LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 80
* * *
The person named Tolstoy is someone even I, who am illiterate in literature, know about.
But if we’re talking about someone at the level of Tolstoy, then surely they would make a fine face for the public.
The Minister of Culture and Arts of the Russian Republic is Tolstoy’s successor!
That shuts the mouth right up.
Moreover, isn’t this something I can take the lead on?
I may not be able to make it to Harbin, but at the very least, I should be able to show that Tsar is genuinely moving for the sake of Russian art.
“Well, if that’s the case, then let’s create it. I think it won’t be bad.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If we’re talking about someone of Tolstoy’s caliber, I must meet him in person.”
At my bold declaration, the members of the Duma exchanged cautious looks and fell silent.
What on earth are these people trying to do?
“If you have something to say, then say it.”
“Well, since we’ve seen you since the Civil War, we won’t oppose Your Majesty’s personal actions, but shouldn’t you avoid going as a journalist this time?”
These people? I’m not thinking of doing that this time.
I didn’t even get caught when I went to inspect the factories; these people worry too much unnecessarily.
* * *
Ivan Bunin
He was a writer and poet during the days of the Russian Empire.
Born into a noble family in Voronezh in 1870, he began his literary journey by writing poems and prose for the newspaper “Nash Krai” while working at a newspaper office.
He published many poetry collections and novels. In 1903, he translated Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Song of Hiawatha” completely into Russian, for which he received the Pushkin Prize, and again in 1909, he was awarded the Pushkin Prize.
In 1909, he was also elected as an honorary academician in the literature department of the Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg.
In actual history, when the revolution broke out in Russia, he emigrated to France and lived without citizenship, becoming respected as Tolstoy’s successor. In 1933, he was the first Russian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
However, as an anti-communist, after World War II, the Soviet Union attempted to co-opt him, but they failed.
But this version of him was different.
As the Red-White Civil War intensified, Lenin and the Bolsheviks were trying to conscript everyone, and being of noble birth, Bunin was also in a position to be dragged in. Not wanting to fight for the Bolsheviks, he emigrated to France, hoping for a White Army victory.
While in France, he wrote poetry, reflecting the miserable reality faced by his homeland until the end of the Civil War, and his work was highly regarded even in France.
Once the Red-White Civil War solidified into a White Army victory, and the Russian Republic was established, he returned to Russia and founded the Russian Republic Writers’ Association in Moscow, becoming its president.
His poetry also served as a help to many Russians who struggled after the Civil War, and within Russia, he was already established as a great writer.
One day, someone visited the Writers’ Association.
“Are you the great writer Ivan Bunin of Russia?”
“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?”
Judging by the uniform, she was a soldier, a general even, adorned with a cross on her chest, and she was a young woman.
I had heard that there were quite a few female soldiers during the Red-White Civil War, but did someone with such an aristocratic air really take part in the war?
Filled with such questions in my mind, she began to circle around Bunin with her hands behind her back and spoke.
“Have you ever considered taking the position of Minister of Culture and Arts?”
“Minister of Culture and Arts?”
As it relates to art, poetry and novels would fall under its umbrella, so it’s relevant, but to be offered the position of Minister of Culture and Arts?
Who is this woman to propose such a thing to me?
As this question lingered, the woman began speaking.
“Much has been destroyed since the Civil War, and while Russia is changing, there are still many things lacking. Exactly, art is among them. There is a lack of creative activity and creation. Numerous artists were divided during the revolution. In the National Duma, a new Ministry of Culture and Arts is being established to revive the tilted Russian art.”
I see, I understand that, but…
Who are you to speak like this?
Are you a member of the National Duma?
Or did you perhaps achieve significant feats in the White Army?
These days, lawmakers often find out through newspapers and actively support associations.
Because of that, I know the names of some lawmakers in the National Duma, but a young woman like this…
In the end, Ivan Bunin had to ask first.
“Who exactly are you, speaking like this?”
“I’m someone who can put you in a ministerial position. It doesn’t matter if it’s just as a face for the public. Mr. Bunin can focus solely on your creative work. We will provide you with a deputy as well.”
A person who can nominate me for a ministerial position?
A young woman in a White Army general’s uniform?
In that moment, a chill ran down Ivan Bunin’s spine.
It was obvious who that person was.
So, to the woman in front of him, Ivan Bunin showed his respect as a Russian noble.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Tsarina!”
“Oh, please don’t be so formal. Such formalities have become rather uncomfortable since the Civil War.”
Anastasia waved her hand dismissively, as if it was a bother.
“How could I not show respect when meeting the Saint of All Russia and the Tsarina herself?”
“If you want to show respect, then you can come.”
If you want to show respect? Is that in regard to the ministerial position she just mentioned?
“The ministerial position?”
At Ivan Bunin’s question, Anastasia nodded.
Suddenly being told to become a minister made his head spin.
Now, of all times, what does it mean to be asked to take that position?
That’s ultimately the issue.
“I’ve heard that in Communist Germany, freedom of expression is suppressed and artists are being oppressed. In times like this, we should elevate our artists, shouldn’t we?”
“Well, that’s a good idea, but even if I’m a famous writer, being made a minister has its issues, doesn’t it?”
“It’s already been passed in the Duma. It’s not that we want you to work in the Duma specifically. Just continue your usual work. You just need to write for the development of Russian literature.”
I suppose, as a poet and novelist, what could I do anyway?
The people below are the ones who will handle the necessary tasks.
Having lived a long literary life, Ivan Bunin was quick to catch on.
What the Tsarina is saying now is that Russia is a country that reveres its artists enough to place them in ministerial positions.
If this is done, many people will flock to Russia from Communist Germany.
‘Still, I had no idea Tsarina Anastasia would be this kind of person.’
Being of noble birth, he was not ignorant of the imperial family.
