---

* * *

It feels like the trial was too casual, but what can I say? This is the right of the victor.

Thus, Sukarno was executed under the tacit approval of the Dutch East Indies government and the new Indonesian government.

Originally, the Indonesian War of Independence ended in vain.

If you were upset, you should have won.

With this, the Indonesian War of Independence concluded in rebellion, and it was time for a government recognized by the Rome Treaty to be established.

It ended before the United States could intervene, and afterwards, the country’s independence was recognized in consultation between the Rome Treaty Organization and the United States.

Mohammad Hatta’s Republic of Indonesia, the South Maluku State, the Free East Indonesia, the Daja Yaq Autonomy, the Pasundan Autonomous State, the Pontianak Sultanate, and so on, all claimed independence.

Of course, it wasn’t without grievances, but I pressed down with authority that to maintain peace everyone had to accept it, and the Indonesians had no choice but to agree.

“Hereby, our Rome Treaty Organization and the Dutch East Indies government officially approve the independence of all Indonesian states. May God’s blessings be upon the independent nations!”

With the independence officially recognized, Indonesia welcomed a new chapter in history.

In the original history, as the Dutch hastily retreated due to pressure from the United States, Sukarno ultimately governed Indonesia, but that history ended here.

Having dealt with Indonesia, the U.S. would now support the forthcoming independent nations and draw them into friendly relations.

During this time, Europe would become immensely powerful. Linking Asia through Russian oil pipelines would be a sweet deal, right?

For Africa, except for North Africa, the remaining regions would be supported through Ethiopia, making Ethiopia the great leader of Africa. Not bad at all.

With Indonesia wrapped up, I returned to the headquarters of the Rome Treaty Organization in Rome.

“Well, that wraps up Indonesia.”

“We’ve captured Gandhi and Sukarno, so this is truly a relief.”

“Ha ha ha! We have won!”

“Isn’t it fortunate that the U.S. also recognized the independent Indonesian nations?”

Once imperialists, they are now spinning the washer and contributing to world peace. It’s downright hilarious.

It’s a good thing the U.S. hasn’t said anything yet.

According to intelligence from the Okhrana, it seems the U.S. contacted Sukarno but appeared to be attempting mediation.

The U.S. likely has no intention of getting involved with us now. They haven’t even managed to gain influence over South America yet. There’s no way they could be hostile towards us for the antics of one crazy Indonesian.

But suddenly, a question arose.

“Hm.”

“Why do you say that?”

In India, in Indonesia. It feels like there’s still something left.

It feels like someone might appear before me and say, “There’s still one more punch left.”

I raised my hand amidst the leaders of the Treaty Organization, who were laughing about the conclusion of the Indonesian issue.

“There seems to be something bothering me still.”

“Could it be another colonial issue?”

Mosley, who had just sat back and relaxed after putting in little effort during the Indonesian War, seemed apprehensive.

Yeah, that’s right.

This is the most important part for us. Up to now, all the troubles have been caused by colonies.

Is Vietnam really going to be any different? Especially since Vietnam isn’t just any Vietnam. It’s in a terrible state after France got trampled hard.

Would they just stay quiet in such a predicament? I find this all a bit suspicious.

“Vietnam. I’m rather concerned about Vietnam.”

At my words, the faces of the representatives from the Rome Treaty twisted.

“Didn’t Vietnam gain independence from France?”

Hitler, representing France with Göring as his successor, asked de Gaulle.

It’s likely they are not fully independent yet.

I believe they are still in the process of securing independence.

“They are still in the process of securing independence. The Vietnamese government is being organized around Emperor Bao Dai of the Vietnamese Empire.”

At de Gaulle’s words, I nodded slightly.

Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam during French Indochina.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he is in the same position as Puyi of the Manchukuo in the original history.

But for a puppet king, at least he has a bit of sense.

He had something to say against Japan’s tyranny and later gave up his facade to voluntarily abdicate.

Yeah, that’s acceptable. But this could also become a seed of conflict in its own right.

Indeed, I feel that this is quite suspicious.

Can Bao Dai truly govern all of Vietnam well? While they say they will assist in establishing an independent government until France can sustain itself, didn’t he spend his entire time just being a puppet?

“But, you see. What if they play other tricks?”

“Is it possible that such a situation might occur?”

