Ch.258The Falling Sun (3) (Revised)

* * *

Einstein seemed heartbroken after Paris suffered major damage from nuclear weapons, but he appeared to have accepted it to some degree since he didn’t protest to me about it.

“Dr. Einstein.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even Einstein inevitably continued to feel the passage of time.

I actually wish he would put in more effort like Tesla, but I want to gift him a Jewish homeland.

“You’ve made such contributions for Russia, and I’m sorry to call you here. However, I have something important to discuss.”

“What might that be?”

I handed Dr. Einstein a stack of documents.

The Eastern Israel Plan.

Unlike in the original history, Jews weren’t persecuted in Europe or sent to gas chambers by Hitler due to Russia’s pro-Jewish policies. Instead, they were brought into Northern Manchuria through Russia.

Naturally, there’s no sympathy for the original Jews, and because of my Eastern Israel plan, the matter of Israel in Palestine has somehow become a floating story.

As a result, Israelis have come to expect more from Eastern Israel. I’m preparing for this in advance.

In a world without the Holocaust, Eastern Israel will have a significantly larger population than Israel in the original history.

Since they pioneered Northern Manchuria with the promise of establishing their own country, I have no choice but to take responsibility and create Israel for them. Right?

Einstein carefully read through the documents I handed him.

“This is the Eastern Israel Plan. The Jewish people have worked in Russia for a long time to have their own country. I’ve decided to establish Eastern Israel for them.”

“Is Palestine not possible?”

“Palestine has already been transferred to Turkey, and forcing them into a place where Palestinians already live could cause endless conflicts in the future.”

Of course, Britain was behind it, but anyway, Turkey will now be in charge of that region.

There will be no Middle Eastern wars in the distant future.

Of course, we can’t say there won’t be wars just because Israel doesn’t exist, but since Turkey is also a treaty country, we will intervene in any Middle Eastern war and decisively crush it.

“But is China acceptable?”

“We’ll be able to get whatever we want from Mao Zedong of the Federalism government. I’m thinking of sending you to the new Israel if you wish. What do you think?”

There’s no reason to keep Einstein in Russia anymore.

Russia’s technological development has become boundless through the Russian Academy of Sciences, even without Einstein. I intend to grant his wishes.

“Life in Russia isn’t bad, but I would like to contribute to establishing the foundation of the Israeli state.”

Yes. That makes sense. I can grant that request.

“Then do as you wish after the war. I will support you as needed, Doctor.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Einstein withdrew with a lighter expression.

He’s worked hard, so let’s secure him a place in Israel.

Now, it’s about time for some reaction to arrive?

News of Chiang Kai-shek’s death, that is.

Chiang Kai-shek needs to die quickly so that the treaty forces can control the internally divided warlords who haven’t unified.

Seeing the Chinese army launching another offensive, it seems supplies have gotten through.

And then, some time later.

“Your Majesty. Chiang Kai-shek is dead!”

They say Chiang Kai-shek has finally died.

It’s pitiful. In the original world, he raised Taiwan while enduring national humiliation.

Still, I don’t regret it.

In the original history, he was said to have helped Korea, but that was only because their interests aligned. Here, as Mao Zedong has become someone satisfied with just a small piece of land, that fellow Chiang Kai-shek would unify China, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen.

No matter how many massacres there were, China is still China. It’s clear that the population will grow enormously.

If Chiang Kai-shek takes control of China, unless we openly counter China in the future, China could rise again to counter Russia with American support.

It’s good that Chiang Kai-shek exits the stage at this point.

That way, only warlords who are all similar to each other will remain.

* * *

Chongqing, Temporary Capital of the National Government of China

Recently, Chiang Kai-shek of China’s National Government felt relieved as massive supplies poured in from the treaty forces.

The National Government had been pushed back as the Japanese made their final stand and began to advance in earnest.

But then, like moisture soaking into drought-cracked earth, enormous supplies poured in from the treaty forces, allowing them to maintain the Chongqing defense line.

He had one dream.

“If we win now, we can strut around as a victorious nation that defeated Japan!”

