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* * *

Mutaguchi Renya.

I’d seen this guy once before.

Before, I just brushed him off because of the civil war, but apparently, he’s the most respected Japanese hero in a far-off future Korea.

It might be fun to give him a little boost while separating the Manchurian Railway from Japan.

Ah. A great idea just popped into my head.

“If things go well, I might as well make good use of that Manchurian Army commander Mutaguchi Renya.”

“You’re talking about that incompetent fellow?”

Oh dear. To slander such a great general as incompetent.

Isn’t it a bit harsh when the facts reveal the truth?

“Mutaguchi Renya is full of bravado and hates anything troublesome—he’s an opportunist.”

“Are you saying such a person exists in Japan, which is crazy about samurai?”

Of course, I was just speaking off the top of my head.

Who knows, maybe Mutaguchi could really be a great figure unexpectedly.

He just happened to be born in the wrong era and faced disgrace.

However, the Mutaguchi I saw during the civil war was too similar to the one I’ve heard about.

“Of course, if I were to say outright that he should sell out his country and join us, he wouldn’t believe it. However, what if Japan is cornered and I tell him to liberate Japan with the Manchurian Army and become the leader of a new Japan?”

Manchuria could just focus on either surrounding or ambushing the Manchurian Army to disarm them.

If Japan finds itself in a crisis, we could boost him accordingly.

“You are the only one who can turn Japan, which has become just like the brutal and murderous Western imperialist nations, back into the side of justice!”

If we inflate his ego a bit, he might comfort himself by thinking it would be better to join us than getting crushed by the Russian army right next door.

If that strategy works out…

Wouldn’t it be possible to carve off a portion of Japan to create a Mutaguchi regime and counter the pro-American Japan after the war?

“Oh.”

Ungern was impressed.

If he keeps that up, I might just get embarrassed.

“Of course, it’s all a matter of possibility. Just look at how he is; it seems Mutaguchi won’t last long before being summoned back to Japan.”

He’s just in a position to be mocked by our Governor General right next to him.

Considering Japan’s intent in joining the Anti-Air Defense Agreement, it’s clear they’re targeting China.

Upon investigation, it seems that the interests seized from China have turned into a mess for the autonomy, and Japan isn’t doing anything but squeeze Puyi in the Forbidden City.

It doesn’t seem plausible that local warlords would dare touch our Emperor just because Puyi’s getting scorned!

If I’m not mistaken, later, if they target China, the Manchurian Railway will become the foundation for that; they will surely check the situation of the railway.

At that time, won’t Mutaguchi definitely be summoned without exception?

From what I see now, it looks like his homeland is distracted by Korea, allowing him to have fun in Manchuria. Even if they hold the initiative in Manchuria, once the war against China intensifies, he’ll inevitably be exposed.

“Hahaha! That’s right! How unfortunate.”

“But, if that guy really holds out…”

“I can’t say for sure. If he continues like this, how unfortunate.”

I think it wouldn’t be bad if Mutaguchi managed to deceive the Imperial General Headquarters while reigning only in Manchuria. However, looking at the way things are, no matter how miserable the Imperial General Headquarters is, they will replace Mutaguchi for the sake of war.

“By the way, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Then, how about inviting the commander of that Manchurian Army in Southern Manchuria here?”

“To the Northern Manchuria?”

Mutaguchi Renya to Northern Manchuria? Are they just joking around?

It wouldn’t be bad politically to bring him in from Japan to raise Mutaguchi Renya’s value.

“For now, let’s invite him on the pretext of maintaining good relations under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General’s Office in Northern Manchuria. If he comes, wouldn’t it be a picture-perfect situation if you welcomed him, Your Majesty?”

“Hoho. That makes sense.”

“Of course, Your Majesty, being of noble stature, you have no reason to meet such a person directly. Just say it’s casual, and they won’t mind leaving Mutaguchi to linger in Japan.”

Oh, right. That sounds good.

