Ch.41I Can’t Let My Guard Down

# Empire of Japan

The Empire of Japan was keeping a close eye on the Russian Civil War.

Depending on how the civil war in Russia unfolded, they could potentially extend their reach to the Russian Far East and Siberia.

However, contrary to Japan’s hopes, with the White Army’s victory becoming certain, they were left in a position of helpless frustration.

“The Grand Duchess, whom we thought was a hothouse flower, turns out to be a woman of valor. She enters battlefields of thundering artillery and flying bullets to fight alongside her soldiers. How is this possible?”

“Not just Lieutenant Colonel Mutaguchi, but our dispatched diplomats and military attachés from Britain and France have confirmed it.”

“Having survived those battlefields, she will certainly become Tsarina. And with elite forces numbering in the millions, it’s not so simple to target Manchuria through war like we did in the Russo-Japanese War. What does the War Minister think?”

“So, Prime Minister, are you leaning toward partitioning Manchuria?”

“Though our empire is strong, extending to the Far East and Siberia would yield too little benefit.”

“Then how do you plan to obtain Southern Manchuria from China?”

Southern Manchuria was a region where the Chinese warlord Zhang Zuolin was building his power.

Zhang Zuolin hadn’t even rebelled against the Republic of China government. There was no justifiable pretext to enter Southern Manchuria.

“That’s the problem. Hmm…”

The military was unanimously and strongly advocating for taking Southern Manchuria.

Hara Takashi believed that now was not the time for war.

Therefore, at minimum, they needed a “pretext.”

Then suddenly, something occurred to him.

“Wait a moment. Wasn’t the reason Russia’s Asiatic Cavalry Division occupied Northern Manchuria because Russians lived there?”

“Yes. They clearly stated that land where Russians live is Russia.”

What an outrageous pretext, even to the Japanese Empire.

Of course, the Bogd Khan had additionally claimed sovereignty over Manchuria when he offered the position of Great Khan, but anyway, that pretext seemed useful now.

“Koreans have crossed over to Jiandao, Southern Manchuria, and other areas.”

“Yes. I understand many unruly Koreans have crossed over.”

“And Koreans became our subjects when the Korean Empire was annexed. Then isn’t it natural that Southern Manchuria should become our imperial territory? Where our subjects live is our land.”

“Oh.”

“Didn’t the former Korean Emperor, now Prince Yi, frequently covet Manchuria? As the empire that annexed the Korean Empire, our justification is more than sufficient.”

Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire had once raised an army before the Russo-Japanese War and advanced into Manchuria with the tacit approval of Russia and France, thrashing the Qing forces.

He had done such a thing even as his own country was being devoured by the Japanese Empire.

Although this was rendered meaningless by the Gando Convention, present-day China was not the Qing Dynasty.

A miraculous logic was completed.

The Japanese Imperial forces stationed in Korea crossed the Yalu River and attacked the bandit leader Zhang Zuolin, who had seized the legitimate territory of the Korean Empire.

“Why are these bastards only coming after me!”

Zhang Zuolin, who had already been beaten by thousands of Asiatic Cavalry Division troops and lost half his strength without recovering his former momentum, fled to Shandong after being defeated by Japan.

* * *

The newly born Russia was in the midst of reconstruction after the civil war.

Alexander Krivoshein was appointed Prime Minister as the administrative head.

In the original history, he had worked as an administrative head in South Russia.

Before that, he had been the Minister of Agriculture in the Empire and supported parliamentary reforms.

He was a minister who was dismissed after opposing Nicholas II’s decision to command the Russian army. But he rejected the revolution and joined the anti-Bolshevik White Army.

He was also a figure who tried to rescue the Tsar’s family when they were in Yekaterinburg.

Later, he led the South Russian government together with Wrangel.

In other words, he was currently a suitable person for Prime Minister.

But wasn’t he supposed to die in the original timeline?

Considering that he died in Berlin after going through Istanbul and France, it seems that a person’s life is truly unpredictable.

From his actions so far, it seems he led White Russians alongside Anton Denikin, fighting the Bolsheviks in South Russia.

After monitoring Makhno’s side with the White Army, he has now come up to Moscow.

“So you’ve been with the Russian White Army in Crimea until now.”

“I failed to save Your Majesty, to my shame.”