Is it true that the Civil War has changed people?
“Did you personally prepare this, Your Majesty?”
“No, I am quite busy with my own matters, and it’s a bit embarrassing to admit that I didn’t know much about a great writer like you. The Minister of Executive Office mentioned it to me.”
“I see.”
As he worked in Moscow, it seems that members of the National Duma who had heard of his reputation from France evaluated him highly.
“It seems that even in the National Duma, they are well aware of your writing. They say you were famous in France as well.”
“You flatter me.”
In France, my writings became known merely out of sympathy for the miserable reality of my war-torn homeland.
I never thought that word of it would even reach the Tsarina, who ended the Civil War.
It’s rather hard to refuse in this situation.
“Then, would you accept the ministerial position?”
Anastasia smiled gently and extended her hand toward Ivan Bunin.
If you’re going to accept, you should take my hand, she seemed to say.
“Though I’m not sure my writing skills are that remarkable, I will accept if it’s for something needed in Russia.”
“Then, I look forward to working with you, Minister of Culture and Arts.”
Ivan Bunin took the young Tsarina’s hand.
* * *
After the communist revolution, artists in the German Free Socialist Republic couldn’t thrive.
Neither painters, nor poets, nor novelists. All had to create paintings and write texts glorifying communism as directed by the Party.
As the only country to successfully have a communist revolution, they had to showcase those advantages to the world, so the Party restricted artists to only engaging in communist propaganda.
Thomas Mann and Heinrich Mann were such artist brothers.
“Hey, bro. Are we going to continue living under the Communist Party?”
“Then, should we leave Germany?”
“We can’t go on like this. My novel, the fruit of my twelve years of effort, is being stifled!”
The German Communist Party suppressed artists.
No, not all artists were oppressed. If artists wrote praises for communism or content that rallied against the bourgeoisie and advocated for world revolution, the Communist Party would actually award them the Soviet Socialist Hero medal.
“So, should we go to East Prussia or Austria?”
“We’re heading to Russia.”
Suddenly, to Russia?
“I thought we were going to East Prussia.”
Heinrich Mann knew his brother supported the Kaiser’s conservatism, so he assumed they’d want to go to East Prussia. But Russia?
“No way. I will not protect the Kaiser who brought the country to this state.”
“Then why Russia?”
As he tilted his head in confusion, his younger brother handed him a newspaper.
It was a recent newspaper from Austria.
“This is a newspaper that just came out recently from Austria.”
Heinrich Mann began to read through the newspaper his brother Thomas Mann handed him.
It reported that the great writer Ivan had been appointed as the Minister of Culture and Arts in Russia.
He was the president of the Russian Republic Writers’ Association, and in Russia, a novel craze was currently taking place.
Heinrich Mann suddenly recalled the story of Ivan Bunin, a novelist who had built fame in France in a short period.
That Ivan Bunin had become the Minister of Culture and Arts in Russia.
“The great writer Ivan Bunin has become the Minister of Culture and Arts in Russia?”
“They say that many artists have died due to the Civil War, so there are special privileges for artists. It seems painters from the Königsberg Academy of Fine Arts are going as well.”
Many artists left Communist Germany for Lithuania, East Prussia, or Austria, and all that remained were artists who only listened to the Party’s orders.
However, some went to Russia as they extended favorable policies to artists unlike the oppressive Communist Germany, so they reaped some benefits too.
“But to Russia?”
Russia was an utterly unexpected option.
I never thought I would hear the name Russia from my brother, nor did I think he would be interested in it.
As options go, there’s Austria, East Prussia, and other major powers.
“I’ll ensure my book gets published right away when we go.”
Ah, that makes sense.
Just when I thought he had decisively chosen Russia for some grand reason, it was simply for getting his prepared works published.
I thought there would be something profound behind it. Tsk.
Heinrich Mann sighed deeply and shook his head.
“Ha. So it’s all about your works.”
Well, after preparing for twelve years, he must feel the pressure.
He must want to give it a shot, no matter what.
Thomas Mann sharply gazed at his brother Heinrich as he leaned over the desk, striking it with both hands.
“There’s no denying that it’s not just for that reason. But many who have gone to Lithuania or Austria have decided on Russia as well.”
“Is Russia really that wonderful?”
I’ve heard they’re gradually shaking off the pain of the Civil War and building themselves up as the heirs of Byzantium.
“We need to go soon. Before the Communist bastards escalate things to barely letting us be writers anymore.”
The German Communist Party still only allowed writers to write for the Party while restricting any other free writing activities.
If the number of artists leaving Germany continues to rise, they’ll likely stop it before it happens, and those authoritarian communists might make an example of artists and turn them into slaves for the Party.
Since the establishment of Communist Germany, these brothers have not been able to stretch their legs.
In actual history, Thomas Mann was supposed to publish his work, “Mountain of Magic,” which was the culmination of his twelve years of effort. In this world, that’s nowhere near being possible.
Even going just to East Prussia, which is the only remnant of the German Empire, is difficult, and many have already gone to Lithuania or Austria.
No, in fact, artists who established themselves in Lithuania or Austria have also gone to Russia.
Heinrich Mann pondered for a brief moment.
Because he’d been considering the possibility of heading to America as well.
Seeing the state the country is in due to those communists, it seems better to go to another country.
Since his brother likely discussed it with his wife before visiting, he must be here for a reason.
Just sitting here and pondering might close off any paths for moving abroad in the future.
It’d be better to leave now while the communists are suggesting that if you’re unhappy, you should leave.
So what’s there to worry about?
Heinrich Mann stood up, brushing himself off.
“Alright then. Let’s go.”
“Of course! I knew you’d want to come along, brother!”
Heinrich Mann and Thomas Mann, along with their families, emigrated to Russia.