Chapter 491

Alexei glanced at Anastasia, who looked displeased, hesitated, but finally blurted out, "I feel very comfortable with Teacher Novia. I think the children all seem to like him, even..."

Even what?

"If you really want to tell me, then you have to promise me you won't bully me because of this. You have to promise God."

"Stop talking nonsense. Just say what I tell you to say."

Anastasia impatiently picked up the teddy bear and repeatedly slapped Alexei's face with its paws.

"I was wrong, I was wrong. I'll tell you now. I feel like you like Teacher Novia quite a bit, Anastasia. I heard from Olga that you didn't go to bed until late last night, Tatiana said you were talking to the little bear about something strange, and Maria said you got up very early..."

Upon hearing her three older sisters speak to her like that, Anastasia immediately showed a Wrath expression, and had the urge to go back to her bedroom right now and play a prank on her three older sisters. However, before she could do so, someone quickly walked over.

"Greetings, Princess and Your Highness. I happened to run into Lord Novia at the door and she told me that class was over, so I rushed over."

Upon seeing that it was Rasputin, a close confidant of her parents, Anastasia immediately composed herself.

"Is there something you need, Rasputin? Are you perhaps inquiring about the course? If so, I need to—"

Anastasia was interrupted by a laughing Rasputin before she could finish speaking.

"Haha, Lady Novia's lessons must be absolutely brilliant and extraordinary. If I could, I would love to attend them, but unfortunately, I don't have the means. I truly envy the princess and prince, as I would also like to hear them. But Siberia doesn't have the conditions for that."

"Alright, alright, just say what you have to say."

"Okay, okay, that's how it is."

Rasputin hurriedly pulled a letter from his pocket. "This is a letter from Grand Duchess Mikhail, entrusted to me to deliver to His Majesty. He says he wants to meet with you tonight."

"Uncle? Didn't he run off to London?"

Mikhail, Nikolai's brother.

Compared to Nicholas II, who did not seem like a ruler, Alexander III initially intended to groom Mikhail as Tsar. And indeed, as Alexander III had thought, Mikhail's leadership qualities and military talents were impeccable. He was also cheerful and enthusiastic, and more adept at social situations, making him very popular among the nobility.

If Alexander III hadn't died so suddenly and Mikhail hadn't been so young at the time, Mikhail might have become Tsar.

Just a year earlier, Mikhail fell in love with a Theater actress who was not only divorced twice but also had a daughter. After living together, the two quickly had an illegitimate child. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Nikolai had no choice but to step in and dismiss Mikhail from his post and freeze all of his brother's assets, hoping that he would see the error of his ways.

Unexpectedly, Mikhail bluntly stated that he didn't want the Royal Family status or the money, saying, "Do whatever you want, all I want now is love that belongs only to me."

He then went to Vienna to get married, and only after the wedding did he write to Nikolai, before taking his family to London to live a life of poverty.

"I don't know, but that is definitely Grand Duchess Mikhail. I guarantee you'll be just as shocked as I was when you see him. Who would have thought that the handsome Grand Duchess Mikhail would come to the Grass Market Square to see me? It feels like our positions have been reversed."

"Ah, Grass Market Square? Uncle, you're not planning to meet Father there, are you?"

"I think so. My uncle often said that my father used to take him to dirty and messy places to eat, which made him furious. Maybe it was revenge..."

"I think Mom will go crazy."

"Uh, no, he's right outside the door."

After a while, the two siblings saw their father hurriedly walk out.

"You shouldn't have come, you foolish Miha."

"But I'm already here, Your Majesty Nicky. Look at the mess you've made! What has become of all of Russia because of the war you started? What time is it now? What will the Future hold? This is all you've created. Your only achievement is the gradual destruction of everything the Romanov have built over the past three hundred years."

Upon hearing this, Nicholas II instantly became expressionless. "Mikha, for those who do not support the Tsar, I will do as Peter the Great, Ivan the Terrible, and Paul did—I will crush them all with my, Romanov's, authority."

"I hope you can do it, and I really hope you can. We mustn't have another outcome like the Japan invasion. If it happens again, I really can't imagine what the people would do."

"No, the Lord will not allow such injustice to happen; the Lord will put everything back on track."

