The Age of Madness (4)
Sun Yat-sen welcomed Chen Jiongming with open arms the moment he returned alongside the Russian military advisory group, laden with a vast quantity of Russian-made weapons.
“Hahaha. Well done, Chen Jiongming! You’ve truly outdone yourself!” He was so delighted he even pulled the man into a full embrace. Russian support had become an absolute godsend for the Constitutional Protection Government—a downpour after endless drought.
“Chiang Kai-shek didn’t even dare mention Manchuria. Hahaha!” Chen Jiongming declared with outward confidence, even claiming he had stood firm before the Tsarina herself, while inwardly sneering.
“Of course he wouldn’t. In the end, even that imperialist Tsarina had no choice but to recognize our Constitutional Protection Government.”
If Lenin had been the Bolshevik idol who met a fittingly explosive end and was remembered in White Russia as a communist dreamer, then Sun Yat-sen was the dreamer incarnate. Having barely managed to establish the Constitutional Protection Government after overcoming one desperate crisis after another—unlike in the original history—he was utterly convinced that his regime stood for justice and righteousness. It was exactly like how Joseon had once tried to civilize Japan and the Jurchens through Neo-Confucianism.
Sun Yat-sen was certain that his ideals had moved the imperialist Tsarina lurking in Moscow. Just you wait.
Chen Jiongming kept a bright smile plastered on his face like a mask while inwardly pouring contempt on the man behind it. Backed by the power of Russia, he armed his troops and rose in an instant as the hero of the Constitutional Protection Government.
Chiang Kai-shek felt threatened by Chen Jiongming’s rapid ascent. It was blatantly suspicious. Everything seemed to be unfolding exactly as someone had intended; Chen Jiongming was steadily expanding his influence within the government. So he went to see the man in person. He needed to confirm whether Chen Jiongming had sold China out to the Russian Tsarina. After all, if he was capable of selling Manchuria, he might very well sell the entire country. Judging from his past behavior, the Chen Jiongming that Chiang Kai-shek knew had never been one to blindly obey Sun Yat-sen. That only made it more suspicious.
“The Tsarina really provided all those weapons?”
“That’s right. Is there a problem?”
“She truly said she would support us without conditions regarding Manchuria?”
“The Russian Tsarina said she would support us regardless, so there’s no issue.” Chen Jiongming played dumb and denied everything.
“Still, she wouldn’t just hand them over for nothing.”
It was strange. The Tsarina? It didn’t add up. For her to offer support when there was friction over Manchuria seemed odd in itself.
“Of course the Manchurian and Mongolian issues remain, but it seems the Tsarina also dislikes the idea of Japan collaborating with Duan Qirui’s Beiyang Government.”
“Hmph.” That was exactly what felt off to Chiang Kai-shek. Why would Russia bother with Chinese affairs? Given their cooperation over Manchuria, there was no reason for Russia or Japan—who had seized Mongolia and Manchuria—to support Sun Yat-sen’s Constitutional Protection Government that condemned them both. Especially since Chiang Kai-shek, though he had not visited Russia himself, knew that the Tsarina who had survived that brutal civil war would have no reason to support a potentially troublesome regime in Asia while dealing with European matters. It simply didn’t make sense.
“Hmm.”
“Or do you think I sold China out and hid it under the Tsarina’s skirts?” Look at that sly face. His position was improving by the day, so of course he wore that expression. Not that Chiang Kai-shek had thought that far. After all, the Tsarina who had won the civil war and was busy reclaiming European territories had no reason to covet mainland China. So there was no need to accuse him of treason. Still.
“No, that’s not what I meant at all.” Chiang Kai-shek shook his head slightly. There was no need to sour relations with Chen Jiongming, who served as the liaison with the Russian United States. Was he being overly sensitive? Europe was currently preoccupied with Red Germany and had no attention to spare for China. Russia was the only power capable of providing support. Whatever Chen Jiongming had offered in exchange, they were in no position to complain right now. He had probably thrown them a few concessions in China. If it later turned out he really had committed treason, they could purge him then and simply recognize Russia’s claim over Manchuria. That would suffice.
As the reforms progressed, I practically sold my face everywhere I went. No matter the task, I put myself front and center. Especially like how Grand Duchess Olga had personally nursed the imperial troops, I stepped forward and took action myself. If the Tsarina asked whether this was really necessary, the honest answer was: would it even be possible otherwise? I was simply doing what others told me not to.
Of course I wasn’t wandering around thoughtlessly. On the surface, I told the officials I was doing it to win back the public sentiment that Nicholas II had destroyed—the confused hearts of a people caught between war and its aftermath.
And then.
“The Tsarina herself visiting the construction site? What is this…”
I never expected to run into Hitler here either. While I was handing out towels and water to the workers, the little mustache appeared with a startled expression. So he was personally supervising the site? I had only told him to draw up plans according to the building schematics. That was why I had assigned architects to him as well. Why was he here in person?
