Proposal

'An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.'

~ Benjamin Franklin

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"Mr. Mendeleev. You're an intelligent man... You have probably realized it by now that I haven't come here just to have a talk with you.

No, I have come here with a proposal for you. I believe this proposal will be an important step in improving your and all of Russia's lives."

At that moment, Mendeleev raised an eyebrow but inside, he was so curious he couldn't wait for the Crown Prince to continue his words.

"I am here to offer you an opportunity. A job if one might dare to call it so...

You see, Mendeleev, I have a vision for Russia. I don't want Russia to be called the backwater of Europe anymore. I want Russia to be at the forefront of science and technology. Not just in Europe, but the whole world. I want a Russia in which there is no poverty, there is no famine. A Russia in which no one dies without a motive. A Russia in which a Noble cannot just kill you without repercussions. A Russia which everyone respects and fears...

A Russia of Prosperity, of Joy.

That is my Russia, Mendeleev.

And I believe, to achieve all that, the most important is science and technology. It will be our inventors who will bring us to that future that I so dream of..."

Nicholas paused for a minute to let everything he said sink into Mendeleev's mind and soul.

...

But Nicholas wouldn't tell Mendeleev the rest of the thoughts in his mind. Mostly because Mendeleev couldn't understand them.

In his last life, Nicholas came from a time when the meaning of the word family had almost disappeared.

The values of honor, glory, sacrifice were extinct.

A time in which Plautus' words "HOMO HOMINI LUPUS" which means "Man is a wolf to man" was the standing principle of society.

A reality in which Europe had become a puppet to the USA. And even worse, the populace had accepted it.

He wanted to change that. Europe, the once great continent didn't deserve to become a toy for USA to play with, a place from whom USA would steal resources or dump industrial goods.

He had promised to himself exactly that.

...

At this moment, Mendeleev started trembling. Yes, trembling. Not out of fear or any other of those trivial feelings... but out of elation.

Elation in the fact that there was finally a Crown Prince, a Tsar who actually cared for the people and understood how a country could advance and how the times have changed.

He was so excited and shaken to his very core. Everything Nicholas said aligned with his vision for Russia's advancement.

Mendeleev had never taken any sides into politics before. He limited himself to only criticizing various policies he deemed flawed or inaccurate.

But this time, to him, Nicholas felt like the Savior of Russia. So he resolutely said:

"Your Highness, tell me what I must do."

Nicholas grinned and continued.

"Mendeleev, I want to create a grand inventor/scientist association.

I want to provide the best scientists of Russia with the best wages, the best ambients and the best laboratories the Russian Empire can provide.

But I need your help. I need your help to rally our brightest minds and organize them together. I want you to be the director/manager of this Association while I will be the president."

Mendeleev's pupils widened and he directly bowed before him and vehemently said "Your Highness, your wish is my command. I accept your order enthusiastically and will give my best to realize your vision for Russia.

Your Highness is very wise and I will always be by your side from now on"

"On your feet, Mendeleev. Me and you will revolutionize Russia's technology and daily life together. Your first duty is to start rallying up the scientists.

Our project will start by next year. I still need to find a way to get permission from my father and I need more funds.

I almost forgot, you should begin searching for a building which you deem appropriate for what we want to do here in St.Petersburg. Right now, my funds total 200.000 Rubles but I will scrap for more especially for next year.

We must be at the forefront of innovation and I will not hesitate to invest millions of Rubles into our scientists."

Mendeleev's eyes widened and he had a surprised expression on his face. You should take under consideration that the average wage of an industrial worker of the time in Russia was 200-400 Rubles while skilled professionals like doctors, engineers or scientists it was close to 1000 Rubles.

Senior government officials' wage was only around 2000 Rubles.

So yes, for Mendeleev, 200.000 Rubles were a pretty hefty sum.

"Don't look at me like that, Mendeleev. I vision having thousands of scientists working for us, even though now we can only afford up to the hundreds. I have great plans for the association and even for you.

I will tell you some other day....

Well, I think it's almost time for me to leave isn't it? I will contact you when the funds are ready and the time is right. At the moment, begin laying the foundation.

Farewell, Director Mendeleev" winked Nicholas and left with a smile on his face.

Mendeleev was just left there, staring at the door through which Nicholas left.

After 5 whole minutes, he woke up from his daydreaming and started laughing like crazy... "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

This was so unlike him but what he just heard something he never thought he would be able to hear during his lifetime.

On the other side of the door, Nicholas sighed and left the building.

After that, he got into his sleigh and turned at the magnificent Winter Palace.

He spent the rest of the day just lazing around since he genuinely had nothing to do and getting updates on the preparation of his grand New Year's banquet.