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A few days after arriving in Northern Manchuria, I suddenly became curious.

It seems there’s a peculiar relationship between Mutaguchi Renya and the Provisional Government.

The Korean units of the Asian Cavalry Division are increasing with Koreans coming up from Southern Manchuria, while Japanese weapons are flooding in from the Southern Manchuria side.

It stinks, doesn’t it?

I have a rough idea of what’s going on, but knowing something and having overlapping interests are two different matters.

So, I called Ahn Chang-ho, the temporary Prime Minister of the Provisional Government.

“What is the relationship between Mutaguchi Renya, the commander of the Manchurian Army, and the Provisional Government?”

“Are you referring to Mutaguchi Renya of the Manchurian Army?”

“Considering he’s doing things that benefit you, could he also be an independence fighter?”

Before I knew it, those words slipped out of my mouth.

Look at that, even Ahn Chang-ho is laughing.

This means that he already knows about Mutaguchi through the grapevine.

Originally, Ahn Chang-ho wouldn’t last long, but if you think about it, I have survived by altering history.

Thinking seriously about the original history, from the perspective of the Tsar of Russia, one should prevent Lee Seung-man, who is a pro-American faction in Asia, from becoming president.

“Ahem. No, he is merely a bureaucrat of Japan. However, it’s a relationship where both benefit from each other.”

I see. Although I don’t know the details, there’s definitely something going on. That must be it.

“Well, fine. You all will handle that. However, first, let’s invite the powerful figures from Southern Manchuria to strengthen our friendship, and we must not harbor any ulterior motives.”

“Mutaguchi is a necessary person from our perspective as well. If he were to fall off the radar, wouldn’t it be dangerous for someone else to take control of Southern Manchuria?”

That makes sense.

Given the current circumstances, it’s indeed best to continue nurturing Mutaguchi.

Alright, moving on.

“Speaking of which, I have something to say regarding the Provisional Government in Harbin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Anyway, the Provisional Government in Harbin is close to Japan and quite far from Moscow. Wouldn’t it be better to have someone representing the government in Moscow?”

Russia is just too vast.

There needs to be a communication line established with Moscow at the very least.

Thanks to Tesla, phones have started to spread, but just because you have a phone doesn’t mean it works well throughout Russia.

“Isn’t that even more dangerous? There’s a Japanese embassy in Moscow.”

“Hmm, while Moscow is the administrative capital, in times of national crisis, the capital is Yekaterinburg. It’s also the logistics hub, so it would be fine to be there, or if necessary, one could even pretend to be an embassy of a nation.”

Yekaterinburg allows for maintaining communication.

If Moscow doesn’t work, that side should suffice.

“An embassy of the nation, you say? How exactly?”

Ahn Chang-ho tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

There are many republics within Russia.

At least in a formal sense.

Of course, while they’re called republics, it’s more accurate to see them simply as provinces of Russia, but still.

“The Russian Republic has many republics and provinces inside it. Recently, the Mongolian Republic was annexed by Russia. You Koreans are also seeking to establish a local self-governing body within Russia. Japan wouldn’t have much to say about that.”

The Bogd Khan is leading the Mongolian Republic under the Mongolian Governor-General’s Office.

It’s just a concept to set something like this up formally. Even if it’s revealed later, Japan wouldn’t be able to say much.

“Oh, I see. So, it’s about deceiving the Japanese Empire.”

“That’s right. Therefore, we need to establish this in advance, but no matter what, we shouldn’t provoke the Japanese with the name of the nation. The Koreans cannot legitimately call themselves the Provisional Government in Harbin on Russian soil.”

While we must deceive the Japanese, we should claim without any actual territory.

After all, I can’t simply become the Ming Dynasty and give Northern Manchuria to my fellow Koreans.

“Hm, I’ll think about it.”

“Good, think it over.”

Ahn Chang-ho stepped back and fell into thought.

I suspect Korea won’t be among the candidates for the name of the nation.

Korea surely exudes an essence of provoking Japan and taking it down.

What will come to mind? Goryeo? Or perhaps Samhan? Or Buyeo?

Hmm, I’m quite curious about this.

Just as I was swept away by such imaginative thoughts, Roman von Ungern finally arrived at my office.

