Ch.294Tsarina Goes to the Far East (3)

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“As I said in Israel, if people don’t have the will to do it themselves, it simply won’t happen. Haven’t the industriousness and diligence of the Balhae people always been well-known? If they had been given a proper environment to develop independently, this country would have modernized long ago. It’s just unfortunate that they became a colony.”

I hate to say this, but I wonder if a future without colonization would have allowed them to gain Manchuria. That’s something I’m curious about.

Korea itself might have expanded, but whether the international community would have recognized it is another question. Now, at least, South Manchuria is officially recognized. Well.

It’s all rather perplexing.

If Korea had remained intact, I probably would have found it difficult to hand over South Manchuria.

Because Balhae might not have become our ally, and it would have looked like mindless support.

Come to think of it, this Ahn Changho was originally supposed to die. Seeing him alive, isn’t that all thanks to me?

“I’m grateful for your concern.”

“I’m not particularly concerned. I simply recognize talent, and I’m curious to see how far this man will grow and what forward-thinking things he’ll accomplish in the future. At the very least, I wonder how far the current Balhae can go. That’s what I’m curious about. Right now, India is in turmoil as the caste system is being abolished despite our efforts to make it peaceful, and China continues to tear itself apart even though the war has ended.”

How pitiful.

Indeed, with India’s recent civil war, their situation is worse than Balhae’s. The Republic of Bharat, which was the center of India, has abolished the caste system, but the rapid abolition has caused signs of internal conflict.

China goes without saying. In contrast, how peaceful is Balhae, which was once a colony.

What’s surprising is that they’ve worked hard on Manchurian integration—the Manchurians in South Manchuria have integrated with the Balhae people, and the Japanese, whose foundations are in South Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, simply obey Balhae.

Not because it’s my country, but Balhae has genuinely done well.

So we should help each other accordingly, shouldn’t we?

“I won’t disappoint you.”

“Balhae has agreed to become our steadfast ally, so its role in the Far East will become extremely important in the future. Especially with China showing signs of civil war. Since the Rome Treaty can’t intervene too much, Balhae should produce weapons and sell them to South China.”

In other words, he’s telling them to profit from the war.

It might be good to have Japan make some too. From what I can tell, war could break out in Japan at any time.

Fortunately, there’s General Mutaguchi standing awkwardly beside us, watching carefully.

“I see General Renya Mutaguchi is here as well.”

“It’s been a long time. As Your Majesty wished, I have become the Prime Minister of Japan!”

As if they’d been waiting for this moment, the Prime Minister and his still-close aide Tsuji Masanobu bowed deeply.

Well, I had hoped for this, but…

In the end, Mutaguchi really hit the jackpot.

General Mutaguchi has moved beyond my expectations.

Honestly, I thought he could succeed in raising an army, but taking half of Japan was just a hope, nothing more.

That was the ultimate goal, but anyway.

What’s more surprising is, you know what? I never expected Mutaguchi would become Prime Minister and lead the country like this.

I thought the United States of Japan would mess things up and immediately start a Japanese version of the Korean War, then ask us for support.

“The Kanto Republic is America’s unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Far East. With West Japan and Balhae, America will quickly normalize East Japan. They must have dismantled the existing Japanese Empire. They’ll probably develop East Japan to check Balhae and West Japan.”

That’s almost certain.

I’m somewhat worried about how much they can build up East Japan, but according to Okhrana reports, Trotsky has definitely gone to the Kanto Republic.

Just as the one-armed man deployed Lenin to Russia, and I deployed Hitler to Austria, I think Trotsky’s deployment will make a big difference.

We need to do something in the meantime.

While Trotsky is causing trouble in East Japan, West Japan should strengthen its army, and Balhae should focus on its navy.

“That’s how it will be.”

“For all we know, the Kanto Republic, backed by America, might target the United States of Japan. Focus more on the army than the navy to face them, and Balhae should build up its navy rather than its army to protect the Far Eastern seas from the Kanto Republic.”

“Yes. The Tsar’s words are correct.”

The Balhae Federation already has strained relations with the United States because of the Vietnam War.

Syngman Rhee wants to remain a diplomat and lead pro-American diplomacy, but one man like him can’t solve everything.

“I hear the two countries have reconciled.”

This is truly remarkable progress.

