The serfdom of the Russian Empire was deeply rooted. For hundreds of years, the lives of serfs had been very difficult.
Mihail also knew that it would be troublesome to solve this problem.
Therefore, he was prepared to cut the Gordian knot and learn from the rabbit in another time and space. He would directly distribute the land in the entire country to the farmers. Moreover, the land could not be transferred privately.
In this way, the vast number of farmers had their own land, and their lives were naturally guaranteed.
Naturally, Mihail would gain the support of the farmers. Even if someone wanted to overthrow his rule, these farmers would never agree.
Of course, in order to ensure the stability of the Russian Empire, Michael would not simply confiscate the land of the landowners. Instead, the Imperial Government would purchase the land and distribute it to the farmers.
This way, the resistance would be even weaker.
Of course, buying all the land in the country would undoubtedly require a large sum of money. Even if they lost all the assets of the royal family, it would probably not be enough. Therefore, Mihail planned to buy it at half the market price. Furthermore, he would pay in installments. 10% per year, paid within ten years. That way, the pressure would be much less.
After the farmers were given the land, they only needed to turn in a small amount of grain as tax. The rest of the food could be arranged by himself.
Mihail believed that if this plan was implemented, the lives of the farmers would be greatly improved.
Although this would put a heavy burden on the Russian Empire's finances. Even the imperial family would have to spend a lot of money.
However, as long as he could succeed, everything would be worth it.
Mihail did not want the Russian Empire to collapse step by step. In that case, what was the use of leaving behind more wealth?
In addition, the traffic situation in the Russian Empire was also something that Michael urgently needed to change.
Apart from a few main railway lines, the traffic in the Russian Empire was terrible.
Although the Siberian railway had been under construction for five years, it was still being built from the east and west to the middle.
However, this railway was too long. The terrain of the area they passed by was complex and covered with frozen soil. It was very difficult to build.
According to the scheduled construction period, it would take another ten years for the entire line to be connected. If other auxiliary projects were added, it would take even longer.
In another time and space, didn't the Japanese see that the Siberian railway was about to be completed, so they fought against the Russian Empire before the railway was opened to traffic?
This time, Michael naturally hoped to speed up the construction of the railway and complete it as soon as possible.
Moreover, due to the limited capacity of the railway, it would be best to build a double-track railway if possible. In this way, not only could the Russian Empire strengthen its control over the Far East region. At the same time, during the war, more troops and supplies could be transported to the Far East.
It would be a pipe dream for the East Asians to defeat the Russian Empire and rise to power by stepping on its head.
Of course, in order to thwart the ambitions of the Japanese, it was not only necessary to improve transportation. More importantly, it was to further increase their military strength.
In addition to transportation, the Russian Empire also needed to focus on industrial development.
The current Russian Empire was not very developed. Even the military industry was not that strong. Not only in terms of performance, but there was also a gap between them and the other superpowers. In terms of scale, the difference was even greater.
The Russian Empire had a huge territory, rich resources, and a large population.
This was undoubtedly very suitable for industrial development.
Once the large-scale infrastructure construction began, it would further stimulate industrial development.
This way, it would undoubtedly form a virtuous cycle.
Michael had been planning this for many years. Now, he could finally begin to implement it.
At the end of July 1796, Michael summoned Prime Minister Pobedonoshchev, Minister of the Internal Affairs Stolypin, Minister of Finance Ivan Golemkin, Minister of Agriculture Demirit, Chief of Staff General Brushilov, and others to officially announce his agricultural reform plan.
"Gentlemen, I believe that everyone is very clear that the majority of the population of the Empire is serfs. They were not only bound to the land. Moreover, his life was terrible.
I've decided to distribute all the land of the Imperial Government and the royal family to the serfs of the Empire for free, turning them from serfs into farmers. In addition, all the land of the landowners would be purchased by the Imperial Government and then distributed to the serfs so that they could become farmers with land!
Does anyone have any opinions on this?"
Michael looked at the ministers.
At this moment, the cabinet ministers were so shocked that their jaws dropped to the ground.
Although they had long known that the young Tsar had great ambitions and aspirations, they did not expect that the first thing that Michael did after he became the Tsar was to promote agricultural reforms.
The upper echelons of the Russian Empire were very clear about the shortcomings of agriculture. In fact, even the previous tsars wanted to solve it. But in the end, he still failed.
Now, Michael was going to start with this problem. Would it really work?
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