Chapter 302 The Cotton-Growing Bear

Before 1860, the Russians had to pay for a long time because of a major mistake in the location of cotton planting.

In the territory of the Russian Empire that runs through the Eurasian continent, Central Asia is an ideal base for the development of the cotton textile industry, but at this time this land has not been completely controlled by the bear.

What is more serious is that because they designated Moscow and its surrounding areas as cotton planting areas, mistakes and negligence led to extremely low production and forced imports from abroad.

Nicholas I, who had a tiger in his heart, was on the verge of going crazy at this time. His cold and sharp eyes swept over Ilarion, making the latter, who was at a loss, feel that something was wrong and had to call the Minister of Agriculture Yevgeny Gorilik.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my impertinence. The report submitted by the Imperial Ministry of Agriculture shows that there is no cotton there, only grain."

"What's in your head, you stupid guy? You are so stupid that you can't even understand such a simple and clear question as whether cotton can be grown, and you need your Tsar to answer you?"

Nicholas I snorted coldly. This idiot in front of him is simply unworthy of staying in this important position that controls the lifeline of all Russia. It's time for him to go to the Ural or Siberia to get some fresh air and sober up.

"I'm sorry, my Majesty, I really don't know." Yevgeny, an old official, answered frankly.

Due to the Tsar's disgust with civil servants, he didn't care much about the construction of the official system under his rule, so he rarely intervened in the appointment and removal of officials.

The ruler's indifference naturally allowed many flattering and mediocre bureaucrats to take advantage of the loopholes, including Mr. Yevgeny, who has a body like Hermann Mayer.

His strategy of "not knowing anything and pretending to be stupid" naturally could not satisfy his immediate superior, and the consequence was that Nicholas I became more distrustful of the civil service group in St. Petersburg.

"Who among you can answer the question of whether cotton can be grown on the land of Astrakhan and Stavoropov?"

Embarrassingly, no one in the reception hall of the Winter Palace answered, which made the tall Tsar furious, but he could not continue to get angry in front of the distinguished guests.

"I am very sorry, my friend. Although my officials do not seem to be good at cotton planting, as long as the place is suitable for the growth of this crop, I can guarantee that the local output can be used for trading with your country. Are you satisfied?"

Archduke Karl nodded,

"Okay, Your Majesty. Our agricultural scholars and consultants are optimistic about the prospects of cotton trade between our two countries. It can not only make Russia's agricultural layout more reasonable, but also increase your country's income."

Increasing fiscal and tax revenue, this is what Nicholas I thought of, because Russia was so poor that the first thing he thought of in return was to send his daughter.

Of course, there are also political considerations, but it also illustrates Russia's economic difficulties. In fact, Russia's cotton is far inferior to that of the United States and Egypt in terms of quality, but it is better in quantity.

And the reason why Franz spared no effort to help Russia, in addition to the need for allies in politics, is that Russia's industry is almost blank and they cannot consume so much cotton.

At this time, opening up trade became an inevitable choice, so Austria could import cotton from Russia and sell it to the Russians.

Exporting cotton to Austria will become an important industry for Russia for a long time, but their textile industry is basically finished, which completes the first step of economic colonization.

Don't think it's absurd. There have been cases in history where European merchants bought wheat in Russia, ground it into flour and sold it back.

In fact, promoting cotton planting in southern Russia, the Black Sea and the Caucasus will also help Russia stabilize the domestic situation. After all, the rebels also need to eat, and even the most wild and unruly people can't get hard when they are hungry.

Of course, whether the Tsar himself can think of this level and whether he will do so is unknown.

Trade with Austria will indeed bring considerable benefits to Russia, but more benefits to the government and nobles, and even the lives of serfs may be improved, but merchants and the bourgeoisie may not necessarily make a profit, but may be defeated by the massive entry of Austrian goods.

After the success of cotton planting in Russia, the Ottoman Empire will inevitably increase the cotton planting area.

At the same time, with the development of trade, the importance of the Strait to Russia will become higher and higher, which will further deepen the contradictions between the two major groups in the Near East.

"Oh my God, Karl. You are really my savior! Compared with you, all my civil servants are idiots. They should all be sent to Siberia to dig potatoes."

Nicholas I, who felt relieved, finally couldn't help but speak the truth. In his eyes, only people with military backgrounds are the most trustworthy. For example, the important position of Russian Foreign Minister is held by Nesherlov, who has a military background.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. Russia and Austria are allies of the Holy Alliance. The friendship between the Habsburgs and the Romanovs is even longer-standing, so we should support each other."

Although these were all polite words, they touched the heart of Nicholas I. The latter always liked to hear such polite words.

In addition to the previous gifts, the leader of the European gendarmerie was more determined to maintain and consolidate the Russian-Austrian alliance.

Then there was an interactive session between a military enthusiast and an expert, and Nicholas I consulted the latter on many related issues.

As an excellent commander, Archduke Karl naturally had a unique insight into the current situation. He believed that Russia should try its best to play to its strengths and avoid direct combat with powerful enemies at sea, but should adopt a strategy of luring the enemy deep into its territory and attack from land at the same time.

On the one hand, the Russian army's huge military advantage should be fully utilized, and on the other hand, the enemy's manpower should be weakened as much as possible.

Once an advantage is gained on the battlefield, a step-by-step strategy should be adopted immediately to continue to erode the enemy's fighting will, and finally achieve the goal of forcing the other party to the negotiation table.

No matter how much the pro-British faction under his command struggled, they could not shake the fact that Russia's imaginary enemy was Britain, so Archduke Karl's suggestion was a first-class feasible plan in terms of feasibility and operability.

However, this plan was soon forgotten because of two words - "interests". After Nicholas I received a huge order for cotton trade from his western allies, he was more confident to reject the Anglo-Saxon Channel Agreement.

The Russians' tough attitude angered London, who did not want the giant in the east to continue to maintain its hegemony over the Black Sea, because as one politician explained in the Palace of Westminster.

"This is the biggest threat and challenge to the "peace" and "freedom" in the Near East."