Ch.56The Autonomist Writer and Tsarina

* * *

Some Soviet defectors did pledge their lives to the United States of Greater Russia.

Quite a few of them surrendered after becoming disillusioned with Lenin.

As for Stalin, he probably has no intention of coming out, and I have absolutely no desire to bring him out either.

I considered recommending that he stay there and become a castrated priest performing Mass, but decided against it.

Thanks to my modern knowledge, I know these people well by my standards, and I only know that Stalin made the Soviet Union into a powerful nation.

From “Anastasia’s” perspective in this era, he’s just a Bolshevik official who killed her parents and siblings.

Even though he followed Lenin, this was before he made a name for himself like in actual history.

If I openly show interest in Stalin, wouldn’t people find it strange?

“Hmm.”

Let me keep thinking.

Among those exiled to Siberia, which notable figures are there?

With my past life as a Korean, not many names come to mind.

Honestly, even if a Russian person had been reincarnated as Anastasia instead of me, they probably wouldn’t know much either.

Even though I spent time in the library learning world history, it’s still another country’s history. I don’t know everything.

I didn’t recognize many names on the execution list either.

Hmm. Does it matter?

To be honest, they’re notable figures in the Soviet system. I think the White Army’s notable figures could probably hold out at least until the Cold War era.

Drozdovsky, for instance, managed to create an armored division. The South Russian officials who originally had to flee to other countries are now leading the United States of Greater Russia well.

So, I guess the answer is to keep using those Siberian folks.

Should I just get rid of them all since they’re just consuming food?

Now that the Red Army has been pushed back in the Civil War, they won’t become famous like in the original history.

They just haven’t been mentioned. The Red Army has disintegrated and been defeated from all directions.

In this process, those who would have become notable figures later probably all died.

Come to think of it, Hitler’s actions have become quite radical recently.

The Okhrana reported that Gajda was considering going to Austria, or perhaps returning to Czechoslovakia whenever it gains independence, and Hitler approached him to convince him to go to Austria.

The combination of Gajda and Hitler.

I wonder what kind of snowball effect this will create.

Radola Gajda also participated in founding the Fascist Party in Czechoslovakia in actual history.

Will an Austrian Fascist Party emerge?

Looking at it this way, Hitler will have a very high difficulty level in this life too.

He wasn’t in his right mind to begin with when he started World War II, but if he’s aiming for the Austrian regime, he’ll probably try to revive the Austro-Hungarian Empire to increase his weight class. He’ll have to dedicate his life to federalization, and there’s also the fight against Communist Germany.

In many ways, Hitler’s situation is delicate right now.

Yet he’s still working hard on the tasks I’ve assigned him.

Without being lazy, he’s creating a new Moscow city, and a former conscripted Red Army soldier named Nikita Khrushchev is working well alongside Hitler in the construction department.

The problem is that the new Moscow city strangely resembles Germania. I’ve made appropriate modifications to suit Russia’s current situation.

At this point, I probably don’t need to monitor everything through the Okhrana anymore.

Can I slowly let go and just enjoy myself?

I think it wouldn’t be bad to just have fun, eat, and drink moderately. As long as I don’t indulge in excessive luxury, it should be fine, right?

“Your Majesty.”

The Black Baron visits whenever I start to forget about him.

“What is it?”

“I thought this matter should be discussed with Your Majesty, the Saint.”

“Is my permission necessary?”

“Yes. Since it’s a military matter, the military has decided that we should consult with Your Majesty.”

No, isn’t this something the military should resolve?

It’s not like begging a mother bird for food. Anyone watching would think he’s a mama’s boy.

Is my influence really that strong?

Well, at least other departments aren’t constantly asking, “Tsarina, how should we handle this?”

If they did, my head might have exploded.

I opened my mouth with a calm, extremely gentle expression.

“What is it exactly?”

“An envoy has been sent from the National Protection Government of the Republic of China.”

The National Protection Government of the Republic of China?

Were they around during this period? It’s 1923 now.

But isn’t this a matter for the Foreign Ministry?

The Black Baron has stepped forward, so it seems these people have come to discuss military matters.

“What is his name? Is it Wang Jingwei or Chiang Kai-shek?”

I definitely heard that Chiang Kai-shek had visited the Soviet Union.

Is Chiang coming because history has changed?

