"You are Stolypin?"
Upon disembarking from the train, Stolypin's introduction instantly shook Nicholas awake, almost making him forget to shake hands.
After a brief pause, Nicholas couldn't help but ask again.
"...Yes, Your Highness."
Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin, a renowned figure in the history of Russia, never imagined he'd encounter Stolypin in such an unexpected manner.
Stolypin was equally astonished by the Crown Prince's unexpected attention but saw it as a golden opportunity for a rapid rise in his career, so he intended to seize it firmly.
"I have heard that Your Highness is inspecting rural conditions. I happen to have some knowledge in agriculture and agronomy and have previously held a position in the Department of State Property. Perhaps Your Highness might have time to visit my estate and observe the new agricultural economic methods."
Born in the 1860s, Stolypin grew up on a large estate in Kovno Province owned by hereditary nobility. He graduated from the University of St. Petersburg, with an educational background far more systematic than Nicholas's self-taught knowledge.
"I was actually considering it. If Russian nobles could all adopt progressive industrial practices, the current rural plight might be alleviated significantly."
Nicholas had a preliminary understanding of Russian agriculture even before leaving St. Petersburg.
Based on the latest available data, the most recent land statistics were compiled by the Central Statistical Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1877-1878.
Overall, the Russian Empire's agricultural land amounted to about 390 million desyatinas, of which 150.4 million desyatinas were state-owned land and 7.3677 million desyatinas were royal estates.
It seemed that Russia's land issue could be solved by distributing state-owned land to the peasants, alleviating the land scarcity in rural areas.
However, further investigation revealed that most of the state-owned land was located in the northern regions and sparsely populated areas beyond the Urals and Siberia. Over 100 million desyatinas were in the Arkhangelsk and Vologda provinces, consisting largely of taiga forests and permafrost, with negligible agricultural value.
The royal estates were not much better, mostly situated in northern regions, intended for rental to peasants to support the royal family.
In addition to these types, there were 8.5726 million desyatinas of church and monastery land, 93.3812 million desyatinas of private land, and 131.4 million desyatinas of communal land, most of which were arable.
Among all private land, 73.1637 million desyatinas were owned by individual nobles, 9.794 million desyatinas by merchants, and 5.0058 million desyatinas by individual peasants.
The most recent noble statistics indicated that 114,700 nobles owned 73.1637 million desyatinas of land.
"That's challenging, Your Highness. Most nobles lack knowledge of modern economics and investment, while the costs of maintaining their lifestyle are increasingly burdensome, leading to economic difficulties for them."
As Nicholas and Stolypin left the train station and boarded the carriage, they engaged in conversation. The Crown Prince discovered that Stolypin had unique insights into land systems, peasant economies, agricultural production methods, and agricultural loans. Stolypin's distinct and confident opinions reminded Nicholas somewhat of Sergei Witte.
At 30 years old, Stolypin was still an unknown figure just starting his career. His engagement with Crown Prince Nicholas naturally surprised the entourage, but the Russian Empire was a personalized rule society, where slight capriciousness by the autocratic ruler was a tradition.
"I initially served as an assistant secretary in the Department of State Property, working on agricultural documentation. In 1889, I transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where Minister Durnovo appointed me as the chief noble of Kovno Province."
The role of chief noble in Russia was akin to a state-endorsed local gentry, allowing them to intervene in various local administrative matters. This was to fill the power vacuum in rural areas following the emancipation of the serfs when nobles relinquished their managerial roles.
"Sounds impressive. I hope you gain ample experience in administrative management." Nicholas extended his well-wishes to Stolypin, knowing he was one of the few talented individuals in Russia. However, at just 30, Stolypin's promising future didn't mean he was ready for significant responsibilities. "By the way, I noticed along the journey that new agricultural tools seem to be in use, whether in the Baltic coastal areas or Lithuania?"
The carriage rumbled along the compacted dirt road towards Stolypin's large estate, passing the endless green fields of Russia. Large farming plots were divided by trenches into different sections.
Many farmers had draft horses, and more importantly, iron plows for deep tillage, which was vastly different from what Nicholas had seen in Orenburg's rural areas.
"This region is closer to Western Europe, with land primarily under family ownership." Stolypin praised the Western model, clearly admiring Westernization. "Most rural areas in Kovno Province have adopted capitalist agricultural production methods. The usage rate of iron plows in this province is conservatively estimated at four-fifths."
From Nicholas's understanding, in eastern provinces like Samara, near the traditional Russian cultural area of Orenburg, the majority of farmers still used wooden plows, with iron plow usage possibly only at one percent, a stark contrast.
Stolypin's estate, not far from the provincial capital of Kovno, covered over 600 desyatinas, roughly equating to nearly 700 square kilometers.
"My estate grows a variety of crops, including rye, wheat, millet, oats, peas, and buckwheat. We have 190 head of livestock, 60 horses, 40 sheep, 90 pigs, and various poultry numbering 250. Some farm products are sold locally, while others are marketed elsewhere. Products like meat, butter, wool, leather, and fats are sent to markets."
Stolypin managed his estate meticulously, achieving economic profitability through diversified operations.
Moreover, he actively introduced Western European tools, such as threshers, weeders, seed drills, reapers, and mowers. The estate practiced crop rotation, giving it a vibrant and prosperous appearance.
