The Grip

Eighteen years of peace are behind them—years during which Russia managed a leap in development and took a leading position in many areas. Gradually, Russian goods take over sales markets; merchants push farther and farther beyond the ocean, mastering the Far East and the northern and western coasts of America. Sounds encouraging? Not really. It’s not that smooth. Far from all Russian merchants dare leave the Baltic or Black Seas, beyond which they are hunted by anyone and everyone. That’s the lot of only a few. European powers still treat Russia as a wild Muscovy—something they want to use for their own ends. And to make matters worse, Europe has started to resemble a cauldron of hellish stew, ready to spill over any moment. And it seems this fight cannot be avoided. Yet the interests of one’s own state must also be considered…

Well—this will only add headaches for Emperor Peter the Second, who is already beginning to earn the nickname “Bulldog,” and for his faithful comrade, unseen by anyone except the Emperor himself—our contemporary Sergey Burov.