African Entrepreneurship Record

While Aleksey and his companions strolled through Rhein City, Ernst was closely observing every move within Russia.

The National Defense Security Bureau Director, Maureen, reported: "The situation within Russia is rapidly deteriorating. The opposition wave against the Tsar is growing, including capitalists, the populace, and even some nobility. More and more people are starting to question Nicholas II’s capability."

"Before the war, internal conflicts in Russia had reached a certain point of tension. The outbreak of World War I did not diffuse this tension but intensified it instead. The Russian frontline military failures at the end of last year further exacerbated instability within the Russian regime."

Ernst asked, "What about the current surveillance on the Russian Labor Party?"

Maureen said, "Earlier this year, they organized several strikes in Saint Petersburg and other Russian cities, but all were suppressed by Nicholas II’s government. However, our analysis suggests their activities will become more frequent."

"Right now, the Russians are like a pile of dry tinder, ready to be ignited by the slightest spark, and these Labor Party members are the arsonists. Their actions have severely undermined Nicholas II’s prestige, especially the recent Saint Petersburg strike movement."

Imagine, with the current developments in the European war situation, one could say it concerns Russia’s future national destiny. Logically, Russia should unite from top to bottom to overcome this perilous period.

But ironically, the Russian people’s thinking is different from Nicholas II’s; naturally, their attitudes vary.

For example, capitalists do not see any issue with Nicholas II waging war. The problem is that Nicholas II and the Russian nobility are inept, lacking military competence. They believe that anyone, even a dog, could perform better and prevent the frontline affairs from reaching this current state.

Who, then, can carry the banner of present-day Russia? Naturally, it is them. Only by them rising to power, replacing the incompetent nobility, can Russia achieve victory on the battlefield.

As for the grassroots populace, their views differ from the capitalists and nobility. They oppose Nicholas II to stop the war, for it is they who become cannon fodder on the actual battlefield.

So far, Russian casualties on the frontline have exceeded ten million, with nearly 500,000 square kilometers of territory lost. Most of Ukraine and Poland, all of Moldova, and parts of the Baltic Sea region have been overrun by the Allies.

Maureen said: "The Russian regime is now swaying precariously, and Russia faces choices. Regardless, Nicholas II is in a predicament."

"If they cease war, they will inevitably lose territory, a responsibility Nicholas II cannot bear. But to continue fighting, the war-weariness among Russia’s grassroots populace makes them unwilling to support the continuation of the war."

"At the same time, the material situation in Russia is dire. Currently, the Russian government’s coffers are cleaner than its face."

Although East Africa has considerable trade with Russia, this trade has become a matter of hard cash between East Africa and Russia.

Unless Russia brings out its last gold reserves, East Africa now only recognizes gold or other valuable liquid assets, including talents and technologies.

According to Ernst’s forecast, the Russian government is unlikely to survive, so naturally, there is no credit for the Russian government in East Africa.

Not to mention East Africa, Russia’s debt to the French alone requires unknown years to repay, assuming the current Russian government continues to exist in the future.

And Ernst’s judgement is that the Russian government is unlikely to survive, unless a capitalist government takes power, though Ernst has little confidence in Russia’s capitalist class as well.

This is mainly due to the now fully-formed momentum of the Russian Labor Party, which not only has a tight organization but also an excellent leadership.

This is not just Russia’s issue, but a European matter. Now, the Labor Party is unlike the future where each acts for its own, focused on national interest; it is currently an international organization spread across Europe.

Their members possess strong abilities and a fearlessness of death, with Russia becoming the Labor Party’s new center. Coupled with Russia’s dire living conditions, the Labor Party thrives like a fish in water.

Of course, it’s not impossible to thwart the Labor Party, but it first requires other imperialist countries outside Russia to unite with Russian upper-class ruling elites to eradicate this organization spreading like wild fire in Russia.

However, it is precisely this that is impossible to achieve. Even setting other issues aside, England and France could never reconcile with Germany and Austria. Failing to cease the war, the ’International Community’ naturally cannot reach a unified opinion.

Of them, Germany and Austria might revel in the Labor Party’s activities in Russia because the Labor Party’s rise means it cannot abandon ’ceasefire’ as a trump card.

This doesn’t mean Germany and Austria do not detest the Labor Party, but they must ensure a new order in Europe led by both countries before directing other countries to extinguish this terrifying organization in Russia.

In summary, it is certain that European countries cannot reach a unified decision at this stage, and although East Africa and the United States are powerful, they are far from the European continent and unable to intervene in Russia’s developments.

In this situation, the possibility of a Soviet Russian regime emerging, as in previous times, exceeds ninety-five percent. Hence, Ernst cannot pin hopes on European countries to eradicate this Russian new regime that could break out at any moment.

Ernst inquired, "What about moves from the Ottoman Empire? Are they still inactive? Right now, Russia is showing a complete decline, can they still sit tight?"

Maureen replied, "Your Majesty, currently the Ottoman Empire is already in its last stage of war mobilization. If our intelligence predictions are accurate, within three months, the Ottoman Empire will undoubtedly invade Russia."

Ernst tapped the table and said, "This means that in less than three months, the Bosphorus Strait and Dardanelles Strait could be cut off by the Ottoman Empire, and our trade with Russia would effectively be announced as ended!"

The Black Sea Strait, namely the Bosphorus Strait and Dardanelles Strait, hasn’t been blocked since the war began, mainly because the Ottoman Empire hasn’t participated in the war.

And East Africa is the major supplier behind the Allies, so East African ships have been doing business with Russia, sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire.

However, once the Ottoman Empire joins the so-called ’justice’ assault on Russia, things will change.

Therefore, Ernst concluded, "Our trade with Russia is about to end. Under these circumstances, we must extract as much hard cash from the Russians’ pockets in the coming two to three months as possible."

"You also need to proactively operate to seize as much technology and talent from Russia and the territories Russia has lost into East Africa. Present-day European chaos presents a golden opportunity for us to fish in troubled waters."

Because of the sudden failings at the Russian war front last year, regions with decent economic conditions, such as Poland and Ukraine, still contain industries and personnel that haven’t retreated to the rear, leaving these resources and personnel to fall into the hands of the Allies.

And East Africa just happens to have bargaining power with the Allies, which means East Africa can effortlessly acquire Russian industrial equipment and technical personnel through dealings with the Allies.

Although forcibly recruiting technical and research personnel to East Africa may not easily win their loyalty, Ernst believes that once the new Russian regime is established, they will gradually consider East Africa their new home.

However, Ernst still advised, "Focus as much attention as possible on Russians in the Ukraine region or within Poland. As for the Poles, it depends on their intentions."

Poles have a strong desire for national restoration. In the absence of a country, overseas Poles tend to be even more united. Even if some Polish talent is recruited, Ernst believes once Poland is restored, they would prefer to return to their homeland for development.