Road builder (April-June, 1875).

Blinov cycle]

Stavropol, home of the Russian Carriage Works.

Fyodor Blinov and his colleagues started up the new Blinov Engine, mounted on one of the factory's crawler tractors. The engine started as expected, and the tractor ran.

The Blinov engine is a four-stroke (single-cylinder) internal combustion engine, which works by what would later be called the Blinov Cycle (which was not exactly described until 1876 although the Blinov engine was invented in 1875).

The invention certainly allowed the Russian Carriage Works to develop the first gasoline-powered tractors, up to that time RCW crawler tractors worked with steam engines.

The technological transformation of Blinov tractors allowed higher sales, making the RCW more commercially successful, and its use became more standardized, first in the Russian Empire and later in other parts of the world.

They arrived in Mexico at the end of 1875, they arrived in the United States and Germany in 1876 and in the United Kingdom only in 1878.

When for many of these countries it was clear that Russia was no longer a backward feudal country, but that is another story.

*******

Due to the invention of Blinov and the Russian Carriage Works, some foreign workers came to Russia to be part of its growing automotive industry.

Among these were the Germans Nicolaus Otto (engineer) and Carl Eugen Langen (entrepreneur son of a sugar industrialist), who started a factory in Saratov.

John Froelich of the United States did the same to found the Mariupol Gasoline Engine Company, in the city of Mariupol of the Ekaterinoslav Governorate.

Riga's national industrialists founded the Riga Motor Company, in the growing industrial center of railways.

*******

Several of the industrial factors that began to appear in Russia in the 1870s showed its rapid industrialization, but abroad there was still considerable doubt about how powerful Russia really was at that time.

In part it could be understood that Russia was industrializing faster than foreign nations in Europe because it was relatively late, therefore its industry "grew more" due to the lack of previous industry. Or so many economists thought at the time.

Others thought that Russia was still wounded by the defeat in the Crimean War, and that at the moment it did not have a "strong" army because it had only fought against the 'barbarian peoples' of Central Asia.

The Russian Empire had not shown muscle and remained an exporter mainly of raw materials (coal, oil, metals, agricultural products, etc). Without looking at the growing non-primary sectors of Russia: the automotive industry, the electrical industry, the chemical industry, etc.

*******

Russian authors of the time and later considered that Russia was ignored by the anti-Russian sentiment of the time (not exactly prevailing, but that existed among some elites or groups) in countries of Western Europe, North America or in some nations (as the Poles).

Russia was still considered barbarian, with little "cultural or economic achievements" to show off (supposedly). With a (supposedly) underdeveloped material culture.

Partly because it was still considered to be an extremely barbarous country, rooted in ancient values (the autocracy). Against the liberal or democratic values preached in some places of the time.

On August 26, 1876, Pavel Annenkov (literary critic and literary historian) wrote to Ivan Turgenev (writer, poet, essayist, translator, and playwright):

"You cannot be a liberal person in Europe without being an enemy of Russia. Liberalism and goodwill towards the Slavs are incompatible concepts. As long as it is - Russia, even crusading for civilization and universal peace - it will receive nothing else in return, except merde. "

Perhaps Annenkov also had a pessimistic point of view.

There were other factors why they did not lend to Russia at that time, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and France had their problems, while the United Kingdom and Germany fixed their eyes on other issues.

Leaving only neutral or isolationist powers that had little to say about Russia.

The Ottoman Empire and the British Empire for example believed that the Ottomans could, at the very least, put up an efficient resistance against Russia, containing it in the straits of the Black Sea-Mediterranean.

So it is obvious that Russia first had to show more muscle before being more taken into account in the European situation of the mid-19th century.

Muscles overshadowed by the seemingly remarkable European neutral policy that Alexander III's Russia had maintained for a decade of reign.

*******

[Railways: State of the Transcaucasus]

Emperor Alexander III jointly visits with Minister of Railways Pavel Petrovich Melnikov and Deputy Minister Alexei Pavlovich Bobrinsky the regions of Russian Azerbaijan.

In the city of Baku, at the beginning of the following month (July) the last parts of the South Transcaucasus Railway would be placed, ending the Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan railway project (for the North Transcaucasus Railway there would still be a few more months).

"I must admit that I am proud, the project was completed in just over 4 years." Deputy Minister Bobrinsky mentions excited.

