Ch.399Specter of the Past

* * *

“Even those North Chinese states are being terraformed by the Jews.”

“As I always say, the Chinese were simply late to modernization. At their core, they’ve been imperialists throughout history. It’s deeply ingrained in their bones. ‘China is the center of the world. Everyone outside China is a barbarian.’ That’s their mindset. We must eliminate any driving force that might allow them to build power.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I make a firm resolution.

I will ensure that even our future descendants will know that the Chinese are such imperialists, stamping out the root of all evil at its source.

When emotional divides deepen, nothing works out.

I, having lived in a divided nation, know this best.

As things stand, China literally breaking apart benefits us.

“If the Nam Viet Army requests weapons sales, would the Tsar…”

“Hmm, I see. Since I was the one who ordered support for the former colony.”

This can’t be helped.

We shouldn’t build up the Nam Viet Army too arrogantly. But if they’re requesting weapons, it means they’re in a hurry.

In that case, there’s no reason not to help them.

If the Nam Viet Army is requesting weapons, it’s evidence they’re struggling.

“That’s simple. Sell them weapons.”

Just sell them weapons, what’s the problem with that?

* * *

The Nam Viet Army eventually invaded Nationalist Army territory.

But that was as far as they got. They reached their offensive culmination point against enemy counterattacks, and the Nam Viet Army struggled against the prepared warlord coalition deep in the mainland.

The Nam Viet Army secured Guangxi, Guangdong, and parts of Yunnan.

The Nationalist government somehow managed to defend and hold the remaining areas. We tried to intervene using the pretext that the Nam Viet Army had advanced northward beyond their homeland, hoping to negotiate.

The problem was when the Co-Prosperity Sphere got involved.

The Co-Prosperity Sphere nations sold weapons to the Nationalist government.

“Are they really selling them weapons?”

“Just make sure you pay properly first.”

The Balhae Federation in particular sold all available weapons to the Nationalist government, and West Japan also enjoyed war profits.

“When a neighboring country is in trouble, selling weapons is just…”

“You’re the ones in danger, not us.”

“Well, if you don’t like it, forget it. We can sell to Nam Viet instead!”

“Who said we won’t buy? We’ll buy them!”

The Nationalist government spent a lot of money buying weapons from the Co-Prosperity Sphere, while America sold weapons to Nam Viet, intensifying the conflict.

Co-Prosperity Sphere weapons. The Nationalist Army armed itself with what were essentially previous-generation copies of Roman Treaty weapons.

But American weapons were of similar quality to the Co-Prosperity Sphere’s, and from the invading Nam Viet Army’s perspective, they needed better weapons to quickly deal with the Nationalist government.

As the battlefield stalemate continued, Nam Viet approached the Roman Treaty.

“The Co-Prosperity Sphere is selling weapons to the Nationalist Army, and Nam Viet, Asia’s number one disciple of the Roman Treaty, is in trouble! We earnestly request that you either sell us weapons or prevent the Co-Prosperity Sphere from selling weapons!”

“…”

Compared to original history, they achieved independence peacefully, and believing in the Roman Treaty’s policy of helping former colonies become normal countries, Nam Viet declared itself the West’s top disciple and begged for help.

America also agreed to permit just weapons sales.

“It’s time to see how the Co-Prosperity Sphere’s weapons perform.”

“The weapons we’re giving to the Nam Viet Army are far superior to the Co-Prosperity Sphere’s even with basic specifications.”

The Roman Treaty became curious about the weapon capabilities of former colonies or defeated countries.

Eventually, weapons sales went through.

The Nam Viet Army armed with Roman Treaty and American weapons versus the Nationalist Army primarily equipped with Co-Prosperity Sphere weapons.

Of course, America was selling weapons to the Nationalist Army through the Co-Prosperity Sphere as well, essentially profiting from both sides.

