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* * *

That day, Baron Rothschild, who was spending the night at the accommodation arranged by Tsarina Anastasia in Moscow, was engulfed in thought.

“Israel on Chinese land.”

While it’s already been decided to establish Israel by relocating Jews to Palestine through the Balfour Declaration, it doesn’t seem entirely impossible.

Tsarina may have phrased it oddly, yet looking around Russia, it was the only European country that did not persecute Jews at that moment.

Moreover, the fact that Jews would migrate eastward was true.

Establishing Israel on land inhabited by Palestinians leaves room for conflict, just as it does if Israel is set up in Asia.

There might be friction with China, but if things remain divided as they are, and if there’s room for Jews to nestle in?

What if Japan falls more quickly than expected? If Russia were to get its revenge for the Russo-Japanese War by striking Japan hard from behind?

China has a vast population and land, but it wasn’t modernized and has been divided up like a cake among the great powers.

Even now, it’s fractured under warlords, so it’s no wonder they would struggle against Japan in battle.

What if Russia were to assist China under the pretext of gaining territory during the Sino-Japanese War?

It’s not entirely impossible.

Since ancient times, China has been the hegemonic power in East Asia.

It has long been a great power overseeing numerous vassal states.

The richness of the land and large population are the reasons China could remain a hegemonic state for so long.

Israel being established on that land?

“Surprisingly, it might not be such a bad idea.”

The position of Jews in Europe has become somewhat delicate now.

Only communist states treat Jews favorably while other European nations view Jews as honorary communists, spies for the Communist Party, and behind-the-scenes figures in the Bolshevik Civil War—the list goes on.

However, that’s not the case in Russia, where they don’t have much understanding of Jews and have barely been affected by communism.

If a pro-Jewish state like Russia is adjacent to a visibly established Israel on Chinese land, it might not be such a bad outcome.

“Russia is not that bad of an option, after all.”

However, there were hidden conditions in Tsarina’s proposal.

Recognition of Branobel’s supremacy in Surgut, no interference with the Baku oil fields, and instead, development of Northern Manchuria.

Accepting all of this means drawing a line with Standard Oil.

From the standpoint of having tried to push Branobel out along with Standard Oil, this raises trust issues.

Even if he is Baron Rothschild, he cannot simply make unilateral decisions about the company’s policies.

In other words, things might become a bit uncomfortable, but initially, Tsarina’s proposal could simply be ignored.

It’s just a matter of feeling uneasy.

Does this mean I have to partner with Branobel again?

Branobel had been doing well after all.

Moreover, if Tsarina is personally protecting it, it could mean an intention to collaborate with the Romanov Oil Company. This indicates direct involvement from the royal family.

Backing up Branobel essentially means backing up the Romanovs.

With the situation in Germany and Italy having deteriorated since the communist regime rose, it’s nearly the end for the Rothschild branch.

Austria is also in a tricky spot, being an anti-communist state.

If anti-Jewish sentiment grows stronger in Britain, we might need to seriously consider establishing a branch in Russia.

* * *

Duke Felix Yusupov, while Baron Rothschild and Tsarina Anastasia were having a discreet conversation, separately met with Emmanuel Ludwigovich Nobel, who was managing Branobel.

The oil business needed to be wrapped up urgently.

Tsarina was a person who did what she said, so I had to move quickly on this front.

“What brings you to me today? Is there a problem with the installation of the oil pipeline?”

“No, that’s not it. I am here to convey a message from our Tsar.”

At Emmanuel Ludwigovich Nobel’s question, Duke Yusupov waved his hand.

The Tsar’s message? Is that regarding Tsarina Anastasia?

What could it possibly be about?

As long as it’s not related to that damn Royal Dutch Shell, it should be fine.

In the first place, during the revolution, amidst the Russian Civil War, the Bolsheviks nationalized oil, receiving support from companies competing with Branobel.

Although after the war, they regained shares in the Baku oil fields, they lost a significant advantage due to the nationalization issue and were lagging behind Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil.

“What is this about, exactly?”

“Tsarina wishes to collaborate between the royal family and Branobel to create a new oil company.”

A joint oil company.

This was an unexpected proposal.

I was just thinking of trying to ensure Branobel’s survival and invest in other fields, but does Tsarina have an interest in Branobel?

“So, are you saying that Tsarina wishes to establish a joint company with the Romanovs?”

“Yes. And she also intends to negotiate with the Rothschilds to back Branobel.”

Negotiating with the Rothschilds?

Isn’t that the Jewish family behind Royal Dutch Shell?

“Hmm.”

That certainly is quite unexpected.

Who would have thought that Tsarina would take an interest in the Nobel family’s oil business?

I was already struggling due to the backing Royal Dutch Shell received from the Rothschilds.

“After all, wasn’t it almost a company on the verge of collapse due to the revolution? Why not join forces with the Romanov royal family now?”

“Hmm. Does that mean the royal family will be directly supporting our family?”

Unlike when I was brainstorming on how to deal with the Bolsheviks, this was straightforward.

It’s concrete evidence that the Romanov royal family is backstopping the Nobel family.

A joint venture with the Romanovs essentially means the company would be directly run by the Russian royal family, which could allow it to grow even larger than before.

“If it doesn’t harm Russian interests, His Majesty will support the Nobel family. His Majesty has great affection for Branobel.”

