Chapter 24

-- Pov Mc

It was the beginning of February, and winter was nearly at its end, the climate already showed signs of warming, I've been in this land for almost ten years, and I've grown accustomed to the winter. 

In my grand office at the Kremlin, a beautiful melody permeated the air, emanating from a magnificent grand piano that I was playing, It was crafted from mahogany with gold details and ivory keys, a creation I had commissioned from instrument makers who came from Switzerland. 

In this life, I want to learn everything I can and seize all possible opportunities, and by my side was my music tutor, my first acquisition of talents and the easiest to recruit, as he was Polish and a citizen of the Kingdom of Poland within the Russian Empire. the later famous composer, Frederic Chopin.

When I finished playing the piano, my teacher applauded and said, ' [Clap!] [Clap!] Bravo, bravo, my prince! You have great artistic talent, If our lessons were longer and more consistent, I am sure you could become a great musician.'

'I am content with my current level on the piano, professor. I do not have the goal of becoming a musician, after all in a few more years, I will begin my military career at the Royal Academy in Tula. 

You can now focus on your personal projects, I heard that your performances at the Bolshoi Theatre are becoming increasingly popular among the nobility in Moscow and soon, you may be invited to perform for the Tsar in St. Petersburg,' I said.

Chopin began to say: 'As you wish, my prince, I am immensely grateful for your support of the arts, I am confident that the country will become a cultural reference for the whole of Europe under your leadership. [knock] [knock].' Gentle knocks on the door interrupted his speech. 

I instructed the person to enter, and it was Natasha carrying some folders and papers, It seemed that my break had come to an end, and it was time to review the monthly reports.

I stood up, gestured for Natasha to take a seat at the office desk, bid farewell to my music teacher, and he left the room. I then approached the desk, ready to review the entire report that had been brought to me.

'Tell me first about the central bank. It's been six months since the start of the project, how is the implementation progressing?' I asked.

'As the building was already completed, and most of the staff was hired, the implementation went smoothly. The bank has been operating without issues for two months now. 

And the financial district surrounding the heart of Moscow that you reserved is thriving, we are ready to initiate the second phase of the financial system,' Natasha began her report.

'Regarding the heart of Moscow, how is the project progressing?' I inquired.

'The project is halfway completed my prince, the area has been entirely marked out, a large park surrounds the Kremlin, encompassing the expanded and paved Red Square, the Basilica, and the Bolshoi Theatre.

 Construction of the grand museum you planned is underway in this park area, and the space for a large zoo has been demarcated, which will commence in a few more years. We need to finalize the canal that will separate this vast area from the rest of the city, and the canal is expected to be completed in another two years. 

On the other side of the river, construction has already begun on the other canal to mirror the size of this side, the university has been fully completed, but a large area around it has been reserved for future expansions, and there will be two large islands separated from the city by the canals, my prince.

In the southern part, the university and the future zoo are located, as it's an area of the city that is newly being constructed, many of the great nobles are purchasing land nearby for their mansions, they have started applying for licenses from the municipality to adhere to the city's aesthetic standards. 

In the northern part, the new financial district of the city is concentrated, along with the old residents, and the bridges are almost all completed and progressing without issues, It's easier to build them when the canal is not flooded. 

The paving and constructing plumbing over the wide roads are now the norm, and the city will only expand if these standards are followed, and the city's growth is stable at 2%, but as the popular buildings are delivered, there are growth spikes. 

The horse-drawn trams connecting the popular neighborhoods to the factories have all been completed, and what remains is the integration with the lines in the city center around the heart of Moscow.'

Natasha's explanation was concise and detailed. 'Great, great, don't forget to promote the support of the masses, we don't want the divide to be too exaggerated, it should remain at a healthy level. 

Make them focus on the disputes between the bourgeoisie and the nobles over who has the best residence or the best location, the masses love gossip. 

Now, let's talk about my constructions. How is the expansion of the Kremlin going?' I continued after her report.

'The expansion of the Old Fortress is proceeding smoothly. The project is under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Bové, an oldman challenging to work with, but his talent is undeniable, he manages to keep the team of Italian and Swiss builders in check, as was arranged. 

The Savior's Tower is being expanded and enlarged, in a few more years, it will be a grand clock overlooking the square and the basilica. As for the Grand Palace, it will be the most time-consuming construction. The projection is that all the works in the heart of Moscow will be completed in five years, by the year 1831,' Natasha reported.

'As for the talents I've acquired, how is their progress?' I asked, shifting the focus from the reports on construction and infrastructure progress.

'The Mendel family has settled with your support without any issues, and the youngest boy, Johann, has proven to be a prodigy, as anticipated, a long term investment, but I am confident it will yield great results when he grows up, my prince. 

Mr. Nobel has been teaching engineering at Moscow University for a few years now, his influence in academic circles is significant, and he is highly respected. 

