Ch.300Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (2)

* * *

The Okhrana had barely been dispatched when Beria came to visit.

He arrived remarkably quickly. Had he already been investigating?

“Beria. Have you found anything?”

Judging by his smug smile and confident demeanor, he must have discovered something.

I should pick a day to fix that face of his.

Unfortunately, there’s no one else quite suitable to lead the Okhrana right now. Reluctantly, Beria will have to continue heading the organization.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You seem to have gathered information rather quickly.”

“Credit goes to Shen Yu, the director of Okhrana’s Southern China branch.”

“Isn’t he the one who handled the Chiang Kai-shek assassination?”

I’d like to meet this Shen Yu personally.

If he’s that loyal, he might be worthy of taking over as Okhrana director.

With Beria as his successor, of course.

“Yes. His loyalty to the United States is considerable. Shen Yu had already gathered intelligence before I even issued instructions.”

I see. So as someone loyal to the United States, he conducted investigations in advance.

Well then, let’s hear what’s happening in Chongqing. I’m curious.

“There’s a facility south of Chongqing where National Government officials have been secretly visiting, separate from the research facility. They’re clearly conducting some kind of research behind our backs.”

So there is something after all.

These people are up to no good. Of course, when else would they develop nuclear weapons if not now?

They might face international sanctions, but they probably believe this is their only chance to protect the Chinese nation.

Since this is their last opportunity, they’ll try anything. We must stop them.

“I see.”

“Moreover, there are radiation-related facilities there as well.”

So they’re quite serious about this. As expected. These bastards have no intention of giving up.

And they’ll try to develop it by any means necessary. Perhaps faster than we anticipate.

Judging by their extensive weapons purchases, the process might still be slow. But we can’t just let this slide.

“Yes, Your Majesty. As you suspected, there are researchers not included in the list they provided us. It’s deception.”

Of course. Nuclear research isn’t something easily concealed.

They probably don’t want to hide it either. They know we’d search for it if they did.

They might deliberately choose visibility, but this is the National Government with Dai Li.

With that man still alive in the National Government, this isn’t a simple matter.

“Did Dai Li not expect us to investigate behind his back?”

He’s probably in a position similar to Beria in the Russian United States.

“He must have expected it. I believe they’ve established multiple such facilities.”

I see. Some near Chongqing, others farther away.

Hmm, this is rather disgusting. They’re so desperate to develop nuclear weapons that they’re hiding it from us.

“Decoys? Do they know what will happen if they’re caught?”

Isn’t this obviously going to get them caught?

“If discovered, they’ll likely show us everything. To hide a tree, place it in a forest.”

Hide a tree in a forest. Yes, that makes sense.

Dai Li seems to be using his brain.

They’ve greatly increased their research facilities, hiding the real ones while making it appear they’re showing us everything to avoid suspicion.

Yes, he’s thinking quite cleverly.

But isn’t he underestimating Okhrana’s intelligence capabilities?

At this rate, war seems like the only solution.

“But what they don’t know is that we’re aware of Chen Xuesen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Chen Xuesen is indeed real.”

Looking at the report, I finally saw the names of hidden nuclear scientists.

Among them, Chen Xuesen’s name was clearly visible.

Yes, that’s right. It would be strange if he weren’t there. Soong Mei-ling did well to find him.

Even though history has changed, most great figures moved according to historical patterns unless I intervened or killed them.

Since this gentleman was expelled from America, his only options would be the Chinese Federalist Government, Qing, or the National Government, which still maintains some authority in China.

“Well then, kidnap him, do whatever you want. Kill him if necessary. Since the National Government has hidden him from us, they can hardly complain if we eliminate Chen Xuesen.”

“Understood.”

Whether we torture him or whatever, something will come of it. Right? No, wait, should we think bigger?

Think about it. Do we really need to launch nuclear weapons ourselves?

When our delegation entered the National Government, I increased support for Okhrana’s Southern China branch.

