Ch.127Selective Commie

# Yugoslavia, Belgrade

In Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito was leading the Yugoslav Communist Youth League.

Having once been captured by the Russian Imperial Army during the Great War, he had observed the course of the Russian Revolution and civil war while imprisoned.

In a world where the original timeline would have seen him fall into communist ideology through the Russian Revolution, Tito still embraced communism even in this alternate world where the Soviet Union had collapsed.

The reason was simple.

In this alternate world where the Soviet Union had fallen, communism was merely a tool of governance for him.

After all, why would he seriously embrace communism when the “big brother” of Slavic nations, Russia, hadn’t become communist? Moreover, Russia now extremely despised communism and wouldn’t provoke White Russia, which harbored intense hatred for communism.

Tito had only one reference point.

He used communism solely to unify the former Austro-Hungarian constituent states that had just become part of Yugoslavia.

Additionally, Tito himself wanted to become Yugoslavia’s Lenin.

Just like Russia when it was unified under the Bolsheviks. That’s as far as he needed to go.

Initially adopting communism, then later when conditions improved and Tito reached a higher position, he could follow Russia’s example. “We practice modified capitalism!” he would declare, becoming allies with Russia as during the Great War.

Of course, Tito knew that Tsarina Anastasia extremely despised communism, but seeing Russia’s current policies that referenced many Bolshevik practices, he thought surely the “big brother” wouldn’t strike him down for emulating them later.

But.

Tito’s vision extended only that far.

“I’m screwed.”

As luck would have it, the German Communist Party was covertly supporting Tito, and Italy’s Benito Mussolini was openly praising him.

Mussolini had even gone so far as to praise Tito alongside the Romanian queen, calling her the “Red Queen.”

Russia had lodged a small protest about this, specifically mentioning Tito.

‘The Romanian Queen might be a communist, but I’m being falsely accused!’

Tito was furious.

Not knowing the truth behind the Romanian situation, Tito silently cried out that he was the victim.

At this point, could he say “This was all a joke! Just kidding!” Would they respond, “Haha, that was funny,” or would they kill him?

Even Tito himself would want to kill someone who did that.

He might be killed by German and Italian communists.

Or if he didn’t clarify his position and continued to present himself as “Red Tito,” he might disappear without a trace at the hands of the Okhrana sent by the Tsar.

Tito didn’t overestimate himself, but he had unwittingly become famous because the crazy secretary next door kept mentioning him.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Austria, someone named Hitler was building power, vowing to return Yugoslavia to what it once was.

In this situation, Tito needed to make a decision.

‘Because of neighboring Italy, I should pretend to favor the Communist Party. And to appease Russia, perhaps rename the Yugoslav Communist Party to something like the Yugoslav National Social Party?’

But then the Russians might question, “Is this guy a communist or not?”

Think about it. Both Germany and Italy have ruling parties named the German Communist Party and Italian Communist Party.

Shouldn’t he at least appear not to be a communist?

He was still young, after all.

Surely the Russian Tsar wouldn’t send the Okhrana to kill him.

* * *

After the Romanian crisis ended, the foreign ministers of Hungary and Romania arrived in Moscow.

Romania had originally planned to send their prime minister, but with Carol II’s new government being formed, only the foreign minister was dispatched.

They must be quite busy.

For Russia, this was simply about confirming the return of Bessarabia.

Beyond that, Hungary wanted to secure the return of Transylvania through “neutral” Russia.

“Romania will return Bessarabia as a gesture of gratitude to Russia for mediating peace. Does the Romanian side agree?”

“Yes, I agree.”

Romanian Foreign Minister Ion G. Duca acknowledged the return of Bessarabia.

His face looked extremely disgruntled, but there was little he could protest about Bessarabia.

Above all, Romanian intelligence probably didn’t know the Okhrana was behind it.

More precisely, communist Germany had done something.

Because of what the German Communist Party had spread, the Romanians believed Germany was behind it.

Even Queen Marie and Barbu Știrbey didn’t suspect Russia at all, since communist Italy’s Benito Mussolini had given her the title “Red Queen.” Marie’s resentment was directed at Germany’s Karl Liebknecht and Benito Mussolini.

With rumors that the German Communist Party was behind the assassination attempt on the Tsarina in Poland, Romania had reached the same conclusion.

“Do you recognize our mandate over Transylvania for Hungary?”

This time it was Hungarian Foreign Minister Lajos Walkó.

The Transylvanian mandate.

This was Horthy’s idea.

In case Britain intervened, he would transfer Transylvania to Hungary as a mandate, like a puppet state.

I had already spoken to Britain about this, but Horthy had been quite clever.

Of course. He probably planned to establish a puppet state first, then reunite with Austria-Hungary, and finally integrate Transylvania.

Our prime minister and foreign minister led this meeting, clearly establishing our position as a neutral country.

From my seat at the head of the table, I observed the deflated Romanian officials and the triumphant Hungarian delegation.

Pen in hand.

I didn’t really need to watch, but I wanted to see if the situation I had created was proceeding as planned.

“Yes. However, there are some Romanians in Transylvania. Please help us relocate them.”

“We will assist with that.”

Yes, that much should be done.

Leaving Romanians in Transylvania would become troublesome, so it’s best to resolve this clearly now.

