Ch.307The Woman Changed by Anastasia

* * *

I thought they would just take everything we offered. Seeing how proactive they are, it seems they genuinely want to maintain friendly relations with us.

It’ll be interesting when we cut ties with them.

“Argentina stands to gain the most from trade with us among South American countries. You could say they’re indebted to us.”

“Even so, there’s the matter of public support. If they bring in too many Black people, there could be backlash.”

That Eva Perón had a different look on her face compared to her husband.

Her husband seemed somewhat docile, but Eva Perón looked like she had ulterior motives.

If they bring Black people to Argentina now, wouldn’t that create problems with Eva Perón’s approval ratings?

They’ll handle it themselves, but something seems suspicious. Perhaps a bloodbath is coming soon.

“Wait, transport ships?”

Something suddenly clicked, and I stood up abruptly without thinking.

I just had a feeling about something.

“Has something occurred to you?”

Wasn’t one of the methods Joseon used to eliminate the Goryeo royal family to put them on ships bound for Ganghwa Island and then sink them?

What if, for whatever reason, all the transport ships sank while crossing the ocean?

They could cite various justifications.

They could claim the Black people seized the transport ships and were sunk while attempting piracy. Or perhaps too many Black people were forced aboard, and the ships couldn’t withstand the weight and sank.

Of course, this is just speculation.

“What if they sink the transport ships at sea?”

“That’s quite plausible.”

It’s not an impossible scenario.

At least that way, they could somewhat mitigate the drop in approval ratings.

Anyway, between bringing in a large group of Black people and bringing in only some, the latter would obviously be preferable.

“At the very least, they could minimize the number of Black people admitted to Argentina.”

They could probably keep only a small minority they can actually assimilate and use various excuses to isolate the rest somewhere.

Right. Once they’re handed over, they can do whatever they want with them.

It’s just speculation, but if it’s true, Eva Perón is no ordinary woman.

At least the Eva Perón I saw wasn’t just the woman I read about on Wikipedia.

I know how the world works, don’t I? Most likely, that woman has been influenced by me too.

“I wonder what will become of Argentina.”

Still, the United States will step on Argentina before it grows too large, so I probably don’t need to think too deeply about it.

Later, when they come begging for support, that’s when I’ll have to cut ties.

* * *

On the ship returning to Argentina, Juan Perón cautiously asked Eva Perón.

“My dear, the Rome Treaty will take care of everything. Is there any reason for us to provide transport ships?”

They had secured tremendous support, but accepting so many Black people was a different matter.

They had claimed they would get the Falklands but failed to do so, which was a diplomatic failure regardless of the underlying details.

Given the circumstances, there was no reason to provide support.

“Since we’re bringing them over, aren’t those Black people our problem to solve?”

“That’s true. But there’s considerable opposition at home. If we had at least secured the Falklands, it might be different, but we only got weapons, military advisors, and trade agreements.”

“They’ve always interfered with what we do. The military is especially problematic.”

“Indeed. The Black immigration issue is a sensitive matter. Especially since they’re originally from colonies. They might be useful as laborers, but still, it’s concerning.”

We don’t know what problems they might cause.

After all the effort to build up Argentina, bringing in so many Black people now would be like driving approval ratings into the coffin.

Juan Perón wondered what was going on in his wife’s head.

What was she thinking to accept so many Black people so readily? They’re talking about hundreds of thousands at minimum.

“Then we should minimize it.”

“Is that possible?”

Eva Perón smiled coldly.

A smile full of sinister intentions, more than ever before.

“What if our transport ships were to sink while crossing the ocean?”

“Sink? Surely not. Are you suggesting we kill all the Black people being transported?”

No matter what, suggesting they kill all of them? Does that make any sense?

Juan Perón was considering whether he should talk her out of this, but Eva Perón shook her head.

“What a frightening thing to say. I’m only talking about the transport ships sinking.”

“Do you have a method?”

Why wouldn’t there be a method?

Eva Perón is no fool. She wouldn’t have committed to the madness of opening Argentina to Black people without having such a contingency plan.

“I heard that Black people from the South African Free Zone have been engaging in piracy to survive. Perhaps the Black people could riot, seize the transport ships, and become pirates.”

“Indeed, that could work.”

But isn’t this still killing people?

Even if they’re not doing it directly, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people.

From what his wife was saying, the goal was to reduce the number of Black people at sea as much as possible.

“Black immigration won’t be a problem at all. Just as the Tsar has soldiers loyal to him, we need to build an army loyal to us. We can’t give too many opportunities to the military or upper class.”