"This is the most efficient agricultural production I've seen."
Standing on a haystack, Nicholas looked out over the picturesque rural landscape, feeling overjoyed. This was undoubtedly the most advanced rural area he had seen in Russia.
"Without a doubt, the northwestern territories of the Russian Empire—comprising the Baltic coastal regions, Lithuania, and parts of Belarus—were among the most modernized within the entire empire's 50 provinces.
Both agricultural tools and methods, as well as production relations, differed markedly here from the backward characteristics prevalent elsewhere in Russia. Yet, relative to the vast expanse of the Russian Empire, these advancements remained relatively limited.
These insights, gleaned more thoroughly from archives and statistical reports than firsthand experience, provided Nicholas with invaluable field observations.
Considering his itinerary from west to east, one might say his initial observations represented the pinnacle of Russian agricultural practices.
Subsequently, Nicholas spent several days at the estate in Storilepy.
Vit, born in 1849, was undoubtedly a senior figure at the Storilepy estate. In private conversation, he remarked to Nicholas, 'Compared to Storilepy, my understanding of rural life seems quite superficial.' Clearly, his views on Storilepy resonated deeply, 'But I believe implementing radical reforms in such a vast empire as Russia will inevitably challenge many people's emotions and historical traditions.'
Vit emphasized Storilepy's unwavering admiration for the Western European model of prosperous agrarian economy. He envisioned expanding this system throughout Russia's villages, a daunting task in Vit's confident perspective.
'This issue entails broad implications, requiring comprehensive investigation before reliable conclusions can be drawn.'
Witnessing Storilepy's depiction of replacing landlords with prosperous farmers and villages becoming the backbone of Russian agricultural policy left Nicholas with much to ponder. Vit cautioned the Crown Prince against premature conclusions, stressing the magnitude of the matter.
'...You're right.'
After Vit's sobering remarks, Nicholas fell silent for a moment. He recalled Storilepy's subsequent fervent promotion of these views, likely with some modifications but fundamentally unchanged.
But what were the results?
Were they good?
Or bad?
Nicholas struggled to recall the details precisely. Overall, the outcome appeared favorable, yet Vit's points were not without merit. Inherently pragmatic, Nicholas opted to plan meticulously before acting.
'Your work has stirred many thoughts within me, my friend.' Upon leaving Storilepy, Nicholas remarked, 'Such advanced production models serve as exemplary benchmarks for the empire's other provinces. I will relay your achievements to my father upon returning to St. Petersburg.'
Such are the benefits of autocratic rule, where the ruler's favor can swiftly advance matters typically entangled in prolonged parliamentary debates.
However, there are also many drawbacks, which need no further elaboration here.
The sights in Kovno Province broadened Nicholas's perspective. He had assumed Russia's backwardness was pervasive, yet here, the local citizens were striving for progress.
After boarding the train, Nicholas and his entourage departed Kovno Province, heading south to Vilna Province.
Vilna Province, also part of the Lithuanian territories, with its capital Vilna, later Vilnius, Lithuania's future capital, did not detain Nicholas long. The homogeneity in rural management styles here mirrored that of Kovno, yielding no markedly different observations.
Therefore, in Vilnius, Nicholas also explored local customs.
Perched atop the Gediminas Mountain, less than 50 meters above sea level, Vilnius City, like many European medieval cities, was centered around its churches.
Vilnius Cathedral Square, at the foot of Gediminas Mountain, housed the Vilnius Cathedral, built in the 14th century. This site was historically where the Grand Dukes of Lithuania were crowned. Statues adorned the cathedral's facade: Saint Anne with a cross in hand, Saint Casimir to her right, and Saint Stanislaus to her left.
As a nominal Orthodox Christian, Nicholas abstained from entering the church's interior, even though he now considered himself an agnostic, having crossed over, which unsettled his atheism.
Walking southward from the cathedral along the city's narrow and winding streets, Nicholas appeared inconspicuous in his attire, resembling a middle-class office clerk.
Most buildings lining these streets displayed warm hues of orange and beige, mostly in Baroque style. Occasionally, the clattering of horse-drawn carriages echoed on the cobblestone roads.
Life here seemed to belong to the late Middle Ages or Renaissance era, prompting Nicholas to wonder if he had indeed traveled through time.
'Life here is remarkably peaceful.' Returning to the accommodations in Vilnius, Nicholas remarked to those around him, 'There's no sign of the usual turmoil.'
'It would be wonderful if such tranquility prevailed across Russia.'
An assistant from the Ministry of Internal Affairs nodded in agreement.
Yet, how could citizens of a vast empire enjoy the serenity typically reserved for those in smaller, less populated countries?
Nicholas pondered this question, for which he had no immediate answer.
After a day's stay, Nicholas and his party departed Vilnius and Vilna Province.
They traveled southward, bypassing Grodno Province, instead refueling the steam train and heading east after navigating the marshlands around Minsk.
Their destination was Minsk, the capital of Minsk Province.
Situated on the banks of the Svislach River, a tributary of the upper Dnieper River, 'Minsk' means 'a town of trade,' a city interconnected with the Dnieper basin and the Black Sea to the south, and reachable by water from Moscow and Kazan.
Minsk welcomed Crown Prince Nicholas with an elaborate reception, as tradition dictated, erecting a new wooden triumphal arch for the occasion."