---

“What’s going on? The main force in the war against Japan was our Chinese National Government!”

“If it weren’t for us, it would have been our Republic that was destroyed by that uncivilized nation, Japan. And we’ll never receive any reparations.”

Unfortunately, the fury of the United States exceeded all imaginations.

Even the already destroyed cities saw soybeans being scattered again, while areas where Japanese soldiers might be hiding were set ablaze, engulfing everything in flames.

In fact, it might not have escalated to this point if they had surrendered earlier, but Japan had been far too bold before the Rome Treaty Organization arrived.

Having engaged in a long-term war, the Americans’ fury was no trifling matter, and luckily, thanks to seizing the initiative before the reversal of public opinion, they hoped for complete retribution against Japan from MacArthur’s military regime.

MacArthur immediately launched the operation to devastate Japan.

The so-called Olympic Operation. Dubbed the Collapse Operation, this plan aimed to obliterate the Japanese mainland and not only that, but also to drop nuclear bombs, showing Japan what it meant to challenge a white nation and serving as a warning to other countries in the future.

Of course, there’s no government to pay reparations.

Even if Mutaguchi Renya is attempting to stabilize Western Japan, that’s only the northern half of Honshu at best.

“What do you mean by that?”

“All of Japan is currently ablaze. Do you think they have the capability to pay reparations? It will be difficult to receive even material compensation. The United States intends to regress the civilization of the Japanese archipelago far beyond even pre-modern times. It would be quicker to persuade the US. We’re also thinking of handing over the disposal of the Japanese mainland to the US in this intervention.”

It would be better not to speak of Mutaguchi Renya’s pro-Rome Treaty Organization regime.

However, Soong Mei-ling was no fool.

While her husband Chiang Kai-shek united the warlords and dealt with piles of documents in the Chancellor’s office, it was Soong Mei-ling who helped maintain the National Government.

She understood very well the implications of what Louis Mountbatten was saying.

“If you wish to rebuild the country, accept Mao Zedong’s proposal for regional autonomy.”

That was exactly what it meant.

In other words, it was like telling her to give up on the unification of Central China.

“However, this is not something only the U.S. can accomplish.”

“What do you mean?”

Soong Mei-ling could not contain her anger, but she momentarily shut her mouth at the cold expression on Louis Mountbatten’s face.

“The capitals of the two countries of the Red Front, the French Commune and Yugoslavia, have turned into hell against the will of the Tsar of Russia. That day is vividly etched in my memory. Once the city of Paris, famed for its arts, was twisted in the form of the Eiffel Tower, and the entire city became a hell. The survivors became living corpses. It might be inappropriate for me to say this at home, but dying on the battlefield could seem like a blessing compared to that.”

Louis Mountbatten’s face seemed entranced, as if he were lost in something.

Soong Mei-ling listened intently to every word.

She began to learn how the city was erased.

Paris is said to have been decimated by Pétain’s divine weapon, but no one could be foolish enough to ignore that the French hero Pétain succumbed to the Tsar’s threats.

“This is a personal statement. What I want to convey to the Republic is this: it is better to submit when the Tsar gives you an opportunity.”

The bulldog of the home country’s prime minister is currently wagging its tail to avoid having to stuff that bizarre ice cream into its nose to survive.

Compared to that empress, Soong Mei-ling is no more than a puppy barking at a tiger.

So this was at least minimal advice.

Whether they heed this or not is up to the National Government, but as a human being, this much needed to be said.

When Louis Mountbatten firmly stated that material support could no longer be provided, Soong Mei-ling felt a headache coming on.

If the supply of goods ceased, starvation would soon follow, and rebuilding each city would be a challenge.

On the other hand, with Mao Zedong’s proposed government and the Qing Dynasty receiving help from the Rome Treaty Organization, they would surely be rebuilt.

More importantly, just a while ago, the Tsar killed warlord leaders claiming to split China, thus drawing in the warlords.

If she gave up here, it would be the end.

“Dairi. What should we do?”

