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“Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you!”

An elderly man, who appeared to be Dmitry Horvat, bowed respectfully before me.

Yes, he must have originally belonged to the White Army and either died or sought asylum somewhere. Surprisingly capable.

Northern Manchuria is indeed a harsh place, and logically, he would have had to navigate through a multitude of Han and Manchu people to manage the area in a Russian manner. And yet, he managed it all.

And he did it under military administration.

Although he originally intended to annex it as part of the motherland rather than simply a colony, he has accomplished that remarkably well.

For someone who originally managed railroads, he has done quite well.

I smiled contentedly and praised Horvat.

“No, it is I who is honored to meet the governor who has developed and cultivated this barren land. I hear you defended the railways from the Red Army to supply the White Army during the Civil War?”

The forces tasked with defending the railways couldn’t have been many.

With that small force, he successfully protected the railways from the Reds without the presence of foreign troops, making it easier for the Provisional Government in Yekaterinburg to receive support from the United States.

“Haha, the Bolsheviks in Manchuria were mere pests who could barely sabotage anything, so a small troop was sufficient to suppress them.”

“Anyway, you’ve managed to run Northern Manchuria quite well despite it being conquered almost by accident.”

I glanced subtly at Ungern’s side.

After all, it was the Asian Cavalry Division that carelessly took over Northern Manchuria.

“Isn’t all this thanks to Your Majesty’s grace?”

“Regardless, you’ve worked hard. I came to see how Northern Manchuria is doing, but since I’m here, it would be good to hear it from the governor.”

“Yes. I will tell you anything!”

Good. That sounds nice.

I didn’t come here to take tests or evaluations, so there’s no need to be overly nervous.

I was just intending to hear some explanations.

To strike Japan from behind, it’s crucial that Northern Manchuria develops properly.

Above all, there are oil fields.

We need to develop those oil fields, and when we succeed, we must also consider the possibility of an attack from the Japanese army.

“Northern Manchuria is barren, so we must revitalize the cities based on what we have.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“This place is set to develop oil fields similar to Siberia; has there been any progress?”

Originally, oil development was set to take place in Tyumen, and now I think some progress is due in Northern Manchuria as well.

Of course, I don’t expect to be fed at the first meal, but wouldn’t there at least be some hints?

“It seems to be quite deep, so it hasn’t been discovered yet.”

“Ah, so it hasn’t been discovered yet.”

I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high.

But still, I hope something breaks through soon.

“Yes. Branobel and Royal Dutch Shell have sent additional drilling equipment, so we should see some reaction soon, right?”

“Hmm. That’s reasonable.”

Branobel is practically a Romanov joint venture, so it’s essentially mine. The Rothschilds also seem to support this side quite well.

Surely something will turn up.

Branobel has even been developing drilling equipment compared to original history.

“Regardless, Harbin and the surrounding areas have developed quite a bit. In just a few years, we’ve nearly erased the traces of the Manchu people who once owned this land.”

Indeed, while there were some traditional Chinese houses that I saw on the way here, it was evident that there were more Russian-style buildings in comparison.

Considering that, this person might either be very capable or has been harshly suppressing them to ensure they behave.

“The remaining Manchus and Han people must have resisted, did you stamp them down with force?”

Those who remained after the annexation would surely be nostalgic for their homeland, so if you stamped them down with force, that would be no different from the Japanese imperial rule.

Surely the Han and Manchu people left in Northern Manchuria wouldn’t have resisted at all.

“No, of course, we implemented laws, but there hasn’t really been anyone to oppose them. They initially decided to stay here knowing they would have to go through Russification, so what could they do? Moreover, while they live in shabby traditional houses, the newly settled Jews and Russians are living in good places, so even they reluctantly accepted the resettlement policies.”

“Resettlement policies?”

Is the Governor’s Office even doing resettlement policies?

Sure, Northern Manchuria needs immigrants, so domestic policies alone won’t suffice.

Especially since Northern Manchuria is quite far from Moscow. To manage the area in more detail, it would be good if the Governor’s Office itself could implement policies.

This person is quite capable.

