The first thing I would do to eliminate corruption would be to solidify my authority as Tsar.  All those opposed to reform who presented a serious threat would be neutralized by whatever means necessary, whether by exile, imprisonment, threats, execution, assassination, or any other appropriate method.  This may sound harsh and despotic, but I believe it necessary in order to hasten reform.  I might also add that I would intensify and expand the training of my palace guards, in order that my reforms (not to mention my life) might continue.  Once my relative safety was insured, I would then attempt to solve the problem of corruption in Russia - not so much by attacking it directly, but by creating an environment in which its continued survival would be difficult.
     My first major reform would be to institute examinations of increasing difficulty for each level of the civil service. Everyone entering, as well as those currently in the civil service would be expected to take the examination(s), which could very well result in some reshuffling of the current bureaucratic hierarchy. Though this would perhaps do little in the way of weeding out corruption, it would certainly help to weed out incompetence, which can be just as bad. Though it would be possible to have some sort of moral “litmus test” included in the examinations, I would decide against this, as it’s not always easy to tell when someone is lying. I would also open up the civil service to women, and to the non-noble classes, provided they can pass the examinations. Those peasants serving in the civil service, as well as their children, would for all practical purposes, no longer be considered serfs.
     Having set standards for competence, I would then fill my cabinet with competent reformers, including those of non-Russian nations. The Decembrists would be allowed to return from Siberia, and those who were responsible for making Siberia efficient would be encouraged to enter the civil service, with the most competent of them even allowed to serve at the cabinet level. My cabinet and I would then draft a constitution (inspired by the American model), filled with reforms, some of which would go into effect immediately, and others that would not go into effect until my death.
     Among those reforms to take place immediately would be mandatory education for all children, including serfs, from the age of five until the age of twelve. Those serfs age thirteen and above would be allowed  to continue their education at their master’s discretion. Any noble who did not allow the children of their serfs to enter school would have to pay an additional tax. However, should a noble wish to let a serf-child continue their education past the primary level, then a tax break would be granted to that noble, until the child graduated school at roughly the age of eighteen.
     These serfs who graduated school, or could pass the entry-level civil service exam, would gain the status of free peasants - they would have the right to demand pay for their work, but they would also bear the responsibility of having to provide for their own food, shelter, and clothing, rather than having their employer provide such.
     Another immediate reform would be that civil liberties would be granted to everyone, regardless of class or sex. These civil rights would include freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, as well as suffrage and the right to due process.
     The constitution would also include a clause on the separation of church and state, resulting in Russian Orthodoxy no longer being the official state religion.
     I would also reduce the number of years of required military service from twenty-five to ten years. Similar to the civil service, I would also require examinations for all officer positions, and allow them to be filled even by serfs, provided the examinations are passed.
     Another reform to take place as soon as possible would be to increase the penalties for corruption, as well as the number of government inspectors patrolling Russia’s provinces. I would also reward those whose testimony led to the conviction of corrupt officials. Though this may increase the number of frivolous reports, it would also make people more careful concerning from whom they take bribes. The offering of bribes by anyone other than a government inspector  will also be a crime, and rewards will be offered for any testimony convicting anyone engaging in bribery of government officials. Russia’s infrastructure, especially her railroads,  would also be expanded and well-maintained, so the inspectors could visit more locations more quickly.
     Trade in dead souls would be banned.  Anyone attempting Chichikov’s scheme would be sentenced to 10 years of hard labor.
     The constitution will also provide for executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
     As Tsar, I will head the executive branch, but will retain absolute power until my death.
     The Duma will serve as the legislative branch, and will be bicameral. The senior house will be elected by the nobles of each province, and will consist of an equal number of representatives from each province. The junior house will be elected by the non-noble classes, and will be based on the population of each province. The only qualification needed to serve in the Duma will be that one must be a native of the Russian Empire, of the age of majority, and able to pass the entry-level civil service examination. The Duma will have the power to draft legislation, but I will have the power to veto such legislation. The Duma will not have the power to override my veto as long as I remain Tsar.
     The Judicial branch will be headed by a High Court whose main duty will be to interpret the constitution. The Duma will decide the number of justices and I will appoint these justices. In order to retain as much control as possible, I will appoint myself as Chief Justice. Requirements for serving on the High Court (and as Tsar) will be the same as those for serving in the Duma.
     I will also reinstate Peter the Great’s decree that the Tsar has the right to name his own successor, in order that, after my passing, I will know Russia is in good hands.
     After my death, the new constitution will go into full effect. Russia will then become a true constitutional monarchy. The power of the Tsar will become severely limited, much like the American President. The Tsar will retain the right to choose his successor, but the senior house of the Duma must confirm the successor. The Tsar will retain the power to veto, but the Duma will be able to override with a two-thirds majority. The Tsar will no longer be able to appoint himself to the High Court, and all High Court Justices will have to be confirmed by the Duma’s junior house. It will be forbidden to serve Russia in any more than one branch of government at a time.
     These reforms will most likely be funded by increased tariffs, taxes, proceeds from government investments, and borrowing from wealthier nations.
     Hopefully, the groundwork laid during my reign would help to eventually make Russia a stronger, more individualistic, more competent, and less corrupt nation.  I also would like to add that though I did not directly put an end to Russia’s greatest problem, serfdom, I feel it would be better to slowly wean her from it, rather than crudely yank her from its teat, resulting in a whining, unsatisfied infant.  I believe the constitution to be an ideal way for the Russian people to end serfdom themselves, without the help of an authoritarian figure.

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Tsar Nicholas I