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* * *

It’s not like we hang pictures of Kim the Pig like they do in North Korea, but I’ve got a feeling that every household might as well have a pig fetish. That’s probably okay.

“Well, I suppose they’ll figure it out on their own. Certainly, when considering the aesthetics of the city, it would be nice if there was something here. But, with such large-scale construction, are the citizens around here going to be alright?”

Isn’t it going to be incredibly noisy?

At this size, it’s bound to be deafening.

“Don’t worry about that. We’ve already gotten everyone’s consent. We’ve informed them about the foundational work too.”

You got everyone’s consent beforehand? This smells really fishy.

“You didn’t intimidate them or anything, right?”

“No, the citizens agreed.”

Right. With all the die-hard Anastasia fans in Moscow, I suppose that makes sense.

Well, it looks like there’s no stopping this.

Honestly, it’s better this way. If not now, when would we even do something like this?

Now is the perfect time to pull in European capital.

“We should allocate the budget then.”

Right now, Russia has ample budget funds.

Post-war reconstruction is all taken care of thanks to America’s lovely money.

So, I think spending some leftover cash isn’t a bad idea.

Just as I was wrapping my thoughts around that,

“Your Majesty, about the previously developed Il-1000…”

From the Roman Nationalist Party, thus sprung forth the conversation of the White Army regarding the Il.

“Yes, go ahead.”

What are they planning to do with the Il-1000?

“If improved, wouldn’t mass production be possible? If we deploy it from the Atlantic to Asia, it will surely defend the skies of the Rome Treaty.”

It’s not just a mere nuclear bomber; they’re seriously thinking of stepping it up.

That does sound a bit reckless.

But if they do proceed with mass production, that means we’re advancing in that direction, focusing on fighter aircraft development.

“Are you seriously proposing it as our main aircraft?”

That was legendary for sure.

How does one surrender right after a stingray pops up? They were just flying around, no lies at all.

Looks like they’ve decided that it’s better to enhance this than just leave it be.

It’s going to cost a fortune, but maybe it could lead to developing computers for fighter aircraft.

Well, I did say it was a toy, but I can’t exactly pilot it and play around myself.

If the Americans pull out the fighter aircraft to compete here, the world will be ushered into the era of fighter aircraft.

“Yes. If we develop it as a fighter aircraft, we could attach missiles, right?”

At this stage, they’re even considering developing that.

Now that Europe is unified, the potential enemy is going to be America, so battles will revolve around naval and aerial warfare, as well as missiles.

Sure, aircraft and battleships will be prioritized in development, but while the fleet is important, it’ll likely shift more towards aircraft or missiles.

If they’re intent on leaning towards fighter aircraft, that’s not a bad move.

“Of course, I believe we should continue developing aerial aircraft carriers as well.”

“We should be able to secure an advantage in competition against the United States.”

Right. While we still have the lead, let’s definitely seize air supremacy; that’s it.

Are they planning to develop missiles too?

“America is likely progressing with nuclear development as well. They’ll probably develop something like fighter aircraft. We need to significantly expand our missile range. For instance, we should be able to strike the American mainland across the Atlantic with nuclear missiles. It’s nice to make the fighter aircraft into nuclear bombers, but wouldn’t missiles also be more convenient?”

They’re going to keep evolving their development, so we ought to get ahead. That’s what I’m saying.

“Yes. We will do that.”

“If we significantly extend our missile range, we’ll need to get cooperation from England and Ireland to set up missile bases in Ireland and Brittany, just in case.”

Yeah, I think that’s something England could accept.

After all, England is pivotal in the naval power of the Rome Treaty member states.

They wouldn’t complain about setting up missiles for their own nation’s defense.

“Will we not place any in Canada?”

That Canada is a problem.

If we deploy missiles there, our relationship with the United States will not go well.

In the end, it could escalate to war, and while I have no intention of conceding, my plans to make the United States the rival of the Rome Treaty will get complicated.

The fallout could be so severe that it could even lead to the dissolution of the Rome Treaty.

If not, then Canada may even abandon the Commonwealth altogether and align with the United States.

“Openly placing them in Canada is dangerous. Unless they’re a fool, the Americans will definitely catch wind of it. What would they say?”

It seems the Roman Nationalist Party definitely wants to maintain a military advantage.

But if we want to carry out the decolonization and integration work within the Rome Treaty, that’s going to take some time.

There’s no point in provoking the United States right now.

In fact, when it comes to North America, let’s not mess with the United States while they’re in a volatile state. There’s no need to poke the sleeping bear.

We should cooperate where necessary and maintain a competitive relationship.

