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* * *

The feeling of being escorted by both Eastern and Western cavalry, how should I put it… Hmm. It’s truly indescribable.

As I arrived in Southern Manchuria, I found that the Rome Treaty Army had taken over the administrative system and was serving as a supply base for the Chinese Treaty Army and the Balhae Army.

Under the proposal of Semenov, the commander of the Rome Treaty Far Eastern Expeditionary Forces, who hailed from the naval and ground forces of the Rome Treaty, they were now managing Southern Manchuria as bureaucrats.

“It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty, the Tsar.”

I don’t know what kind of connection it is, but the Treaty Army protecting Southern Manchuria was made up of the German Empire Army, with Alexander von Falkenhausen serving as the defense commander of the Rome Treaty Army in Southern Manchuria.

What a strange connection this is.

“Weren’t there quite a few Japanese here as well?”

“It seems everyone is in a daze. They were suddenly captured, after all. However, since the Treaty Army established military governance and engaged them in their livelihoods, they are following the orders diligently. There are quite a few Koreans living here too. I’ll be in quite a bind when it comes to disposing of this place after the war.”

Right. Then it seems I should lay some groundwork for where to hand this over after the war.

“I haven’t decided where to dispose of this after the war, but may I offer a suggestion?”

“Do you have any plans in mind?”

“Southern Manchuria is quite developed, supported by the Japanese government, to serve as a supply base. Japan had already established a presence here, making it look quite plausible. I can’t just hand over Southern Manchuria when we might have to give up all our colonies. Isn’t it originally separate land?”

“Then do you intend to seek independence towards Manchuria? Or perhaps incorporation into Russia?”

No way. The land is already ample, and it’s burdensome enough for Russia to manage just the Rome Treaty territories, let alone gain more territory here.

Now that it’s all set, it’s time to bring up the Korean issue.

“There’s already the Qing Dynasty and Northern Manchuria. Southern Manchuria, when traced back, was the territory of ancient Joseon and Goguryeo, ancestors of Korea. Since it happens to have a significant Korean population, let’s hand it over to Korea. I’ll discuss this separately in Rome, so please prepare for it.”

“Understood.”

Indeed, even if geographically I am Korean, it makes sense to hand it over to Korea to maintain balance.

After all, the territorial situation in China is bound to get messy after the war, so having Southern Manchuria attached to the Korean Peninsula might make it look neat enough.

Now then, shall I take a gander around Southern Manchuria before making my way to the Korean Peninsula?

“Your Majesty, will you head to China, where the Treaty Army is? How about the Forbidden City?”

“The Forbidden City, huh.”

Semenov seems unable to resist the draw of the emperor’s aura.

“The King of Qing is likely preparing to meet you. You could personally visit and receive the loyalty pledge of Qing King Puyi as the new ruler of the Forbidden City, and at the same time, obtain the surrender of the commander of the expeditionary forces.”

“The commander of the expeditionary forces?”

“That would be Okamura Yasushi, quite the figure.”

Why on Earth is his name Yasushi?

I seriously want to ask why that person’s name is like that.

Of course, it’s different from Korean, but still, it feels odd.

“Yes, the name does seem to carry weight.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. So, was that fellow also responsible for committing atrocities on the Chinese front?”

Even if he surrenders, he’ll still have to face trial for war crimes.

Most of those from the Imperial General Headquarters are doomed to face the trial anyway, but still.

“The genocide operation against the Chinese was carried out in the South, but he seems to have not been significantly involved as he was assigned to Northern China. However, I believe he was responsible for the Ichigo operation, which completely destroyed the airfields in Southern China. Thanks to that, we barely regained air superiority amidst the pressure.”

I nodded at Drozdovsky’s words.

“Yet, he got us fleeced.”

By the time we went in, the Japanese had already lost air superiority dreadfully.

They stood no chance against a force as significant as the Treaty Army.

“Yes, Okamura Yasushi was ordered to defend the area, but given the current circumstances, he has surrendered to us.”

Certainly. If he has any sense, surrendering is the only option.

“Hmm, as for the Korean Governor-General’s Office…”

“That area seems to have been taken over by the Balhae Army, with Governor Abe Nobuyuki’s surrender leading to the establishment of the administration.”

The surrender of the Governor-General.

Unfortunately, it seems I can’t go see it myself.

I’m a Russian, not a Korean. While I might wander around for overseas visits after the war, for now, it’s entirely up to the Balhae government.

What a pity.

Thanks to possessing the body of a Russian noble, it became easier to support Korea, but it’s a bitter disappointment not to see the independent Korea firsthand.

But then again, there’s nothing I can do about it. I can always visit later.

I mustn’t be the one to disturb the joy of independence achieved through the efforts of the Koreans.

