---

**Japanese Empire**

Japan was closely monitoring Russia’s actions.

There was a possibility that Russia’s policies in Asia could clash with Japan’s, so Russia was seen as both an ally and a potential adversary.

However, following the mediation in recent times, Russia didn’t seem particularly keen on expanding into China.

While maintaining good relations with the Chinese warlord Chen Zhongming, Russia showed no real desire for further ambitions in China.

Instead, Russia was in the process of forming a defensive alliance against Germany in Europe through an anti-aircraft pact, which led Japan to believe that Russia had no intentions of encroaching upon Northern Manchuria or Mongolia.

“We will too. We will join as well!”

With victories in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I giving Japan an inflated sense of nationalism, they considered themselves equal to the white nations and wished to join the clique of insiders that included Russia, Britain, and France.

However, Japan had ulterior motives beyond merely wanting to join that insider group.

“Russia has agreed to accept our participation in the anti-aircraft pact.”

Prime Minister Takashi Hara received news about the anti-aircraft pact from Uchida Kōsai.

Though Moscow was still far away, they only hinted at their desire to join the pact late.

“There must be conditions, right?”

“It seems that the Imperial Army can only use the Trans-Siberian Railway to deploy to Europe if Russia requests it.”

Tanaka Yoshikazu, the Army Minister in the cabinet listening to the news about the anti-aircraft pact alongside Hara, was satisfied with that much.

There was no need for Japan to send troops all the way to the German frontlines to perish.

What would they gain by defeating Germany on that distant European front?

At best, they could expect to secure some interests from Russia in China, but honestly, even that didn’t seem to interest Russia much at the moment.

“That’s enough. After all, the anti-aircraft pact is fundamentally an organization opposing communists.”

“However, does the anti-aircraft pact hold any significance for the Empire? I feel like it might be a shackle upon ourselves.”

Prime Minister Takashi Hara began to wonder about the meaning of the anti-aircraft pact. After all, it was quite distant from Germany.

In fact, looking at the composition of the anti-aircraft pact countries, there didn’t seem to be any reason for Japan to go all the way to Europe.

What if Russia called for military support to capture the communists? Wouldn’t they be compelled to offer support?

Japan had made a lot of money selling weapons at high prices during the last Chinese Civil War and secured interests in China through mediation.

But that was the problem.

“What are your thoughts on this?”

“Didn’t the Chinese recently say they had changed from warlords to local governments through soft autonomy? The Beiyang Government has vanished.”

Exactly. That was the issue.

Despite the claims of soft autonomy, the Beiyang Government had completely evaporated.

In the process, they had lost track of where the Chinese government willing to deal with the Empire was.

There was already a significant amount of money invested in Korea, and now the Manchurian Railway had been thrown into the mix. They had been played by the Chinese’s word games.

As a result, the Hara administration’s support had plummeted.

“The Prime Minister seems to know one thing but not another. The Communist Party is currently running rampant in China under soft autonomy.”

“Hmm, I’ve heard of that. I was told about a Mao Zedong from the Chinese Communist Party.”

Mao Zedong, considered the successor of Chen Zhongming.

It was said to be somewhat different from the existing Communist Party. But that didn’t concern Hara.

What mattered was that they were communists.

Precisely the kind that the anti-aircraft pact aimed to capture.

Moreover, there existed a Communist Party in China.

Eventually, during a conflict with Germany, Russia might think they should also target the communists in Asia and attack China.

“When Russia engages in a showdown with Germany, we’ll also provide assistance under the pretense of exterminating Asia’s communists and advance into the continent.”

That didn’t sound bad at all.

“Ah, so it’s a pretext.”

Hara Takashi saw no reason to discourage it to that extent.

After all, it was good for Japan to grow. The war with Germany may break out at any moment.

In that vague hope, who knows if the Chinese Communist Party would still be around when a war breaks out.

Even if a war occurs, whether China could defeat the Empire is another matter entirely.

It was hard to believe that those who couldn’t even finish their internal conflict could win against the Empire.

“We will annihilate the Communist Party in China. This pretense will allow us to advance into China without the interference of the great powers in the anti-aircraft pact. Once the war in Europe is over, China will fall into the hands of the Empire.”

By the time they battered Germany again and the war was over, China would have completely fallen into the hands of the Empire.

“So it’s a plot to consume China, huh? But do we really need China?”

They had just taken Korea, and now they were consuming the Manchurian Railway as well.

The expenses from both Korea and the Manchurian Railway were significant.

Especially in Korea, the costs for garrisoning troops were draining money like a sieve. Without the economic boom from the Great War, such a feat would have been impossible.

Even the Manchurian Railway was essentially a puppet state disguised as a Japanese-owned railroad company.

“One cannot be satisfied with just the Manchurian Railway, can one? The Empire must continue to grow, and its future lies in China.”

Despite the victory in the Great War and enjoying economic prosperity, how could they possibly maintain restraint?

“The future of the Empire lies in China.”

“That vast land is too precious to be wasted on the failed nation of China. Shouldn’t His Imperial Majesty govern that divided China?”

Having taken Taiwan, Korea, and Southern Manchuria to this point, the natural next step would be China.

Shouldn’t they turn that expansive China into something like British India, working for His Imperial Majesty and the citizens?

“Isn’t direct rule dangerous?”

“Look at the precedent of Korea; even just making Korea subjects of His Imperial Majesty has proven difficult. Direct governance of millions of Chinese is no easy task. Naturally, they should be left as a puppet state, while that vast land becomes ours.”

Isn’t this dream a bit too grand?

If it were to come to fruition, what about the funding and international relations during that process?

