Episode LXV: One Hit WonTver
Burgomeister's Residence, Tomsk, Imperial Commonwealth of Tver, 1671
In times of stress and difficulty, it is important to take a holiday. To remove oneself from the everyday routine, the grind, the pressure that comes with repetition and overwork. Nowhere is this more important than at the heart of government, especially the government of large, powerful nations full of warring factions, corruption and intrigue. And in human history, there has never been a finer example of such complexity as the Imperial Commonwealth of Tver.
It is equally important when leading such a huge, ethnically and culturally diverse nation to take stock of the interests of those who lie on the fringes of its governance, the brave pioneers who have stretched the Imperial border deep into the east, and the new subjects whose previous countries have been overtaken by the march of Tverian progress over the past centuries of the Empire's expansion. While leaders and diplomats from all corners of the Imperial Commonwealth were returned to the City of Tver with reports on developments in far-flung provinces, such reports are no substitute for personal experience. Or so, at least, was the belief of Mitrofan Beloselsky, Lord Protector.
So it was that the Lord Protector had taken himself and his advisors eastwards for a few months, setting himself up in the eastern trading city of Tomsk. A mere colony a few decades before, Tomsk was a rapidly-growing town under the supervision of Burgomeister-General Vellinton Tobermorov, a well-travelled man who had previously served the Empire as a diplomat in Bulgaria, and in Spanish colonies along the Orinoco River.
'So what you're telling me, Bungomeister...'
'
Burgomeister.'
'Haven't considered changing your title?'
'No.'
'Oh well. You're saying that Kazakh uprisings across our southern border might present an opportunity for further expansion?'
'Yes, sir. The Persians are unable to control Turkestan. The province is lawless, overrun by nomad tribes.'
'Sounds like an ideal opportunity. We know a thing or two about dealing with steppe hordes.'
'My thoughts exactly, sir! Besides, how could Russians ever have trouble quelling rebel groups in the Middle East?'
'We shouldn't be
too confident, but I agree that such a move would benefit the Commonwealth. I'll have our armies readied.'
'These people are different from us in culture, Lord Protector, but not unreasonable. They will be better off within the Commonwealth, once the flames of resistance have been smothered.'
'Did someone mention smothering resistance?'
'Morning, Dobczyńska.' The Lord Protector leaned back in his chair as Marta Hallie Dobczyńska, Captain of the Guard, stalked into the chamber.
'Morning, sir. You started early.'
'I always start early, Dobczyńska, but I never finish before schedule. Now what news from the capital?'
'The parliament have passed your proposed reforms of the Bill of Rights, sir. Our people can now enjoy more freedom than ever.'
'Resistance from the conservatives?'
'Always, sir. But we muddled through. I think they're starting to like you. Or at least, to hate you slightly less. We're also losing control of people.'
'Was that not the point, Dobczyńska?'
'I suppose so, sir. It's just that the administrators are bothered about it. Makes their paperwork harder.'
'The benefits outweigh a few administrative problems. If I am to have a legacy, I want to leave the Imperial Commonwealth a fairer, more prosperous nation. If that means changing our administrative protocols and annoying a few self-obsessed aristocrats then so be it.'
'Very well, sir. In better news, more uprisings in Silesia.'
'Good news indeed, but we've been here before Dobczyńska. The Austrian armies will deal with them.'
'I'm not so sure, sir. The King of Austria had gone off on another damn fool idealistic crusade like his father did.'
'So they might be a bit busy for rebel-whacking?'
'That's what I hope, sir. These Austrians have big ideas, but they're not great at staying in control. Not good at disciplining those who resist them.'
'On a completely unrelated note, new boots?'
'Well noticed, sir.'
The Burgomeister frowned. 'Why do you wear those ridiculous things anyway? Completely impractical.'
'Impractical? Do you wish to reconsider that analysis?'
'
I will reconsider anything that allows my windpipe to reopen.'
'Splendid. Anyway, you looked like you were going to say something?'
The Burgomeister collected himself. 'Yes. Some of the merchants have concerns about the pace of change, sir. They feel that some of your reforms will hinder trade.'
'I appreciate their concerns, Burgomeister, but these monetary reforms will go ahead. Our merchants have adapted to changes before, this time will be no different.'
'In that case, sir, I request that further authority is given to my office. You've seen for yourself that it's difficult to rule a growing city such as this from a thousand leagues away.'
Dobczyńska arched an eyebrow. Beloselsky, though, stroked his beard thoughtfully. 'You would remain loyal servant of Tver, of course.'
'Yes, sir! I don't mean independence, merely devolution. The freedom to make minor adaptations to law and policy to reflect our rapidly-changing circumstances and our proximity to eastern rivals. All having to be approved by the Lord Protector, of course.'
The Lord Protector nodded. 'I trust you, Burgomeister. As long as I retain your loyalty – not to mention your tax income – you can run your city as you see fit, in accordance with Tverian Law.'
'Thank you, Lord Protector. If that will be all, I'll bimble off.'
'Yes, thank you Burgomeister.' The Burgomeister bimbled off, still massaging his throat.
'Dobczyńska, do you think it doesn't bother me? I didn't want this. I'd be quite happy as a diplomat, travelling the world. I wanted to
see the empire, not lead it! I'm no soldier, I'm no administrator, I'm no leader! Why couldn't someone else do it?'
