Ch.254Declaration of War Against Japan

Foreign Minister Litvinov met with Japanese Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori once again.

Having observed that Japan had no intention of showing good faith toward the mediation he had previously requested, he was now determined to establish a clear justification for war.

“Russia and Japan have been allies for some time. Our Mother Tsarina rightfully ceded leadership in the Far East to our allied Japan. She also transferred all rights in China to Japan. This was the result of steadily improving relations between our two countries since the Russo-Japanese War.”

“Indeed.”

Togo Shigenori simply bowed deeply.

There was nothing else he could do now. Just bow and bow again.

“Recently, we Europeans made a decolonization declaration. We will form governments with local colonial peoples, take responsibility, and succeed the colonial governments’ authority to liberate Asian colonies as well. But this requires Japan to withdraw its troops as soon as possible.”

Decolonization declaration. Does this mean they’re giving up their colonies?

This could only be shocking for Japan, a fellow great power.

Those greedy European powers are relinquishing their own colonies—they certainly won’t tolerate Japan keeping its colonies.

Right now, Japan cannot expand its front any further.

They’re already overextended. So what options do they have?

All they can hope for is Russia’s mediation in the war with America. Nothing else.

“We are doing our best for now, but…”

“And after several inquiries, we’ve learned that our Mother Tsarina provided agricultural tools and pesticides to support China’s circumstances, but those pesticides were used to imprison and kill Chinese people in camps. This inevitably affects our Mother Tsarina’s reputation.”

How could they, as her children, stand by while the Japanese tarnish their mother’s reputation?

The Mother Tsarina is giving them a chance now—they should know to grovel while they can.

This is what Russia is saying.

“That issue is also being discussed at Imperial Headquarters. If the war with America ends, we can withdraw from the colonies and end the war with China. Please.”

Litvinov frowned at Togo Shigenori’s excuse.

Hmph, asking for mediation while trying to persuade us?

How absurd.

“Do you think Russia is playing games? Your country should show sincerity first to convince America! No matter how strong Russia is, America is a difficult opponent. North American land is abundant, and America’s power from that land is stronger than all of Europe combined. You started a war against such a country. Shouldn’t you be the first to yield?”

Of course, the comparison with Europe essentially excluded Russia, the rising European superpower.

“I will request a response from my country. Please, just wait a little longer.”

As he bowed, Togo Shigenori sensed something strange about Russia’s attitude.

It felt like an ultimatum before war. He couldn’t explain why, but that was his impression.

What are those fools at Imperial Headquarters thinking?

Judging from Russia’s reaction, Russia might even declare war on the Empire. Yet these fools continue to wage one war after another—what’s wrong with them?

He would have to hear Imperial Headquarters’ response first, but he didn’t have much hope anymore.

Russia reportedly had powerful bombs that could erase entire cities. What would happen if one fell on the Japanese homeland?

Perhaps exile would be the better option.

Meanwhile, at Imperial Headquarters in the Forbidden City, they were outraged by Russia’s response.

“Hmph, isn’t Russia being too dismissive of Japan just because they’ve become Europe’s hegemon?”

“Exactly. We are the proud soldiers of the Empire who led victory in the Russo-Japanese War.”

Still nostalgic about their victory against Russia, Imperial Headquarters responded defiantly to Russia’s actions.

“But I’ve heard Russia has weapons that can destroy entire cities—”

“Would Russia, which needs to rebuild Europe, be in any position to wage war against our Empire? A bomb that destroys cities? There’s no such thing. The victorious Russians are probably exaggerating.”

Unless they saw it with their own eyes, they couldn’t believe it.

That’s how Tojo Hideki and the hardliners saw it, at least.

“We should at least withdraw from the colonies. The European war is over—if we show sincerity, wouldn’t they continue exporting resources to us?”

Withdrawal from the colonies.

But that wasn’t an easy choice.

Because the homeland had already been told that Japan had been granted colonies at the request of European powers.

That’s how they had been able to further elevate the map of this barbaric war.

“Haven’t we already said we’ll grant independence? Then can’t we just grant independence after the war?”

“That approach won’t work.”

This was truly a case of covering one’s eyes and pretending not to see.

But Tojo Hideki, as the leader of the hardliners, had plenty to say.

“Is there another way? The train has already left the station, and we either gain everything or lose everything. If we stop the war now, would our subjects accept it?”

