Ch.189The World I Don’t Know

# The Okhrana London branch urgently telegraphed Moscow.

“As expected, Churchill’s Royalist Party has taken power.”

A cabinet resignation crisis had unfolded in Britain.

In response, Edward had brought in the Royalist Party led by Churchill and Mosley to counter the mass resignation.

The result was essentially a bloodless coup—the Royalist Party overthrew the Baldwin cabinet and seized control. Edward managed to keep his throne and make the woman he loved his queen.

I can almost hear George V grabbing the back of his neck in dismay.

It’s hard to believe that man is truly devoted to just one woman.

Nevertheless, Edward has managed to keep both his throne and his woman.

Whether the British royal family will tolerate this is another matter entirely. It seems most British people on the island, including the working class, have turned to support the Royalist Party.

“What about the existing cabinet?”

I asked Interior Minister Savinkov.

“Some joined the Royalist cabinet while others didn’t. Most, I believe, had no choice but to join Churchill’s cabinet.”

Hmm, it seems like only the name has changed to “Royalist Party” while not much else has. Still, there must certainly be a change in Churchill’s heart.

He’s become more hardline than in the original history.

Especially with colonial issues at stake.

“Well, at least Churchill now has a firm grip on Britain proper.”

He received support from workers and World War I veterans.

This is quite different compared to the original history.

In the original timeline, although Churchill supported Edward, he later struggled because of Edward’s pro-German statements during World War II.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t sent a congratulatory letter yet. I can’t visit Edward because of Germany, but I should send a letter congratulating him on ascending the throne. We should also send a congratulatory letter to Churchill. The issue is that Churchill might support Communist Germany.”

Churchill isn’t the type to get drunk on Russian propaganda just because we provided some gold.

From Churchill’s perspective, our help would seem entirely natural.

So it’s a fair exchange, and he won’t stop supporting Germany.

If that happens, it might seem like nothing has changed, but at least he won’t show weakness in war.

Of course, my reason for supporting this dark-sided Churchill doesn’t end there.

“Then, was there any reason to help Churchill seize power?”

Savinkov rolled his eyes and asked with puzzlement.

Yes. That’s exactly the kind of question I expected.

One reason I helped him is that, unlike in the original history, he’s the type who will further destabilize the already chaotic Britain.

I suspect he’ll later take a more aggressive approach toward the colonies.

This would be different from the original history.

After all, Churchill is the type who would never willingly grant independence to colonies if he could help it. He’s someone who wishes for the British Empire to continue its days of glory.

Unlike the original history, the current Churchill will try to maintain the colonies, if only to prevent the spread of communism.

“No, that’s precisely why we should help him. Given Churchill’s personality, he won’t want either Communist Germany or the spread of communism.”

That’s why he campaigned on the platform of a great British Empire.

“Then Churchill’s Britain is headed for endless war.”

“That’s likely. It will be different from the previous government that tried to be as conciliatory as possible.”

The British aren’t fools, and their support for Churchill isn’t just for Edward’s sake.

It’s for the great British Empire.

The British people probably believe that Churchill’s government, unlike the current weak one, will work to restore Britain’s glory.

And Churchill must do so to maintain his position.

In other words, for the sake of this great British Empire, the old lion must at least pretend to be young.

Churchill’s British Empire will likely engage in constant warfare. The problem is that there’s definitely a limit to this.

Even if they somehow manage to fight through World War II, the colonies will no longer submit. British forces will have to run around in all directions.

The United States, which could put shackles on them, won’t be normal for a while either.

Naturally, Britain’s capacity to check Russia will diminish. Russia’s influence in Europe will become impossible to ignore.

“Your Majesty, an urgent telegram has arrived.”

“What is it?”

“General Yudenich and Special Military Attaché Patton have entered Barcelona in the Spanish Civil War!”

Barcelona in the Spanish Civil War.

The strategy of the Falange and volunteer forces was clearly to occupy all regions except the capital.

