Ch.168Imperial Way Faction (2)

# * * *

## Empire of Japan, Tokyo

Around this time, many Russians were staying in Japan due to the influx of Russian capital and Japan’s active efforts to improve relations (?).

Among them, the Okhrana, following orders from their homeland, promoted through Russians living in Japan that Japan was suitable as Russia’s Asian partner.

“Oh! Japanese samurai culture is truly amazing!”

“Ooh. Is this Japanese sushi? Delicious.”

By first showing Russian appreciation for Japanese culture, the Japanese were developing a growing fondness for Russia, thinking they were being recognized and treated as equals by a prominent white nation.

Anastasia’s “My War” also had a significant influence on this.

The Tsar, an absolute monarch worshipped as virtually a living god.

This created tremendous resonance with the Japanese who believed in their Emperor as a living deity.

The Japanese seemed to have buried their memories of the Russo-Japanese War somewhere in the Pacific, showing fondness whenever they saw Russians.

“Your Empress’s book ‘My War’ was extremely inspiring!”

“Wow. Russian women are incredibly beautiful.”

“Ana-chan…”

“My War” by Anastasia gained various fans not only because of its relatable content but also due to Anastasia’s overwhelming beauty in the cover photo.

The government also provided conveniences to Russian diplomats and businesspeople residing in Japan to foster friendship with Russia.

Catching this trend, Ishiwara Kanji of the Imperial Way Faction secretly sought out the Russian ambassador.

“I’ve come to see you, Ambassador, hoping that the friendship between the Imperial Nation and Russia will remain unchanged.”

He first flattered the ambassador while pouring drinks.

Meanwhile, Ishiwara Kanji, as a pillar of the Imperial Way Faction, decided to discover Russia’s true intentions through the ambassador.

“Would there be any issue?”

“So, I was wondering, how does your Empress feel about Japan managing Asia?”

To achieve the final world war and the goals of Asian liberation and harmony among five races, Ishiwara Kanji needed to understand the intentions of Russia, which shared a border with Japan.

“Well, truthfully, there are wishes in our State Duma that Japan would take charge of managing Asia as Russia’s partner.”

“Is that so?”

That was welcome news.

This meant Russia couldn’t expand its influence in Asia without being cautious.

“As you know, our Sovereign is revered as a saint. Though we’re Anti-Comintern Pact members and practically allied with Britain and France, we cannot support colonial empires forever, as they’re ultimately doomed.”

“Ah, yes. Indeed.”

True. Russia’s Empress is revered as a saint.

Such a figure cannot advocate for colonial empires.

Though bound by the Anti-Comintern Pact, Russia could never follow the same path as Britain and France due to the Tsar’s saintly status.

Meanwhile, Japan at this time was pretending that Korea and Taiwan were not colonies but legitimately annexed territories of Japan.

This meant that, at least on the surface, they treated Koreans as Japanese citizens rather than colonial subjects, though in reality, Imperial Japan remained an oppressor to Koreans.

“We’ve already divided Manchuria between us. Since we must deal with those European communists, frankly, our Duma would prefer Japan to take good care of the Asian region.”

The Russian ambassador, following his country’s policy, carefully floated the idea to Ishiwara Kanji.

Russia acknowledges Japan’s management of Asia.

Russia sees Japan as its partner in Asia.

Moreover, the sentiment between the nations had completely reversed compared to the Russo-Japanese War era.

Of course, within Russia, there was nationalist pride about being Byzantium’s successor and having recovered Constantinople, making them less concerned about Japan.

“I see.”

“Honestly, looking at France’s situation, it’s questionable whether they can maintain French Indochina. Not to mention British India.”

“Is that so?”

This was new information.

So Russia was also monitoring the situations in Britain and France.

Of course, this was natural since Russia was a European country, but Ishiwara Kanji pondered how this aligned with his interests.

“Otherwise, why would proud Britain fear communist Germany enough to support its national reconstruction?”

“Oh?”