The subjects in the homeland naturally believed that Japan was doing well—receiving colonies from the great powers, winning consecutive victories in China, and having the upper hand in the Pacific War against America.

Because the Imperial Army was invincible!

Asking them to back down now was unthinkable.

“If by any chance Russia invades, we won’t be able to handle another front.”

“They’ve been threatening us, but they haven’t threatened war. And we have the Governor-General of South Manchuria.”

The greatest Japanese general, Mutaguchi Renya, who had annihilated 2 million troops.

There were still 200,000 troops of the South Manchurian Governor-General’s Office remaining in South Manchuria.

The South Manchurian Governor-General’s troops had the latest weapons (Russian-made), so they could sufficiently prevent Russia’s southward advance.

Originally, since Russia also had European affairs to deal with, the situation might end up resembling the Russo-Japanese War era. Moreover, South Manchuria had many fortresses installed to prepare for possible Chinese counterattacks, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Now that mediation has essentially failed, give Russia a perfunctory answer and conscript more Chinese troops. They need to be our meat shields. Let’s quickly settle China.”

The China Expeditionary Army had mixed opinions, but ultimately they agreed to quickly wrap up one front.

They would quickly settle China and then make a gesture of granting independence to the colonies.

Meanwhile, around this time, Puyi, the Emperor of China, was in contact with the Okhrana.

“As the Emperor of China knows well, Japan cannot win this war, and China will be dragged along until Japan is defeated. Now that the European war is over, a massive number of the Mother’s children will punish the barbaric monkeys who have tarnished the Mother’s reputation. At this time, if Your Majesty cooperates from within, you won’t be labeled a war criminal afterward and might be able to maintain at least some of China’s territory.”

“Wh-what should I do?”

Puyi was no fool.

Although he was the king of a puppet state established by Japan, he knew Japan had lost its senses, and since China was established by this senseless Japan, when Japan fell, China would fall with it, and Puyi’s head would not remain intact.

For Puyi, being king meant nothing now—he just wanted to preserve his life at minimum.

So he had to accept the proposal from Russia, now called the world’s strongest country.

“We will contact you at the appropriate time, and you should attack the Japanese forces stationed in China from within. Since you command puppet state forces, we don’t expect you to completely annihilate the Japanese forces—just diverting their attention will be enough.”

“I will do so.”

He would definitely draw the line with Japan at this opportunity.

Puyi’s heart was filled not with the boiling blood of the Daqing Empire that once conquered Central China, but with the will to survive.

Around this time, Mutaguchi Renya of South Manchuria, whom Imperial Headquarters had left as a variable, was indulging in luxury and pleasure.

While Japan’s main forces were devastating China and causing friction with America in the Pacific and with European powers in Southeast Asia, the South Manchurian Governor-General’s Office was entirely under Mutaguchi Renya’s control.

“Come, let’s have another drink for the future of South Manchuria!”

Having nothing to do, he solidified his title as the Shogun of South Manchuria while holding daily drinking parties with his subordinates who also had nothing to do.

As the saying goes, clear water flows from a clear source. Regardless of their loyalty to Mutaguchi Renya, the South Manchurian army had lost its discipline with no more battles to fight, and since Russia was an ally, it was just a party for them.

“But is it right for us to be like this?”

A young staff officer asked with an uncomfortable expression after seeing Mutaguchi Renya and Tsuji Masanobu enjoying themselves. But Mutaguchi Renya waved his hand dismissively.

“What else would you have us do? Or would you prefer to enter that bloody China?”

“Well, no…”

Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.

While the truly insane Japanese generals were at Imperial Headquarters, officers with similar tendencies to Mutaguchi Renya were appointed under him in South Manchuria.

And Mutaguchi Renya, satisfied with being the Shogun of South Manchuria, targeted the Imperial Headquarters troops in China as justification for enjoying this luxury and pleasure.

Taking a big gulp of alcohol with a face full of despair and sorrow like those of stateless minorities, Mutaguchi Renya boldly spoke up.

“If they had entrusted the war to me from the beginning, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. I don’t know how our Empire ended up like this. The Imperial Army in China sees the Chinese people as mere pieces of meat. That’s an army of oni, not the Imperial Army. As the elder brother of Asia, we have become corrupt. Do you know what this means?”

Mutaguchi Renya was boldly speaking words that Imperial Headquarters would consider treasonous and sophistry.

