approached Witte, hoping that Witte would come forward to change this one-sided situation.
Witt tried his best to persuade Edel not to bring trouble to himself.
“Constantinople is not St. Petersburg, and Grand Duke Yuriev is not a tsar. You should feel lucky that Grand Duke Yuriev is not a butcher.”
“The era of tsarism is over. If Grand Duke Yuriev ascends the throne, Russia will return to the feudal era of ignorance, which will be Russia's tragedy."
Eder prided himself on justice, often published articles in newspapers, and was considered a representative of neutrality.
"I don't have time to argue with you. Regardless of whether Grand Duke Yuriev is right or wrong, this is the choice of all Russians."
Witt does not quarrel and cannot understand Russia. Go ahead, no one will stop you.
“No, no, no, not everyone, at least I, a Russian, do not agree.”
The Russian Empire’s tolerance of speech in the past few decades has made Edel a little confused about his own position.
The status of university professors in the Russian Empire is still relatively high. Even if there are extreme remarks, the Tsar usually laughs them off and will not hold them accountable.
"There are 100 million people in Russia, and you alone can't change anything if you don't agree."
Witt is also helpless. Aren't you guys clamoring for the minority to obey the majority every day? You can't do that as a human being. Such a double standard.
Witt has seen through these years. The position of these people is constantly changing. When they are the majority, the minority must obey the majority; when they are the minority, they must respect individuals. .
“How do you know I’m the only one who disagrees?”
Eder doesn't consider himself alone.
“If you can collect 100,000 signatures, Archbishop Yuriev will give you a chance to convince him.”
It’s not that Witte didn’t give Edel a chance, this kind of thing There is no proof of words, but signatures are proof.
"A hundred thousand people - are you crazy or am I crazy?"
Edel screamed out of control, which was almost impossible to do.
It’s not impossible, as long as you’re willing to spend money, you can get more signatures.
The most popular way nowadays is to spend money to publish it in newspapers to solicit readers’ opinions on something.
Readers can cut out the content, fill in their own suggestions, and mail it to the newspaper on collect.
It’s just that this method is more time-consuming, laborious and money-consuming.
George has no time to deal with these so-called dishonest people. He has more important work.
The world war has come to an end. Although Germany has not yet surrendered, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire have surrendered. Negotiating delegations from both countries have arrived in Constantinople. George has sent telegrams to London, Paris and Washington to invite all countries. Representatives came to Constantinople to discuss how to deal with the two defeated countries.
What George did not expect was that a huge controversy broke out on the first issue. George hopes that representatives from various countries will come to Constantinople, so that Russia will have the advantage of home field and will strive for more benefits for Russia.
The French demanded negotiations in Paris.
For the same reason, the British also asked for negotiations to be held in London.
The Americans don't care, because it's not Washington's turn anyway.
In addition to negotiations, Moscow, like St. Petersburg, also began to rebuild. George demanded that people at least move into their houses before winter came, otherwise it would be difficult for them to survive the winter.
In addition to reconstruction, Moscow and St. Petersburg are also in urgent need of material support. There are huge gaps in both food and fuel.
Rural areas also need rescue, mainly seeds and rations. If not handled properly, terrible famine will break out in many areas this winter.
Another most critical issue is that the railways were severely damaged, especially the railway between St. Petersburg and Moscow, which was almost completely destroyed.
Witte estimates that repairing Russia's railway system alone will cost at least 1.5 billion rubles.
Gold ruble, not paper ruble.
Felix Jr. said that the Yusupov family is willing to invest, but the condition is that the Yusupov family will obtain the right to operate the railway for 20 years.
Fernandez, the former president of the Bank of Siberia who served as finance minister, firmly disagreed and would rather pay the Yusupov family high interest than hand over the railway management rights to the Yusupov family.
Giorgilla Felix Jr. and Fernandez met together to discuss solutions.
"Railway operating rights must not be controlled in private hands. Including you, Grand Duke, you should also hand over the operating rights of the Siberian Railway."
Fernandez is well aware of the importance of railways.
“Leave it to the Ministry of Transportation? Why not hire a professional manager?”
Little Felix does not trust government officials.
In the Asia III era, the Russian Empire gradually nationalized the railways.
Ya San never expected that after the nationalization of the railways, it did not play a positive role in promoting the economic development of the Russian Empire as Ya San thought. On the contrary, because transportation costs remained high, the efficiency was not as good as private operation.
“The Chita section of the Siberian Railway has always been in charge of the Siberian Railway Administration. While ensuring profits, efficiency has not been reduced.”
Fernandez does not believe that the ethics of officials are inferior to professional managers.
The key to whether an official's conduct is good or not lies in management.
Both are Russians, officials in the Amur region are completely different from officials in the Russian and European regions. Not only are they more capable, they are also serious and responsible in their work and have very good personal ethics.
This is mainly because officials in the Amur region are almost all trained by themselves, either by selecting the best from the best, or by newly graduated college students.
The salaries of government workers in Russia and Europe, even officials, are not very high, and their welfare benefits are not very good. Therefore, Russian officials, including the Grand Duke, have the habit of doing business.
Although the Grand Duke's salary is high, his expenses are also very high. If he doesn't think of a way to make money, he really can't support his family.
The wages of Amur staff are not high, but the benefits are very good. In addition, Amur is cheap, has complete social security, and the cost of breaking the law is very high. This makes some people have the courage to commit crimes even if they have the intention to commit crimes.
“I admit that Amur has created incredible economic miracles, but can you guarantee that after arriving in St. Petersburg, Amur officials will still be as honest and honest as they were in Amur?”
Little Felix reminded Fernandez not to underestimate the temptation of the colorful world of St. Petersburg to people.
“Your Highness, how long has it been since you have been to Vladivostok?”
Fernandez reminded little Felix that Vladivostok is no worse than St. Petersburg, and even better. Better than that.
Little Felix still wanted to speak, but George stopped.
“So, the key to the problem is how to ensure the efficiency and profitability of the railway.”
Fernandez and Felix Jr. nodded in unison.
“If the Yusupov family is responsible for the operation, but the Siberian Bank sends financial personnel, can this problem be solved?”
George is divided into two, each responsible for what they are best at thing.
Fernandez pondered for a long time and nodded in agreement.
Little Felix never expected that George would be waiting for him here.
If the railway is handed over to the Yusupov family, taxes will still have to be paid.
After the Siberian Railway is handed over, the Ministry of Transport will definitely be responsible.
This is a good way to make a comparison and find problems in time.
"Don't worry. After the war, the Gao Ri Corps will be converted into engineering corps. When the time comes, let them build the railway, which can greatly reduce costs."
George never cheated his own people. .
Little Felix was overjoyed, this was great.
(End of this chapter)