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* * *

Then shouldn’t Ethiopia tie Italy down even more?

Hmm, I wonder if they’ll support Ethiopia with new weapons?

“How about supporting Ethiopia a little more?”

I cautiously asked the military generals.

“You’re trying to tie Italy down.”

It’s better to tie Italy down.

One must always prepare for all scenarios.

Especially when you’re a leader of a nation. You need to take responsibility for your position and protect the country. It’s essential to be prepared to bear the responsibility for causing such events.

Communist Germany and Communist Italy are ultimately bizarre Reds that I, as Princess Anastasia, have led to victory over White Russia.

So, I need to prepare a lot.

Honestly, I hoped Churchill’s royal faction would take control and show a stronger stance. With things this way, will they even have time to cooperate with us while clashing with the autonomous regions?

For now, let’s be satisfied with Britain easing off a bit.

We need to weaken Communist Italy and Germany elsewhere.

Then Ethiopia, which can manage a decent number of troops, is optimal.

“Ethiopia is still holding up well. It seems the Italian army is struggling because the Emperor is continuously commanding troops at the front.”

That’s a relief, but I hope Haile Selassie keeps holding on. Continuously.

“Yeah, that’s fortunate.”

If Haile Selassie’s Ethiopian Army can hold on as much as possible, it might be good to kick off World War II around this time.

What if we focus on the American Civil War, and while Germany lets their guard down, we stir something up?

Ah, that would be a pain.

For now, the American Civil War has the Spanish Army reinforcements in full force, and they’ve been raking in gold.

If we just capture Trotsky, won’t that be enough for us to contribute?

“Well, it’s clear that we’re on the brink of war.”

Should we just watch things unfold this way?

What about Japan? It’s about time to declare war. Reports from the Northern Manchuria Governor-General’s office say the Japanese army is gathering at the Manchurian Railway.

The Far East Army is also on high alert just in case.

Soon, the Sino-Japanese War will start, and China will surely have something to say. They’ll be begging for help under the pretense of pro-Russian sentiments.

It would be nice if Mutaguchi Renya messes things up too.

I’ve built him up quite a bit, so it’s obvious he’ll be involved in this Sino-Japanese War. He might end up in a significant position.

If he ends up leading the charge against China, well…

The Japanese military should easily push back the Chinese army, but they should at least show signs of being able to mess with China properly.

To do that, it might be good to impose some early damage on Japan.

As long as we don’t attack, we should be satisfied with that.

Right now, Russia may not be as daunting as the United States to Japan, but it will be seen as a country they must consider even during war.

Ultimately, our front line is Austria.

If Austria needs to block the maximum three countries, the Balkan nations will have to draft troops somehow.

“We’ve stationed our troops in the Baltics, so what have we done to secure the western defense line?”

Now Britain can’t say a word about our preparations for war.

With Churchill in that position, and Germany openly making moves to go to war again.

Everything coming out related to Germany is about military rearmament and strengthening military power.

I’d love to push forward disregarding international relations and laws, but then the situation wouldn’t look good.

In the future, I’d be branded as a threat to European order rather than a force that upholds it. So I’ve repeatedly calmed myself, delaying any assault on Germany.

If it were a game, I would’ve just attacked without thinking.

“Your Majesty, we’ve made many preparations until now.”

“The Defense Minister is correct. Let’s observe for the time being.”

Let’s hold off for a while.

Yeah, I want to do that too. But to be honest, even with Britain, things have taken a turn I didn’t intend. The royal faction taking control is one thing.

I was quite surprised that Churchill couldn’t control the autonomous regions.

I never imagined it would come to this. I had thought the issue of marrying my ex-wife was only a problem for the main British island.

“Ugh.”

Am I worrying too much?

This indeed needs to explode at some point, but hmmm. Turkey is definitely on our side.

Ukraine wasn’t initially against the Soviet Union due to famine and hardship, but they genuinely wanted to become our nation.

As for the Baltic States, if they willingly accept Russian influence, then it doesn’t matter. We have troops stationed there, so everything should be fine.

Then what? Do we have to trust Austria?

“Hmm, but I’m still concerned.”

I’ve changed a lot of surrounding history, but I won’t know for sure unless I’m in Moscow to see it directly.

All I have is the reports from our yes-men in the National Duma.

They’re the survivors of the civil war, and they support the Duma system, so like the nobility being loyal to the Tsar, they wouldn’t think mindlessly. “Our Tsar is the best! Your Majesty, here’s how things are!”

Seeing is believing, right?

I should go see either Austria or America in person someday.

I need to check out this changed world since I can’t know how far the variables can stretch unless I experience it myself.

