SWNOVELXO Chapter 41
* * *
The Japanese Empire
The Japanese Empire was keenly observing the Russian Civil War.
Depending on the outcome of Russia’s civil war, it could spread all the way to the Far East and Siberia.
However, contrary to Japan’s hopes, the victory of the White Army became firm, leaving them stuck like a dog chasing a chicken, gazing at the roof.
“The princess here, treated like a delicate flower, is actually a warrior. She steps into the sounds of gunfire and bullets and fights alongside the soldiers. Is that even possible?”
“Not just Colonel Mutaguchi, but our dispatched diplomats and military attachés from Britain and France have confirmed this.”
“Having survived that battlefield, she will surely become the Tsarina. Plus, her elite troops number in the millions. Isn’t pursuing war for Manchuria, like in the Russo-Japanese War, a bit excessive? What do you think, General?”
“Then does this mean the Prime Minister is leaning towards the division of Manchuria?”
“While the Empire is strong, extending into the Far East and Siberia offers too little profit.”
“So, how do you plan to acquire Southern Manchuria from China?”
Southern Manchuria is an area where the Chinese warlord Zhang Zuolin has been gaining power.
Zhang Zuolin hasn’t rebelled against the Republic of China. There was no valid reason to enter Southern Manchuria.
“That’s the issue. Hmm.”
The military was now united in strongly advocating for taking Southern Manchuria.
Takashi Hara believed that now was not the time for war.
So, at least ‘justification’ must be secured.
Suddenly, an idea struck.
“Wait? Wasn’t the reason the Russian Asian Cavalry Division occupied Northern Manchuria because Russians were living there?”
“Yes. They have indeed said that land populated by Russians is Russia.”
What a ridiculous justification, even for the Empire.
Of course, the Mongolian khan had added claims over Manchuria when he presented the title to Bogdo Khan. Nonetheless, that justification seems significant right now.
“Koreans have crossed over to Gando and Southern Manchuria.”
“Yes. I believe many Irregulars have crossed over.”
“And the Koreans became our subjects when the Korean Empire was annexed. So, isn’t it only natural that Southern Manchuria becomes our Imperial land? The place where our subjects live is our land.”
“Oh.”
“Didn’t the previous emperor of the Korean Empire, Gojong, often set his sights on Manchuria before the Russo-Japanese War? As the Empire that annexed the Korean Empire, I think we are overflowing with justifications.”
The Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire had once mobilized troops to advance into Manchuria with the tacit consent of Russia and France, beating the Qing Army.
He did that while his own country was being swallowed by the Empire.
Of course, it didn’t mean anything due to the Gando Convention, but today’s China isn’t the Qing Dynasty anymore.
The miraculous rationale was complete.
The troop stationed in the Korean Empire crossed the Amnok River to attack the bandit leader Zhang Zuolin, who had captured the rightful territory of the Korean Empire.
“Why are these bastards only targeting me?!”
Having taken a beating from thousands of Asian Cavalry Division troops and losing their strength, the once formidable Zhang Zuolin fled to Shandong, unable to recover.
* * *
The newly established Russia was in the midst of rebuilding from the civil war.
The head of administration was Prime Minister Alexander Krivoshein.
In the original history, he served as a head of administration in Southern Russia.
He had previously been the Minister of Agriculture in the Empire and was a supporter of parliamentary reform.
Although he was dismissed for opposing Nicholas II’s decision to command the Russian Army, he rejected the revolution and joined the anti-Bolshevik White Army.
Meanwhile, he was also someone who sought to rescue the Tsar’s family while they were still in Yekaterinburg.
Later, he led the Southern Russian government alongside Wrangel.
Thus, he was a fitting candidate for Prime Minister at this point.
But this man was supposed to be dead.
Based on his trajectory, he seems to have died in Berlin after passing through Istanbul and France, showing that life is truly unpredictable.
To date, he seems to have battled the Bolsheviks in Southern Russia alongside Anton Denikin, leading the White Russians.
While monitoring Makhno’s forces, he has now come up to Moscow.
“You were with the Russian White Army in Crimea until now?”
“I was unable to rescue Your Majesty out of my unworthiness.”
“That is already in the past. You must have had no choice, Prime Minister. Many of the Tsarist bureaucrats have died due to the Bolsheviks’ Red Terror.”
