Ch.91Rothschild and Tsarina (3)

# # #

That night, Baron Rothschild, spending the evening in Moscow accommodations arranged by the Tsarina, found himself deep in thought.

“Israel in Chinese territory.”

Though the Balfour Declaration had essentially decided to establish Israel by relocating Jews to Palestine.

It wasn’t entirely impossible.

The Tsarina had spoken in peculiar terms, but after looking around Russia firsthand, he realized it was currently the only European country that didn’t persecute Jews.

And it was true that Jews were migrating eastward.

Establishing Israel in Palestinian lands would leave room for conflict, versus establishing Israel in Asia.

This approach might cause friction with China, but if China remained divided as it currently was, and if there was room for Jews to gain a foothold?

Even if Japan brought down China faster than expected, what if Russia sought revenge for the Russo-Japanese War by striking Japan from behind?

China had a large population and vast territory, but its lack of modernization had allowed the great powers to divide it like a cake.

Moreover, it was now split among warlords, so naturally they would lose if they fought against Japan.

What if Russia helped China in the Sino-Japanese War in exchange for territory?

It wasn’t impossible.

Since ancient times, China had been the hegemonic power in East Asia.

For a long time, it had been a powerful nation with numerous vassal states.

Its fertile land and large population were the reasons China could remain a hegemonic power for so long.

Could Israel be established in that land?

‘It might not be so bad, surprisingly.’

The position of Jews in Europe had become delicate.

Only communist countries treated Jews well, while in other European countries, Jews were labeled as honorary communists, communist spies, the forces behind the Bolsheviks in the Civil War, and so on.

But Russia was different, and East Asia barely knew about Jews, and had hardly suffered from communism.

If Russia, a pro-Jewish country, was neighboring, and Israel was properly established in Chinese territory. It might not be bad.

“Russia isn’t a bad option either.”

However, the conditions the Tsarina had presented included one hidden condition.

Acknowledging Branobel’s dominance in Surgut, not interfering with the Baku oil fields and Surgut. In exchange, developing Northern Manchuria.

If he accepted all this, it meant drawing a line with Standard Oil as well.

From his position of trying to push out Branobel with Standard Oil, this presented a trust issue.

Even though he was Baron Rothschild, he couldn’t arbitrarily determine company policy.

In other words, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but the Tsarina’s proposal could simply be ignored.

It just left him feeling uneasy.

So did this mean he should work with Branobel again?

Branobel had done good work.

Moreover, if the Tsarina was directly protecting it now, it would mean collaborating with the Romanov oil company. That meant the imperial family was directly involved.

Supporting Branobel meant supporting the Romanovs.

The Rothschild branches in Germany and Italy were essentially finished after communist regimes took power.

The Austrian branch wasn’t in a good situation either, as Austria was an anti-communist country.

If anti-Jewish sentiment grew stronger in England, he should seriously consider establishing a branch in Russia.

# # #

While Anastasia and Baron Rothschild were having their secret conversation, Prince Felix Yusupov separately met with Emanuel Nobel, who was managing Branobel.

The oil business needed to be wrapped up quickly.

Since the Tsarina was a woman of action, they needed to move quickly as well.

“What brings you here today? Is there a problem with the pipeline installation?”

“No, that’s not it. I’ve come to deliver a message from our Tsar.”

Prince Yusupov waved his hand in response to Emanuel Nobel’s question.

The Tsar’s message? Did he mean Tsarina Anastasia?

What could this be about?

It would be nice if it had nothing to do with Royal Dutch Shell.

During the revolution and civil war, the Bolsheviks had nationalized oil, receiving support from companies competing with Branobel.

After the war ended, they had recovered their stake in the Baku oil fields, but due to the nationalization issue, they were still far behind Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil.

“What is this about?”

“The Tsarina has proposed that the imperial family and Branobel establish a joint oil company.”

A joint oil company.

An unexpected proposal.

He had been thinking about investing in other fields while focusing on Branobel’s survival, but did this mean the Tsarina was interested in Branobel?

“So the Tsarina is proposing a joint company with the Romanovs?”

“Yes. She has also negotiated with Rothschild to support Branobel.”

Negotiations with Rothschild too?

Wasn’t Rothschild the Jewish family behind Royal Dutch Shell?

“Hmm.”

This was quite unexpected.

Who would have thought the Tsarina would take an interest in the Nobel family’s oil company?

It had been miserable dealing with Royal Dutch Shell, which was backed by Rothschild.

“Your company nearly collapsed during the revolution, didn’t it? Why not join forces with the Romanov imperial family?”

“Sigh. So the imperial family will directly support our family?”

Unlike when he was racking his brain on how to respond to the Bolsheviks, things were now being resolved quite simply.

It was evidence that the Romanov imperial family was directly supporting the Nobel family.

A joint company with the Romanovs essentially meant the company was being directly operated by the Russian imperial family, which could make it even larger than before.

“As long as it doesn’t harm Russia’s interests, His Majesty will support the Nobel family. Our Majesty has a deep affection for Branobel.”

