LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 77
* * *
They’ve already created something like this?
Isn’t it a bit too futuristic for people of this era?
For a moment, I thought this person might be from the future like me, but I figured it was probably just my lack of knowledge, and cautiously approached Tsiolkovsky.
“Did you create all of this?”
If this is true, it would be incredible!
“I don’t have a good ear. But I absolutely want to explore rocket research! Just once with my remaining life!”
You can’t hear well?
I see. No wonder he’s only saying what he wants.
But if this is true, it’s trustable.
If this Tsiolkovsky is truly working with Goddard, what amazing things might come out of it?
My heart was racing.
Could this be the history I’m about to create?
I personally showed Goddard the documents filled with theories of space travel.
“Goddard, what do you think?”
Goddard’s eyes sparkled as he received Tsiolkovsky’s theories from me.
Then he glanced at Tsiolkovsky.
He looked at him like something truly rare and fascinating.
I’m just a Tsar, so this is all I can do.
I should have learned a bit more about space-related theories.
Regardless of how much I studied out of boredom in the library, what’s the point of learning about space if I can’t even go there?
Even if I learned it, it would just be information about space, nothing more.
I would just offer money and say, “Do it.”
So, Goddard, can you do this?
“This seems to have potential. It won’t be possible in our lifetime, but if this rocket progresses…”
Then it would be good to give it a try.
I never dreamed there would be such a person in Russia.
There is still so much knowledge I don’t know.
After all, just being stuck in the library doesn’t mean I can learn everything.
He must be a historical figure that I am unaware of.
It’s a bit ambiguous to see him as someone reincarnated like me. In that case, he might just be a genius in this world.
“Please give me some paper and pen.”
If this person is genuine, it might be worth believing.
So, I decided to recruit someone who might accelerate Russia’s space field.
Because this world’s Russia must stand proud as a good Russia.
I wrote down words to convey to Tsiolkovsky on the paper given by Baron Beria and handed it to him.
[Every talented individual in our Russia is precious. If you can truly produce results in rocket technology, I will grant you permission.]
I want to believe he will definitely succeed.
If we manage rocket technology properly, could we not crush Germany in war?
As long as we don’t resort to using nuclear weapons, that would be good.
“I will surely make it happen!”
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. And Robert Goddard.
I wonder what this combination will achieve.
“Could this be a waste of budget?”
On the way back, Minister of Finance Mikhail Vladimirovich Vernadsky spoke uneasily.
Well, from that angle, it certainly looks like a waste of budget.
“It seems possible, but I’m not sure if His Majesty should invest directly.”
Other ministers also didn’t respond positively.
Sure, it might seem that way right now.
But that’s why it’s worth investing.
For someone in this era to present such a space theory is quite literally impossible unless they’re completely mad.
“Just by looking at this theory, you can tell that Tsiolkovsky is quite the genius, right?”
No matter how I look at it, this person appears to be extraordinary.
I may be unaware because I’m ignorant of history, but he could be a tragic historical figure hidden by others.
If I were to go back to modern times and look him up, he would undoubtedly come up.
Perhaps Soviet space technology stems from this person’s theories.
“That’s true, but…”
He still doesn’t seem satisfied.
Yeah. It might look weird from any perspective in this era.
At least until something like a rocket comes out properly.
But once it’s weaponized and yields results, the ministers will recognize it.
Moreover, I plan to draw funds from Duke Yusupov as well.
In a nutshell, it means it won’t be run solely from national budget.
“Let’s keep an eye on it. If this produces results, we will have a leading field before other countries.”
Before anyone else, we’ll have superior technology.
We might be able to launch artificial satellites decades ahead.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If other countries, like Britain and France, find out about this, it might be a problem.”
To be honest, even the US hasn’t cared, so even if England and France learn about it, I’m not sure they would follow, but still, it won’t hurt to be cautious.
“I will be careful.”
Hmm, come to think of it, I had more I wanted to try.
Since we’re here, shouldn’t we try doing a bit more?
For instance.
I always wanted to take a factory tour.
I should just say it. After all, I’m the leader of this country, am I not?
Of course, I am just a figurehead, but still.
“Hmm. Since we’re out, I’d like to check out the factory too.”
“The factory?”
I’m not saying this just because I want to have some fun.
“Have you seen the newspaper? It’s terrible, those Germans.”
Seeing those Germans in the paper, it’s all about how communism is established, but there are workers upset about communism.
What does that mean?
If you think about it conversely, there might be people wanting to rebel against the current state of the Russian Republic.
Yeah. It’s just a simple story.
Public sentiment should always be monitored. Especially since Russia is vast and wide.
Perhaps there might be some who hold discontent against me.
To figure out such individuals, I should at least do this much.
“Yes. That makes sense.”
“So, I want to see our factory as well.”
It’s just a simple reason.
It’s absolutely not just because I want to browse around.
In the first place, I’ve been holding back my desire to check things in the local areas.
“There is the Tsvetkov Gun Factory in Moscow.”
Tsvetkov factory? It’s a firearms manufacturing plant, right? Yeah, it’s time to see it. Isn’t it? Especially since it’s a weapon-producing site, there will be plenty to prepare.
We need to ensure that there are no defects to sell to China and Poland.
“Let’s go see that place, then.”
