Ch.305The Guest from South America (3)

# State Duma

The presidential couple and the Argentine delegation came to negotiate with our Duma.

“So how would you like us to help?”

“Please select military advisors from the Roman Treaty forces that were active in the Great European War and send them to Argentina.”

“To Argentina?”

They want to build up their military with the help of the Roman Treaty.

Yes, I can understand that much.

“We also request various weapons.”

“You mean weapons sales.”

They really want quite a lot.

We have surplus military supplies, and Balhae will take care of selling to China, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

“Our Argentina will build strength in South America and counter the United States as an ally of the Roman Treaty.”

This is exactly like the Balhae Federation.

It’s like a South American version of the Balhae Federation, which claimed it would become Russia’s ally to defend against the United States in the Far East and Pacific.

Hmm, alright. Let’s hear more. I decided to listen more through the Duma.

“Please continue.”

“I understand that many ships are being decommissioned after the war. Though we cannot pay immediately, please sell a fleet to our Argentine navy and sell us advanced European fighter aircraft.”

At this rate, they’re practically saying they want to go to war.

Of all things, they want us to sell them ships. From our perspective, we have many to decommission so it’s not difficult, but doesn’t the US have many they produced during the war too?

Just because we sell them some doesn’t mean they’ll be able to stand against the US.

There might be quite a difference in military expertise, but in terms of quantity alone, the US fleet is more threatening.

“Are you planning to start a war in South America?”

This is concerning—essentially, wouldn’t this mean South American countries fighting each other with support from the US and the Roman Treaty?

It’s not the Korean War, but isn’t it a fight for pride between spheres of influence?

Looking at them now, both the president and his wife have ambitious eyes.

“We’re not simply thinking about war. Brazil has already approached the United States. If things continue this way, our Argentina will face pressure from the US.”

I see. The US is backing Brazil. Can Brazil and Argentina fight?

“Hmm. Is that so.”

It’s a natural progression, but can MacArthur push for this because he leads a military government?

Perhaps the US will proceed more assertively than in the original history.

Europe has unified and boldly proposed dividing the world, so the US has no choice but to step up to protect its own sphere.

But you know what? I’ve already made promises to MacArthur.

If the US maintains an ambiguous position, could it fight as a counterbalance to the Roman Treaty in the future?

Of course, we’ll also be busy with decolonization and integration for a while, but the US landmass is quite advantageous. Hmm.

Unfortunately, while I am Anastasia, I’ve lived in Hell-Joseon, the Eastern country of courtesy, for over 20 years.

Therefore, I know how to keep my word.

Actually, the answer is already decided. Aren’t military advisors and weapons for Argentina already proceeding as I previously told MacArthur?

“Since our relationship with the US is at stake, this isn’t something we can decide immediately. Let’s end here for today.”

I can’t tell the presidential couple about my secret talks with the US. We need to consider how we can benefit from this.

“Please review our request positively.”

After sending Juan and Eva Perón on a full Moscow tour, the State Duma activated its brain circuits.

Argentina’s request for support.

In exchange, we could send large numbers of Black people to Argentina.

That’s in addition to sending weapons and military advisors.

The US backing Brazil is concerning, but for us, this is ultimately a business matter.

However, how will the Duma think about this?

How can we use this situation in an interesting way? I decided to hear the opinions of our Duma students.

“Alright. Let’s hear what everyone has to say.”

“We’ve already promised the US not to interfere in South America. And if Your Majesty’s intention is to build up the US as a counterbalance to the Roman Treaty, the US should control the entire American continent.”

Even if Canada can’t be included because of the Commonwealth, let’s hand over Latin America.

The Duma agreed with this point.

“Then are we ignoring Argentina’s request?”

“Dividing is one thing, but creating tension between the US and the Roman Treaty while keeping the US in check isn’t a bad idea.”

Wait a moment. Something is coming to mind.

“What’s the current level of US weaponry?”

I interrupted in the middle of the Duma meeting.

The US must be putting considerable effort into weapons development. We’ve transferred some technology to them. I feel like something is about to come to me.

“They’re still behind us. Their missile technology is toy-level compared to ours. Though it seems they’ve secured nuclear weapons.”

“Then, what about the weapons used during the Great War?”

A brilliant idea is forming in my mind.

If we use this, we can maximize our benefits.

“They’re still ahead of US weapons. We transferred technology, but during the war, the US also bought many of our weapons for urgent use.”

“I see.”

Something, something good is coming to mind.

A devious smile unconsciously spread across my face.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Let’s provide Argentina with the latest tanks, small arms, and aircraft.”

We have an abundance of weapons right now.

As we develop new ones, the latest weapons have become surplus.

Let’s provide generous support.

“What? Wouldn’t giving too much be dangerous?”

“The US might protest against us.”

“Wouldn’t it be problematic if they accuse us of not keeping our promises?”

That’s true. Aren’t they the same people who sent Eisenhower to make a fuss about South Vietnam last time?

I can understand their position to some extent, and I plan to use that.

“While we did say we’d build up the US as a counterbalance, shouldn’t we also secure some profit for ourselves?”

I said we’d build the US as a rival to the Roman Treaty, but we need to make money too.

After all, we’re abandoning Argentina that’s clinging to us and handing over all of South America, so we should at least extract some weapons deals.

“What method do you have in mind?”

The plan is very simple.

