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* * *

Washington D.C. of the United States

“Hmm, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Not bad.”

Nuclear weapons are solely owned by the Rome Treaty Organization and the United States.

Instead, countries under each nation’s sphere of influence are guaranteed independence and state defense through nuclear means.

It’s not a bad proposal.

In fact, the United States was hoping for something like this.

This is both a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a way to clearly define the spheres of influence in the world.

It’s not just a secret conversation. It’s essentially an official statement for dividing the world. Furthermore, checking whether the treaty member states possess nuclear weapons is an added bonus.

“But why the sudden offer?”

It’s a proposal worth considering.

Nuclear weapons are not just ordinary items.

If there’s a country with nuclear capabilities while the world is being divided, that country might raise its head against the Rome Treaty and the United States.

In other words, it could go against the world’s order.

That was something neither Tsarina Anastasia nor Douglas MacArthur would welcome.

“Surely this is to solidify our sphere of influence, right? Prepare the Ike.”

“Yes.”

Thus, with a singular goal of capturing China, discussions for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty organization started, veering off the original history.

Meanwhile, the Republic of China also received requests to join from diplomats of Russia and the United States.

“Did that fox from Moscow catch on?”

“Damn it. We’re still far from developing nuclear weapons.”

“What happens if we don’t join or withdraw?”

“They said they would consider developing nuclear weapons as hostile acts against the Rome Treaty and the United States, which could lead to nuclear attacks.”

A nuclear attack too?

Is that not the same kind of strike that wiped out Nanjing aimed at Chongqing as well?

But no, even so, that couldn’t be the case.

If that happens, wouldn’t the Tsar of that country be labeled a butcher?

No matter how justifiable the previous Nanjing incident was, this is different.

We can immediately see that Indonesia could easily end things with a nuke, yet they still sent troops.

“If it’s about our peace, then they say they want to develop nuclear weapons.”

“They’re the ones who planned this division, so they won’t be taken in by that.”

They’re the ones who extorted us with nuclear threats while maintaining autonomy.

What good would it do for such people to say they’re developing nuclear weapons for peace?

Soong Mei-ling thought twice and suddenly realized something.

“What about just hiding it?”

Then, how about hiding it?

If we manage to conceal it as much as possible, would they still interfere in our internal affairs?

“Aren’t they just going to push their army in, saying, ‘Aren’t you making nuclear weapons?’”

Dairi’s point was plausible, but Soong Mei-ling didn’t think so.

Just look at the current situation in Europe; the answer is right there.

Europe is currently undergoing unification.

I heard that in Indonesia, hundreds of thousands of troops were mobilized. Can they even pull something like that now?

If we claim we’re not launching nukes, how could we recklessly throw them when the situation is still uncertain?

This is a gamble, but it’s a trial we must go through for unification.

If we give in here, we really will crumble.

The path to unification will be blocked, and Central China will remain divided forever.

I didn’t want to create such a future.

“No way, it’s still going to be hard to move militarily. I’ve heard Europe is in the midst of unification. The U.S. has also weakened its presence in Japan and is focusing on Vietnam, so can’t we hold out for just a few more years?”

Just a few more years. If we can hold out just a bit longer and develop nuclear weapons, then we can somehow raise our heads.

If we can unify Southern China, we may not be able to advance north yet, but if we can unify Southern China somehow, we could grow in class just like the Southern Song did.

“Isn’t it going to be tough to conceal as much as possible? Or…”

“Or?”

“It’s a gamble, but it’s not entirely impossible.”

For someone like Dairi, who is considered the most dangerous man in China, it sounds absurd, but right now, that’s the only way left.

“What is that?”

“We just have to hold out, then pretend to hand over some nuclear technicians. Of course, we can just send a few nuclear physicists, excluding Chen Qisheng.”

We’re not going to imprison or kill them anyway.

It would seemingly be best for the Rome Treaty or the United States to just detain the researchers a bit to ensure the Republic of China can’t develop nuclear weapons in time.

So, deceiving them shouldn’t be impossible.

