NOVEL WEB Chapter 180
Let’s summarize.
“I heard that Britain is distancing itself from the United States. Then France will likely follow suit. Japan, too, seems to be subtly supporting MacArthur.”
“And?”
“I don’t think Japan intends to provide military assistance. They have only issued a supportive statement regarding MacArthur. Meanwhile, we have demonstrated in the Spanish Civil War that Russia has risen once more as a military power.”
That’s right. The Spanish Civil War allowed Russia to once again elevate itself from a second-rate power to a true great power.
Moreover, while we could not gain the Baltics, we did obtain the golden land of Ukraine.
But enough with the teasing; speak more plainly.
“Your Grace, I dislike vague statements.”
“The U.S. is bound to be provoked by what they witnessed in the Spanish Civil War, and wouldn’t the Huey Long government approach us as well?”
“Oh. So you think the same way, Your Grace.”
As expected of Duke Yusupov.
I couldn’t help but admire how well he understood me, being my money bag.
“But it’s not just the Huey Long government. If they approach us, MacArthur—with his blemished military government—will likely scramble to get closer to us as well.”
Oh, I see. That makes sense.
Right now, I’ve effectively blocked the intervention of other great powers into the U.S.
Above all, the only country capable of providing military support in this civil war is currently Russia.
So, if the Huey Long government approaches us, MacArthur will find himself in a difficult position.
Since military forces would undoubtedly be wary of Russia’s strength.
“We should delay any notions of intervention and extract whatever benefits we can from MacArthur and Huey Long, right?”
“Oh, that’s a brilliant idea.”
The subsequent relationship might get a tad complicated.
After all, there are no eternal allies or enemies in international relations.
Moreover, if we help them, MacArthur can’t just harbor endless resentment.
Hmm, another good idea has popped into my mind.
“What if we spread rumors that Russia is eyeing America’s West? How do you think they would react, Your Grace?”
This is a topic for the Duma, but we shouldn’t burden them with concerns about Russia’s future.
I need to prepare my own game.
Once I’ve set this up, I’ll surprise them! They should appreciate that we presented something impressive on behalf of the Duma, which is organizing Russia internally.
“Then won’t they protest?”
“We’ll just deny it. By doing so, both MacArthur and Huey Long will become anxious, forcing Russia to open their wallets even wider. Wouldn’t that be right?”
This is purely a business sense query.
I wonder how Duke Yusupov would see it.
“Indeed, Your Majesty, your words ring true.”
Is it just Huey Long and MacArthur?
If handled well, we could provoke some neutral forces in the West.
Couldn’t we give them a nudge of doubt saying, ‘Is this real?’ while central governance is split (KFC aside), allowing neutral forces to band together?
“More importantly, I have one more request. The Okhrana has been quite busy lately.”
“What is it?”
“Find Julius Robert Oppenheimer. He is likely being suspected from all directions at this point. He is a candidate to participate in this weapon project.”
Oppenheimer once fell into leftist ideology during the Great Depression.
His younger brother joined the American Communist Party, his wife held leftist views, and his ex-girlfriend was part of the American Communist Party as well.
Perhaps history changed, and he joined KFC, but it doesn’t seem likely.
Moreover, since the Russian Republic has created a conciliatory capitalism called Reform Capitalism—Anastasia-ism, there’s still a chance.
“Understood.”
Now, let’s get ready to make some money.
* * *
Confederate States of America, Louisiana
The Huey Long government recently found itself in a desperate situation as Britain withdrew its support.
What kind of country is Britain? Despite facing some colonial struggles, it remains the world’s number one colonial empire spanning the five oceans.
Its influence is something Russia cannot dare ignore, and Huey Long aimed to use Britain’s support as a springboard to oust MacArthur’s regime in the North.
“Britain has conveyed that it cannot provide military support for the Spanish Civil War, citing Communist Germany and the conflict.”
“Ha, then what about France?”
What has happened to France?
If France also turns its back on the Huey Long government, things will get tough.
