Ch.86More and More China

* * *

If China continues to struggle like a foal stuck in a swamp, bleeding in civil war, unification will only become more distant.

After fighting so hard, the warlords won’t simply give up their power.

“It shouldn’t be difficult. Rather, doing so would strengthen the federalism movement. My original goal was to keep China divided. Prolonging this civil war increases the likelihood that China won’t unite as one in the future.”

“You certainly mentioned keeping it divided, but did you mean in a warlord state?”

“Wouldn’t that ensure they keep each other in check forever? What if later on, Chen Jiongming, after gaining power, starts telling everyone ‘this is yours’ and ‘that is yours,’ implementing federalism and eventually transforming into a united states?”

Chen Jiongming was pushed back so pathetically in actual history. But if that man were to gain control of China, who knows how things might change.

It’s entirely possible that, unexpectedly, he could suddenly become possessed by Emperor Taizong of Tang or the Yongle Emperor of Ming, crush all opposition to federalism with military force, invade Vietnam, and start ranting about reclaiming Korea as a vassal state.

Of course, that’s complete nonsense.

But it’s possible Chen Jiongming could suddenly awaken to such ambitions.

I don’t know what kind of country a federal China would become, but they can’t abandon that deeply ingrained Sinocentrism.

Even the Chinese Communist Party kept pulling that crap every time.

So. Just leaving things as they are might be one approach.

“Have you perhaps seen something about China?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, that deity. Since Your Majesty is also a saint, does it mean you’ve seen China becoming an axis of evil?”

You’re a saint, so is your reason for wanting to tear China apart because China will become villainous?

That’s basically what he’s asking.

“Are you saying you believe in that, Prime Minister?”

How exactly does the Duma see me?

Am I really a constitutional monarch emperor?

“Personally. And I mean very personally. A powerful China will display hegemonic tendencies. Once they industrialize based on their enormous population and gain some prosperity, they’ll reminisce about when they were the center of the world and try to flex their power over neighboring countries. I’ve told the White Army Bureau too—China is a country we must never let our guard down against.”

The Foreign Ministry should always keep that in mind.

When it became clear Russia was a water rocket after invading Ukraine, Russia became dependent on Communist China.

After that, the Taiwan invasion intensified and escalated into nuclear war.

“I see. But since Chen Jiongming is someone Your Majesty has chosen, isn’t he someone special?”

“Isn’t everything going according to plan?”

“Hmm. But. This is quite…”

Yes. There are things you can’t say.

That feeling when something doesn’t sit right. That nagging doubt about whether leaving things as they are will truly accomplish what Russia wants.

Wait a minute. These people, could they be…?

I try to let things slide when possible, but are these people just blindly believing everything I say?

Have they been completely trusting my words and only now becoming anxious?

No.

If I’ve pointed them in a direction, shouldn’t the Duma handle it from there?

If I’ve made Chen Jiongming my follower to solve the problem, they should figure out the rest on their own.

If I stay quiet here, they might say the Tsarina started something and then dumped it all on the Duma!

Sigh. That wouldn’t be good.

So. I’ll be as bright as possible, fulfilling my role as the figurehead Tsarina.

At least until the Duma can stand properly on its own.

Despite appearances, I’m actually quite responsible.

Come to think of it, Japan is also busy selling weapons to the Beiyang government now.

“However, I understand the Duma’s concerns.”

“In that case.”

The Prime Minister’s face brightens.

Hmm, then there’s probably one possibility.

There’s still a good way to end both federalism and the war.

“It would be awkward if the faction I support is in such a state. How about I mediate directly?”

“Would Japan stand idle?”

“Japan knows that Duan Qirui of the Beiyang government won’t last long. Moreover, if the civil war intensifies, other powers might intervene.”

No matter how little attention we can spare for China.

If you think about it, isn’t that right?

Russia and Japan are just selling weapons. Wouldn’t they be tempted to take a bigger bite?

They might try to use China to resolve their domestic problems.

“We’ll need to negotiate properly with Japan. Japan probably won’t completely refuse. They’d rather secure interests in Russia and China than let other powers intervene.”

“That makes sense.”

“The Zhifa government is gradually gaining the upper hand, correct?”

“Yes. They would certainly win if things continue as they are.”

“Then let’s cut it off now and try federalism.”

“Will Chen Jiongming accept it?”

What if Chen Jiongming doesn’t accept?

Sun Yat-sen’s days are numbered anyway. Rather, we should end this war with the Zhifa government having a slight advantage, end it ambiguously, and pass the responsibility to Sun Yat-sen.

End it vaguely and establish federalism through appropriate negotiations with the warlords.

A low-level federalism.

“We’ll try moving toward federalism in small steps. Japan won’t view it negatively either.”

Japan will actually welcome it more.

Even if the Zhifa government swallows all of China, making it easier to create pretexts for attacking an anti-Japanese government later, they’d still have to fight a unified China.

For Japan, a China with internal division seeds would be better.

That way they can lead internal divisions while conquering China later.

And this wouldn’t be bad for Chen Jiongming either, who wants to achieve nominal federalism.

“I understand. In that case.”

“I’ll see what I can do on my end. I’ll send a personal letter to Chen Jiongming. Prime Minister, please inform the Foreign Ministry to propose mediation to Japan.”

Mediating in China alone might make Japan suspicious.

For Asian matters, continuing with Japan is the right approach.

If they learn we consult with them on each of these matters, the Japanese will think one of two things:

Either Russia is weaker than expected and taking a submissive stance.

Or Russia has become friendly and wants to carve up China together.

