Ch.109Naval Budget (3)

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“Isn’t this technology something Russia would develop on its own given enough time anyway? Besides, it would be beneficial to accept Russia’s request for technical cooperation to counter the British fleet.”

“What do you mean by that?”

This is about the future of the Empire.

Russia’s fleet could soon become a police force to prevent British naval influence in Asia, just as Britain once made Japan the policeman of the Far East to block Russia’s southward expansion.

“Although we’re currently in the same faction, weren’t Britain and Russia once the two great powers that divided the world through the Great Game? Russia’s fleet was quite powerful too. It’s been difficult for them to recover after their defeat in the war with our Empire.”

“And?”

“Going forward, our Imperial fleet must take responsibility for Asia. For our Empire, the British fleet would be an obstacle—specifically their East Asian Fleet. Right now we have a common enemy in Germany, but if Russia’s fleet grows stronger, wouldn’t Britain concentrate their fleet in Europe to counter Russia?”

That does make sense.

“Then, what about Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet?”

Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet.

To be honest, it’s practically insignificant right now.

From what I hear, Russia is preparing for a naval battle with Italy. Moreover, the fact that they’re requesting cooperation from our Empire essentially means their fleet alone isn’t very strong. If they engage in a decisive battle with Italy, they’ll likely pull their Far Eastern Fleet to Europe as well.

“Russia has divided the border with our Empire and Manchuria and even signed a non-aggression pact. There’s no need to worry about their Far Eastern Fleet. If we don’t intend to forcibly expel the British fleet, we can strengthen Russia’s naval power to keep Britain in check.”

Even without the fleet issue, we already share a border with Russia through the Manchurian Railway.

This means any war would be fought on land.

The military was thinking of making Asia Japan’s domain.

That would inevitably lead to conflict with Britain.

The British East Asian Fleet possesses considerable strength. Yet we’re both part of the Anti-Comintern Pact, making war impractical.

Wouldn’t it make sense to have them withdraw their fleet to Europe as much as possible?

If Russia’s European fleet grows stronger, Britain would inevitably feel pressured.

“I see. That makes sense.”

Japan decided to transfer fleet technology to Russia, hoping the Russian fleet would interfere with the British fleet.

Contrary to Anastasia’s expectations, Japan accepted the technical cooperation request to secure dominance over Asian waters.

* * *

Japan accepted the United States of Greater Russia Naval Department’s proposal.

This news was enough to stir up the Russian State Duma.

Japan had accepted what was merely a tentative suggestion.

This meant they would need to allocate budget for fleet reconstruction.

“Japan has accepted our Naval Department’s proposal.”

“They actually accepted it?”

“What could their intentions possibly be?”

“They say they’ll cooperate with fleet technology if we properly supply them with necessary resources, on the condition that we don’t strengthen the Far Eastern Fleet.”

They’ll cooperate with fleet technology.

Even with aircraft carrier technology? This is quite unusual.

“Does the Naval Department know why Japan made such a decision?”

“It’s too nuanced to call it simple goodwill. But judging by their condition that we not strengthen the Far Eastern Fleet, they likely want us to focus only on Europe.”

Would they go that far?

Just the condition of not strengthening the Far Eastern Fleet?

This seems too reasonable no matter how you look at it.

“That would make sense. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Hmm, well…”

This is quite ambiguous.

Since history has changed, I can’t read the Japanese intentions.

But seeing their interest in expanding into China, they might be more ambitious than in actual history.

Some say the Sino-Japanese War might not have happened if oil had been secured. But now, long before any oil embargo, Japan is showing interest in expanding into China.

This means they might also be eyeing the southern regions.

Perhaps they’re thinking that when a great war breaks out in Europe, they could secure French Indochina with their powerful fleet and make the southern seas their front yard.

Though actual war would be difficult, given the Japanese Empire’s character, they might support resistance movements in French Indochina during a European war and demand France hand it over.

For this plan to work perfectly, the British East Asian Fleet must not be seen in the Pacific or South China Sea.

“Ah.”

I’m getting a clear sense now.

For the East Asian Fleet to withdraw to Europe, a competing or hostile force must have a powerful fleet. If Russia is trying to rebuild its fleet now, our interests align.

Of course, this is just my speculation.

But honestly, it seems like the most plausible explanation.

Otherwise, it makes no sense for Japan to give away their technology just for some resources.

Could it be because Japan’s technology is inferior?

Of course, considering we’ve received German technology too, Japan might have factored that in. Maybe they think they just need to share some blueprints for aircraft carriers. Or perhaps they genuinely consider us allies and are like, “Hey, here’s our technology!” But…

When all is said and done, we could eventually develop aircraft carriers ourselves.

It’s just a matter of sooner or later, but Japan has offered to help.

Considering the Japan of actual history, they’re full of sinister schemes.

So my speculation might be more accurate.

I clapped my hands.

“Japan is targeting China. This means they’re aiming for Asia. If Japan wants to make Asia entirely their own, they need to secure naval dominance in the Pacific and South China Sea. The British and French fleets in Asia would be obstacles to that.”

“Ah, so they want us to build up our fleet so Britain feels threatened and recalls their Asian fleet to Europe?”

“Yes. Japan might be planning to make the Pacific and South China Sea their navy’s front yard to manage Asia.”

They’d have to deal with America too, and having Britain there would be troublesome.

Moreover, since they’re all under the Anti-Comintern Pact, declaring war on Britain would be awkward. So if they want to remove the British fleet from Europe without war, this is the answer.

It could lead to a new naval arms race.

