Ch.212The Lion King of Africa

# Let the Victory of Ethiopia Be Widely Promoted

“Let’s widely promote Ethiopia’s victory.”

“Ethiopia’s victory, you say?”

Yes. We’ll promote Ethiopia’s victory.

Globally, in a way that can sufficiently provoke resistance in the colonies.

Britain and France will probably throw a fit, won’t they?

Japan might feel bitter, but by their standards, they formally treat Korea not as a colony but as part of the Japanese Empire.

Even in actual history, it was said that ordinary citizens discriminated against Koreans more than the government did.

“‘Ethiopia, which nearly became a colony, was able to preserve its independence under a powerful emperor.’ Wouldn’t that be sufficient?”

A powerful leader is necessary to escape colonial status—that’s the message.

We’re saying it’s much better than falling into communism.

What if we appropriately insert Russia’s name here, creating an atmosphere that suggests we help independence movements in colonies?

Hmm, this could be quite interesting.

Of course, we won’t be able to actually help until later, but at least we can prevent red seeds from being sown.

“We can promote this extensively in the colonies.”

“It’s possible without a communist revolution! We can frame it like this.”

A powerful emperor leads you.

This way, monarchists will emerge in the colonies instead of red seeds.

That alone is sufficient.

Of course, considering that most colonies were monarchies, people might say, “Monarchy again?!”

But generations have passed, and Haile Selassie is a living legend.

“Britain and France will be in an uproar.”

“Won’t their protests become troublesome?”

What can they do with their protests? If they’re upset, they should fulfill their promises and guarantee broad freedoms to their colonies. Or grant equal rights and freedoms to colonial subjects.

We’re simply doing what we can.

Propaganda from an allied nation can make our enemies eat crow.

As a member of the Anti-Comintern Pact, we’ll embrace Ethiopia and praise it as much as possible.

Becoming troublesome isn’t really a problem.

How much can nations at war criticize us?

At most, they’ll say, “We’re disappointed in you.” That’s all.

It would be best if I gave the speech myself, but that’s not so easy.

If I were to say something like “an outstanding leader, an emperor must step forward,” wouldn’t that seem like I’m advocating for monarchy?

Considering the Romanov past—specifically Nicholas II’s reign—that would be asking for trouble.

Since I originally came to the throne after refusing several times with “I really don’t want to,” it would be awkward for me to advocate for monarchy in this way.

“Eventually, they’ll have to relinquish their colonies to survive. That day is not far off, and we will force that choice.”

“Your Majesty, do you plan to liberate India as well in the future?”

“India. Yes, India. It should be liberated. Haven’t they exploited it enough for hundreds of years? However…”

We can’t just liberate it outright.

It would be better to divide it along religious lines, at minimum.

I feel somewhat sorry for Gandhi, but even Gandhi himself has been somewhat glorified.

We need to select leaders for each religious group.

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s tear it apart like China.”

“Is India dangerous too?”

No, not really. Honestly, I don’t know if it would be a threat in this world.

I’m just restoring India to its original state.

Humanely speaking, if they want to escape colonial status, shouldn’t India naturally be divided as it was during the Indian Empire era?

“Wasn’t India unified only after becoming a British territory? We need to return it to the fragmented state it was in long before colonization.”

Countries with large populations are dangerous.

Of course, in original history, India wasn’t a threat to Korea like China was.

Wasn’t it a country with caste problems and various social issues?

The kind-hearted Anastasia cannot bear to see that.

So I’m thinking of dividing it along religious lines.

From the beginning, India didn’t have a mainstream ethnicity like China.

They didn’t even consider themselves the same ethnicity and had different religions.

The various ethnicities within Russia aren’t seeking independence because of Russia’s reforms, but that’s only because Russia is functioning properly.

Eventually, that snowball effect led to Pakistan breaking away.

I’m also thinking about ways for Turkey to act as a bully in the Middle East later. But at least India needs to be divided.

A large population is quite burdensome.

“Well, that’s an issue to decide later. We’re not liberating India right now anyway.”

Unless we plan to become enemies with Britain, that is.

For now, it’s enough to say that an outstanding monarch should be at the center of independence movements.

That should be sufficient.