An army armed with loyalty.

A perfect army that would have faith in its leader and believe in Argentina’s victory no matter what war they fought.

“Are you suggesting military reform?”

“Yes. After visiting Moscow in Russia, I’m even more convinced. Everyone, both citizens and soldiers, praised the Tsar as their mother.”

“Yes, I saw that too.”

As if brainwashed, all citizens called the Tsar their mother.

Just like communists showing overwhelming support for their leaders, everyone unanimously called the Tsar their mother.

Given the Tsar’s achievements and ageless appearance, it made sense, but the presidential couple secretly envied it.

Citizens and military filled with loyalty.

That was the ideal that the Perón couple currently desired.

“We’ve gained the support of the Rome Treaty and obtained weapons from Russia and the Rome Treaty. Though they’re decorative materials, it shouldn’t be difficult to subdue the military. Just trust me. I’ll make you the president of a power in the Americas second only to the United States.”

What Anastasia failed to notice was that the Eva Perón of this altered history, seeing Anastasia as a woman who had achieved the highest position and accomplishments, intended to emulate her.

This had ignited Eva Perón’s ambition.

‘She said she’s 33? How did she rise to this position? I absolutely won’t let that happen. First, I need to purge the military.’

A new era was about to dawn in South America.

Meanwhile, around this time in Smolensk, Russia, a young boy was dreaming of what might become a historic achievement.

“Yuri Gagarin, have you made another model airplane?”

“Yes. I want to join Mother Tsar’s air force and fly a plane beyond the sky’s edge!”

Yuri Gagarin gazed at the blue sky, somewhere far away.

He wanted to fly Russia’s fastest plane to whatever lay beyond that sky.

“Oh my. Do you think that’s so easy?”

The sky’s edge? That doesn’t make sense.

Gagarin’s mother shook her head.

“I’ll definitely go to Moscow and volunteer as a cadet in the United States Air Force Academy!”

Yuri Gagarin wanted to become part of Mother Tsar’s air force.

No, perhaps he wanted to become something even more—to become a child of Mother Tsar.

* * *

A day at the Kremlin Palace. Today I was testing new food products in my office.

Recently, fast food restaurants have been established throughout Russia.

It’s a chain called Pax Roma Burger, a fast food joint created as a joint venture between Romanov Enterprises and Germany.

It’s been quite popular since its establishment, so it will likely become the representative fast food chain in the Rome Treaty.

Since it was created only recently, I haven’t tried it myself, but I am drinking American cola from Roma Burger.

“Cola truly is an art form.”

Belgian chefs’ french fries with cola. It feels like fast food after a long time.

No, it might even be more delicious than the french fries I used to eat in Korea.

This is seriously amazing, it’s incredibly delicious.

Honestly, it doesn’t fall behind modern standards.

“They say it will be sold at Roma Burger, differentiated from American products.”

“We should make our own cola too.”

Cola is simply irresistible.

Even in the original history, Zhukov secretly imported and drank cola.

American cola is quite popular in Russia now, so we need to develop our own somehow.

“Various sectors in Russia are currently developing this cola. Won’t it be available soon?”

“Yes. There are many American colas, but we should make something similar but more diverse.”

The original cola is already American, but that’s that. Surprisingly, Fanta wasn’t created here.

It’s because I changed history.

Communist Germany never made Fanta, so I need to work hard to take responsibility for that.

Fortunately, Russian carbonated beverages are being actively developed.

We’ve extensively developed beverage businesses alongside ice cream shops nationwide.

Perhaps something even more delicious than Fanta will be created.

“Then, shouldn’t we find an advertising model?”

“Why are you looking at me?”

This is a bit ridiculous. This country has quite a lot of beautiful women. So it would be good to use them as models.

Isn’t it a bit much if I do it every time? I mean, I’m quite old now.

“Your Majesty is the one and only goddess of this era. There’s no more perfect model than Your Majesty.”

“Hmph. You’re really gaslighting me.”

Maria. She’s just saying things that sound good.

I don’t entirely dislike it though.

Living in this body, I can’t help but feel happy when I hear such things.

Yes, there’s probably no one but me. What advertising model could be better than me?

I should take advantage while I can. Being an advertising model without excessive exposure isn’t so bad.

I’ve done some modeling before, and there’s no problem with it.

The Emperor who is closer to the people than anyone else! Personally modeling for the fast food that citizens will eat!

The one and only Emperor you can be a fan of.

