Ch.126The Foreign Minister of the Xenophobic Nation

* * *

That should be enough. I worked hard.

Honestly, from a third-party perspective, what I did wasn’t completely implausible, right?

Of course, peacekeeping forces can’t mobilize troops just because a queen requests it, can they?

I never expected peacekeeping forces would be used like this.

“Hah, but still, this…”

Stirbey is sweating profusely and seems to want to object to something.

From the looks of it, he must have been thoroughly scolded by Queen Marie.

“What else could I do? Should I, sitting in Moscow with little understanding of your situation, have ordered the peacekeeping forces to capture Prince Carol?”

It’s absurd to blame me.

Without knowing the mastermind or the forces behind this incident, neither Queen Marie nor this Stirbey is in any position to question me—it’s not like they entrusted me with their army.

“That’s not it, but…”

“From what I can see, Prince Carol has the advantage. If Russia intervenes in such a manner, Britain and France won’t sit idly by.”

“I’ve heard rumors that Russia could take Bessarabia because of this incident.”

Well, that’s right.

The State Duma has already decided to demand Bessarabia from Carol II’s Romanian government because of this incident.

What else is there to gain from Romania besides Bessarabia right now?

Russia isn’t exactly a paragon of virtue. The peacekeeping forces, on the surface, genuinely have to fight the Hungarian army when Horthy gets greedy.

“After mediating, we naturally deserve compensation. Are you suggesting Russia planned this all along? Although the Anti-Comintern Pact recognized Bessarabia as Romanian territory, we should receive something in return for this incident, shouldn’t we?”

“Then what happens to us?”

I hate having to repeat myself.

“You’re free to return home or stay in Russia as you wish. If you choose to remain in Russia, I can arrange accommodations in Moscow. Didn’t I tell you? People keep trying to paint me as the villain, but despite appearances, I’m known as a saint. I don’t engage in underhanded tactics like kidnapping.”

Barbu Stirbey quietly observed me, trying to gauge my intentions, then sighed deeply and withdrew.

When confronted like this, I can’t help but be a bit petty in response.

I tapped my fingers on the desk, trying to think of a good solution.

Yes. A love escape should work, shouldn’t it?

“Maria.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Contact Beria and tell him to spread rumors that Queen Marie has eloped.”

This should be sufficient.

Queen Marie, who realized Greater Romania, attempted to elope in her later years.

“Pfft. How the mighty have fallen—a once-celebrated queen now in disgrace.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I don’t know how World War II will unfold.

If not now, who knows when we’ll be able to take Bessarabia from Romania.

Later, when Britain is more stable, they might question Russia if we try to take it from Romania then.

Well, the Romanian matter is settled for now.

Today seems to be quite a busy day.

“Your Majesty, British Foreign Secretary Austen Chamberlain is requesting an audience.”

Someone has come to see me.

Why come to me instead of the State Duma?

“Austen Chamberlain?”

“He’s the British Foreign Secretary dispatched to Russia regarding the Romanian issue.”

Today is really busy.

Considering that Barbu Stirbey visited today, this must be about the Romanian issue too.

But he asked to see me directly? The British Foreign Secretary?

Britain must have sent their Foreign Secretary to lodge some kind of protest.

I wonder if he’s the Chamberlain I know.

Ah, that’s Neville Chamberlain. This must be the Chamberlain who only served as Foreign Secretary.

“Why are you seeking me out instead of going to the State Duma?”

“Everyone at the State Duma parrots the same line—that they’re all of one mind, following the Tsar’s will. So I came to find Your Majesty.”

Aren’t they subtly passing the buck to me?

Like, “The Tsarina caused this, so the Tsarina should handle it.”

Isn’t that what they’re doing right now?

No, I still have the Anastasia fan club. Maybe this is Chamberlain’s impulsive action.

Looking at his face, he seems quite irritated.

“Hmm, I have no authority…”

“However, Your Majesty is the monarch of a great empire spanning East and West, with far-reaching influence. Doesn’t this Russian oak move according to Your Majesty’s will?”