“It wouldn’t be bad.”

The commander of the Manchurian Army welcomed directly by the Tsar. That’s not bad.

A war hero of Russia and an empress welcoming the real power of Southern Manchuria.

If I just throw in a light complimentary comment that Mutaguchi is a wonderful official Japan can boast about, they will surely react.

* * *

Yamato Hotel, Shenyang, Southern Manchuria

Around this time, the railway company in Southern Manchuria was surprisingly doing well thanks to Mutaguchi Renya.

In practice, while conducting secret trade with Hong Beom-do, who leads the Korean Army of the Asian Cavalry Division, he secured the peace of the Manchurian Railway and has become the unrivaled ruler of Southern Manchuria, to the point where discussions were even being held in Japan about handing over the Manchurian Railway to Mutaguchi.

Isn’t the smooth operation of the Yamato Hotel, established in the heart of Southern Manchuria, proof of that?

Due to Mutaguchi’s secret trade, at least the Manchurian Railway had become a clean region devoid of irregulars, so he certainly had significant contributions.

Most notably, the secret traders like Hong Beom-do and other independence activists were cautious not to disturb Mutaguchi Renya, who was laying golden eggs.

Thus, today again, Mutaguchi Renya was deep into his debauchery at the hotel.

“Haha! So, this Southern Manchuria is now under my control, Mutaguchi Renya.”

“Absolutely. This Manchuria is being entrusted to the general from the homeland, right? After all, you’re becoming the shogun of Southern Manchuria.”

Recently, Tsujin Masanobu, belonging to the Manchurian Army, clenched his fists to further elevate Mutaguchi Renya, who felt he was flying high.

“This fellow has a real way with eloquence.”

“Look. Those stubborn Chosunjin become docile as soon as they see the general, don’t they? Even those Chosun women who maintain their chastity are in awe of the general. I mean, really.”

Mutaguchi glanced at the Korean women he liked flanking him and cleared his throat.

Outwardly appearing in kimonos, they were actually Korean gisaeng dressed according to Mutaguchi’s taste.

However, seeing these women, he felt something.

Is this really okay?

No matter how much Mutaguchi Renya had delved into debauchery, he felt uneasy at the ease with which things were going.

Was it really permissible to indulge so much in women? That thought kept circling in his mind.

“Ahem. Still, I wonder if it’s okay to be like this. Don’t you think I’m getting a bit too close to women?”

“Haha. Throughout history, no great person has ever despised women. Now that Southern Manchuria is in the general’s grasp, what is there to worry about?”

“Hm. Is that so?”

Laughing awkwardly, Mutaguchi Renya embraced the women once more.

After all, what hero hates women? If someone hates women, they must be a eunuch.

“This Southern Manchuria will eventually become the bridgehead for conquering those Chinese. By that time, the significance of the Manchurian Railway will only increase. The general could even become the Governor of Southern Manchuria! If he combines the Governor-General’s Offices of Taiwan and Korea, wouldn’t you be the youngest ever?”

Anyway, those flattering words felt nice.

“I see. Yes, that’s right. But you’re only here praising me repeatedly, which makes me feel embarrassed; don’t you have anything to say?”

“Oh, I almost forgot. There’s indeed something. It’s a letter from the Governor of Northern Manchuria sent to the general.”

Tsujin Masanobu, who had been endlessly flattering, pulled out a letter from his pocket as if he just remembered.

The letter was written in Japanese, stating it was from the Governor of Northern Manchuria to the commander of the Manchurian Army.

“What? You mention something important only now?”

“I apologize!”

“Ahem. Well, that’s something that can happen. Let’s see. Hm. Oh. It seems the Governor of Northern Manchuria wants to invite me there. For the sake of friendship with the Empire, it seems they’d like me to go.”

Could such a thing happen? Mutaguchi Renya felt as if he were dreaming.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve heard their Empress is currently in Northern Manchuria.”

