Ch.179Give Me My Money

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The civil war in Spain continued with the National Front maintaining its advantage without any significant reversals.

The National Front. This is probably a force formed by the integration of all right-wing parties, unlike the Nationalists in the original history.

Right-wing groups have united together to confront the Popular Front.

There must have been complex reasons for this.

For example, because of support from communist countries. It’s probably similar to how White warlords united around me during the Russian Civil War.

The Falange has grown larger than in the original history and has become the leading force.

And around this time.

News from Ethiopia arrived.

Ethiopia was a place Russia had been investing effort in for some time.

Well, by “effort” I mean we just provided some support to the Ethiopian military. We sold weapons in exchange for importing their supposedly delicious coffee.

It was practically giving them away for free.

“Rumors are spreading that Italy is planning to invade Ethiopia.”

Today, the Minister of Defense, the Black Baron, came to me for his evaluation.

Though it’s more like a report than an evaluation.

“Italy?”

“Yes. Mussolini is moving troops to Africa.”

So that time has already come.

How does everything continue to unfold exactly as I predicted?

As I’ve said, that guy is a communist in name only. That’s why he’s launching an invasion of Ethiopia.

I wonder how the Ethiopian Emperor will respond.

Surprisingly, the Ethiopian Emperor is quite a decent figure.

Especially the Ethiopian Emperor of this period, Haile Selassie. In the original history, he eventually lost the war against Italy.

But he managed to escape to England and later returned when the Allied forces finally drove the Italian army out of Addis Ababa.

This man also has connections with Korea.

When the later independent Korea was invaded by communists, he sent his elite unit, the Kagnew Battalion, which achieved great merit and remained after the ceasefire to help with post-war reconstruction.

The Kagnew Battalion was so outstanding that they reportedly never lost a single prisoner.

I’ve gone off on a tangent. To summarize, I want to help Ethiopia partly to spite Italy, but also because as someone who was Korean in my previous life, I feel goodwill toward them.

After all, wasn’t he the emperor who helped us?

Honestly, during the Korean War, most European UN forces, even Turkey which was called a “brother nation,” helped for various complex reasons including their own interests. Ethiopia, however, was the only country that helped Korea solely on the principle that freedom should be protected from invasion, even though they didn’t have to.

It would be strange not to feel goodwill toward them.

“Let’s send gas masks as well.”

“Gas masks, Your Majesty?”

Why are you so surprised?

I’m always envisioning a future where Ethiopia is massacred by the Italian pasta guys’ poison gas.

“Italy will try to occupy Ethiopia by any means necessary. We should consider the possibility they might use poison gas.”

“Would they really go that far, no matter how unprincipled they are?”

Mussolini has no principles.

So it’s very likely.

Mussolini is simply a man without principles. At least until he went to war. He ranted about creating Rome and then ruined everything.

Even such a man managed to occupy Ethiopia by spraying poison gas.

Although the international community didn’t recognize it, the Italian king ended up also becoming the Emperor of Ethiopia.

But the history here is very different.

For one thing, we’ve already established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, whether people realize it or not.

There must have been some who wondered why on earth the Tsar established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.

“Italy may be communist, but that’s just for show. And this time, Ethiopia has grown stronger despite being an African country thanks to our weapons support. The Italian military will probably struggle just like last time.”

“You’re saying they might use poison gas.”

They actually did use it.

Mussolini may be a communist in name only. No, even if he were a genuine communist, he might immediately resort to poison gas if things go badly in Ethiopia.

Therefore, I believe we should support Ethiopia as much as possible so they can tie down Italy.

We can’t send volunteer troops, but we should provide weapons.

“Yes. Italy has more advanced weapons than in the previous war, but Russia has invested that much in Ethiopia. If things don’t go well, they’ll spray poison gas. Please provide gas masks.”

“Yes, I understand. I hope Ethiopia can hold out well.”

“Indeed. The longer Ethiopia can hold out, the more Italian troops will die.”

As I always say, there are variables.

We need Italy to suffer losses in Ethiopia so that our Austrian mountain division can block the Italian forces.

“For now, please look after Ethiopia’s situation as much as possible. Without letting Italy find out, of course.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Well, that’s taken care of. But why do I see Einstein behind the Prime Minister?

It’s probably related to the atomic bomb. Let’s hear why he’s come.

“What brings you here, Dr. Einstein?”

“Your Majesty. I have a question.”

“Please speak.”

Why so serious?

Has he discovered something in his research?

“Your Majesty. If we create a weapon based on what you’ve described, do you intend to use it?”

“From what you’re saying, I gather you’ve made some progress.”

Atomic bomb development cost a lot of money in the original history too.

So Einstein has probably made decent progress in his research, though not complete development.

“I know it’s impertinent, but I’d like to ask one thing.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“How does Your Majesty intend to use this weapon?”

With trembling eyes.

Perhaps with that brilliant mind that might have foreseen the horrific results that could occur in the future.

Einstein is waiting for my answer.

Perhaps because the weapon he’s creating could turn the world upside down.

The Einstein of the original history was the same.

He did help create the atomic bomb, but after it was used, he regretted urging nuclear development and opposed nuclear weapons.

Now that history has changed. Research has accelerated because of me.

I’ve even thrown out some ideas that have jumbled up the development order.

Like centrifuges, for example.

“I plan to use it if Russia’s homeland is threatened, or if enemies refuse to surrender.”