Yeah. Once we create nuclear weapons, we can fend off whatever comes next.

* * *

How could the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty appear in this world?

However, in this world, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty essentially means to say, “We will divide the world like this.”

The United States readily agreed, and we are set to establish the treaty with the United States and the Rome Treaty Organization in London.

“From what I observed, it seems they really intended to develop weapons.”

Looking at the graded exams submitted by the prime minister, it seems most of the Chinese warlords have joined.

Since there’s no representative government, each government has simply joined.

Naturally, the warlords lacked the capability to develop nuclear weapons and, feeling recognized as a government, accepted it without question.

But if they decide to develop nuclear weapons, the story would be different.

For example, the National Government, which could be considered the Republic of China in original history, initially refused to join.

There’s no intention to openly hide their development.

Of course, knowing that hiding would lead to backlash, they might not want to die, but the important thing is that the National Government already has the fundamental knowledge to create nuclear weapons.

“Then we have to assume they already possess that basic knowledge.”

“Yes. They say they are willing to provide their own materials and scholars. The Rome Treaty and U.S. inspectors can come to verify everything directly.”

They’re offering to show us their nuclear technology.

How audacious are they?

Who do they think they are, showing off what they have?

“What are the chances they’ll make contact with the U.S.?”

“How much value do these fragmented entities have with the U.S.? Even if they unify Southern China, they’d still lag way behind in capability to act against us. There’s no way the U.S. will support them.”

“Is that so?”

But we need to examine the possibility of concealment.

Then again, we must consider those who assisted China’s nuclear development in history. I need to know about them, but so far, historical evidence indicates it’s a bit early; there must have been someone who helped China develop nuclear weapons.

Who was it again? They were involved in missile development and held in high esteem in China. I need to think harder.

At least I don’t know anyone here, but I do know a couple of key figures.

Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai come to mind.

They were present in the flexing government during this history as well.

However, that government completely relies on the Rome Treaty for weapons.

They can’t even afford to develop nuclear weapons given their status as a landlocked nation reliant on us.

Once I hear the name, I think I’ll remember who it is, right? Back when I was with the flexing government, I never heard such names.

I surveyed weapons development places too.

At least we can rule out the flexing government.

I racked my brain, thought again and again.

When the nuclear war started, I’ve heard plenty of curses directed at those who developed nuclear weapons in China, so it’s not like I’ve never heard of it.

Chen… something. Oh, I finally remember.

“Ah, yes. I remember now.”

“What do you mean?”

What do you mean, I finally recalled who it was!

I need to consider the alternate histories as well, but even if not, I can just pin it on the original culprits and retaliate.

I’ll retaliate with a nuclear strike. If they wipe out a city or two near the border, would they dare to act cool?

So, I confidently wagged my finger and said,

“Chen Qisheng? Or is it Chen Qisheng? Find out if he’s in the Republic of China.”

That’s the guy! That guy.

He’s the one who made tremendous contributions to nuclear and missile development in the original history of China.

He’s a heroic figure from China’s perspective but a thorough scoundrel from the perspective of Koreans who were attacked with nuclear weapons.

He might be a bit different here, but he still needs to be eliminated.

That’s how we can prevent the Republic of China from developing nuclear weapons.

Developing nuclear weapons means rejecting the order of the Rome Treaty and the United States.

There’s ample justification for capturing Chen Qisheng.

“When we go to investigate the National Government, make sure the delegation looks for that guy. Of course, if we search directly, those bastards will try to hide, so we must first confirm whether they’ll willingly hand him over.”

If those guys hand over that Chen Qisheng directly, I would be surprised; however, honestly, I think they won’t.

“Who is he?”

“He’s likely the one who will develop nuclear weapons in China. He’s a supporter of Soong Mei-ling, who dares to defy our order.”

It’s highly probable that he will be that person.

Since China doesn’t exist here, we have to consider that he might have gone to the National Government.

“What if he’s not there?”

“If they claim they’ve already investigated and he’s not there, then we’ll just threaten to dig deeper and go for a nuclear strike. Of course, wiping out a city or two near the border would suffice.”

