Reincarnated as Nikolai II

What's biggest disadvantage of absolute monarchy?

Ah, obviously inefficiency watching superiors since power concentrates in one person... probably many such things.

Return journey taking over 6 weeks despite forced march running continuously except sleeping time in Far East, even with help from sectionally opened trains.

Though thought would be quite busy returning then meeting Father, marrying, and holding coronation ceremony, actually that wasn't big problem.

First problem arising when absolutist monarch Tsar with absolute power dies.

Country stops for two months.

Moreover Father passed at forty-nine. I hadn't even received successor education.

Returning to St. Petersburg, see faces of many waiting just for my return.

Approaching them slowly, I spoke solemnly.

"Huu, Witte. Yes, Father cherished you-"

"No time for this now. Escort His Highness to Livadia Cross Church!"

"Huh?"

Trying to meet Father right after return, headed straight to church regardless of my will.

Place where Father's funeral held.

"Does legitimate Tsesarevich, Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov swear before church and witnesses to be loyal to throne and become true ruler continuing will of previous Tsar Alexander III?"

"Yes."

"With this oath ceremony ends. Take him."

"What are you doing, quickly escort His Highness! Next!"

Within hour of returning to St. Petersburg, dragged to church and immediately took oath and.

"Does Grand Duke Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov accept succession as Tsar encompassing all Russia, Grand Duke of Finland, King of Poland, Protector of Orthodox Church?"

"Yes."

"Will bestow Tsar's crown."

"God protect Emperor! Strong and majestic Tsar, reign over glory!"

"Reign and terrorize enemies, Orthodox Emperor!"

Changing clothes and immediately dragged to Winter Palace for Orthodox Tsar accession ceremony.

Era overflowing with formality and ritual, two major events in one day.

Running around busily everywhere with body not mine, finally caught breath around sunset.

"...Surely nothing more today?"

"Today ends here due to tight schedule."

"The coronation."

"Though schedule not yet set, seems will take at least year."

"Huu, that one fortunate."

Beyond amusing seeing hundreds rushing around for new emperor's establishment, just my body can't handle.

Finally returning to room like collapsing when sun already staining sky red, quietly observed officials from Imperial Household, Finance Ministry and others still not leaving.

"What else?"

"Your Majesty, administrative meeting tomorrow. Organized urgent matters requiring immediate decision."

"Here list currently stopped without Tsar's approval. Many things we dare not judge, must review soon."

Piles of documents mounting on desk.

Roughly scanning just few on top.

'Orthodox archbishop working as regent in Poland's Warbits committed corruption and murder.'

However content was difficult to handle as so many archbishops represent him.

Another document had dozens of names unable to inherit titles or houses as grand duke and noble title appointment ceremony not passed.

This too happened while no Tsar.

"Hah, yes I'll check and give answer tomorrow."

"..."

"Just speak freely?"

"Your Majesty, all here deeply loyal to imperial family."

"All loyal to imperial family, are there some not? What wanting to say?"

Quite burdensome these busy people dragging around all day then suddenly gathering in this narrow room staring intently at just me.

Of course Imperial Household Minister opened mouth as representative.

"Your Majesty, perhaps thinking of marrying Princess Alix?"

"What? Princess Alix? Mean Alicky?"

"Person previous Tsar stood as godparent for, absolutely not lacking. However asking this to set and prepare wedding date."

"Wait, I only met her once?"

Only met briefly once at Uncle Sergei Grand Duke's wedding and exchanged greetings once or twice at most, yet marriage?

'Ah, come to think of it...'

In original history did Nikolai meet Empress Alexandra there and date and marry?

But then I was buried in military so seems didn't pay attention to her being momentarily happy just leaving unit for official event.

"Your Majesty, can't have empty Empress position. Wedding preparation will take half year so must decide even now."

"Must decide wedding quickly to proceed with coronation. No history of coronation proceeding without Empress!"

No these things, must date to marry. My recent 4 years were Far East-military-Far East, what expecting?

"Ugh, tired so let's talk next time."

"Your Majesty, must bring in Empress quickly!"

"Not issue that can drag time!"

"Everyone out!"

"Your Majesty!"

Chasing out all shouting officials, leaned on door sliding down to floor.

"Fuck, never dated in all my lives."

Really what did until now. Clearly seems lived earnestly but.

After sitting like that briefly, shook off dust and stood.

"No? Not particularly hungry for love? I'm performing grave duty responsible for Russia's future, not living this earnestly to play with woman's skirts?"

Feel somewhat better even just talking alone earnestly.

Not that can't date but didn't date.

Yes, this is truth.

Must be that...

==

Two weeks passed.

Unfortunately luxurious words like leisure or idleness not added to my life just because some time passed.

Of course even mobilizing Mother to press about who and when to marry today, but actually no time itself to meet women.

Emperor who hadn't received successor education originally planned for around age thirty.

Only showed political inclination regarding Far East and no one knows my inclinations or plans.

'More accurate to say had no chance to show.'

Many think of young emperor holding all power like blank paper.

No, majority think so and all rush to put even one more word in my ear while trying to prevent hearing even one word from others.

'Would be good if could use close blood relatives at times like this, but that's difficult too. Father completely blocked all Grand Dukes approaching power.'

Original history Nikolai has quote well showing my current situation.

Though seems how innocent and incompetent nonsense, might become phrase rolling in my mouth at this rate.

Say zemstvos (local assemblies) and Dumas (noble assemblies) across country stirring since my return to capital.

By their logic argue current Tsar not receiving education from previous oppressive Tsar Tsar - therefore current Tsar pro-liberal but don't understand.

In same situation traditional nobles think I'm their side.

Previous Tsar disliked Duma and zemstvo and liked nobles - son current Tsar surely same.