"... I hope so."

"Believe me, and... and Stolypin is already working hard, everything is moving in the right direction, everything is on the right track."

"Please do not be fooled, for exposing your weaknesses is the most dangerous thing you can do."

"And please believe me, if this country is given twenty years of peace, you will definitely look at it with new respect."

These words may be true, but there's no need to take them too seriously, because the person who said them was Stolypin, the Prime Minister caught between the Tsar and the people.

While striving to keep the Lord machine running, he also worked hard to promote modernization throughout Russia, keeping an eye on domestic extremists while simultaneously blocking the surging progressive ideas from Europe.

He was currently on a floor of the Grass Market Square, talking to Novia, who had just returned.

The reason is simple: he was concerned about Rasputin's attitude towards Novia and pleaded with the new royal tutor to stop Rasputin's actions.

"Stolypin, although this is our first meeting, you and I both understand that even if Rasputin doesn't speak to the Tsar, it's unlikely that the Tsar will listen to you."

Stolypin was well aware that Nicholas II's political views were increasingly diverging, and that he had offended a large number of people without gaining the approval of the Tsar and Empress. He knew that he could only hide from assassination attempts by radical elements in the populace for a few days, not months or years, and that even if the reforms succeeded Future would be bleak.

"Your Excellency, everything I have done is for Russia."

Hearing him say this, Novia understood it was true; Stolypin was indeed a pillar supporting the Russia Empire, and therefore replied:

"Russian serfs were liberated half a century ago. At least some of the old-era serfs, mainly domestic slaves, do not hate their masters. On the contrary, perhaps because they were 'used to being slaves,' they are somewhat dependent on and attached to their masters, sharing their masters' needs and joys. If someone asks them to sit down, they feel uncomfortable and at a loss. Conversely, masters are not all cruel to their servants, but treat them like family."

"That's true, my family also had such serfs."

Stolypin nodded. "Therefore, I am honored to receive the Peasant Emancipation Medal, which is my proudest reward. I was fortunate to participate in the work of the last committee established for the emancipation of the peasants, and from then on I understood that further emancipating the peasants and saving Russia were essentially the same thing."

In short, the essence of Stolypin's land reform was the privatization of land and the handover of land to peasants. This was because Russia needed peasants to become wealthy. Only when people's most basic needs are met can higher-level needs be met; the order of things can never be reversed.

"Sigh, you should just leave. Even if I do nothing, even if I hadn't come, you'd already prepared ways to deal with Rasputin."

Novia sighed. "Isn't that so?"

Stolypin became Prime Minister at a time when the Romanov Dynasty was on the verge of complete collapse. His efforts were nothing more than to save a dying system, but his personal will could not defy the tide of history.

"... His Majesty will forgive me."

The following day, media outlets across Russia collectively reported that Rasputin had had an affair with a palace maid and was attempting to seduce other women.

Because this rumor greatly displeased Empress Alexandra, and coupled with Stolypin's request, Nicholas II had no choice but to order Ras** to leave Saint Petersburg for a period of time. Rasputin then went on a pilgrimage to Israel.

However, at the same time, Nicholas II, who was furious, immediately planned to stop the Land Reform Act. Stolypin, who was struck by lightning, immediately submitted his resignation and voluntarily left his post after the three-day deadline for responding.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager of Russia intervened. On the day Stolypin resigned, she summoned Stolypin, said that Nicky had repented, and repeatedly tried to persuade Stolypin to stay in office.

Before arriving, Stolypin had just passed by Nicholas II upon entering, and only then did he understand why the Tsar's behavior was so unusual—he hadn't greeted him, but instead brushed past him with tears streaming down his face; it turned out he had been scolded and was crying...

The next day, a court Guards from Nicholas II handed Stolypin a sixteen-page letter expressing his remorse, requesting Stolypin to retract his resignation, and promising to go to Royal Village the following day to report to him.

Three months later, while Stolypin and Nicholas II were watching an opera at the Kyiv Opera House, they were assassinated, each shot once in the arm and once in the chest. The assassin was a radical who was also a secret agent of the Security Bureau.

Stolypin reportedly calmly stood up from his chair, took off his gloves and unbuttoned his jacket, revealing a blood-soaked vest.

