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“Looks like they’re really hard at work trying to assimilate the colonies, but the funny part is this intermarriage policy. It’s hilarious that they’d even try something like this anywhere in the world of colonialism.”

“Well, I guess that’s what happens when they set up the ‘unity of Japan and Korea’ rallying cry.”

The policy of intermarriage was quite unexpected, resulting in surprise even at the Korean Governor-General’s Office.

It was believed that the marriage rate between Japanese men and Korean women would increase, but instead, the rate of marriage between Korean men and Japanese women was much higher.

While the statistics were high, the reasons for this were unclear.

However, the assimilation policy led directly by the Japanese government was something else.

Honestly, I’m not sure if this will even work.

Just like in history, this will probably just fuel anti-Japanese sentiment further.

It’s not like it’s a dual empire like Austria-Hungary; they’ve been colonizing for over ten years, but do they not recognize that?

“So, since the Korean Peninsula alone can’t handle it, they’re reaching into Southern Manchuria, right?”

It seems like the White Army thinks the issue on the Korean Peninsula is entwined with Southern Manchuria.

Ah, I see.

So that’s why they elevated the Manchurian Railway’s status to that of a governor-general’s office.

By doing so, they intend to share the burden of the unusual situation in Korea with Southern Manchuria.

“Right? This is just ridiculous.”

“Ha ha ha! It’s absurd to see them being swayed by their own colonies. Isn’t it funny that they’re trying to arrange marriages to suppress the backlash of the colonized? The Brits and the French wouldn’t even think of doing that.”

That may be true, but aren’t they advancing the assimilation policy a bit too quickly?

Did the snowball I rolled affect this far?

No, it seems that Japan has taken over the tasks of the Korean Governor-General’s Office, leading to various changes.

One thing’s for sure, this is a rather strange situation for a colonial empire.

In actual history, it was said that Japanese men sought to secure the relatively sizable Korean population due to declining numbers from the war.

But there’s no war here yet.

“Still, this is unprecedented for a colonial empire. There’s probably some reason behind it. What do you think in the White Army?”

“Most knowledgeable folks already know that Japan is eyeing China. Even though China is divided, it still has a large population.”

“Hmm.”

Ah, I get the feeling something’s off.

“Aren’t they trying to assimilate Koreans into Japan to stabilize the rear for a future invasion of China and further enhance their military? Isn’t that essentially annexation on the surface?”

Those were the words of Mikhail Drozdovsky.

I suppose the military has come to that conclusion.

Hmm.

Thinking about it, if they’re seriously preparing for an invasion of China, that would make sense.

There are complex reasons at play here. In the original history, the invasion of China erupted unexpectedly under Mutaguchi Renya, later escalating under the Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro.

But now, they’re aiming for an engagement with China from the very beginning.

The situation in Korea is suspicious as well, and if they’re ramping up their military capabilities, whether the governor-general’s office realizes it or not, Japan could indeed be gearing up for a definite invasion of China.

“I see. You mean they are already preparing for an invasion of China.”

If that’s the case, things might get tough for China.

“Setting aside the assimilation of Koreans, if Japan ramps up military strength, will China be able to withstand it? It may seem unified on the surface, but it’s essentially a nationwide divide.”

I think so too.

But this is something that needs to be viewed differently.

Right now, Chen Zhongming’s army has strengthened with Russian support, especially in Guangdong, where they’re diligently building power.

Considering that, other regions will likely maximize their military strength in pursuit of unification.

Building unification capabilities and electing leadership. This is nonsensical talk.

“No, it’s not.”

I shook my head and stepped forward.

I need to correct the complacency of the National Duma.

“Your Majesty?”

“First, through a nominal form of autonomy, they’re building up unification capabilities, which will effectively lead to military buildup for ultimate unification, causing all warlords to align their military powers.”

Surprisingly, this could create some synergy.

If you think about it simply.