“Your Majesty. He has arrived.”

He must be referring to Mutaguchi Renya.

“Is that so? Well, it’s too much to personally welcome him, so I’ll have to seem casual while making my presence known.”

That level of lip service should suffice.

Mutaguchi Renya will be casually welcomed by the Tsarina.

Once it appears in the headlines, Mutaguchi Renya’s influence in Southern Manchuria will significantly improve.

From the window of the second floor of the Southern Manchuria Governor-General’s Office building, I watched as the Governor of Northern Manchuria and Mutaguchi Renya shook hands — quite a fresh sight.

“Hahaha. I am Mutaguchi Renya, Commander of the Southern Manchurian Manchurian Army. It’s an honor to meet the Governor of Northern Manchuria. This is my aide, Tsujin Masanobu.”

“An honor to meet you! Your Excellency!”

After Mutaguchi Renya, it’s Tsujin Masanobu?

Seeing them together is almost comical from the Japanese military’s perspective.

Well, they’re both plausible opportunists.

Tsujin Masanobu. That guy has probably stuck around him, hoping to get his share as Mutaguchi Renya becomes the de facto power in Southern Manchuria.

“It is indeed an honor to see the commander working diligently for friendship with our Russia.”

Looks like he’s climbed the ranks.

Isn’t he nearly forty yet?

At that age, he’s already commanding the Manchurian Army?

How many schemes has he had hidden from the homeland while performing here?

After a few exchanges of words, Mutaguchi Renya entered the Governor-General’s Office with the Northern Manchuria Governor.

Soon after, he met me, and upon seeing me, he kneeled deeply.

“Oh, it’s a great pleasure to see the hero of Russia here again. Your Majesty, I am Mutaguchi Renya of the Empire of Japan! As you mentioned, I have indeed become the de facto power in Southern Manchuria!”

Such a nice guy.

Still, am I not the leader of a nation? Isn’t that a bit lighthearted?

Perhaps he thinks there’s considerable goodwill from our previous meeting where I praised him.

Well, I wanted to have a close look at this man anyway.

Look at those earnest eyes.

Those sparkling eyes filled with confidence. They indeed resemble an independence fighter striving to reclaim the nation.

He has earnestly done his thing in places where history has changed so far.

Whether he genuinely aspires for the Koreans or it’s just chance, regardless, isn’t Mutaguchi a favorite among the Koreans right now?

“Ah, how delightful. What a coincidence!”

Honestly, I want to give him a warm welcome, but as the Tsar, that’s as far as I can go.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s truly fateful!”

What a smooth talker.

“Hm. You have become the de facto power in Southern Manchuria?”

“Hahaha. As a soldier of the Empire of Japan, I must accomplish this much, right?”

Frankly, if the Provisional Government side plays their cards right now, this guy could lose his head.

But how could I, as someone reincarnated as a Korean, betray the alliance with the Allied Forces and the shadows of independence fighters?

I should rather use him.

If he goes down, I suspect a dangerous figure will emerge.

After all, if Mutaguchi were to meet with an unfortunate event, Japan might send someone to suppress it so that nobody would dare to belittle them.

“However, I sense your luck might not be at its end.”

“Yes?”

“You must firmly fill the Manchurian Army with skilled people for that day.”

It’s evident from the current situation.

Mutaguchi is firmly in control of the Manchurian Army, thus he is perfectly suited for the commander position.

Yeah. That’s good. Now that I’ve tossed the bait, I wonder how Mutaguchi will react.

As expected, Mutaguchi’s eyes widened.

Having already tasted a prophecy of being ‘a great figure’ once due to the great earthquake, he must want to hear it again.

I quite like how it aligns with what he’s heard from history.

Then, I’ll have to inform him.

I must make him into someone who worked more for Korean independence than in original history.

In this timeline, I want him to receive posthumous honors, perhaps the Order of Merit for the foundation of Korea.

“Can you grasp the meaning of this?”

“Well, I can only vaguely feel something.”

As I slowly turned my head away as if uninterested, Mutaguchi Renya, who just moments ago was chummily chatting with the Governor of Northern Manchuria, knelt before me.

Right. He should say “dogeza” in Japanese.

“I, as a Japanese man, have been faithfully honing myself for the sake of my country. Please, grant me any wisdom you can for my insufficient self!”