These people still seem a bit oblivious. India is one thing, but who would have predicted that Indonesia would end up like this?

Of course, the Vietnamese will definitely know about the situations of both.

“Did anyone expect such a situation would arise in India and Indonesia?”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Isn’t Ho Chi Minh around? Wasn’t he originally a communist?

He was the leader in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

I wonder how he has changed in this world. That’s what I’m curious about.

“But nothing has happened yet, right?”

Yeah, for now.

But while being complacent about that ‘still’, didn’t Gandhi and his faction of crazies rise up, along with Sukarno?

“Still, caution is advisable.”

There hasn’t been much happening in Vietnam, and it would be absurd for India and Indonesia to get into that kind of situation, so they shouldn’t act out.

But you know, it’s really unpredictable.

The U.S. has claimed they’ll mediate in Indonesia on the surface, but ultimately, the Indonesians’ end came with Sukarno’s death.

Vietnam may be aware of these circumstances, but what if the U.S. takes it upon themselves to support Ho Chi Minh just to safeguard their pride?

Ho Chi Minh isn’t a communist here. In fact, it’s not even divided by ideology, so the U.S. could certainly support Ho Chi Minh.

To definitely incorporate Vietnam as a pro-U.S. force later on.

“Ha ha. You’re kidding, right? If your majesty sees it as dangerous, who would dare?”

At Mosley’s question, I tilted my head toward de Gaulle.

“Do you know of Ho Chi Minh?”

“Ho Chi Minh is currently the leader of the Nationalist Party of Vietnam. I believe his party is participating in the Vietnamese government organization.”

De Gaulle explained thoroughly.

Yeah, so that’s what happened. It sounds like Ho Chi Minh has secured a position.

Hmm, with this, should I keep an eye on the situation a bit longer? The name of his party sounds quite familiar. Still, it’s better to stay cautious, right?

“Um, keep an eye on him. He’s suspicious.”

If I don’t want to prove my brain’s noodles, that Ho Chi Minh might blindly support us, yet there’s something amiss.

“We will keep a close watch on him from our side in France.”

Though he might have seen the events of Indonesia, I don’t think he would act recklessly regardless. Still, there are some suspicious points.

Vietnam, surprisingly, is too quiet. Who knows? In another sense, they might stab us in the back.

It would be nice if they just smoothly took over. If they need it, I might just toss them some money. And as per the negotiation with the U.S., they’re a post-colonial state, so barriers must be drawn.

“What if Ho Chi Minh asks you to transfer power? What do you wish for, Tsar?”

Transfer of power.

If it’s Ho Chi Minh who desires power, we could give it to him in line with that request, not as a communist.

“We’ve already conducted a post-colonial transition. And we agreed to transfer power as well. If he seems suitable to be the leader of the independent Vietnam, then go ahead.”

Of course, this is only applicable if Ho Chi Minh complies willingly.

I’m curious about how he would differ from the original history, but let’s not overthink it.

Thinking about it, it seems like I’m the only ruler attending the Treaty Organization’s headquarters.

Now, I can leave everything to Gastev and head back to Moscow to relax.

And.

“I’ve developed a transistor at the Moscow Tesla Research Institute!”

Upon returning to Moscow, I received good news.

This was in November 1946, a year ahead of the original history.

In that case, the U.S. will have to work quite hard to catch us up, right?

* * *

Rome Treaty Organization’s Indochina High Commissioner’s Office

Contrary to Anastasia’s worries, Ho Chi Minh advanced differently than in the original history.

He witnessed the downfall of communism and believed that communism could not ultimately triumph over imperialism, viewing it as a disguised form of imperialism and an ideology for dictatorship.

Here, Ho Chi Minh had to fall into deep contemplation.

Even though the independence of his homeland was drawing near, that paltry peace offered by the imperialists with a sense of benevolence was unacceptable. In the meantime, India and Indonesia had separated.

The reason was simple. To forcibly unite those wishing for independent separation, Sukarno, who thought similarly to Ho Chi Minh, rose up against the imperialists and ended up failing.

Of course, there were factions in both India and Indonesia that desired separation, so the split was plausible.

However, the latter, expecting the imperialistic nations to mobilize their armies to revert their territories to colonies, saw them willingly retreat instead.

Even with the mediation of the competing United States, stating that they had remained idle, I can boldly declare that the United States could not win against the Rome Treaty Organization.

