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After a long time, I boarded the Siberian train heading to the Far East and received a report from the Treaty Organization.

It seems the Treaty Army has decided on the use of force.

They seem to have prepared some justification for themselves.

Looking at the operation plan, it appears they’re trying not to look like they’re committing a massacre by only targeting armed soldiers from the Free Territory.

Well, that basically means they’re referring to the Reds. The Free Territory isn’t just about having a simple army.

While they call it an army, it’s become a lawless area where many Black people have turned into robbers.

It’s an act of suppression against them. They’re treating them as appropriate communists to avoid the appearance of a massacre.

They’re quite clever. Other African nations continue to support this decolonization effort, you know?

Then those nations will think we’re only capturing real communists, so the guys in Southern Africa will be seen as actual communists.

“But what’s different from before?”

“Before, we were dispatched only for maintaining order, but now the Treaty Army is going out to suppress the ‘real’ robbers, I guess?”

“Hmm. I see.”

Before coming here, I had agreed to collaborate with the Americans on developing a polio vaccine.

North Africa is North Africa, and we need to maintain a cooperative stance with the Americans.

The Americans couldn’t afford to get any redder due to Vietnam, so they accepted our proposal.

Not long after, I got off the train.

The first place I stopped was East Turkestan, fully independent from China.

I hadn’t planned on going to Turkestan first. I just went there because it was nearby.

“Our Turkestan warmly welcomes Your Majesty the Tsar!”

As soon as I entered the capital, Kuldja, citizens waved Russian and Turkestani flags to greet me.

Such is my popularity that no matter where I go, these folks are really something.

President Alihan Tura came to personally welcome me, which felt really nice.

“What have I done to deserve this?”

Still, it feels good to be welcomed like this.

In Turkestan, the Duma will get involved later, and I simply contributed a few words here and there.

“If it weren’t for Your Majesty, this country would not have achieved independence! You’ve even significantly expanded our borders.”

Well, that’s something to be grateful for.

Thus, the territory of East Turkestan has directly received the land that originally belonged to the Xinjiang Warlords.

In other words, a considerable portion of what was originally Chinese territory is now Turkestan, and it wasn’t included in the Chinese autonomous region.

“It is only natural to drive away the Chinese army that torments weaker nations just because they are weaker themselves and do not find a way to survive. Even though we lent some strength, it was indeed the Turkestanis who ultimately brought down the invaders themselves. The Turkestanis built their nation by overcoming the invaders. This is a just reward born from their courage.”

We would have eventually been subdued by China if we hadn’t helped, but we should at least acknowledge that.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“The very Chinese exceptionalism that they spit out is nothing more than the imperialism that the now-colonized nations criticize when discussing the great powers.”

Isn’t Chinese exceptionalism just a form of Chinese imperialism?

And they fail to abandon this habit, continuing to oppress surrounding nations in the future.

How much trouble have Asian countries faced because of China’s hegemonic antics?

Of course, becoming a vassal state means they would promise all sorts of aid, but in the end, they have to develop relying on China and cannot expand themselves.

“Indeed, they often send their armies to forcibly subjugate neighboring countries if they don’t submit, shedding blood in the process. They are the true crux of imperialism born from this era, and now that the situation has improved a bit, they have begun to torment us.”

“But do not worry. As I have until now, I and the Rome Treaty Organization shall recognize East Turkestan as an official nation, and as a landlocked country, our Rome Treaty Organization will open borders and trade, providing East Turkestan with a lifeline, and we will also support them with weapons and military aid, including torture, to help them resist the Chinese invaders.”

The Uyghurs of Turkestan drove out the Chinese, but without the help of the Rome Treaty, it would still be tough for them to fight China.

Thus, we must arm them with the latest weapons of the Rome Treaty Organization and train them as much as possible.

We must also completely drain the Chinese influence.

“Our Turkestanis will regard Russia as our eternal friend. Your Majesty!”

I assured them of cooperation for the independence of Turkestan, and the Russian delegation, including myself, was treated as state guests.

During my stay in Turkestan, where I was lavishly entertained, I made a quick detour to Tibet before heading towards the Chinese Autonomous Government.

The fact that I must see Mao Zedong directly feels a bit annoying, but I need to gradually expand my influence over China.

I need to assert influence over the Autonomous Governments in Northern China.

“Your Majesty, it’s an honor that you visit us personally!”

“I felt I should come at least once. Hmm, on the way here I noticed that the Chinese within the Autonomous Government seem quite peaceful.”