Ah, such flattering words make me feel good.

Even as the “Grading Emperor,” such praise naturally brings a smile to my face.

Alright. Let’s hear what he’s curious about.

“Very well. What would you like to know?”

“What are your plans for Bessarabia?”

Why are you questioning me about Bessarabia?

If anyone should protest, it should be Romania, right?

“Wasn’t Bessarabia originally our territory? If we protect Romania from Hungary, we should at least get Bessarabia back in return.”

That’s ours, right? We should get it back.

Is this another case of the Entente meddling in other countries’ territories?

Or do they want to prevent our expansion?

“With Ukraine in between… what are your plans for Ukraine?”

“Why? Are you concerned we might have designs on Ukraine as well?”

Looking at the map, I can see why he’d think that.

After taking Bessarabia, it might seem like we’re planning to do something with Ukraine too.

Unfortunately for him, I have no intention of targeting Ukraine right now.

I need to deal with Makhno’s Free Territory first.

I should find a way to incorporate Ukraine somehow during World War II.

Perhaps I could demand Ukraine from Britain during World War II.

“Just looking at the map, if Bessarabia becomes Russian territory, doesn’t Ukraine stand in the way?”

Mr. Chamberlain seems to understand the principles of territorial expansion quite well.

He’s right. I don’t plan to annex it immediately either.

Even the State Duma, considering international opinion, doesn’t plan immediate annexation despite claiming it as our territory.

Yes. To put it simply:

“For now, we can’t immediately annex Bessarabia—we’d have to create a puppet state called the Bessarabian Republic, wouldn’t we?”

“Then what about Hungary’s occupation of Transylvania?”

“We must accept it. Didn’t Romania take what belonged to Hungary in the first place?”

Chamberlain’s face twisted slightly at my words.

After all, Romania’s territorial acquisitions were only possible with the tacit approval of Britain and France.

“Then at least limit it to Northern Transylvania—”

Ah, this person really doesn’t understand.

He should be managing his own colonies, yet he’s bothering me about Romania.

Bang!

I slammed my palm on the desk with a loud noise and glared at him.

“Listen, Foreign Secretary Austen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Wasn’t this acknowledged by Romania’s King Carol himself? Is Britain trying to dictate how territories should be divided? This is purely interference in internal affairs.”

“Transylvania itself isn’t the issue. The problem is that Transylvania is part of the Dual Monarchy.”

“Can the scent of the recently dismantled Dual Monarchy be detected all the way from the British Isles?”

“Your Majesty, what exactly are your intentions? Monarchists have been rising within Hungary recently. Some are advocating for an Eastern Military Union. Doesn’t this suggest the reconstruction of Austria-Hungary?”

Just like the Entente powers, he’s quick to notice such things.

“So what? Do you think the fragmented Dual Monarchy could withstand offensives from Germany, Italy, and Yugoslavia?”

“Then does Your Majesty support the Dual Monarchy?”

While I do have a soft spot for the Habsburgs, that’s different from supporting them when asked directly.

The Dual Monarchy needs to be substantial enough to serve as a meat shield.

If Poland serves as Russia’s second line of defense, our Dual Monarchy needs to act as a hedgehog in the middle.

“It’s not as if the Dual Monarchy would be restored just because I support it. If that were the case, we would already have a United States of Austria. However, Hungary at least needs to grow larger. Your country may feel less threatened across the sea, but Communist Germany might recover its strength and start a war.”

“Germany starting a war in its current state seems… implausible. With East Prussia gone, their rearmament and recovery to previous military levels would be more difficult than for Britain and France.”

Looking at this situation, it really seems like Britain might take a hit too.

When the Great Depression hits, there might be some who sympathize with communism.

Should I warn him?

“Military strength will recover gradually, and aren’t you directly experiencing the terror of Communist Germany?”

“What do you mean?”

His expression suggests he’s sensing something.

He already knows through France.

I wonder what’s happening in British colonies?

I smiled slightly and spoke.