Soong Mei-ling called Dairi to discuss potential solutions.

What in the world should they do?

Soong Mei-ling could not find an answer on how to save the National Government at this point.

“Whichever way it goes, it’s difficult. If we accept this proposal for the future, we probably won’t ever be able to unite again.”

“So?”

From the beginning, it was blocked no matter which way they turned.

At best, Soong Mei-ling and the National Government could barely maintain power in the divided territories.

As of now, there are no viable options.

“But if we continue to cling to this, it’s clear the Tsar will be angered. Honestly, there’s no viable option. For now, we have no choice but to plead with the Tsar to acknowledge us, no matter what.”

Right now, all they could do was plead with the Tsar.

“Is there really no other way?”

But Dairi wasn’t just thoughtlessly suggesting to plead!

Dairi had his own ideas.

“Perhaps they won’t use the weapon capable of erasing the city. After all, we are not their enemies. Above all else, if such a weapon is used, it will attract the attention of the international community. They may have had justification for reaching the Commune, but if they were to use such a weapon on a deteriorating China, it would shake their standing.”

The weapon that could destroy cities.

It would be hard to use that.

Just simply saying they wouldn’t do it sounds like a thought, but if it involved such a weapon, they would have to consider the eyes of the international community.

If they were to throw such a weapon at a nation that only recently suffered from war issues, how would the world perceive it?

And Dairi had one more variable in mind.

“And the Tsar is a Saint. Why don’t you invite the Tsar directly here? How about asking for consideration regarding the difficult circumstances of the Chinese people?”

This was the method Dairi had in mind.

To invite the Tsar.

This Tsar holds the position of a saint in the world.

If leveraged properly, it could arouse enough sympathy from the international community.

In this way, the Tsar would have no choice but to acknowledge the National Government.

“For the Tsar, it would put him in a position where he can’t do anything.”

“That’s how it will become.”

It might be a bit cowardly, but it was the Tsar who first sought to divide China.

No matter how much of a great power the opponent is, they aren’t looking to be so easily defeated.

“Alright, then let’s send a sincere letter to the Tsar again. Dairi, it would be great if you went in person.”

“Understood.”

Unlike Chiang Kai-shek, who only ever turned to hope and miracles, this was indeed a very realistic approach.

Using the Tsar’s status as a saint.

Who in the world could come up with such a novel idea?

Only someone as dangerous as Dairi, called the most dangerous man in China, could think of something like this.

But.

They still did not know what kind of person Anastasia was.

* * *

Soong Mei-ling sent another letter.

So much so that she could unknowingly curse in Korean.

“This girl is quite clever.”

Indeed, that girl was quite clever.

She invited me to their capital.

With the utmost politeness, she added various embellishments to her request.

“Honestly, I’m dumbfounded.”

I thought they wouldn’t come out like this, using the fact that she’s a saint.

I am not China’s saint, so it doesn’t concern me. I can let it slide this way, but still, seeing China’s condition, she is supposed to be a saint. How can it be?

What a clever approach she has taken.

It’s something I don’t really have to go through with, but treating me as a saint means I can hardly refuse.

“That’s infuriating.”

But it truly is infuriating.

In fact, from this letter, it seems that there are still Japanese soldiers in Nanjing and Southern China, looting and causing trouble.

Trying desperately to portray themselves as victims and inconvenience everyone else.

If I were to ask this, and Soong Mei-ling ended up saying something about how the saint abandoned China, she’s giving me a reason to dismiss her and a reason for them to garner sympathy.

“How arrogant.”

“Yet we cannot retaliate. Attacking China here would only damage the noble cause of anti-imperialism.”

“Hmm. It seems the Chinese fox has been calculating quite a bit.”

“Just ignore it. It’s a matter of dealing with the Korean Peninsula and Qing Dynasty, so why not neglect them?”

Sure. It is indeed something I could ignore.

But doesn’t this sting a little?

What should be done? Ignoring them is an option, but at the same time, if in the future it is said that Anastasia turned down Soong Mei-ling’s invitation to tear apart China, that would go down unfavorably.