The British pirates, proud of their fleet, wouldn’t like Russia having more ships than them.

“Hmm. So we need to invest in the navy.”

“Italy and Greece aren’t island nations and can be pushed back on land. Do we really need to do the Japanese a favor?”

I tap my temple with my finger, thinking.

We can’t let Japan have it all their way.

Yes, I agree with that sentiment, but we do need to prop up Japan for a while.

If Japan thinks Russia is a definite ally of the Empire, they’ll comfortably conduct southern operations. And if Russia and Britain become competitors again, if not through another Great Game, Japan will confidently assert itself in Asia.

The fight with Germany might end sooner than expected.

Then Japan might feel emboldened to fight America on a larger scale than in actual history.

Here, America is still the heavenly dynasty. They haven’t helped Korea gain independence, so I have no reason to look out for America.

But that’s precisely the problem.

Even if I don’t help them, unlike actual history, they won’t need to provide Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union. They might not need to land at Normandy.

If it’s just America projecting power in the Pacific against Japan alone… hmm.

It could be an epic battle.

Unless Japan develops nuclear weapons, America might become so enraged by Japan biting at them in the Pacific that they might launch an annihilation operation.

But even looking at reality alone, it’s not bad.

If Japan runs wild in Asia, they’ll inevitably clash with British and French spheres of influence.

Finding it bothersome to deal with Japan too, they might concentrate their fleets in Europe in exchange for ceding some interests to Japan.

So maybe we should just invest as much as the budget allows.

“Let’s build as much as our budget allows without strain.”

“Are you thinking of doing what Japan wants?”

This isn’t about pride or doing what they want.

This is just one possibility.

What matters is that Japan accepted our proposal.

“Well, if Britain concentrates its fleet here, wouldn’t it be easier to pound Germa—I mean, Germany and Italy?”

Whether they’re checking us or not, if the British fleet concentrates in Europe, can Italy breathe?

“I see.”

“Even if we receive aircraft carrier technology, it won’t appear overnight. One aircraft carrier should be fine. Naval Minister Kolchak should design an aircraft carrier. That much should be possible, right?”

Since Kolchak wants one so badly, one or two should be feasible.

As a former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Kolchak would naturally be interested.

“We received quite a sum from China during the mediation of the Constitutional Protection War. The budget for aircraft carriers seems…”

Krivoshein’s expression turned bitter as he spoke.

Yes, I can tell just by looking at his face.

“You mean it’s impossible to rebuild the fleet primarily with aircraft carriers?”

“Yes. While we’re better off than during the imperial era and growing, we’re already developing many things internally and can’t invest in all three branches—army, navy, and air force. The army is in good shape thanks to Germany’s generous support, motivated by their desire to strike France. But with our focus on the air force, it’s challenging.”

“Then, for naval battles with Italy, let’s plan to fight alongside Britain or France. Italy’s army is likely weak precisely because their navy is strong. Given Italy’s state, they can’t invest in everything either.”

Originally, Italy wasn’t that powerful.

Mussolini tried to make Italy look like a proper great power, but with inferior national strength compared to other powers, they intervened heavily in the Spanish Civil War as if it were their own war, and during World War II, they attacked Greece unnecessarily, making Hitler facepalm.

It’s been said that Italy’s national strength during World War II was inferior to Japan’s. It’s obvious. They barely had enough to save their own country.

If Italy is focusing on its fleet, their army must be weak. We could push in from land with the Austrian forces of the mustached man.

Of course, we’d have to deal with Germany, which might target the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia first, but well.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kolchak lowered his head in disappointment.

Yes, that’s life.

It’s good that the Japanese are cooperating technologically, and they did achieve some results in the early stages of World War II.

But there’s no guarantee we’ll become stronger by learning their technology.

Now that I think about it, that’s a problem too.

Is it okay to just copy the Japanese approach?

Of course, we shouldn’t just follow everything they do but adapt it to suit us. But aren’t Japanese aircraft carriers still in their early stages? If we just take that as reference, well, it might be helpful.

But realistically, it’s impossible.

Unfortunately, it’s beyond Russia’s capabilities. With such vast territory, the current reality is already a miracle.

We’ve actively utilized resources, eradicated the Bolsheviks, suppressed all opposing forces, and started industrialization.

We’ve had a better starter pack than the Bolshevik Soviet Union and have come this far.

Of course, we’ve also benefited greatly from Germany’s self-destruction, but still.

Come to think of it, aircraft carriers aren’t the only naval assets.

“If not aircraft carriers, we could look into submarines, like those German U-boats.”

Nazi Germany used U-boats effectively.

With a weak navy, they managed well throughout the war with U-boats, and even Mr. Gallipoli, Winston Churchill, feared U-boats during World War II.

If they hadn’t attacked the Soviet Union and had just deployed U-boats around the British Isles, things might have turned out differently.

What about against Italy?

Geographically, our only ally directly adjacent is Germany, so cutting off supply ships against Italy might not yield as good results as Nazi U-boats did. But we could still inflict significant damage.

U-boats even managed to destroy warships.

And Russia has enough naval power to interfere with destroyers and escort ships that are most threatening to submarines.

“Submarines, you say?”

“I’ve heard the German Imperial Navy performed quite well with U-boats during the Great War. It’s just my opinion, but they’d require less budget than aircraft carriers, wouldn’t they?”

“That’s correct.”

Right. I personally negotiated with the one-armed man about U-boats.

They generously shared their U-boat technology.

If we’re already committed, why not go the U-boat route?

It seems like it could be quite profitable.