章 7: Working Hard
Alone in his office, Alexander continued reading articles about Ruthenia Empire.
Ruthenia Empire is a massive transcontinental country that extended across Eurasia comparable to the territory of the Russian Empire of his world. It has a sheer size of 22,400,000 square kilometers with a total population of 170 million. Due to its massive size, it contains a lot of ethnic minorities living across the Empire, however, his great grandfather oppressed those minorities with his domestic policy called Ruthenification, assimilating them into the dominant Ruthenian tradition, culture, and language. However, this act became a source of resentment to the people who were affected, pushing them to the edge and assassinating his great grandfather.
The people believe that the Ruthenification would end after the assassination but instead, it intensified under his grandfather and later his father. Due to this act, the Ruthenia Empire underwent a huge struggle for the past two decades, especially when the economy collapsed under his father's mismanagement, resulting in civil unrest and numerous rebellions sprouting across the Empire.
This also dampened the Empire's industrialization, falling behind the rest of Europe, which is now more modernized.
Not only that, the way the emperors governs was quickly becoming outdated, retaining the rules of autocracy, basically meaning the Emperor holds the most power. People had already voiced their opinion, wanting a fair representation in the government but their cries went unheard.\ thinking that it was foolish for a peasant to be part of the government.
The more he reads about his new home, the more his head aches. So he got reincarnated in the body of a prince whose country is on the verge of collapse. That's like being sent into a prison with a death sentence.
This has to change. He thought to himself, if he wanted to survive in this hostile and foreign world where the future is unknown, he has to listen to the cries of the people.
As he thought before, this world is not similar to his own, so history is altered, hence he doesn't know how things will turn out. To add salt to the wound, he's not much keen on world history, though he has some historical knowledge about technologies that rose to prominence.
Then he remembered that they'll be marching for the Winter Palace on the first of August, which that means in five days, the palace ground will be full of protestors desiring change.
"Okay, I decided." He said to himself and continued, "I'll meet those people head-on and listen to their plea."
Now that the decision is settled, Alexander shifted his attention to another issue, his sister Anastasia who has tuberculosis.
The process of synthesizing streptomycin is quite simple, you grow a strain of Streptomyces Griseus for five days, ferment it using a submerged fermentation process, extract it, then test it for purity.
All can be done within 15 days if the equipment he ordered arrives in the evening. He already has a framework in his head.
Grabbing a pen and a book, he wrote all the processes involved in streptomycin production.
After that, he closed the book and stashed it in the drawer under his table.
He glanced over his shoulder and noticed the sun is already setting, its orange hue streaming through the window.
He lost track of time from reading books.
Despite knowing that, Alexander continued to work, knowing more about his territory.
...
Outside, Christina a butler of the royal palace announced something to her.
"Your Highness, the delivery for His Majesty Alexander has arrived. Where do you want us to place it?"
Christina tilted her head to the side, humming in thought. "I haven't asked dear brother about that. I'll ask him and notify you as soon as I know. Thank you for your hard work. You may leave now."
"As you wish Your Highness."
Christina didn't waste a second as she hurriedly went towards Alexander's office.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Brother...it's Christina. Can I come in? I have some important questions."
There was no response.
What could he be doing? She wondered She knocked again and there is still no response.
Concerned, Christina turned the knob of the door with a "Excuse me."
Inside, he saw Alexander, soundly sleeping on his desk with open books sprawled over his desk and some on the floor, probably knocked by his arms.
It was messy but Christina found it cute.
She gently walked towards him as to not make a noise that could disturb him,
Arriving in front of the desk, she leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"Brother? Hey brother..."
Christina saw no changes on his face. Did he work himself hard on his first day? She studied the books around him and it's all on a technical level.
She smiled as she found that out. Ever since he woke up out of a coma, she noticed the behavior of her brother changed a little. He's never been this studious before and is always fooling around.
But earlier during the celebration of his successful recovery, Alexander announced something incredulous. Saving Anastasia with his medicine. Though a bit far-fetched and bewildering, she believed him after seeing his determination and confidence. It also touched her heart when his brother assured Anastasia he was going to free her of her suffering.
Everyone wanted that, including Tiffania, who also placed her hopes on him despite their relationship.
But now the equipment he ordered arrived in the Palace, she has to wake him up.
"Brother..." This time, a gentle touch pressed against Alexander's right hand.
*Pikt*
The moment her fingers touched his brother's hand, he felt a jolt of electricity pulse through his hand and body, waking him up in an instant.
"It's not what you think it is, I'm not sleeping."
Christine chuckled at the comment. "Not asleep?" She said with a raised eyebrow. " Why are you sprawled over your desk then? You even knocked a stack of your books over."
Alexander flinched and looked over the side. Indeed, his arm had pushed them over.
"Ah..." he said sheepishly, getting up and moving towards them. "I really did knock them." He chuckled shyly as he went down on his knee and picked the books back up again.
"How long was I asleep for?"
"I don't know, but it's already 9 p.m."
"Not that long huh? So why did you come to me?"
"Well my brother, I'm actually here to tell you that the equipment you ordered has arrived. They are asking me where they should put it."
"Ah...right. Thanks, Christina. Do we have some vacant rooms that we can use? Temperature and place are important when growing bacteria. 25-30 degrees Celsius to be precise.
Christina hummed in thought. "I'm sorry brother but I can't think of a room with that temperature. I can't even tell the exact temperature right now." She chuckled bashfully as she rub her head.
"It's okay, I believe there is a blueprint of this palace." Alexander scours the bookshelves, and drawers, looking for the blueprint of the Winter Palace.
"Aha!" He exclaimed as his finger found where the blueprint of the palace is. He placed it on his desk, sat down, and peruse its content, looking for a room suitable for growing microorganisms and the fermentation process.
"According to the design, the walls, the ventilation, it should be here." He pointed to an empty room that met his criteria.
"Understood brother, I shall relay it to them."
"I'm coming with you."
"Huh? Why brother?"
"I need to see the equipment for myself." Alexander stood up, stashed the blueprint back to where he found it, and walked to the door side by side with Christina.
"Okay."
...
The Winter Palace was humming softly with nightlife. All the lamps were alight with electricity, casting gentle, illuminating light throughout the palace. The air was comfortably cool. It was peaceful.
At the gates, there are several trucks in line with people unloading the equipment. Alexander and Christina arrived at the scene and greeted them.
Upon noticing their presence, they immediately stopped what they doing and kneeled down in respect. "Your Majesty...it's an honor." A man welcomed.
"Is everything accounted for?" Alexander asked simply.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is in order. It's all labeled and will be moving it to your desired room."
"That's good." Alexander nodded.
"Uhm...your majesty,"
"Hmm?"
"Can we continue on our work?"
Alexander glanced at the workers, who are still in kneeling positions.
"Ah...! Of course."
Alexander laughed inwardly, the customs and the etiquette are killing him.
Alexander and Christina observed as the delivery workers moved boxes and materials to the room they chose.
"Once it's complete, we will start right away."
"You sure brother? Aren't you going to rest first?"
"No need, I've already taken a nap remember?"
"Ah..." Christina gasped softly. "Okay, please do your best brother...for the sake of Ana's life."
"I will."
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