Truly artistic how they attach interpretations favorable to themselves.

How about state of officials to actually lead empire facing me? They too trembling in their own confusion and fear.

'Sh-should have listened when Your Majesty said war would happen in Far East...'

'Will Your Majesty understand if I submit this report?'

'Can mention money received from Qing? M-might anger?'

Beyond not matching hands and feet yet, just level of completely not knowing about me.

Ah, of course not all officials like that and.

"Your Majesty! Send me! Will burn end of life in Far East!"

"Professor Bunge..."

"State nationalist development! Policy making industrial foundation with government stepping forward! All what I've advocated lifelong! This Bunge, though failed once from nobles' opposition, will prove again!"

"Stand up. You age now strange not dying on road going to Far East."

"Will see results even if die! Can't die even wanting to from regret like this!"

"Said understand so stand up from ground this sir."

Even seventy-plus old man visiting days throwing tantrum like child after hearing Far East news.

Father all power, all decisions, all legislation and punishment too.

Led country grabbing everything in one hand forcing his way on everyone.

Those knowing Father's inclinations made judgments Father would likely make and those actually not couldn't even maintain positions.

Meanwhile I.

How should I do.

Imperial Household, Foreign Affairs, War, Navy, Finance, Interior, Communications, Justice, Education, and Agriculture and State Assets.

Must lead country just maintaining these ten ministries increasing work capability?

"Or should completely overturn and lay my own board."

Justice Ministry still not properly using power appeals alone for strengthening official and Orthodox Church punishment.

'Certainly empire's justice mess. Though all equal before law below Tsar, implementation not proper.'

Can't just leave alone as zemstvo and Duma oppression also steady over long period.

Beyond local autonomy mess, nobles in Father's era stagnated recognizing 'anything possible just not opposing Tsar's will.'

Nobles. That is thousands of nobles more rotten than oil in empire's countryside including twenty-one grand noble families.

Can't leave these alone either but difficult for me to handle one by one. Originally one of my support bases too.

Writing one by one on paper holding head, truly endless problems pour out.

Why does church not government handle this country's welfare?

Why differentiate military and official promotions by class?

How are these called Education Ministry people considering making people stupid with cheap cost? Should at least work well after taking education authority from Duma.

No end, no end.

"...Expected but can't even grasp where to start."

See these damn problems first time laugh emptily, second time anger, from third time just give up.

"Your Majesty! Four thousand workers during strike at Yaroslavl Great Industrial complex killed thirteen soldiers two days ago!"

"Killed?"

"No! Just accidental during resistance process of forceful disbandment execution!"

"Accident?"

"Kill them all! Must aim gun barrels not clubs! This is treason!"

"Treason?"

"Inhumane treatment causing worker punishment beyond fine, wage cut was cause! If more soldiers deployed here empire's linen export finished!"

"Finished?"

"Like this flames will spread to all Moscow, Vladimir, Yaroslavl provinces!"

"Your Majesty, please though implementing ringleader punishment, this situation must not become opportunity for additional labor oppression! Please!"

"Think of unjustly killed soldiers!"

"Think of workers groaning from hard work!"

"Ah."

Can killing Tsar-loyal soldiers be justified?

Never even if dead and resurrected.

Is labor state at problematic Yaroslavl industrial complex normal?

How can place running additional 6 hours each night two shifts on top of basic 12 hours daytime labor be normal.

To them appealing, I'm colorless Tsar without standards or ideology.

But this wrong.

"Both soldiers and workers died, but soldiers first. Arrest ringleaders including Fedorov and Shchapov, fine factory owner. Fines used for Yaroslavl workers. Additionally, submit law prohibiting labor over 12 hours daily."

"Your Majesty!"

"Tsar!"

"Enough."

Though they don't know, my standard not this era's workers or soldiers but distant future.

And seeing numerous bastards desperately coming appealing including this strike incident, I can't wisely resolve all incidents.

Yaroslavl strike incident just fragment.

Various problems entangled long ago, both sides at fault, loss to factory owners, workers, empire all.

Though work capability not excellently increased just doing few weeks, means at least recognized minimum practical problems.

So solution to endless various problems constantly mounting on my desk.

"Revise Imperial Basic Law (similar to constitution). Proclaim new system implementing immediately after this year's harvest ends. Duma will elect about 200 elected representatives who will form lower house. Following Peter the Great's example listening to minority opinions, prepare seats for black clergy (monks), white clergy (secular), Science Academy, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Committee too. Local governments without zemstvo cannot be exception in representative election."

"... That means-"

"Yeah, make parliament now."

Problem occurs - run to Tsar appeal to own taste - somehow make new law - dissatisfied side runs to Tsar asks change law - change law - now opposite side runs asks change law...

This damn hell cycle.

Maybe if emperor could cast 'everyone shut up' like Father but I'm not one to just close ears and reign.

Originally definitely collapses if leave hands off staying still, whether prosper or ruin must try change right?

First to grasp point of my order and question was naturally Witte.

"Then what about upper house?"

"Will follow Peter the Great's era as is. Representatives I appoint and various departments will share. Overflowing with those to enter like high courts, audit office investigation office, universities."

Though explained just to here, those not yet catching on overflowed but Witte's sparkling eyes seemed already completed situation grasp.

Parliament and upper lower houses.

This system once existing in past and now reviving still has one position not yet mentioned.

Prime Minister position.

Father didn't create positions themselves where power might concentrate besides himself but this nonsense for ruling vast empire.

How control and govern without power commonsensically.

'Witte, fighting arena created.'

'...Your Majesty.'

Even empire's laws not changing unless Tsar decides legislate.

Will open arena fighting betting that mighty authority.

Now, fight each other.

Stop tormenting me.