Ch.88Rothschild and Nobel

# Rothschild

Recently, the Rothschild family headquarters in England, the stronghold of the Rothschild dynasty, was experiencing headaches as the situation in Britain took a concerning turn.

“Isn’t there a Jewish woman among the German Communist Party officials?”

“I heard she’s just a close aide to the Secretary-General.”

“Come to think of it, isn’t the Rothschild family Jewish too? Maybe they supported the German Communist Party?”

Because the land that was until recently the German Empire had turned red, anti-German sentiment—or more precisely, anti-Communist German sentiment—was growing within Britain across the Channel, and with it sprouted anti-Jewish sentiment.

This was due to the spread of information that Rosa Luxemburg, one of the key revolutionaries who led the uprising alongside Karl Liebknecht, Secretary-General of the Free Socialist Republic of Germany, was a Polish Jew.

When some people began raising questions like “Aren’t the Rothschilds Jewish? Perhaps…?”, the Rothschild headquarters found itself in a somewhat troublesome position.

Of course, it was merely a minor annoyance. From the Rothschilds’ perspective, it was like dogs barking in the distance—something to be dismissed.

After all, who would dare challenge the financial family that held Europe in its grip?

But around this time, another strange piece of news arrived.

“Recently, Russia has been protecting Jews, sir.”

“Jews? Hmph. How ironic that an anti-Semitic nation would do such a thing.”

Walter Rothschild, the 2nd Baron Rothschild, wore a sneer visible enough to show on his face.

That anti-Semitic Russia?

He had heard that they tried to embrace Jews during the civil war, but seriously?

It would be like saying a zoologist like himself had abandoned animals.

In actual history, he would later secure support for the Balfour Declaration, which was essentially decisive for the establishment of Israel.

“They are seriously helping Jews settle as a national policy. I hear they’re already supporting settlement in the eastern territories.”

“Settlement of Jews? Wasn’t that only applicable to Jews who supported the White Army?”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

This was news to him.

Wasn’t it just favorable treatment for those who had helped the White Army during the Russian Civil War?

“It seems the current Tsarina is implementing pro-Jewish policies because of the help she received from Jews during the civil war.”

He had heard of the Tsarina.

The Saint of Russia, they called her. In France, a Russian ally, she was even referred to as Russia’s Joan of Arc. Though somewhat glorified and exaggerated, it was said that she fought alongside soldiers directly in the line of fire during the civil war.

“I hear the Tsarina was quite remarkable during the civil war. A woman fighting alongside soldiers. Hmm. Quite interesting.”

“Surely that’s just propaganda, sir.”

“No, no. Looking at the state of the Romanovs, they needed to do something like that to win back the hearts of subjects who had abandoned them. There’s probably some truth to it, even if exaggerated.”

Baron Walter seemed to recall something and pulled out documents from his desk drawer.

He had actually investigated information about this Tsarina recently.

He had momentarily forgotten about it due to the concerning situation developing in Britain.

Apparently, she had implemented reforms that socialists would approve of during the civil war, outmaneuvering the Bolsheviks.

The Bolshevik regime, which had slaughtered the Tsar’s family, couldn’t match what the Grand Duchess was doing, so they failed to properly implement reforms for workers and collapsed after merely conscripting soldiers.

Baron Walter had this thought about the Tsarina’s reforms:

She preemptively implemented reforms the Bolsheviks would have done.

She deliberately improved worker welfare while simultaneously preventing the Bolsheviks from gaining support by preempting their reforms.

Some claimed that the aristocrats were behind it and the Tsarina was just a figurehead. But those stubborn aristocrats would never propose such reforms.

“If that’s true, then she truly is a saint.”

Something suddenly occurred to him.

“Speaking of which, I heard Russia recently struck oil.”

“Yes.”

And it was from a company called Romanov Oil.

Just from the company name, it was clear this was a company created by the Tsarina.

In Russia, Branobel had held a tight grip on oil. Even though the revolution failed, had Branobel been affected?