“To enhance unification capabilities, they’ll have to strengthen military forces, right?”

These people still don’t understand China.

They don’t grasp the ingrained Chinese nationalism and the fervor for unification.

As for Chiang Kai-shek, he likely has no intention of submitting to Chen Zhongming.

And who knows what Mao Zedong is thinking?

Honestly, it seems unlikely he’s more enticed by Chen Zhongming’s regional autonomy than by the Soviet Union.

“Chen Zhongming might be wrapped up in the fantasy of regional autonomy, but the others likely aren’t. The country of China is such; they have this nationalism, aspiring for unification in the chaotic era. They wouldn’t let go of the immense power they’ve wielded for so long like kings.”

I’m sure of that.

It would be a mistake to liken it to Russia.

They’ve long believed that the Mandate of Heaven and the Qing dynasty have come to an end.

To be honest, I initially didn’t see them as anything more than a central focal point.

“Your Majesty is correct. Looking at their history, knowledgeable folks understand this.”

Exactly. Those who know their history likely realize.

Chen Zhongming is truly peculiar; normally, that would be expected.

“They’d know that military power is essential for unification and would build their own forces even within the regions under their nominal autonomy. So, even if they’re a bit divided, if they unite to fight when Japan attacks, their momentum will be extraordinary.”

In the end, it’s all or nothing.

Either China gets utterly defeated in its fragmented state against Japan or the militarily empowered, divided warlords unite to face Japan.

It’ll be one of these two outcomes.

“Then, let’s keep an eye on things for a while. After all, Japan isn’t likely to initiate war anytime soon.”

Japan is likely reaping benefits through Southern Manchuria.

They might have lost a lot by needlessly stationing troops on the Korean Peninsula, and now they’re preparing for war with China.

Perhaps it’s somewhat reminiscent of Germany in the original history.

Communist Germany will likely attempt to seize global worker revolution or supremacy in their own way.

“Your Majesty. But what is this Mutaguchi fellow that warrants your sending him a personal letter?”

Ah, is that still a point of curiosity?

Well, it’s notable that a star of the White Army, the Tsarina, personally mentioned it and sent a letter to the Japanese government.

There would be dissatisfaction among the White Army.

“I have a strong feeling about that. He could very well become a sort of trump card to easily bring down Japan.”

“Are you implying that he’s more valuable than the weapons based on physics you’ve planned?”

“In some ways, yes.”

It’s not the stage to speak on this yet, but if the Sino-Japanese War breaks out, who knows how tied up Japanese forces will be in China, yet they will inevitably be tied.

Here, if we can unexpectedly strike and seize Mutaguchi Renya and the Manchurian Army as allies, it would endanger the rear of the Japanese forces pushing into China.

Supply lines will also be threatened.

That’s why I’m suggesting that the Manchurian Army manage supplies for the invasion forces of China.

If the Manchurian Army sides with us, whether the Japanese military gains the upper hand or gets bogged down in China, they will ultimately find their supplies cut off.

We can consume the Manchurian Army and then capture the main Japanese forces in China before liberating the Korean Peninsula.

Of course, that exists in the realm of possibility.

Even if the Manchurian Army doesn’t switch sides and Mutaguchi Renya remains aloof, a surprise attack alone could crumble the Manchurian Army.

But there’s no absolute guarantee that this will align with my intentions.

That’s why I can only speak lightly of it now.

“I’ve also seen that man alongside you, Your Majesty. I deemed that it’s better for him to dominate Southern Manchuria.”

Just then, Roman von Ungern-Sternberg interjected.

“That’s intriguing.”

“Full of arrogance and opportunism, seeking wisdom from the Tsarina, he’ll be the easiest to surpass when war breaks out with Japan.”

“Oh. If such a person governs Southern Manchuria, it’ll be easier for us, considering we are anticipating war with Japan.”

“Exactly. He should remain in Southern Manchuria to minimize the blood our Russian soldiers will shed.”

