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* * *

Of course, between Makhno’s Free Territory and Communist Germany, we have our mustachioed friend Austria, Hungary, and the pro-Bolshevik Southwestern Ukraine. But who knows what might happen.

What if, after prolonging life with the support of Communist Germany, we attack Russia at the request of the German Communist Party during World War II?

Now that’s a little concerning.

I want to be as careful as possible right now.

After all, we need to make sure Makhno is definitely under our influence.

“Will Communist Germany help us out?”

“That’s impossible. They entirely depend on us for weapons. They’re even distant from Communist Germany. No one else cares about the Free Territory except us.”

In reality, the other great powers probably think we’re going to annex Ukraine.

Britain subtly acknowledges that Makhno is under our influence.

Effectively, Makhno’s Free Territory is treated like a free city by Russia.

Yeah, so Boris’ words are about that.

Just like Poland, they’re being absorbed into our sphere of influence.

“Are they armed with our weapons?”

“Yes. We’re supplying weapons in the same way we did with Poland.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

So they won’t be able to pull any tricks on us later.

If they somehow receive support from Communist Germany to attack us, we would notice immediately.

At that point, we can either crack down on them or start throwing them some bait now.

If they even think about doing something for internal unity, that would become a bit troublesome.

But if Makhno has received our help, there’s no way he’d have such thoughts.

He wouldn’t exactly be suicidal.

If there is anything, he might want to eat up the half-remaining Ukraine that turned to the pro-Bolshevik faction.

In that case, should we start revving up a bit?

If Makhno’s Free Territory looks like it’s going to collapse, it would be good to stir up some internal strife to drive them toward us.

Of course, it would help if something blew up on Makhno’s side.

“We’re always keeping an eye on Makhno, so if anything happens, we can promptly recruit the pro-Russians here and intervene.”

“Well, that’s settled, and it seems you have a lot to say today.”

Seeing many White Army members here must mean it’s about military matters.

Yeah, it seems they have something to discuss separately.

I’ve been exerting influence in the Duma, but the economic issues have really only been resolved at a payment level.

If I were to get involved directly, it would be in diplomacy or military matters.

They’re probably itching to bring that up now.

It can’t be about Japan. They at least regard Russia as their ally.

They might get a resounding slap in the face.

“It’s about the Kurdish issue.”

“The Kurds?”

Why is the Kurdistan issue suddenly coming up?

Well, I can somewhat guess.

The problem is how this relates to us right now.

“I hear the Kurds in Turkey are showing signs of wanting independence.”

“Oh, is that so.”

If Atatürk’s Turkey actually carried out history properly, they would have dispatched local governors to the Kurdish regions that were previously allowed to pay taxes during the Ottoman Empire.

So there must be some built-up resentment.

In fact, didn’t the Kurds establish a nation in 1927 because of this?

Something like the Ararat Republic.

This was around the time Turkey was facing significant anti-secular and ultra-nationalist uprisings.

Even though we’re supporting Turkey, considering that they’ve lost more land than in their original history, it feels a bit unfair.

Not to mention, there hasn’t even been a population exchange with the famous Greeks.

The Greeks marked for exchange are about to be absorbed by Russia into the Pontus Greek Republic.

This means they are significantly lagging behind their original historical status.

Sure, this means Russia can regain Eastern Roman territory, but conversely, Turkey would be weaker than its original history, which could prompt the Kurds to rise up more quickly.

At least we’re supplying Turkey with weapons, so there’s that.

Thinking about it, the situation for the Kurds is quite unfortunate.

Particularly the Kurds in Turkey are, well, victims of the Allied powers from World War I.

The original victorious powers had promised to establish Kurdistan, but the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920 was replaced by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, with all mentions of Kurdistan mysteriously omitted.

Hmm, but, you know.

“Does this have anything to do with us?”

In the new treaty, I didn’t ask for any issues related to the Kurds.

They were essentially mercenaries, and while they managed to obtain Constantinople through the assurances of other great powers, the Pontus Greek territory was a treaty made solely between Turkey and us.

There’s no reason for us to intervene on behalf of the Kurds.

“I want to say not really.”

“But there’s something, isn’t there?”

“This figure İhsan Nuri Pasha from the Kurdish Jalali tribe has requested us for weapons.”

İhsan Nuri Pasha. He was the Minister of Defense for the country established by the Kurds seeking independence from Turkey.

There was certainly a separate president at that time, and this was still before independence, so they must have been preparing to rise against Turkey.

But they’ve come asking us for help?

“Hah, so they want us who are supporting Turkey to support the rebels seeking independence from Turkey? Isn’t ignoring them an option?”

“Yes. They’ve got a rationale on their side, so turning them down isn’t exactly straightforward.”

What kind of rationale can they possibly have?

“What’s this rationale?”

“The true Saint, who has unified many republics to form a Union, urges you to support this independence.”

I see. They’re saying that if you’re not like other imperial rulers, you should obviously help them out.

Since even China’s Legalist Government has provided support, it’s understandable that they’re asking for help.

It feels a bit wrong to just brush them off outright here.

“Hah, this is absurd.”

“Yes. Wouldn’t that be a problem?”