Although the damage was great, China was still a victorious nation, so they could stand as equals with the great powers.

He had already received loyalty pledges from the warlords, so there would be no difficulties.

Post-war China would achieve unification, and if they built up their strength, they could reclaim Mongolia and Manchuria, which had been taken by Russia.

The reason he was saying this while knowing China’s current situation was simple.

Because he was Chinese.

Because China, as the center of the world, must be a great power.

Because China must be the strongest and lead surrounding countries as the big brother of Asia.

Because someday, they would reclaim hegemony from Russia, called the Great Khan of Mongolia and Manchuria, even in Asia.

Thus, he was aiming for a trilateral system of China, Russia, and America.

He picked up the black tea sent as supplies from the treaty.

It was said to be premium black tea that had recently arrived with the supplies.

He had his newly appointed female aide bring this premium tea to the presidential residence.

Although he had gained some leeway, Chiang Kai-shek had been holed up in the presidential residence, not showing his face in order to avoid interruptions and to appear to be working hard for China’s future.

But he could indulge in this much luxury.

And this Manchurian-born female aide he had recently hired was doing a good job and had a good reputation.

Looking at her pouring the tea, Chiang Kai-shek suddenly spoke.

“Your hometown is Manchuria?”

“Yes, President.”

“Someday I will reclaim Manchuria from those white men, so don’t worry.”

He was now pretending to be quite at ease, but not long after, he felt something wrong with his body.

An unknown pain he had never felt before. Chiang Kai-shek turned his eyes to the aide who had brought him the tea.

But she was already gone.

He needed to call someone, but Chiang Kai-shek collapsed shortly after.

“That won’t do, Mr. President. How dare you try to take our Great Khan’s land. You must die for this.”

The Manchurian-born Okhrana agent who left the presidential office sneered.

After confirming that Chiang Kai-shek had lost his strength, the Okhrana agent attached a blood-written note saying “Revenge for His Majesty the Emperor!” to the door of Chiang Kai-shek’s office and left the presidential residence.

It was easy, too easy.

It was easy to enter the residence due to connections with Chiang Kai-shek’s subordinates, and the fool had placed all his armed forces outside, making it easier than expected.

According to the original plan, they were supposed to secretly supply tea to the presidential residence and watch Chiang Kai-shek die, but regrettably, they needed to confirm it personally to be certain.

Since there were no visible traces on the surface, the Allied forces wouldn’t suspect assassination through food.

“Did you succeed?”

The Okhrana agent disguised as a female aide safely returned to Manchuria and reported to Beria.

“Yes. He definitely ate it, and I personally confirmed that he collapsed. I was prepared to die if there were guards, but fortunately, there weren’t any.”

“Hmm, that was a bit risky. What idiots, did they cook their president’s guards for soup? Good work. You’ve worked for His Majesty the Tsar. The Tsar will commend your achievement later.”

“Thank you.”

The Manchurian-born Okhrana agent bowed her head.

Aisin Gioro Xianyu (Japanese name: Kawashima Yoshiko), who in the original history cooperated with Japan and was tried and sentenced to death for collaborating with the Kwantung Army after Japan’s defeat, successfully assassinated Chiang Kai-shek while working for the Manchurian branch of the Okhrana in this world line.

And afterward, the National Government quickly fractured.

“Who killed the President?”

“It seems to be a Japanese. An aide who was working in the presidential residence disappeared, and there’s a blood-written note on the door saying it was revenge for the Emperor.”

“You’re saying the culprit escaped and couldn’t be caught?”

“The President said not to disturb him except when necessary because he was busy with work.”

“Damn it! Without the President, we’ll fight the Japanese army on our own!”

The National Government, which had been united under Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership, easily collapsed. With the Japanese army’s counterattack and the fall of Chongqing, the situation became uncontrollable. However, as the northern front’s army surrendered to the treaty forces, the Japanese army in the Chinese theater was also unable to move in either direction.

And the divided Chinese government requested aid from Russian Tsarina Anastasia.

Meanwhile, the Balhae Army finally advanced toward Seoul with the Seoul occupation operation.