"Well, it is a much smaller project than the Trans-Siberian one, but it still presented its problems." Minister Melnikov responds more realistically.

"Regardless, this will be beneficial to the Empire." Emperor Alexander III exclaims.

At least with the western parts of the South Transcaucasus Railroad, the mobilization of troops into the territory adjacent to the Ottoman Empire would become much simpler and more efficient.

The military commissions for the mobilization of troops, following in the footsteps of the commission led by Sergei Witte, carried out various tests to verify the optimal functioning of Russian logistics in the region.

*******

[Dynasty]

Emperor Alexander III holds his daughter in his arms. "Haha! How pretty you are." The emperor begins to pamper Grand Duke Xenia, born on April 6.

Empress Maria Feodorovna on the other hand was playing with the young Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (second son of the couple).

The most distant was Tsesarevich Nicholas, more focused on reading a book.

*******

[Jubilee]

Alexander Yegorovich Timashev entered the office of Tsar Alexander III, who was jotting down some ideas between pages and pages of text.

"Next year, my reign will be 10 years old." Emperor Alexander III begins his conversation with the Minister of the Interior.

"Yes, time passes quickly. Is there something we should do by that date, Your Highness?" Minister Timashev inquires.

"Affirmative. I have planned a meeting of the State Council and Okhrana directive, accompanied by a delegate from each provincial Zemstvo and the provincial governors or delegates from each province, 2 delegates from the Grand Duchy of Finland, 2 from the Kingdom of Poland, 1 delegate from Alyáska and another from Novaya Gvineya. " Emperor Alexander III responds.

"... For what exactly?" Minister Timashev asks surprised, so many people suppose more than 60 people gathered by the Tsar for a meeting, without a doubt, extraordinary.

"It is a purely consultative meeting. We will discuss everything that the Russian Empire has advanced in this decade of reign, budget, future projects, policies, etc." Tsar Alexander III responds. "I'm wondering whether to invite some authorities outside of the Orthodox church, or that is too much ..."

"The meeting sounds like an exceptional emperor idea, but I think that bringing in Jews, Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims, Buddhists and pagans is a recipe for disaster." Minister Timashev responds by adapting quickly to the proposal of the great meeting.

"You're right maybe it's too soon." The emperor responds. "Anyway, we have to start notifying and planning the meeting, we need a lot of reports."

*******

The 27-28 year old man and his teacher were surprised by the visit of Emperor Alexander III to his jewelry, the young man was Peter Karl Gustavovich Fabergé, and his teacher Hiskias Pendin.

The title of apprentice should not mislead, Peter Karl Fabergé was a Baltic German who already has his own company inherited from his father, another jeweler of French origins.

"It's a pleasure to have you here." Master Pendin mentions.

"Thanks a lot." The emperor responds. "You see, although Easter has already passed, I have a particular request for the following year, a gift for my wife." Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov proceeds to explain his request, at the time a secret.

"... Interesting. We will get to work designing the order." Master Pendin responds.

"This is a great project, right. Working for the emperor and empress." Fabergé mentions.

"Of course. Failure would mean a great loss of reputation among the royal families of Europe." Master Pendin mentions. "Never rest on your laurels no matter how simple or small the work seems."

"Understood".

*******

[Sports culture]

Four other teams are chosen to be part of the Second Russian Soccer League.

* Grozny: The first team from the Caucasus (more specifically north) to join the Russian Soccer League, also the first predominantly Muslim team. Supported by local nobles from the Chechen regions.

* Erivan: The second team from the Caucasus (south) to enter the league, a team made up predominantly of Armenians and supported by local industrialists.

* Vladivostok: The Siberian team enters for another attempt in the Russian Soccer League.

* Moscow: The Moscow team also returns for a second attempt.

*******

[Sakhalin and the Kuril]

It was May when the Empire of Japan sent a delegation to Saint Petersburg again, there were two main reasons: The first, to continue paying the Japanese economic debt with Russia (the antepenultimate payment) and to discuss the territorial division of Sakhalin and the Kuril.

* [Japanese perspective.]

With the migratory exchange that occurred in those years between Japan and Russia (the Ainu leaving for Russian territory because the ethnic Japanese began to colonize the Hokkaido region), there were certain problems in the Empire of Japan led by the Meiji Emperor.