There’s no indication that Dai Li’s intelligence department has discovered Okhrana.

Even if they’re rushing nuclear development, they might not fully understand radiation dangers.

What if we sabotage the nuclear fission process and blow up the entire research facility? They’d get their nuclear bomb, just in a different sense.

“It would be interesting to cause radiation exposure during their nuclear testing. According to the report, Chen Xuesen works at several locations including radiation research laboratories and nuclear research facilities.”

Yes. Among them, there’s Zhangjin south of Chongqing. Critical mass experiments are conducted there.

Plutonium criticality experiments. That’s what Chen Xuesen’s laboratory is working on.

One experiment uses hemispheres, which shows they have considerable knowledge about plutonium and nuclear power.

Experiments to determine critical mass.

This was an experiment that had already been conducted in America, if I recall correctly.

There were actually criticality accidents in America that caused radiation exposure. What would happen if we sabotaged this facility?

“Yes.”

“Just blow up one of these places.”

Make all the researchers suffer radiation exposure. Then we can demonstrate the dangers of nuclear power and claim the Chinese brought disaster upon themselves by meddling with things they shouldn’t.

“Please share your brilliant plan with this humble Beria.”

Beria knelt and bowed his head.

Very well. If he asks, I should tell him. Surprisingly, these criticality experiments were already researched by the generation following Einstein’s nuclear research.

I received such reports back then. Recalling an experiment from actual history in America, I had issued instructions never to close the hemispheres.

Thanks to that, we avoided criticality accidents, but we should make them happen in China. Chen Xuesen is too competent, even more than expected.

To advance nuclear research to this degree in a fragmented Republic of China.

“We need to sabotage the hemisphere experiment. When they conduct it, ensure the plutonium core is enclosed from above and below. That will exceed the critical mass.”

Left that way, it will explode through nuclear fission.

This hemisphere experiment laboratory is in Zhangjin, somewhat south of Chongqing. Though it’s a bit distant from Chongqing, an explosion would still be noticed there.

“Indeed, they’re openly conducting nuclear and radioactive research. They won’t be able to deny it, and it will demonstrate their lack of capability for nuclear development.”

Yes, exactly.

“We can clearly show the dangers, and make it evident that this isn’t an experiment they should dare attempt.”

This could serve as an example to many countries aspiring to develop nuclear weapons.

In the worst-case scenario, we could even establish UN peacekeeping forces due to the National Government’s incompetence.

We could deploy peacekeeping forces and station troops under the pretext of maintaining peace. Of course, we should minimize this possibility.

If we want to trigger a civil war, peacekeeping forces would be an obstacle.

“Understood.”

“Our infiltrated Okhrana agents could die if there’s a mistake. We must be extremely careful.”

“We only have loyal Okhrana agents ready to sacrifice their lives, but in this case, they should be able to escape before the nuclear explosion. We can claim it was Chen Xuesen’s order to close the hemispheres.”

“Is that so? Have Okhrana agents infiltrated that deeply as researchers?”

“Yes. Since Chen Xuesen is involved in many projects and doesn’t stay at just one laboratory, he often gives instructions by letter. We can intercept and modify them.”

I suppose with such deep infiltration, they could obtain this kind of information.

Dai Li’s security is terrible.

It seems this man has considerable influence, just as in the original history.

Yes, this is our chance to make it absolutely clear that nuclear power is not something they should dare to meddle with.

“They’re really underestimating us.”

What do these fools think they’re doing? MacArthur is also to blame.

With research already so advanced, he just released Chen Xuesen?

He should have killed him instead.

After we cause this explosion, Soong Mei-ling will have no choice but to pursue unification through conventional warfare.

The warlords won’t forgive the National Government for developing nuclear weapons.

Before the National Government can conduct more unnecessary research, the warlords might try to take them down first.

This situation will create significant demand for weapons.

“The Roman Treaty delegation and American representatives should pretend to inspect their research facilities with apparent benevolence.”