So that’s how Northern Manchuria has developed in its own way.

Honestly, it doesn’t feel like there’s anything for me to do here.

I guess I should just take a look while I’m at it.

“Yes. With the resettlement policy for Jews from the homeland, if they follow it, the residents of Russian-ruled Northern Manchuria will maintain equal privileges and status as Russians. Moreover, with the support from Jewish capitalists, collective housing buildings are also being constructed.”

I did see some chicken coop-style buildings around.

Just how much money do the Jews really have?

If I think about how the Japanese were so eager for wealthy Jewish immigrants in actual history, it seems that justification and timing are indeed important.

Well, it’s half because the Rothschilds trusted me and poured money into the development of oil fields in Northern Manchuria.

Anyway, unlike original history, it looks like Northern Manchuria will drift further away from China.

By the time Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong both aim for Manchuria, everything I wish for will likely have been realized.

“Is there no provocation from the Manchurian Railway?”

“Yes. Would they be in a position to provoke us right now?”

I asked just in case.

Considering these guys might be gunning for my back.

I thought they might abruptly stir up some conflict at the border between Southern and Northern Manchuria to seize some land.

The Asian Cavalry Division and the troops of the Governor’s Office are relatively fewer than the Korean troops stationed in the Korean Peninsula (the Japanese garrison).

Surprisingly, it seems the Japanese are complying with us.

“Are there any other issues?”

“If anything, there is one. Koreans from Southern Manchuria have formed a Korean Association.”

“A Korean Association?”

“Yes. It has been investigated, and they call it a Provisional Government internally, but the Jewish capitalist managing the Provisional Government office says it’s not illegal, so we are currently leaving it alone.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I was kind of expecting that.

“If you command, I can mobilize the troops of the Governor’s Office to crush them.”

I pretended to ponder as I shook my head.

“No, just leave them be for now. I heard there is a Korean unit in the Asian Cavalry Division. Are they in contact with the Provisional Government?”

A guy named Hong Beom-do is leading the Korean unit, but there has been no confirmation yet.”

Hmm, just because there’s no confirmation doesn’t mean there’s no connection.

After all, they’re likely starving and wishing to connect with the Asian Cavalry Division.

Right, aren’t they currently in Northern Manchuria?

It’s only natural to think that way. Based on how the world is turning, if the Provisional Government is really determined to move, it’s not impossible.

They could even head to the United States.

If they’re currently being housed with the help of Jewish capitalists here, they could receive Jewish support and cross over to the U.S. via Russia.

Of course, unless it’s due to geographic reasons.

Japan may be close, and Russia has an image of being a friendly nation to Japan.

But still, the U.S. with Lee Seung-man might be better.

Then, it’s quite clear that the Korean unit in the Asian Cavalry Division must be hungry.

To mount an armed resistance against the Japanese, that’s the answer.

It’s all quite complicated.

Since it’s not the Shanghai Provisional Government, I can’t predict where this will lead.

“Hmm.”

“Are you thinking of meeting them in person?”

What I’ve felt since coming here is that I am regarded and worshipped as the Tsar of Russia.

Well, I could think about meeting them since I’ve come all this way~ but really, as the Tsar of Russia, there’s no need for me to meet them directly.

If I were Korean, maybe I would be excited at the thought of meeting the independence activists I learned about in childhood!

“I think it would be nice to use Koreans to create justification when the time comes to strike Japan.”

But the problem is how desperate the other side is.

To speak frankly, if they are desperate, they will likely approach me.

After all, how often will a Tsar visit Northern Manchuria in the future?

They might even try to make contact right now.

Or it could be, in a cold and calculated manner, that they see us merely as Japan’s ally and choose to hide for a while.

But from the Provisional Government’s perspective, there really isn’t anyone to rely on.

Even if they went to America, it would be like the Tibetan Provisional Government moving to India.

If they are going to approach, now would be the time for the Tsarina to come.

If their desire to reclaim their country is genuine, then they would.

If they don’t, then, well. Regardless, liberating Korea will be in Russia’s interest, so the Duma will likely end up reorganizing the government with locals from the Korean Peninsula.