Personally, I’m hoping for the latter.

Because I’ve paid a lot of attention to them so far.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Well then, what will become of China now?

* * *

Zhifa Government

Anastasia’s personal letter was delivered to Chen Jiongming through the Russian White Army military advisory group helping the Zhifa government.

“You say the Tsarina has sent a personal letter?”

“That’s right. She said only Commander Chen Jiongming should read it.”

After reading the personal letter from the White Army military advisor, Chen Jiongming fell into contemplation.

It was nothing less than a message saying she would mediate now and he should accept it.

Of course, her true intentions were all contained in the letter.

“Is this truly the Tsarina’s wish?”

“I haven’t seen the contents of that letter myself. But according to instructions from our country, if things continue this way, foreign powers might intervene, so it’s better to mediate now while you have the upper hand. And they said to help Commander Chen Jiongming take Sun Yat-sen’s position.”

Intervention by foreign powers.

Certainly, countries like Britain and France wouldn’t miss the opportunity while China is bleeding.

The Tsarina of Russia, being a European country herself, would know this well.

“Hmm.”

“We will provide all the justification, so Commander, you just need to persuade Sun Yat-sen. I hear his health isn’t good these days?”

The Tsarina’s words are completely correct.

After this war ends, Sun Yat-sen will inevitably be pulled down, followed by a succession struggle.

What comes next? Let’s be honest.

How many people would support federalism?

Rather, it would be better to end things ambiguously through mediation at this stage, blame Sun Yat-sen, then negotiate with other warlords to develop their respective regions. That would be the answer.

Chen Jiongming finished his calculations.

First, he would need to persuade Sun Yat-sen.

* * *

Empire of Japan

In Japan, which received Russia’s proposal for Chinese mediation through the Russian ambassador, there was much discussion.

Prime Minister Hara Takashi convened his cabinet to seriously discuss the China issue.

“Hmm, mediating the Chinese civil war. What does that mean?”

“I suppose it’s because it becomes difficult to secure interests if the civil war intensifies?”

With the Central Manchurian Railway and Russia’s internal reorganization, it’s unclear what interests Russia could have in China.

If anything, wouldn’t it be better to prolong the civil war and sell weapons?

“Honestly, it would be better for us if Duan Qirui wins.”

Formally, it would be better for Japan if the pro-Japanese Beiyang government won.

Duan Qirui was, after all, the real power in the Beiyang government.

Of course, this was just lip service.

Japan knew that Duan Qirui was cooperating with them because of the Zhifa government.

Moreover, they knew the current Duan Qirui wouldn’t last long.

Even now, the number of warlords following the Zhifa government in rebellion was increasing.

Currently, Japan’s only benefit from China was providing various weapons.

Ideally, they would have liked to send troops directly to intervene, but with the need to recover from the Great Earthquake, station troops on the Korean Peninsula, and manage the South Manchuria Railway, intervention in China became difficult.

It was commendable that Renya Mutaguchi, dispatched to the South Manchuria Railway, was properly maintaining security.

But they needed to do something about Duan Qirui soon.

“Duan Qirui of the Beiyang government will turn his back on us once the Zhifa government is dealt with. Now is the time to be practical.”

“Why did this mediation proposal suddenly come? What’s the meaning? Wouldn’t it be good for Russia too if the Zhifa government wins at this rate?”

From Japan’s perspective, the Zhifa government’s army was gradually pushing back the Beiyang government.

The Beiyang government was already being accused of selling the country to Japan, so the longer the civil war lasted, the more the Beiyang government would naturally be pushed back.

Then perhaps it would be good to withdraw at this point.

This proposal wasn’t bad for Japan.

Russia’s offer to work together on the China issue was essentially recognizing Japan’s influence in China.

“They say it’s because of the possibility of other powers coming in.”

“Are they thinking of our empire?”

Some pro-Russian officials were pleased, thinking Russia was considering Japan’s interests, but it wasn’t such a simple matter.

“There are probably various reasons, but Russia received help from Britain and France, so they can’t stop those two if they want to get involved.”

“If things continue as they are, Duan Qirui might contact Britain and France first. We were already considering mediation ourselves, so if Russia is taking this approach, it makes sense for us to go along with it.”

“Still, it feels like we’re conceding too much to Russia.”

“We have nothing to lose.”

Nothing to lose.

Japan accepted Russia’s proposal and dispatched special envoys to the Beiyang and Zhifa governments at the same time as Russia.

Meanwhile, Sun Yat-sen, the provisional president of the Zhifa government, was furious upon receiving the mediation from Russia and Japan.

He glared at Chen Jiongming, who had delivered the news, and slammed his fist on the desk.

Bang!

“Ridiculous. End it here?”

“But we’ve managed to get Duan Qirui to step down, isn’t that enough?”

The mediation agreement included Russia and Japan’s commitment to ensure Duan Qirui would be removed, with the threat of military intervention if not.

But conversely, this meant that China’s peace—this precariously bandaged wound—depended entirely on the power of colonial empires like Russia or Japan.

Sun Yat-sen initially opposed this because he disliked that implication.

“Even so, this is!”

“According to Russia, Britain and France were planning to intervene.”

Sun Yat-sen frowned at Chen Jiongming’s careful whisper, meant only for his ears.

“That’s not true.”

“Even if it’s not true, doesn’t the mere suggestion create room for wavering?”

At those words, Sun Yat-sen had to reconsider.

Certainly, that might be the case.

Moreover, if Russia and Japan were manipulating China, would other countries really stand by?