In the streets of Gyeongseong (Seoul), battles broke out between Koreans armed with Russian submachine guns and treaty rifles smuggled in, and the Japanese forces stationed in Korea.

“Kill the Japs! Let’s welcome our army!”

“Damn Koreans! The Empire has bestowed so many favors on you!”

“Who asked for your favors? We are Koreans, not your Japanese!”

Young people fighting against Japanese soldiers, shooting from alleys and boulevards.

A woman strangling a Japanese military policeman to death even as she was being stabbed by his sword.

An old scholar striking a Japanese policeman’s head with his cane.

Independence activists bombing the Japanese Government-General Building.

A middle-aged man throwing all sorts of things at Japanese soldiers from a building window.

Even soldiers who had been conscripted into the Japanese army turning their guns on Japanese soldiers when the uprising broke out.

Bloody battles raged everywhere.

And finally.

“Seoul has been recaptured!”

“Long live Korean independence!”

When news spread that Lee Beom-seok’s army was advancing on Seoul, the Government-General surrendered, and the Balhae Taegukgi flag was finally raised over the Government-General Building.

“Detestable Japs!”

The Rising Sun flag of the imperial faction, torn apart like a dog at the Government-General Building, was trampled under Lee Beom-seok’s military boots, and the once brilliant flag of the sun that had soared without fear of the heavens was burned by Korean hands.

It was August 15, 1944.

* * *

Washington D.C., United States of America

Meanwhile, in the United States, the war situation had reversed dramatically, and with Mutaguchi Renya’s plan to land in Japan leaked through intelligence, MacArthur was in a tight spot.

“I’ve only heard about it, but is this what they call the last remaining conscience of the Japs? Starting a coup to save their country.”

“This Mutaguchi Renya is a figure even the Japanese military headquarters is wary of. It’s observed that if he had been in command, China would have been easily occupied by Japan.”

“Hmm, this is troublesome.”

“He’s even said to have built a friendship with the Tsar since the Russian Civil War. The Tsar personally said he would become a great figure.”

“Then we can borrow Russia’s power. We’ll have to cede part of Japan. Until then, we need to turn it into a wasteland.”

The original plan was to quickly occupy the Japanese archipelago, completely devastate the Japanese people just as they had done to China, return them to the Stone Age, and turn Japan into America’s unsinkable aircraft carrier in Asia to counter Russia. But now, they would have to drain Japan of all its power.

“Yes, that’s the answer.”

“How’s the nuclear weapon development coming? We need to drop at least one on Japan.”

“We’ve received the technology, and our scientists are working on it, but…”

Getting the technology transfer wasn’t everything.

They needed to determine and build a city for nuclear weapon facilities, conduct experiments, and more. But Japan was crumbling too easily with the Rome Treaty’s participation, like brittle candy.

At this rate, Japan would have surrendered by the time they finished building the weapon.

However, MacArthur knew the answer.

“Nuclear weapon development is still far off, and they might surrender before then. Russia transferring nuclear technology means they’ve already stockpiled nuclear weapons. We’ll resolve this with money again.”

Yes, money. Feeding it to the Tsar who’s obsessed with money.

“With money?”

“The Tsar is a materialistic person obsessed with money, and we’re a huge country that can satisfy such a Tsar. Just as we buy their weapons, we need to make them dependent on us. And considering the development time, isn’t it better to resolve this with money?”

In other words, the United States is doing the extraordinary thing of buying Russian weapons to counter Russia in the future.

They would devastate Japan as much as possible and drop nuclear bombs to ensure Japan would never rise again.

This was also in preparation for Japan falling to Russia.

“Then, which cities are you considering? We need to provide some information if we’re requesting a sale from the Tsar.”

“Yes. Kokura City, which produces the largest amount of aviation weapons in Japan. And Kyoto, their spiritual capital.”

MacArthur pointed to the two cities on the map.

Nuclear bombings aimed at truly destroying Japan, targeting not Nagasaki and Hiroshima as in the original history.

That’s what MacArthur was aiming for.