“Well, apparently France is saying that the Spanish Civil War poses a problem for them in supporting our government alone.”
I see. I get it.
“The so-called colonial powers are all backing out.”
This leaves Russia standing alone.
So, is the answer just Russia?
Recently, Russia has been inserting its straw into the U.S. We must persuade the Russian Empress to join our side.
Truthfully, if MacArthur doesn’t beat them to it, Huey Long himself was also trying to emulate Empress Anastasia’s methods. This point could be leveraged for persuasion.
“Mr. President, there are rumors circulating in Russia about recovering Russian America.”
“With the Spanish Civil War and the rise of communist forces, that seems unlikely.”
“There are more than a million troops ready for deployment at any time. Italy is about to intervene with regular troops in the civil war, showing they have that number on hand. To pull Russia to our side, we likely need to offer some substantial compensation.”
“Hmm. We can’t afford to cede territory, right? Especially when Russia is stabilizing its own situation.”
“With all the reforms happening, Russia will need a lot of money, right?”
“Paying them might be an option. We should show some sincerity toward Russia.”
Huey Long dispatched Gerald Smith, Secretary of State of the Confederate States of America, to Russia.
Of course, Huey Long was not the only one seeking to woo Russia.
* * *
Military Government, New York
MacArthur felt secure due to the mutual defense treaty but reconsidered when he heard Huey Long’s government intended to contact Russia.
“Russia is targeting America? Is that true?”
He asked his aide, Eisenhower, who had recently become knowledgeable about Russia’s situation.
“Russia’s military strength is formidable, so it can’t just be a rumor. It would be difficult for the growing power of Russia to occupy and govern North America now. That would undo everything built so far, and more importantly, Russia’s Empress is not a reckless woman who would embark on such actions. Considering her authority, even if the Duma dared attempt such an act, it would be crushed by her authority.”
Exactly. That would be the case.
The Russian Tsarina is no fool either. Targeting America could lead to friction with Canada.
Canada is a British colony.
Would Russia risk conflict with Britain?
“I know that much. But can’t those KFC bastards stir up more trouble over this?”
“Your Excellency is correct. However, it seems that due to Russia’s engagement in the Spanish Civil War, this rumor is spreading unnecessarily. Recently, there have also been rumors of Huey Long approaching Russia.”
“Does that mean Russia could also ally with Huey Long?”
If they join, they wouldn’t do so lightly.
They’d likely impose various conditions.
They might even provide an enormous sum to lure Russia.
“Yes. Given that we desperately need support from the Russian military, we too should offer compensation to Russia, shouldn’t we?”
“Huh, so the value of the Russians has risen that much, huh?”
While I would love to wipe them off the map, I can’t.
At this current moment, we need Russia’s help.
Fortunately, if Russia’s actual intentions involve nothing, then this might just resolve itself through monetary means.
Meanwhile, during this time, Oppenheimer was quite twisted instead of aligning with Anastasia’s expectations.
The collapse of Soviet Russia and the emergence of Reform Capitalism in the Russian Republic is the very cause of the division in America—KFC.
With all these complex issues, Oppenheimer had been immersed under the MacArthur government in ideological alignment with the solutions the Great Depression offered through Reform Capitalism.
One day, a figure approached him.
“Robert Oppenheimer. We have started a physics-related project in Russia. The Tsar requires your assistance.”
The top magnate of Russia, Duke Yusupov, had come to find him.
* * *
As expected, the MacArthur government and the Huey Long government both sought the Duma respectively to form alliances and to grant mutual defense.
Naturally, they didn’t approach empty-handed.
Gerald Smith came from the Huey Long government, while Eisenhower visited on behalf of the MacArthur government.
Gerald Smith is known as a right-wing politician, yet here he is cozying up with Huey Long, who attempted to ally with KFC.
Or is it that Huey Long took in Smith to prove he’s no communist?
Well, MacArthur might have made a preemptive move, but technically, Huey Long also aimed to escape the Great Depression and take down Reds.