“Only we are the true samurai army armed with the genuine Japanese Yamato spirit. Don’t forget. The reason the China Expeditionary Army has been able to advance until now is thanks to our South Manchurian army defeating the 2 million-strong Chinese warlord coalition. When Imperial Headquarters became corrupt, only we maintained the true Japanese spirit! Come! Let’s have a drink! For the Empire of Japan! Long live the Emperor! Long live South Manchuria! Long live the Empire of Japan!”

At Mutaguchi Renya’s words, even officers who wondered if this was right raised their glasses with an “oh well” attitude.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live South Manchuria! Long live the Empire of Japan!”

The South Manchurian Army, once the elite force that defeated a massive 2 million-strong army in Central China (according to their claims), was thus deteriorating to the point of collapse at the slightest provocation.

* * *

Moscow, United States of Russia

As American card payments began and the Roman Treaty Organization imagined Europe’s future being restored with money, the assembly heated up with a new agenda.

I, the Caesar of Russia, the Tsar who succeeded Rome, also attended this meeting.

“Since America, as our neighbor, is helping with our post-war reconstruction, shouldn’t we also support their war? Moreover, despite our civilizing influence, Japan has not only colonized neighboring countries like the Korean Empire but is also indiscriminately slaughtering soldiers and civilians in China. As civilized nations, we must never condone this.”

This is barbarism and outrage.

The leaders of the great powers, who were already sweetly spinning their washing machines and offering to help their colonies, agreed and gnashed their teeth.

I laughed at the sight, but if cooperation could be secured by spinning washing machines, it was a profitable deal.

And I, as the Emperor of Rome, also declared war in the Roman Treaty Organization.

“While we are trying to grant independence to colonies that have qualified to become members of the international community, they are openly mocking us by taking colonies, oppressing them, and plundering resources. This is outrageous and barbaric! They are regressing to that distant past when there was no law and order! They are oppressing China and colonies that have taken steps toward civilization! This is no longer just a European issue for the Roman Treaty Organization that has civilized the world! We must not leave Japan, which is regressing the world we have civilized, unchecked! We will punish that barbarism! We will fight!”

The treaty member states, who had become Anastasia fan club members either semi-forcibly or voluntarily, agreed with my declaration, and the war against Japan received overwhelming approval.

The domestic reaction was also significant.

“How dare those Japanese ignore the Mother Tsarina’s merciful proposal?”

“Let’s take revenge for the Russo-Japanese War!”

“Let’s show those island monkeys what the country of the Saint is capable of!”

The Anastasia fan club, with over 200 million members, also showed overwhelming support for the war against Japan.

After the Civil War, Russia had always been a righteous country under the Saint’s rule and the proud Third Roman Empire.

As a nation upholding global justice, the Japanese who were staining world peace with blood were unforgivable to Russian citizens. Above all, there were opinions about using this opportunity to avenge the Russo-Japanese War and completely wash away the humiliation.

And I stepped forward directly.

Of course, this time I wouldn’t command directly but planned to serve as a morale-boosting totem for the White Army from the Oriental-style Yusupov Palace built by Prince Yusupov in Northern Manchuria.

Grigory Semyonov, who knew the Far East well, was appointed as the commander-in-chief for the war against Japan, with Ungern, who had also been active in the Far East, as deputy commander. The forces included over 1 million troops combining treaty army and air force, which would join the Far Eastern Army and advance southward.

“Your Majesty, the Roman Treaty Fleet is also sailing across the Indian Ocean into the Pacific.”

Before heading to Northern Manchuria, I heard news about the treaty fleet from Naval Minister Kolchak.

“Hmm, will there be naval battles?”

“The White Fleet under Pacific Expeditionary Fleet Commander Kuznetsov and the British Home Fleet under Charles Forbes will form a treaty fleet that will fight alongside the American Nimitz fleet for control of the Pacific.”

Then it shouldn’t be difficult.

Even now, isn’t America gradually pushing Japan out of the Pacific? Considering the original history, it’s certainly possible.

“Then we’ll secure control of the sea and air and pound the Japanese archipelago, correct?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Japan’s end is approaching.

Unlike the original history where the Korean Liberation Army, with only a few hundred men, declared war on Japan, in this history, the Korean Peninsula will be reclaimed directly by the Balhae Army.

“Then formally announce the declaration of war to Japan through Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori, who is currently under house arrest.”

Japan must be fighting desperately in China right now.

I almost feel sorry for them.