It might influence the Korean Peninsula too, but there the Japanese have degraded the Lee dynasty, causing the royal authority to collapse.

Although they’re treating Koreans more broadly than in original history, Koreans won’t worship the Emperor.

Let’s see how Ethiopia appears in the newspapers first.

# The True Emperor of Africa, Haile Selassie’s Genuine Victory! Saving His Country from the Red Plague!

[The True Emperor of Africa, Haile Selassie’s Genuine Victory! Saving His Country from the Red Plague!]

[Italy, which threatened Ethiopia’s sovereignty and tried to make it a colony, is driven out by Ethiopia’s Emperor!]

[Is monarchy necessary to call for self-determination and independence?]

[Haile Selassie, as a descendant of King Solomon of Israel, fulfilled his role.]

Soon after, articles praising Ethiopia’s victory poured out.

But there’s not a single falsehood in them.

Who else but Haile Selassie could have led Ethiopia that far?

This time, they fought tenaciously because the opponent was communism, but there were still traitors among them.

Of course, traitors emerge everywhere when war breaks out.

“As expected, Britain sent Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, and France sent Foreign Minister Pierre Laval to protest. They’re asking if we’re supporting independence movements.”

At the Foreign Minister’s report, I wiggled my finger.

My, what rudeness.

Our Russia never supports anything unless there’s money to be made. At least not now.

“Well, we expected this. We have a reasonable justification, don’t we? Now our task is to formally bring Ethiopia into the Anti-Comintern Pact. Officially ask Ethiopia if they want to join. Let’s send someone.”

“I will do so, Your Majesty.”

After all, won’t they be begging us rather than being hostile after the war?

In the future, it would be a good method for Russia to use resources to put shackles on European countries, as in original history.

But that future must not include someone like Putin.

Now, about a country occupying a place in my mind: Japan. I wish they would hurry up and make a move.

“I wonder when Japan will strike Pearl Harbor.”

From all appearances, they seem to be heading toward Pearl Harbor.

If Japan really attacks Pearl Harbor again, there won’t be much difference from original history.

No, perhaps this time Japan might destroy the oil storage facilities too.

Coincidentally, Hawaii recently sided with MacArthur after remaining neutral with the Pacific Fleet, but the mainland is in chaos.

If Japan deliberately destroys the oil storage facilities, the Pacific Fleet will be stuck in port, unable to move.

Of course, the Japanese Navy would also suffer considerable damage.

If Japan is truly only after oil, this scenario isn’t impossible.

It means they might take some risks. What if we play along a bit?

We don’t know how MacArthur will treat us later, but we could use the Okhrana to drop hints about being careful of a Pearl Harbor attack.

Of course, whether MacArthur believes it is up to him to decide.

If the Japanese Combined Fleet is already heading south, it’s already too late.

# The Ethiopian Empire, Addis Ababa

Maxim Maximovich Litvinov, the current Foreign Minister of the United States of Russia, visited Addis Ababa, the capital of the Ethiopian Empire.

Although still at war, he traveled to Ethiopia via Britain.

The purpose was to accept Ethiopia as an equal member of the Anti-Comintern Pact according to the Tsar’s wishes, and to discuss “various matters” regarding support for Ethiopia as decided by the Duma.

In original history, he belonged to Soviet Russia, but in this history, he supported the White Army during the Civil War and was able to follow a different path from the Bolsheviks who surrendered only at the end.

Now, having risen to the position of Foreign Minister, he came directly to Ethiopia.

After all, hadn’t he admirably tied down Italy on Russia’s behalf?

This made future fighting easier from Russia’s perspective, so he had a duty to convey Anastasia and the Duma’s intentions to Ethiopia.

If handled well, Ethiopia might even receive Italy’s surrender.

Of course, that would require Italy not being occupied by Britain first.

With such concerns, Litvinov had an audience with the Emperor. Emperor Haile Selassie also gladly received the Russian Foreign Minister.

“Our Tsar rejoiced at Ethiopia’s victory as if it were her own country’s. Here is Her Majesty’s personal letter.”

Litvinov delivered the Tsar’s handwritten letter to Haile Selassie.

Taking the personal letter, Haile Selassie was moved to see that a translation in Ethiopian language was attached, feeling that the Russian Empress was showing consideration for the African Emperor.