Japanese colonization focused on the agriculture and resources of Hokkaido, but made economic activities and population growth more difficult in the southern region of Sakhalin (the Japanese region).

Southern Sakhalin was used mainly by the fishing industry, but never a clear and centralized settlement policy that developed the area.

The Russians on the other had established various settlements, developed a timber industry, oil and mineral industry, etc. Having settled the Ainu, other natives and settlers to form railroads, town-towns and military stations.

A presence that was worrying or threatening to the Japanese government.

The Japanese vice admiral and ambassador to Russia, Enomoto Takeaki (Takeaki Enomoto according to Western considerations) was put in charge of the task of a possible negotiation to re-define the Russian-Japanese borders.

The Empire of Japan proposed the Russian lease or total takeover of the island of Sakhalin, while on the other hand the Russians would cede their part of the Kuril Islands to Japan.

There was no talk about the Tsushima islets.

Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Gorchakov denied further territorial changes to the Russian-Japanese border.

With the failed Japanese diplomatic offers, Enomoto Takeaki returned to Japan reporting the failure of the proposal for a new border change.

Despite the diplomatic ruling, Vice Admiral Enomoto Takeaki became a symbol of reconciliation between supporters of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the new Meiji court.

But there was something that woke up in the Japanese diplomatic factions, on the one hand there was the anti-Russian stance, but Enomoto Takeaki and other members of the diplomatic service considered that with how strong Russia was, it was a very useful potential ally for the Empire of Japan. (if the rough edges of that relationship were smoothed out).

Russia had developed northern Sakhalin, which was a possibility for closer bilateral ties with Japan.

Russia had a land border with China and Korea.

A growing navy in the Pacific, an army adapted to Western-European models.

And Russia was a growing trough of bread to the world, a transcontinental empire brimming with resources.

But either way, the conciliatory or pro-Russian faction was still very young and small at the time of its creation.

*******

*[Russian perspective]

The Japanese interest in a change of borders, although it did not mention the possession of Tsushima, was a signal for Tsar Alexander III. Although considerable development had already begun in the Russian Kurils and the northern part of Sakhalin under his reign, there was still much to do.

A Russian envoy in Yokohama set out to contact some of the British in the region, meeting the British-Australian salesman Samuel Cocking (married to the Japanese Miyata Riki).

"So what are you looking for? We come from curiosities, art and antiques, chemicals, drugs, scientific and laboratory equipment." Samuel Cocking mentions the strange visitor to his store.

"We are interested in someone who can build a greenhouse." The Russian responds disinterestedly at Cocking's offers.

"A greenhouse? Sounds interesting, there are some Englishmen who have been building some on the home islands, maybe I can help." Samuel Cocking mentions.

Now the Anglo-Australian did have the interest of the Russian.

In the agricultural development of Sakhalin, Samuel Cocking and some other Englishmen played a vital role in the formation of the first greenhouses in the region. Innovating about how to deal with the climatic peculiarities of the island.

Samuel Cocking's greenhouses soon began to produce some new agricultural elements for the population's consumption and export, mainly strawberries in their early years.

Supporting the continued economic development of the region.

Samuel Cocking, with the experience gained in Sakhalin, would build the first Enoshima greenhouse in 1880.

*******

[International]

The Second Mexican Empire, led by Emperor Maximiliano I and Minister-President Porfirio Diaz, finally managed to establish more cordial relations with the Central American states to the south of Mexico (using Guatemala as a connection, since they were the only one of these countries to recognize to the second empire).

With the southern front more secure, Porfirio Diaz and the emperor have managed to establish more friendly relations, and what is better (in the opinion of the Minister-President), better trade towards the Central and South American zone. Especially connections with the European colonies of the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela and the Empire of Brazil.

The Alphonsist forces of southern Navarre are forced to flee after the capture of Madrid by the Carlist forces. Fortunately the Kingdom of Spain of Alfonso XII still survives in most of the south, center and west of the country, while the Carlists only have parts of the northeast.

Between 1 and 7 May, recovered after the shock of a possible German intervention, the forces of Napoleon IV and Henry V resume their fights.

In the 7 of May, the SS Schiller wrecks in the Isles of Scilly, taking 335 lives.