Ch.34The City of Revolution, Petrograd

# Finland

Around this time, Finland was quite internally chaotic as it reorganized its country, resolving civil war against leftists with British military support.

Moreover, the Russian Civil War was raging externally.

However, when a proposal arrived from Tsarina Anastasia of the White Army, who had occupied Moscow and completely gained the upper hand, Finland was thrown into turmoil again.

President Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg of Finland and Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, a former Russian Imperial Army officer and current Finnish Army General who received the proposal, were troubled.

The proposal stated that if the Russian Emperor were allowed to concurrently serve as the King of Finland, Russia would recognize Finland’s independence.

Though called independence, this seemed no different from Finland’s previous status as a Russian territory.

However, they couldn’t simply refuse because the White Army led by the Tsarina had essentially gained complete victory in the civil war, and Finland itself was wary of communism after experiencing civil war and pressure from the Red Army.

“Such a proposal from White Russia. Hmm.”

“What should we do?”

“Looking at this, isn’t it like a British colony? Like Canada.”

“Wouldn’t this just mean we’re treated as a territory again, like before our independence?”

“If the current Tsarina serves concurrently as Finland’s monarch and recognizes our independence, that might not be bad.”

The cabinet was quite noisy with discussion.

But Mannerheim, who had been quietly observing the situation, thought differently.

He was a Russian monarchist.

Though he had returned to Finland and secured a position after becoming disillusioned with Kerensky’s Russian Republic, his loyalty to the Russian Emperor remained.

Unlike actual history, as the White Army gained the upper hand, Ståhlberg kept Mannerheim as Army General, and Mannerheim accepted the offer, essentially leading Finland as a political partner.

Naturally, Mannerheim liked this proposal.

As a monarchist and as a Swedish-Finnish person, this seemed like a good proposal.

“Hmm. I think it’s fine.”

“General, are you suggesting we make Finland a territory again?”

“If the Red Army were winning, I’d feel differently, but with most of the Red Army leadership captured in Moscow and only Petrograd remaining, it means the White Army is winning. We should side with the White Army, so I think it’s better to accept this proposal.”

“But we’d become a Russian territory?”

“The great powers have recognized our independence, and Tsarina Anastasia has personally guaranteed it. Wouldn’t it be better to add our support?”

Given Finland’s position, whether Anastasia’s proposal was true or false, they really had no choice.

At least she promised to secure their independence. They could only believe that. Besides, if it was true, it wasn’t bad for Finland.

If they just maintained appearances, their independence would be guaranteed and maintained.

“If this is true, it wouldn’t be bad. If it’s true.”

“Sigh. Then what does the esteemed Tsarina demand from us?”

“She just wants us to allow Nikolai Yudenich’s Northwestern Army to comfortably attack Petrograd from behind.”

“That should be fine.”

Having accepted the proposal, Finnish President Ståhlberg granted Mannerheim, who had distinguished himself in the Finnish Civil War, the position of Finnish Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and supported Nikolai Yudenich’s Northwestern Army in pressuring Petrograd.

# * * *

The day of execution dawned.

Finally, the core Reds.

The day had come to deal with all the notable figures of the actual historical Soviet Union.

“Vladimir Lenin, Georgy Chicherin, Alexandra Kollontai, Pavel Dybenko, Mikhail Frunze, Alexander Yegorov, Semyon Budyonny, Semyon Timoshenko, Kliment Voroshilov, Vasily Blyukher, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Yakov Peters, Ivan Konev… are hereby sentenced to death by firing squad.”

Many names I’ve heard in actual history.

Looking at the Soviet Union, honestly, some individuals would be good to keep alive given their abilities. Unfortunately, they were figures who had fought hard against the White Army in the Red-White Civil War, beyond what I could cover, and relying solely on future knowledge to keep them alive would be risky for eradicating the red plague—they were Red Army commanders who had to die.

If I, as a saint, were to spare them, White Army commanders would be displeased. Unless they had given up in the middle of the war and joined our side.

Realistically, it was difficult to show leniency.