China must never unify.

If they only engage in skirmishes without nuclear weapons, I can overlook that.

But nothing more, nothing less.

If they persist in making nuclear weapons, we can only respond strongly.

“How is missile development progressing?”

“We’ve significantly increased the missile range.”

Right. We need to extend the missile range now.

So that we can strike China at any time, especially the Republic of China. We have to cross the Atlantic too.

If the National Government dares to defy our wishes and order, we’ll have to turn it into a sea of fire. What else can we do?

“I always say we must prepare to cross the Atlantic. And if the National Government pulls a fast one, we’ll attack with missiles simultaneously with a nuclear strike.”

Wiping out the National Government and dividing it is one option.

Of course, on the surface, it would look as though Mao Zedong and the Qing Dynasty are splitting it.

“Yes. We’re already moving missile launchers to the Far East.”

“Alright, we’ll see.”

From my perspective, China is all just the same.

The main culprits, the Communists, will come crawling back to me themselves, and given that the madman wishes for a divided China, there’s no need to squash them.

In the original history, the Republic of China owned a significant portion of Southern Chinese territory without the national heritage.

Once they attempt nuclear development, they’ll continue trying to eat into our domain.

If they refuse to heed our warnings, they’ll find out that’s the end.

The United States wouldn’t tolerate other forces developing nuclear weapons either.

Not long after, we received contact from the Russian delegation that went to the National Government.

“Regrettably, there are no individuals by the name of Chen Qisheng among the doctors.”

These bastards are clearly trying to hide something. Even if they say he’s not there, we have to make it look like he is.

At least the Okhrana has moved separately, so we might uncover something.

* * *

National Government Chongqing

There was an Okhrana branch in Chongqing of the National Government.

Having come down from the Far East branch, Xianyu currently served as the head of this branch.

It was also Xianyu who volunteered to take on this job, citing the many tasks since the assassination of Chiang Kai-shek.

Recently, the directive they received was to investigate the National Government’s nuclear-related facilities.

Investigate anything that seems dangerous and report the details to Moscow.

“Hmph, the director has asked me to look into it.”

“He stressed that you must not get caught by Dairi.”

Dairi. He’s the second-in-command of the National Government and the head of their intelligence agency.

Despite Dairi’s scrutiny, Xianyu firmly developed the Okhrana branch.

“There’s nothing to worry about. We’ve already established roots here in Chongqing a long time ago.”

With outstanding intelligence capabilities, Xianyu kept an eye on the situation in Chongqing.

Especially regarding nuclear matters, since the establishment of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, they had been studying nuclear issues faster than others ever since the National Government initially refused to join.

Xianyu was quick on the draw. He had already confirmed that there are several nuclear research facilities near Chongqing by employing the Okhrana agents from Manchuria.

“Where’s the funding for all this coming from? It can’t be from the U.S., can it?”

“It feels like they’ve thrown the future of the nation into this.”

“Right. If they can just secure nuclear weapons, it won’t be hard for them to unify Southern China.”

It seems the National Government wasn’t even trying to hide it outright, having so many research facilities near Chongqing.

Some of these facilities already had Okhrana agents infiltrating as researchers or laborers, and information was coming in constantly.

“The third research facility confirmed by Dairi’s intelligence agency is currently untraceable.”

“Then it’s obvious. That place is where Chen Qisheng is hiding.”

Isn’t that the only logical answer?

“Isn’t this a ruse?”

Right. Dairi could certainly pull that kind of stunt.

They’ve likely set up numerous nuclear research facilities as a decoy.

But, sadly for them, they likely don’t know we’re singling out a specific individual.

That’s where the real difference lies.

“Our mother, the Tsar, foretold the existence of Chen Qisheng. Dairi doesn’t know we’re searching for this Chen Qisheng.”

Saying that, Xianyu sneered at Dairi, who would be fiercely hiding.

There’s no way Dairi would suspect we’re targeting a specific person.

Even if they say he’s not there, we can fabricate evidence. That was the order from Okhrana Director Beria.

We need to do that to strike against the National Government.

 

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