He has reported that his research on the use of natural gas, as you suggested, is showing excellent results, In a few months, he will present prototypes, as you requested, for heaters and street lamps for the city,' reported Natasha.

'Tell him to focus initially on the heaters, improving the quality of life for the people is our priority. Better quality means more population, more population means more market, and more strength. 

And regarding the census my father ordered at the beginning of his reign, what is the progress?' I interrupted.

She nodded as she wrote down my order to pass on to Nobel and went on to say. 'The nationwide census is expected to be completed in two years, given the vast territorial expanse of the country and the state of infrastructure. However, the one for the city of Moscow is already finished, and at the current growth rate, it will reach 1 million inhabitants in three years.'

'Great, let's maintain the growth at 1 million, my investments in Moscow's infrastructure and current means of transportation won't support a city larger than that. 

When the time comes, we'll concentrate our investments in another of the major cities I've earmarked, and the transportation systems need to make a technological and qualitative leap before we can consider planning a city larger than 1 million without it turning into a true infernal chaos. 

And Mendeleev, how is his progress?' I asked.

I'm keeping an eye on the next invention in the technological tree, If well utilized and maximized with trains, it could build a city of 10 million before the advent and popularization of automobiles. 

Currently, only Paris and London boasted a population exceeding 1 million, but at what cost? A hellish traffic of carts and carriages and an unbearable stench of horse and human waste were common throughout the cities, also leading to high mortality rates and strangling the country's growth.

'Mr. Mendeleev has become a prominent figure in the city, with the growing popularity of his beverage, his company, with our support, has yielded significant profits. 

He is famous among both the masses and the circle of industrialists, and he has gained more popularity with the increasing production of factories for chemical products, which are becoming increasingly essential for the manufacturing and maximization of almost any material nowadays. 

His influence also extends to the intellectual class, as he has been teaching Chemistry at Moscow University for several years, and he reported that his research would be ready by the end of the year, and he will present his thesis to the community on the branches of chemistry, including what he is calling organic chemistry. 

However, the rivalry with Nobel has become more evident among the academics. 

With yours creation of a grand award and an annual event, competitions have escalated to another level,' reported Natasha.

'Competition is healthy, it encourages growth, however, ensure that the competition remains solely within academic realms, and invest a bit more in the regulatory standards of the award, we don't want any blemish on our recent reputation. 

The cash prize and prestige will attract many people, and we need to distinguish the fraudsters from the true talents. 

And as for external progress, how are the three cities doing?' I asked.

'Udograd has had the slowest growth, it's challenging to attract settlers to the other side of Siberia without a significant promise. 

However, the military fortress is almost complete, and with the East Company stationed in the city, the population consists mainly of the families of soldiers. 

But with the recent deal closed with Brazil, it's only a matter of time until the explorers return, and we initiate the Jewel of the East project. And the next step will be the construction of ports and a chemical industrial plant from Mendeleev Industries in the city.

Vladikaspiy has grown well, financed by the cotton barons of the Caucasus, the ports have already been completed, and products are being transported up the Volga regularly. 

However, the city will only shine with the completion of the Volga Canal, allowing more efficient global trade, but It has been the city that has grown the most and is generating the most profits for the empire.

Volgograd has the most potential, and with direct support from the Tsar himself, it has been attracting more migrants, so much so that the canal completion estimate has been reduced to 1830.

But only with the completion of the canal will the city show its predicted glory,' reported Natasha.

'The reports are quite concise, Natasha, continue with the good work and oversee everything, If there are any significant changes in the projects, let me know immediately. Is that all for today, or do you have any other reports?' I praised and asked in the final.

'The reports are finished, my prince, but I have a letter for you from the Empress,' Natasha interrupted.

'A letter from my mother. What does it say in the letter?' I asked.

'In summary, she informs you that she is pregnant again and won't be able to make travel visits this spring, she mentions that the company of your sisters is good and pleasant, that she has a new special guest at the court who brightens her days. 

However, she expresses that she misses, in her words, her little bear, and she suggests you visit her in St. Petersburg, or she'll personally come here and drag you there by the ear,' Natasha said with a mischievous smile, chuckling at my predicament.

I hastily take the letter from Natasha's hand, a slight blush on my cheek from embarrassment, I feel quite exposed as she reads it aloud, making a mental note not to let her read my correspondences, however, knowing this little devil, that might be impossible.

 I sigh as I read my mother's letter, It seems she is serious about coming here and dragging me by the ear, I truly despise traveling in this era, riding in carriages or on horseback can be elegant, but it's nothing short of boring and uncomfortable. 

Yet, it appears I underestimated the power a mother holds over her only male son, they have a special ability to make you feel like garbage if you don't do exactly what they ask.

' [Phew], [phew], It looks like I'll have to go, schedule my trip for the middle of spring and begin the plans and preparations for the second phase of the economic project,' I say concluding the meeting.