The Bolsheviks killed all the bureaucrats that did not cooperate with them and who appeared to be imperialists against the revolution.
“Yes. They truly are a vicious bunch.”
Now, apart from those who have joined the Red Army out of desperation, the remaining Tsarist Bolsheviks are being killed in a reverse White Terror by the White Army.
Ah, for them, it’s terrorism, but for us, it’s just a justification for righteousness.
When the Bolsheviks are all dead, an assembly made up solely of White bureaucrats will form.
Since he’s a White bureaucrat who has worked under Stolypin, he should be competent.
“Having worked under Stolypin, I look forward to your efforts as Prime Minister.”
“I will do my best.”
Kolchak secured a seat in the Duma and was appointed as admiral of the Black Sea Fleet. Now, the government was starting to take a more form.
The Minister of Finance was Mikhail Vladimirovich Vernadsky, who had been the Minister of Finance in Southern Russia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was Sergey Sazonov, who in actual history had been dispatched as Russia’s representative to Paris by Kolchak.
The Minister of Agricultural Land Management was Grigory Vyacheslavovich, who similarly had served as the Minister of Agriculture in the Southern Russian government.
Now, a certain structure has been established.
Somehow, while I am both the Supreme Commander of the Russian Army and the Tsarina, with Wrangel handling military affairs, I feel somewhat relieved as an outsider.
At that time, an offer from Japan arrived.
“Japan wants to divide Manchuria?”
“Yes. They propose that they take Southern Manchuria while we Russians take Northern Manchuria.”
Once this proposal from Semenov reached the Duma through the military, it eventually came to me.
It seems like an attempt by Japan, unable to control their national pride, to make some sort of move.
“Who’s the Prime Minister of Japan right now?”
“It’s Takashi Hara.”
Isn’t that guy due to be assassinated? I believe it’s common knowledge he will be killed by right-wing forces.
Sure, let’s put that aside for now.
“How does the Duma view the matter of dividing Manchuria?”
Since history has changed, it seems they want to push Zhang Zuolin out and seize his position.
Honestly, from a Korean perspective, even if the Manchurian Incident didn’t happen, I wouldn’t want to give it up.
“It seems the Duma has a positive outlook on the division of Manchuria.”
“That seems likely.”
I doubt Japan would start another war, but if they invade Russia without a declaration of war while pondering the division of Manchuria, it would be a hassle.
Since it’s a matter for the Duma to decide, even if I don’t want it, it’s not something I can stop. Rather, if Manchuria is divided, the Japanese will pay more attention to China.
“What does Japan claim is the reason for wanting to acquire Southern Manchuria?”
“On the surface, they say it is to effectively manage the Southern Manchuria Railway Company, but we all know the underlying reason.”
Sure, that’s obvious. Isn’t it suspicious?
Just say you want to gobble up the territory! Why can’t they just say that?
“Still, that’s suspicious.”
“I’ve heard they plan to send a large number of Koreans to Southern Manchuria.”
Koreans to Southern Manchuria?
“To Southern Manchuria?”
“Yes. They say they are sending them to diffuse the tensions caused by the Koreans.”
Well, ethnic migration isn’t unheard of.
The division of Manchuria while sending Koreans to Southern Manchuria.
Japan seems to be making quite a bold new move. Wow, the snowball I’ve rolled seems to be rolling even in Japan.
“Did they share that with us?”
“Considering their history, they probably want to reassure us that they won’t provoke us in Manchuria.”
It seems Mutaguchi Renya gave a rather fierce explanation about me.
The Japanese want Southern Manchuria but wish to avoid conflict with us.
But hold on, the migration of Koreans.
That sounds not bad at first glance.
After all, I can’t throw a fit about what the Duma decides. So, if the division of Manchuria agreement is set in stone…
It wouldn’t be bad to finalize an agreement and share Manchuria.
Eventually, those guys will crash into us if they go rogue.
We owe some vengeance for the Russo-Japanese War.
When the time comes to grant Korea independence, we could attach Southern Manchuria to a newly independent Korea just because there are Koreans living there.
In this way, I would also be honoring my past life.
The issue lies with China.
“What about Chinese opinion?”
“Well, they have sent a message that if China were to comment on Manchuria, they would respond jointly. This is the map for the division.”
Baron Beria presented the map.
Right. Looking at the map alone, it’s not bad.
