Ch.85Tsarina Wants to Rest (2)

# Constantinople is arguably the worst location for a capital, just based on its position.

Now, in a crisis, the Italian navy could potentially bombard it.

If tensions with Britain arise again, the same problem exists.

Even the Ottomans experienced Constantinople being exposed to threats from German warships.

With Russia’s navy not yet rebuilt, even facing Italy would be challenging.

“That would be quite difficult. Unless we completely acquire Anatolia and Greece, it’s not feasible.”

In the current situation, calling for campaigns against Turkey and Greece under the pretext of rebuilding Byzantium is absolutely out of the question.

The Roman National Party seemed to understand this, clearing their throats awkwardly.

As excitement subsided, everyone responded more realistically.

“Well, Moscow is historically significant too.”

“If the Tsarina values Moscow, then that’s what we should do.”

After all, if the Tsarina desires Moscow, there’s no need to consider a third option.

If the Tsarina had wanted to move to Constantinople, they would have seriously discussed it, but if her preference is Moscow, there’s no reason to go to Constantinople.

“Then, let’s decide on Moscow.”

“So Moscow is officially decided.”

“We should also move the remains of the former Tsar to the Cathedral of the Archangel. We’ll need to contact the Orthodox Church.”

With Moscow decided, one member of the Roman National Party was quite displeased with the situation.

Why wasn’t the all-powerful Tsarina Anastasia appearing in person, while these Progressive Party nobodies were discussing the capital and remains?

How could the State Duma handle the remains of someone who, despite ruining the country, was once the Tsar?

Of course, the conclusion was to move them to the Cathedral of the Archangel in Moscow. But why wasn’t the Tsar personally resolving this matter?

Roman von Ungern-Sternberg.

Effectively the leader of the Roman National Party in place of Grigory Semyonov who was away in Asia, he was extremely dissatisfied with this.

So he boldly stood up.

“But I must ask.”

“General Ungern, what would you like to say?”

“Why is Her Majesty delegating this to the Progressive Party leader?”

“Hmm.”

Georgy Lvov hesitated to respond.

This was genuinely an opportunity the Tsarina had given for the Duma to handle matters properly.

Despite power being transferred to the State Duma, the Tsar’s authority remained immense.

Understandably, a Tsar who personally fought on battlefields where bullets and shells fell commanded natural authority.

The Tsar sincerely wanted the Duma to resolve issues, giving them this task to handle properly.

However, Ungern was a fierce monarchist.

Or rather, he could be called a loyal servant of the Romanov Dynasty.

He probably thinks something terrible has happened.

“Has something happened to Her Majesty?”

See, there it is.

Already worried after not seeing her for just one day.

Georgy Lvov sighed deeply.

Even if the Tsar herself objected, everyone now depended on the Tsarina.

Though the leadership had changed, the country remained essentially an autocracy.

Georgy Lvov understood this reality. While unavoidable, the problem was that if the Duma acknowledged the Tsar’s authority like this, Georgy Lvov himself would be scolded by Tsarina Anastasia.

He had been particularly scolded when marriage issues were raised in the Duma.

“No, she simply respects the Duma’s opinion and wants us to resolve it.”

“Ah, yes. It is indeed a matter for the Duma to resolve. Ahem.”

“And Her Majesty wishes to invest in scholars.”

“That wouldn’t be bad. I understand that Dr. Einstein is quite a remarkable individual.”

Support for scholars wasn’t a bad idea.

After all, the deputies present were individuals filled with determination to properly transform Russia, unlike the Bolsheviks.

“Besides that scholar, I’d like to see some budget allocated to the White Army Department as well.”

The White Army generals affiliated with the Roman National Party seized this opportunity.

While each member of the White Army was now elite, their weapons still lacked quality.

They were just beginning to properly use the Fedorov Avtomat. Though producing domestically what was once manufactured abroad during the imperial era was significant progress, they still lacked tanks and aircraft.

“Her Majesty has negotiated with the German Kaiser to transfer technicians for tanks, warships, and aircraft. We should allocate budget for that time.”

While the meeting between the Kaiser and Anastasia only covered cooperation on tank and warship technology, the Foreign Ministry negotiated with the German Empire (East Prussia) Foreign Ministry to include fighter aircraft technology as well.

With Sikorsky’s airfield working hard to strengthen air force capabilities, the White Army Department had high expectations for Russia’s future air power.

“Understood.”

“What about the Jewish issue?”

The Jewish issue was also raised.

The significant number of Jews who had come from Poland were a headache for Russia, which had long been anti-Semitic, despite now claiming to pursue pro-Jewish policies.

During the Civil War, they at least fought alongside others or helped with capital from behind. These weren’t the ones who had come from Poland.

“There was some commotion at first, but after offering settlement support, most decided to go to Northern Manchuria.”

“That’s fortunate. Northern Manchuria still has Manchus and Han Chinese, so we need to send Jews there to mix the population.”

“Have you looked into the Korean immigration matter?”

Koreans flowing into Northern Manchuria.

The Duma had recently become aware of issues in the Far East, including the influx of Koreans.

Originally this was a matter to be presented to the Tsar, but in the spirit of resolving issues within the Duma, they investigated themselves.

Especially since this matter was deeply related to the Asiatic Cavalry Division. They had looked into it and…

“From what we’ve found, it seems Koreans who migrated via the South Manchuria Railway from Japan proper have become dissatisfied with Japan and are moving to Northern Manchuria. The White Army Department must have investigated through the Asiatic Cavalry Division?”