“Isn’t this all thanks to your country’s help? I am grateful for the kindness shown by your Tsar.”

Haile Selassie smiled with satisfaction.

It wasn’t wrong at all.

In fact, he was convinced that without Russia’s power, he would have been defeated.

Especially when Italy used the terrifying poison gas, it would have been disastrous if Russia hadn’t provided countermeasures and gas masks.

“Not at all. Your Majesty has become a model for many peoples suffering under colonial rule. Your victory will be the only case of triumph against a colonial empire. Her Majesty has already announced your victory to the world.”

“To think that you would care so much about our Ethiopia.”

Haile Selassie was simply overwhelmed with gratitude.

When had any European country ever cared this much about an African nation?

Most of Africa, except Ethiopia, was under European colonial rule, and honestly, if Ethiopia hadn’t been fighting Italy, would Britain or France have cared at all?

Of course, he thought Russia must have its reasons, but Russia was the first to provide this level of support.

Litvinov decided to push Ethiopia a bit, using Russia’s benevolence as justification.

“War is raging in Europe right now. Red Italy, which troubled your country, has finally invaded France.”

Litvinov first informed Haile Selassie about the current European situation.

That Italy’s main forces were now on the French front, having left Africa.

“Thanks to that, many Italian troops withdrew from our territory, which greatly helped our victory.”

“That’s part of it, but isn’t it mainly due to the brilliant efforts of Your Majesty and your soldiers?”

Litvinov lavishly praised Ethiopia’s struggle.

This approach would make it difficult for Ethiopia to easily withdraw from being a pro-Russian country in the future.

“Since your country’s Tsar fought directly against the communists, I merely did the same.”

To be precise, it was because he had to go and fight hard himself, but he intended to credit it all to Russia.

“Ultimately, defeating communism requires united strength. That unity is formed under a powerful monarch. Therefore, our Tsar wanted to make a more profound proposal and sent this diplomat.”

“A profound proposal? What kind of proposal?”

Haile Selassie stroked his chin with interest.

Until recently, Ethiopia had been anxious about Italy’s invasion, but since Russia had helped Ethiopia all this time, he was curious about what they wanted now.

Of course, he also worried that Russia might want something in return for all their help.

“Our Tsar asked me to formally invite Ethiopia to join the Anti-Comintern Pact and simultaneously inquire if you would be interested in joining a European international organization to be established under Russian leadership in the future. This essentially reflects our Tsar’s intention to recognize your country as the only African nation equal to European countries.”

An African country equal to European countries.

Of course, this was Russia’s unilateral declaration, but Britain and France wouldn’t be able to pay attention to this anyway.

“Does this mean Russia will also wage war against Italy for us?”

Unfortunately, that’s difficult for the time being.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say they’re postponing it as much as possible, but the meeting with the United States hadn’t been decided yet.

The talks between MacArthur and Huey Long appeared to be ongoing.

Using that as an excuse, the Russian army was also staying in the United States as much as possible, delaying their participation in the war.

“For now, it’s difficult due to U.S. affairs, but we will eventually join the war. Instead, we want to entrust that role to Ethiopia. Of course, we will continue to provide various supplies as we have been. Please use Ethiopia’s strength to take Italy’s North African colonies.”

“Hmm.”

In other words, use Ethiopian troops to help in this war.

So they hadn’t just helped out of kindness after all.

This strategy aims to use Ethiopia to destroy Italy.

Of course, he wanted revenge against Italy, but defending one’s country and going on an expedition are different matters.

“In the future, our fleet will defeat the Italian fleet, and our land forces will launch amphibious operations using the sea. At that time, we will entrust those landing operations to the Ethiopian army.”

“But my country would still suffer considerable casualties.”

Ethiopia had already fought across its entire territory.

Although Russia had helped in the war, Russian troops hadn’t directly intervened.

Ethiopia was already at a much lower level than European powers.

Where would they find the strength to attack African colonies?

“Our Tsar said that while it would be difficult to make concessions regarding Italian territory after the war, Your Majesty could personally conduct Italy’s surrender procedure.”

Haile Selassie’s eyes flashed sharply.

Of course he would be interested—they were offering him the chance to capture Mussolini, whom he wanted to tear apart.