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Not long after assigning the Okhrana, Beria came to visit.

That was quick. Did he do some reconnaissance beforehand?

“Beria, did you find anything out?”

With that familiar sly grin on his face, it seems he must have gathered some information.

I keep thinking I should schedule a time to correct that face of his, but alas, there’s no one but Beria available to handle the Okhrana. So he has to continue managing the Okhrana for now.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You seem to have discovered it quite quickly?”

“It’s thanks to Xianyu, the head of the Okhrana’s Southern China branch.”

“Isn’t he the one who handled the assassination of Chiang Kai-shek?”

I’d like to meet this Xianyu in person.

If he’s that diligent, it would be reasonable to hand over the position of director of the Okhrana to him.

Of course, Beria would be the successor.

“Yes. His loyalty to the United States is quite impressive as well. Xianyu even conducted some reconnaissance before I could issue my orders.”

Ah, I see. Being loyal to the United States must mean he’s well-informed.

Well then, let’s hear it. I’m curious about what’s going on in Chongqing right now.

“There’s said to be a place south of Chongqing, a research facility that secretly has National Government officials coming and going. They are undoubtedly conducting some research without our knowledge.”

Indeed, there’s something going on.

It’s evident that they are the wary ones. After all, when else would they try to develop nuclear weapons if not now?

They might face international sanctions, but if they don’t act now, they can’t protect the Chinese nation. So they might think.

Since this is their last chance, they’ll likely attempt something no matter what. We have to stop this.

“Is that so?”

“Moreover, I’ve heard there are some radiation-related facilities as well.”

Sounds rather serious. Indeed, it seems these guys have no intention of stopping.

And in the end, they’ll try to produce them somehow. Maybe even faster than expected.

Given how much they’ve already bought in terms of weapons, it seems like they’re still a bit slow, but we can’t overlook this.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It appears there are different individuals than those we were given on the list of researchers. It’s a diversion.”

That makes sense. They can’t hide a nuclear program that easily.

And they probably wouldn’t want to. The moment they try to hide it, they know we’ll find out.

They’ll choose to show us what’s visible, but it’s the National Government that has that Da Li character.

As long as that guy is alive, the National Government is not something we can just overlook.

“Did Da Li really think we wouldn’t be conducting this background check?”

That guy probably thinks he’s in a position similar to Beria in the Russian Republic.

“He probably knew to some extent. I believe he has multiple locations set up like this.”

I see. They’re scattered around Chongqing and also in places somewhat removed from Chongqing.

Ugh, it’s a bit revolting. They want to build nuclear weapons while trying to keep it hidden from us, don’t they?

“Fake? What do you think will happen if they get caught?”

Isn’t it obvious that they’ll be caught in no time?

“If they get caught, they’ll simply show us everything. If you want to hide a tree, you must hide it in the forest.”

To hide a tree, you hide it in the forest. That makes sense.

Da Li seems to be quite clever.

After significantly expanding their research facilities, they show everything that’s visible to us while hiding the real deal, thus avoiding suspicion.

Right. He’s quite resourceful.

But isn’t he underestimating the intelligence capabilities of the Okhrana?

At this rate, it seems war might be the only answer.

“But what they don’t know is that we are aware of an individual named Chen Qisheng.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. There is indeed a person named Chen Qisheng.”

Looking at the report, there it was. Only then did I see the names of those hidden nuclear scientists.

Among them, I clearly spotted the name Chen Qisheng.

Right. It would be strange if he didn’t exist. Soong Mei-ling managed to figure it out well.

Even if history has changed, most great figures move in accordance with history unless I intervene or eliminate them.

This individual was likely forced out of the U.S., so the government he’ll be most inclined to is not the Qing Dynasty or the pro-Russian state, but rather the National Government, which is the most stable in China.

“Then, we can either kidnap him or do whatever we want with him. If the National Government is hiding him, they won’t be able to do anything if we kill Chen Qisheng.”

“Understood.”

It seems whatever we do to him will yield results. Or maybe… should I expand my moves a bit more?

Think about it. Do we really need to launch a nuclear strike?

First, when our delegation enters the National Government, I had already arranged for more support for the Southern China branch of the Okhrana.