Ishiwara Kanji’s eyes flashed.

Was that rumor actually true? He had thought it was just communist German propaganda.

If true, couldn’t they liberate French Indochina and even advance to British India? This would be perfect for the final war.

With America divided and by importing resources from Russia, they could advance southward.

Ishiwara Kanji took what he learned from the Russian ambassador to Kita Ikki, the current leader of the Imperial Way Faction.

“As expected. Russia is favorable toward Japan.”

“Hmm, I’m still not sure if this is right.”

Kita Ikki shook his head hesitantly.

Though he had become the leader of the Imperial Way Faction by pushing aside Araki Sadao and Masaki Jinzaburo, Kita Ikki felt uneasy.

“Isn’t this the right path to achieve harmony among five races? Now we must receive the Emperor’s approval and return all power to His Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

Kita Ikki (Kita Terujiro) showed an indifferent expression.

This was understandable since, although Kita Ikki was in the same boat as Ishiwara Kanji, he opposed expansion into China.

From the beginning, Ishiwara Kanji, who wanted to make the Emperor a true living deity, and Kita Ikki, who wanted to use the Emperor as a tool for his ideals, could not truly work together.

But there was a contingency.

Whatever scheme the Russian Empress had pulled, the Emperor, being human, would naturally die from shells and bullets.

The Russian Empress had established the State Duma, but ultimately she ruled herself.

Conversely, Kita Ikki appeared to put the Emperor forward but had clear intentions to manipulate from behind.

Kita Ikki joined hands with Ishiwara Kanji because their interests aligned: Ishiwara wanted to make the Emperor the living deity of Asia through war, while Kita wanted to use the Emperor’s face to pursue his own ideals and politics.

‘Yes. Only until then.’

If the Emperor died in war, Kita Ikki could use that to dream of his own world.

Of course, the Imperial Way Faction would need to secure power first.

# * * *

## London, United Kingdom

Churchill, who had been roasting Edward for some time, could not hide his astonishment one day.

Franklin Roosevelt’s death, KFC, MacArthur’s US military government, and Huey Long’s United States.

Churchill clutched the back of his head at the news that Britain had supported the United States.

Wasn’t the United States an honorary communist government that tried to collaborate with KFC, America’s multiracial communist faction?

Of course, if one examined the truth, Huey Long was trying to put out urgent fires first, and before he could subdue Kentucky, MacArthur betrayed him, but such details were trivial to Churchill.

“Why did the Prime Minister decide to support Huey Long’s United States?”

“Our British Empire is a democratic nation. It’s right to legally support Huey Long’s United States rather than MacArthur’s military regime, isn’t it?”

“Huh. Why not just honestly say you’re supporting the opposition to what Russia supports? After cleverly drawing them in by exploiting the French situation.”

Since when did the British Empire consider such things when pursuing national interests?

If they hadn’t drawn in France, Britain would have been virtually isolated.

Did they think he didn’t know they no longer wanted to be swayed by Russia?

“Is MP Churchill a member of the Russian State Duma? Or perhaps you have Russian ancestors?”

“W-what? Huh, seeing how you support Huey Long, who joined hands with the black communists of KFC, are you honorary KFC members?”

Though he usually wouldn’t engage in such childish behavior,

How dare they, quasi-communists, try to make him out to be Russian? Even Churchill couldn’t help but get angry.

“MP Churchill!”

“Instead of using this opportunity to discuss sending troops to North America to reclaim our colonies, you’re supporting the United States? Why don’t you all bite your tongues and commit suicide?”

Even though Russia had supported him with gold, Churchill didn’t particularly like Russia.

The Russian Empress supported Churchill according to her needs, and Churchill likewise used Russia.

But after supporting communist Germany once, supporting Huey Long’s United States, which had collaborated with KFC, was problematic in many ways.

The French might support the United States out of fear of communist revolution or military revolution, but the British Empire shouldn’t.

“Do you realistically think that’s possible?”

Of course, it wasn’t possible.

