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“Can the people here really believe that? Even I can’t accept it right now.”

Why? Because history has changed.

In this altered history, he might become president. He could do things that irritate Russia.

“Yes, your majesty. Koreans will never forget a favor. If you liberate Korea, we will later become an ally of Russia in Asia as a pro-Russian state.”

Yeah, that was the case in the original history too.

It was the same when the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Wanli, helped us. If China is divided, we wouldn’t have to worry about them, and if we liberate Korea, it would definitely become a pro-Russian state.

Unlike those Japanese who stab you in the back without a declaration of war.

But you know, that’s understandable only because I’m Korean; ordinarily, it would be nonsense.

To a third party, it would sound like just another pathetic exile government of a colonized minor nation claiming to be a loyal ally of the Tsar.

So I decided to torment them a little more.

“What makes a mere peninsula, which is nothing more than a Japanese colony, think it can dare become an ally of Russia? Who do you think you are to spout such nonsense?”

“I apologize if I have upset your majesty. However, that is how desperate Koreans are. Just by liberating us, Koreans will regard it as a great favor, and we will stand by Russia under any circumstance.”

Right. That’s a good point.

In conclusion, it means that if Russia liberates them, Koreans would genuinely become a shield protecting Russia’s Far East out of gratitude.

“Suppose we help you gain independence and strengthen your power. Where’s the guarantee that you won’t soon target our Far East?”

“The history of Korea, which has never invaded, proves that. Once upon a time, Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty rescued Joseon and served his favor for hundreds of years. Furthermore, after liberation, how could Korea, while dealing with China, target the Far East of Russia? Above all, Korea lacks the population and capacity to expand its front lines against Russia while facing China.”

Never invaded, they say.

More accurately, it’s because they were too weak to do so. If it were Goguryeo, it might be different. Joseon merely served the unified China.

Well, it’s plausible, but that’s aside from the point. If they become a pro-Russian state, where will they get their resources from? They’ll end up relying on Russia.

Even just squeezing resources would be tough on Korea.

They’ll see Japan suffer before their very eyes.

At best, the resources coming out of Korea would amount to tungsten. But rather than rebelling against Russia, which they’ll have a hard time maintaining, they’d choose to cooperate.

With a population of tens of millions, China might face division, allowing Korea to function as a balance behind Israel, fighting against China in post-war Asia.

Just like in my original plan.

I smiled broadly and stood up.

“Well then. It’s better that way. Look, General Ungern, Governor Horvat. With this alone, it seems like the Russian Far East garrison wouldn’t be too bad.”

“I’m not pleased with the disrespect shown to your majesty, but they’re definitely preferable to those Japanese scoundrels.”

“Moreover, the fact that those Japanese had the audacity to pull such underhanded tricks during the war has given us the perfect reason.”

They still seem displeased, but for political reasons, they accepted the idea of granting independence to Korea.

“Listen. Honestly speaking, had you clung to my skirts pleading for help without reservation, I would have thrown you to Japan without looking back. What Russia needs is not a feeble state asking for independence and military aid. You must be a reliable ally that can do its part.”

“Thank you. We will not forget this favor.”

I-gang bowed deeply.

But we’re not at ease yet.

As stated, Korea’s liberation will depend on how the Provisional Government behaves after liberation.

“However, this is still just talk. Depending on your actions going forward, we could potentially establish a government in the Korean Peninsula with locals, turning it into our puppet state.”

This is sincere.

Again, I cannot handle everything alone.

So far, the National Duma has followed me well, but that’s not guaranteed.

Even if stepping on Japan seems obvious, how receptive the National Duma is to the cries of the Koreans remains uncertain.

Japan is Japan, and Korean independence is Korean independence.

We could even take the Korean Peninsula as loot while stepping on Japan.

Therefore, to ensure Korea becomes a beneficial ally to Russia, we have to put them on a leash.

Even so, it should be much better than the original history, right?

Who knows what will happen with the United States, but having Russian resources come in through Southern Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula wouldn’t be too bad.

“I would not be unaware of that.”

“If independent, it will certainly have to remain a pro-Russian state. We will support the reconstruction costs of the nation, but the leash will be tight.”

At the mention of the leash, I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho’s eyes trembled.

Did they think Russia would create colonies or something?

Sure, a warm-water port is great, but honestly, there are already plenty of ports.

The leash means resource control.

“When I say leash—”

“It means we will support resources for the nation to survive. However, if we cut that leash, the reconstructed Korea will surely face an economic crisis.”

It means making them dependent on Russia.

Through that, we can prevent any hostile actions against Russia.

Anyway, Korea will face territory directly after liberation.

“I must say.”

“I’m saying this in advance: no matter how much of a hero I am in the civil war and have become the ruler of Russia again, the interests of the state come first. Moreover, the National Duma will only see the order of you Koreans asking for independence. Hence, there needs to be a compelling price to convince them. Frankly, there are numerous scenarios where I wouldn’t have to liberate you.”

In other words, it means I want to create a perfect pro-Russian state.

Even if that happens, as long as Korea doesn’t turn against Russia, it will develop more than in the original history.

This much should be a profitable deal.

After all, in the original history, if China or America decided to mess with them, Korea would go under.

In that case, leaning toward Russia in this history wouldn’t be bad.

If you don’t like it, you’d better set up a local government after using it appropriately.

“I accept.”

“We will train Koreans as soldiers under the Governor General’s Office and the Asian Cavalry Division. When the time comes, you will use them as your army to advance into the Korean Peninsula.”

