Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 23 Forcibly Rising to Create a Storm (1)

Though they hadn't received a deadline from the Emperor for submitting plans, newcomers to politics wouldn't bend their beliefs.

However, that's not to say they didn't notice the quite different atmosphere from last year.

An unprecedented number of newspapers circulated the streets, and even illiterate workers couldn't help but know what was happening at the Tauride Palace.

Who proposed what motion, who became a national politician overnight with bold statements, who from the opposing party strongly objected.

One day, two days, and before long, eight months.

"Didn't the Tsar say he'd implement it right away if we brought plans? How long are we just going to keep making plans?"

"They said just over 100 votes would do it! Are you saying not even half of these proud Duma representatives have their heads on straight?"

News pouring out seven days a week without rest. Imperial subjects are buried before they can distinguish right from wrong in this unprecedented flood of information.

One day, two days, as days of just waiting continue, expectations naturally break.

"...We must choose now."

"Distinguishing friend from foe is meaningless. Now we must join hands even with enemies."

"Right. The recent atmosphere among the imperial family and bureaucrats isn't normal either."

Public sentiment growing not just tired but deflated. Those feeling this most keenly are the Duma representatives with two months until elections.

"Tsk, having Duma elections every year is strange too. Next time we should change it to every four years. How can we properly give opinions when swept up by ignorant masses like this?"

"Land reform, who knew we'd waste a year on just this one agenda?"

"That means this one agenda can be said to control the fate of all parties going forward."

If there's any fortune, it's that wealthy farmers, who could be considered local ruling powers, were half-excluded from the Duma.

Even the Progressive Party's bourgeoisie don't much like wealthy farmers making fortunes sitting around while they struggle.

"Duke Lvov, have you decided?"

"We'll join hands with the Labor Party. Chairman Milyukov has agreed."

"The Labor Party... certainly joining forces with them could win the next Duma vote."

The Democratic Party with 63 seats and Labor Party with 38 seats could achieve a majority if combined.

'The moment we join hands with the Labor Party it's over with the wealthy Progressives... but this is the best option. In the current atmosphere, it wouldn't be strange if the Tsar changed his words anytime.'

Of course, there's no guarantee all representatives will vote unanimously.

"We need to bring more from the independents and moderates."

"Who do we have?"

"Just one person. Don't you think of him immediately? That noisy fellow recently."

"That person... his origins are a bit..."

"We have no choice. No one stirs up the Duma these days like him."

The very eye of the storm who jumped into meetings late and started taking them down one by one.

"Beren Volkov."

"Rumor has it he served in the military with His Majesty the Tsar..."

"Isn't that why he went to the Far East and succeeded?"

"Whatever the case, he's no ordinary person."

If they can just bring him in along with joining hands with the Labor Party, the achievements of land reform would be entirely theirs.

Before the approaching election, straight beliefs and ideology are all unnecessary.

'It's not too late to think after winning next election. That much compromise is possible, right?'

They had truly become politicians.

==

Recent headline-maker every time he opens his mouth, Beren Volkov - how did he become a star representative in the Duma split into parties like drought-stricken land?

'At first, yes. It was because of those Labor Party bastards.'

The ones most mindlessly opposing this land reform - the landless Labor Party.

These potential traitors fundamentally didn't match with Beren.

"Woo! So what does land reform have to do with us!"

"Just take it all! Take everything! Can't stand this collective farm nonsense anymore!"

"Reform labor laws instead! No land reform before that!"

They were just opposing for opposition's sake. Beren, quickly tainted by the Duma, couldn't stand it.

"You idiots, no wonder you get fired from jobs like cutting off your own fingers!"

"W-what? What do you know! I worked 15 hours in factories since age 11!"

Before long, his influence was transcending parties.

"Stop making outrageous claims and boldly reveal your beliefs! Which party do you support?"

"Ah, which party? But tell me. Have you served in the military? I proved my loyalty to the state serving 15 years active duty."

"Eek! Don't change the subject!"

"He's unserved! Unserved in military!"

"You were a draft dodger?"

"No! I served in the military! I served!"

"What are the reporters doing! Quickly write down that representative's name first!"

The ecstasy when everyone rushes to bite at young representatives who dare challenge him when he points fingers.

Feeling the weight of words he couldn't feel even in the military's hierarchical society, Beren felt like he was addicted to some unknown substance.

Today too he stands from his seat and briefly closes his eyes. Already he feels the atmosphere heating up among surrounding followers.

Even before opening his mouth, the whole building is filled with goodwill and expectation.

"Respected representatives, and all who listen to my words. Today I wish to solemnly declare one thing in this place."

The near-silent stillness contrasts with when he first entered Duma meetings, whether they like him or not.

"The time has come to report land reform plans to the Tsar. For those suffering even in this moment, this can't be delayed anymore. So, I wish to present one solution here. Namely, national land reclamation projects."

Even Beren who slightly dipped his feet in business knows nothing about how massive this proposal would be or how feasible.

Just that it sounds plausible and has content no one would dislike is the key.

"Representative Beren. Is, is this already implemented in the Far East too?"

"There reclamation is already meaningless. Well, it's a region where farmers don't pay taxes in the first place."

"F-farmers don't pay taxes?"

"That's not the important part. To explain further, what was the original purpose of establishing the Peasant Land Bank? Wasn't it for farmers lacking credit to purchase land? In other words, the Peasant Land Bank was originally to increase farmers' farmland!"

"Correct!"

"Well said!"

"Then if we reform nationally through this Peasant Land Bank? If the overall market pie grows so we all avoid red faces?"

"...Indeed."

"That's plausible."

Though there are doubters who are uncertain, those favorable to Beren from before raise their voices together without questioning.

'Ah, what will tomorrow's newspaper headlines be? Already looking forward to it.'

Beren Volkov basking in applause and ecstasy.

Today too he stirred up parliament.

So what's the specific plan? Eh, that's for smart bureaucrats like the State-Led Free Market Economic Development System-ists to make. Beren didn't know such things.

What if it passes like this? In a Duma split not even half but quarter by quarter, how could that happen?

Then conversely if it doesn't pass?

If it doesn't pass that's fine, nothing particularly regrettable. Today's proposal was just an idea that flashed before blacking out drinking yesterday anyway. Rather, if it falls through he could gain sympathy by being forcibly criticized.

Though Beren also recognized the unknown emotion rising inside as his speaking rights increased, he hadn't completely fallen to it yet.

'Right, this much is enough.'

No matter how good this opium-like feeling is, it won't be better than port rental business permission.

Doing this much, Governor Sergei will have to permit port rental business.

However, Beren didn't know how much karma he had accumulated meanwhile.

"...What did you say?"

"I said we want to recruit Representative Beren to our Democratic Party. If needed, we'll allocate several seats."

At some point, people seeking him increased not just during day but night too.

"How many did the Democratic Party offer? Four seats? Five? You're a born capitalist. We'll even invest in your business!"

"In-invest?"

"Workers nationwide deeply sympathize with your opinions. Please make it a good place to live like that Far East!"

"No, I'm not sure it's that good to live there..."

The port rental business Governor Sergei promised. He came running thinking only of that...

But the unknown spark in his heart keeps growing.

Beren who shook the Duma began shaking himself at some point.