“No. It’s someone named Chen Jiongming. He’s a Chinese Guangdong warlord from the National Protection Government, apparently in cooperation with someone called Sun Yat-sen.”

Chen Jiongming. Chen Jiongming.

Let me think. Wasn’t he the figure who had friction with Sun Yat-sen over the Federalism Movement?

But why is he now cooperating with Sun Yat-sen and coming as an envoy of the Republic of China?

Perhaps seeing the United States of Greater Russia inspired him to establish a United States of China?

“What for?”

“He’s requesting support to eliminate Duan Qirui.”

Is this the Northern Expedition of the National Protection Government?

“So, this Chen Jiongming has come asking for help with the Northern Expedition?”

“Yes.”

Was the Northern Expedition of the National Protection Government around this time?

I didn’t study Chinese history in the library.

I’m not completely ignorant about that region thanks to historical games, but I only know the big picture, not the details.

Whether the National Protection Government existed during this period. What they were doing. And how my snowball effect changed things. I don’t know any of it.

Anyway, the existence of the National Protection Government seems to indicate they want to take down the Beiyang Government as in history. What is Japan doing now?

In this situation, wouldn’t Japan be drooling?

No, perhaps they’re too preoccupied with the Great Kanto Earthquake to care.

Japan will probably try to maintain good relations with the Beiyang Government.

From their perspective, Duan Qirui would be easier to deal with while they’re devastated by the earthquake. They’d be trying to maintain good relations.

Europe can’t pay attention to China right now either.

Britain and France would be crazy to focus on China while Communist Germany exists.

Isn’t this good for us?

Expanding into China. Not bad.

It wouldn’t be bad to put shackles on China while we’re at it.

“But why do I need to get involved? What do you mean?”

“Although I’m in charge of the military, Your Majesty is responsible for all land, sea, and air forces of this country.”

There seems to be some serious misunderstanding here. But never mind.

“Hmm. Very well. Then I will meet with Chen Jiongming.”

“Your Majesty will?”

“When you see one, you know ten. I wonder if this person sent by Sun Yat-sen can truly rebuild China as I rebuilt Russia. That’s what I’m curious about.”

Again, I’m ignorant about Chinese history during this period.

I only know the basics—that Sun Yat-sen died later, Chiang Kai-shek formed the United Front, helped the Shanghai Provisional Government, and so on. Beyond that, I only have surface-level knowledge.

So, depending on my judgment, China could change significantly from actual history.

In other words.

I could split it into warlord states.

Yes. Let’s see what happens.

* * *

Chen Jiongming came to Yekaterinburg, but upon hearing that the Empress was staying in Moscow, he took another train to Moscow.

Just as he was about to unpack at his lodging, unexpected visitors appeared.

“Are you Chen Jiongming?”

“Who are you people?”

“We are the Okhrana, the Imperial Romanov Security and Order Bureau. The Tsarina wishes to see you, so come quietly.”

The shadow of the Tsarina. The Okhrana.

That’s at least what Chen Jiongming knew.

He was somewhat familiar with Russian affairs because the dire situation of the Republic of China meant they ultimately needed external help. He had been learning as much as possible about Russia’s situation in hopes of making Russia an ally instead of Japan, which openly showed ambition toward China.

The arrival of the Okhrana meant that the Tsarina, Russia’s Saint, had recognized him.

He was secretly taken to the Kremlin Palace where the Tsarina was staying, and soon he had an audience with the Empress, who looked much younger than himself.

“Chen Jiongming?”

A delicate, thin voice.

The owner of that voice was the figure who ended the civil war and pulled Russia back from the brink of hell.

Chen Jiongming immediately showed all proper courtesies.

“Saint of All Russia, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, it is an honor to have an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Are you the commander of the Guangdong government?”

“Pardon? No. I am the Governor of Guangdong Province and Minister of the Army, but the commander is—”

“Federalism Movement.”

“!!”

“You came here for support for the Northern Expedition, but honestly, you’re not keen on the Northern Expedition, are you?”

“H-how do you know that?”

The Okhrana couldn’t have figured that out—

Unlike actual history, Chen Jiongming had only slightly hinted at the Federalism Movement, and unless the Tsar’s shadow had infiltrated the Republic of China, there was no way they could know about it.

