Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Alexei looked at Anastasia, who was clearly displeased, hesitated for a moment, 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 used its paws to repeatedly slap Alexei's face.

“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, and Tatiana said you were talking to the little bear about something strange. Maria also said you got up very early…”

Upon hearing her three older sisters speak to her like that, Anastasia immediately showed an angry expression, and had the urge to go back to her bedroom right now to 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 meet Lord Novia at the door and she told me that get out of class was over, so I came in a hurry."

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

"What is it, Rasputin? Are you perhaps inquiring about the course? If so, I need to—"

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

"Haha, Lord Novia's course must be wonderful and extraordinary. If I could, I would like to attend it. Unfortunately, I don't have the means. I envy the princess and prince from the bottom of my heart. After all, I would also like to listen to it. Siberia doesn't have the means."

"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 that Grand Prince Mikhail entrusted me to deliver to His Majesty, saying that he wants to meet with him tonight."

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

Mikhail, Nikolai's brother.

Compared to Nicholas II, who did not resemble a ruler, Aztecs III initially intended to groom Mikhail as Tsar. And indeed, as Aztecs III had thought, Mikhail possessed impeccable leadership qualities and military talent, had a cheerful and enthusiastic personality, and was more adept at social situations, making him very popular among the nobility.

If Alexander hadn't died so suddenly and Mikhail hadn't been so young at the time, he might have become the 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 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 Duke Mikhail. I guarantee you will be just as shocked as I was when you meet him. Who would have thought that the handsome Grand Duke 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 eat in dirty and messy places, 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 have already arrived, Your Majesty Niki. Look at the mess you have 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 have created. Your only achievement is to gradually destroy everything that Romanov has built up over the past three hundred years.”

Upon hearing this, Nikolai II instantly became expressionless: "Mikha, for those who do not support the Tsar, I will crush them all with my authority, just like Peter the Great, Ivan the Terrible, and Paul I."

"I hope you can do it, and I really hope you can do it, so that there won't be another outcome like the Japanese invasion. If it happens again, I really can't imagine what the people will 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."

"Please believe me, if this country is given twenty years of peace, you will definitely look at this country in a completely different light."

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 monarchical machine running, he also worked hard to promote modernization throughout Russia, keeping an eye on domestic extremists while blocking the surging progressive ideas in Europe.

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

The reason is simple: he was pleading with the new royal tutor to stop Rasputin's actions because of Rasputin's attitude towards Novya.

“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 Tsarina. 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, his 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 Russian Empire, and therefore replied:

"The 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 are 'used to being slaves,' they are somewhat dependent on and attached to their masters. They are anxious about what their masters are anxious about and happy about what their masters are happy about. If someone asks them to sit down, they feel uncomfortable and at a loss. Conversely, masters are not all vicious towards their servants, but treat them as family members."

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

Stolypin nodded. "Therefore I am honored to receive the Order of the Emancipation of the Peasants, 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 main point 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 go down. Even if I do nothing, even if I don't come, you've already prepared ways to deal with Rasputin."

Novia sighed. "Isn't that right?"

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 due to Stolypin's request, Nikolai II had no choice but to order Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg for a period of time. Rasputin then went to Israel for a pilgrimage.

However, at the same time, Nie Er, who was furious, immediately planned to stop the land bill. Stolepin, 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 him, said that Niki 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 guard from Nitot handed Stolypin a sixteen-page letter expressing his remorse, requesting Stolypin to retract his resignation, and asking him to go to Tsarskoye Selo the following day to report to him.

Three months later, while Stolypin and Nikolai were watching an opera at the Kiev Opera House, they were assassinated, each shot in the arm and chest. The assassin was a radical and also a secret agent of the Security Service.

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 shouted, "I'm glad to die for His Majesty!"

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

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

Four days later, Stolypin finally passed away, and his land bill, which he had painstakingly developed, was laid to rest with him.

The Russian Empire, though seemingly an ironclad empire, eventually crumbled from its very first pillar.

Chapter 508: The First Battle Erupts.

"The defeated Night Hawk was led by Ilya to the road leading to Kiev."

"And on another road there is a three-way intersection, at which stands a stone 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, with his white hair, white curly beard, and his sharp eyes 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. Should he go and get married? Young girls are not suitable for me. I don’t need an old lady to sit on a warm kang and drink sweet soup.”

“This shouldn’t be Ilya’s later years. I’ll go down 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 of the hat, ten bandits fell down, and 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 Balkan Peninsula issue was extremely complex and very important to Russia, which made Nikolai 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 Alexander Palace without a coat. Regardless of the season, he would spend 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 Kiev."

Beside Nikolai 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, Nikolai did not say much about Rasputin's words, he just glanced at him and sighed.

Perhaps sensing Nikolai's dejection, Rasputin quickly shook his head and waved his hands: "Let me make this clear, Your Majesty, although I am very unhappy with 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?"

"...Stolypin's bill is reasonable for Russia, both economically and in terms of efficiency."

Nikolai did not answer Rasputin, but instead muttered to himself, "So his situation is very bad. Alexandra and I don't like him, and so do many others—soldiers, nobles, and even Shema."

"He did this 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 anything."

At this point, Ni Er 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 Lord Stolypin's 24-hour cold face would have an expression like mine."

"...Over the years, whenever we had a disagreement, I would use this to threaten him, and most of the time he would compromise. 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 thought that if he disobeyed again, I would really abolish the land law and let him know that the Tsar's orders were supreme."

Rasputin hesitated, for now that Stolypin was dead, the land law 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 Nie Er's face, Rasputin knew this wasn't the time to speak. However, since he was being led by Nie Er and had unknowingly arrived at the place where Anastasia was being massaged, he couldn't help but say:

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

"What, is it not even allowed for the Tsar to see how my daughter is massaged?"

The thought of this made Nicholas II furious. The reason was simple: he had only arranged for Novya 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, and he planned to use her as a joke later. But for some reason, his wife arranged it this way, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Nicholas II was bronchitis, a fact historically acknowledged.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is right, but it seems like they're telling a story inside right now, isn't it? Does Lady Novia usually tell stories during massages? Actually, that's quite good; it can help Princess Anastasia relax, and the effect might be even better."

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

Nikolai 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 girls ran out to greet Ilya, with a beautiful princess in the middle."

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

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

However, for Erise now, when Anastasia saw the expression on Novia's face 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 no wonder he's a demon king?

"I know what happened next."

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 is being too affectionate with me, as if I am not a rough old warrior, but a king! She obviously has ulterior motives!' So Ilya threw the princess onto the bed, and the bed suddenly flipped over, the stone dungeon opened its mouth wide, and the princess fell in."

"Yes."

Novia glanced at the doorway as if she knew nothing. "Ilya found the dungeon door, where forty princes, forty kings, and forty warriors were imprisoned. 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!'"

"Ahhhh, 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 way to get rich. He pushed down a 5,000-kilogram boulder, and underneath it lay wealth. 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, wrote: 'Going left won't bring wealth,' and headed towards Kip.

Ilya, a character in Russian fairy tales, can be considered a mythical figure. He serves Grand Prince Kippur, 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 Prince's daughter. In the end of the fairy tale, it can also be said that he destroyed everything Vladimir had.

"But there is also a version without a third way. After Ilya said, 'Let others make their fortune here,' he took the Night Hawk to meet the Grand Duke in Giff."

“No, no, no, I mean, 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 novel story!"