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* * *

Honestly, I still think of this situation as a pumpkin coming into the patch.

It’s just a little poke at Communist Germany and the Baltics, and somehow Britain got hooked.

How low has our honor sunk that we’re losing even the Baltics?

“I understand. Then, please tell me what you wish.”

“Well, it’s simple. Withdraw support for the Huey Long government. And when the civil war breaks out, your country must remain neutral.”

In short, back off from America.

Originally, this was something Britain couldn’t help.

You’d have to have something to support the Huey Long government if you were going to help.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to intervene in the American Civil War?”

“Who do you think is in the position of stopping those red German troops now? We need to add at least one ally beforehand. Don’t you agree? Unlike your navy, which only needs to defend the homeland, if the U.S. sends troops, it will become a strong ally of Russia.”

They only ever think about defending their homeland over there in Britain.

So, they also want to have a proper ally in America.

Britain can’t really protest about this.

And even this guy, who has set the peace season zero of our time, must know that much.

Rather, I support the Huey Long government out of pride, but I’m giving them a legitimate reason to withdraw.

Of course, Britain wouldn’t want too much Russian influence in North America, but there’s nothing they can do about it.

“I understand. We will try to do that.”

Oh? Now that I look at this guy, isn’t he a bit of a fool?

I could just push through as I like right now, right? I just need to strip him clean while he’s being submissive!

Sure, later on, Britain may want to watch out for Russia.

But by then, Russia will hold the keys to Europe’s dominance, making it meaningless.

The colonies that constitute the strength of the British Empire will ultimately have no choice but to gain independence.

“And one more thing.”

“What else is there?”

“Don’t interfere if the Southwestern Ukraine requests to merge with Russia.”

In other words, I want to eat Southwestern Ukraine right now!

The National Duma said to wait for an opportunity to push for this.

But I just have a gut feeling right now.

‘Ah, this guy is such an easy mark.’

If I push here, I can get what I want.

If not now, I won’t be able to easily acquire Southwestern Ukraine later.

“Southwestern Ukraine? Ukraine is undeniably an ally of our British Empire.”

With a serious expression, he warned the Tsar not to covet the territory of the British Empire. He sure showed the demeanor of a pirate state minister.

Ooh, the dignity of the British Foreign Secretary!

Did he think I would just let that slide?

“Any moment, it could be a puppet state we can hand over for the sake of the British Empire. People in Southwestern Ukraine are already crossing over to Russia. From what I gathered, it seems they can’t cope with the effects of the Great Depression either. Shouldn’t we do what Southwestern Ukraine wishes?”

If Southwestern Ukraine desires it, shouldn’t the Tsar take action to have them integrated into Greater Russia and not some lesser version?

Now is the chance, with the Great Depression causing a stir.

“No, what on earth does that mean?”

At this point, Chamberlain, realizing just how much the Tsar views him as a fool, trembles and starts to get angry.

“Anyway, Southwestern Ukraine will be unmanageable for Britain, won’t it?”

“That seems quite excessive, just to defend the Baltics.”

Oh, it looks like he can make that distinction.

“Still, the British mainland will be safe, right? Let me reiterate, this isn’t an enforced annexation of Southwestern Ukraine by Russia. It is solely a matter of deciding based on the will of Southwestern Ukraine. In return, we will fight them hard in Europe. This means Britain will be secure.”

I’m currently pushing for peace in our era recklessly.

I mean, with just a little provocation, we can gain something for ourselves.

But Britain should know it’s impossible to protect Southwestern Ukraine. They should be well aware that they are switching sides because of the Great Depression.

And the location isn’t exactly near. It’s a country that you can only meet after passing through the sea, East Prussia, and Poland.

Unless Britain ties up their economic power, it’d be hard to manage.

But now, Britain couldn’t possibly do that. Therefore, Britain must make a choice.

If you can’t keep it, you’d rather let go and gain a little profit. You can hold on for a while and strike when the time is right.

That’s what Britain would do.

“Umm.”

“How about we stop being stubborn? Wouldn’t it be better to just give and take?”

I mean, Britain stays protected while the U.S. doesn’t intervene, and in return, they defend the Baltics.

Hey, isn’t that a win-win for Britain?

This fool might even see it as a bargain for Britain!

Seriously, aside from the pride of the British Empire, if they can aid in defeating Russia, which is a military state fighting terribly with Communist Germany, how can that be a bad thing?

