Ch.197Age of Turbulence (4)

* * *

“What are you thinking? If possible, I’ll resolve it in the Duma.”

“Besides the Eastern Israel that will appear in the future, we’re creating more seeds of discord by re-establishing the Qing Dynasty within China.”

The idea is to create a kind of buffer zone by giving Israel time to fully establish itself and have some voice in Northeast Asia.

I think there’s definitely potential in this.

First of all, the new China seems disappointed with Puyi, who has been the nominal Chinese emperor, and has raised the slogan “Destroy the Manchus, Revive the Han” against the Qing.

Anyway, if Puyi remains emperor, he’ll surely fill his inner circle with Manchus at minimum.

We’re placing a Manchu dynasty deep in China’s interior to create a role that will draw aggro between the divided Chinese factions in the future.

“The map of China will be quite interesting to see in the future.”

“Puyi is the type who values his life enough to surrender to Japan immediately. If we abandon him after Japan’s defeat, he’ll be torn apart by the Chinese.”

Even in the original history, Puyi didn’t have a good end.

But if we want to divide China, using Puyi is one method.

No matter how much he’s lost the Mandate of Heaven, he’s still from an imperial house that ruled China for 300 years.

Later we can put on a show, saying we’ll only provide support if Puyi is involved.

“After the Japanese forces are expelled from the mainland, let’s make the Qing our puppet state. Please prepare this plan in advance as well. Using the Okhrana to secretly contact Puyi might be one approach.”

Puyi will be just like in the original history. If given a chance to survive, he’ll wag his tail accordingly.

It would be interesting if the Manchu dynasty, having lost the Mandate of Heaven, remained firmly in China’s interior drawing aggro.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is the Okhrana ready?”

“They’ve already been dispatched to the Qing. When they presented themselves as Russian businessmen, even the Japanese army welcomed them.”

Wow, impressive.

Perhaps it’s because we’ve built up goodwill. More accurately, they know they shouldn’t mess with us.

That’s fortunate. It would be troublesome if Japan discovered our Okhrana.

At least for now, we need to continue showing a friendly attitude toward Japan.

It would be good if the fighting with China becomes prolonged. Come to think of it, didn’t I have something else to do today?

“Well, please handle that accordingly. Maria, what’s my schedule for today?”

I casually turned my eyes toward Maria.

Since Maria is in charge of my schedule, I signaled with my eyes for her to tell me quickly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s time for your radio broadcast.”

“Time? Ah, the radio broadcast.”

Right, the radio broadcast.

It’s not just any radio broadcast, but rather a time to get closer to the citizens.

As radio broadcasting has developed, we’ve created quite diverse content.

There’s also television, so I wonder if we should appear on TV instead.

“Yes. Today is the Q&A session with citizens.”

Ah, right. That interview.

It’s like bringing in an idol and asking their fans if they have questions or things they’re curious about.

Well then, shall we head to the radio station?

I can’t do this from my personal radio station in the Kremlin Palace.

* * *

Moscow Radio Station

As radio production increased and television development began, the radio station expanded as well.

As always, many people welcomed me to the radio station I hadn’t visited in a while.

And the person joining me today was a young woman.

“Today, Moscow Radio has invited the Tsar, our Russian hero and absolute monarch. Your Majesty! It’s an honor to meet you! Thank you so much for arranging this opportunity. I am journalist Anna Ivanova.”

Radio station’s Anna Ivanova showed proper respect to me as Tsar.

Though it feels a bit chaotic since the station is still in its early days, I don’t mind having this opportunity.

If you ask if it’s bothersome, honestly it is, but since the Duma is busy, I have no choice but to step up.

“Not at all. I’m glad to have the opportunity to answer questions from the citizens of the United States.”

These occasions aren’t bad.

Who knows? There might be people who want to express their complaints to me.

Even Putin had citizens asking how long he would continue his dictatorship and why their country was in such a state. I’m curious about that.

“Well then, since we have many questions, let’s get started right away. The first person who has the honor of asking Your Majesty a question is… Stefan from Omsk. Congratulations!”

So there’s a name like Stefan in Russia too.

Well, I wonder what the first question will be.

As long as it’s not about romance just because the Tsar is a woman, that would be good. I’ve lived as a celibate for a long time, you know.

“What is it? Whether it’s a question or suggestion, I hope you won’t hesitate just because I’m the Tsar.”

Despite appearances, I’m a caring Tsar.