With the strain of managing colonies, they couldn’t possibly have the capacity to send troops to America.

But at least it would be more nutritious than supporting that communist United States government.

“It’s far better than supporting communists. This is our chance to intervene and either rebuild the American colonies or create puppet states to reclaim the hegemony we lost to America!”

“Supporting Huey Long’s government means we can’t do everything Russia tells us to do! We’re already stretched thin defending our homeland! Stop talking nonsense!”

Churchill trembled at the weakness of Parliament.

Yet they had the audacity to support the United States because they disliked Russia.

This shouldn’t be happening.

Only he could make the British Empire great again.

# * * *

Russia is busy.

The State Duma is working hard today to build Russia’s national power for the “Second Great War.”

Russia’s development speed is incredibly fast in preparation for war.

And I, as always, am just grading papers.

Perhaps Stalin of the Soviet Union was more relaxed than me?

No. He was probably busier than me, purging his political opponents.

On my side, I’m not interested in power, and I’m originally a K-possessor. I don’t care what the Duma members do among themselves.

But I keep watching what comes from outside.

“It seems Churchill and the royalist faction are fiercely criticizing the Baldwin cabinet for supporting the United States.”

Boris Savinkov submitted a report while I was grading in real-time at the Duma.

“That’s unexpected. I thought Churchill would support the United States for national interest, even though we’re helping a bit.”

Honestly, I thought Churchill would support the United States just to spite us.

Surprisingly, only the Baldwin cabinet supported the United States.

“The problem is that during this process, he mentioned reclaiming the old American colonies.”

“Oh. He’s insane.”

To occupy America with Britain’s power.

Well, his thinking is admirable. He truly deserves to be called an imperialist.

Honestly, when else would America be divided into three like this?

Moreover, if the West remains neutral, Britain could take a bite.

“For Your Majesty to say such things.”

Ah, I inadvertently cursed in the Duma.

But does it make sense?

Even if they somehow secured naval supremacy, could Britain occupy America with its current power?

“Ahem, realistically, it would be difficult for Britain to target America even if they abandoned all colonies and concentrated on the mainland, right?”

I cleared my throat and tried to say that.

“Yes. How could they manage when they’re already struggling with communist Germany? But at least not supporting the United States is praiseworthy, I think.”

True, that’s commendable.

But I feel quite uncomfortable. That Churchill fellow. If his ambition is greater than expected and he decides to antagonize Russia later, it would be troublesome.

No, at least for now, there’s no problem.

It would be best to leave them alone until they stabilize their colonies.

“I suppose so. Is Churchill’s royalist faction gaining ground?”

“Yes. Churchill’s royalist faction is diligently spreading news of the cabinet’s failures throughout the British Isles, causing support for the cabinet to decline.”

“The Conservative Party is crumbling. What about France? Their alignment with Britain was truly unexpected. I’m curious about the situation within France.”

The question is whether France will turn to the Commune or not.

If they turn to the Commune, an alliance between Germany, Italy, and France would form.

No matter how communist they are, this would be quite threatening.

Then we should prepare for when France might join the German alliance.

“La Rocque’s Croix-de-Feu is criticizing the government and advocating for supporting MacArthur, while the Commune side is quiet for now.”

Should the Croix-de-Feu be considered fascist?

Is La Rocque on the French fascist side?

But their support for the United States this time seems more aimed at targeting the Commune.

“Hmm. Then, the French government supported the United States to pacify the Commune, I see.”

It’s to subdue the Commune.

Since Huey Long of the United States tried to compromise with KFC, France’s Commune would also likely support the United States.

If they’re at the point of being wary of the Commune, this is quite dangerous.

Wouldn’t it be better if the Croix-de-Feu took action?

Well, fine. What can we expect from Flandin who suffered a six-week defeat? They should realize that whatever regime comes to power there will be Russia’s enemy.

Next is Japan.

How our Japan will develop is a matter of curious interest.

How far Japan’s ambitions will go. Russia needs to regulate this.