In the end, the Japanese government is ignorant of Mutaguchi, unaware that I am planning to be hostile toward Japan.

Removing my foreknowledge aside, the notion that having Mutaguchi Renya in Southern Manchuria will make fighting Japan easier is something that the National Duma also agrees with.

Now, we can’t just keep chatting about foreign affairs.

Russia is growing brilliantly every day, but that’s about it.

We don’t know how much real growth we’ve achieved.

“How much has our economy grown?”

Economies must thrive for countries to survive, right? I asked the National Duma about the current economic strength of Russia.

“We’ve already regained the stature we held before World War I, so Your Majesty need not worry.”

“Russia’s economic power is dazzlingly growing day by day.”

“Perhaps even the Bolsheviks can’t manage this much.”

The Prime Minister Kryvoshein and the administrative lawmakers all stated that Russia is indeed strengthening.

However, there’s something bugging me.

Didn’t Kryvoshein just mention a great war?

“Why World War I?”

“Your Majesty predicted a second world war, so we defined this as World War I. If the war is as large as it may be, we need to feel an early sense of crisis.”

No, that’s not it.

I genuinely feel this is dangerous.

What if I’m overly cautious and when it turns out communist Germany is all hot air, and they go down terribly, resulting in accusations against us as well?

At that point, it wouldn’t just roll over with “there’s a war, whatever” as an excuse.

“Cough. It’s too soon to assert such things. We might prepare ourselves so well that it’s not a level of a great war. So do you think the growth trend will continue forward?”

“British ambassadors are saying that currently, Russia’s economy is too close to a communist model.”

Hearing those words made my back feel a little hot.

Those wretched Hegemonic state bastards. Do they even realize who I’m fighting against?

“Isn’t the Tsar still in place, and that he’s even captured the Bolsheviks directly; yet they still speak this way?”

I mean, technically, they could differentiate it into socialism, but still.

Anyway, according to them, that’s a red flavor, isn’t it?

However, I sense that this could have a different implication.

“Judging from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it seems they aren’t too keen on our country’s growing power.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Russia was once a great power that competed with them during the Great Game.

Even up until recently, it was so devastating they had to provide support during the civil war, and overcoming that situation has led us to now.

Moreover, Russia has resumed the Second Rome and even spearheaded anti-air defense agreements, so it’s understandable that Britain would be somewhat salty. They might worry that Russia could once again become a threat to them.

Those hegemonic bastards could very well feel that way.

Moreover, as they need to surround communist Germany, Russia appears to be leisurely doing nothing in the back.

In my past life, there was this kind of joke.

Every time China vilified us, I’d say, “Oh, if China’s cursing us, our government must be doing well.”

Looking back on it, this could be treated in a similar vein.

“But this is also a good thing. If the Brits are cautious enough to be on guard, that at least shows we’re doing something right, doesn’t it?”

Thus, I dismissed the notion that Britain is wary of us.

After all, there’s no way those bastards would come to the Duma in person, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Ha ha ha ha! That’s right!”

“Despite losing a lot of land through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the fact that those bastards are on guard means we’ve grown.”

“Yes. Following the oil boom, American investments have really picked up, and the radios we produce have also gone into export mode.”

Looking at the list of investments from American companies, it’s quite promising.

Even the famous Morgan bank shows up, so the U.S. must indeed have become more interested in Russia.

They must be trying various approaches in preparation for the Great Depression, and it’s all falling into place.

But, you know, with Britain preparing like this, they might pull some crafty moves.

“Everything sounds good, but if we keep growing like this, won’t Britain try to put the brakes on us? Before long, I think Mahno’s Free Territory should come to an end too.”

While the Pontus Greek Republic was something we couldn’t stop from passing into our hands, Mahno’s Free Territory has a somewhat different significance.

It would become a hassle if those British bastards said they wouldn’t allow even half of Ukraine to fall to Russia.

 

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