Ch.99The Imperial Family of a Fallen Nation

# The Provisional Government in Harbin

Harbin, Russian Northern Manchuria

Jews weren’t the only ethnic group that had settled in Northern Manchuria.

There were native Manchus who originally inhabited the land, a small number of Han Chinese, and Koreans who had recently become a major ethnic group in Manchuria.

And.

Here, officials who were supposed to belong to the Shanghai Provisional Government had secretly established their own provisional government in the shadows.

The Korean provisional government established in Harbin wasn’t recognized anywhere and was still a minor force that couldn’t reveal itself yet, but it was a legitimate provisional government complete with an acting prime minister.

“Your Highness. Is there anything you find uncomfortable about your living situation?”

Ahn Changho, who had been appointed as the prime minister of the Harbin Provisional Government due to the historical changes set in motion by Anastasia, carefully asked the man before him.

“How could I expect a comfortable life in a foreign land as a royal from a fallen nation?”

The man’s name was Prince Uichin Yi Kang.

He was the son of Emperor Gojong, the weak monarch of Korea when it still existed as a nation, and Royal Noble Consort Jang.

After his country fell and while living under Japanese surveillance, he had fled to Southern Manchuria in disguise around this time. There, he heard that Renya Mutaguchi, commander of the Manchuria Railway forces, was sending “troublesome Koreans” to Northern Manchuria.

Afterward, he managed to make his way to Northern Manchuria by contacting independence activists from the Asiatic Cavalry Division who were dealing with Renya Mutaguchi.

“Ahem. Now that the Harbin Provisional Government has been launched, we can build our strength with Your Highness as our rallying point.”

“Hahaha. Don’t talk nonsense about me being a rallying point. I’ve heard that if there’s one thing declining in Korea, it’s support for the royal family.”

That was true.

Among Japan’s policies for governing the Korean peninsula, the only successful one was their policy of degrading the House of Yi.

It was directly led by the Japanese mainland, fearing that Koreans might unite around the House of Yi like Russians had around their Empress.

Rumors spread among the people, knowingly or unknowingly, that the House of Yi had sold out the country since the late Joseon period. With Prince Uichin Yi Kang’s disappearance, support for the House of Yi within Korea had plummeted.

“Your Highness.”

“Ah, I’m not expressing dissatisfaction. Our royal family has done terrible things to our subjects. What the Japanese are spreading isn’t historically incorrect.”

Though the expression was a bit too blunt, the rumors spread by the Japanese government weren’t unfounded lies.

But still.

Yi Kang was a descendant of the Korean royal family.

Among royals who had ruined the country, sold it to Japan, collaborated with the Japanese, and were content with being the House of Yi, he wanted to maintain at least his conscience.

“I don’t even hope for the revival of the empire. But to reclaim my country, for Korea’s independence, I want to stand against Japan even if it means sacrificing myself.”

“With Your Highness saying such words, the Koreans in Manchuria will not waver.”

“But tell me. The establishment of the provisional government wasn’t approved by the Russian Empress, was it?”

Strictly speaking, they were outwardly just a group of Korean immigrants who had moved to Northern Manchuria.

Although Ahn Changho and other officials claimed a provisional government had been established, Yi Kang wondered if a government recognized by no one could truly be called a provisional government.

“There are rumors that the Russian Empress plans to personally inspect Northern Manchuria once development has progressed to a certain point. We can’t go directly to Moscow, but if the Russian Empress comes to Harbin, couldn’t we approach her then?”

Contact with the Russian Empress.

Yi Kang had heard that the Russian Empress was a strong woman and a Russian hero who had personally ended the civil war, but he was somewhat reluctant to meet her.

Unlike the Korean royal family, she had reclaimed her country and was even developing it—something worthy of admiration. But separate from that, wasn’t Russia an ally of Japan?

“I heard Russia is Japan’s ally. Would they tolerate us?”

Though the relationship seemed somewhat ambiguous to call them allies. Yi Kang observed that Japan and Russia appeared to be cooperating with each other, at least on the surface.

Well, although Russia had been defeated in the Russo-Japanese War, after the massive civil war spanning East and West, Russia was like a rising dragon. Japan probably wouldn’t want to provoke Russia and start a second Russo-Japanese War.

It was fortunate that he had been able to settle here in Harbin with the help of Jewish capitalists who were in the same situation of having lost their homeland.

“Couldn’t we use a justification?”

“Justification?”

