Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 158 Promises Must Be Kept: Pacta sunt servanda (12)

Repeatedly tempting capitalists with Industrial Bank loans to grow industry grew stale, and only light industries like textiles, food, clothing, beverages, tobacco developed while the Empire slowly slowed.

Then war broke out.

A war consuming everything.

In other words, a world dominated by war economy rather than market economy.

"Though war expenses are burdensome and losses aren't small... still there are gains."

Guns replaced plows in millions of farmers' hands.

The fact they put down plows. Kokovtsov focused on this fact itself.

First one must put something down to be able to grab something else, and when war ends they must put down guns.

Then what to make those empty hands hold.

"So this wartime is an opportunity, understand? Though temporary, capitalists listen very well to the state and the state also has no hesitation spending money. Labor supply isn't difficult either and they won't strike or protest. Is that all? Hyena-like fellows who rush in without questions when taking loans for state-designated industries still overflow."

Though war economy is like tearing one's own flesh to put in one's mouth, still industries would grow healthy in this process.

"So must well judge which hyenas could become lions and give them whip and carrot. But as bureaucrats, don't forget your duty intoxicated by that power."

The Industry Ministry's independence from under the Commerce Ministry where it was just one department level during Witte's rule is achieved under his initiative.

Until then, the Industry Ministry was just the Trade and Industry Ministry supervising work of foreign trade and domestic trade among four Commerce Ministry organizations - foreign trade, domestic trade, communications, and customs.

Kokovtsov boldly separated this to establish the Industry Ministry.

The Tsar saw the war as 4 to 5 years.

So remaining time is roughly 3 years or less.

"His Majesty's expectations are high too, so let's work hard."

"Understood!"

At this time of industrial change when 'soldier' as occupation created millions of one-time jobs.

This moment when all listen well to the state and become one body under state guidance.

Kokovtsov had to grow this country's industry within limited time.

Or the Empire's growth period would end that day.

==

"How was that friend?"

"Nothing particularly notable yet. One thing certain is he seems different from typical bureaucrats who graduated university."

"Hmm, is that so. Well, use him as you see fit and dismiss him if he's no good. I actually don't know much about him either."

That's what I want to find out.

"Well, seeing you establish Industry Ministry, seems you're not satisfied just being wartime Prime Minister?"

"...Not that. Just struggling not to dirty former Prime Minister Witte's honor."

"Is that so. Then have you decided method?"

Don't know if it's desire to surpass reform comrade Witte or truly want to become 'great Prime Minister' recorded in history like previous Finance Ministers, but Kokovtsov I saw kept yearning for something throughout his term.

'Perhaps like me, Russia's glory itself.'

Though I won't specifically ask, still certain he wants this country's development.

And he adopted a harder method than changing what already existed, that is, unlike Witte's agrarian reform method.

"Creating a path that didn't exist before won't be easy."

"The Empire has already finished all preparations. Just needs to be done."

"Kokovtsov, I truly like that reform spirit of yours."

"Isn't that why you put me in this position?"

"That's right."

Kokovtsov whose bureaucratic life was marked by reform. I'm certain he can raise this Empire one more level up.

"Well then, what do I need to do?"

"Please prepare the promise you made before."

"Promise..."

While thinking I hadn't made anything particularly worth calling a promise, I barely dug up old memories.

"Ah, the promise with Witte. Tsk, looks like I'll get some criticism."

"I'll prepare the justification. Those who didn't cooperate with war, those who hindered national development, those who disturbed markets making monopolies and cartels. I'll make everyone nod to Your Majesty's decision. So Your Majesty."

As if planning to set up even the post-war board in this opportunity, Kokovtsov's explanation was thoroughly detailed.

Then this Prime Minister placed his prepared justification in my hands and pleaded.

"Please purge those eating away at this country."

For me to become the Bloody Tsar once again.

To this I answered.

"Gladly."

That I would kill as many as needed.