'The people wanted you, sir.'
'I
love the people of Tver. What I did, I did for them as much as myself. Yes, I let my pride get the better of my judgement. My rebellion was ill-judged and ill-lead.'
'It
was one of my easier victories.'
'But I had to do something! I have my pride, Dobczyńska. He insulted me, spat on my service to the empire.'
'I don't think anyone blames you for your rebellion, sir. It's more for that happened next.'
'I know. I wanted him dead, I won't deny it. I felt, I knew, that Tver
needed him dead. But my enemies think that I did it to place myself on the throne! They think that I want the crown! The mantle of Lord Protector was placed on my shoulders, I didn't take it for myself!'
'And I was one of those who demanded it, sir. Yes, many hate you. Men and women with power and ambition who did well under Boris Rurikovich. But for the people of Tver, you are an icon. The one who stood against tyranny and incompetence.'
'And then launched a series of wars right after taking office?'
'You pacified our enemies, re-took the Empire's rightful territories. Boris Rurikovich had weakened Tver, you strengthened it. You made her enemies fear us, fear you. It didn't make you popular abroad, but it was necessary. If it wasn't, I'd have stopped you.'
'Would you?'
'I've done it before, sir.'
'How could I forget. And that's what makes me wonder if I'm cut out for this. It should be someone...
trained for leadership.'
For the first time in Tver's history, a ruler has been picked for their qualities, not for their bloodline. There is nobody
trained, sir. Nobody else would have been accepted. Like it or not, sir, it had to be you.'
'Well, maybe you're right Dobczyńska.'
'I'm a woman, sir. I'm always right.'
The Lord Protector smiled. 'Where would I be without you, Marta?'
'Probably on a spike somewhere with an excellent view of Tver and the surrounding province.'
'Well. Tahnk you, anyway.'
'You're welcome, sir.'
'Now then. What's happening on the southern border?'
'Khorasan's inability to control Moghulistan is well-acknowledged, sir. Maybe it's time to press a claim of our own?'
'Not the richest province...but yes, it would allow us to press our territories, and increase our trade income. Good plan.'
The Tverian pacification of Turkestan was a straightforward matter, and the province was soon under the control of Commonwealth forces.
'What else is happening in Europe, Dobczyńska?'
'The Finnish are approaching.'
'But it's nowhere near 1821.'
'...what?'
'Nothing, just an old superstition. What's finishing?'
'The oppression of the Finns.'
'Impressive. Although...Estland?'
'Looks like the Estonians didn't want their own state. Not the most patriotic of patriots..what I do know is that while poor, Estland is strategically valuable.'
'Indeed. We need to start exerting control of the Baltic, Dobczyńska. And we have a strong claim to Estland, much stronger than Finland's.'
'We won't get a better chance, this. We can strike before they start accumulating alliances.'
'Very well. Make it as quick and clean as possible, Dobczyńska.'
The army of Tver marched into Estonia without any difficulty.
'The defenders of Reval surrendered easily, I see.'
'Yes, sir. Though their commander did give them a bit of a Tallinn off.'
Negotiations were short. Beloselsky had no interest in Finland's Scandinavian territories, merely in those which belonged to the Commonwealth. With assurances given that the Estonians' cultural freedoms would be guaranteed by the Imperial Bill of Rights, Estland was acquired by the Imperial Commonwealth of Tver, completing the Window on the West envisioned a century before.
The Lord Protector was most satisfied.
'Excellent work, Dobczyńska. Efficient and professional.'
'You weren't so bad yourself, sir.'
'With our Baltic holdings expanded we can look at developing a navy. Useful if we come into further conflict with the Danes. Now, what's happening in the Empire?'
'It's getting complicated, sir. The electors have had enough of the King of Liege taking the benefits of office but refusing to defend Imperial states from outside aggression.'
'So shocking, these outside aggressors. Well, they have nothing to fear from us at elast.'
'
coughBohemia
cough*
'What was that, Dobczyńska?'
'Bohemia, sir, will likely provide another Emperor, since the electors still hate Austria for, well, being Austria.'
'We've beaten Bohemia plenty of times before...'
'I now have a discount in at least four shops in Prague.'
'But with the Imperial crown back in their grubby fingers...we'll have to keep an eye on them.'
'Definitely, sir. Though talking of Emperors, the ambassador from Byzantium sends his greetings.'
'Return his greetings, and give him a suitably golden eagley souvenir. Always liked Byzantium.'
'Despite the whole “becoming Catholic and having their capital in Athens” thing?'
'Austria holds Constantinople, and they're not going to get Rome any time soon. Athens makes more sense than most places.'
'I suppose so, sir. And finally, we have another new province.'
'Oh? Where?'
'The Russian Patriots we sponsored in Karelia finally took total control. Denmark are too busy with other wars. Karelia is ours, sir.'
'Outstanding, Dobczyńska. More Russians freed from the foreign yoke, clasped to the warm embrace of Tver!'
'Looks like you're getting the hang of this leadership thing, Mitrofan.'
'For now, Marta. For now at least, it's all going rather well. Our empire grows, our enemies' voices are drowned by those of support. The road ahead will be hard.'
'And I'll be with you, sir. Every step of the way.'
