Chapter 258


* * *

Einstein seemed heartbroken after the huge damage done to the flies by the nuclear experiment, but it appeared that he was somewhat reconciled to it, as he didn’t feel the need to protest to me about it.

“Dr. Einstein.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Einstein was, after all, acutely aware of the passage of time.

Honestly, I wish he would try a bit harder, like Tesla did, but I also wanted to gift him a nation for the Jews.

“You’ve contributed so much for Russia, and I apologize for bringing you all the way here. However, there’s something I really need to discuss.”

“What is it?”

I handed Einstein a stack of documents.

The Eastern Israel plan.

Unlike in original history, the Jews did not face much persecution in Europe due to Russia’s pro-Jewish policies, and they entered Northern Manchuria through Russia.

Naturally, there was a lack of empathy towards the original Jews, and due to my Eastern Israel plan, the situation regarding Palestine Israel had become a somewhat floating story.

Thanks to that, the Israelis began to hope even more for an Eastern Israel. So now, I needed to prepare in advance.

In a world without the Holocaust, Eastern Israel’s population would likely be significantly larger than that of Israel in original history.

As compensation for allowing them to establish a nation, I had already undertaken the development of Northern Manchuria, so it was something I had to be responsible for in creating Israel. Isn’t that right?

Einstein read through the documents I handed him meticulously.

“This is the Eastern Israel plan. The Jews have long worked for a country from Russia. I decided to establish Eastern Israel for them.”

“Is Palestine not an option?”

“Palestine has already fallen to Turkey, and forcing them into a place where there are Palestinians could lead to endless conflicts in the future.”

Of course, the British were behind that, but anyway, Turkey would handle that area from here on out.

There would be no Middle Eastern wars in the distant future.

Of course, just because there’s no Israel doesn’t mean there won’t be wars, but since Turkey is also a treaty nation, we would surely intervene in any Middle East wars and obliterate them.

“But is China alright?”

“From now on, anything is attainable from Mao Zedong in the United Autonomous Government. If you wish, I can send them to the new Israel. What do you think?”

Now, Einstein had no reason to remain in Russia forcibly.

Already, aside from Einstein, Russia itself had a limitless potential for technological advancements through its own scientific academy. I’d make things happen as he hoped.

“Life in Russia isn’t bad right now, but I would like to contribute to laying the foundations of the Israeli nation.”

Sure. That sounds reasonable. I could fulfill that request.

“Then, after the war, do as you wish. I will support you as needed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Einstein left looking much lighter.

He had worked hard, so let’s make some room for him in Israel.

Now, it was about time for a reaction to come, right?

The news of Chiang Kai-shek’s death.

Chiang Kai-shek had to die quickly for the Treaty Army to control the divided warlords with no unification.

Clearly, seeing the Chinese army launch another offensive suggests that supplies had made it through.

After a while.

“Your Majesty! Chiang Kai-shek is dead!”

Finally, it was said that Chiang Kai-shek had passed away.

It was a pity though. He was the one who had raised Taiwan while still in original history.

Still, I had no regrets.

In the original history, he helped Korea, but that was solely due to shared interests. Here, he had become a man content with just a bit of land, while he would unify, and I couldn’t just sit back and watch.

No matter how many massacres had occurred, China was still China. Ultimately, the population would massively increase.

Once Chiang Kai-shek seized control of China, he could rise to prominence with U.S. support, except if he didn’t openly challenge China, it would play a role in containing Russia again.

It was a good thing that Chiang Kai-shek was exiting at this point.

That way, only the warlords, who were all the same, would remain.

* * *

Temporary Capital of the National Government, Chongqing

Not long ago, Chiang Kai-shek of the Chinese National Government found some relief as enormous supplies poured in from the Treaty Army.

The Japanese were finally igniting their last spark and were starting to push back, putting the National Government on edge again.

But then, like water penetrating the drought-cracked ground, immense supplies from the Treaty Army flowed in, allowing Chongqing’s defensive line to hold once more.

He had one dream.