I leveraged this opportunity to bring up the Alaska issue again in the Duma.
“Is acquiring Alaska out of reach?”
“From a standard perspective, that seems quite likely.”
After all, saying, “I’ll help you out, so give me Alaska!” could cause their support rates to plummet.
Neither MacArthur nor Huey Long would accept this for the sake of their own regimes.
Hmm, but I still want Alaska.
I’m fixated on this for one particular reason.
Even if it’s just a small slice, I want to boast that I’ve set foot in American territory.
Hmm, doing it the conventional way doesn’t seem feasible.
So, I guess I’ll have to take it by force.
“But what if one side promises to give us Alaska? What then?”
“Well, for that to happen, at least one side must respond that they’re willing to discuss it.”
Discuss? Ah, I see.
For it to be possible, negotiations related to Alaska must occur on one side.
Suppose Huey Long pretends to have discussions regarding Alaska, and MacArthur hears this and fights alone, refusing to give up Alaska, only to be ambushed by Russia and Huey Long who have already promised the land.
MacArthur would rather die than lose territory! If that were to happen, the Huey Long government offering Alaska would emerge victorious.
Choices would thus dwindle to nothing.
Actually, Alaska could be obtained through utilizing the civil war in some form. But the relationship with the U.S. is the real issue.
“Will you meet Gerald Smith from the Confederate States of America in the Duma?”
“To be honest, there’s quite a bit of debate about that in the Duma. They have already officially recognized the MacArthur government. With the Secretary of State of the Confederate States coming to visit, it could become quite burdensome for us.”
Oh dear, I guess I’m going to have to step in again.
It feels like it would resolve if I were directly involved.
“Then, I’ll go meet him.”
I confidently placed my hand on my chest and declared with full assurance.
“You wish to do that, Your Majesty?”
“Even if we can’t receive Alaska, we should at least draw some discussions from it and gain value beyond that. It wouldn’t be a loss for the Duma, considering opportunities may arise, much like how Austin Chamberlain from Britain approached me.”
From the Duma’s perspective, it wouldn’t be a setback at all.
I could aim to acquire something suitable for my own gain, and the Duma could shrug it off saying, “Well, that’s our Tsar’s authority.”
“Indeed. There must be profound wisdom in Your Majesty’s intentions. Understood.”
Prime Minister Georgy Lvov and the Duma accepted this.
Yes. This is something I must resolve.
If all else fails, thirsty Gerald Smith will surely seek me out.
Before long, I found myself in the Kremlin after leaving the Duma.
“Your Majesty, the Secretary of State from the Confederate States has requested an audience with you.”
What I had been waiting for had arrived.
See? I predicted this would happen!
The Secretary of State from the Confederate States, visiting the Kremlin, was trying hard to butter me up with a smile.
“After coming to Russia, I have fully realized that Russia does not wish to occupy our America. Russia desires to establish a friendly relationship. Is there something you wish from the Confederate States?”
Compliments for Russia, huh? It appears that news of our territorial ambitions has spread even in America.
Still, our Russia has indeed grown quite a bit.
Smith’s notion of friendly relations is simply asking us to join hands with them.
Forget MacArthur, let’s play together with them! And if there’s something they want, they’ll cater to that.
But wait. As much as I wish, I actually need to correct Gerald Smith’s words.
So, with a haughty smile, I spoke.
“Ah, first, some corrections are needed. We do not wish to occupy America, but we would like to obtain one thing from American soil.”
“What do you mean by that? Could it be Alaska or California?”
Why is his face turning pale?
Oh, wait, that’s not it.
I’m not thinking of reconstructing Russian America.
At one point, I almost fell for Ungern’s devilish whisper, but my sense from my previous life kicked in, allowing me to see things realistically.
Let’s settle for just Alaska as a way to build up a justification.
Honestly, America is in flux right now.
No government has control over Alaska anyway. We can exploit this to our advantage.