“Currently, the Russian Empress calls herself a constitutional monarch, but her influence from personally leading the civil war to victory rivals that of an absolute monarch. If we can persuade the Empress, she might recognize our provisional government.”

Outwardly, Russia claimed to be a constitutional monarchy, but from what Ahn Changho had observed during his long stay in Manchuria studying Russian affairs, the Empress’s influence reached from Europe to the Far East.

That made it essentially an absolute monarchy.

“Justification, hmm. What do you think we have, Prime Minister?”

Provisional Government Prime Minister Ahn Changho smiled slightly.

There was plenty of justification.

“The Russian Empress is called a saint and is also the Emperor of Europe. She accepted Chen Jiongming’s request for support against the pro-Japanese regime. If she truly considered Japan an ally, she wouldn’t have done that.”

Ahn Changho, who had investigated China’s situation to establish a provisional government there, learned that Russia had supported the Constitutional Protection Government opposing Duan Qirui by sending military advisors and weapons, rather than supporting Duan Qirui’s Beiyang Government, which was pro-Japanese.

If they could cleverly use this, they might be able to receive help.

“I heard that Russia and Japan are both selling weapons to the factions they support. Isn’t that because their interests align?”

“That could be the case. However, Russia’s external justification for supporting the Constitutional Protection Government is ultimately justice. Moreover, there are many Koreans in the Asiatic Cavalry Division, and the Russian government is accepting Koreans coming to Northern Manchuria, so it’s not entirely impossible.”

“It will be a gamble.”

“In case we fail after making contact, I’ll ask Woonam (Syngman Rhee) in America to prepare for Your Highness’s refuge as a precaution.”

They needed to prepare for any contingency.

If they failed to win over the Russian Empress one way or another, Yi Kang would be in a dangerous position.

Hearing Ahn Changho’s words, Yi Kang thought for a moment and then shook his head.

“No. I’ll do that myself.”

“You will, Your Highness?”

“Since we’re being cursed as a traitorous royal family, I must at least struggle somehow. If the Russian Empress comes to Northern Manchuria, I will seek an audience with her personally.”

The House of Yi had sold the country to Mongolia, then betrayed Mongolia by offering Ssangsong Commandery to Goryeo, then stabbed Goryeo in the back to establish Joseon, and now had sold the country to Japan—truly earning the infamous title of a traitorous royal family.

Then shouldn’t he, at least by himself, try to persuade the Russian Empress for Korea’s independence, even if it meant risking his life?

# The Kremlin Palace, Moscow

After signing the Anti-Comintern Pact, I had an in-depth conversation with İsmet İnönü about suppressing the Kurds, as promised.

“First of all, we cannot help directly.”

A truly shocking declaration.

An allied country that had first provided weapons to the Kurds now refusing to help suppress them. İnönü stared at me blankly, seemingly dumbfounded.

I mean, wouldn’t it be ridiculous if the Kurds killed our troops with the weapons we gave them?

So we can’t help directly.

Why would we enter another country’s war when there’s nothing to gain?

Of course, so that Turkey wouldn’t feel slighted, I brought up the airborne troops plan as I had prepared.

“Then how do you intend to help?”

İnönü’s face gradually showed signs of irritation.

His expression twisted as if asking me to get to the point faster because the suspense was killing him.

Right. I shouldn’t drag this out too much.

“We’ll provide more weapons while trying something new.”

“What do you mean by trying something new?”

“It’s related to the military.”

“You’re suggesting this personally, Tsarina?”

Why are you so surprised?

Despite appearances, I’ve been fighting with a gun since Yekaterinburg. Sure, my body is like tanghuru (sugar-coated fruit), but do you know how difficult it is to go where bullets are flying?

In this era? As a sheltered flower who wasn’t even a female soldier?

Only someone like me could do it.

So if you trust me, we can capture the Kurds on Mount Ararat too.

“I’m just proposing this plan.”

I nodded to the Black Baron, who pulled out the airborne troops plan from his coat.

An ingenious plan to drop troops using transport aircraft after securing air superiority.

Mount Ararat, which doesn’t even have anti-aircraft guns, doesn’t even need air superiority.

The Kurds don’t have aircraft anyway.

Even if they did, we could just provide Russian fighter planes to Turkey.

“Hmm, parachuting from airplanes. Not bad.”

“Yes. How about trying this in the fight against the Kurds?”

İnönü scanned the plan with interest, his eyes sparkling.

“Not bad at all. So both countries would operate this together?”

