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* * *

Right now, China is flailing about in a quagmire like a foal, bleeding in a civil war, which will only push unification further away.

They’ve fought so hard, yet the warlords are unlikely to relinquish power.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. Rather, it’ll strengthen regional autonomy. After all, my goal is to divide China. Dragging out this civil war increases the likelihood that China won’t unite in the future.”

“You say you want to divide it, but does that mean you want to do so while in a warlord state?”

“Won’t that ensure they constantly check each other indefinitely? Eventually, if Chen Zhongming seizes power, will he say, ‘You control this, and you control that’ when it comes to regional autonomy, and then lead us to become the United States in the future?”

Chen Zhongming’s actual historical downfall was quite drastic. You never know how he might change if he gains control over China.

It’s entirely possible that he might jump into action, channeling figures like Emperor Taizong or the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, crushing anyone who opposes regional autonomy, wreaking havoc in Vietnam, and even trying to reclaim the vassal state of Korea.

Of course, this is all pure nonsense.

But it is within the realm of possibility for Chen Zhongming to awaken suddenly.

Though I don’t know what kind of nation the regional autonomy of China will become, the deeply ingrained Sinocentrism is not something easily discarded.

Just look at the chaos with the Communist Party every time!

Therefore, just leaving things as they are could be one approach.

“Have you seen anything regarding China?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, I mean, the deity. Since you pray as a saint, does that mean China will become the axis of evil? Isn’t that what you imply?”

You, a saint, want to tear apart China because it’s becoming the villain, right?

That’s the gist of it, summarized.

“Are you saying the Prime Minister believes that?”

How does the Duma perceive me?

Am I really a constitutional monarch emperor after all this?

“Personally, truly, I believe that a powerful China will exhibit hegemonic tendencies. With their vast population undergoing industrialization, once they have surplus, they will likely long for the days when they were the center of the world and display their might to surrounding nations. I’ve informed the White Army as well; China is a nation one should never let their guard down around.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should keep this in mind at all times.

As it becomes clear that Russia has relied on China due to Ukraine’s invasion, Russia has put itself in a precarious position.

After that, things shifted to an invasion of Taiwan, escalating into a potential nuclear war.

“I see. But since Chen Zhongming was chosen by Your Majesty, he must be a person of substance, right?”

“Doesn’t it all seem to go according to the plan?”

“Hmm. But… this feels rather murky.”

Yeah. There’s definitely something left unsaid here.

Why does it feel like something’s just not right? Like it’s worrisome whether letting things remain as they are will allow Russia to achieve what it wants.

Wait, hold on. Could it be that these people…

I’d prefer to just let things slide, but are they seriously putting all their trust in what I’m saying?

Are they anxious now because they believed every word I said?

No.

If they could just lead the way, wouldn’t that need to be dealt with in the Duma?

If I’ve taken Chen Zhongming under my wing to resolve things for them, they should be able to handle some of this on their own.

If I keep quiet here, Tsarina might just cause a mess herself and pass the blame solely onto the Duma! That could happen.

Ah, that’s a bit much.

So, I’ll just be as cheerful as possible and play my part as the figurehead Tsarina.

At least until the Duma stands firm.

Even though I might seem like this, I ensure I take on responsibilities.

Speaking of which, I’ve heard that Japan is working hard to sell weapons to the Beiyang government.

* * *

Hoefang Government

Tsarina Anastasia’s letter was delivered to Chen Zhongming through the Russian White Army military advisors supporting the Hoefang government.

“Did Tsarina send a letter?”

“Yes. She instructed that it be seen by none other than Commander Chen Zhongming.”

Reading the letter received from the White Army military advisor, Chen Zhongming fell into thought for a moment.

It’s not just any message; it’s an invitation for mediation, asking him to accept it.

Of course, the true intent behind the message is all captured in the letter.

“Is this truly Tsarina’s intent?”

“I haven’t seen the contents of the letter myself, but if it’s following orders from the homeland, it suggests that if things continue like this, the great powers may intervene. Better to mediate now while you have the upper hand and aid Commander Chen Zhongming in seizing Sun Yat-sen’s position.”

Intervention by the great powers.

Certainly, nations like Britain and France wouldn’t miss the chance while China bleeds like this.

Being from the same European country, Tsarina knows very well.

“Hmm.”

“We’ll provide all the justification, so all you need to do is persuade that Sun Yat-sen character. I hear he hasn’t been well lately?”