Then, after completely isolating the capital, they would finish the job.

They might be marching toward Madrid now.

“Now the Republicans have nowhere to go.”

The Republicans truly have nowhere to go.

As far as I know, Hitler also sent Austrian troops as volunteers.

But haven’t the Republicans collapsed too easily?

“Yes, they’re trapped in Madrid.”

“What about the volunteers on the Republican side?”

I wouldn’t expect Germany and Italy to just sit by and do nothing.

From Germany’s perspective, Spain needs to remain an ally so that France would face a third front after the Italian front.

I don’t think they’d just give up.

“Italy seems to have withdrawn its troops because the Ethiopian front has been dragging on too long.”

“To think they’re putting all their effort into Ethiopia.”

Our Duce—I mean Secretary Mussolini—must be quite desperate.

If this turns into a prolonged war, it would be embarrassing for a great power, so he’s determined to finish it quickly.

He’s putting all his strength into crushing and annexing Ethiopia.

Isn’t that rather petty?

“Isn’t it because he has the pride of a great power and is determined to finish the job?”

“Isn’t it ridiculous for a great power to put all its effort into Africa?”

That’s what I think.

Italy will later boast, “We are a great power too!”

These communists will do such strange things.

Can Hitler really handle a two-front war?

Looking at Yugoslavia’s situation, they might seek revenge later, but I doubt they’d join a war just to reclaim territory they know can’t be integrated.

They must be aware that others are eyeing their rear.

“Germany withdrew its troops before Barcelona fell.”

“That means they’re giving up on Spain.”

This suggests there’s been some change within Germany.

Goebbels becoming Secretary is part of it, but the volunteer forces in Spain could be interpreted differently now.

Perhaps they’re preparing for war.

Yes, that must be it. Communist Germany is definitely preparing for war now.

If they’re targeting somewhere, could it be the Benelux region?

It’s something I always wonder, but I have to ask myself again:

Can Communist Germany target France without Anschluss or the Munich Agreement? No, is it possible because of that Rhine line?

Honestly, Hitler was lucky too. If the Sickle Cut had failed and they’d been beaten, his popularity would have plummeted.

Even without Hitler, there’s Goebbels.

Germany will have to gamble to survive.

We’ve set up the Anastasia defense line too. They might make their move while we’re in America.

They might want to finish things before the American Civil War ends! That could be possible. What’s certain is that Germany now needs to be more wary of Britain.

Anyway, the communist takeover of Spain has failed, and seeing how early they withdrew, Goebbels doesn’t seem very interested either.

For them, Spain would be nice to have but not essential. Instead, they’re focusing on war. That’s how I interpret it.

“The outcome will be decided soon.”

This means we’ll gain another ally for World War II.

I hope our Falange will be helpful in World War II.

Given how much I’ve helped them, they should have enough conscience not to ignore our requests for support. Perhaps they could even send troops to the American Civil War?

Spain was meant to be Russia’s weapons testing ground and a way to test our combat effectiveness, but unexpectedly, it has emerged as a useful card.

A card for when France becomes communist. For when we attack Italy later. To receive help.

“Your Majesty, will the Falange be of any help to us? The military has judged them useful in case of war with France, but how likely is it that France will become our enemy?”

“Spain is France’s rear. We must prepare for when France becomes communist. And the Falange will have elite troops that have experienced civil war.”

That’s why I told Turkey they could target Syria later. Even if rebuilding the Ottoman Empire isn’t possible, they’d want to recreate the Ottoman territories somehow.

Now Spain could at least disrupt France’s rear.

If only Madrid remains, taking it with Franco’s power should be easier than cutting a cake.

Russia has done its part.

Of course, this is limited to Spain, and we must prepare for the American Civil War later.

I said we’d try to end the civil war quickly by capturing Trotsky, but we should be ready to intervene anytime. I’m thinking of sending Patton.

With an army led by Patton that performed well in the Spanish Civil War, there’s definitely potential in America too.