The Tsarina wanted to maximize Russia’s capabilities in preparation for the Great Depression.

That meant knowing how to extract resources as much as possible.

When other countries were failing, this place needed to at least maintain the status quo, or better yet, develop even a little.

That’s why the Tsarina was interested in oil as well.

Romanov Oil would manage somehow, but with Branobel’s strength, it would be even better.

“But what about Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil? I’m not sure if Rothschild will really support us.”

It was obvious they would become more aggressive.

From the perspective of the Nobel family, which was based in Russia, the civil war had dealt a significant blow, so it would be good if someone supported them.

“Trust His Majesty. If she’s already talking with Baron Rothschild, it’s as good as resolved.”

Right. Well. If limited to Russia, Royal Dutch Shell wouldn’t be able to interfere further.

That’s why they had supported the Bolsheviks in the first place.

Yes, let’s give it a try.

“Hmm, while this is something my family needs to discuss, personally, I will consider it positively.”

Shortly after, the Romanov-Branobel joint oil company was established.

# # #

It seems our Baron Walter Rothschild has come to study me, not animals.

How soon is he visiting after our private conversation? Am I an animal?

So I wanted to hear what he had to say.

“Your Majesty. About the establishment of Israel.”

So he was interested in establishing Israel in the East.

Instead of the Balfour Declaration, is he really considering China?

I know that Chaim Weizmann, a Jewish chemist from the Russian Empire who discovered the acetone production method, argued to Balfour that Palestine should be the homeland for Jews.

I didn’t expect Baron Rothschild to show such interest.

If I play this Israel card well, couldn’t it make Rothschild invest more in Russia?

So, with the most smiling face, let me give him some flattering words.

“Yes. Please speak.”

“The Balfour Declaration already exists, but does Your Majesty intend to proceed separately?”

Balfour? Why should we care about the Balfour Declaration?

As I understand, the Balfour Declaration became somewhat ambiguous until the Holocaust made the establishment of Israel more supported.

Ah, that’s it.

He’s weighing his options between Palestine and Israel in China.

If the establishment of Israel in the East actually happens, Rothschild and Britain could use the Balfour Declaration as justification to extend their influence in China.

Alright. Let me play a bit of hard-to-get to increase his interest.

“Didn’t I mention? If, by some remote chance, an enormous number of Jews migrate to the East, we would have no choice but to establish a country for them. Don’t you agree?”

“Hmm.”

If you really want to see a country established, bring all the Jews migrating under the Balfour Declaration here. That’s what I’m saying now.

When you think about it, the Middle East began writing a bloody history because of the Western powers, so this might not be bad.

Of course, if Jews occupy part of China, the Chinese will try to drive them out of the central plains due to their unique Sinocentrism, and the Jews will fight hard not to lose their newly established Jerusalem in the East.

It would also be good to have an independent pro-Russian Korea help Israel contain China from behind, and unlike actual history, to build a navy larger than the army to block future American advances in the Pacific and Asia.

It’s a pretty good picture.

If only this baron before me would help, if England would appropriately support this scheme.

“Is there definitely oil in Northern Manchuria?”

At first, he shoots me a suspicious look.

This must be truly personal conversation.

Anyway, the development of oil fields brings us closer to establishing Israel in the East.

“We’ll need to dig deep, but it’s definitely there. I sent an exploration team. So we need to develop drilling technology diligently.”

“Is this just Your Majesty’s speculation?”

Yes. It’s just speculation. If it bothers you, go learn future knowledge yourself.

I wanted to say it outright but held back.

At times like this, maintaining mystique is best.

Right now, he’s showing a curious reaction to the Eastern Israel project.

“Yes. It’s mere speculation. I found Surgut through speculation, and the oil exploration team has already seen the possibility. But we’ll need good drilling technology.”

“Hmm.”

Well, he must be curious.

He must want to contemplate. Northern Manchuria development and Eastern Israel.

The Tsarina is trying to connect topics that don’t seem related.

I implicitly suggested this:

If you invest firmly in Northern Manchuria, when the Israel of the Balfour Declaration fails, I’ll establish Israel in the East.

That’s essentially what it means.

“Russia is a country rich in resources. Therefore, I plan to further develop drilling technology. Who knows? If you help us, Rothschild might gain a foothold in Russia.”

At the very least, we could provide a sanctuary for Jews who might be reviled throughout Europe.

“This is truly like the devil’s whisper. I have a question for Your Majesty.”

With a friendly face, what else could he be curious about?

“Please ask.”

“As I looked around Moscow today, I realized one thing. Your Majesty is a saint, and Your Majesty foresees many things.”

Why are you investigating that, you troublesome old man?

Right. Are you truly an Anastasia scholar studying Anastasia, not animals?

I shook my head deliberately.

“It’s just something strange that got attached as the people of the United States praised me. I’m embarrassed that Baron Rothschild has heard of it.”

“The prediction of Japan’s disaster is famous even in England. Several Japanese who came to England mentioned it.”

So what are you trying to say?

I’m feeling extremely uneasy right now.