“That’s in the past. You couldn’t have done anything. Many officials from the imperial era have been killed due to the Bolsheviks’ Red Terror.”

The Bolsheviks killed all officials who refused to cooperate with them and opposed the revolution, viewing them as imperialists.

“Yes. They were truly atrocious.”

Now, as if venting that resentment, the remaining core Bolsheviks, except those who joined the Red Army under pressure, were being killed by the White Army in reverse White Terror.

Ah, for them it was terror, but for us, it was simply justice.

With all the Bolsheviks dead, a parliament consisting solely of White officials was formed.

As a White official who worked under Stolypin, he should do well.

“Having worked under Stolypin, I look forward to your service as Prime Minister.”

“I will do my best.”

Kolchak was given a seat in the Duma and appointed as Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet. Now the government was taking shape.

Mikhail Vladimirovich Bernatsky, who had been the Finance Minister of South Russia, became the Finance Minister.

Sergei Sazonov, who in actual history had been sent to Paris as a representative of Kolchak’s Russia, became the Foreign Minister.

Grigory Vyacheslavovich, who had served as Agriculture Minister in the South Russian government, became the Minister of Agriculture and Land Management.

Now the framework was somewhat established.

Somehow I maintained my position as Marshal of the Russian Army while also being Great Khan and Tsarina, but with Wrangel handling military affairs, I, as a layperson, felt relieved.

Around that time, a proposal arrived from Japan.

“Japan wants to partition Manchuria?”

“Yes. They’ve proposed that they take Southern Manchuria, and we Russians take Northern Manchuria.”

The proposal that Grigory Semyonov received from Japan went through the military to the Duma and then up to me.

This could be seen as a typical Japanese choice, unable to contain their national pride and wanting to do something.

“Who is the current Japanese Prime Minister?”

“Hara Takashi.”

Isn’t he the one who gets assassinated? I clearly remember he was assassinated by right-wing forces.

Well, anyway, that’s beside the point.

“How does the Duma view the Manchurian partition?”

Now that history has changed, it seems they also want to drive out Zhang Zuolin and take his place.

Honestly, from my perspective as a former Korean, I don’t want to give it away even if there’s no Manchurian Incident, but…

“The Duma seems to view the Manchurian partition positively.”

“I’m sure they do.”

Japan probably won’t start another war, but if they say “Won’t you partition Manchuria?” and then surprise attack Russia without a declaration of war again, it would be troublesome.

Since it’s the Duma’s decision, it’s not something I can oppose even if I dislike it. Rather, if we divide Manchuria, the Japanese will focus more on China.

“What reason does Japan give for wanting Southern Manchuria?”

“On the surface, it’s to effectively operate the South Manchuria Railway Company, but it’s obvious what they really want.”

I’m sure. With those guys, it’s suspicious.

Why can’t they just say they want to devour territory?

“It still seems suspicious.”

“I hear they also plan to relocate many Koreans there.”

Koreans to Southern Manchuria?

“To Southern Manchuria?”

“Yes. They say they’re sending them to Southern Manchuria to disperse them because of the unrest among Koreans.”

Well, relocating ethnic groups isn’t unheard of, but…

Partitioning Manchuria and relocating Koreans to Southern Manchuria.

Japan is certainly trying something new. Wow, the snowball I set rolling has even reached Japan.

“Did they tell you that?”

“I suppose they want to reassure us they have no intention of provoking us in Manchuria, given their history.”

It seems Mutaguchi Renya has described me frighteningly.

It appears the Japanese want Southern Manchuria but don’t want to offend us.

But wait, Korean relocation.

That doesn’t sound bad at first glance.

The Duma side won’t let me throw a tantrum if I say I don’t like it. So the Manchurian partition agreement is decided.

It’s not bad to properly make an agreement and divide Manchuria between us.

Eventually, if they go berserk, we’ll clash anyway.

And we need to avenge the Russo-Japanese War.

When Korea becomes independent later, we could attach Southern Manchuria to Korea on the grounds that Koreans live there.

This much should fulfill my obligation to my past life.

The problem is China, isn’t it?

“What about China’s opinion?”

“Well, they’ve sent word that if China says anything about Manchuria, we should respond jointly. Here’s the map for the partition.”

Black Baron Wrangel presented the map.

Yes. Just looking at the map, this isn’t bad.