This was proceeding according to plan, but Romanov Oil Company—that was concerning.

What if they approached first?

The Ploiești oil fields were good, but what about extending a hand toward Surgut as well?

“What about establishing connections with them?”

The British headquarters wouldn’t collapse, but looking at Britain’s current situation, it would be wise to extend their reach elsewhere.

If the Tsarina was implementing pro-Jewish policies, it might be worth exploring.

This could be a good opportunity to establish a Rothschild branch in Russia.

Though he had no thoughts of making the Tsarina a daughter-in-law since he had no heir, it might still be beneficial to establish ties between the young Tsarina and the Rothschilds.

* * *

China had entered the Warlord Era.

It had been that way for some time, but Sun Yat-sen, who had the potential to unify the country, had died.

And Chiang Kai-shek didn’t seem to have built up much power either.

Yet no single faction held significant power.

At this rate, when would unification ever happen?

But thinking about it now, it was actually quite amusing.

“Chen Jiongming must be quite the dreamer.”

It’s remarkable that he accepted this.

He seems to have made this decision trusting only in me, but I know better.

Even without my scheming, the warlords will eventually be unable to relinquish more power.

This will lead to mutual distrust and more fighting, and having played the federalism card without establishing dominance, Chen Jiongming won’t become a central figure, and they’ll all fight each other like in the Warring States period.

The present is different from the era when they fought for the Emperor’s throne.

It might last even longer than that time.

Sometimes serving as proxies in great power conflicts.

Well, Chen Jiongming has no choice but to trust me.

Why?

Like people who turn to cult-like religions seeking peace of mind, I verbalized everything he had secretly been dreaming of.

And I’m also the Tsarina, revered as a saint in Russian lands.

He can’t help but trust me.

He probably can’t imagine that someone he trusts so much intends to keep China divided forever.

Still, as a last bastion, he installed Puyi as emperor to at least make China appear unified on the surface.

So on the surface it’s the Republic of China, but it seems more like the Chinese Empire or Chinese Federation.

I suppose this is what happens when someone tries to imitate me without proper foundations.

“But.”

According to news from the Okhrana, the Communist Party was mentioned.

Why is Mao Zedong appearing?

They say Mao Zedong was instrumental in discrediting Sun Yat-sen.

He has essentially become the second-in-command of the Guangdong warlord faction.

“This crazy bastard.”

Is he keeping Mao Zedong as a subordinate because there’s no one else to trust?

No, that’s not it. As history changed, something must have changed with him too.

The communist idol Lenin betrayed everyone’s expectations and blasted off to the afterlife in an explosion, Stalin became impotent, and Trotsky is frying chicken in America, winning over the hearts of Black Americans.

If the German Communist Party heard about the Chinese Communist Party, they’d probably just say, “Oh, there’s a Communist Party there too?” and think nothing more of it.

Communist Germany, focused on beating up neighboring countries and managing internal affairs, wouldn’t care about China.

So, the current Mao Zedong is more like this:

A Communist Party closer to anarchism.

I heard that when Mao Zedong first encountered communism, he was closer to anarchism.

He was the one who said it would be desirable for China to be divided into 27 parts.

So I’ll use both Chen Jiongming and now Mao Zedong to divide China while keeping Chiang Kai-shek in check.

Ah, this is too tempting.

Later, when China solidifies in its divided state, and Mao Zedong becomes Chen Jiongming’s successor, then…

It gives us justification for military intervention in China.

“Was Mao Zedong a communist?” we’ll say, as if we’re the betrayed victims.

The United States of Greater Russia, which hates communism after nearly being overthrown by communists, can intervene in China.

Of course, this would happen later.

After China is devastated in the Sino-Japanese War.

After pushing China back a bit, what if we help establish a Jewish nation in China to keep it in check?

Or we could establish Green Ukraine there.

If that doesn’t work, we could bring in Zhang Zuolin, who should be in the Shandong Peninsula by now, help him regroup Manchurian forces, and establish him as the Shandong warlord.