After gesturing for Nicholas II to move from the box to a safe area, he slumped into his chair and roared, "I'd be happy to die for His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Nicholas II stood frozen in place, while Stolypin, despite being seriously injured, still exaggeratedly made the Cross the cross to bless the Tsar.

The following morning, Nicholas II knelt before Stolypin's bedside, repeatedly saying, "Forgive me."

Four days later, Stolypin finally passed away, and with him lay buried the land bill he had painstakingly worked on.

The Russia Empire, like an ironclad empire, eventually crumbled from its very first pillar.

Chapter 508: The First Battle Erupts.

"The defeated Nightingale was led by Ilya to the road leading to Kyiv."

"On another road, there is a three-way intersection, where a stone stands with an inscription that reads: 'Those who go to the right will die, those who go to the left will become rich, and those who go in the middle will find a wife.'"

"Ilya pondered, his hair had turned white, his curly beard had turned white, and his sharp eyes had become blurred. Did he still need to make money? He had no wife, no children, no need to dress up women in pretty dresses, and no mouths to feed. Was he really going to get married? Young girls weren't suitable for him. He could find an old lady to sit on a warm kang and drink sweet soup. He didn't need her."

"This shouldn't be Ilya's later years. I'll take the path of 'dying.' I'll die on the plains like a glorious warrior."

"Ilya had only gone three versts on the road to his death when forty bandits rushed out. He grabbed his hat from his graying head and waved it around like a sweeper. With each swing, ten bandits fell; with another, twenty were dead."

Then Ilya turned his horse around, went back to the stone, erased the old inscription, and wrote a new one: 'I took the right-hand road and did not die!'

"'Next, let's try the route of getting a wife, and see how people get married.'"

After Stolypin died in front of the Tsar, Russia's conservative reforms came to an abrupt halt, and the buffer between the Tsar and the common people was gone. Spurred by this, Nicholas II became convinced that the only way to deal with disobedient people was to use weapons and eliminate those who refused to obey orders from his side.

Moreover, the First Balkan War broke out shortly after Stolypin's death. The Baal issue was extremely complex and very important to Russia, which made Nicholas II, who was already irritable, even more so.

It was December, the coldest month in Russia, and it was commonplace for him to stride out of the Alexander Palace without a coat. Regardless of the season, he spent at least two hours outdoors every day—and sometimes even four hours if conditions allowed.

"In fact, Your Majesty, although I had already written to Stolypin at the time, telling him not to go to Kyiv."

Beside Nicholas II was Rasputin, who had just returned. After all, he had been forced to leave because of Stolypin's actions, and now that Stolypin was dead, he could naturally return.

However, Nicholas II did not say much about Rasputin's words, he just glanced at him and sighed.

Perhaps sensing Nicholas II's dejection, Rasputin quickly shook his head and waved his hands. "To be clear, Your Majesty, while I dislike Stolypin, I also admire him. I've clearly built a good relationship with his children, yet that guy is still stubbornly targeting me? Could it be because he doesn't like Lobster?"

"... From both an economic and efficiency perspective, Stolypin's bill is reasonable for Russia."

Nicholas II did not answer Rasputin, but instead muttered to himself, "So his situation is very bad. Alexandra and I don't like him, and neither do many others—soldiers, nobles, and even Shema."

"He did it all for Russia, for Romanov, and I didn't make any attempt to firmly support him, which indirectly led to his tragic end. I remember his expression when he first met me and learned that I was willing to promote reforms, but at the time I seemed to be concentrating, but actually I didn't hear a word he said."

At this point, Nicholas II patted the chickens he raised in the palace with a sigh. He didn't have many hobbies, except for hunting in winter and pheasant hunting in autumn.

"Just like when you first met me, Rasputin, you shook my hand and said, 'Wonderful! You are the Tsar of Russia, born under God's watchful eye! Your Majesty,' with that same excited expression."

"I find it hard to imagine that Stolypin's perpetually cold face would have an expression like mine."

"... Over the years, whenever we had a disagreement, I would threaten him with this, and most of the time he would give in. In fact, I had long planned to dismiss him if the opportunity arose, but my mother scolded me. However, I did not give up. I felt that if he disobeyed again, I would really abolish the Land Reform Act and let him know that the Tsar's orders were Supreme Being."