In Japan, there were rumors about the Saint who predicted the Great Earthquake and was a friend of the Imperial nation. Could she really know such things because she was truly a saint?

No, even if she wasn’t really a saint, did this mean the Okhrana was influential even in the National Protection Government? Just knowing that Russia was aware of the National Protection Government’s situation was enough to make Chen submit to the Saint.

“You want to develop the Guangdong region and build up strength first, but Sun Yat-sen will desperately try to use Guangdong’s finances for the Northern Expedition. Meanwhile, you’re in a position where you have to provide troops as well. Yet you can’t refuse to cooperate with Sun Yat-sen because of Duan Qirui.”

“You know all of that.”

His surprise was momentary. The Tsarina raised her slender hand to interrupt Chen Jiongming.

“Yes. First, I want to hear Sun Yat-sen’s intentions.”

“The Provisional President cannot accept Russia’s occupation of Northern Manchuria. However, for the greater cause, and to prevent Japan’s growing influence in China, he can help eliminate Duan Qirui who is trying to cooperate with Japan. That’s what I argued when I came to Russia.”

“If that pleased Sun Yat-sen, then he’s a shameless fellow, no different from Lenin. Now, Chen Jiongming, I give you the floor. Not the National Protection Government’s wishes, but what does Chen Jiongming personally desire? As a foreigner, I cannot stop Sun Yat-sen’s Northern Expedition.”

Yes. This is what he had been waiting for.

The Tsarina was testing him now. He needed to make a good impression.

“Yes. The Northern Expedition cannot be stopped.”

“Then you’re asking for help to minimize Guangdong’s losses?”

“With apologies, yes. And—”

“Hmm, troops would be difficult, but military supplies are possible. I’ll send military advisors to Guangdong who were active in the Great War and the civil war.”

“In that case—”

“In the future I foresee, you could certainly become the commander of the Guangdong government. If you move hastily, it might happen sooner, but then it would only last three days.”

I know you’re going to attack Sun Yat-sen.

And I know it won’t last long.

“You know I’m going to strike against Sun Yat-sen?”

“I saw such a future.”

Future?

‘A saint who foresees the future? Was the earthquake prophecy true? Then in the saint’s future, I become the commander of the Guangdong government?’

Chen Jiongming let his imagination soar.

Establishing his own Guangdong government. And further becoming the leader of the Republic of China.

China! The United States of China! A nation of federalism that he, not Sun Yat-sen, would push forward.

Chen Jiongming saw the woman before him, this young lady, as the guide who would help him realize his dream.

If so, he should hold on to this opportunity.

Not like Sun Yat-sen who couldn’t grasp reality.

“Then, please tell me the path I should take.”

“I’ve heard there’s an Eastern saying: ‘sleeping on firewood and tasting gall.’ I will empower you. Chen Jiongming, lead the Northern Expedition yourself, build up your forces, and oust Chiang Kai-shek.”

Whether Chen Jiongming had the ability to oust Chiang Kai-shek was uncertain, but he could at least strike against him and take control of part of China. That was Anastasia’s judgment.

As for Sun Yat-sen, he would die of liver cancer in two years anyway.

He might die even earlier than in actual history if he was under more strain.

Not knowing this, Chen Jiongming looked puzzled.

“What about Sun Yat-sen?”

“Sun Yat-sen doesn’t have much time left even without your intervention. Wait for that day.”

Sun Yat-sen doesn’t have much time left?

“Do you mean the President won’t last long?”

“Even if he lasts, he has about two years left.”

Two years. It would be better if he died before the Northern Expedition. That wouldn’t be bad either.

If that’s really true, waiting wouldn’t be difficult.

If he’s going to die on his own, there’s no need to force things.

“If Russia supports you, you must lead the Northern Expedition, and you must monopolize the channel of communication with Russia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yes. Good. That’s how it should be.

To borrow Russia’s power, he needs to monopolize it.

Only he should have the channel connecting to Russia.

“Remember why I address you with such respect.”

Yes. That’s right.

Although there was an interpreter present, the Tsar—or rather, this Tsarina—had summoned him directly through the Okhrana and was treating him with respect, despite him being just a warlord.

It meant she was treating him as a national leader.

Then he should live up to those expectations.

Chen Jiongming resolved to definitely lead the Northern Expedition himself.