บท 16: Inefficient
"Let them hate me, so long as they fear me"
~ Caligula
---
"Come in!" Alexander's hoarse and visibily tired voice was heard.
When Nicholas opened the door, he saw his father in his bed. His face pale, his expression exhausted. The vigor and authority he once exeeded were all but gone.
Nicholas' heart tightened when he saw the state he was in.
'I can't tell if these intense emotions are the original Nikolai's or mine... or is it both?
Have I also gotten attached to this Russian bear who was villain to everyone but hero to his own family?
Haaaaaa....'
"Father." Nicholas said. "How are you?"
"Nicky!" Alexander shouted, his face slightly brightening up for a moment. "I am good son. Don't look at me with that face. I'm just slightly sick at the moment but I'll get better soon, haha! They don't call me the Russian bear for nothing!"
Nicholas smiled at the excited face of his father.
'He's matured. I think he knows it's almost his time already.' sighed Alexander to himself. He knew his time was up, but he still had to put up a strong facade in front of his family and country.
"Let's stop talking about these old bones, Nicky. Tell me how you are doing?
Those old foxes back in Petersburg been treating you right?
Always remember son, when you become Tsar, your word is law by divine right. Always uphold the values of God and Tsar. Whatever you already decided, never back down, even if you regretted it. Because the one time you back down won't be your last. The vultures will use it against you time and time again. Backing step after step, you will fall into the abyss. Always see to your decisions until the end." said Alexander with a renewed passion.
Nicholas took a deep breath and began talking, explaining his situation to the Tsar and what he needed right now.
"Thank you for your advice, Father. Thanks to you, everything is going fine, don't worry. A lot of my investments in Russian and foreign companies have been paying off and I have already started to get a hefty sum of money each month from them.
But I want to do something bigger, Father, and I need a lot of liquid money."
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"Oh? Pray tell."
"As primary target, I want to purge and rebuild the Okhrana."
Alexander felt as if a thunderbolt had just hit him on his forehead.
"How do you plan to frame it? Do you know that could alienate some of the nobles you will need to maintain stability? Do you know the Okhrana is under the Ministry of the Interior's jurisdiction? " Alexander asked.
"I know, I know, Father. But under their jurisdiction the Okhrana has become way too corrupted and inefficient. Why can't it answer directly to the Tsar and the Imperial Family? It can be one of the most lethal weapons we have if managed by us.
It can help us keep in check the population, but not only. With a professional, efficent and numerous Okhrana, we could even keep the nobles in check."
Alexander leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes for a moment. His breathing was slow. Nicholas worried he might had pushed his father too far, too soon. But after a moment of silence, Alexander spoke, his voice quiet but steady.
"You are bold, Nicky. I'll give u that. But boldness and ambition without caution can destroy even the mightiest of the empires. If you rip out Okhrana's roots all at once, the Ministry of the Interior will retaliate, and you'll find opposition from all sides.
They may not strike you directly, but they will undermine you at every turn."
"I've thought about this carefully, Father." Nicholas replied, keeping his tone measured but firm. "The corruption within the Okhrana is rotting its effectiveness. It leaks secrets like a sieve, and its agents are more interested in bribes than their duties. If I don't act now, before I take the throne, I'll inherit a week tool when I need a strong one."
Alexande opened his eyes wide and studied his son. There was steel in Nicholas' gaze, something that had been absent in his earlier years. It pleased and worried him in equal measure.
"So what is your plan then? If I grant you permission, how will you proceed?"
"I'll start by framing this as a reorganization to improve efficiency." Nicholas explained. "I will remove those who have been corrupt or ineffective and replace them with men loyal to us. I've already identified a few candidates who are competent and discreet."
Alexander arched a brow but inwardly he was really proud of his son. "And the money? You mentioned liquid funds. Ten million Rubles is no small sum."
"I will use my personal wealth, Father." Nicholas replied. "The funds I've amassed from my investments will be enough to begin. After that, Witte will put me into contact with his connections to provide the rest.
Do not worry though, I will use my own properties as collateral."
Alexander gave a low chuckle, which quickly turned into a cough. Nicholas moved forward, but his father waved him off.
"You'll need to tread carefully with the nobles. They won't like any close ties to Stieglitz or the rest of the industrialists and bourgeois."
Nicholas nodded, his resolve hardening.
"I will tread carefully, Father. But I will act."
Alexander sighed deeply, his exhaustion showing.
"You must understand one thing though, Nicky. Power is delicate. You cannot crush the opposition outright, at least not yet. Yoy must use your strength and authority to divide them, to isolate the ones who pose the greatest threat. When you act, make sure your strike is precise and leaves no room for counterattack.
Remember this is a very dangerous game, Nicky. One misstep, and you will find yourself sorrounded by enemies on all sides. Are you prepared for that?"
"I am!" Nicholas resolutely responded.
Alexander stared at his son for a long moment, then gave a tired smile.
"They you are truly my son.
I'll authorize your request for the funds. Go now, I am tired. Make your preparations and remember, your strength must always serve Russia, not yourself."
Nicholas bowed his head reverently and said:
"Thank you, Father. I won't lead you down." and left the room.
After Nicholas left the room, Alexander sighed to himself, knowing he had gone against all his values, but he just couldn't bring himself to oppose his son, seeing his rightful convinction. Secretly, he was happy he wouldn't be there to see his son go against the conservatives as he knew he would lose sleep every night. He just made a silent prayer in his heart so God could help Nicholas with what he wanted to do...
...
Nicky stayed in Crimea for 2 more days, tending to his Father and even relaxing a bit himself. It was peak summer and the weather was refreshing.
But duty was awaiting him and he couldn't get enchanted here. Soon, he got on the boat and began making his journey back to St. Petersburg, where his plan would begin.
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