Not a single word out of Tsarina’s mouth is incorrect.

Once this war ends, Sun Yat-sen will ultimately have to be ousted, and then there will be a succession struggle.

What comes after that? It’s clear.

How many will actually support the idea of regional autonomy?

It’s likely best to keep things ambiguous during mediation to shift the blame onto Sun Yat-sen and negotiate with the other warlords to help develop their respective regions. That’s the solution.

Chen Zhongming calculated it all in his mind.

First, he must convince Sun Yat-sen.

* * *

Japanese Empire

Japan also had much to say after receiving Russia’s mediation proposal concerning China via the Russian ambassador.

Prime Minister Takashi Hara convened a cabinet meeting to seriously discuss the China issue.

“Hrm, so we’re to mediate the Chinese civil war. What does that mean?”

“If the civil war intensifies, it’ll be tough to grab our interests, won’t it?”

There’s the Middle East Railway and domestic maintenance in Russia. I’m unsure what interests Russia might have in China.

If I had to pick, wouldn’t selling weapons while intensifying the civil war be more beneficial?

“Honestly, it’d be better if Duan Qirui wins.”

Formally, it was advantageous for the pro-Japanese Beiyang government to come out on top.

Since Duan Qirui is essentially the power behind the Beiyang government.

Although this feels rather like joining with the enemy.

Japan was aware that Duan Qirui was working with the Hoefang government, so it knew the current Duan Qirui wouldn’t last long.

Even just now, warlords rebelling against the Hoefang government have been steadily increasing.

Japan’s only gain from China for now is providing various arms support.

Ideally, they’d want to intervene directly with their own troops, but with the ongoing reconstruction after the major earthquake and deploying troops on the Korean Peninsula, their attention was divided, making intervention in China difficult.

At least there’s a high regard for Mutaguchi Renya managing law and order in the Manchurian Railway.

They need to do something about Duan Qirui soon.

“Once the Hoefang government is settled, Duan Qirui will surely turn on them. Now’s the time to reap the benefits.”

“Why is it that the mediation proposal suddenly arrives? What does it mean to have the Hoefang government win like this? Wouldn’t that be bad for Russia as well?”

From Japan’s perspective, the Hoefang government’s forces were gradually pushing back the Beiyang government.

The Beiyang government was already hearing accusations of having sold the nation to Japan; the more the civil war drags on, the more they’d naturally collapse.

In that case, pulling out at this point wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Actually, this could be a favorable proposal for Japan.

Russia asking Japan to join regarding the issue of China essentially acknowledges Japan’s influence there.

“Currently, it seems the concern is about the possibility of other great powers coming in.”

“Are they considering the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere?”

Some pro-Russian officials were pleased, believing it to be a concern for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, but this isn’t a simple matter.

“There are several reasons, but it’s said that Russia has received support from Britain and France, so if those two want in, it cannot be stopped.”

“Should this continue, Duan Qirui might contact Britain and France first. We had been considering mediation as well, so if Russia has brought this up, it might be right to go along.”

“Hmm, but wouldn’t that be too generous to Russia?”

“We have nothing to lose.”

Nothing to lose.

Japan accepted Russia’s proposal and dispatched special envoys to both the Beiyang government and the Hoefang government at the same time.

Meanwhile, acting president Sun Yat-sen of the Hoefang government flew into a rage upon receiving news of the mediation from Russia and Japan.

He glared at Chen Zhongming, who delivered the news, and slammed his fist on the table.

Bang!

“Ridiculous. You want to end it here?”

“Well, didn’t that allow Duan Qirui to withdraw?”

He agreed to the mediation plan to ensure Duan Qirui’s removal.

Russia and Japan had given their assurances that they would intervene militarily if necessary.

But conversely, this meant that China’s peace, this precariously stitched-up wound, rested entirely on the powers of colonial empires like Russia and Japan.

Sun Yat-sen disliked that idea and initially opposed it.

“Well, that’s certainly one way to put it!”

“According to Russia, it seems that Britain and France have considered intervening.”

Chen Zhongming’s careful whisper, only audible to Sun Yat-sen, made him frown.

“That’s not necessarily true.”

“Even if it’s not true, the very fact that it’s been said leaves room for hesitation, doesn’t it?”

Hearing that, Sun Yat-sen had to reconsider.

That might actually hold some water.

Moreover, if Russia and Japan planned to manipulate China, wouldn’t other nations be watching quietly?

* * *

 

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