I’m not Nicholas II who subjugated people with guns and swords.

Therefore, I can answer any question if desired.

“Your Majesty serves as the monarch of several countries, but why is it the Duma that leads the country rather than Your Majesty? Oh! The State Duma would be sad to hear this question!”

Anna said in a refreshing voice.

Oh my. The State Duma would indeed be sad to hear that.

Despite appearances, I am a Tsar with deep symbolism and legitimacy.

If you put it that way, I’m the one who would be sad. But I should answer anyway.

The Duma is the foundation that forms this United States.

“Well, the answer is simple. This country was reborn by overturning the incompetence of the imperial era. New wine must be put into new wineskins. Naturally, we needed a political system that could develop the country by accommodating citizens’ opinions better than the outdated imperial era. During the previous empire, there was strong opposition from the nobles, and even my father, the previous Tsar, was manipulated by a mystic and ruined the country. Therefore, by establishing the State Duma, I, as Tsar, transferred power to the State Duma, which is elected by the people. So you could say that politics has been transferred to the citizens.”

In short, I as Tsar do not practice autocracy.

This country runs solely by the will of its citizens.

“As expected of Your Majesty! Next is a letter from a boy named Ivan from Perm. Oh, he says he hopes Your Majesty will visit Perm someday. What do you think?”

Perm, huh? I think I went there once during the civil war and haven’t been back since.

Perm, captured by Pepelayev, was home to 40,000 Bolsheviks, so I thought Bolshevik influence was strong there.

So on my way to Moscow, I entered Perm to appease public sentiment.

But seeing that they’re inviting the Tsar, it seems public sentiment has improved there. Anyway, let me answer.

“The world is currently in turmoil. The axis of evil, Red Germany and Red Italy, are trying to incite communist revolution in Europe. The United States, which seemed eternal, has been split into three due to communism, and in the Far East, the war between Japan and China is in full swing. Although I am a symbol, as Tsar I must examine the situations in various countries. Once these issues are resolved, I plan to tour various parts of Russia. I could visit Perm then.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty always leads by example for your citizens. Next is from a worker named Dmitri from Minsk. ‘There are rumors that Communist Germany is about to start a war. What will happen to Russia if war breaks out?’ That’s his question.”

Hmm. Honestly, it’s better to hide such things.

I should say the war won’t happen, to reassure the citizens.

But rather than hiding an inevitable war, it’s better to tell them so they can prepare in advance.

Unfortunately, I have to say it myself, which is a bit awkward.

“How could I lie to the citizens of the United States? For Communist Germany and Communist Italy, their greatest enemy is our Russian United States, which opposes their system. War may break out sooner or later, but the White Army Department has already made many preparations for war. We also have many reliable friends. I assure you, unlike the imperial era, we will never surrender any Russian territory to those communists.”

“Indeed, words befitting a war hero. Next is a question from a housewife in Moscow. ‘I saw you at a military parade before, and Your Majesty still looks like you’re in your twenties, no, even late teens. What is the secret to Your Majesty’s beauty and youth?'”

Late teens? Isn’t that an exaggeration?

Still, I don’t feel bad about it. Though it’s not really a question about being a Tsar, I’ve developed quite a bit of pride in my appearance after living with this look for so long.

I can answer that much. Even Anna, who’s conducting the interview, is sparkling with curiosity.

Yes, well, that’s how women are. It’s a woman’s instinct to always want to be young and beautiful.

“Well, this might be controversial. I might be criticized by all the women in our United States, but to answer simply, I just don’t age? Though I’m human too, so I won’t stay young forever.”

Like a munchkin protagonist saying “I just do it,” this is the kind of statement that might make women want to fight me regardless of my status as Tsar.

But what can I do? I really don’t age even without any maintenance.

Look, even the interviewer has veins popping at her temples.

“Oh, that’s an answer that makes me, as a woman, very envious. Next is a letter from a girl in Pontic Greece. ‘Why doesn’t Your Majesty marry? Don’t you feel lonely? Don’t you need a husband?’ This question seems a bit rude.”

Ah, I suppose such questions are inevitable for a woman. I think it would be better if I were a man.

But I can’t just deny it outright as that might make people view the Tsar strangely, so it’s good to package it appropriately.