Heilongjiang Province would fall into Russian hands, while the Japanese would keep Southern Manchuria.
They are setting up a perfect foothold for advancing into Central China. Isn’t that the meaning behind it?
To sum it up, it looks like they don’t want a second Russo-Japanese War, so they have tilted towards sharing instead.
This way, we can solidify our control over Northern Manchuria, and the Daqing oil field will belong to Russia.
Not bad.
If Japan adheres to this agreement, there won’t be a Manchurian Incident. The Kwantung Army will likely focus solely on advancing into the Chinese mainland.
If Japan doesn’t go on a rampage in Manchuria, and if that imperialistic nation ends up going wild, then Russia will get a chance to hit back.
When the time comes to grant Korea independence, it would be just fine to attach Southern Manchuria to Korea for having so many Koreans living there.
Actually, this agreement will work in favor when Korea gains independence.
Yeah. For now, it looks pretty good.
But the question is, how long will this hold?
“I can’t imagine it’ll lead to an alliance, can it?”
Setting aside my identity as a Korean, I can’t form an alliance with these guys.
It’s already strange enough to have a non-aggression pact with such shady folks.
“If Manchuria is attacked, the only thing we have besides a non-aggression pact is a joint response against China.”
“The Japanese are the types to launch surprise attacks without a declaration of war. We mustn’t forget the humiliation we suffered during the Russo-Japanese War; if the Duma is positive on this, then so be it.”
Those guys are not to be taken lightly.
They can come charging in to gobble up all of Manchuria.
“Yes. And now for the next agenda.”
Is it the Baron Beria again?
“What’s going on?”
I just want to play the face-saving role.
The kind where I just sign off on decisions from above.
That’s why I accepted a constitutional monarchy and the Duma.
“The ambassadors from Britain and France have requested reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements? The war is over. Ah, for the Ottomans.”
Must be right about now when Atatürk is achieving miraculous victories, pounding the great powers while rampaging.
But why ask us for reinforcements?
They must have taken quite a beating.
Given that they are focusing on Turkey without giving up, they must be really determined to tear down the Ottomans.
“Yes. They said they would hand over the entirety of Eastern Thrace, including Constantinople, in exchange for our reinforcements.”
That bulldog is confidently giving me the title of owner of the Roman Empire, and yet he can’t even defeat the Ottomans.
If I had jumped at that offer, I’d probably be sitting around just twiddling my thumbs by now.
“Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Gallipoli. The hero of the Ottoman Empire. It seems he is currently fighting against the great powers, dissatisfied with the Treaty of Sèvres.”
Honestly, I do feel sorry for him.
Not just as a Korean who has close ties with Turkey but as Anastasia too; it’s tough to watch a nation go through a calamity leading to its downfall.
Wasn’t the reason the Ottomans entered the Great War because of the British messing things up?
Considering that, I feel quite a bit of sympathy for them.
In actual history, the Soviets subtly aided them, but now that the White Russians have won, the great powers are calling on us.
The fact that Greece has seriously messed up seems to be giving us an opportunity. Hm.
“Has that been positively reviewed?”
“Yes. The Southern Group Army is still intact. It seems there is talk of sending support from the Duma.”
After the civil war, the Russian White Army divided its troops for security: the Western Group Army was responsible for defending Eastern Europe, the Southern Group Army was to guard Southern Russia, the Central Army was in Siberia, and the Eastern Group Army was in the Far East. They were divided once again and organized.
The Russian Republic is effectively just the Russian Empire with a new sign, inheriting the military organization from the imperial era.
Of course, districts like the Warsaw Military District and the Kyiv Military District are outside our influence and left abandoned. Currently, the Southern Group has taken control of the Southern Military District in the Caucasus.
That military is now under the command of Anton Denikin, who has become a general. I’m not sure if I know Anton Denikin well enough.
From a military capability perspective, he hardly seems fit to defeat Atatürk, does he?
After all, it hasn’t been long since the civil war ended.
What would people say if we were to call for another war now?
Couldn’t they call me a war maniac instead of a saint?
“It’s neither a civil war nor a defense. Isn’t it dangerous?”
“That might be true, but it is hard to refuse outright since we’ve received help from them throughout the civil war.”
Hmm, that has a point as well.
It’s difficult to turn down what we owe so much for. Isn’t it?
No matter what, we can’t let our guard down.