Even though he’s originally a bandit, his physical prowess is impressive.

We can help him grow into a warlord again through his leadership.

It sounds quite fun imagining it.

If I manipulate China as I please, the continent won’t easily unify.

If this situation solidifies for just a few decades, differences in economic power, desire for power, unification costs, and so on… Just like modern Korea, which has been divided into North and South for over 70 years, unification will become difficult.

Well, let’s leave the China issue as it is for now.

Chiang Kai-shek isn’t the type to sit still.

I saw in the information sent by Chen Jiongming that Chiang Kai-shek is harboring discontent.

Something will probably erupt in China.

Before the Chinese Civil War or the Sino-Japanese War, a major civil conflict might break out.

That might be a good time for military intervention. Let’s put China aside for now.

Suddenly, I recalled something from earlier today.

There was talk about Baron Rothschild from England coming to Russia. Since it came from the British Embassy, it’s probably true.

Why is he coming?

Actually, I have a hunch.

He must have caught wind of the Surgut oil.

We don’t know yet how much is there.

He’ll probably say he wants to help with production while seeking a stake in it.

From our position, we can’t antagonize the Rothschilds, but it still feels a bit unpleasant.

There’s talk that Rothschild has a fondness for the Tsarina who’s implementing pro-Jewish policies. It seems he wants to use that somehow.

Well, we’ll see what he does when Baron Rothschild arrives.

Right now, Prince Yusupov, who has somehow grown into a businessman, has come to see me.

“But why is Prince Yusupov here?”

“Your Majesty, I need to discuss matters related to oil drilling with you.”

About oil drilling?

In a situation where we’re investing everywhere with Romanov gold, I can’t be the only one putting in money, so I had told Prince Yusupov to invest some money for oil drilling.

“What’s the matter?”

“With the many business ventures we’re undertaking recently, I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone oil development for a while.”

Postpone oil development?

Ah, that’s quite disappointing.

We need to secure as much as possible before the Great Depression.

Russian economists have said that during the Great Depression, unlike other countries, we could at least maintain our current state or even improve.

So I wanted to show that we have something.

“I’d like to secure everything we can before the Great Depression. Is it really not possible?”

“It’s not impossible, but we’d need money from elsewhere…”

Hmm, so it’s a lack of funds?

Then should I just use up all the remaining gold?

No, that won’t do. We need to keep some money for emergencies.

“Is there no other way?”

“There is a way. Thanks to the opportunity Your Majesty gave me, I’ve studied a lot about oil.”

Oh, I see. He’s studied hard.

Let’s hear what he has to say.

“Please continue.”

“Actually, Branobel has offered to help with oil production.”

“Branobel?”

What’s this, a name that sounds like a publishing company?

“It was Branobel that initially supported the pipelines for Surgut oil. They even provided oil tankers, though they’re not immediately useful.”

Pipelines and oil tankers? Did they exist in this era?

If they supported such things in this era, they must be a significant company.

Ah, the Nobel family.

The family of Alfred Nobel.

I nodded, not knowing much about their situation, and decided to ask questions.

“Why would the Nobel family help us like this?”

“It’s natural since they almost lost the Russian market due to the revolution. Though originally from Sweden, the family prospered greatly in the Russian Empire and is essentially a Russian company.”

“Because of the revolution?”

“The Nobel family was so significant that they held half of the Russian market. They were particularly deeply connected to the Baku oil fields. But when the revolution broke out, it seems Rockefeller and Rothschild tried to do something to Branobel.”

Rockefeller. Come to think of it, I think I heard something about oil drilling technology and Standard Oil when discussing support from America.

Tried to do something? Ah, I see the angle now.

If the Soviets won the civil war and took control of Russia, they could nationalize the Baku oil fields, which would be a blow to Branobel.

Yes, there’s a high possibility that Standard and Rothschild supported the Reds.

So, the Nobel family. Hmm. Can we use them in relation to oil?

“Please continue.”