Of course, West Japan is in a position where reconciliation is the only option, but still.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Although the Japanese Empire has been dismantled, I too was a soldier of the corrupt Imperial Way Faction. I failed to help Balhae when it was suffering, so I must apologize. It’s devastating that I want to make reparations but our country has nothing.”

Oh, is this what makes him Japan’s greatest general and its last conscience?

“I see.”

This is possible because he’s Renya Mutaguchi.

To survive, they need to befriend the Balhae Federation that we support.

It’s possible now because Balhae’s national power has surpassed Japan’s.

In any case, Japan is in such a bad situation that they can’t even look outward, so they have no choice but to be led by the Balhae Federation in diplomatic relations.

Just my personal speculation, but mentioning Prince Uichin as a candidate for Emperor seems partly aimed at improving relations with the Balhae Federation. Something like that seems to be happening.

“We too can focus on our navy if the United States of Japan blocks the Kanto Republic, which is the successor to the Japanese Empire.”

“Though you’ve fought each other and Japan colonized them, now that you’ve reconciled, the two countries must defend against American hegemony in the Pacific like water and fish together in the Far East.”

“We will certainly do so.”

“I’ve heard that Joseon and the Edo Shogunate had good relations, so it would be nice if the two countries could reach that level.”

Well, they’ve apologized earnestly, and since Balhae was included among the victorious nations, they’ve been quite generous in forgiving Japan.

Now, we need to change the relationship.

Russia is directly achieving what America wanted in the original history—the combined robot of Korea and Japan.

Not bad, right?

“Hahaha! Unlike those Imperial Way Faction bastards, I have deep connections with Balhae. My concubines are also Balhae people. As long as I, Renya Mutaguchi, am here, Japan will continue to improve relations with Balhae.”

That’s fortunate. Thankfully, America swept everything away, and Renya Mutaguchi gained the support of the Japanese people to rule western Japan.

Naturally, in that process, the new government is composed of Anastasianists or pro-Russian factions who studied in Russia. It’s been completely overhauled.

Moreover, the South Manchurian Army seems to be filled with people like Renya Mutaguchi who stick together, completely at odds with the Imperial Way Faction.

So relations with Balhae shouldn’t be bad, as there won’t be right-wing elements in the United States of Japan.

“And most importantly, I’m thinking of binding the East Asian economic sphere.”

Finally, it’s time to bring this up.

The East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. It’s an economic and security organization composed only of Asian partner countries of the Rome Treaty.

This isn’t a bad idea for Balhae and Japan either.

Creating such an organization to help each other and receive direct assistance from the Rome Treaty? Isn’t that perfect?

“Binding the economic sphere. Like the Rome Treaty?”

“Our Rome Treaty organization will support Asian countries as partners, but shouldn’t Asian countries also unite for development and security?”

Balhae and Japan as they are now should be enough.

Binding everything together to make everyone peaceful isn’t bad, right? Personally, I think I’m doing well right now.

“Then it would be Turkestan, the Federalist Government, the Qing, Israel, our Balhae, and Prime Minister Mutaguchi’s Japan.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Are we excluding South China?”

South China. If I openly say we’re excluding them, both Balhae and Japan might suspect my true intentions.

Originally, my purpose was to completely separate South China from North China—I’d like to say that, but I can’t be so direct.

Then let me throw out a reasonable excuse.

To appear as saintly as possible. I need to show that I’m not doing this deliberately but am forced to distance myself from North China.

“If we include South China, which is constantly fighting, there would be no end to it. I’m thinking of creating an Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere as an economic and security treaty organization with just the countries mentioned. Aren’t Israel, Balhae, and Japan already enough to make weight in Asia? If we include South China, it would probably be difficult for Balhae and Japan too.”

That should be enough.

If we unnecessarily include South China, it would genuinely be bad for Balhae and Japan too.

“Not a bad idea.”

“And war will break out soon, whether in the Qing or South China.”

“Are you saying they will start another war?”

Of course. The Chinese are ultimately that kind of people.

They want to unite when divided and divide when united. I always say that China is most ideal when it’s fragmented.

China’s unification would be threatening not just to Russia but even more so to Balhae.

Isn’t Korea’s history, as a neighbor to China, proof of that?

