Ch.192Sino-Japanese War

# The Russo-Japanese War Begins

“Shouldn’t Ethiopia be keeping Italy more tied down?”

Hmm, should we provide new weapons to Ethiopia as well?

“What if we provide a bit more support to Ethiopia?” I carefully asked the military generals.

“You’re trying to keep Italy tied down, Your Majesty.”

It’s better to keep Italy occupied.

A person must always prepare for all variables.

Especially as a nation’s leader. To take responsibility for one’s position and protect the country. To take responsibility for initiating such affairs, preparations are necessary.

Communist Germany and Communist Italy are ultimately bizarre reds born from the snowball effect of my leading White Russia to victory, when as Grand Duchess Anastasia I could have simply gone into exile.

So I need to make many preparations.

Honestly, I had hoped Churchill’s Royalist Party would take control and show a more hardline stance. At this rate, they’ll be too busy clashing with the dominions to find time to coordinate with us.

For now, I’ll be satisfied that Britain is draining its own strength.

We need to drain the power of Communist Italy and Germany elsewhere.

Ethiopia, which can handle a certain number of troops, would be optimal for that.

“Ethiopia is still holding up well. It seems the Italian forces are struggling because the Emperor continues to command troops at the front.”

That’s fortunate, but I hope Haile Selassie can keep it up. Continuously.

“Good. That’s fortunate.”

With Emperor Haile Selassie’s Ethiopian forces holding them back as much as possible, it might be good to kick off World War II around now.

What if we set something off when Germany feels secure because they think we’re focused on the American Civil War?

Ah, that really makes me want to go.

For now, regarding the American Civil War, Spanish forces have been reinforced at full strength, and we’ve extracted as much gold as possible.

If they can just capture Trotsky, we’ve done as much as we can on our end.

“Sigh. We’re clearly facing an impending war.”

Is it better to just wait and see?

What about Japan? It’s about time to declare war. Reports from the Northern Manchuria Governor-General’s Office indicate that large Japanese forces are gathering via the Manchurian Railway.

The Far Eastern Army is also on high alert just in case.

Once the Sino-Japanese War begins, the Chinese side will surely say something. Those claiming to be pro-Russian will beg for help.

It would be good if Renya Mutaguchi could make a mess of things.

Since I’ve promoted him quite a bit, it’s obvious that Renya Mutaguchi will participate in this Sino-Japanese War. He might even take an important position.

If he becomes the vanguard commander for the attack on China, hmm.

With the Japanese army’s capabilities, they should easily push back the Chinese forces, but they need to show enough resistance to keep Japan fully engaged with China.

It might be good to force Japan to suffer losses in the early stages.

We should be satisfied as long as they don’t attack us.

Right now, Russia isn’t quite like the United States to Japan, but they’ll still see us as a country they need to be cautious about, even during wartime.

Ultimately, our frontline is Austria.

If Austria has to block up to three countries, the Balkan nations will have to dispatch troops somehow.

“Since we’ve stationed our troops in the Baltic as well, our western defense line is more or less secured for now.”

Britain can no longer criticize our war preparations.

Churchill is in position, and Germany is now openly showing movements toward war again.

The reports coming in about Germany are all about military rearmament and military power enhancement.

If I had my way, I’d like to ignore international relations and laws and push in right away. But that would make us look bad.

We could be branded as a threat to neighboring countries, let alone the future European order. Consoling myself like this several times, I postpone the attack on Germany.

If this were a game, I would have attacked without a second thought.

“Your Majesty. We have made many preparations until now.”

“The Defense Minister is right. Let’s observe for now.”

Let’s observe for now.

Yes. I want to do that too. I want to, but honestly, even Britain has deviated from what I intended. Even setting aside the Royalist Party’s takeover.

I was quite surprised that Churchill couldn’t control the dominions.

To the extent that I couldn’t even imagine it would turn out that way. Anyway, I was that surprised.

It was something I hadn’t even anticipated, as I thought the issue of marrying a divorcée was only a problem for mainland Britain.

“Hmm.”

Am I worrying too much?

It’s something that needs to happen first, but hmm. Turkey is definitely on our side.

Ukraine, unlike in original history, didn’t develop anti-Soviet sentiment from the Great Famine and other misdeeds—they wanted to become our citizens on their own.

As for the Baltic states, it’s meaningless if they accept Russian influence on their own. We have troops stationed there, so it will work out somehow.

Then, after that? Should I trust Austria?

“Hmm, but I’m still worried.”

Although I’ve drastically changed the surrounding history, I’m in Moscow, so unless I see it properly with my own eyes, I don’t know.

At most, all I hear are reports from our yes-men (the State Duma).