A little while later.

Savinkov, who was keeping an eye on China, brought back the news I was waiting for.

“Your Majesty, the Chinese United Army command has been established in China.”

“What does that mean?”

“It seems it’s a warlord coalition formed to oppose Japan.”

“I see. Is the leader Chiang Kai-shek or Mao Zedong?”

“They say it’s Mao Zedong.”

Hmm? Isn’t Mao Zedong currently in Guangdong?

On the other hand, I believe Chiang Kai-shek controls Nanjing and the surrounding areas.

Isn’t Chiang Kai-shek the better option then?

“If Mao Zedong inherited Guangdong, shouldn’t Chiang Kai-shek be the better choice?”

“Mao Zedong has advocated for a military coalition among warlords against foreign invasions across the 27 Chinas and seems to be quite popular among them.”

Wow. I might actually have to like this era’s Mao Zedong.

Mao Zedong, who built a connection with Russia while Russia was rising during the era of Chen Zhongming, claims 27 Chinas.

Isn’t that cool?

Killing him later when he’s no longer useful wouldn’t be bad, but for now, Mao Zedong is definitely more useful to Russia than Chiang Kai-shek.

Whether splitting into North and South dynasties or going into the Three Kingdoms period, considering the population and territory, China will be a strong force even as divided nations.

So, it’s better to divide enough.

“The fact that he’s so popular means that currently, no warlord has the capability to unify.”

Since they lack the ability to unify, they probably want to avoid wars as much as possible.

“Yes. Chiang Kai-shek seems quite capable, but he has reportedly been at odds with Mao Zedong for a long time.”

Chiang Kai-shek. He would indeed do that.

Though he urged the great powers to grant Korea independence, as I said before, this guy was a Chinese nationalist who would make Korea a client state.

It’s probably no different here.

“Hmm. Then naturally, Chiang Kai-shek would cry out for one China.”

“As expected, Your Majesty. You see the world from Moscow.”

Ungern stares at me with twinkling eyes, worshipping me sneakily.

I know what kind of person Chiang Kai-shek is, but Chiang Kai-shek, who doesn’t want to accept the order led by Mao Zedong, has no choice but to advocate for one China.

If he accepts Mao Zedong’s ideology, he’d be handing over the hegemony of Central China to him.

In the end, while it may not be a Nationalist-Communist civil war, chaotic anarchistic forces of Chinese style will fight against Chiang Kai-shek and the warlords under him.

I need to keep an eye on the Sino-Japanese War as well.

They could intervene if necessary.

If they’re on the verge of losing, we can provide reasonable military support through Xinjiang.

“Keep an eye on that side too. We need to intervene if necessary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I feel like I’m worrying too much. Yet still, something feels off.

Even if Communist Germany fights Austria and we’ve exercised caution, isn’t it usual for a government writer to smash plausibility at a time like this?

* * *

Nanjing, China

After the Legalist War, China was ruled by warlords, maintaining a fragmented Chinese system.

However, as Japan moved a massive army via the Manchurian Railway from the islands and Korea, things heated up quickly.

In fact, the Chinese warlords had anticipated Japan’s invasion well in advance.

After all, during the Legalist War, when Japan demanded various interests, they had made a series of excuses to refuse, knowing that it irked Japan.

Moreover, considering the military strengths demonstrated in the Manchurian Railway, they had no choice but to expect an invasion someday.

Thus, Mao Zedong was always ready.

He prepared for Japan’s eventual attack.

“Comrades ruling various regions of China! Over a million Japanese troops have moved to the Manchurian Railway from the Japanese islands together with the garrison in Korea! The Japanese have finally revealed their true intentions!”

The warlords listening to Mao Zedong’s speech were nodding in agreement, grimacing, or displaying frustrated expressions.

“But I, Mao Zedong, have no intention of sitting back and taking it! From this position, I ask all warlords! Although we rule various regions and grow by competing with each other! Isn’t all of this for the sake of Central China and the Chinese nation? Then we must unite to confront Japan, which threatens the existence of our Chinese identity!”

Figures like Yan Xishan, Ma Bufang, Li Zongren, and Sheng Shicai agreed with Mao Zedong’s speech.

While Mao Zedong is leading a union, it doesn’t necessarily lead to unification.

Moreover, Mao Zedong is the proponent of multiple Chinas—27 Chinas.

Each warlord, deeply rooted in Chinese nationalism, harbors ambitions of becoming the leader of a unified China, which is why it makes sense for them to accept Mao Zedong as the leader of the coalition.

At least, he wouldn’t claim unification after this war ends.