That’s obvious.

Creating airborne troops would be good for war too.

We need to secure air superiority, deploy airborne troops, and seize German territory before other countries to end the war overwhelmingly.

“Wouldn’t that be best? We also need experience to operate this unit, but we can’t start a separate war. We need your country’s help.”

Airborne troops would also be helpful in a war with Greece.

“If we deploy troops on the mountain and attack from below as a diversion, there’s certainly a possibility.”

There probably aren’t many Kurds left anyway.

From the information coming in, the remaining Kurdish forces seem to be scattered throughout the mountains conducting guerrilla warfare.

“Wouldn’t this method minimize casualties? Russia is your country’s ally, after all.”

“Airborne operations are quite fascinating. Very well, I agree.”

Before returning, İnönü had several discussions with the White Army Department.

Sharing military information related to airborne troops, materials related to combat with the Kurds, and so on.

Under the White Army Department’s leadership, a military agreement was signed with Turkey.

It would be nice if the fight with the Kurds on Mount Ararat dragged on a bit longer. Well, that should be enough for Turkey.

There’s still someone who hasn’t left Russia.

Miklós Horthy.

For some reason, he remained behind with Hungarian officials instead of returning.

It seems he personally has something he wants to say.

“Why haven’t you returned yet, Regent?”

“O almighty Tsar of Russia.”

“Do you have something to say?”

What’s with all this flattery?

I don’t dislike flattery, but I’m curious about what Horthy is up to.

In response to my question, Horthy carefully began speaking, as if moving to the main point.

“Isn’t it dangerous to include Romania in the Anti-Comintern Pact?”

“Hmm. Why do you say that?”

“Romania will do anything for practical gain. Didn’t they side with the Entente and take Transylvania from us?”

“I was under the impression that issue was already settled.”

I dislike holding grudges.

Transylvania was indeed a large piece taken from Hungarian territory, but considering the Anti-Comintern Pact, I’m not sure.

“There’s a fundamental problem.”

“A fundamental problem?”

Yes. What could that be?

“I’ll speak frankly.”

“Yes, please do.”

I really like the phrase “speaking frankly” too.

I wonder what complaints our Mr. Horthy has.

To rebuild Austria-Hungary as I wish, I need to make Mr. Horthy pro-Russian at the very least.

I need to help him gain strength.

I’m also a bit concerned about Romania.

Honestly, Romania is a somewhat unstable country.

Carol II abandoned the wife he married for love and met Magda Elena Lupescu, a Jewish woman, then divorced his wife to live with her.

Because of this, Ferdinand I excluded his wayward son from the line of succession and named Carol II’s son Michael as crown prince.

Carol II pressured his son Michael I who had ascended to the throne, claiming it was unfair, and eventually took the throne back.

If nothing unusual happens internally, Carol II might take the throne from his son Michael I again. If the war changes in a strange way, Michael could oust Carol II and take control of Romania with the support of communist forces. Conversely, due to historical changes, Michael I might maintain the throne, and Carol II might switch sides with communist support.

Although monarchy is incompatible with communism, we must consider the possibility that father and son might join hands with communists for their own thrones.

But there are problems with me directly fixing Romania’s internal affairs.

Although the circumstances were different, didn’t Romania actually switch sides and fight Nazi Germany alongside the Soviet army?

I need to consider the possibility of being pushed back to Hungary even if I prepare everything.

“Your Majesty, I understand your concerns about Romania. Their history of shifting alliances is troubling.”

Horthy leaned forward, his voice lowering.

“The current situation in Romania is unstable. Carol II’s relationship with his son Michael creates potential for internal conflict that could be exploited by communists.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right to be cautious. Romania’s position in our alliance requires careful monitoring.”

“If I may suggest,” Horthy continued, “perhaps strengthening Hungary’s position within the alliance would provide a more reliable buffer against potential Romanian… unpredictability.”

I could see what he was after – more support for Hungary. Not an unreasonable request given the circumstances.

“I’ll consider your concerns about Romania carefully,” I replied. “And we’ll discuss strengthening our military cooperation with Hungary soon.”

Horthy seemed satisfied with this response, bowing slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Hungary remains your loyal ally.”

As he departed, I reflected on the complex web of alliances I was building. Each nation had its own agenda, its own wounds from the past. Balancing these competing interests while preparing for the coming storm would require all my diplomatic skill.

But that’s what being Empress means – seeing the larger picture while managing the details that could unravel everything.