Chapter 1539 - 52: Warning

Chapter 1539: Chapter 52: Warning

Afterwards, Ernst inquired Maureen about some domestic situations in Russia, mainly regarding the news from the Moscow top government.

Maureen explained: "Due to the collapse of the Russian intelligence network, we now cannot ascertain the specific situation within the Kremlin, so we can only compile and verify through official Russian news and some hearsay."

"Russia’s supreme leader Vladimir has not appeared in public for some time. According to the Russian Telegraph Agency and intelligence from the Tsarist Russia Era, along with analyses from our pathology experts, Vladimir’s health has always been poor."

"Moreover, recently in Russian government affairs, Joseph’s presence has been increasing, and he is one of Vladimir’s confidants, so if Vladimir truly has problems, this Joseph is most likely to become Russia’s new leader."

"As for Joseph himself, since the split of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party at the beginning of this century, he has always been with Vladimir’s faction, and has been arrested multiple times by the Tsarist government and exiled to Siberia, yet like many Labor Party members, he successfully escaped Siberia."

The places of exile in Tsarist Russia generally did not have strict supervision because for Russia, criminals were actually one of the main forces in developing the Siberian region; many towns and villages in Siberia likely developed from prisons.

"However, this Joseph does have competitors in Russia, such as Trotsky, who has a profound influence on the Russian army and is also deeply trusted by Vladimir."

"Therefore, we cannot confirm who will ultimately become the new leader of Russia, but it is certain that in the coming period, Russia’s top level may experience turmoil due to Vladimir’s health reasons."

"The main political differences between these two important Russian successors are that the latter is more extreme than Joseph, advocating global policies of the Labor Party, while Joseph focuses more on domestic issues, emphasizing the consolidation of the current Russian regime’s stability."

From East Africa’s perspective, Trotsky’s threats are certainly greater, because given his rhetoric, there is a high probability it will directly impact East Africa, while Joseph is more pragmatic.

Naturally, Ernst hopes for Joseph to become Russia’s new leader, as Joseph’s leadership means fewer variables, thereby giving Ernst greater advantage in dealing with Russia.

Ernst instructed Maureen: "In the recent period, keep an eye on possible changes in the Kremlin. I have a premonition that Russia’s future trajectory may have significant impacts on all of Europe, and even the world."

"Also, the selection of personnel for Russian intelligence work must be strict to guard against the infiltration of Russian Labor Party ideas into the Empire."

...

January 21, 1924.

The leader of the Russian Labor Party, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, closed his eyes forever. Upon his death, anti-Labor Party elements domestic and abroad rejoiced exceedingly, while Russia temporarily found itself in a power upheaval.

However, for the anti-Labor Party elements both domestic and abroad, they had long since lost any chance of overturning; Russia’s Labor Party would not collapse immediately just because a leader passed away, as the Labor Party was truly "talent abundant" at this moment.

Precisely because of this, it is foreseeable that throughout 1924, Russia would largely be caught in the situation of power struggles until the new successor officially establishes their authority and eliminates opposition; whoever ultimately consolidates supreme power certainly has no issues in capability.

The direct result of the internal political struggles in Russia is the temporary calming of the Eastern European battlefield situation, as at this point the foreign intervention army led by Germany is also unable to advance eastward.

The personnel within the intervention army are mixed, besides Germany and Austria-Hungary, they hardly exert efforts, and Germany, owing to its own problems, is uninterested in war, while Austria-Hungary has no capability to organize and lead the intervention army against Russia.

Europe’s situation temporarily stabilizes, whereas outside Europe, international competition becomes frequent, particularly in the competitive layer concerning overseas markets.

The standout point lies in East Africa and the United States, these two largest industrial nations competing in the economic field.

East Africa, Cabinda.

The Cabinda Market Regulation Bureau personnel visited the Gorishon Electronics Factory in Cabinda.

"According to the latest standards set by the National Industrial Standards Committee, your factory’s electronic components have safety hazards in their materials, which may lead to short circuits in related electronic products." The regulatory investigator, Delaine, addressed Factory Director Gorishon.

Gorishon, with a furrowed brow, said: "Sir, previously, our Gorishon has always processed products according to these techniques, and currently many factories use our products without the mentioned issues; why haven’t you mentioned this before?"

Delaine explained to Gorishon: "Mr. Gorishon, you need not worry too much; in fact, you should be quite aware, our department has long existed, and the East Africa Industrial Standards Committee is an organization that was established during the planned economy era."

The East Africa Industrial Standards Committee was an institution established in the last century, similar to the German Industrial Standards Committee, although the German Industrial Standards Committee was established much later than East Africa.