“Even now, they’re saying things like ‘since we were a former colony, the Roman Treaty should provide more support’ or ‘if you want us not to join the Roman Treaty, American investors should help us.’ What happens if they grow larger by consuming parts of China? Unlike the South Chinese warlords, Nam Viet is called one of the Four Asian Dragons along with Israel, Balhae, and Japan. Nam Viet needs to suffer some damage too.”

This was preparation for when Nam Viet might grow too powerful and stop listening to America.

Inflict damage on Nam Viet and incidentally show that if they don’t behave well in the future, America could support other countries too.

That’s the image they were presenting.

The result was hell on earth in southern China.

The Nationalist Army also deployed its air force to harass the Nam Viet Army in an attempt to strike at Nam Viet’s homeland.

“It’s a hell where blood washes away blood.”

“Indeed, it’s fitting for their level.”

“Whichever side suffers, it’s heartbreaking.”

While the Co-Prosperity Sphere and Roman Treaty were just reaping benefits from behind, those who witnessed it firsthand all shook their heads.

After all, they were essentially destroying each other amicably.

That was regrettable in its own way.

Fighting so desperately for their destinies in this civilized age.

And South China wasn’t receiving help from anyone.

There was no one to help them, and they could only hope that North China wouldn’t attack.

“The Co-Prosperity Sphere weapons are impressive.”

“All thanks to the Roman Treaty, isn’t it?”

The Co-Prosperity Sphere countries were all leading in modernization and seemed to be just behind the Roman Treaty in capability.

“Once the Eurasian Railway is completed, the Co-Prosperity Sphere will advance into Europe, and the Roman Treaty into the Co-Prosperity Sphere. We should get along well.”

“Regarding the gas pipeline connection…”

“Yes, the Roman Treaty is also reviewing it positively.”

“Thank you!”

The gas pipeline was necessary for Balhae too.

How wonderful to be able to import Russian natural gas at a low price.

As Nam Viet’s homeland recovery movement reached a stalemate against the Nationalist Army defending in Henan Province, negotiations began under UN mediation.

“We will take back all of our homeland!”

“Do you have the ability to reclaim it?”

In the peace negotiations, Nam Viet demanded recognition of currently occupied territories as Nam Viet territory, with resident issues to be dealt with later.

Of course, this was just an uncoordinated negotiation.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Army threatened to return all mainland territory, but…

The Nationalist government army. They lacked the strength to reclaim their homeland, so the compromise was to return Yunnan, recognize Guangxi and Guangdong as Nam Viet territory, with Guangdong as a demilitarized zone.

This was a major achievement for Nam Viet.

In exchange, South China unified under the Nationalist government, but having lost Guangdong and Guangxi, and with the mainland and Yunnan becoming battlefields, the damage was enormous.

Naturally, as a federal autonomy, the Nationalist government requested support from the North Chinese government, but…

“Who told you to lose so badly in the war?”

“You think we’re the same as you dirty, vulgar South Chinese?”

“Help beggars? What are you saying, you troublemakers?”

The emotional divide between Chinese regional governments had deepened long ago.

Naturally, states like Qing, Shanxi, and Zhonghua Federal Autonomous governments looked down on South China.

Of course, the influence of terraforming Jews had to be considered in this process.

“The center of Chinese civilization has always been North China! Not the southern dregs!”

“Look at those beggars. Didn’t they make a mistake trying to build a nuclear weapon?”

“I heard they’re poorer than Vietnam!”

There were cases of refugees from South China being sent back, and Vietnam, though victorious, had headaches stabilizing Guangxi and Guangdong provinces and dealing with the Chinese population issue.

“Is federal autonomy meaningful anymore?”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s nonsense to claim we’re the same ethnicity as those guys. Originally, the Han people just said all Chinese ethnicities are Han to justify being ruled by foreign ethnicities. Looking at their low standards, they must be a different ethnicity from us North Chinese.”

Officials from North Chinese regional governments who had taken Jewish money began voting to dissolve the federation to completely separate from South China.

“With this, we’ve achieved federal autonomy for North China alone!”

“Finally separated from those beggars!”

“Now that we’re separated, what about introducing Israel’s Judaism?”