“Then I will call them.”

“No, if they are desperate, they will seek us out themselves.”

“How can you be so sure?”

I slightly shook my head.

I don’t have certainty.

Their movements are unknown to me. Everything is speculation, but if I were to outline a possible scenario.

“First and foremost, there is the presence of the Korean unit in the Asian Cavalry Division. What the Koreans need right now is military power to fight against the Japanese. However, the only Korean army that has that capability is in the Asian Cavalry Division.”

“Indeed, they might ask for that army.”

The Korean unit in the Asian Cavalry Division probably only numbers in the thousands at most.

“Moreover, our country supported the Legalist Government that was attempting to topple Duan Qirui’s corrupt regime in China.”

Exactly.

By supporting the righteous uprising of the Legalist Government, they might hope to receive support for their own Provisional Government and throw themselves toward me like moths to a flame.

“The Tsar of Russia is here. It would be worth taking a gamble.”

“I think I understand what you mean. But what if they don’t come?”

“If they don’t come, then they don’t. We can always form a government with the locals later.”

“Your Majesty, given that we must take vengeance for the Russo-Japanese War, I agree that we should strike Japan. However, do we really have to liberate Korea? Why not simply annex it? Surely the Koreans would be satisfied living as subjects of Byzantium.”

What kind of colonial imperialism mindset is that?

If the Koreans were satisfied with such a fate, there would be no independence movement to speak of. After all, the Korean Peninsula is very far from European Russia.

Well, for now, it would be good to have the Governor of Northern Manchuria on board.

When the time comes to go to war with Japan, he will surely be at the forefront.

“Even just Northern Manchuria is still under development, and we already possess a vast expanse of land stretching from East to West. It would be unreasonable to corral tens of millions of people on a small peninsula in the Far East into the United States.”

“Then, do you intend to make them independent to weaken Japan?”

That doesn’t really serve as a major reason.

Japan is already in the red after annexing Korea.

Liberating Korea won’t significantly reduce Japan’s power.

Especially since stationing troops here in Northern Manchuria will only result in increased expenses.

“Britain made Japan a gendarmerie in the Far East to curb Russian expansion; likewise, Russia needs a gendarmerie in the Far East. We need to stabilize the fragmented China, and, furthermore, prevent Japan from eyeing Russian territories in the Far East.”

“Do you think a defeated Japan will try to target us again? They will only be stuck on their island.”

It is still too early to be complacent.

There hasn’t even been a war yet.

Of course, this plan is predicated on Japan being crushed.

“After the war, whether it’s Britain or the U.S., we don’t know who will be Japan’s master, but it’s likely they will cultivate Japan again to block our expansion into the Pacific. At that time, we’ll need some force to guard the Far East. The only country capable of such an arrangement while maintaining borders with Russia without betrayal is Korea.”

A divided China wouldn’t be capable either. I even plan to employ Israel to minimize China’s growth.

In the end, after thinking it over countless times, Korea is truly the only option.

“So, what do we gain afterward?”

If you ask me what we will gain, it’s the hegemony of Europe.

Once the communist forces collapse, Russia will pull Germany and Italy into a new sphere of influence led by them.

I don’t know what will happen to France, but judging by the current state, it’s like a toothless tiger, and Britain is just an aging lion.

“We need to secure the hegemony of post-war Europe. We cannot hand Europe over to the British or the Yankees.”

Just looking at Britain, it’s in such an awful state.

If Russia dominates Europe after the war, both Britain and the U.S. will likely cultivate Japan to prevent any moves into Asia.

It will be a hassle to station troops on the Korean Peninsula, especially considering the current national reforms.

For now, securing hegemony in post-war Europe is already quite demanding.

So I repeat, it’s not that I specifically have a connection to Korea; it’s simply the only option.

Israel must engage in fierce battles against a fragmented China. So, nothing but Korea remains.

If I were to foolishly try to draw Japan into Russian influence, I would end up threatening the Pacific and unwittingly create unnecessary tension with the U.S.

The focus should be solely on guarding the Far East.

 

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