Tsarina wanted to maximize Russia’s capabilities in preparation for the Great Depression.

For that, resources must be extracted as much as possible.

When others might be failing, we need to at least maintain the status quo—or better yet, advance.

Therefore, Tsarina is taking an interest in oil.

The Romanov Oil Company may do fine, but with Branobel’s power, things could improve.

“But can we manage things with Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil? I’m not sure if the Rothschilds will be willing to overlook it.”

This is bound to become more complicated.

Given that the Nobel family had been hit hard by the current civil war, it would be good if someone was backing us.

“Trust His Majesty. If you’re already in discussions with Baron Rothschild, it’s basically resolved.”

Yeah, well, if it’s restricted to Russia, Royal Dutch Shell wouldn’t be able to touch us that easily.

That’s fundamentally why they funded the Bolsheviks in the first place.

Let’s give it a try.

“Hmm, well, that’s something for the family to discuss, but personally, I’ll consider it positively.”

Not long after, the Romanov-Branobel joint oil company was established.

* * *

Somehow, it seems that our Walter Rothschild is interested in researching me, not as an animal but as a person.

It hasn’t been long since our discussion, yet here he comes already. Do I resemble some sort of animal?

I was intending to eavesdrop on what he might say.

“Your Majesty. Regarding the establishment of Israel.”

Was he interested in establishing Israel in the East?

Was he really considering aiming for China instead of just the Balfour Declaration?

Chaim Weizmann, a Jewish chemist from the Russian Empire who discovered the acetone process, argued that Palestine should be the Jewish homeland to Balfour.

I didn’t expect Baron Rothschild to show such interest.

If I play my cards right with the issue of Israel, perhaps Rothschild might be encouraged to invest more in Russia.

Would I need to put on a smile and share some sweet words?

“Yes. Please go on.”

“Although the Balfour Declaration is already in place, do you intend to pursue this separately?”

Balfour? Why should we tiptoe around the Balfour Declaration?

Truth be told, the Balfour Declaration became a more acceptable issue due to the Jewish Holocaust, resulting in stronger support for the establishment of Israel.

Oh, I see.

Right now, he’s weighing the possibilities for both Palestine and Israel within China.

If the establishment of Israel in the East is achieved, then both the Rothschilds and the British could leverage the Balfour Declaration as a justification to expand their influence in China.

Alright, let’s keep him intrigued and play a little tug-of-war.

“Didn’t I say, just in case. Just suppose, if a tremendous number of Jews were to migrate to the East, wouldn’t we have to establish a country for them? Wouldn’t we?”

“Uhmm.”

If he wants to see a real country established, he should bring all the Jews who will move here as per the Balfour Declaration. Why say such things?

To be frank, given the hostilities in the Middle East due to certain nations, it wouldn’t be entirely bad.

Of course, if Jews occupy part of China, the Chinese would try to drive them out due to their ethnic nationalism, and the Jews would fiercely resist losing their established Eastern Jerusalem.

Additionally, an independent pro-Russian Korea might help Israel balance against China, and contrary to real history, boosting naval power over the army might be beneficial to prevent American expansion into the Pacific and Asia.

It’s shaping up to be a favorable scenario.

If this Baron before me helps out, along with suitable support from Britain, we might have something solid here.

“Is it certain that there’s oil in Northern Manchuria?”

He looks at me with skeptical eyes at first.

This must indeed be a very personal matter.

Anyway, the development of oil-rich territories will bring us closer to the establishment of Israel in the East.

“We might need some deeper drilling, but it definitely exists. I’ve sent out exploration teams. So we must work hard on drilling technology.”

“Is this merely your assumption?”

Yes. It’s merely an assumption. If you’re so curious, why not come learn from the future like everyone else.

I want to say that outright, but I hold back.

Sometimes, it’s best to stay mysterious.

Look at how he’s responding to the prospects of an Eastern Israel project.

“Yes. It’s just a hypothesis. I discovered Surgut on a hunch, and the exploration team has confirmed that there’s potential. However, drilling technology must be up to par.”

“Uhmm.”

I’m sure he’s curious.

I bet he’d like to mull this over—Northern Manchuria development and Eastern Israel.

It seems Tsarina is trying to stitch together seemingly unrelated topics.

I subtly tossed this onto the table.

If he firmly invests in Northern Manchuria, I will establish Israel in the East should the one outlined in the Balfour Declaration fail.

That’s essentially what it is.

“Russia is a resource-rich country. Therefore, I’m considering further developing drilling technology. Who knows? If you help us out, Rothschild might find a foothold in Russia.”

At the very least, we could serve as a refuge for Jews who might face criticism wherever they go in Europe.

“Truly, it seems like the whispers of a devil. I have something I’m curious about regarding you, Your Majesty.”

With that good-natured face, what could he be curious about now?

“Please, go ahead.”

“I realized one thing during my tour of Moscow today. You are a saint, and you possess foresight in many matters.”

Why are you prying into this, you old fool?

Seriously, is he a scholar researching Anastasia instead of being a person?

I shook my head vigorously.

“It’s just that the citizens of the United States shower praises upon me, drawing attention. It’s rather embarrassing to be known to Baron Rothschild.”

“It’s famous even in the UK that you predicted the disaster of Japan. A few Japanese who came to the UK recounted similar stories.”

So what does he want to say?

I’m feeling extremely anxious right now.

 

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