Surprisingly, it was indeed peaceful.

The situation is vastly different from Southern China, which appears to be on the brink of civil war.

“Yes, is it not all thanks to Your Majesty and Russia?”

Mao Zedong is quite the smooth talker, I see.

Right, right. Just keep doing your thing.

“What have we done? In the end, isn’t it the determination of the Chinese people to oppose imperialism? It was primarily the role of the Chinese that defeated Japan. Even if we are strong, would it have been possible if the Northern Chinese hadn’t held back the Japanese army?”

“Indeed.”

I suppose I could say this much.

It could be considered my form of lip service.

I’m just intentionally giving praise to the Northern Chinese alone.

This allows Southern China to think, “We are different from you!” Such a thing becomes possible.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s that it is Southern China.”

“What seems to be the issue?”

I knew they were always up to something.

Could it be that they are finally about to start a civil war or something?

“Those fools are completely ignorant of the greater cause of the Autonomous Governments, and they are foolishly raising armies among themselves!”

Shouldn’t they unify by now?

One could certainly expect such a statement, but they seem intent on pushing for autonomy to the end.

Well, they probably understand that if they mess up the war, they could get beaten badly.

“Then Mao, you must work even harder. You should show those foolish ones that the Autonomous Government is the one leading a good life. That’s precisely the reason why I, too, visited here as a representative of the Chinese Autonomous Governments.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

You need to stay alive for the split to last a long time, right!

We decided to support the Autonomous Government as much as possible.

Supporting these folks means that China will remain divided for a longer time.

And the Autonomous Government must steer clear from the direction of Southern China.

It’s indeed dreadful supporting Mao, but…

“When they are busy warring and tearing each other apart, the Autonomous Government should calm the citizens. This would showcase the differences between us.”

“Naturally.”

“Now that the war is over, the era of barbarism has also ended. From now on, human civilization must advance in cooperation for peace.”

It all sounds good when I dress it up like that.

From now on, humanity must move towards peace. In that process, the Autonomous Government must not be dragged into a war with Southern China. Something like that.

Manipulating them with gaslighting. Making them think about what might happen if they defy my will.

“Indeed. However, the question remains whether Southern China will cooperate.”

They probably won’t.

Although I did tell them to cooperate, I’ve extinguished the urgent fires, and now that I have some leisure, they’re likely to offer mere lip service with all sorts of excuses.

In the first place, they are probably just pausing because of us, and they would want to hit the Autonomous Government any time.

The Autonomous Government cannot fall into the hands of the warlords in Southern China.

“Well. Even so, it will be tough. Moreover, as a landlocked nation, the Autonomous Government will need cooperation from Southern China, but that will be practically impossible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Though we’re cooperating with Qing, half the world is already under the Rome Treaty Organization, right?”

In other words, they want support. Isn’t that what they’re saying? From the looks of their grinning faces, it seems suspicious.

They must have already heard all about Turkestan.

“So, this means you’re saying you want support just like Turkestan?”

It seems Mao really does bring a mirthful vibe. Anything he says feels a bit unpleasant to my ears.

Isn’t he outright asking to suck off the Rome Treaty Organization a bit more?

“Yes, there are still many people starving to death. Your Majesty’s help is desperately needed. Could we somehow get involved with the Asian Economic Cooperation Organization?”

Even though Mao seems a bit unsettling, that’s just my previous life’s memories talking. Here, he’s our little brat.

If you want to join the Asian Economic Cooperation Organization, it’s not impossible.

Since they’re not particularly populous and since Korea might not be economically threatened by China later on.

In that case, it’s quite possible to make a share with Southern China.

“I can’t refuse to help either.”

This means they are essentially suggesting that the Chinese Autonomous Government come under our influence.

If this continues for a long time, Southern China is likely to remain within mere lip service regarding autonomy as they play around amongst themselves.

Meanwhile, Turkestan, the Autonomous Government, and Qing will undoubtedly separate themselves from China.

This isn’t bad at all!

In addition, while facilitating cooperation with Qing…

“Good. I’ll persuade the Treaty Organization to help considering the unfortunate situation of my Autonomous Government.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

I didn’t stay at the Autonomous Government for long.

After all, I thought it wouldn’t be pleasant to keep seeing Mao. Personally, I also wanted to visit Korea, or rather, Balhae, and to do that, I need to cross through Qing first.

Qing is still under Puyi’s rule, and Wang Jingwei is still the Prime Minister.