Rasputin hesitated, for now that Stolypin was dead, the Land Reform Act was effectively over.

"But what does that bill really mean for him, for Russia, for me, and for Romanov...?"

"I didn't find out until the very end," Nicholas II couldn't help but think.

I didn't even think of asking him myself.

Seeing the distress on Nicholas II's face, Rasputin knew this wasn't the time to speak. However, since he was being led by Nicholas II and had unknowingly arrived at the place where Anastasia was receiving a massage, he couldn't help but say:

"... Your Majesty, what are we doing here?"

"What, is it forbidden for the Tsar to even see how my daughter is being massaged?"

The thought of this made Nicholas II furious. The reason was simple: he had only arranged for Novia Alexei and Anastasia to be teachers, but he hadn't intended for him to also be Anastasia's masseur. After all, he, as someone with experience, could easily see through his own little rascal's behavior.

He initially arranged for Anastasia to be included because he thought it would be funny, intending to use her as a joke later. However, his wife, for some reason, arranged it this way directly, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Nicholas II was bronchitis, a fact historically acknowledged.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, you are right. But it seems like they are telling a story inside right now, isn't it? Does Lady Novia usually tell stories during massages? Actually, this is quite good. It can help Princess Anastasia relax her body, and the effect might even be better."

"How should I know? This is my first time here!"

Nicholas II snorted and leaned against the door with Rasputin. "Let me hear this story... It's still about the Battle of Ilya, and next, Ilya is going to..."

"Twelve maidens ran out to greet Ilya, with a beautiful princess in the center."

Meanwhile, Novia was telling a story in Anastasia's massage room, while Anastasia lay on the bed with her back to the Ceiling, her little head staring at him. The person giving the massage wasn't Novia, but Erice, who had been brought by Novia.

He felt it was better to leave this kind of contact to Erice was about the same age.

However, for Erice now, when Anastasia saw the expression on her Novia after she massaged her, it was like watching her favorite cat bristling and glaring at its mischievous owner.

Therefore, she had to understand that Novia possessed a certain innate quality that made her quite appealing to children.

So that explains why he's Demon King?

I know what happened after that.

Anastasia lowered her voice slightly and murmured, "After Ilya had eaten and drunk his fill, these beauties began to urge him to lie down and sleep on the large wooden bed. Ilya thought to himself, 'She's being too affectionate with me, as if I'm not a rough, old warrior, but a king! She clearly has ulterior motives!' So Ilya threw the princess onto the bed, and the bed suddenly flipped over, the stone Dungeon opened wide, and the princess fell in."

"That's right."

Novia glanced at the doorway as if she knew nothing. "Ilya found the Dungeon door, inside were forty princes, forty kings, and forty warriors. He released them, then grabbed the princess by the braid, dragged her outside, and chopped off her cunning head. Ilya returned to the stone, erased the old inscription, and replaced it with new writing: 'Go straight ahead, there's no such thing as marrying!'"

"Aaaaaah, that's enough, that's enough!"

Anastasia extended her fair finger and shook it. "I know Ilya's story by heart. He's a very famous figure. Next, he was on his path to wealth. He pushed over a 5,000-kilogram boulder, and beneath it lay riches. He built three stone churches, and distributed the remaining gold and silver to widows and orphans, keeping nothing for himself. Then, he returned to the boulder, erased the last inscription, and wrote: 'Going left won't bring wealth,' before heading towards Kyiv."

Ilya, a character in Russia fairy tales, can be considered a mythical figure. He serves Grand Duchess Kyiv, Vladimir, who is known as the Red Sun. In other words, he is a colleague of Nikitich, the Dragon Slayer, and incidentally marries the Grand Duchess's daughter. In the end, it can also be said that he destroys everything Vladimir has.

"But there's also a version without a third way. After Ilya said, 'Let others make their fortune here,' he took the Nightingale to meet the Grand Duchess in Kyiv."

"No, no, no, what I mean is, Teacher Novia, I've heard this story many times."

Anastasia, with a mischievous smile, spoke again, "You stubborn old fogey, I've said it so many times, can't you come up with a more original story!"