“The Empress is here?”

Mutaguchi Renya’s eyes blinked rapidly.

I had heard there’s something going on in Northern Manchuria. Could it be such a matter?

The Empress of Russia is here. Does that mean she has come for an official tour?

“Yes. It’s said that the Empress is on some kind of tour to Northern Manchuria. Perhaps they want to show their governor being friendly with the Empire since their Empress is here.”

“Indeed. That makes sense.”

As I thought about it, everything lined up.

If the reason the Governor of Northern Manchuria suddenly invited me was because of the Empress being here, it all adds up.

But, suddenly I felt a bit hesitant to go.

Mutaguchi Renya sighed deeply as he brushed off the women clinging to his arms.

“What’s the matter?”

“Didn’t someone named An Jung-geun assassinate Ito Hirobumi at Harbin station?”

Yeah, the assassination of Ito Hirobumi did happen in Harbin.

Especially since there are many Koreans living in Northern Manchuria (thanks to who).

Isn’t it possible one of them might suddenly shout “Korea Ura!” and start shooting?

After all, I’m an elite official recognized by the Tsar of Russia.

In other words, wouldn’t it be a prime opportunity for the irregulars to make a name for themselves?

“Hahaha. Wasn’t that a long time ago? I’ve heard Northern Manchuria has developed a lot compared to its barren environment. Even those Chosunjin are gentle when they see the governor; why would they dare entertain such thoughts?”

Is that so?

Hearing that made some sense after all.

The term “governor” didn’t sound entirely unpleasant, so Mutaguchi Renya wore a satisfied smile.

“True. So true.”

Mutaguchi Renya assured himself.

He was certain he would never do anything to warrant an assassination.

Did he torture any of the irregulars he caught? No.

There’s nothing to gain from torture, and the background is unclear.

Did he kill them because they were useless? No.

He is an elite of the Empire of Japan, a hero recognized even by the Tsarina of Russia.

How could he betray the spirit of Yamato?

Even if those irregulars oppose the Empire of Japan, they are still just that. There’s no reason to dirty his hands unnecessarily.

Instead, he managed to shift the burden onto Russia, saying “Southern Manchuria is peaceful without a single irregular thanks to the magnificent military capabilities of Mutaguchi Renya,” while also filling the lack of personnel in the Far East Russian army.

So, not only did he achieve peace in Southern Manchuria, but he also strengthened ties with the allied country, Russia. What a perfect strategy!

“Well then, prepare to leave tomorrow. These guys~ will probably miss me for a few days, so don’t feel too lonely and wait for me.”

“I, Tsujin Masanobu, will gladly serve the shogun of Southern Manchuria!”

Mutaguchi Renya glanced at the Korean women with a lewd gaze and left the Yamato Hotel with Tsujin Masanobu.

“Take care~”

Once Mutaguchi Renya was out of the Yamato Hotel, the Korean women quickly erased the expressions from their faces.

After all, they were essentially spies working with independence activists.

The main mission of these women was to seduce Mutaguchi Renya and extract information.

Whether that information was from Japan or anywhere else.

They were to attach themselves to Japanese officials and secretly send that information to the Provisional Government in Harbin.

“That guy, whatever his name is, I don’t get why he’s flaunting himself when he can’t even perform at night. If it weren’t for this situation, I wouldn’t even look at such a guy. You know? That guy claims to be a herbivore with the Japanese during the day, but a carnivore at night!”

Recently, he had been getting inflated and looked pleased with himself.

At night, he was abysmal yet had inflated self-esteem to the max.

“Seriously, who wouldn’t be bothered by that? We should probably let the provisional government know about this, right?”

“It would be great if the Empress of Russia’s discussions go smoothly. We should inform them just in case.”

In Northern Manchuria, the negotiations between the Tsar and the Provisional Government were still unknown.

Thus, the information agents in Southern Manchuria could only hope for a successful negotiation.

* * *

 

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