“If we achieve victory from here, we can proudly boast to be among the victorious nations that defeated Japan!”

The losses were significant, but still, China would be the victor; it would stand tall alongside the great powers.

With the loyalty pledges already secured from the warlords, there would be no difficulties.

After the war, China would achieve unification and, if they grew stronger, could recover Mongolia and Manchuria, lost to Russia.

The reason he was doing this, even while aware of China’s current situation, was simple.

He was Chinese, after all.

China must be strong as the center of the world.

China has to be the strongest and reign over neighboring countries as the big brother of Asia.

Someday, he would regain the hegemony from Russia, known as the great khan of Mongolia and Manchuria.

With that, he aimed for a tripartite system of China, Russia, and America.

He raised the high-quality black tea sent by the Treaty in his hand.

It was said to be premium black tea that had just come in as supplies.

He ordered a new aide from Manchuria to bring it to his office.

Having some leisure now, he was still working diligently, trying not to be interrupted by others, staying hidden in the president’s office, hardly revealing his face.

But this much indulgence would be alright.

And the aide from Manchuria was doing well enough in her work that she had a decent reputation.

As he watched her pour the tea, Chiang Kai-shek suddenly spoke.

“You’re from Manchuria, huh?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“I will soon reclaim Manchuria from those white devils, so do not worry.”

He acted as if he had the luxury of leisure, but before long, he began to feel something strange in his body.

An unknown pain he had never felt before. Chiang Kai-shek turned his gaze towards the aide who had brought him tea.

But she was already gone.

What should he call out? He collapsed shortly after.

“That won’t do, Your Excellency. Trying to seize our great Khan’s land? You shall die for this.”

The Okhrana agent from Manchuria snickered as he exited the president’s office.

After confirming that Chiang Kai-shek had lost his strength, the Okhrana agent affixed a blood request letter stating “The Emperor’s Revenge!” to the door of Chiang Kai-shek’s office before leaving.

It was so easy, too easy.

With connections in Chiang Kai-shek’s entourage, it was easy to enter the office, and the foolish man had left all his armed forces outside, so it was easier than expected.

Originally, the plan was to secretly supply tea to the president’s office and watch Chiang Kai-shek die, but sadly, confirmation was necessary for certainty.

On the surface, there would be no trace, so the Allies wouldn’t suspect they’d committed assassination through food.

“Did we succeed?”

Disguised as an aide, the Okhrana agent safely returned to Manchuria and reported to Beria.

“Yes. He definitely consumed it, and I confirmed he collapsed. If there had been any guards, I was ready to die, but fortunately, there weren’t.”

“Hm, you pushed it a bit. Idiots, leaving the president’s security out to stew. Good job. You’re working for our Tsar. One day, the Tsar will reward you for your efforts.”

“Thank you.”

The Manchurian Okhrana agent bowed his head.

In the original history, Aisin-Gioro Senyu (Japanese name: Kawashima Yoshiko) was tried for being a collaborator with Japan after its defeat and was sentenced to death in this timeline; she successfully assassinated Chiang Kai-shek while working in the Okhrana’s Manchurian branch.

And soon, the National Government swiftly fell apart.

“Who the hell killed the president?”

“It seems to be a Japanese. One aide who worked in the president’s office disappeared, and a blood request was stuck at the door saying it was in the name of the Emperor’s revenge.”

“Are you saying we couldn’t even catch the culprit fleeing?”

“The president was too busy with work, so he told us not to let anyone in unless it was absolutely necessary.”

“Damn it! If the president is gone, we have to fend off the Japanese army on our own!”

The National Government, which had been held together by Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership, crumbled easily. With the Japanese army counterattacking and Chongqing falling, the situation became uncontrollable. However, the army at the northern front surrendered to the Treaty Army, leaving the Japanese army in China stuck in limbo.

And the divided Chinese government called for rescue from Tsar Anastasia of Russia.

Meanwhile, the Balhae Army finally advanced towards Seoul in a surprise operation.

In the streets of Gyeongseong, there was a battle between Koreans armed with Russian-made submachine guns and Treaty Army rifles against the stationed Japanese troops.