Honestly, considering the original history, it’s quite a bizarre combination.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

I murmured with a weary face as I got back on the train.

This isn’t much of a sight-seeing journey. I need to cover Turkestan, the Autonomous Government, Qing, and possibly even Western Japan.

Sigh, Western Japan sounds like a hassle.

I should just contact Teacher Mojeonggu and tell him to come to Seoul. Meeting all at once might be better.

Western Japan probably won’t have much to see right now. Reconstruction will take quite a while.

At least the Korean Peninsula’s remains from the Japanese rule haven’t disappeared due to the war.

Because it was suppressed so quickly, the industrial foundation is still there.

“Anyway, as long as I have the justification of having been to Africa, I’ll contact Western Japan separately and have them come to Seoul.”

“I love you, Maria.”

“Ahem. Saying that with that face seems a bit… well, anyway, Qing is supposed to be a relatively stable nation in Northern China.”

“Oh really?”

Maria started reporting the situation in Qing slowly, and there was something quite interesting about what she had to say.

“Wang Jingwei reportedly grabbed the throat of the Qing government and completely reformed it.”

Hmm, well. That doesn’t sound too bad.

Since they are now aiming to do well apart from Southern China.

Moreover, since Russia supported them, they might be trying to prepare for the northward advancement of Southern China. Wang Jingwei probably doesn’t think of unity, right?

If so, I might have to treat them to some good black tea.

“So is Qing now the strongest army in China?”

“The standing army is about 100,000.”

A standing army of 100,000. For China, that’s still a bit small militarily.

Well, considering how much they lost to the Japanese army, it might be hard to build military strength.

“With 100,000, they should be able to handle an invasion from China.”

At that level, they could defend against an invasion from Southern China.

It feels somewhat lacking, but maintaining Qing is advantageous for us.

The capital of Qing, Beijing, erupted with cheers as I entered.

“Hooray for friendly relations between Rome and Daiching!”

“Hooray for Tsar! Hooray for the Emperor!”

“Welcome, Saint of Russia!”

How much sentiment work must have been done for the Qing people to be praising even me.

Well, I have to provide them with considerable support.

Compared to Southern China, Qing is practically rich.

“It’s an honor to see you again!”

I exchanged polite greetings with Puyi and met with Wang Jingwei.

“Currently, Qing is not at its former glory, but it is once again rising as a major power in Northern China.”

Wang Jingwei kindly handed over documents to report on Qing’s progress.

Aren’t you guys supposed to be an independent nation? Isn’t it okay for you to do this?

That thought crossed my mind for a moment, but the reason he is telling me this must be because he wants to say something.

Alright then. Let’s see.

“Mm. I see. Growing every day.”

Looking at the economic indicators, it appears to be steadily growing.

This isn’t bad. It seems Wang Jingwei is quite capable as well. Considering the original history, he’s made a considerable rise.

However, something seems off.

The expression on this guy’s face suggests there’s something wrong, like he’s pleading for me to ask him about his issues!

Since Qing holds a particularly important position, I have to help them.

“Yes. This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s grace. But despite such grace, Qing’s national defense is currently under threat.”

Is the national defense of Qing being threatened right now? Are they already attempting a unification war from Southern China?

Well, I did give them some offerings to Southern China, after all.

If I support Northern China too much, they might try to unify from there.

“Defense? Are the Manchus and Han Chinese divided again?”

A standing army of 100,000 should be reasonable, right?

Moreover, since they’ve done public sentiment work before, the Han Chinese wouldn’t rebel within Qing. Rather, the situation would be better than before the (old) Qing dynasty fell.

Of course, compared to Russia, their military is but a handful, but that 100,000 is bound to increase soon.

Furthermore, the armies of the Southern Chinese governments aren’t looking too good either.

If we can find a way to connect the Autonomous Governments well, it shouldn’t be impossible.

Is Wang Jingwei here trying to get more for himself? I can sense that might be the case.

“The military is no problem. Both the Manchus and Han Chinese have been cooperating regarding the military. The fact that the Qing is currently more stable than other Chinese governments also contributes to this.”

“What then?”

At this point, it doesn’t seem like there should be any issues with defense.

“Because they’ve been focusing on internal affairs, they are currently facing external threats. The National Government has deployed troops to the borders.”

They’re basically saying, “I’ll declare war if I see you.”

This means they are practically begging me for help. If something happens that gets some reaction from Southern China, it’s…

“Are they planning an invasion?”

What does the National Government intend to do with Qing?

 

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