Now, should we head to the Forbidden City?

Meeting Qing King Puyi, I might be able to have the Japanese army surrender just by stepping in myself.

After all, those who realize it’s already over are all surrendering. If I step forward, the situation on the Chinese front should be seen as effectively concluded.

“Let’s head to the Forbidden City.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With this, it seems the issue of Southern Manchuria will become part of Korea.

Next up, it’s Puyi.

* * *

The journey from Southern Manchuria to Beijing was relatively quick since the Treaty Army had done all the hard work.

Upon arriving at the Forbidden City, I found Puyi to be quite manly, more so than I had initially expected.

He appeared better than during his time as a mere puppet ruler of the Manchukuo Empire in history.

“Are you Puyi?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is a great honor to meet Your Imperial Majesty of Russia, from the Aisin Gioro clan. Your Majesty.”

Puyi and Wang Jingwei bowed before me.

Seeing this scene in the Forbidden City feels quite surreal.

“Thanks to this war, the Treaty Army was able to launch attacks on the Japanese army, allowing the Treaty Army to strike them from behind safely. I appreciate that.”

“Of course, it is something that must be done for the independence of the Qing.”

What nonsense. They turned on the Japanese out of desperation to survive.

Honestly, had the Treaty Army not attacked the Japanese, the Qing would ultimately have fallen to Japan anyway.

Regardless, this fellow has played his part, so I should at least allow the preservation of the Qing Dynasty.

“True. That’s correct. But there will always be those who can’t even manage that. Though he is the King of a Japanese puppet state, out of consideration for his situation, I shall continue to recognize him as the Qing monarch. However, there will be some territorial adjustments. If you follow my orders well, your country will be maintained under the protection of Russia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will do anything!”

Good. Good. I like this.

Considering he ended up as a gardener in the original history, this is quite the perfect ending.

At the very least, he can maintain a country by grabbing onto a piece of land.

And there’s something I need to confirm with Puyi.

Even though I am recognized as the Great Khan by the Manchus, it’s not as if the name Aisin Gioro has vanished completely.

Isn’t that why the soldiers loyal to Puyi are still fighting against the Japanese army?

This must be clarified.

“Firstly, the most important thing is to designate Northern Manchuria as Russian territory, while Southern Manchuria will be Korean territory. However, this must be recognized by you, being a descendant of the Qing imperial family.”

You need to acknowledge this verbally.

This clear demarcation is crucial to avoid future territorial disputes.

That was initially the reason for wanting to place Israel in between, but whatever.

“It’s already been long abandoned by Aisin Gioro in Manchuria. I’ll officially recognize it after the war.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

I’m glad he didn’t protest.

He understands he’s in no position to argue after his life was spared.

Seeing the abysmal defeat of the Japanese army against the Treaty Army, he would realize that qualitatively and quantitatively, the Japanese army stands no chance against the Treaty Army.

Let alone the Qing army, which would be obliterated outright.

After all, Puyi ascended to the throne as a puppet emperor without genuine authority.

Just this is already something to be grateful for.

Considering his lack of capability, personally, he might be the greatest benefactor in Asia alongside Mutaguchi Renya.

On a national level, though in the aftermath of Balhae’s fall, Korea is a beneficiary that has recovered Manchuria thanks to the Treaty Organization.

In any case, we must soothe the sentiments of the Qing people.

Since I’ve decided to keep Puyi as our puppet, I need to ensure that the Chinese within Qing territory live as Qing citizens, while also differentiating them from the current Southern China.

We also need to secure favorable public sentiment towards Puyi.

From what I’ve gathered, the public sentiment of the Qing towards Puyi is split.

Those previously under Qing rule feel indifferent, while those who were plundered as a result of Japan’s puppet state harbor anti-Qing sentiments. However, Puyi has managed to secure a certain level of approval by directly fighting the Japanese army with his inner guard.

To fully establish the Qing’s presence, this sentiment must be turned fully in Puyi’s favor.

Firstly, the Treaty Army should supply weapons to Puyi, our ‘friend’ and ally, while also providing massive support to the Qing citizens who were plundered by the puppet state in Puyi’s name.

Simultaneously, we’ll amplify the anti-Japanese sentiment by spreading incidents involving concentration camps and blaming Japan entirely for the plundering of the Treaty Army.

At the same time, we need to remind them that the Qing is currently the only nation in China that hasn’t experienced such atrocities (genocide).

“Wouldn’t it be better to choose the Qing instead?”

“The Russian emperor has been helping us for a while. Japan just took it away.”

“Given the state of Southern China, it would be better to live in the Qing. The Western powers are backing them.”

“But what’s with this mint chocolate?”

In troubled times, people tend to follow those who offer warmth and plenty.

The 20th century was no different.