The independence of the Kurds will ultimately end in a sorrowful suppression.

It’s truly unfortunate, but since I’m in a position to keep Turkey alive, supporting them would be problematic.

If the Kurds gain independence, just how much territory will Turkey lose?

Even more, Turkey was thinking of calling us their ally during World War II. It would be troublesome if Turkey’s standing diminishes.

“Hmm. This is quite a dilemma.”

“What if we promise to support Kurdish independence as a pretext to absorb Turkey at this opportunity?”

Ungern boldly proclaimed at that moment.

No, that’s definitely not it.

As a Korean, I don’t just discount Turkey as a brother nation~.

Even though the Russian army has become elite, those who become fiends to defend their nation are Turkish forces under Atatürk.

The Russian army is in the same situation. Would they even want to fight properly against such Turkish forces?

Turkey is a front where Russia might fall back into the mire once more.

When thinking of Pontus Greece, they’ve already managed to reclaim some of the Eastern Roman lands; changing the narrative to swallow Turkey now would just lead to indigestion.

“Atatürk is not someone to take lightly. Moreover, we can’t turn the Kurds into enemies because of this. If we were going to eat Turkey, we would have done so in the last war.”

Immediately, the powers of the great nations simply rejected the Kurds’ pleas for help as an internal issue for Turkey.

Turkey can just be tied into an international organization later and be placed under Russian economic influence; that would be enough.

“That said, we can’t just abandon the Kurds, can we?”

“Yes. It’s not that the Duma is unaware of your Majesty’s intentions. However, the issue is the fact that the Kurds have mentioned your Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

I absentmindedly tapped my fingers on the desk, lost in thought.

The fact that the Kurds have asked Russia for support implies that ignoring them isn’t easy.

The question remains of how this will be perceived in the international community and how it can be beneficial for Russia.

The gist is that Turkey must win.

In this process, we should not diminish our standing in the international community while refusing to assist the Kurds.

We can’t provide military support. No, that’s not it.

“Isn’t the Kurdish region essentially Turkish land, a successor of the Ottomans?”

“Yes.”

“Turkey intended to send local governors to control the area, and the Kurds, unhappy with that, have risen up.”

They dispatched officials to oversee the provinces, but for the Kurds, being unable to live freely as they wish has become an issue.

In the end, from the Kurds’ perspective, this was something promised by the Ottomans; thus, it would feel as if they were slapped unexpectedly.

After having lived freely while only paying taxes, being suddenly told to heed their language and meddled with, it would surely make them angry.

“Yes. However, it’s not quite that simple.”

“Yes. Viewing it simply presents a problem. The Kurds also have their sense of justice. Let me ask: Right now, is this a request for material and military support?”

Looking at the current situation, it seems the Kurds are rushing for independence sooner.

Considering the condition of Turkey is worse than expected, it’s likely that there was something they were preparing, not just because of the local governors.

“They’re at least asking for weapons support, right?”

It’s unfortunate.

Already, Turkey has had to cede part of Eastern Roman lands because of us.

If the Kurds attempt to secure independence, Atatürk will undoubtedly do everything in his power to prevent it.

We can’t throw a wet blanket on that.

“Huh.”

“What if we mediate instead? It’s about determining right and wrong.”

Mediation, huh. That’s not a bad idea.

Given the situation for the Kurds, they seem inclined to blow something up right now, and that doesn’t sit well with me.

“No.”

“Then where does your Majesty stand?”

If we want Turkey to align with us, it makes sense to support Turkey here.

Since the Kurds have requested our help, if we intervene in their domestic matters, they’ll complain about interference.

That’s a bit difficult to navigate.

“The Kurds’ sense of justice says that the Saint should help them. But how can a Saint support a violent struggle that kills?”

One side can’t simply pick a side in killing conducted by a Saint.

Unless it’s a true holy war involving Russia.

“If that’s the case…”

“Let’s do this. Only provide medical support.”

If we’re talking about a Saint, healing is their specialty, right?

So I plan to think about supporting medical personnel to help with casualties from both sides.

Coincidentally, due to the Red-White Civil War, Russia has seen an increase in medical personnel after forced inclusions into the Red Army resulted in deaths by the same enemy.

It’s just the right timing.

I’m going to show off the name of the Saint here.

“So, will that work?”

“Turkey needs to remain our ally. We shouldn’t expend energy over the Kurdish issue if we’re to fight together in the upcoming World War II.”

“World War II?”

In an instant, the members of the National Duma fell silent as if dead.

Ah, that statement might be a bit early.

Though it might be fine among others, bringing it up in front of the entire White Army would be a sensitive matter, especially after the turmoil of the Civil War.

It seems unlikely there’d be a full-scale war.

After all, it’s just Germany and Italy. Moreover, it’s Germany that hasn’t even swallowed Austria. It’s a situation where Poland might hold them back among Britain, France, Austria, and Russia; the two nations probably won’t collapse immediately.

The scale of U.S. involvement might not even ignite.

There might come a day when we hear, “Your Majesty, I’m disappointed!” so I waved my hands dismissively.

“Oh, the war? Yes. It’s the final war against the German Communist Party that will come later. Please don’t misunderstand.”

If they believe me, I would be saddened.

 

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