In effect, China had completely split into South and North, with federal autonomy.

The future of a unified China grew increasingly dark.

* * *

The collapse of China’s federal autonomy. More precisely, China’s federal autonomy collapsed, and only North China’s federal autonomy remained.

What does this mean? North China essentially drew a line saying they were different from South China, declared separate independence, and completely abandoned the will to unify all of China.

Of course, North China is still threatening just by existing.

For now, they’ve become dependent on us, and due to Israel’s terraforming, the North Chinese federal governments are gradually being consumed by Israel.

Perhaps even if Israel doesn’t directly annex them, an Israeli-affiliated state might emerge?

It will be interesting to see how this develops.

“I think that’s enough.”

This should be sufficient for China.

At a glance, I might look like a terrible person, but this might not be bad for the Chinese people.

After all, the North Chinese governments are building up their national power intensely with Roman Treaty scraps at their smaller scale.

Of course, they’ll become something that has lost its Sinocentrism, but perhaps that’s how Chinese people can build at least some goodwill in the world.

Chinese people caused all kinds of problems, so there aren’t many countries that like China in the future, right? This is unavoidable.

“The railway and gas pipeline are progressing smoothly.”

We’ve agreed to build railway lines and gas pipelines in consultation with Islam-Hellenism and the Co-Prosperity Sphere.

First, the “European Trans-Continental Railway” created by Roman Treaty integration, the “Hellenism Trans-Continental Railway” connecting the Roman Treaty and Islam-Hellenism. Then the Eurasian Trans-Continental Railway connecting the Roman Treaty and the Co-Prosperity Sphere. That’s how it works.

This leaves only America across the ocean, which is a bit sad. But they could build something like a Trans-American Railway. Whether South America would accept it is another matter.

What I don’t like is that Mexico nationalized its oil, but that’s America’s backyard, so I’ll let it slide.

“If there’s something that might explode in the future, it’s the Falklands War.”

Eva Perón has already made it clear that there won’t be a fight over the Falklands.

Rather, by then, they might be able to strike legitimately.

Just in case, Britain is building fortresses there. If they’re smart, they won’t provoke over the Falklands.

“I’m sleepy, maybe I’ll take a nap.”

There’s nothing like a nap on a warm day.

Just as I felt my eyelids closing and consciousness sinking for a brief moment.

Suddenly my eyes snapped open.

“What is this place?”

The atmosphere was gloomy. It seemed like fog had settled thickly.

And. For some reason, there was a woman holding my hand.

“Who are you? Hmm?”

The woman in a dress looked familiar.

Unlike the impression that changed when I became the owner of this body, she looked innocent, like a flower raised in a greenhouse.

It was Anastasia.

Anastasia smiled silently and carefully turned her head.

I turned my head too, as if enchanted by something.

There was a family that exuded nobility.

A man who appeared to be the father wore some kind of splendid formal attire, and the woman who seemed to be his wife wore a dress. Huh?

Isn’t that Nicholas II?

All the girls and the boy who appeared to be his children.

They were all looking at me and smiling.

As if they were very grateful to me. Looking at me warmly, as if it came from the heart.

“I was an unprepared emperor. I was lacking in every way, swayed by Rasputin’s words, ruined the country, and eventually was killed by the Bolsheviks.”

“Excuse me? Suddenly?”

Why is he saying such things to me?

Killed by the Bolsheviks.

Why does this sound so pitiful? Half of it was their own doing, but it’s still sad.

“We’re grateful that you’ve rebuilt the country we ruined on solid foundations. Taking my daughter’s body is a bit much, but it couldn’t be helped.”

“Ah, I see.”

I just nodded mindlessly.

“What’s the use of blame now? I’m just grateful to you.”

The Tsar’s family each thanked me in turn, as if they were grateful.

And finally, Anastasia held my hand and bowed her head.

“Thank you so much.”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

With those words, Anastasia ran with small steps to her family.

Shortly after, the Tsar’s family smiled at me one last time and then disappeared.

It feels like I really had a dream. No, it was actually a dream.