“There are such people, and there are also Koreans coming to seek refuge with Hong Beom-do, who commands the Korean unit of our Asiatic Cavalry Division.”

“Hmm, not bad.”

Although many Manchus and Han Chinese had left as the Beiyang government encouraged migration to North China, many still remained.

If Jews and Koreans entered as well…

It would be good if the Asiatic Cavalry Division could grow in size to secure public safety in an area where sudden migration had created security issues.

“How is the civil war between China’s Beiyang government and the Constitutional Protection government progressing?”

“They’re still engaged in a muddy struggle.”

“Still? Didn’t we send military advisors to the Constitutional Protection side?”

With Greater Russia’s military advisors there, why were they still dragging their feet?

Of course they expected it to be slow, but the White Army Department found the performance of those receiving Russian military advice to be pathetic.

“On the other hand, the Beiyang government is being supported by Japan.”

“The Tsarina has marked Chen Jiongming as China’s future leader, but is it alright to leave things as they are?”

The Tsarina’s direct support for Chen Jiongming was essentially equivalent to supporting the next leader of China.

But is it acceptable to let this drag on?

“Despite the warlords not being unified and the situation being messy, the Constitutional Protection side has the upper hand. Eventually, the Beiyang government will have to retreat.”

“That’s fortunate at least.”

That was fortunate, but there were other issues.

If they barely manage to win like this, can Chen Jiongming, whom the Tsarina is backing, truly become a proper leader of China?

“But at this rate, won’t it be difficult for Chen Jiongming to become a proper leader of China? Even with our direct connection, there are too many warlords.”

The Beiyang government is losing because of rebellious warlords within its ranks.

Conversely, the Constitutional Protection government is barely united under Sun Yat-sen’s name, and internal divisions might emerge once the Beiyang government is pushed back.

“Is having many warlords a problem?”

“Many warlords means that when Chen Jiongming eventually becomes China’s leader, there will be more people who might rebel, trusting in military force.”

Especially in China’s case, even now the Constitutional Protection government is essentially a collection of warlords.

In such a situation, even if the Constitutional Protection government defeats the Beiyang government and Chen Jiongming ousts Sun Yat-sen, can he truly become a proper leader?

“Even if Chen Jiongming luckily becomes leader, he’ll soon fall back into civil war.”

“Won’t the other factions also suffer greatly in the war?”

“If he could win decisively, that would be different, but dragging out the civil war like this means competitors will emerge who will aim for his position in the future.”

Even though Chen Jiongming is ahead, that itself could become a problem.

The longer the war continues, someone might achieve similar merits as Chen Jiongming, or someone might build power behind him to target his position.

If that happens, it will be difficult for Chen Jiongming to completely control the political situation.

“Should we intervene then?”

“What does the Foreign Ministry think about this?”

Intervening here would almost certainly lead to conflict with Japan.

“Further intervention would be difficult. There’s no reason to weaken our current relationship with Japan.”

Russia had developed significantly, but it still couldn’t afford friction with Japan in the Far East.

If they intervened too much now, Britain or France might also complain that Russia was overreaching.

They could only hope that the Constitutional Protection government and Chen Jiongming would win at the current level of support.

“Good grief. We can only watch and wait.”

Chen Jiongming, the federalism advocate.

Apparently, China’s federalism is the stage just before Russia’s united states system.

Unlike Russia, which transformed all at once, China has too many people and warlords to immediately move to a united states system.

Thinking about it, having a monarchy is better.

At least the White Army could rally around the Romanovs as a focal point.

But the Tsarina has chosen this seemingly inadequate Chen Jiongming as China’s next leader.

The Tsarina, who met with Chen Jiongming directly, surely knows better.

“Hmm. Shouldn’t we report this to Her Majesty?”

Contrary to Anastasia’s intentions, the list of issues requiring her attention kept growing.

* * *

It seems I’m not destined for leisure.

While playing with Belka, Prime Minister Krivoshein came to see me.

“In China?”

“Yes. It’s a complete quagmire.”

So the war between the Constitutional Protection government and the Beiyang government is dragging on.

“Isn’t it good for us if they reduce their numbers?”

True. If the Constitutional Protection government is completely deadlocked, that might be problematic. It doesn’t look good for Russia if those we’re helping can’t win properly.

“Still, these are military advisors sent directly by the White Army Department. Isn’t it somewhat embarrassing if the civil war drags on too long?”

Hmm. Well, that’s something to consider.

But there’s no need to save face like that.

From what I can see, the Constitutional Protection government seems to have started in an even more desperate state than in actual history.

Creating a functional military force for them is already an achievement, isn’t it?

“It’s fine. Didn’t we pull them up from the brink of defeat to an equal footing? Besides, if their strength is reduced, they won’t dare say anything about our Northern Manchuria affairs.”

“That’s true, but…”

What is he trying to say?

“But what?”

“If the civil war drags on, won’t Chen Jiongming’s position be at risk?”

Chen Jiongming?

Ah, I see. The longer the civil war lasts, the more warlords might emerge who could rival Chen Jiongming.

“Hmm. I see. Even if the Constitutional Protection government wins, other warlords will grow during the process.”

“Yes. That’s why I came to seek your advice, Your Majesty.”

He wants my advice.

Hmm, alright. Advice, is it? Is there anything I can do?

I originally wanted to maintain the status quo.

I’d prefer China to shed as much blood as possible until they reach federalism.