But looking at the Romanian delegation, they seem to be here reluctantly.

Of course, who would be happy about giving up territory they had gained?

Essentially, this is a return to pre-Great War borders.

It makes their participation in the war meaningless.

And considering Carol II’s significant role in this affair?

“Will your new king adhere to the Anti-Comintern Pact?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Good. Now, if Hungary declares the end of its Special Military Operation, will Romania recognize the current borders?”

I almost burst out laughing at this.

Hungary’s Special Military Operation is ending.

I wonder if Horthy is also starting to enjoy this terminology.

“Yes, I recognize them.”

He has no choice but to accept.

Hungary has now reclaimed everything it lost. They’ve gotten what they wanted.

Now Hungary’s borders look nicely rounded and pretty.

Geographically, acquiring Transylvania definitely makes for a prettier map.

Personally, I think the Austro-Hungarian territories look nice.

Honestly, isn’t the dough-like shape of the Austro-Hungarian Empire better than these fragmented pieces?

The current fragmented borders somehow don’t fit together.

Well, now only Austro-Hungarian unification remains.

But that’s still some distance in the future. Perhaps sometime in the 1930s.

Even before the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, it was a multinational entity that wasn’t properly integrated, so it would be even more difficult now.

It might be possible if external pressure forced them to unite, but otherwise, rebuilding Austria-Hungary would be challenging.

I wonder what tricks the mustached man will pull. I’m curious.

Wait, why is there a sense that things are wrapping up now? This shouldn’t end here.

Why aren’t the Romanians asking about the important matters?

I clapped my hands as if to remind everyone not to forget the Tsar who was observing.

Only then did the officials from the three countries look at me.

Yes, that’s right. Look at me.

“Ah, is this the end? I have something to ask the Romanian side.”

“Yes, please speak, Your Majesty.”

Good, at least they’re speaking properly.

Why has there been no mention of Queen Marie and Știrbey, who were the root cause of this crisis?

Of course, I was behind it all, but still.

“Queen Marie and Barbu Știrbey are in Moscow. What do you intend to do about them?”

She is your queen, after all.

Looking at their faces, they seem not to have considered Queen Marie.

Prince Carol might have reasons for that.

“Our king does not wish for the Queen’s return.”

Formally, Ferdinand is still the king.

So Ferdinand is confined to his room? Looking at the situation, Carol seems to have completely taken control.

“I understand your king’s health has deteriorated. Is he alright?”

“Since the Queen fled to Russia, Prince Carol has effectively been handling state affairs.”

Hmm, has the mother-son relationship truly ended?

It might be a love-hate relationship.

Or perhaps Carol genuinely wants to get rid of Queen Marie.

What a disloyal son.

Surely Carol, no matter how foolish, doesn’t seriously believe his mother would collaborate with communists.

Considering that, it seems Carol wants to keep his mother in Russia.

“However, unless Queen Marie formally requests asylum, she should know she can go to another country.”

Russia needs to show it hasn’t kidnapped her.

So I’m releasing Queen Marie.

She currently has accommodations in Moscow, but where she goes next is no longer my concern.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Unless Barbu Știrbey is a fool, he won’t send Queen Marie back to Romania.

If Carol has already decided with Hungary’s backing, the outcome is clear.

This makes me feel a bit sorry for Romania.

No, wait. Who forced them to participate in the war with a sword?

Who told them to have an affair with Barbu Știrbey?

No one. Romania is at fault for creating the pretext.

Yes, indeed. I’ve done nothing wrong.

Well, this issue has been somewhat resolved.

Romania doesn’t want Queen Marie’s return, has lost territory, and has fallen into the hands of King Carol who is obsessed only with the throne.

Carol will probably drain the national treasury for Magda (Carol II’s second wife).

Romania will now decline on its own. That’s as far as we need to watch.

“Your Majesty, the Regent has a message for you.”

After the soul-crushed Romanians left, Hungarian Foreign Minister Lajos Walkó approached me respectfully.

“What is it?”

“The Regent has begun persuading the Hungarian nobles and requests Your Majesty’s official support for the Austro-Hungarian Dual Alliance.”

Official support.

That means I should publicly declare, “I support their dual empire.”

However, I’m surprised at how well this has turned out.

They’re really going for a dual alliance?

“Hmm. Surprisingly, this is possible?”

“Pardon?”

“No, I just find it interesting that your country’s regent is accepting the dual alliance.”

It’s true.

It essentially means reuniting with Austria.

Usually, there would be resistance.

Especially for Hungary’s Horthy, who would have to share his power with the Austrian Empire.

Considering he was previously an admiral in Austria-Hungary, it’s not an impossible development, but I’m uneasy about how easily things are progressing.

“Germany continues to infiltrate communist elements into Hungary through Yugoslavia. Moreover, the Regent has stated that since we don’t know how long the current system will last, we must establish a monarchy.”

So it’s a strategic choice.

Indeed. After experiencing revolution and with communists continuously infiltrating, Hungarian nobles might prefer life as part of the Dual Empire.

Moreover, as the name suggests, even in a dual alliance, Hungary would remain essentially a separate country.

Well, they’ll handle their affairs.

So, the Romanian issue has been resolved.

Hungary’s Horthy is satisfied, Romania’s Carol is satisfied.

And Russia has gained Bessarabia as a bonus.