“You both know better what kind of people the Chinese are. When unified, they’re strong enough that no one can challenge them, but before long they divide, and when divided, they fight to unify the world again. I believe no one understands China’s characteristics better than Balhae and Japan, who have been in the same Asian region.”

Ahn Changho and Renya Mutaguchi nodded at my words.

These three in one place. It’s surprising even to me.

“You have a point.”

“I too defeated the warlord coalition’s 2 million troops by exploiting their divisions.”

Look at him claiming his share in this opportunity.

Power really does make one a thug. The way he’s trying to flatter me and everything. It’s better to handle everything while I’m here.

To prevent future conflicts, I’m binding them together so they can’t function without each other.

“South China will continue to shed blood, so including them in the Co-Prosperity Sphere would be like pouring water into a bottomless jar. Sadly, we can only maintain the current peace by supplying them with weapons. If this situation becomes fixed, won’t peace come eventually?”

Both of them looked incredulous at my words.

What? It’s true. As a saint, I’m dividing them ‘for everyone’s peace.’

Even if it’s inconsistent, when I say it, it’s always for peace. That’s how it should be understood.

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Correct. They were most peaceful when divided.”

Yes, that’s what I’m saying. Well, that’s settled then.

“Now that the meeting is over, though it may not be suitable for the Tsar, I’ve ordered food to be prepared.”

Ah, I see. It’s dinner time.

I’m curious about traditional Korean food at this time. I’d like to try it slowly, but what I want most is that.

Yes, none other than gukbap. Gukbap. How I’ve missed it.

It’s been decades, hasn’t it? I’d like to try the old-style gukbap.

“Hmm, ah, there is something I’d like to try.”

Twirling my finger like a child wanting something, with a slightly mischievous expression, I stared at Ahn Changho.

“Please tell me whatever you wish.”

Yes. Since he asked me to say anything, it’s only natural to answer.

I opened my mouth carefully, with a completely nonchalant face, as if merely curious about what I’ve been wanting to eat.

“I’d like to try gukbap.”

Honestly, without a single lie, I haven’t properly tried Korean food until now.

I could at least try some, right?

Of course, I can’t openly say “I’m crazy about gukbap!” I need to play it cool, so I’ve thought of an excuse.

“Gukbap, Your Majesty?”

Ahn Changho asked with a surprised face. Is it that strange?

Well, it would be odd for a white person to say, “I want to eat gukbap.”

When I lived in Korea, I saw many YouTube videos where they brought foreigners to eat gukbap and made them say “Gukbap is delicious!”

I’m basically doing the same thing now. I can add a suitable excuse here.

“I saw Balhae people in North Manchuria making and eating it, and I became curious.”

This should be enough, right? I don’t care what kind of gukbap it is.

I just want to try gukbap after such a long time, especially the old-style one.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll prepare it.”

“Hahaha. I too am fond of Joseon—I mean, Balhae gukbap.”

Renya Mutaguchi. This guy is naturally joining in.

Fine. I can make an exception for General Mutaguchi.

It’s been so long since I’ve had gukbap.

I’d like to stay longer, but this isn’t the Korea I know—it’s Balhae.

It’s a slightly different Korea with some Korean flavor, so to speak.

At least until I return to Russia, I’ll enjoy myself as the Russian Tsar.

* * *

Kanto Republic, Tokyo

Trotsky moved as Anastasia had predicted.

He entered the Kanto Republic through the Far East and quietly observed the situation.

The capital Tokyo was in the midst of reconstruction, but traces of burned houses were still everywhere.

Military police and Kanto Tokyo security forces patrolled the city, and despite the war’s end, something still seemed to be happening.

“Hmm, this place is truly a mess.”

Indeed, indeed, this place was a mess.

Despite the American occupation and attempts at development, it couldn’t escape the damage of war.

That’s because everything had been burned to the ground.

America has many places to spend money, so Japan’s reconstruction was equally sluggish. Taking advantage of this situation, those who couldn’t forget the nostalgia of past imperialism were also running rampant.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Great Japanese Empire!”

BOOM!

Now, terrorist attacks were occurring in the middle of the capital.

Someone who might have been born somewhere in the Middle East in another world was carrying out suicide bombings here, longing for the Emperor.

I don’t know what kind of nonsense this is.

‘These crazy bastards.’

Even though the war has ended, these Japanese imperialists are still carrying out underwater terrorism.