“Yes. Then I will guide you.”
Ah, wait a minute. It feels a bit bad to go just as the Tsarina.
“Oh, hold on.”
I raised my hand to stop the busy ministers.
“Yes?”
“Isn’t it better to look somewhat more inconspicuous, separate from the Tsarina visiting?”
When I go to the factory, calling myself Tsarina would be strange.
If I just go as Tsarina, they might not say anything even if they have complaints.
So, at the very least, it would be good to pretend to be an ordinary person.
For instance, it could be good to act like a reporter from America.
Doing that might allow for disgruntled people to express their discontent under a new Tsar regime called the United States.
“Is that really necessary?”
“In ancient Eastern countries, kings would roam around disguised in plain clothes to gauge the feelings of the people. It’s called a secret visit.”
The ministers tilted their heads as if to ask, what does that mean? But the idea is just to roam around somewhat similarly.
A reporter covering the realities of the United States! and Russian workers dissatisfied with their own government.
It should establish such a relationship to allow for more open communication.
“Well. I understand what you mean, but I wonder if that will be effective.”
“It would be best to go confidently. The situation is different now compared to before the Civil War.”
“Everyone will praise Your Majesty.”
The ministers seem overly worried. That makes it even more suspicious.
Honestly, does it make sense that everyone praises me?
All I’ve done is step into every recaptured city and spout some words in the Duma.
That’s the effective approach.
Would they dare voice complaints in front of the Tsar?
“Well, isn’t it better than having the Tsar appear directly?”
The ministers keep trying to dissuade me.
If something happens during this visit, they would likely say “Oh, how dare you treat Her Tsarina like that!” and beat up the factory workers.
Of course, I’m not even the owner of the factory. But it’s I who has implemented policies to make it run.
Fixing that is also something I would have to do in the future.
* * *
Sergey was a worker at the Tsvetkov Gun Factory in Moscow.
The Tsvetkov Factory produces the improved Tsvetkov automatic rifles, and Sergey got a job there after the Red-White Civil War to make a living.
The work was surprisingly simple.
Due to his young age, he just sorted or moved boxes filled with weapons, performing menial tasks.
He heard that before the Red-White Civil War, they treated workers like dogs in the factories, and there were constant protests, but Sergey knew nothing of that.
In the first place, the Russian Republic, after the Red-White Civil War, was a capitalism state with a mix of socialist policies, so thanks to labor-friendly policies, Sergey worked in a far more favorable environment than workers of the generation before the Civil War.
“Alright, alright. Let’s eat lunch and then get back to work.”
Uncle Ma, in charge of sorting ammunition, clapped his hands and led the workers.
Well, lunch is just bread, but at least the break environment was set up well, and it was nice.
However, today felt a bit strange.
The other workers at the factory were buzzing with chatter.
At that moment, the factory supervisor, who had been talking with a man in a suit, approached Sergey and the other workers during lunch and clapped his hands.
“Workers, listen up. Today, some high-ranking individuals will be inspecting the factory, so let’s not show too relaxed a demeanor.”
High-ranking individuals are inspecting the factory?
“Yes!”
Who are these high-ranking individuals?
In the past, when high-ranking individuals arrived, people would protest for bread. Nowadays, it seems they are told not to have too much fun.
Yes. But who is coming?
“Who is coming?”
Ultimately, Sergey, curious, raised his hand to ask.
“The dignitaries from the National Duma want to see if our factory is operating well. There will be reporters here too, so everyone should be honest.”
Be honest? So, I just do what I usually do?
Come to think of it, I saw an article in the paper recently about how German workers were treated like slaves by soldiers.
Of course, it’s not all good in Russia, but at least here, there are proper guarantees for breaks and freedoms.
Neighbors who were conscripted into the Red Army and returned by the White Army said that things are much better now compared to ten years ago.
Considering that, it seems the current Tsar is indeed a remarkable figure.
Perhaps these high-ranking individuals are related to the Tsar as well.
So, I should show a more diligent side of myself.
“Yes!”
Is everyone thinking the same as Sergey? They all responded energetically.
And a while later.
Ministers from the National Duma arrived to inspect the factory.
And among them was an unexpectedly graceful woman emanating the aura of a true noble.
“I am a reporter from America here to cover Russian factories. Are there any inconveniences you’ve experienced while working here?”
She directed her question toward Sergey while glancing at the ministers.
Inconveniences? Honestly, there’s not really anything.
It’s a bit of a wish to eat different kinds of bread, but that’s a bit too much to ask, and the work wasn’t particularly tiring.
But…
‘Isn’t that a familiar face?’
I’ve definitely seen that face somewhere before. Yeah. Right around the end of the Civil War a few years ago. I think it was just before I was conscripted by the Bolsheviks, while she confidently entered Moscow after its capture. The woman who jumped into the battle to end the civil war, known to the French as Russia’s Joan of Arc.
Tsarina Anastasia of the Great Russian Republic.
She is also referred to as Anastasia I, hailed as the first Tsar of the new Russia by the public.
Sergey thought he could recognize a familiar face.
Isn’t it strange for a single reporter to tag along with high-ranking officials?
Of course, there are some well-built individuals hanging out as fellow reporters, but still.
Why is the Tsarina here as a reporter now?