“But ultimately, isn’t what Soong Mei-ling wants to say that? Since there are Japanese soldiers still in Nanjing, we must receive material support. And don’t tear apart the Chinese people who have already suffered,” she would plead.

“That seems likely.”

They seem to be throwing out a line to fish for sympathy since they do not grasp the might of the nuclear weapon.

They’ve done some maneuvering, but it ultimately stops there.

I just had a brilliant thought.

Finding a justifiable way to drop a nuke on Chinese territory while simultaneously controlling Soong Mei-ling’s National Government.

“They indeed thought this through, but that’s as far as it goes.”

“Excuse me?”

“Are there still Chinese left in Nanjing?”

“Unfortunately, no. Apart from those who evacuated early, all civilians in Nanjing have either been killed or taken to Qing territory.”

That’s unfortunate. So that means only the Japanese remain.

While they’re called remnants, considering they’ve survived this long, they could be seen as an elite force.

In that case, I’m curious about the commander.

“While they’re remnants, seeing as they have held out this far, one would think they’ve reached elite status. Who’s the commander?”

With Yasuzaki’s surrender, the general staff of the Japanese expeditionary force Takuro Matsui has also come to our side, so who remains?

“It’s Major General Yasuhiko Asaka and Colonel Isamu Cho.”

Oh. Isn’t it just perfect that they’re related to the Nanjing massacre?

Both were originally involved in the Nanjing Massacre in actual history.

However, it’s said that there was no recorded order for the civilian massacre.

Colonel Isamu Cho reportedly left no evidence behind when he committed ritual suicide during the Battle of Okinawa.

“Hmm. Yasuhiko and Isamu. Hmm.”

Even if Isamu Cho is said to be dead, Yasuhiko survived.

Yasuhiko, who survived, was released without being brought to trial under the policy of non-prosecution of imperial war criminals by MacArthur’s supreme command.

While it seems unlikely MacArthur would do that in this timeline, still, it might not hurt to send him off with our own hands.

Since there are no civilians in Nanjing.

And the fact that they’re holding out there means fortifications have been completed.

Then that means we must completely destroy the city.

Soong Mei-ling, that girl indeed thought through many things, but to that extent.

“How much nuclear material do we have?”

One way or another, the next nuke should probably go to Chongqing—no, Nanjing.

After all, they will say they’re doing this to eradicate Japanese soldiers.

But we cannot sacrifice the Treaty Army.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to end it completely with a nuke?

“Are you planning to drop it on Chongqing?”

“Let’s drop it on the remnants in Nanjing. It should be Sendai in Japan, and Nanjing in China. That’s how we should proceed.”

Who in their right mind do these fools think they are challenging with such absurd negotiations?

They must also taste the omnipotent power of the nuclear weapon.

“If we do it this way, the National Government will surely realize the might of the nuclear power from afar.”

“Let’s just call it Veloborg for the one that’s dropped on Nanjing. It might be nice to show Dairi directly as well.”

Clearly, the deal that Soong Mei-ling has presented is surely coming from Dairi’s head.

If that’s the case, I’ll show it directly to that fellow.

The National Government should be grateful just to have possession of a small territory.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the Treaty Army, the National Government wouldn’t be where they are now, nor would Mao Zedong have seized dominance by eliminating two million.

With such a background, they have the audacity to nitpick.

“Understood.”

“And in the name of the Tsar, let’s send a reply to Dairi. Tell them that wherever there are Japanese soldiers in China, we will cleanse them with this weapon, so do not worry.”

In short, this is akin to Japanese tactics.

Just like how Japan would insert their army into colonial territories, supposedly because there were communists present. If they think there’s a trace of Japanese military presence in their territory, we’ll cleanse it accordingly.

If that were the case, Soong Mei-ling would probably catch on to the intention.

I would generally try to settle things peacefully.

But if this doesn’t work, then I’d have to consider ways to deal with Soong Mei-ling.

 

---