“In the future you foresee, will there be a situation where this must be used? This weapon could potentially erase an entire city and kill countless lives.”

He’s already seeing that far?

Or perhaps even Einstein is just speculating. I did tell him to research it, but it’s still too early for actual development.

“If such a situation arises where it must be used, I will use it.”

“Why?”

“In World War I, the death toll reached ten million between the Entente and Central Powers, and if we count the wounded and missing, tens of millions were affected. The weapon you’re creating is meant to prevent such outcomes by ending wars early. Think about it. What would cause fewer casualties: tens of millions fighting and dying to force an enemy’s surrender, or destroying one city to achieve surrender?”

Let’s think about it carefully.

If another great war breaks out, countless people will die again.

Their deaths would destabilize nations and lead to chaos. But consider this.

Just destroying one city with such an asymmetric force could compel surrender.

We could even issue evacuation warnings to remove people before dropping it.

“But if used on a city, wouldn’t there be civilians?”

“Even those who stand by and watch crimes cannot be called innocent. Can those civilians who work in factories enabling the enemy’s war effort truly be considered innocent? Of course, we should give civilians time to evacuate. But if they don’t flee despite evacuation warnings, that’s equivalent to choosing to remain in a deadly situation.”

If evacuation warnings were given but people didn’t flee, that’s natural selection.

That’s how I see it.

“Hmm. I’m not sure about this.”

I understand. Using an atomic bomb could end the war quickly with minimal losses.

But that nuclear weapon could also kill many innocent lives.

Yet Einstein is working hard to create this nuclear weapon.

Honestly, at this point, scientists have done enough research that nuclear weapons could be developed even without Einstein.

But you know what? I do care about this.

I can’t just kill innocent people with nuclear weapons.

“Of course, I’m known as a saint both domestically and internationally. Honestly, I hope this weapon never needs to be used. If communist Germany or communist Italy collapse quickly, there would be no need to use it. So let’s discuss this later since it hasn’t happened yet. Who knows? If we detonate one as a test somewhere, those communists might get scared and surrender. Even I have my reputation to maintain domestically and internationally, and I don’t want to be criticized for erasing a city with such a weapon.”

“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I understand.”

Einstein finally surrendered.

He intellectually understood what I was saying, but his face showed he was struggling to emotionally accept the potential consequences of the weapon he was creating.

Of course, part of Einstein’s compliance might be because he hasn’t yet directly experienced the power of nuclear weapons.

Since we’re on the topic. I should start moving on that front too.

I need to develop nuclear weapons through other talent channels in case Einstein refuses.

And securing uranium ore is important.

Right. In the original history, the Belgian Congo had uranium mines. They weren’t operational because a British person held 30% of the shares.

Couldn’t we intercept this before the Americans start their Manhattan Project?

Of course, with Einstein, the key figure of the Manhattan Project, on our side, it shouldn’t be a problem.

It would be good to bring Oppenheimer to our side too.

Might that be possible if civil war breaks out?

“Maria. Please call Prince Yusupov.”

“Yes.”

I summoned Prince Yusupov.

Prince Yusupov is exactly the person I need right now.

Having caught the scent of money, Prince Yusupov rushed to the Kremlin Palace.

Prince Yusupov truly resembles a tail-wagging dog.

“Yes, Your Majesty. You called for me?”

“I have a task for you, Prince.”

By now, you understand what this means when I call you, right?

That it will cost money but could also make money.

“Please tell me.”

His eyes are sparkling again.

Unfortunately, this time it’s not really about making money. Rather, it’s something that will cost a tremendous amount.

But our Prince Yusupov didn’t seem to mind.

He probably came here thinking he would make money, hence that youthful, bright expression that doesn’t match his age.

“Unfortunately, this time it’s something that will cost money. You won’t be able to make any.”

“That’s disappointing. But I’ve reached my current position thanks to the ideas Your Majesty has given me. Please just give me your orders.”

Despite his obvious disappointment, Prince Yusupov couldn’t refuse the Tsar’s request after coming all this way.

Yes. Since you’re being so cooperative, let me raid your wallet without feeling guilty.

“There’s a uranium mine in the Belgian Congo. Could you acquire it?”

Our Prince Yusupov must be very wealthy.

He’s probably Russia’s equivalent of Samsung.

So let’s try tapping into that.

“A uranium mine, hmm. I’ll try, but is this needed for weapon development?”

“Yes. The shares are probably held by a British person. I’m not entirely sure since the timeline is different.”

I don’t know exactly when, but I’ll give it a shot.

I think our Prince Yusupov will find a way to acquire it.

In these difficult times, how pleased would they be if a wealthy country took those shares?

And a little bribe should do the trick.

“I’ll do my best. However, Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Wouldn’t this tremendous weapon you speak of cost a lot of money?”

That’s right. It would cost an enormous amount.

The budget was $2 billion, equivalent to $23 billion in 2020s standards.

90% of the cost went to building factories and purchasing nuclear fission materials.

Even if we can accelerate weapon development with the few hints I’ve provided, it will definitely cost a lot of money.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll extract money from Prince Yusupov, but I also plan to intervene in America to secure more research funds.”

We need to extract as much money as possible.

Despite being divided, America’s capabilities remain formidable.

We should extract as much money as possible under various pretexts.

Perhaps if England tries to back out, the Huey Long administration might approach us.

“Your Majesty. I have a good idea.”

“What is it?”

This man is clearly trying to avoid having his money taken. Well, let’s hear what he has to say.