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Sure. We can just go with submarines.

After all, the only real opponent we can take on with our fleet is Italy. We can gather the defeated countries’ fleets later, so let’s just ramp up the submarines right now.

“Your Majesty, what shall we name the submarines being constructed this time?”

Kolchak, feeling good about expanding the fleet, asked with a friendly smile.

“Submarines, you say?”

Though it’s not an aircraft carrier, it seems Kolchak is quite fond of it in his own way.

“Yes. We’ve developed the latest submarines on a large scale, U-boats.”

Latest submarines.

If we borrowed German technology, it might be far more advanced than that of the Soviets.

Sure. Then the option of submarines sounds even better.

So, names. Names. There are a few that come to mind.

I snapped my fingers and opened my mouth.

“We’re an anti-communist nation. Let’s name them after the generals who fought against communism. How about the Yudenich class?”

“General Yudenich would appreciate that.”

“Yes, Yudenich isolated the Reds in Petrograd and trapped their retreat. Sounds perfect for a submarine, doesn’t it? Let’s go with the Yudenich-class submarines.”

Honestly, I didn’t care much and just went with the Yudenich class.

Historically, the naming of ships in Imperial Russia was usually based on locations where the Russian army had won battles.

I can’t very well slap the names of places where the Civil War took place on the ships. So, naming them after generals seems best.

Won’t they like having their names on ships?

“Yes. Your Majesty, General Yudenich would appreciate that.”

Yudenich is currently in charge of the troops in the Baltic region.

Since the Baltic States gained independence from Russia and Bolshevik remnants remained there, he was tasked with guarding the borders of the Baltic nations with the troops that had besieged Petrograd.

The Yudenich-class submarines. Hmmm. Unique name, but compared to the revolutionary-sounding names of existing Soviet ships, this is pretty good.

Next, let’s talk about tanks.

“What’s the situation with the tanks?”

I asked Mikhail Drozdovsky, who was leading the tank production.

Since we were already talking weapons, it was time to discuss tanks.

“We’re currently producing armored vehicles and tanks at the Yekaterinburg Heavy Industries.”

Yekaterinburg Heavy Industries.

Established in Yekaterinburg, this factory can be seen as the role of the Ural Heavy Industries in our history.

“Armored vehicles, you say?”

“The Army felt the need for troop transport vehicles based on experiences from the Civil War. Armor is essential to respond to potential enemy attacks. We are referencing the British Mark V.”

Oh, right! The British Mark V was used as an armored vehicle.

In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense to develop combat vehicles instead?

Even though infantry fighting vehicles came out in the Cold War, it’s not impossible to make now. Old school, but at least they’d be armed.

If we’re going to make armored troop transport vehicles, it seems doable.

“Hmm, what about developing combat vehicles as well?”

“Combat vehicles? We already have tanks—”

“Tanks will be produced separately. These vehicles would be cheaper to produce and maintain than tanks while being used for combat alongside infantry.”

That’s infantry fighting vehicles.

Of course, Russia has a surplus population, but if we’re pursuing technological advancement, we should explore various aspects.

Even in a country overflowing with people, relying solely on numbers is risky.

Is it right for a white nation to engage in the same tactics as China? That’s the question.

Sure, the Soviets had people springing from the fields, but during the Great Patriotic War, they even drafted women.

I don’t want to end up creating such results.

In the original history, Nazi Germany, while significantly outnumbered, managed to conquer the Soviets by sheer fighting ability, but eventually, they were overwhelmed by numbers. My plan is to have the Russian Republic’s army be a large-scale elite force using numbers.

Surely, we should strike the weaker Communist Germany harder.

“Not a bad idea.”

“Of course, while ensuring that we can transport small numbers of troops, we also gain advantages in troop transport and combat.”

I’m not sure if this will even develop in this era.

Well, if mechanized infantry squads actively operate armored vehicles alongside tank units, we could achieve significant power in this time.

“Then, we’ll resolve this with the Army.”

“And the White Army should also strengthen ties with Hispano-Suiza. Especially in terms of engine production and weapons technology cooperation.”

Hispano-Suiza produces many designs in France.

I have no intention of allowing that to go unchecked.

France might end up being a Commune, and I certainly don’t want Hispano-Suiza supplying advanced engines and machine guns to the Reds.

Rather, I want those to come to us, engine and-mounted machine guns included.