They’re people who survived the civil war and support the Duma system, so they wouldn’t blindly say “Our Tsar is the best! Your Majesty, this is how it is here and that’s how it is there!” like nobles who were loyal to the Tsar, right?

Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.

I should visit Austria or the United States sometime.

After all, unless I look around the changed world myself, I won’t know how far the variables extend.

Some time later.

Savinkov, who had been watching China, brought me the news I had been hoping for.

“Your Majesty. A Chinese United Army Command has been established in China.”

“What is that?”

“It seems to be a warlord coalition to counter Japan.”

“I see. Is the person in charge Chiang Kai-shek or Mao Zedong?”

“It’s Mao Zedong, they say.”

Hmm? Isn’t Mao currently based in Guangdong?

Meanwhile, I believe Chiang Kai-shek currently rules Nanjing and the surrounding areas.

Wouldn’t Chiang Kai-shek be much better in this case?

“If Mao Zedong inherited Guangdong, wouldn’t Chiang Kai-shek’s side be better?”

“Mao Zedong has long advocated for 27 Chinas—the current warlord system and a united military system during foreign invasions—which seems to make him popular among the warlords.”

Wow. I really might have to like the Mao Zedong of this era.

During Chen Jiongming’s era, he formed a friendship with Russia, which was emerging as a great power, and Mao Zedong, who succeeded Chen Jiongming, advocates for 27 Chinas.

Isn’t that impressive?

It wouldn’t be bad to kill him later when he’s no longer useful, but for now, at least Mao Zedong is more useful to Russia than Chiang Kai-shek.

Whether divided into Northern and Southern dynasties or split into Three Kingdoms, considering the population and land mass, China will boast powerful potential even as divided nations.

So it’s right to divide it as much as possible.

“The fact that he’s popular means that no warlord currently has the capacity to unify China.”

Without the capacity to unify, they probably want to prevent war as much as possible.

“Yes. Chiang Kai-shek also seems to be a considerable figure, but he has long been at odds with Mao Zedong.”

Chiang Kai-shek. That’s how he would be.

To Koreans, he urged the great powers to grant Korea independence, but as I mentioned before, he was a Sinocentric who would make Korea a satellite state.

It probably wouldn’t be any different here.

“Hmm. Then naturally, Chiang Kai-shek would have called for one China.”

“As expected, Your Majesty. You see the world even from Moscow.”

Ungern’s eyes sparkled as he suddenly showed worship.

I know what kind of person Chiang Kai-shek is, but Chiang Kai-shek, who doesn’t want to accept the order led by Mao Zedong, naturally has no choice but to call for one China.

After all, if he accepts Mao Zedong’s ideology, Chiang Kai-shek would be handing over the hegemony of Central China to Mao Zedong.

In the end, even if not a civil war between the Nationalists and Communists, there would be a fight between Chinese anarchist forces and Chiang Kai-shek and the warlords bound under him.

I need to look into the Sino-Japanese War as well.

In case of emergency, we might need to intervene there too.

If they’re pushed back too much, we could provide appropriate weapons support through Xinjiang.

“Keep monitoring that situation regularly. We may need to intervene in case of emergency.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It seems like I’m worrying too much, but seriously, something feels off.

Even if Austria fights Communist Germany and we’re as careful as possible, isn’t this when the Earth’s author would destroy plausibility?

***

Nanjing, China

After the Constitutional Protection War, China was ruled by warlords, maintaining a system of multiple Chinas.

But when Japan moved large forces from the Japanese archipelago and Korea to the Manchurian Railway, they were caught off guard.

In fact, the Chinese warlords had anticipated that Japan would invade sooner or later.

After all, they knew they had angered Japan by refusing various demands for rights after the Constitutional Protection War, making various excuses.

Moreover, just looking at the strengthening military power of the Manchurian Railway, it was inevitable to predict that Japan would invade someday.

Thus, Mao Zedong had always been preparing.

He was preparing for whenever Japan would invade.

“Fellow comrades who rule various parts of China! Over a million Japanese troops from the Japanese archipelago, along with the Korea Garrison Army, have moved to the Manchurian Railway! The Japanese bastards have finally shown their true colors!”

The warlords listening to Mao Zedong’s speech showed their agreement by frowning, biting their lips, or expressing indignation.

“But I, Mao Zedong, have no intention of sitting back and taking it! Here, I ask all warlords! We may rule different regions and grow through competition! Isn’t all this for the Central Plains, for China? Then shouldn’t we unite for China to face Japan, which threatens China’s existence?”

Yan Xishan, Ma Bufang, Li Zongren, and Sheng Shicai agreed with Mao Zedong’s speech.

Mao Zedong leading the alliance wouldn’t lead to unification no matter what.

Moreover, Mao Zedong advocates for multiple Chinas—27 Chinas.