“Haven’t red seeds been sown in your colonies?”

“!!”

Look at that face—like a stunned pigeon that’s been hit.

Judging by that expression, they have been sown.

I told you Communist Germany wouldn’t sit idle.

Communist Germany might be weaker than Nazi Germany, so they’ll cause all sorts of trouble through behind-the-scenes agitation.

Of course, even if by some miracle of national policy Germany rebuilds its military strength to some degree, though not equal to Nazi Germany, they will use propaganda to win wars.

So, I’ll be honest.

“Listen, Foreign Secretary Austen. I’m speaking seriously now, not as the Russian Tsar but as one person to another.”

Person to person, seriously. I leaned forward to ensure Chamberlain could hear me properly.

“P-please speak.”

Why are you so frightened?

Despite appearances, I’m a good person as long as you don’t provoke the Entente.

“Russia made many mistakes during the imperial era, and my father ignored your country’s warnings and failed to govern internally. But even so, the country was split in half by a revolution led by just a few hundred Bolsheviks. That’s why I’ve implemented all sorts of welfare policies with a communist flavor to win people’s hearts. Do you understand? The country was overturned by just a few hundred people. Don’t ignore the few seeds sown in your colonies. What’s planted in the colonies might be a disguise—the real seeds might be sprouting on your British mainland.”

“!!”

“I’m not trying to dismiss or mock your country. Communism exploits the gaps in people’s suffering. The Germans who are sowing red seeds in your colonies might also be sowing them in your homeland. You must prepare for this.”

This shows that I’m also thinking about the Entente powers, right?

Anyway, Britain needs to draw aggro on the British Isles just in case.

“Ah, and one more thing I’d like to tell you.”

“Please speak.”

Why such a tense expression?

When you act like that, it makes me look like I’ve done something wrong.

Unfortunately, I’m not that foolish.

“Eventually, if Communist Germany causes trouble, Britain will join in subduing them, won’t you?”

“According to the Anti-Comintern Pact, yes.”

There seems to be something pointed in that response.

Adding “according to the Anti-Comintern Pact” suggests he means we should behave ourselves.

They might exploit loopholes in the pact to attack Russia.

Hmm, I’m not sure what he’s thinking.

But I sincerely hope Britain helps crush Communist Germany.

Anyway, Britain isn’t in a position to slap away Russia’s growing hand.

“Then at the very least, you should recover from the damages of the Great War before that. It would be best to abandon the gold standard.”

I heard Britain temporarily suspended gold convertibility for post-war recovery, then restored the gold standard in the mid-1920s, which caused them to take a big hit during the Great Depression.

“Abandon the gold standard?”

“It seems you’re planning to return to the gold standard during post-war recovery. It would be better to abandon it.”

“I’ve heard Your Majesty has an eye for the future. Are you perhaps seeing something?”

This feels like he’s mocking me.

Asking if I’m seeing something. He seems to be joking.

Well, that’s a normal reaction.

But I didn’t bring it up first.

So I can be a bit provocative too, right?

“I see numerous unemployed people, strikes, all sorts of futures.”

“In our British Empire? Even for the Tsar, this is—”

Look how quickly he gets offended and angry.

Of course, I wouldn’t provoke the British Empire. Despite its current state, it’s still a colonial empire that dominates the world.

“No. Worldwide.”

“Worldwide? Huh.”

Chamberlain’s mouth, which initially showed extreme displeasure, fell open.

Of course, my words were aimed at all countries, not just Britain.

“If there are places that will suffer less, it would be France and us, since we were hit so hard in the last war that the impact will be less severe.”

He should understand with this much explanation.

As a foreign secretary of an Entente power, he should know better.

“I’ll take it under consideration.”

Yes, consider it carefully.

But Britain won’t listen just because I told them this.

Why? Because their pride won’t allow them to prepare for a Great Depression based solely on the Russian Tsar’s word about something that hasn’t happened yet.

I believe our Mr. Gallipoli Churchill is insisting on the gold standard. Let’s see how that works out.