Specifically, Heilongjiang Province comes into Russian hands. Japan takes Southern Manchuria below it.

They’re clearly establishing a bridgehead for advancing into Central China.

In conclusion, it seems they don’t want a second Russo-Japanese War, so they’ve shifted to sharing instead.

This way, we can solidify Northern Manchuria, and the Daqing oil fields will become Russia’s.

Not bad.

If Japan adheres to this agreement, they won’t cause the Manchurian Incident. The Kwantung Army will solely aim for advancement into mainland China.

This will prevent Japan from causing trouble for Russia in Manchuria, and eventually, when Japan goes berserk, Russia will have an opportunity to beat Japan.

At that time, when granting Korean independence, we could attach Southern Manchuria to the newborn Korea on the grounds that many Koreans live there.

Rather, this agreement will act as a positive factor when Korea becomes independent.

Yes. It’s not bad for now.

The question is how long this will remain valid.

“Surely it won’t extend to an alliance?”

Apart from being Korean inside, I cannot ally with these guys.

It’s already remarkable to sign a non-aggression treaty with these black-hearted fellows.

“Besides jointly responding to China if Manchuria is attacked, it’s just a non-aggression treaty.”

“Japan is the kind that launches surprise attacks without declarations of war. We must not forget the humiliation suffered in the Russo-Japanese War, but if the Duma’s opinion is positive, proceed.”

They are beings we cannot let our guard down against.

They might come to devour all of Manchuria.

“Yes. And the next agenda.”

Is it the Black Baron this time?

“What is it?”

I just want to be a figurehead now.

You know, the role where you just approve things from above.

That’s why I accepted the constitutional monarchy and the Duma.

“The British and French ambassadors have requested support troops.”

“Support troops? The war is over… Oh, you mean the Ottoman Empire.”

Around this time, Atatürk would be achieving miraculous victories and rampaging against the great powers.

And they’re requesting support from us?

They must have suffered considerable damage.

The fact that they’re still focusing on Turkey without giving up shows they’re determined to tear apart the Ottoman Empire at all costs.

“Yes. They said they would hand over all of Eastern Thrace, including Constantinople, to Russia in exchange for sending support troops.”

That bulldog confidently told me he’d make me the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Rome, but he can’t even defeat the Ottoman Empire.

If I had been tempted by those words and gone into exile, I might be sucking my thumb by now.

“Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Gallipoli. Hero of the Ottoman Empire. It seems he’s fighting against the great powers, dissatisfied with the Treaty of Sèvres.”

Honestly, I feel sorry for him.

Not just as a Korean who is friendly with Turkey, but as Anastasia, I sympathize with a country facing national crisis and extinction.

If you think about it, wasn’t the Ottoman Empire’s participation in the Great War due to Britain being Britain?

Thinking about that makes me feel quite sorry for them.

In actual history, the Soviet Union secretly helped them, but now that White Russia has won, the great powers are calling on us.

It seems Greece is in trouble, so the opportunity has come to us. Hmm.

“Has that also been reviewed positively?”

“Yes. Since the Southern Army Group remains intact, there’s much discussion in the Duma about whether to send them.”

After the civil war, the Russian White Army was initially divided into the Western Army Group responsible for Eastern European defense, the Southern Army Group defending South Russia, the Central Army in Siberia, and the Eastern Army Group in the Far East. Then they were redeployed by establishing military districts.

The United States of Russia essentially inherited the imperial-era military districts, being the Russian Empire with just a changed sign.

Of course, we abandoned the Warsaw Military District and Kiev Military District as they weren’t under our influence, but isn’t the Southern Army Group now in charge of the Caucasus Military District, which is the Southern Military District?

That army is now led by Anton Denikin, who has become a general. I don’t know if I’m too unfamiliar with Anton Denikin, but…

Looking at his military capabilities, isn’t he not someone who can defeat Atatürk?

The civil war has barely ended, and they want to go to war again?

What will people say?

Won’t they call me a warmonger rather than a saint?

“It’s not defense or civil war. Isn’t it dangerous?”

“That’s true, but aside from compensation, it’s difficult to simply refuse given the help we received during the civil war.”

Hmm, yes. That makes sense.

We’ve received so much that it’s hard to refuse. That’s it, isn’t it?

We can’t let our guard down either way.