For example, let’s say Argentina rises up with the weapons we provided. Then the US would have justification to conquer Argentina by force.

The US will either mobilize other South American countries or intervene directly to fight Argentina, and given the weapons gap, the US is bound to struggle.

That’s when we step in. We can sell weapons to the US or sell them more technology transfers.

The US has likely postponed weapons development while focusing on internal stability and spending money abroad.

Isn’t this a good method? We can extract money too.

We can use that to build infrastructure in decolonized Africa.

“That’s—”

I explained my plan to the Duma.

If the US protests, I can say, “Oh, I didn’t know the weapons gap was so significant.” Wouldn’t that work?

Honestly, I don’t think Argentina will defeat the US.

There’s a weight class difference after all. Argentina can’t defeat the US if it’s determined to enter the war.

Unless the Roman Treaty truly helps them.

“Oh, that’s a good method.”

“Since the US will eventually catch up to us anyway, we might as well make more money. That’s the idea.”

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

We act to maximize our profits. Isn’t this sufficient?

“In the end, money is everything in this world.”

I really like the US gold.

Even in the unlikely event that the US has no such intentions, it’s not bad for us to be able to annoy the US as much as possible.

As much as we’re creating a counterbalance, we should also keep them in check.

“So we earn money and transfer Black people to them. That’s good.”

Yes, that’s exactly it.

If we extend our hand, they’ll eventually have to respond.

If we act plausibly friendly and treat them well enough, they’ll accept all the Black people to maintain good relations with us.

Hmm, quite plausible, isn’t it?

“That’s right. If there are people who want to migrate elsewhere, we can threaten them with support as Prime Minister Churchill suggested and send them to India or China.”

We can send them wherever necessary.

We just need to maintain Africa’s population at a level that the currently barren continent can support.

Black people sent to other countries will either assimilate or die out there. It will be one of the two.

Ethiopia will also pay attention to this.

Either way, it won’t be bad for us.

“It will also make our decolonization work easier.”

There were actually proposals to relocate African Black people to Europe.

But I know how that turned out, so it’s absolutely not an option.

# # #

Washington D.C.

Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., they were viewing the Argentine presidential couple’s visit to Moscow quite sensitively.

The US had only recently begun expanding into South America, and Argentina had quickly approached Russia.

“How should we view the Argentine presidential couple’s visit to Moscow?”

“Yes, it appears to be related to the Black migration issue from before.”

“If that were the case, they could just exchange communications. Why visit in person?”

“They must have some scheme in mind.”

Honestly, they had anticipated this.

Since the US is exerting influence in South America, those fools are approaching the Roman Treaty to somehow escape US influence—that’s how it should be viewed.

The problem is that Argentina is no ordinary country.

Argentina is one of the major powers in South America.

Although the US is backing Brazil, Argentina is no pushover either.

And that Argentina is ostentatiously strengthening its relationship with the Roman Treaty.

“Hmm, we’ve been supporting Brazil recently.”

It’s ultimately to check the US. The Roman Treaty is currently struggling with decolonization.

Their decolonization work is taking a long time.

It seems the Black issue is particularly significant in Africa, if nowhere else.

They should just draw borders and leave, but instead they’re trying to save face by accepting large-scale Black migration in exchange for Roman Treaty support?

“That’s quite likely the reason.”

“I see. To keep us in check.”

That makes sense, but the Death Saint would try to maximize benefits while keeping promises with the US.

“But don’t we have an agreement with Russia?”

“That’s right.”

Given Anastasia’s character, there are some suspicious aspects.

That woman first tries to solidify her publicly known position in the world.

So she’ll probably accept the Argentine couple’s visit.

Then what they discuss becomes important, but we know nothing about that yet.

We can’t say anything about this right now.

Given the situation, increasing support for Brazil is all we can do.

“Let’s just keep an eye on it for now.”

Yes, let’s watch for now.

Whatever happens, now that Argentina has approached the Roman Treaty, we have justification to strike at any time.

# # #

Now it’s time to conclude negotiations with Argentina.

The US, which should know by now, has shown no reaction yet.

At the very least, that means they’re watching like voyeurs. But today, I had a schedule with Eva Perón from the morning.

Maria said, “Since she’s the First Lady, shouldn’t we at least have tea together?” It sounded reasonable, so I agreed.

But as I sat across from Eva Perón having tea, her gaze was uncomfortable.

“It’s truly an honor to meet you, Your Imperial Majesty.”

That sparkling gaze of admiration. We’re planning to cut ties appropriately, but receiving such a look feels awkward.

“Is that so?”

I don’t find it honorable to see her. Why should I sit with a promiscuous woman who still sleeps around despite being First Lady?

No, sitting with her isn’t disgusting or anything.

Infidelity is surprisingly common in this era.

Sexual promiscuity is common. Yes. But isn’t she called a saint in Argentina?

And I’m called a saint too.

Why should I be considered on the same level as this woman? At least compared to her, I’m much purer.

“Your Majesty’s labor welfare policies are truly innovative.”

Ah, yes. That was well done.

“I’ve heard that Madam has promoted various welfare policies for the poor.”

“Ahaha. It’s nothing special. It’s just what I should do as the President’s wife.”

She speaks cheerfully while waving her hand dismissively. She seems quite sociable.

Come to think of it, she became First Lady at quite a young age.

“You’re really impressive at such a young age.”

At my words, Eva Perón made an incredulous expression as if to say, “You’re one to talk.”