Earlier than in the original history, if possible.

That few years of advancement depends on military development.

“Hispano-Suiza, you say?”

“Even if it costs money, it’s worth it. Right now, they’re producing engines and weapons in France, and if France turns Red, what will happen to Hispano-Suiza? They need to make things for us, both for the Air Force and Army.”

Hispano-Suiza could fall into the hands of the Reds.

Is there anything more important than that?

They are already producing cars using Hispano-Suiza technology and getting help with tanks from the Army.

Surely those who fought in the Civil War know how important this is.

We need to seize cutting-edge technology.

You never know; during the German Empire, a previously hidden but powerful weapon developer may emerge from Communist Germany.

Such a thing may not happen in Russia, but you can’t tell with Germany.

“If the Commune takes over in France, it will likely become a weapons factory for the Reds.”

“Yes. This is bad news for us. We must push against it.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

In fact, the Soviets received a license from Hispano-Suiza to produce the 12Y for the French Air Force under the name Klimov M-100.

We need to acquire even more technological cooperation from Hispano-Suiza.

We ought to monopolize it by pouring money however possible.

Though it’s based in France, it could become a risk if France falls to the Reds.

After all, by 1936, it was nationalized by France and continued to produce aircraft engines and automatic weapons for French defense.

Moreover, Hispano-Suiza is split into three during the Spanish Civil War.

This would mean they should be active in Russia, correct?

It’s a big-picture strategy for the future.

“Your Majesty, if our military technology develops, other countries might try to steal our secrets. Given that there are Bolsheviks who have sworn loyalty to the United States, we need to be cautious.”

Right now, the representative intelligence department of the United States is Okhrana.

So, when Boris Savinkov speaks, does he mean we should expand the scale of intelligence?

Indeed, Okhrana has too much to do compared to its size.

Recently, they are more focused on jobs in Britain and America than in the homeland, and there’s a branch for the uncertain situation with King Carol of Romania as well.

“Are you suggesting we expand Okhrana?”

“No. What if each military branch had its own intelligence agency? This is something we should do while many are loyal to the current government.”

That’s not a wrong idea.

They executed all the overly zealous Bolsheviks as examples.

Though the National Duma now includes moderate socialists, the Bolsheviks were not admitted.

Perhaps there are dissatisfied elements who might leak our secrets to Germany.

Thinking about that, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Hmm. That doesn’t sound bad. Considering the situation in the United States, we might also need to increase our intelligence capacity domestically. I support it. Please handle it, Prime Minister.”

Is Russia merely a singular nation?

Our landmass is vast, excessively so.

It’s uncertain where and in what manner a spy might come in. Thus, it’s prudent to increase our intelligence.

There’s unlikely to be any leak from the White Army, so we should create separate departments.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Understood.”

“Anything else on your mind?”

“Is the situation in America worsening?”

Hmm, looking at the current state, it seems the National Duma is still clueless about the situation in America.

Should I say it or not? I tapped lightly on the edge of the desk, pondering.

I shouldn’t hastily prepare without cause. But what I’m thinking about is simply that.

While tanks and armored vehicles are important, the most urgent matter is to prepare for eventual war intervention.

With America’s condition like that, who knows when a civil war might break out.

“And let’s be prepared for war intervention at any time, just in case.”

“You mean war might break out already?”

The National Duma, which had been buzzing about national pride just moments ago, quieted in an instant.

This is a National Duma that had heard my predictions about the Second World War long ago.

They’re probably surprised by that.

“The Great Depression may lead to communist nations seizing the opportunity, but even they might not have their armies prepared.”

What I’m referring to is the new communist group in America, KFC.

The National Duma needs to be made aware so that they can prepare for what’s coming in the U.S.

I waved my hands dismissively.

“Recently, a communist group called KFC is gaining power in America. That’s the reason.”

“The Great Depression is to blame.”

Well, it’s likely the KFC linked to Trotsky.

It’s a powerful ideology for racial equality that didn’t even exist in the original history.

“The fact that communists are rising in America…”

Everyone seems to be caught up in disbelief.

Given their experiences from the Civil War, they should know something about America.

The very country that has fed the White Army through the Siberian Railway is now becoming a bastion of communist thought.

This might be hard to accept.