What’s this, asking for wisdom?

Should I grant some wisdom, just a little bit?

However, now what he means by “my country” will probably have to mean Korea.

Regardless, it would turn into working for my sake in any case.

My Mutaguchi Renya must survive.

He needs to maintain his position in Japan, keeping the upper hand.

Given that history has changed, I cannot predict if Mutaguchi might stir up a Sino-Japanese war.

Therefore, for at least Southern Manchuria, he must continue to hold on.

Though in Russia, it may be irrelevant, for Mutaguchi, it could be beneficial to maintain the image as a prophet.

In Japan, without directly saying it, they are showing gestures of goodwill toward me.

So, having fished for this long, should I finally speak up?

“If Japan happens to attack China, don’t say you’ll gain merit; just focus on protecting the Manchurian Army. The supply must be sufficient.”

Most likely, if the Imperial General Headquarters goes haywire similarly, they wouldn’t give an opportunity for Mutaguchi, the so-called powerful figure in Southern Manchuria, to gain merit; supplying will be manageable.

“What do you mean by missing the chance to gain merit would mean you’d grow bigger?”

“There could be a crisis for your nation. Hence, you’ll need to save up the Manchurian Army’s power for that time.”

Given the possibilities now, it seems we have to see Mutaguchi Renya as someone significantly influential over the Manchurian Army.

After all, he’s known as a friendly Japanese soldier to me, the Tsar of Russia.

If he doesn’t genuinely prove his incompetence via real warfare, commanding the Manchurian Army shouldn’t be that difficult.

Especially with Tsujin Masanobu right next to him.

It could be worth a shot.

“To what extent?”

“Are you doubting the one who predicted the great earthquake of your homeland?”

That would be quite concerning if you start doubting me.

“How could I doubt the supreme being of the northern great nation? I believe!”

Good. That should suffice.

This guy unexpectedly believes in what I say quite well.

Perhaps this is due to Japan’s influence as well; after all, I did predict that great earthquake.

Although it’s quite shocking that despite warning him of the disaster, the actual damage was far greater than in history.

“By the way, isn’t the commander of the Manchurian Army on par with the governor?”

I’m not fully aware of how Southern Manchuria is operating right now.

Considering Southern Manchuria’s size, a governor’s office status seems likely.

“Things are a bit different now. The entire Southern Manchuria is referred to as the Manchurian Railway, and currently, the corporate president Koto Shinpei oversees it separately.”

Is that so? Koto Shinpei. Hmm.

So, he’s managing the company while Mutaguchi Renya commands the Manchurian Army.

But if Southern Manchuria is functioning quite well, perhaps a Governor’s Office or some Manchukuo might be established there soon.

No, in the case of Manchukuo, Puyi is still ‘temporarily’ the Emperor of the Chinese Empire. So, Puyi might not work, but perhaps the Governor’s Office is more likely.

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

“However, judging by the recent state of the powers, wouldn’t the homeland also set up a Governor’s Office?”

Certainly, if the Manchukuo doesn’t exist.

They might elevate the Manchurian Railway to be the Governor’s Office or something similar.

Instead of leaving it as a corporation, they may want to expand it.

“Hmm.”

At my level now, perhaps I could once relay my intentions to Japan.

How about proposing the establishment of a Governor’s Office in Southern Manchuria~?

And granting that post to Mutaguchi Renya.

That sounds like a good plan.

Once I properly uplift Mutaguchi, and when war breaks out, I could swiftly seize the Manchurian Railway under my control.

That sounds excellent.

“I’ll consider sending a personal letter to Japan.”

It could be nice to send a personal letter directly.

“A personal letter, you say?”

Why so surprised?

Ah, it might seem like I’m too favorably inclined. I should add some reasonable justification.

First, this side holds the Northern Manchurian Governor’s Office, but on the other side, they’re merely a Japanese company.

It’s just too vast to be called a company; honestly, it feels quite off.

Thus, it should be recognized as a Governor’s Office. Let’s draft the letter along those lines.

Seeing how Japan is still keen on packaging Southern Manchuria as a company suggests they might be wary of the great powers.

What if they receive backing from Russia?

That would really scratch the itch.

 

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