If this continues, I might really be worshipped like a deity in the future.

“Your Majesty’s reputation is considerable even in West Japan.”

“Really? I thought there would be people calling me a traitor rather than true Anastasia supporters. That’s unexpected.”

“They’re not in a position to think about that. Anyway, West Japan is surviving thanks to the Rome Treaty.”

Right. That’s true.

I don’t care whether the West Japanese like me or not, but I hope they don’t bother us by messing with East Japan.

On the other hand, I’ve been secretly checking on news from Balhae.

After all, Balhae has been selling weapons during this South China civil war.

The longer the South Chinese civil war continues, the faster Balhae will be able to build up its national power.

“What’s this?”

Besides the Romanov Food Company’s fast food matters, there’s something from Balhae. What could this be?

“Balhae has requested to purchase warships.”

One of the White Army generals in my office, Naval Minister Kolchak, said.

Balhae wants to purchase warships? Are they making money from the war? They’re saying they’ll pay for the warships over about 10 years, like they’re doing a Kapoor move.

That’s not bad for us.

It’s not bad if we can sell off our retiring ships somehow.

“Purchasing warships. Yes. It’s about time for Balhae to seriously build up its navy.”

I told them from the beginning to focus on a fleet rather than the army. There shouldn’t be any problems.

True to its name, it will become a nation that encompasses the sea.

Of course, at Balhae’s level, it would be difficult to stand against the United States, but it should at least be able to check them in the Pacific to some degree.

I’m not sure about the army, but at least there’s no power threatening Balhae right now. We even have a mutual defense treaty with Balhae.

I said I would make them an ally since the days of the provisional government.

“Let’s transfer the ships that are being decommissioned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Good. I turned my attention to Beria of the Okhrana.

“What about East Japan? Is there anything we can do?”

“Terrorist attacks by imperialists have become more intense.”

Terrorist attacks by imperialists. Who would have thought that what might happen in the Middle East would happen in Japan?

“Really?”

“The number of bomb attacks targeting the US military headquarters and the Yamato Republic government has increased quite a bit recently.”

That’s right.

Seeing bomb attacks openly occurring in the capital, the United States will have to pay attention to Japan.

East Japan and the Ezo Republic are America’s unsinkable aircraft carriers.

The United States cannot abandon them.

In this situation, can the United States afford to pay attention to South America too?

Unless Argentina develops nuclear weapons, it doesn’t seem like the United States would intervene directly. Moreover, Argentina is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

What if the United States, busy spending money here and there, just adequately supports Brazil in South America and leaves it at that?

That would create an opportunity for Argentina.

I told Eva Perón when she would die, so she’ll struggle not to die, and even if that’s not the case, she’ll try to create achievements somehow.

Even with nuclear weapons, it would be difficult to pressure Argentina with them unless it’s a completely defenseless country where you could just drop a nuke.

The Non-Proliferation Treaty states that nuclear powers won’t increase and that nuclear weapons are only a means of self-defense. Both the United States and our Rome Treaty have put safety measures on using nuclear weapons ourselves.

Still, conducting suicide attacks while shouting “Long live the Emperor!” The Japanese Empire is already over, yet they still long for the past.

Are the Imperial Way Faction people such diehards?

The Emperor’s death probably played a role too. For the Imperial Way Faction, the Emperor is the most important figure.

“Really now. To think Japanese imperialists would do what independence activists used to do.”

The truly funny thing is that these guys want to revive that vicious Japanese Empire.

At least Balhae set off bombs with their meager strength to reclaim their country, but these guys are seriously like the Islamic extremists of this era.

It looks like ISIS in this world will emerge from East Japan.

The Middle East of this era will be firmly controlled by Turkey, so there won’t be problems there.

“An interesting point is that something like a communist party is thriving in the Kanto Republic.”

“Is that so.”

It’s Trotsky indeed. He’s working hard to create a second KFC.

If he’s not a fool, he would know that I deliberately sent him to the Kanto Republic, but he would also know that there’s no place for him to stand except the Kanto Republic.

The Kanto Republic is indeed an environment conducive for communists to rise up.

If there’s any trigger, communists are bound to explode.

“Additionally, Patton has been appointed as the commander of US forces in East Japan. It seems he will be hunting down right-wing terrorist groups.”

“Quite serious indeed.”

His family is in Russia, and he’s a US military general dispatched to East Asia.

I hope Patton doesn’t die here or anything? If nothing unusual happens, he should be able to suppress Trotsky.