One-Eyed Parrot (4)

When I first voiced my opinions.

That is, in autumn of '91, just before enlisting, when no one would listen to me, I had this thought.

'Does the empire really need to become rapidly stronger to survive?'

The various events that transformed the Russian Empire into the Soviet Union were all easily twistable.

For example, as Finance Minister Witte said, abandoning the Far East that's of no help to the current empire.

The decisive event that brought down the empire, the Great War?

By refusing to renew the alliance with France at the right time and just settling debt relations, the possibility of war with Germany would significantly decrease.

Not surviving because the empire is strong, but becoming strong by surviving.

It could become a bit weaker. Perhaps the empire would become less great.

And as always, it would barely maintain its rank at the edge of great powers.

But it wouldn't collapse. That much I could guarantee.

This country that even Napoleon gave up fighting. Unless external and internal enemies strike simultaneously, it's not easy to fall.

I'd often had this thought whenever I felt frustrated with hands and feet tightly bound after enlisting.

And I realized this thinking was messed up last year, when I felt the impact of history I didn't know.

[Endlessly Growing United States, Market Collapses!]

The directly translated content from foreign newspapers was full of things I didn't know, with descriptions slightly different from the America I knew.

"Paper currency trust falls so everyone seeks gold bullion, real estate completely crashes, and simultaneously stock market collapses, they say."

As aftermath, leftist support soars, populism runs rampant, and all industries - railways, shipping, banking - are collapsing.

"Hmm..."

These series of events probably happened in the original history and should be considered unaffected by me.

Yet the reason I was shocked was just one thing.

"...I don't know much about other countries' histories except Russia. Just vague knowledge."

Common sense usually recalls the 1929 Great Depression for American panic, never thinking there would be a panic in 1893.

About the 1893 world economy, all I knew was the brief record that 'America's economy was difficult,' not knowing any detailed circumstances.

Not just America. I'm not an archive with all people, history, events stored in my head, and only know Russia a bit better.

If asked which specific event brought down the current Russian Empire, those who know history would all say the 1914 Great War.

But what about the famine and epidemics before that? Revolutionary attempts and terrorism? The gap with other countries that widened during Nicholas's reign and people's anger accumulated long ago? The inevitable war with Japan?

I'm not a revolutionary waiting for capitalism's demise but the Crown Prince, apex of the ruling class living in current reality.

If I stay still doing nothing like this, I'll just be swept away by history's flow.

'Even crushing all problems with power like Father has limits.'

I still don't understand at all why this year's American panic was caused by the failed Buenos Aires coup.

Though I prided myself on knowing the future, it seems that's not the key to all problems.

That is, even I don't know when and by what external event Russia will fall. Or I can't ignore history twisting from my non-intervention.

In the end, becoming strong. Only by becoming strong enough to not be shaken by any external changes can this country survive.

In that sense.

"Isn't the sky amazing today?"

"Yes."

"When I saw it a few years ago, the Far Eastern sky was clearer and prettier, don't you want to see it?"

"Please stop. I have no intention of leaving the military."

"No, who said leave? I said go to the Far East."

Today too, I had to keep pestering our Roman Major Gen- no, Colonel Roman.

'94. Though a year and half had passed since meeting Roman, he hadn't fallen for even the Crown Prince's temptation.

"This damn principled bastard..."

"Pardon? What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Also, that I'm still facing Roman today means...

Yes. I'm still in the military!

In the world even Korean military uses about 2 years of one's youth before sending them home, but I've been buried in the military for 3 years already.

Clearly when Father sent me to Vilna, I thought he'd call me back to St. Petersburg in half a year.

Even until my twenty-sixth birthday passed, Father didn't pull me from the military.

Though unlike before, days spent in the unit aren't even half, but still belonging to military. Freedom doesn't exist.

"Why? A Crown Prince serving 3 years in military is unheard of? Copying British Navy? But even that's just superficial paper experience?"

"Your Highness, if you hadn't written that strange contribution, you would've returned to the capital long ago."

"What, Crown Prince has no freedom of speech?"

The contribution that spread to newspapers wasn't even content denouncing or criticizing anyone.

"Just suggesting Far East development as solution to the land reform compensation distribution problem..."

"That's how you created battlefields across Russia. Landowners and peasants, nobles and workers, immigrants and Russians. Even colonial development issues. Didn't you divide everyone?"

Uh... Was it something everyone needed to divide and fight over? Anyway, isn't it good that everyone became interested in the Far East at least once?

"And haven't I said repeatedly. The Far East should either be abandoned completely or taken decisively. That place is a mix of gold mines and minefields."

"Such words! Sigh, those radical statements are why you're still in Vilna."

Radical? Well. Can this be called radical? Saying we must choose either quick cutting of losses or definite investment.

"Why won't anyone listen to me."

Today too, I visited the firm-minded Roman to sprinkle a handful of Far Eastern fantasies, but returned only hearing harsh words.

Still, that he gives harsh words itself means he has affection for me, so I'll take it positively.

Returning to my private quarters, various translated newspapers lay on the table.

As every day without fail, while reading just titles and skimming content, one newspaper catches my eye.