In fact, there hasn’t been talk within Da Li’s intelligence department about discovering the Okhrana.

Even if they’re hastening nuclear development, they might still be unaware of the dangers of radiation.

If that’s the case, how about we sabotage the nuclear fission process and blow the whole research facility to pieces? That way, the sought-after nuclear bomb would carry a different meaning.

“It would be interesting if exposure occurred during the nuclear testing process. Looking at the report, I see that Chen Qisheng’s work is linked to radiation labs and nuclear-related research facilities.”

Exactly. There’s a test facility in Zhangjin, just south of Chongqing. They are conducting critical experiments there.

A critical point experiment for plutonium. Apparently, that’s the kind of work that Chen Qisheng is doing.

One of these involves research experiments using hemispheres. Just from this, it’s clear that these guys have quite a grasp of plutonium and nuclear physics.

Experiments to confirm criticality.

Wasn’t this something that had already happened in the U.S.? It must’ve been.

In fact, there have been criticality accidents in the United States, resulting in exposure. I wonder what would happen if we blew this place up.

“Yes.”

“Without asking for anything more, let’s just blow one place up.”

We could have the researchers all exposed, and then demonstrate the dangers of nuclear energy, so that the Chinese realize that engaging in such activities leads to disaster.

“Please do share Your Majesty’s brilliant plan with this foolish Beria.”

Beria knelt down and bowed his head.

If you ask me to let you know, I should let you know after all. Interestingly, this critical point experiment was something the generations after Einstein’s nuclear research had already studied.

At that time, I received a report regarding this. Remembering the experiments that had taken place in real history, I issued orders for them not to close the hemispheres.

Thanks to that, we avoided a critical accident, but China must experience it. Judging by how competent Chen Qisheng is, he might be too competent.

To progress nuclear research to that extent in the fragmented Republic of China.

“We need to sabotage this hemisphere experiment. When conducting the hemisphere experiment, we must ensure that the upper and lower parts of the plutonium core are closed. That way, the critical point will be exceeded.”

If we leave it as is, it will explode due to nuclear fission.

This hemisphere research facility is located in Zhangjin, a bit south of Chongqing. Even though it’s somewhat distant from Chongqing, they will definitely notice something if it explodes.

“One could certainly argue that they are openly conducting nuclear and radioactive research. They could hardly avoid it, and it seems they lack the capacity to develop nuclear energy.”

Exactly. That’s it.

“There will clearly be visible dangers. It will become evident that this is not an experiment they should have embarked upon.”

This could serve as a lesson for many nations who wish to develop nuclear weapons.

In the worst-case scenario, the National Government could ultimately see their incompetence lead to the creation of UN Peacekeeping Forces.

They could deploy peacekeeping forces under the pretext of maintaining peace while stationing their army. Of course, we should minimize this likelihood.

To initiate a civil war, we can’t have peacekeeping forces on the ground.

“Understood.”

“If we’re not careful, the infiltrated Okhrana might die. We need to proceed with utmost caution.”

“We already have loyal Okhrana members willing to sacrifice their lives. At this rate, they should be able to escape before the nuclear explosion. In the interim, we can say it was Chen Qisheng’s orders to close the hemisphere.”

“Is that so? Is the Okhrana that well infiltrated as researchers?”

“Yes. Since Chen Qisheng has so much to handle, he’s not restricted to just one research facility. If he gives orders via letter directly, we can intercept it in the middle and deal with it.”

Well, I suppose being that deeply embedded allows one to gather such information.

Da Li’s security is abysmal.

It seems he is indeed an influential figure just as he was in the original history.

Yes. We must ensure that nuclear energy is something they dare not even touch.

“Treating people like fools is one thing.”

Where could these fools be messing around? MacArthur is MacArthur.

Didn’t he let Chen Qisheng go just as the research was underway?

They should have either killed him on the spot or something like that.

If we blow this place up, Soong Mei-ling won’t be able to think of anything else, and they will have no choice but to wage a conventional war.

The warlords also wouldn’t be able to forgive the National Government developing nuclear weapons.

Before the National Government engages in further pointless research, the warlords might try to take them down first.

If that happens, we will surely need plenty of weapons.

“The Roman Treaty and the delegation sent by the United States should only supervise their research facilities as kindly as possible.”