Perhaps the only worthy person to be forgiven was Georgy Zhukov, who had been a non-commissioned officer in the Red Army and surrendered to the Black Baron before the Battle of Moscow.

And Tukhachevsky, whom I sent to Siberia.

Well, I’m glad I saved at least him.

Considering the White Army commanders, even if a German-Soviet war—no, a German-Russian war—breaks out, the lineup should be good enough.

BOOM!

Those sentenced to death by firing squad were simply bound together and blasted with artillery, turning them all into shreds of flesh.

Those not mentioned here were all sent to Siberia.

The eunuch Stalin and his wife were sent away too.

Again, escape would likely be difficult this time.

Because I’ll have White Army soldiers whose comrades or family members were killed by the Reds directly manage Siberia.

It’s strangely refreshing.

Is it because I’ve won and won’t die? Or perhaps the grudge that the original Anastasia held when she was killed by the Bolsheviks has been resolved.

It felt extremely refreshing and good.

This satisfaction of having completed revenge.

“Yes, I suppose you’d be satisfied with this much.”

I muttered to Anastasia, who might be in the afterlife or right beside me—I don’t know where—and turned my gaze.

These are documents left behind by the Soviet Union while governing European Russia until we occupied Moscow.

Seeing how much Trotsky and Stalin left behind as they fled, they must have been in quite a hurry.

Or perhaps this is what remains after burning everything else.

The future direction the Soviet Union should take, and so on.

“At least there’s no Soviet-Polish War, thankfully.”

Whether out of awareness of the great powers, or perhaps because the Red Army wasn’t as intact as in actual history, they attacked the Baltics and Ukraine but didn’t directly clash with Poland.

The Red Army’s only achievement was the annexation of Belarus.

We can just gobble that up.

The Red Army in the Baltic states was on the offensive but seems to have moved to Petrograd.

“Pardon?”

Drozdovsky, who heard my muttering, asked questioningly.

Well, there’s no need to explain.

If I say, “I’m from the future~” the Tsarina I’ve established might be considered mentally unstable.

“Nothing. But surprisingly, Brusilov isn’t here.”

I know that Brusilov, the great commander of World War I, joined the Red Army in actual history. Did he not join this time?

He probably didn’t follow Trotsky all the way to Petrograd.

He wasn’t that much of a hardcore Red.

In actual history, Brusilov chose the Red Army because the situation left him no choice.

History seems to have changed a lot this time.

If he had joined the Red Army from the beginning, the Okhrana would have found out.

“Yes. However, among the Bolsheviks captured in Moscow this time, there is Alexei, General Brusilov’s son.”

“Was he still alive?”

“Yes. He was captured by Red Army soldiers who surrendered to the White Army yesterday. I was going to report to Your Highness about what to do with him after the execution.”

I see. So that guy is alive.

In the original history, he dies.

Here, he’s somehow survived until now.

His death was what made Brusilov side with the Red Army. Is it because his son didn’t die that he’s maintained neutrality until now?

“Hmm. Did he kill many of our White Army soldiers?”

“Perhaps because the Reds wanted to persuade General Brusilov, they didn’t send him to dangerous places. Even in Moscow, he was in charge of the rear.”

I see. They must have really wanted Brusilov.

Well, which side he takes would have a significant impact.

“Hmm. Then maybe we could spare him—”

“The problem is that he’s a hardcore Red. An enthusiastic supporter. Even after being captured, he was screaming that the White Army imperialists would be defeated.”

Was he that kind of person?

Ideology is important in these cases.

The reason I killed the notable Soviet generals from actual history is because with the White Army’s victory, there’s no future where they would become notable, so they had to die.

The same goes for Brusilov’s son.

Ideological issues are truly impossible to cover up.

He’s a hardcore Red.

If we keep him alive, he might cause trouble somewhere.

At most, a Red kid like him couldn’t overturn a reformed Russia, I think.

But keeping a hardcore Red alive would set a precedent, so it can’t be done.

If I was going to keep such a person alive, I would have kept the Soviet generals alive as insurance for the German-Soviet war.

“Seriously. Then he must die.”

“Your Highness. Your Highness!”

“You mustn’t do this!”