“The Baltics will definitely be protected, right?”

Oh, look at that.

This fool is accepting it again.

At this point, it seems he’s been fully entrusted with the authority. Plus, he must have taken the lead.

By now, 10 Downing Street would have figured they need to sacrifice something to make Russia a meat shield against Communist Germany.

Then they might at least fear losing a sacrificial lamb.

That sacrificial lamb is none other than Austin Chamberlain, who marked peace season zero in our era.

A person who has committed a diplomatic blunder by supporting Communist Germany, resulting in making them rearm and grow stronger.

They’re planning to sell this guy off moderately while accepting Russia for now.

“Let’s do that. Russia, after all, doesn’t cling to the outdated ideology of imperialism and doesn’t want to harass its neighboring countries.”

“Ahem. Then I will ensure it’s well communicated back to our homeland.”

Even after this provocation, there’s barely any reaction.

If this were the old British Empire, they would have definitely wanted to fight!

Indeed, present-day Britain has become far too weak.

When you think about it, communist Germany is only posturing like they’re so formidable. They are actually in a position where they need to gamble much harder than the historically actual Nazi Germany.

We’re at a stage where we’re both still preparing.

The British Empire is hoping its strength can recover while Russia baits them.

To that end, it would be good to give Russia a little leeway to drain power while fighting against Germany.

As always, the British Empire is pausing for a moment to build strength.

After that, they’ll try to deal with both Germany and Russia when they’ve regained their strength.

I think Churchill might do just that.

Even if it’s not Churchill, the British Empire would try to recover from its mistakes.

So, for now, it makes sense to use Austin Chamberlain as a sacrificial lamb and employ Russia. That seems to be the plan.

Southwestern Ukraine, which was ultimately a loss, was just tossed aside like that.

The Baltics don’t have much reason to be kept either, but at least the Russian army needs to put up a fight there.

Personally, I believe Britain has made a wise decision.

If I were in Britain, I’d decide the same.

Since they must have seen how well Russia fought in the Spanish Civil War, they’d prefer a Russia that would tire out Germany over trusting France, which could turn red at any moment.

“Well then, since the discussion has gone well, let’s rest in Moscow today and head back.”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration.”

Grateful? What are you talking about? I felt sorry for the one who took the lead, so I wanted to help him a bit on his way out.

I mean, it sounds like I’m just spinning it.

Now, the question is me.

Since I made a decision without proper authority, is the Duma going to be angry?

I did everything with a smile meeting such an easy mark, but how the Duma reacts is the real concern.

So I went to see the National Duma to explain the situation.

“You mean you accepted Britain’s no-intervention in the American Civil War and took Southwestern Ukraine in exchange for defending the Baltics?”

“Southwestern Ukraine will likely be decided by a vote. Um, I’m sorry for deciding without consulting the Duma.”

I was happy thinking I had taken a fool, but I felt like this was too unilateral of a decision by the Emperor.

However, the Duma’s reaction seemed pleasantly surprised.

“No, isn’t the original goal to stop them from taking the Baltics? We can consider this a diplomatic victory since it means that Britain came to us in a desperate plea.”

“Is it really that simple? But I do find it strange that you came straight to me without going through the Duma.”

You didn’t just leave it to me, did you?

“The Duma deliberately withheld its response to drive Britain into a corner. That’s likely why they wanted to see you.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Why on earth are these British people finding my actions so bothersome?

They should have settled it at the Duma.

Then again, the Duma might not have brought up Southwestern Ukraine since they were on the side of delaying its acquisition!

“However, Your Majesty.”

“What do you have to say, Minister of Defense?”

“If, as you say, Britain wants to fight hard alongside us, wouldn’t there also be crumbs for Communist Germany?”

I see.

If those British were to be sneaky, they’d want to inflict harm on us even as allies.

For example, we’d have to attack somewhere for Britain to be involved, but right now Russia is only eating rightfully, with no room for British interference.

They could be quietly supporting Germany even more.

“Hmm. That could be the case. What does Communist Germany currently lack the most?”

“Oil is the most lacking.”

Ah, right. Historically, Nazi Germany was just like that.

At least Nazi Germany had Romania to supply oil for a while, right? So what about here?

If that’s the case, maybe we could open up the oil routes.

For instance, I might have requested opening the oil route on the condition of not attacking the lowland countries.

What if France were to fall to communists, and Germany’s oil issues were resolved?