“Of course, I can’t say that this will lead to a Civil War yet, but considering KFC’s leader, we should expect a Civil War as well. We must intervene to prevent America from turning Red.”

Surely it would be a sufficient reason to halt the spread of communism.

If America fails to solve the Great Depression, and Trotsky pulls off something major, we could intervene in the current situation.

What would America think?

Perhaps by that time they will ask for our help.

After all, only we are preparing for war.

“Excuse me, who is the leader of KFC?”

“It’s the fleeing Trotsky.”

I stated plainly and dryly.

Thinking about it, if that man incites a civil war with KFC, what would happen to KFC itself?

“If it’s Trotsky, he’s an executive of the Bolsheviks, right?”

“He is the one who strongly advocated for the execution of the previous Tsar. Shouldn’t we arrest him immediately?”

“Yes. And that’s precisely why we’re using him. Let’s allow Trotsky to sap American power while we intervene for our benefit.”

This allows us to fulfill Russia’s will to intervene in the rise of communism wherever it springs. Such is the justification.

I wonder how Lenin feels, watching Trotsky spiral into Hell?

“We must seize the moment as America weakens and become a great power ourselves.”

“Well, I feel bad for America, but what can we do?”

If they don’t want it, they should respond to the Great Depression, but Trotsky’s advances could complicate things.

Personally, I hope Trotsky acts cautiously.

Without resorting to armed struggle, he should aim to win the hearts of Americans and plan for a few years down the line.

The Tuskegee syphilis experiments began in 1932, didn’t they?

That was done targeting black people.

The black individuals from the Tuskegee University in Alabama were found to be heavily infected with syphilis but couldn’t afford treatment, which the U.S. Public Health Service manipulated for an experiment.

What is this experiment, you might ask? Well, it observes what happens if you leave syphilis untreated for an extended time.

Unbeknownst to the victims, they contracted syphilis while being duped into thinking it was free healthcare from the government.

It’s quite humorous that such an experiment was conducted amidst the Great Depression, and even more so that it was done in cooperation with the renowned black college’s Tuskegee Institute.

So, if Trotsky would play more subtly and build his strength behind the scenes…

Later on, we could use Okhrana to reveal this experiment to Trotsky and expose it.

I wonder what would come of it?

Of course, I’m not planning on saying any of this yet.

This might also happen in the history that I’ve altered.

Amid the chaos of the Great Depression, Trotsky may not have the leisure for such a scheme.

Anyhow, Trotsky wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.

The White House wouldn’t accept KFC’s Great Depression measures either, being a red collective.

Even if it wasn’t the syphilis experiment, Trotsky could certainly stir up some trouble using the Great Depression.

“Trotsky doesn’t even realize he’s being used…”

The members of the Duma smirked, having understood my deeper implication.

Right. That guy is being used by me.

Having executed the Tsar’s family, he’s bound to be manipulated without realizing it.

“While that’s just one possibility, given the current situation, I suspect it might come even quicker than the Spanish Civil War—”

I covered my mouth with both hands, stopping mid-sentence.

Glancing nervously at the Duma, I noticed everyone’s gaze glued to me. I made an effort to feign nonchalance, fiddling with my pen.

“Is a Civil War about to erupt in Spain?”

Ah, I let something slip again.

This is really risky.

The snowball effect could definitely prevent a Civil War from igniting.

KFC might spark a civil war, and with communes taking root in France, Spain might just remain intact. Who knows?

Or Franco might swiftly seize control of Spain.

“No, the situation is politically unstable over there, with factions forming, so that’s just a level of speculation.”

I vigorously shook my hands in strong denial.

Of course, if Germany turns communist and France also sees the emergence of communes, Spain might also see something happen.

The Spanish Republic isn’t even established yet, so there’s no certainty.

Who knows, perhaps an unexpected snowball might prevent a civil war from breaking out in Spain. Still, I think a Spanish Civil War is nearly certain.

In any case, the communists from the Soviets will be looking for suitable countries to turn red.

Among the possible candidates in Europe, Spain in the rear of France fits the bill. What does this mean? It means Germany is likely to foster communism in Spain, right?

Will Franco or José Antonio Primo de Rivera from the Falangist Party stand idly by?

In the original history, Rivera was executed during the Spanish Civil War, but in this world, who knows how it will unfold?

If, by any chance, we could manipulate things from behind the scenes in Spain, what would happen?

 

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