We will provide the auxiliary forces, but we need to train an army first. That way, they can take the lead and taste independence.

Russia’s army will also minimize damages.

At least this history is better than hoping for hundreds of independence fighters to take Seoul and link up with other cities to repel Japanese forces, like in the original history.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Remember this. We are not offering favors out of pity for you. If you fail to do your part, I will not merge the Korean Peninsula, but I will construct a government according to my taste.”

“Understood.”

I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho replied with tense faces.

Seeing them clench their fists means they didn’t take my words lightly.

At least they know their place. That’s a relief.

As soon as I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho left, Ungern spoke up with a troubled expression.

“You mentioned putting a leash, but I still feel somewhat uneasy about it. Why not make Korea like Finland and have your majesty also be the Emperor of Korea?”

“They are not people worth accepting in such a way. Even though 20 to 30 million is fewer than other great powers, it is still not a number to be dismissed. Besides, would the citizens of the United States acknowledge that? The Tsar of Russia also serves as the Emperor of the East?”

Of course, the British Empire in India did the same thing, and great powers sometimes hold the title of kings in colonial countries, but that’s possible because it’s a colony.

If I were to play the role of the Emperor of Joseon in a Finnish manner, both Koreans and Russians would be unlikely to accept it.

Finns might even be indignant, thinking of themselves as equals to the eastern Korea.

Koreans would be disappointed in their royal family right away, thinking they were just liberated to have a foreign Emperor rule over them.

They would not accept it, and Russians would be angry for another reason.

“How dare those Koreans have our Tsar as their ruler?”

“What a shame. You have taken the title of both the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and the Emperor of Eastern Rome, yet you cannot take the title of the Eastern Emperor.”

Is this person becoming influenced by Semenov?

Or was the theory of the insane baron true?

Oh, that would be truly terrifying.

“Well, if our citizens support it and Koreans desire it, there’s nothing impossible about it. The chances are low, though.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Do not even dream of pressing the Provisional Government to attain the title of Korean Emperor.”

“Cough. I had no such thoughts.”

Though I suspect it’s not impossible.

“More importantly, Governor Horvat. If we train the colonial army with Koreans, there may be concerns about a backlash from Japan, so you must handle this well on the Governor General’s side.”

“They won’t be able to protest. After all, the Asian Cavalry Division, which can be called Russia’s Far East army, is mostly in the Mongolia-China border area, and the number of troops under the Governor General’s Office is really small. Japan will not probably suspect anything.”

“That’s great to hear.”

“More than that, the one named Mutaguchi Renya who commands the Manchurian Army appears to be bolder than he looks.”

“Bold, you say?”

“They don’t even realize that an army that would stab them in the back is being trained in Northern Manchuria while they keep sending Koreans.”

Hahaha!

What kind of situation would lead Mutaguchi Renya to be treated like that already?

Yeah, I guess it doesn’t matter.

Reflecting on actual history, he wouldn’t think to reassure the Northern Manchuria governor to strike back against Russia.

“Nonetheless, to be honest, I was a bit uneasy about Ungern.”

Ungern suddenly pretends to act cute in third person.

Of course, that’s not the implication, but the word “uneasy” coming from that person is quite much.

“General Ungern is uneasy? What do you mean?”

Is this guy feeling anxious about something?

Wow, that’s truly unexpected. Did Ungern, who moved between Mongolia and Manchuria, truly feel uneasy like a student going on his first field trip?

No, that’s definitely not the case.

“I felt uneasy. Think about it. Didn’t something happen just recently in Poland? I was worried that some event might occur at Harbin station. After all, the late Tsar experienced the Otsu Incident. And didn’t a Korean assassin take down a Japanese official at Harbin station?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

There had been quite a few tumultuous occurrences related to Russia.

In Japan, Tsar Nicholas II, who is the father of Anastasia, almost got assassinated. And in Harbin, managed by Russia, Ito Hirobumi was assassinated by Ahn Jung-geun.

“Hahaha. Now that we are in Northern Manchuria, it’s completely our territory, and security is solid. Moreover, it’s not even Japanese soil, so there’s no way an incident like the Otsu Incident could happen here, and how could a Korean who is in such a position seeking help dare to entertain any other thoughts towards your majesty?”

“No. Many Bolsheviks have now perished and disappeared from the Russian mainland, but is there no law saying there wouldn’t be any in Northern Manchuria?”

That is true.

The ones who have a motive to kill me are Bolsheviks.

Though I doubt there are any escaping Bolsheviks in Northern Manchuria, well…

It’s originally a region that draws in Jewish capital.

Even if there were Bolsheviks, the Governor General’s Office would have shut them down long ago.

Speaking of which, I am curious.

I subtly urged Horvat to speak up, and he briefly glared at Ungern with a resentful look before he began to speak.

“There weren’t none, but Bolsheviks.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However, that was before. Once the Jews arrived in this city, I mobilized the Governor General’s army and executed all visible Bolsheviks, and since then they vanished.”

Hmm, I see. In any case, we must ensure that foreign interests don’t get harmed.

Thanks to that, it means I haven’t had to deal with any issues.

“Good job.”

“The Okhrana’s intelligence network helped a lot.”

“Good. Then I’ll take a look around Northern Manchuria for a few days before returning to Moscow.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

While I want to see for myself what Korea is like during this period, it seems unlikely for a Tsar of Russia.

From the Tsar’s perspective, there’s no need to go unless Japan proposes it first.

Japan would not invite me to their colonies, especially not to the home country of their own islands.

Still, I do want to see that person.

Mutaguchi Renya.

 

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