Thus, while Mao Zedong passionately delivers his speech, the warlords remain unmoved.

“Comrade Mao Zedong is right!”

“Our China may be divided, but we are one!”

“We shall entrust the command of the united forces to Chairman Mao Zedong!”

*Clap, clap, clap, clap*

Amidst thunderous applause, the Chinese United Army was finally established.

The United Army gathered in Nanjing and decided to proceed north to formally declare war on the puppet emperor in Beijing and defend the borders.

“Those bastards have claimed that the emperor must also hold the title of the Chinese Son of Heaven! I suspect they will try to capture the emperor and strip him of his legitimacy, so all troops in Hebei Province and Rehe Province should defend Beijing, and while Beijing holds firm, we will take the opportunity to counterattack against their negligence!”

The warlord forces stationed in Rehe Province and Hebei Province would move entirely to Beijing, drawing the enemy’s attention and enabling a counterattack.

It was a quite plausible plan, and while not all of the United Army was equipped with the latest Russian rifles, they looked like they could still put up a decent fight against the strong Japanese.

Yeah. On the surface, it looks like that.

“Ha. Anarchists.”

Chiang Kai-shek, who was in charge of supplies from behind, couldn’t accept this.

How dare someone who claims to be multiple Chinas have the qualifications to command a united army rather than a united China.

In this world, after China got divided, Chiang Kai-shek became exceptionally radical.

He was dreaming of capturing Mao Zedong and driving both Russia and Japan out of Mongolia and Manchuria.

But not just yet.

Chiang Kai-shek decided to watch and wait until that opportunity arises.

Stepping carefully, Chiang Kai-shek waited for his moment.

As they say, “watch and wait.”

While Chiang Kai-shek was keeping an eye out, some were making thoughts that could be heard as treasonous.

“We need to negotiate with Japan.”

That was Wang Jingwei, who claims to be the true successor of Sun Yat-sen.

For now, he was merely an employee under Chiang Kai-shek’s Nanjing government, but Wang Jingwei accurately assessed the situation.

As a person who carries on the legacy of Sun Yat-sen, he must restore the Republic of China under the Three Principles of the People.

Currently, China cannot win against Japan.

Just like a horse with two heads can’t move forward in one direction, he knew well that each warlord with ambitions for a unified China was not sincerely following Mao Zedong.

Japan can act so confidently because the great powers are too distracted to pay attention to China.

Russia was supporting Chen Zhongming, who intended to partition China, so how could such a nation win against Japan? Hence, they must negotiate with Japan.

Though it may mean handing over various interests, they should minimize damage and plan for the future.

Japan can’t rule the Central plains, populated by hundreds of millions, so they would prefer a government they can manage.

Therefore, it would be wiser to align with Japan.

Wang Jingwei was ready to cross over to Japan.

After all, they still nominally recognized the Qing emperor as the legitimate emperor.

He just had to provide Japan with a reason.

By ceding the Beijing area, he could at least invoke some degree of justification for Japan’s victory and establish some sort of compromise.

After all, Japan’s ambitions won’t end just with China.

He knew very well that the rising Asian spirit in Japan would eventually push toward French Indochina.

He just needed to seize that opportunity.

Though the ever-watchful Dairi posed a threat, once war broke out, crossing over to Japan wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Indeed, this China cannot exist without me!”

That was the moment when a traitor named Wang Jingwei was born, but he did not see himself as a traitor.

He was only doing it all for China.

The Chinese United Army was formed.

On September 7, 1937, Japan formally delivered a declaration of war to the Forbidden City, claiming to attack China, which had an emperor.

Though they followed protocol as best as they could, here’s the summary.

“Our Emperor must rightly assume the throne of the Son of Heaven in Central China as the elder brother of Asia. The Qing Emperor must hand over the throne!”

Although not as bad as in actual history, even this claim about the throne of China was delicate enough for the Sino-Japanese War to break out.

As far as this, it at least carries some degree of plausibility, but…

Months later, as the Emperor led the interior army to Shenyang in Southern Manchuria, an unbelievable piece of news reached Hirohito’s ears.

“Your Majesty! Congratulations! There’s news that Mutaguchi Renya, the governor-general of Southern Manchuria, has completely annihilated the main forces of the United Army in Hebei Province, Rehe Province, and Beijing!”

“Oh. A truly commendable figure worthy of praise from the Empress of Russia. I must personally go to the Forbidden City to applaud his achievements!”

Thus, an event unfolded where the Chinese United Army was completely defeated by Mutaguchi Renya, a dark independence warrior who would later lead to the fall of the Japanese army in real history through the Imphal operation.

 

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