Each warlord, as a deep-rooted Sinocentrist, secretly dreams of becoming the leader of a unified China, so making Mao Zedong, who has no interest in a unified China, the head of the united army was perhaps natural.

At least after this war, Mao Zedong wouldn’t advocate for unification.

Thus, the warlords didn’t waver at all even as Mao Zedong gave his passionate speech.

“Comrade Mao Zedong is right!”

“Our China is divided but one!”

“We entrust the command of the united army to Chairman Mao Zedong!”

*Clap clap clap clap*

Amid thunderous applause, the Chinese United Army was finally established.

The united army decided to gather in Nanjing, then move north to formally notify the puppet emperor in Beijing of the war, and defend along the border.

“Those bastards have said from before that the Japanese Emperor should also be the Chinese Emperor! Those Japanese bastards will probably try to capture the Emperor to steal legitimacy, so first, move all forces from Hebei and Rehe provinces to defend Beijing, and while Beijing holds, we’ll counterattack when they let their guard down and push them back!”

Moving all warlord forces guarding Rehe and Hebei provinces to Beijing to make the enemy complacent while defending Beijing and launching a counterattack.

It was quite a plausible plan, and although not all of the united army was equipped with the latest Russian small arms, it seemed like a fight worth taking on, even if Japan was strong.

Yes, that’s how it appeared on the surface.

“Ha. An anarchist, of all people.”

Chiang Kai-shek, who was put in charge of supplies from behind, couldn’t accept this.

How dare someone who advocates for multiple Chinas rather than a unified China claim the right to command the united army?

In this world, Chiang Kai-shek had become more radical after China was divided.

He dreamed of capturing that Mao Zedong and driving Russia and Japan out of Mongolia and Manchuria.

But not yet.

Chiang Kai-shek decided to watch the situation until an opportunity came.

Biding his time for revenge. While Chiang Kai-shek was waiting for an opportunity someday.

There was also someone in society who had thoughts that might be considered treasonous.

“We must negotiate with Japan.”

He was Wang Jingwei, who prided himself as the true successor of Sun Yat-sen.

Currently just working in Chiang Kai-shek’s Nanjing government, Wang Jingwei coldly assessed reality.

As the inheritor of Sun Yat-sen’s will, he had to rebuild the Republic of China with the Three Principles of the People.

The current China cannot defeat Japan.

He knew that just as a two-headed horse cannot move in one direction, the warlords dreaming of a unified China wouldn’t sincerely follow Mao Zedong.

Japan’s confidence comes from the fact that the great powers have no time to pay attention to China.

Russia had supported Chen Jiongming, who intended to divide China.

How could such a country defeat Japan? Therefore, they must negotiate with Japan.

Even if it means handing over various rights to Japan for now, they should minimize damage and plan for the future.

Japan wouldn’t be able to govern the Central Plains with its hundreds of millions of people, so they would prefer a government they could manipulate to their liking.

Then it would be better to somehow side with Japan here.

Wang Jingwei had already prepared to go to Japan.

After all, the federalism movement still nominally keeps the Qing Emperor as emperor.

He just needed to give Japan justification.

He could compromise by handing over the Beijing area and giving Japan some justification for victory.

After all, Japan’s ambitions wouldn’t end with China.

He knew well that the Pan-Asianism spreading in Japan would extend to French Indochina.

He just needed to exploit that.

The Dai Li monitoring him was a problem, but if war broke out, it wouldn’t be too difficult to go to Japan.

“Indeed, China cannot do without me!”

It was the moment a traitor named Wang Jingwei was born, though he himself didn’t consider himself a traitor.

He was doing this solely for China.

After the Chinese United Army was formed.

On September 7, 1937, Japan formally delivered a declaration of war to the Forbidden City to attack China, which still had an emperor in form.

They maintained formalities as much as possible, but in summary, it said:

“Our Emperor, as the eldest brother of Asia, must rightfully inherit the position of the Central Plains Emperor. The Qing Emperor must hand over the position of Emperor to our Majesty!”

Though better than actual history, the Sino-Japanese War broke out over the somewhat dubious claim to the Chinese imperial throne.

Up to this point, it was a somewhat plausible event.

But a few months after the war began, just as the Emperor was about to arrive in Shenyang, Southern Manchuria, leading troops from the mainland.

Extremely implausible news reached Hirohito’s ears.

“Your Majesty! Congratulations! Governor-General Renya Mutaguchi’s Manchurian Railway Army has annihilated the main force of the United Army in Rehe, Hebei, and Beijing!”

“Oh. Indeed, he is a man worthy of the Russian Empress’s praise. I shall go to the Forbidden City myself to honor his achievements!”

In this history, the Chinese United Army was annihilated by Renya Mutaguchi, who in the original history had annihilated the Japanese army in the Imphal Operation as the dark Korean Independence Army.