[Qing and Japan Engage in Armed Conflict]

Though not thoroughly knowing all history, Korean history is practically common sense.

Donghak Peasant Movement.

Treaty of Tianjin.

Occupation of Gyeongbokgung Palace and outbreak of Sino-Japanese War.

Though not news to greatly stir society except in that neighborhood, our empire was paying attention to this incident even because of the iron silk road, the Trans-Siberian Railway.

And that this place is getting attention means.

"Imperial Household official. Here to escort Your Highness."

It means it's time for me to return to St. Petersburg.

==

"Father."

"...You've come."

A face more gaunt than before. The man who went hunting with family every year now seems uncomfortable moving alone.

"You've lost weight."

"Nephritis. Dr. Leiden tells me to rest."

The medicine of this era cannot treat Father's broken back and damaged organs.

Knowing that fact better than anyone, I just spoke empty words endlessly.

"It must be nothing. We should go hunting together next year too."

I felt guilty, unable to even complain why I was buried in the military for 3 years, seeing his condition.

Because the man before me is truly my biological father. Because I know well his coming death would be for saving his children in a train accident.

"Nicky."

"...Yes, Father."

"I was Tsar of absolute power. None dared challenge my power."

"I know."

With the Okhrana created upon ascension crushing all opposition, receiving military loyalty and nobles' full support, who would dare look down on the Tsar's authority.

"Nevertheless, this position I felt. It's one where you must neither make mistakes nor be wrong. Meaning you cannot act like when you were Tsesarevich."

"..."

Though the words seemed to scold my rash actions, Father's eyes weren't those of someone admonishing.

"You must have heard the Far Eastern news too. War has broken out. An era has come where the empire must protect that land at the continent's end before the Trans-Siberian Railway completion."

Japan's first imperialistic move. Even Britain abrogated all unequal treaties with Japan this year, showing their growing influence in the Far East.

Russia, with territory nearby, felt this palpably.

Conversation mixed with labored breathing and coughing. So I tried my best not to respond.

"My son, Nicky."

"Yes."

"Must a Tsar be perfect."

Even at this moment, pain permeated every word of Father's.

"You are not yet Tsar."

So it was all the more solemn and warm.

"Go to the Far East. While I'm alive."

"...The current war isn't Russia's war. And what do you mean while alive? You'll get up soon, so don't say such things."

War between Qing and Japan. Though Korea is caught between, our empire's relationship with Korea is just at the level of diplomatic relations.

"You want to go, don't you."

"I'm not that thoughtless anymore. I've changed much in the military."

"This is your last chance where failure is allowed. Go, and do what you wish to do in my name."

Why. Until now you silenced me more than anyone at the mere mention, so why now suddenly.

"...This is the last I can do as father, not Tsar."

"..."

In Father's faint smile, I found that answer.

His body is already dying, and he knows this fact better than anyone.

'The man most devoted to family in the Romanov dynasty.'

Not just that single historical record, but truly feeling as a son, those emotions are indescribable.

"...Thank you."

All I could do was bow my head in gratitude for this one-sided devotion.

==

Leaving Father's bedroom, a group of Imperial Household officials waited for me in Peterhof Palace's main building first floor.

"By His Majesty the Tsar's command, we are those who will assist Your Highness the Crown Prince henceforth."

"The Imperial Household Ministry."

The Emperor's hands and feet. Vice-ministers. Though only some were dispatched, just that meant I had essentially inherited part of the Tsar's power beyond Crown Prince.

"Not just the Imperial Household Ministry."

Turning at the familiar voice, there was a face I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Minister Witte."

"Yes."

"What exactly is the extent of authority given to me?"

"Full authority regarding the Far East."

Full authority, they say. Meaning no one can hold me accountable for my actions.

This is no longer the Crown Prince's eccentricity but the Tsar's imperial command.

"Officials have many concerns. There's much talk about Your Highness being away while the Tsar is resting."

"What about you? Still think that Far East is a land overflowing with peace?"

Everyone here must know. That the Tsar's health is severely deteriorating, and thus my position has changed.

If Minister Witte opposes until the end, I might have to give up persuading.

Though his reforms were great, they were insufficient to save the empire.

"I... still don't know. How the aftermath of this war will be. Whether Japan will really clash with Russia in the future."

He still seemed to have no confidence at all.

"But I know one thing. As Your Highness said three years ago, the situation beyond Siberia is different from then. Korea, Qing, Japan. And our empire too. Everything is changing. I now think we can put some strength into the Far East once."

"Good, that's enough."

I don't think everyone here gathered because they agree with my intentions or trust me.

Just need to think that now someone will listen when I speak out and I have hands and feet I can freely wield.

I don't know how much time Father has given me. More precisely, don't know how long he can endure.

'He's grown gaunt even from just three months ago.'

Isn't that why he gave me even the Imperial Household Ministry like this.

First, before heading to the Far East like this.

"The Imperial Household manages orders too?"

"Yes."

"Prepare just one order."

"Which one should it be?"

"Since he's a colonel... Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class. Reason: commendation for merit in basic military training reform."

"Understood."

Must take care of those who need taking care of.