Why am I reminded of Patton? No, the voice wasn’t Patton’s.

The one who barged into my office was Brusilov.

Has he come because his son is about to die?

That must be it.

Look at him now, after staying neutral without joining either side, he comes running when his son is captured.

Well, I won’t criticize him for staying neutral.

The Empire fell, and the Soviet Union is in a strange state.

There’s White Russia, but from his perspective, White Russia would appear to be the successor to the Empire. So he couldn’t choose either side.

In the end, his choice was neutrality.

The problem is that neutrality is an ambiguous position when the conflict ends.

Like now.

If he had the power to maintain neutrality, that would be different, but for Brusilov now, well…

Of course, if he stepped forward, he would have some influence.

But that’s only possible if he takes our side.

No, is it possible?

Can’t we threaten him with his son?

“Have you come to plead for your son’s life?”

“Your Highness. Please spare my son. He’s a child who hasn’t even slaughtered White Army soldiers, with no combat experience. Please.”

A father who wants to save his son.

He kneels before me for his son.

This man even demanded the Tsar’s abdication.

Well, saving his son isn’t difficult. But I still intend to get what I want.

That’s why I’m setting up this situation.

“If his ideology is already that of a hardcore Red, he must die. Just as my parents were killed by the Reds.”

“I understand your desire for revenge. But I’ll ensure he never approaches communism again. I’ll keep him under house arrest.”

That’s not the point.

“If you really want to save your son, you need to make a proper deal. I can’t spare him just because an old general begs.”

Only then does Brusilov grasp a thread of hope and look at me desperately.

Yes, that’s how it should be.

“What do you want?”

As it happens, there are Red Army soldiers who have defected.

We’ve incorporated them into the White Army for now.

How about having him lead them?

“Lead the defected Red Army soldiers, conduct anti-communist propaganda, and advance westward. Capture all the Bolsheviks while I recapture Petrograd.”

That’s the condition.

If you step forward, it might be easier.

This man, who doesn’t have much affection for the Bolsheviks, didn’t look particularly shocked upon hearing this.

“You want me to eliminate the Bolsheviks in the west?”

“Yes. If that’s not possible, I can’t spare him. As a general of the Empire, it’s only natural to eliminate the Red Army.”

“I’ll do it.”

Just as he chose the Red Army in actual history.

Now all that’s left for him is to conduct anti-communist propaganda in the White Army.

Honestly, he should be grateful to me.

“However, he will remain under White Army surveillance until the end of the civil war. Unless he changes his ideology, he should keep a low profile. The new Russia that will be established at the end of this civil war will hate the Bolsheviks.”

“I understand.”

Brusilov is a great commander from World War I, a figure with considerable influence within the Russian army. Now that he will conduct anti-communist propaganda, the Red Army will crumble more easily.

That’s all I’m counting on.

After handing over the position of White Army Western Front Commander to Brusilov, I began erasing the traces of the Bolsheviks left by Lenin.

And I also heard news about Trotsky.

“Lieutenant General Anton Denikin’s army is clearing out the Reds around Moscow. And as Your Highness predicted, Trotsky has moved to Petrograd.”

“That’s fortunate.”

He won’t last long either.

The Red Army has essentially been annihilated with the defeat at the Battle of Moscow, and with the death of Soviet leader Lenin and most of the Bolshevik officials and party members, they’ve completely lost their center.

Trotsky remains, but what can Trotsky do alone after everyone else is dead?

Rather, the radical Trotsky was subtly ostracized even within the Bolsheviks and committed all sorts of atrocities, exploiting and threatening the people to build up the Red Army.

Isolated in Petrograd, there’s no way for him to revive the Soviet Union no matter what he does.

Still, we shouldn’t give him time to rest.

After all, the Reds must be killed quickly.

“Finland has accepted our proposal and says they will support Yudenich.”

Then everything is set.

“Well, let’s go.”

It’s been two years since I became Anastasia. In the spring of 1920, when Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova turned 19.

The White Army, having reorganized in Moscow, began its final offensive to capture the remaining Bolsheviks conducting a western offensive and Trotsky in Petrograd.