“Then, leaving the Canadian border as a demilitarized zone is also an option.”

We just need to ensure strategic weapons like missiles are absent.

“Well, avoiding missile placements seems like a reasonable plan.”

I have no intention of weakening the relations between the Rome Treaty and the United States just by placing missiles. I didn’t intentionally include the Commonwealth in the Rome Treaty.

Even if Britain is a member of the Rome Treaty, the Commonwealth enjoys a bit more autonomy.

With countries like Australia and New Zealand already solidified, Canada wouldn’t want to become a battleground, hence the relaxed stance.

If I had truly intended to take down the United States, I would have done so back in Trotsky’s day and made America a Russian territory.

It’s regrettable, but it can’t be helped.

* * *

Republic of China

Around this time, the National Government (Republic of China) was not in a good position.

Although they emerged victorious in the war, they gained nothing from it.

The threat from Anastasia made unification difficult, and without anything gained as victors, Soong Mei-ling’s status for forming a unified government was plummeting.

Dairi also struggled to assist Soong Mei-ling to at least seize dominance in the semi-autonomous regions, but it was proving to be quite difficult.

How can a government that has lost its mandate to foreign powers lead Central China?

On top of that, Mao Zedong was pushing for semi-autonomous governance once more, giving the warlords a reason to reclaim their territories, which naturally led to further fragmentation.

However,

When people lose their mandate, they often fight for their own share of the pie.

The emperor claiming the mandate was no longer present; that was the Republic of China, yet the grand task of unifying China was on par with the emperor’s mandate.

Naturally, each warlord busied themselves to gain strength.

Most were purchasing weapons, and Soong Mei-ling in Southern China couldn’t stay idle.

“Is it true that the Rome Treaty can’t be involved here?”

“Yes. There’s no justification, and they’re out of the picture in Vietnam. They’re focused on decolonization and won’t be able to get involved further.”

In response to Soong Mei-ling’s inquiry, Dairi presented a report summarizing the European situation.

“But we still need to purchase weapons.”

“We’re acquiring some outdated weapons from the Rome Treaty and the United States.”

Even though they were getting played by the Rome Treaty, purchasing weapons from them was the regrettable reality of the Republic of China.

“When the Song Dynasty got chased by the Jin Dynasty, the South thrived and succeeded. We must also unify even this Southern China to prepare for the future.”

Even if China looks pitiful like this now, it’s a land rich in potential.

Isn’t the history so far a testament to that?

There’s a vast territory and immense population, having lived as the center of the world while managing surrounding countries.

Even if it is split in two.

Right now, Balhae, growing by clinging to Russia, once hailed as a hero by many, and Japan, whose half was taken by Mutaguchi, were all once vassals of China.

Though they look pathetic now, Central China will overcome the situation as always.

“Is there any possibility?”

“For now, we’ll keep in contact with the United States. The Rome Treaty maintains more than half the world, so don’t you want at least one more foothold in East Asia?”

Even though the United States isn’t showing interest in China right now, the fact that they’re poking at Vietnam suggests they want to establish a foothold in East Asia.

If we cleverly utilize this point and manage to forge a relationship with the United States to acquire weapons and technology, we can sufficiently lay the groundwork for unification.

Right at that moment, the country once called the driving force of unification, led by Chiang Kai-shek, is this National Government of the Republic of China.

Compared to other warlords, it remains a strong nation, and it’s the only state with a properly organized national system.

As soon as they achieved semi-autonomy, they made a grand declaration to establish the Republic of China, drawing lines from others.

This is contrary to the meaning of semi-autonomy and aims to be recognized internally and externally as the new government of China.

“Are you keeping an eye on the situation with the Rome Treaty?”

“Yes. It appears they’re pulling their hair out over decolonial work in Africa.”

“They should reap what they sow. The time for the unification war is approaching.”

Those guys are hard at work trying to liberate their African colonies.

That project will likely take quite some time.

“When they’re tied up in Africa, we should make our move. The United States is wary of stepping into Vietnam, so it’ll be hard for peacekeeping forces to rise again.”

Despite all the talk about the United Nations and peacekeeping forces, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to act readily.

Right now, America is more into using money to sway Vietnam militarily, and the Rome Treaty is stuck dealing with its past burdens in Africa. If not now, when will there be a good opportunity?

While it’s still debatable if we can overpower other warlords, if we don’t act now, we might never get the chance again.

“Then, what will happen to the troops stationed at the Qing Dynasty border?”

“They should remain there. Cleverly, we need to maintain that appearance, showing that we’re preparing for the Northern Expedition.”