Although Germany isn’t exactly highly regarded without Anschluss or the Munich Agreement, we’d have to defeat them via military quality.

* * *

At 10 Downing Street

Austin Chamberlain, having handed over whatever he had to Russia and achieved a diplomatic victory for them, returned to London confidently.

“The Russian Empress accepted the conditions for American non-intervention and Southwestern Ukraine in exchange for the defense of the Baltics.”

“Good job. This means Russia can only wish for the simultaneous downfall of Communist Germany.”

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin patted the slumped shoulders of Austin Chamberlain for comfort.

Sadly, Austin Chamberlain will now withdraw from politics because of this incident.

In the original history, Anthony Eden was the foreign minister, but Austin Chamberlain, who made a blunder, went to Russia as foreign minister because, as Anastasia expected, he wanted to take full responsibility.

“How does your esteemed Prime Minister plan to make sure those two destroy each other?”

Churchill, who was witnessing the scene of Austin Chamberlain being made into a scapegoat, half-mocked, shot a remark at Stanley Baldwin.

“I plan to open the oil supply route to Communist Germany. That way, they will readily engage in battle with Russia—and in turn, Russia will have no time to focus on us.”

“In the meantime, we will recover our power. Does that mean we’re sacrificing Poland?”

From what he’s saying, it sounds like he’s planning to sacrifice Poland.

If that is the case, are they just going to hand Poland over to Russia?

“Of course, once the German-Russian War breaks out, we will declare war together. We’ll just delay our participation a bit.”

Churchill isn’t opposed to that part of the plan, as Britain needs to weaken Russia to stand tall again. He sees it as good if the British Empire can finish off both Russia and Communist Germany after their squabble.

However.

That would only be feasible if the British Empire could maintain its dignity and have the upper hand in dealing with Communist Germany.

It’s possible only when they can show some diplomatic achievement in the wake of holding the leash of Communist Germany and battling Russia.

But can they do that now?

They are clearly being manipulated by those reds, aren’t they?

“Listen here, Mr. Prime Minister. All of this sounds good. Let’s say the Russians and those reds kill each other. But that doesn’t mean the British Empire will be able to capture them later.”

“What do you mean?”

“As long as we’re holding the reins, we can capture them. But if they have been given the upper hand due to our diplomatic failures, don’t you think those damn Russians will look down on the British Empire?”

“Hmm. A diplomatic mistake and war are different things.”

“That’s correct. And I hear Tsarina managed to pull off American non-intervention from the MacArthur regime, showering us with all her favors to end the civil war and bring war over here across the Atlantic!”

“Nothing has been decided yet. History will one day remember the victory of our Britain, not Germany or Russia!”

What arrogance! Isn’t this simply proof that such acts show Britain is weaker than before?

Churchill was incredibly frustrated.

But now, days like this won’t last long.

Once Prince Edward ascends the throne, burdened with the controversies involving Simpson, he will push through with a marriage regardless of social class.

“Mr. Winston. How long do you plan on leaving the cabinet untouched?”

Oswald Mosley, associated with the National Party, who originally led the British fascist union in history, said with a frustrated expression while walking out of 10 Downing Street.

In this Britain with altered history, he was alongside Churchill in founding the National Party and building his own influence.

The cabinet is already aware of the National Party’s existence.

They were openly criticizing the current cabinet’s blunders while expanding the National Party, aren’t they?

“Just wait. The Tsar in Moscow said the time is near.”

“Should we trust the woman in Moscow?”

“Regardless of anything else, she recognized me, Winston Churchill.”

She even bribed him with the hope he would one day become a hero of the British Empire.

That alone makes her one of the wisest Tsars in Russia’s history.

She is even famous for being able to predict the future, having foreseen the Great Depression the last time around, with the world seeing her as a true saint.

Such a saint supports him.

The answer has already been given.

That great Tsar will surely grab hold of Churchill’s trousers, praying for the British Empire’s support for Russia.

Then, as usual, the British Empire can intercede for peace in Europe and beat the communists while re-establishing order in Europe.

“Well then, first Prince Edward will have to ascend the throne.”

“That’s right.”

If the day comes when the cabinet resigns altogether following the foresight sent through Okhrana by the Tsar, then they can fill the positions with the National Party.

Afterward, with the support of the Tsar and his influence reaching Finland, East Prussia (German Empire), Austria, and the Balkan states, they could rise to prominence as the legitimate government of Britain.

That day isn’t far off.

 

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