In fact, Ho Chi Minh wanted to rise up like Sukarno of Indonesia.

To put it accurately, it would be correct to say he intended to rise in tandem with Sukarno’s success.

However, regrettably, Sukarno was brutally killed by the imperialist tyrant, the Empress of Russia, and the Rome Treaty Organization still possessed enough power to tread over states that were previously colonial.

Not at all. Perhaps war with the U.S. was still a possibility.

There’s no way they would wage an independence war over the preservation of a small amount of pride.

Even if that were with the now crumbling Governor General’s Office of French Indochina.

In the first place, the downfall of French Indochina was also due to military budget reductions from the wars against major powers.

“Well then.”

In any case, the French military poses no problem now, but the Rome Treaty Organization’s formidable force, behind those lines, could send troops, and it would be the end of the line.

Now, it’s time to attempt something new.

If it’s too difficult to secure complete independence through bloody struggles driving out the enemy, then I could stick to caution and bartering, then simply take over the Vietnam that France has developed and progress into international society later.

Anyway, lying still would lead them to marginalize the powers of the government. However, the independent Vietnam should not become a monarchy.

Faith in kings has long been shattered, like the Balhae Federation.

Therefore, what Ho Chi Minh sought was a new way, united with patriotism.

First of all, unlike the original history, he decided to collaborate directly with the Governor General’s Office, the Rome Treaty Organization’s Indochina High Commissioner’s Office, to gain approval for government organization.

Before that, Ho Chi Minh gathered Vietnamese nationalists to create a new party called the Vietnamese Nationalist Party.

“Well, it would be a bit much to have it just handed over like this.”

As mentioned earlier, armed struggle is out of the question.

The Tsar of Russia, the head of the Rome Treaty Organization, would crush even colonies he considers suitable for de-colonization as an example of their defiance.

Vietnam cannot be allowed to sink to that state again.

The method he opted for would be one palatable enough for the hypocritical imperialists.

“Do not institute a monarchy in the High Commissioner’s Office!”

“Just as independence was determined by voting, elect a leader through voting!”

“Bao Dai has long lost the people’s support!”

He gathered the members of the Vietnamese Nationalist Party to protest in front of the High Commissioner’s office daily.

Before long, Ho Chi Minh was directly invited to meet with the High Commissioner, Georges Thierry d’Argenlieu.

From here, it truly began.

Having been called, he would negotiate with a promise of independence, aiming to depose the emperor.

Though it would be difficult, pride must still be maintained.

“Demonstrating, unlike India and Indonesia, presents such gentlemanly conduct, indeed. So, what are you protesting about?”

Meanwhile, d’Argenlieu wished to applaud the now proud-looking Ho Chi Minh standing before him.

Back in the Roman Treaty’s homeland, they had ordered to keep an eye on Ho Chi Minh, for had he lost his mind and resorted to armed struggles like Sukarno in Indonesia, the French would have to pay for failing to monitor him properly.

“An independent Vietnam must never become a monarchy.”

Right. They don’t want a monarchy. The Tsar of Russia might be disappointed, but the High Commissioner’s office could see that sentiments towards kings weren’t favorable in this region.

Moreover, depending on how Ho Chi Minh behaved, the Commission could delegate governmental authority willingly.

“We are already in the process of forming a government, but may I hear your reasons?”

“Well, first, the emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty soon becomes a mere puppet of France, does he not? Vietnam must be a complete independent nation moving forward. We cannot carry the vestiges of the French Indochina period.”

High Commissioner d’Argenlieu felt slightly offended by his words but could neither scorn nor blame Ho Chi Minh.

That protesting crowd might begin to make life difficult if it turned into an armed struggle.

Thinking of it, they had intended to transfer the Vietnamese government to the emperor, showing some dissatisfaction.

To begin with, their intention was to depart from this place, so it hardly mattered to them. No need to nitpick.

They just needed to withdraw.

They truly had no desire to fight.

“Hm, if you wish it so, we can withdraw, and you can negotiate directly with the emperor of Vietnam.”

“Pardon?”

Why do you look like a pigeon that just got hit?

It’s just a literal meaning.

Ho Chi Minh, who had been bracing for a head-on confrontation over which emperor France would bring back, could only feel deflated.

 

---