“Kill the damned Japanese! Let’s welcome our army!”

“Those wretched Koreans! The Empire has shown us so much grace!”

“Who asked you to help? We are Koreans, not you damned Japanese!”

Young men fought with guns in alleys and main streets against the Japanese army.

Women dying from stab wounds strangled the necks of Japanese military police.

An old scholar struck a Japanese cop’s head with a cane.

Independent activists launched bomb attacks on the Korean Governor-General’s Office.

Middle-aged men threw everything they could find from building windows at Japanese soldiers.

Soldiers drafted into the Japanese army pointed their guns at the Japanese forces when the uprising began.

A fierce battle raged everywhere, one drenched in blood washing away more blood.

And finally.

“We’ve retaken Seoul!”

“Hooray for Korean independence!”

Upon hearing the news of Lee Beom-seok’s army advancing into Seoul, the Governor-General’s Office raised their hands in surrender. The flag of Balhae finally flew over the Governor-General’s Office.

“Those arrogant Japanese bastards!”

The Imperial Way Faction’s flag, which had been torn to shreds at the Korean Governor-General’s Office, was crushed under Lee Beom-seok’s military boots, and the once brilliant flag of the rising sun was burned by the hands of the Koreans.

It was August 15, 1944.

* * *

United States, Washington D.C.

Meanwhile, in America, the situation had turned upside down, and Mutaguchi Renya’s Japanese landing plans leaked through the intelligence department, throwing MacArthur into a panic.

“I’ve only heard reports, but is this truly the last shred of conscience from those Japs? They staged a coup to save their nation.”

“Mutaguchi Renya is a figure even the Imperial General Headquarters keeps an eye on. If he commands, it’s predicted that China would easily fall to Japan.”

“Hmm. This could become troublesome.”

“Apparently, he has built connections with the Tsar since the Russian Civil War. Back then, the Tsar directly mentioned he would become a significant figure.”

“If that’s the case, we can borrow the strength of Russia. We’ll have to hand over some of Japan. But until then, we need to create a mess.”

Originally, the plan was to capture the Japanese islands swiftly, annihilate every Japanese person as they had done to China, revert them to the Stone Age, and make a non-impregnable aircraft carrier for America to contain Russia, but now, at the very least, they had to be stripped of all their power.

“Yes. That seems to be the answer.”

“Is nuclear weapon development still not underway? We need to launch one before Japan.”

“Our scientists are busy after receiving the technology, but.”

Just receiving technology wasn’t enough.

A city needed to be chosen for constructing the facilities to build nuclear weapons, experiments had to be conducted, and so forth. The Japanese were too easily torn apart due to their involvement in the Rome Treaty.

If it continued this way, Japan would have already surrendered by the time they were ready to create anything.

However, MacArthur knew the answers.

“Nuclear weapon development is still far off. They could surrender before then. The fact that Russia has shared nuclear weapon technology means they’ve already stockpiled nuclear weapons. This time, we’ll resolve it with money.”

Right. In the end, it’s all about money. Bastard Tsars would be fed whatever they wanted.

“With money?”

“The Tsar is a crass materialist who’s only after money, and we are a nation big enough to satisfy such a Tsar. Just as we buy weapons from them, they’d become reliant on us to sustain themselves. Considering development time, resolving it through money would be better, right?”

That meant the Americans would engage in the extraordinary mission of buying Russian weapons to contain Russia in the future.

They would smash Japan to bits and drop nuclear bombs to ensure Japan would never rise again.

This was also a contingency plan for if Japan fell to Russia.

“Then, which city are you thinking of targeting? We need to pass on some information to request sales from the Tsar, right?”

“Right. The city of Kokura, where they produce the largest scale of aerial weapons in Japan. And let’s make Kyoto, their spiritual capital, the target.”

MacArthur pointed at the two cities on the map.

It was determined to drop nuclear bombs on Japan not at Nagasaki and Hiroshima as in original history, but with the intent to shatter it completely.

That was what MacArthur was aiming for.