Acting like we know nothing.

Since the National Government has finally cooperated with us, we’ll conduct direct inspections. We’ll just visit the visible facilities.

While they’re complacent and smiling foolishly, we’ll strike.

“But are we certain the Americans aren’t behind them?”

I can’t help but be suspicious. I don’t think so, but just in case.

Beria would have investigated this thoroughly already, I imagine.

“Yes. It appears they’ve been conducting nuclear research in secret while preparing for both reforms and unification war.”

That’s a relief. Of course, America wouldn’t help China. I was being too sensitive.

This is unavoidable.

After Beria left, Maria, who had been pouring tea, smiled slightly.

“The National Government has certainly earned Your Majesty’s displeasure.”

Earned my displeasure? Not particularly.

In truth, I would have cut them down somehow even if they weren’t researching nuclear weapons.

Nuclear research just provides a legitimate justification, which is actually fortunate. Soong Mei-ling and Dai Li together would be quite troublesome.

I don’t think Mao Zedong or Wang Jingwei could handle those two. Zhang Xueliang isn’t even worth mentioning.

“They haven’t earned my displeasure. They’ve directly challenged our order, and I’m simply kindly helping their government collapse.”

What happens to them afterward is not my concern.

We’ll just sell weapons through Balhae and provoke them. Turn Southern China into hell.

Northern China will then try to distinguish themselves from those people, emphasizing their own peacefulness. Perfect.

There’s little risk of discovery, but if we fail, we’ll need to finish off the National Government with whatever excuses we can find.

We’ll give weapons to the Qing and surrounding warlords, telling them to crush the National Government.

Soong Mei-ling and Dai Li are dangerous, after all.

“If all else fails, we’ll have to consider elimination.”

With Chiang Kai-shek dead, Soong Mei-ling seems like nothing, but she’s managed to hold together these fragmented territories.

We even supported them on the condition of federalism. Our support probably facilitated their nuclear development.

Considering that, perhaps I’m responsible for their nuclear development in the first place.

Therefore, I have a duty to eliminate Soong Mei-ling and Dai Li.

“Woof!”

“Ah, this little one!”

Somehow Belka II had followed Maria and was now panting in front of me.

I gave Belka a bone while looking down at him.

Belka is obedient, while Soong Mei-ling seems worse than a dog.

If I kill her like Chiang Kai-shek, I’ll be reasonably suspected, and an actual nuclear attack would be problematic.

Ah, why must I think about such things?

“I’ve been in this position too long.”

Thinking about these matters makes me want to step down as Tsar sooner, but if I try to abdicate, people might commit suicide in protest.

That would be unfortunate.

As if to comfort me, Belka II gently licked my hand.

“Belka II really resembles Belka.”

The original Belka, a gift from the Kaiser, died, and his offspring Belka was also exceptionally attached to me.

These Chinese should be more submissive, considering I helped them escape the hell created by Japan.

“Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Alisa Rosenbaum is likely to become the leader of the Roman National Party.”

“Alisa Rosenbaum. She’s finally starting to make her mark.”

Alisa Rosenbaum seems to be striving to enter politics in this world as well.

She’ll probably do well on her own eventually. At least from what I know, in the original history, Alisa Rosenbaum was quite capable.

During the last World War II, she directly criticized the Communist Party and broadcast real-time front-line situations nationwide via radio to boost Russian morale.

She’ll manage fine later. Currently, with Alexei Gastev, who was a strong candidate for Prime Minister, becoming the head of the Roman Treaty Organization, Nikita Khrushchev from the Social Democratic Party is being mentioned as Russia’s Prime Minister.

Someone from the Roman National Party could be suitable, but unfortunately, most of them are military personnel with no interest in the position.

Perhaps later, Alisa Rosenbaum as the leader of the Roman National Party might run for Prime Minister.

If she does well, she could become a female Prime Minister in the future.