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PART I Chapter I- The Judgement of the Great Tsar

Nikolai Ashinov sits impatiently. Sitting on a chair inside the Gatchina palace waiting to have an audience with the great Romanov.

He had long been fascinated with the land of Abyssinia and believed it one of the greatest lands of civilization. He had been a soldier against the Turks in 1877, and while not the best educated, he knew how to fight, and being a Cossack, he planned to show his great military skill in this expedition.

"Please God, give me strength," Nikolai said with a cross in his hand.

The two guards opened the door to the great hall. "The Great Tsar will be seeing you now"

He stepped slowly in and saw Alexander III sitting on his throne, with even more guards present.

Nikolai took a gracious bow to his knee and lowered his head.

"Thank you, your majesty, for seeing me"

He stood back up, as Alexander said

"I've heard from many you have a proposal for me, and I've been intrigued by what it is. Please tell"

"Yes, your majesty. Let me present you my idea."

"I propose......a new Russian colony in Africa."

Alexander fell back, bewildered by such a proposal, but heard him out.

"I see. I am certainly intrigued. I'd like to hear more. Please continue"

"Our great land of Rus our proud disciples of Christ. But we were not the first loyal to Christ. Our friends in Armenia and those in Turkey were the first. But the ones south of Egypt have been loyal to Christ long before us."

"Who are these people" As Alexander leaned in

"The Abyssinians"

Alexander sat back and paused "What do you propose"

"I plan to take an army of 3,000 Cossack soldiers"

"Send them down to Djibouti"

"Take French Somaliland"

"March through the streets of Addis Ababa"

"And gift you Abyssinia"

Alexander released his expression

"What is the point of setting up a colony in Africa?"

"The potential revenues, working populace, and projection we can get are fantastic."

"What do you mean?" Alexander said with curiosity.

"Ethiopia is full of Coffee. Enough to fill the entire Pacific, that can rival the spices in India or Porcelain of the Qing in quality. There is also the many useful livestock we can harvest on our own. We'll make it so no Russian, or Abyssinian man woman or Child ever starves again. The Oilseeds and Pulses taste great and are nutritious as well. The fruits, vegetables, and flowers can also be utilized very well. The Teal and natural gum are to die for. And we can utilize the immense cotton farms, and sell them in Russia, so no one is cold. Never more shall we go to Siberia, and lose too much to get polymer. We will have our own Cotton we don't need to buy from Britain in India. We can become self-reliant."


"Go on"

"Abyssinia's population is extremely large, at 12 million. If we dissolve the slavery and industrialize the place, the population can be a loyal member of Russian society, and if we can mobilize them to work, we can explore our already high growing economy with the help of Abyssinia. And with modernization, including sanitation, railroads, hospitals, education reform, modern housing, electricity, and so much more! We can increase the population, and with better education, they can share their ideas! And increase our already booming economy! And, we can go on a crusade of righteousness. The Arab slave trade still exists in Abyssinia, and we shall free them like Alexander II did to the Serfs! And if a war with the Turks takes place, give us a few ships, and we'll fight them in Arabia."

"Abraha in the 500s invaded Mecca and failed. But if we fight the Turks again, Abraha will guide us to victory down south. And this time, we'll win, capture Mecca, and build the grandest church in the holy cities."

"And one last thing. This will help our Russian image. I am a Pan-Slavist. We Slavs need to unite together. If we do, we can rule the world under the Slavic Yoke. But one thing we all seem to forget is that we are all Orthodox. We are the wisest of all Christians. We are the perfect followers of Christ. And when us Slavs unite under one banner, we need to seek allies. See, the Turks, Austrians, Germans, British, and Chinese will all want us dead. We must unite our Orthodox brothers against the other races. The Abyssinians are Honorary Slavs, and we must treat them like brothers. We must fulfill the Pan-Orthodoxist dream.

"We are the Russian Bear, and since the Abyssinians control the Horn of Africa, they are the Abyssian Rhinos. The Rhino and Bear together can take on the world together."

Alexander pondered this.

"I have a few questions about this."

"Ask away your majesty"

"If we war with the Turks again, and the Bospherous are closed, won't the colony collapse?"

"Perfect question your majesty."

"Abyssinia has very good climate for growing food. Much of the population already is agrarian, and if we are cut off from Petersburg, we have enough national food in the treasury, and a population with domestic food, that we can last months before we need to plan to deliver food to the populace."

"What about France?" Don't they have claims in Djibouti, where you plan to set up an operation of invasion?"

"Yes, I believe France won't risk making it into a bigger problem. France already got a large slice of the African cake, and one more crumb on their plate isn't worth risking. And ever since Napoleon III fought the Prussians, the French want revenge so badly, they will show how devoted to the alliance they will be."

Alexander started to smile more.

"Tsar. I cannot stress the friendship both Abyssinians, and Russians have. Our GREATEST POET was part Ethiopian. We, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to Alaska. But we must make her memory worth it. We can unite our Russian people by giving them a new colony, and the new colony full of great people, with a great history, and culture.

Alexander paused for a whole of ten seconds.

"I have faith in such an operation, and what it could succeed."

"You said you needed 3,000 Cossacks right?"

"Yes."

"I'll give you 4,000 Cossacks."

Nikolai's eyes lit up.

"Thank you, your majesty"

"Christ blesses you."

Nikolai bowed again, before standing up.

"I promise. I will take Abyssinia, bring the glorious Ethiopian, and Russian peoples together."

"I'll take Dire Dawa"

"And New Moscow will be Its Name!"

"Thank you, Nikolai."

Nikolai bowed out, and as the door closed, he dreamed of the endless savannahs upon the horizon.
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