Feigning ignorance.

Since the National Government cooperated with us eventually, we will also conduct direct inspections. We should simply go around where things are visible.

While they are foolishly preoccupied with their smiles, we will blow it up.

“By the way, are these guys really not backed by the Americans?”

I couldn’t help but keep feeling suspicious. I hope I’m wrong, but still, just in case I say this.

Beria would have already done enough of an investigation.

“Yes. It’s been reported that they’ve been conducting nuclear research behind the scenes while simultaneously preparing for a unification war during the reforms.”

If that’s the case, it’s a relief, but yes, the U.S. wouldn’t help China. I must’ve been too sensitive.

This is something that can’t be helped.

When Beria left, Maria, who had been following along, chuckled quietly.

“The National Government must have made quite an enemy of Your Majesty.”

Made an enemy? Not precisely.

Even if they hadn’t been researching nuclear weapons, I would have tried to cut them down somehow.

It’s fortunate that the nuclear issue provided a legitimate excuse. If Soong Mei-ling and Da Li were collaborating, that would be rather troublesome.

I can’t see Mao Zedong or Wang Jingwei keeping up with those two. Zhang Xueliang isn’t even worth mentioning.

“What do they have to fear? They have directly challenged our order, and all I’m doing is kindly dismantling such a National Government.”

What will become of those fools afterward? That’s of no concern to me.

We can just sell weapons through Balhae and tease them. We’ll drag Southern China into hell.

As for Northern China, they will try to differentiate themselves peacefully from those fools. That would be perfect.

There’s no worry of being caught, but if we fail, then we’ll have to annihilate the National Government under various excuses.

We should provide weapons to the Qing Dynasty and surrounding warlords and tell them to take down the National Government.

Indeed, Soong Mei-ling and Da Li are perilous.

“If that doesn’t work out, we may need to look into elimination.”

Now that Chiang Kai-shek is dead, Soong Mei-ling might seem insignificant, but she has managed to pull things together in this fragmented territory.

We had initially supported an autonomous government. Surely, our assistance made their nuclear development easier.

Considering that, yes. Perhaps the advancement in nuclear development is all due to me.

Thus, I have the duty to eliminate Soong Mei-ling and Da Li.

“Woof!”

“Huh! This rascal!”

Somehow, Belka II, who had been chasing after Maria, was panting in front of me.

I looked down at Belka, giving him an appropriate dog bone.

Belka listens well, but that Soong Mei-ling seems worse than a dog.

If I kill her like Chiang Kai-shek, I would raise rational suspicions against myself, and if I carry out a real nuclear strike, that would be problematic too.

Ah, why do I have to think about these things?

“I’ve been here a bit too long.”

Thinking about this, I should hop off the throne as soon as possible. But if I try to step down, there could be some who might commit seppuku next.

That’s a bit troubling.

In a way to comfort me, Belka II gently licked my hand.

“Belka II truly does resemble Belka.”

The Belka Kaiser gave me perished, but this offspring, Belka, has particularly grown fond of me.

Thanks to me, they managed to escape the hell created by Japan, so it would be nice if the Chinese would also behave nicely like that.

“Your Majesty. Speaking of which, it seems Alisa Rosenbaum is the leading candidate for the head of the Roman Nationalist Party.”

“Alisa Rosenbaum. Has she finally begun to make her presence known?”

It seems Alisa Rosenbaum is indeed trying to get into politics in this world more than I expected.

After all, she’ll manage just fine later on. At least, from what I know of the original history, Alisa Rosenbaum is quite a capable figure.

Even in World War II, she reportedly condemned the Communist Party and broadcasted the situation on the front lines via radio nationwide to boost the morale of the Russian people.

Well, she’ll likely handle herself just fine later. Currently, with Alexei Gastev, a strong candidate for Prime Minister turning into the head of the Rome Treaty Organization, there’s also talk of Nikita Khrushchev from the Social Democratic Party being the current Prime Minister.

There should be candidates rising from the Roman Nationalist Party, but sadly, most of them seem to be military personnel, so they don’t appear to be interested.

Maybe later, Alisa Rosenbaum might run for Prime Minister.

If she plays her cards right, she could very well become the first female Prime Minister in history.

 

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