“There’s nothing rude about it. It’s a topic any woman would be curious about. It’s a sensitive issue, but as I am the Tsar, it would inevitably make the citizens of the United States anxious. After the civil war, I’ve been so busy running to get here that I haven’t thought about marriage. As a result, I’ve lost interest in marriage. Well, if I had to say, I’ve been working hard for the Russian United States until now, so you could say I’m married to the state. As for feeling lonely, I must deny that. I have Vladimir, but thanks to Belka, sent by the Kaiser of the German Empire, I’m not lonely at all. She’s always by my side, comforting me when times are tough. Well, it’s not wrong to say a woman needs a husband, so I’ll have no comment on that part.”

It’s a bit sad that Belka is getting old now, but…

Still, one wrong word could turn women against me. So I used Vladimir and Belka as excuses.

“I see. Next is a question from a farmer named Gruzhinin from Kyiv. ‘We have suffered repeated tyranny under the dictator Makhno. What does Your Majesty think about dictators?'”

Hmm, this isn’t a jab at me, is it?

I’m not practicing dictatorship, and we properly elect the Prime Minister. If this is a Ukrainian, they’re probably asking while cursing Makhno.

Anyway, it’s certain that we liberated them from Makhno.

“Most dictators maintain their regime out of their own lust for power. Such people can’t properly govern. However, if among those dictators, there are those who take responsibility for the people’s livelihood and develop the country better than the previous regime, I would have to think deeply about it.”

“Oh, then would you say a dictator who develops the country is similar to a virtuous monarch in an absolute monarchy?”

Well, that’s different.

Since dictatorship is fundamentally not a monarchy, even if the dictator truly dedicates himself to the country until the end, there are clear limitations.

At least in a monarchy, there is a royal family, so when a child inherits the throne, there’s legitimacy and the people accept it.

“The nature is different, I’d say. They may have developed the country, but they clearly practiced dictatorship and the country runs on their personal leadership. At minimum, in a monarchy, there’s succession to the throne and legitimacy that citizens can accept, but if a dictator in a republic without a king, no matter how well they manage the country, doesn’t properly decide on succession, the country is likely to collapse after their death. So I can’t view it positively.”

In the end, dictatorship operates on one person’s leadership, so it becomes meaningless when that person dies.

They need to properly decide on succession before death, but I’ve never seen dictators die properly in their later years.

“Next question. This is from Kentaro, a Japanese exchange student at the Moscow Military Academy. It could be somewhat politically sensitive.”

“What is it?”

If it’s from Japanese people, I feel a bit tense.

If they’re from their intelligence department who’ve entered Russia, they might try to probe Russia’s intentions.

I can’t just say “Go ask the Duma” and appear petty as the Tsar. Well, I guess I have no choice.

“Ana-chan, the Russian United States is selling weapons to China as well, so what do you think about the Sino-Japanese War? This is a very sensitive issue.”

Indeed, it’s a sensitive issue.

If asked directly, the answer might seem anti-Japanese.

Japan probably wants to protest about this point but is holding back.

“The war between China and Japan is a sensitive issue for us Russians as well, as we share a border with Japan via the Manchurian Railway. The Duma discusses the war between Japan and China every day. This is something to ask the Duma, but if I were to answer, aren’t both countries fighting with their own justifications? From my position as Tsar, as a saint, as Byzantine Emperor, as Ataman of the Cossacks, as Great Khan of Mongolia, I cannot take sides. I’ll remain neutral on that point. We sell weapons because China requested them; if Japan wants to buy weapons, we’re willing to sell anytime. If I may add one thing, isn’t history ultimately recorded by the victors?”

What I’m saying in a roundabout way is: even if you’re called invaders, if you win and gain justification and legitimacy, who would question you?

Additionally, I know you entered using invasion as a pretext, but since you’re an ally, I’ll call it neutrality using the saint as an excuse. That’s also what I mean.

“And next is also from a Japanese person. It’s a letter from someone named Shota from an organization called the Russian Ana-dan. Um. It says ‘Ana-chan daisuki!'”

“Ana-chan daisuki.” Just hearing it gives me goosebumps.

If the Ana-dan has expanded to Russia, that’s a bit concerning. But I should answer anyway.

“My, I didn’t know I was so popular among Japanese people. Whether foreign or not, if they like this Tsar, what does it matter if they’re Russian or Japanese? I too will broadly embrace all foreigners who like this Tsar. Shota-kun? Thank you.”

“Well, and…”

Good, so the next question.

Somehow, Anna’s face, who’s in charge of the questions, looks slightly embarrassed.