No, by then, a new cabinet would certainly assume power, so what’s there to worry about?

Hara Takashi gave up on his thoughts.

—

A few days after the Romanov family was buried in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

**[Zzzzt. Today’s radio is the national anthem of our motherland, Russia.]**

A voice of a Russian woman flowed from the radio installed in the Kremlin by Duke Yusupov.

It’s remarkable to hear this from a radio in this era.

“It’s fascinating how the radio works in this age.”

Though it differs significantly from the radios I know.

It’s also impressive that Duke Yusupov ventured into the radio business and brought this about.

The Moscow Radio Station.

A radio station has been established in Moscow after recovering from the effects of the Civil War.

In actual history, it was founded in Moscow in 1922.

At first glance, one might think that it was delayed by two years in radio technology, but that’s not the case.

Of course, Moscow isn’t the first.

The place I’m in, Yekaterinburg, is the original.

A radio station was set up in Yekaterinburg in 1922 after the Civil War ended.

It initially started anew from Yekaterinburg, and since that was my base, I decided to support that side.

In actual history, the White Army couldn’t even properly attack Moscow, so there were no effects from the Civil War, but here, Moscow got thoroughly beaten in the Civil War.

Anyway, a radio station was established in Moscow this year.

**[Today’s song is Farewell to a Slavic Woman! This song was sung among some of the White Army during the Civil War as an anthem!]**

The song Farewell to a Slavic Woman flows sweetly from the radio.

It was said to be a song of the White Army in actual history.

Though it’s labeled as a White Army song, it was quite popular in Slavic regions.

I looked at Duke Yusupov, who had brought me this source of enjoyment.

“Hm, this radio is nice.”

“I’m glad it pleases Your Majesty.”

“Certainly, the radio business is beneficial. The radio penetration rate needs to increase. Given Russia’s vastness, it’s a bit of a challenge.”

It hasn’t spread throughout all of Russia yet, but gradually increasing the penetration rate is a necessity.

That said, wireless communication is excellent.

Still, it seems that the radio is spreading quite well in Russia, which is fortunate.

“Isn’t this thanks to the legacy left by physicist Alexander Popov?”

“What did he do?”

“He was a physicist and wireless researcher during the Imperial Era. He is one of the inventors of the wireless receiver.”

“Wireless, you say. Wireless would be just what this vast Russia needs.”

“Recently, Doctor Tesla has been collaborating with engineer Guglielmo Marconi. They’re striving to achieve a wireless revolution in their lifetimes. Something should come of it, right?”

Who is Guglielmo Marconi?

He appears to be another figure involved in wireless technology.

I didn’t know much about that; I just leave it all up to Tesla.

Speaking of which…

“It’d be wonderful if telephones were wireless too.”

“Ahem.”

From his expression, it seems that he feels that’s still a bit far-fetched.

“I might be asking for too much, but just throwing that idea out there. After all, if wireless telephony becomes possible, it would make military communication much easier, wouldn’t it?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Don’t strain yourself too much. Ah, who is leading the Moscow Radio Station?”

“I’m the inaugural president.”

The inaugural president, huh? That makes sense since he kicked it off.

Duke Yusupov seems to be getting a lot done.

Of course, since Yusupov has set everything up under my name, there’s no problem there.

But it feels a bit infuriating. And why is that, you ask?

I’m always just doing the grading, while this guy is doing as he pleases.

Even during the Civil War, he was indulging himself in other countries.

I feel like I might need to take some of his spoils.

“Duke Yusupov is taking all the benefits.”

“Ahem. But my wealth is soon to be Your Majesty’s and that of the Romanovs.”

True. That’s a valid point.

Thinking about it, having a radio opens up many usages.

I could use Yusupov’s Moscow Radio Station to launch anti-communist propaganda.

Currently, anti-communist propaganda is being pushed with slogans like “let’s crush the Communist Party!” or hanging banners.

Apart from that, anti-communist education is taking place in schools.

Teaching students just how empty communism truly is, all documented and taught straight out of textbooks.

They are raising a generation of students as staunch anti-communists.

“Well, I understand that. I know you’re working for this country selflessly, Duke. But…”

“Yes?”

“How about amplifying the anti-communist propaganda with the radio?”

“Anti-communist propaganda, you say?”

“Yes. Using the recent revolutions in Germany as a case in point.”

Educating the citizens of the United States about the current situation in Germany.

Showing them that it’s a communist state where freedom doesn’t exist.

While it may appear to be for workers, it’s all just a shiny façade.

In reality, communism is merely an ideology optimized for authority and tyranny.

What if it’s all broadcast on the radio?

Seeing Duke Yusupov nod in agreement, this seems to be a feasible idea.

“Understood. I will certainly take that into consideration.”

“And it would also be good to inform the Russian people about various happenings in Europe. At the very least to contrast that Russia is not like that.”

That could be seen as propaganda.

It’s crucial to highlight that Russia is different from other countries, showcasing its strengths while concurrently informing them of the situations in other countries.

This way, Russia arrogantly displays itself as superior to others.

“Just in time, there’s some good news.”

“Good news, you say?”

“One of our broadcasting station employees once visited France’s ‘Radio Paris’ regarding radio broadcasting.”

Radio Paris? A French radio station, is it?

Yes, they might have received assistance related to radio from France.

“And?”

“There, they happen to have come across news about England and France separately.”

News about England and France?

If it were just ordinary news, Duke Yusupov wouldn’t mention it at all.

It must be something he thinks I would find interesting.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“Recently, it’s been reported that communism is gradually spreading in places like French Algeria and English and Belgian African colonies.”

In colonial territories?

 

---