With Japan sowing even greater chaos, public sentiment is as fickle as reeds, so the Chinese of the Qing, whether Han or Manchu, can’t help but follow the stable Qing.

Yet, this alone won’t suffice.

To completely distinguish the Qing from the Southern China populace, we ought to convey that they are different from the Chinese in Southern China!

By establishing their own differentiation, we’ll create the groundwork for future disputes with Southern China.

Only then will Qing be unable to rely on anyone but us.

“Beria. Do you have a plan?”

“Of course, I do.”

True to form, Beria remains cunning. Let’s hear what he has to say.

“Don’t string me along; just spill it.”

With my question, Beria cleared his throat and spoke with a fox-like smile, one I’d like to slap away.

“China’s history of foreign rule is long. Especially in Northern China. Among them, the nomadic states that settled in this northwestern region were powerful.”

“That’s true. But just because the Northern Chinese dynasties were strong doesn’t mean we can establish a differentiation, does it?”

If there had been such a distinction, the Qing wouldn’t have lasted so long.

“The ruling class may be foreign, but the majority of the ruled are Han Chinese. This will provide a justification that the Qing citizens can solidify due to historical reasons. The concentration camps established by Japan will be crucial in this.”

“Continue.”

“Although it is a puppet state, Qing citizens have only been plundered for resources and conscription; aside from criminals, there are hardly any who have been interned in camps. ‘This is evidence that Southern China is inferior and brought this upon themselves.’ ‘Qing’s Northern Chinese citizens are descendants of the strong Northern Chinese dynasties throughout Chinese history, and Japan recognized this by treating them as a puppet state,’ ‘The Treaty Army has also assisted Qing in this regard.’ This will serve as the propaganda spread via the Oriental origin of Okhrana. Those Qing citizens who have previously been overshadowed by the feeling of defeat will come to feel pride in themselves. Surely this will lead to them believing they are different from the inferior Southern Chinese.”

I see. You want to turn defeat into an advantage.

If at the last minute they stand against Japan and oust the Imperial General Headquarters, it really might instill a sense of pride in them that they have beaten the Japanese army, unlike the Southern Chinese.

Much like how, after the Russian Civil War’s aftermath, the descendants of the Eastern Roman Empire inspired Russians with their pride.

Thinking they are differentiated from Southern China, the Qing citizens won’t seek unification.

In contrast, just as China saw its surrounding nations as barbarians, the Qing citizens will disdainfully consider the Southern Chinese as such.

After the war, as long as the Treaty Army takes care of them, that sentiment will only grow.

Consequently, they won’t consider unification, and the Southern Chinese will not view the Northern Qing Chinese favorably owing to that sense of superiority!

“Not bad. Then, let’s go ahead with that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

By thus segregating the Qing, and excluding those who will later attempt to establish an autonomous region, such as Mao Zedong, the other warlords will surely end up fighting each other for unity, sketching a clear picture.

We’ll permanently divide China!

I wish for China to flourish so much that it multiplies.

Now that the war is reaching its peak, I simply wish to subtly align my desire with Mao Zedong’s autonomous project.

“Your Majesty, are you going to leave Qing as is?”

Gregory Semenov seems to be troubled by that.

But it’s impossible for a white man to become the emperor of a yellow race.

My personal desire also isn’t to be the emperor of China.

The territory is already vast enough, why bother?

“It is better for humanity to allow China to remain divided as it is. There’s no need for me to assume the role of their ruler and unnecessarily stabilize China.”

From the perspective of the Chinese, one might wonder, after tormenting them for so long, why would I want to slice up their country! It feels a bit off.

The truth is, Chinese people are not likely to accept me anyway. Having ample titles already, I am not particularly inclined.

Of course, I could change China under my rule, but I would be the one bearing the responsibility to exhaust Russia’s national power on China’s development. Why would I want to dive into that hell?

Having struggled my way to this position, it would be nonsensical to squander national resources on developing China.

“As long as we have sufficient land in Israel, we can perform the role of our army and utilize Qing; splitting China shouldn’t be an issue.”

A Qing with no emperor, only kings in existence.

It’s as if they have lost the mandate of heaven.

“Well, that’s a pity,” Gregory Semenov remarked, seeming regretful.

There’s no need to feel regret. I’m already the emperor of the once mightiest nation of Europe, Rome.

“Also, the emperor of China lost the mandate of heaven due to the Manchu Qing’s fall long ago. Strictly speaking, the celestial authority of the son of heaven in China can be seen as having passed to the Emperor of the Korean Empire as Joseon inherited the will of the Ming Dynasty when it became the Korean Empire.”

If you ask, it’s not entirely inaccurate.

Thus, perhaps I should go to Lee Woo and ask them to recognize my celestial authority. Doesn’t that make more sense?

 

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