“How strong is the MacArthur government’s military?”

“They have a substantial army, but Huey Long’s government with its militia can’t be ignored either. Plus, the KFC has its own veterans.”

They may be the Great War generation, but they can still fight.

They’re not a generation to be dismissed, and the KFC could unexpectedly become a threatening presence.

If the KFC grows unexpectedly large, should we consider attacking via Canada?

Whether Britain or Canada would accept this is another matter.

Goebbels’ coup and the Royalist Party’s seizure of power.

Hitler’s absurd Anschluss.

The tension in Europe keeps rising. Something seems likely to break out soon.

If we could gather Poland, Austria, and the Balkan countries together, wouldn’t that make the Communist Axis a bit nervous?

It would be good if the Olympics were held so we could learn something.

Actually, the Olympics have barely been mentioned until now. Due to the aggression from Germany and Italy, they’re being held at an almost formal level. There’s virtually no substantive activity through the Olympics.

In particular, the Berlin Olympics from the original history weren’t even held here.

Communist Germany and Communist Italy won’t accept people from other countries.

Given their closed nature, we can’t use the Olympics as an excuse to extract anything.

At this rate, who knows when the Olympics will be properly held.

It might not be bad to get along like Germany and the Soviet Union did until the German-Soviet War.

But Communist Germany and Russia have never gotten along since the German Revolution.

From the beginning, it doesn’t make sense for Russia, bubbling with anti-communist sentiment, to get along with Communist Germany even on the surface.

“It would be really good to know what Communist Germany is up to.”

Seeing how few Communist Germans are flowing into Austria, it seems the rest are now living in compliance with the current German Communist Party.

If former Junkers are supporting Goebbels…

Why do I feel like something is going to happen?

Something. I have a strong feeling that something is about to happen.

Konoe Fumimaro is eyeing China.

I don’t think it will have a big impact, but can China hold out against Japan?

If Japan deals with China quickly, that’s a different story.

They could target French Indochina.

“What about China? Which warlord in the federalism movement is the largest?”

“Currently, the Chinese Federation led by a man named Mao Zedong is gaining the upper hand.”

Good heavens.

Why is Mao Zedong of all people leading the federalism movement?

Well, if he’s leading the federalism movement as Chen Jiongming’s successor, that’s a different issue, but if he fights Japan and wins in that state, that’s problematic.

Isn’t that guy still an anarchist?

His interests aligned with Chen Jiongming’s federalism, but did he end up taking Chen’s place?

“What about Chen Jiongming?”

“Chen Jiongming died last year.”

Given his position, Chen Jiongming was a warlord based in Guangdong, so after the Constitutional Protection War ended, his usefulness was questionable, making support awkward.

Until now, we could support him because of federalism, but if China unifies, that’s a different story.

But Mao Zedong inherited his position.

The fact that Mao Zedong is leading the federalism movement is… hmm.

Are the other warlords satisfied with the current system?

That can’t be the case. Once they grow stronger, won’t they fight among themselves? Will China truly become an axis that moves the world?

If Japan quickly defeats China, and we can’t intervene in time, it could become troublesome in the world war.

Japan is determined to eradicate communists in China.

If France shows weakness in the war, will they target Indochina?

“Ah, I’ve been too passive.”

The future has changed so much that even I can’t predict it anymore.

The Great Depression, major earthquakes, and resources were certainly predictable, but not what’s coming next.

I can guarantee that the United States of Russia is by no means weak.

Rather, it’s united around my symbolic axis, hasn’t wasted talent through purges like the Great Purge, and various weapons have appeared years ahead of schedule.

Moreover, talents that would have gone to other countries have remained in the United States of Russia, using their strength for Russia, and Tesla is on the verge of a wireless revolution.

Russia, which was backward and lagging behind even among white nations, has now achieved continuous development in science.

But.

I’ve been looking inward too much.

The world is changing into something I don’t recognize.

In other words, things won’t go according to my wishes from now on.