The forces stationed at the Qing Dynasty border carried a different meaning than those prepared for the Northern Expedition.

To be honest, if Southern China can’t handle itself, why would we embark on a Northern Expedition now?

This is a ruse.

We’ll feign preparing for the Northern Expedition to keep the Rome Treaty and the pesky Mao Zedong on their toes while we prepare to unify Southern China.

“I understand.”

International relations ultimately shift based on national interests. The United States is the only competitor of the Rome Treaty and serves as a counterweight to them.

However, the United States has very few footholds in East Asia, so later when they’re less wary of the Rome Treaty, if we step in at that moment, it will be a different discussion.

“And Dr. Chen Qisheng has reported in.”

“What’s he saying?”

“He might have been excluded from research in the United States, but he’s managed to smuggle out several secrets along the way, so he believes that nuclear development could be achievable with enough time. He estimates around three years.”

Nuclear development in the Republic of China.

What was originally meant for the Communist side is now seemingly on the path to be attempted by the Republic of China much earlier.

The reasoning is simple.

The overwhelming power that wiped out Nanjing. With that power alone, Russia won the Second Great War and induced the fragmentation of China.

If the Republic of China were to develop such a weapon, unifying Southern China wouldn’t be difficult.

Moreover, it could at least pose a threat to Russia’s mainland, making them think twice about how they act.

The one in charge is the scientist Chen Qisheng, who was initially excluded from nuclear-related projects while being casually tossed around in the U.S.

Receiving Soong Mei-ling’s letter, he sought to showcase his talent under the crisis of the Chinese nation and returned to the Republic of China, diving into nuclear development.

For the Republic of China, it’s a situation where the little bird that follows the stork might just get torn, but if they manage to create something, unifying Southern China should be quite feasible to attempt.

“That’s a relief, as long as it develops.”

Soong Mei-ling clasped her roughened hands tightly as she governed the Republic of China.

“The Rome Treaty and the United States will surely not dare to look down upon us.”

“We may be able to achieve the unification of Southern China too.”

If we can develop this, unification of Southern China should not be a challenge, and the Qing and semi-autonomous governments might feel threatened and voluntarily come under the Republic of China’s wings.

‘I won’t just let this happen to me.’

The Republic of China, China, will never collapse like this.

* * *

Seoul, Balhae Federation

Foreign Minister Litvinov met with President Ahn Chang-ho regarding the situation in China.

At this time, Balhae had a goodwill of over 140% toward Russia for their assistance in the independence movement, thus President Ahn Chang-ho warmly welcomed Litvinov’s visit.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?”

“To get straight to the point, war is about to break out in this East Asia.”

There’s no point in sugar-coating it.

Given that Balhae Federation is a gendarmerie of Russia’s Far East, it’s better to just come out and say we’re here to help.

“Another war, you say?”

“You’re suggesting that we will be involved?”

The Balhae government made a distressed noise.

Is this really going to lead us to be nothing but a puppet state in service to Russia?

We’re already heavily reliant on Russia economically, and now they seem to be saying they want to chew through our manpower as a condition.

Yet, Litvinov, Undeterred by Ahn Chang-ho’s uncomfortable expression, lightly shook his head.

“No, this time there won’t be any participation like with South Vietnam.”

“Then why have you come to visit?”

At least that’s a relief; having the Minister of Foreign Affairs come directly implies it’s an important matter.

Where is the war going to break out, and what does Russia want from Balhae?

“The conflict will be a civil war among the Chinese semi-autonomous regions. While it’s not certain yet, at the rate those semi-autonomous states are purchasing weapons, it suggests that war is on the horizon.”

“So, it means a unification war.”

The unification war.

While the semi-autonomous governance creates a legitimate division, the Chinese warlords would never accept it.

Though they may return to their original places of power, the eventual unification war was simply a given.

And Russia did not want that.

The unification of China could see a new major power rise in East Asia.

Of course, with Europe unified now, China’s unification wouldn’t be a problem as it stands, but causing hassles is still another matter.

“We do not want China to unify in any direction. The Chinese mainland is vast and rich, and despite suffering significant damages in the Sino-Japanese War, its population remains large. This will not bode well for Balhae, either. When China gets unified, Balhae cannot exert any influence, can it?”

“Yes, that’s the case.”

How could it be otherwise?

If China becomes unified, Balhae will either collapse or effectively be seen as a vassal from the outside.

Nara Joseon and Goguryeo were destroyed by unified China, and Joseon sought stability under Ming and Qing while losing its past glory.

And now, the period of division in China has been a stroke of luck for Balhae, so naturally, unification is unwelcome from their perspective.

 

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