Looking at the young Hitler’s surprised face, I still couldn’t match it with the future Führer of Nazi Germany. People really do need the right starting line, don’t they?
“I have to do at least this much if I want to recover the public sentiment my father drove into the abyss. At the very least, I’ll be able to earn the title of a Tsarina who works for the citizens of the United States.”
A monarch personally taking action in the twentieth century. I wasn’t unaware how shocking that was. If I set the precedent, so be it.
“In truth, Your Majesty is currently Russia’s only hope, aren’t you? If any impure elements were to appear…”
Impure elements. There shouldn’t be any of those left. There might be a few people who lost family and harbored resentment toward me, but wasn’t that exactly why I was out here in person? I had brought only a few Cossacks with me to the construction site. Anyone who tried to target me would be killed by them first. Besides, I didn’t think I would die by a bullet just yet. And I had the Ohrana following behind me.
“Those kinds of people died long ago. More importantly, Corporal Adolf, were you personally inspecting the buildings here?”
“I have been discussing the Moscow urban plan with the architects, but no matter how I look at it, I cannot compromise on aesthetics.”
“Ah, the appearance.”
That made sense when it came to Hitler. He had always placed great importance on aesthetics. If it was within a reasonable compromise, then…
“There are indeed some issues. If we focus solely on practicality, wouldn’t the city’s appearance suffer?”
“Still, it is one of the cities that will serve as a capital, so that’s understandable.”
Though Moscow would never reach the level of Germania, of course. The fact that he had at least presented suggestions regarding aesthetics to the architects showed that Corporal Adolf had his own thoughts on the matter. Perfect timing. It was time to open a new path for Hitler. The reconstruction of Moscow was proceeding steadily and its outline had been largely decided.
He probably already knew the time had come.
“The Czech Legion will soon head to Austria. It’s obvious they will become the Kaiser’s personal loyalists. Now you too must decide where you will go.”
“Yes. I intend to go to Austria. That’s why I wanted to check one last time before leaving.”
Just as I had heard. On the contrary, it would have been troublesome if Hitler had taken my casual remark seriously and declared he would go to Germany, become the Führer of Germany, and appear in the Duma. If that happened, the Ohrana might have had to restrain him from behind the scenes.
So what should I say to our Corporal Adolf who was heading to Austria?
“Austria is surrounded by the red plague drooling from every direction. It will probably be much harder for you than it was for me. At least I had the title of Grand Duchess to serve as a focal point.”
I had the Romanov title, so it worked out. But could this world’s Hitler truly succeed in Austria rather than Germany? From what I had cooked up with Gaida, it seemed he planned to use Gaida’s military power as a foundation. I was curious how he would pull it off.
“Do you know what I will do?”
Well, I was curious too, so I decided to probe a little.
“For example, you’ll mention our Russian Civil War and rally people under the anti-communist banner. Then you’ll say that the red wave trying to dye Hungary, Slovakia, and the other former imperial territories red is surging in from all sides. That everyone must unite as one.”
Right now, that was the only way for Hitler to achieve anything in Austria. To bring Hungary and Slovakia back into the empire and resist the Bolsheviks, he would have to use anti-communism as the guiding spirit. It would also soothe the Czech people. The timing wasn’t bad. He could announce a reorganization into a United States of Austria-Hungary-Czechia or something similar and draw them all together. If the name Austria didn’t sit well with him, the Danube Federation would work just as well.
In the end, to force together what does not wish to be joined, you need a common enemy. Communist Germany or Italy would make excellent catalysts. Even so, it would be more difficult than in Germany.
“It’s just a hunch. As a veteran of the Great War, you’ll have to bring Hungary and Slovakia back as constituent states of Austria. It’ll be harder for you than it was for me.”
I had simply picked up some warlords and possessed an invincible cheat body. Hitler now had to face communist Germany from a weakened Austria. The treaty imposed on Austria would probably not be easily lifted by Britain and France because of communist Germany. Not to mention that until recently he had been fighting alongside volunteer forces who had been enemies just a few years earlier in the Great War. That must have changed his perspective somewhat.
“Still, I must succeed no matter what.” Corporal Adolf clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination.
Before sending him off, there was one more thing I needed to confirm.
“You seemed to have negative feelings toward Jews. Do you still feel that way?”
This was the problem with him, after all. I had thought about it many times, but my one worry was that he might later shout about Lebensraum, about Russia being the land of the Jews, and invade. When you examined the reasons for invading the Soviet Union, it wasn’t purely about Lebensraum, so I didn’t need to worry that much. But if his ideology later turned against Russia, that would be a problem.
I don’t know how he interpreted my words, but our mustached soldier pulled a book from his coat. The title was Towards the Annihilation of Communism.
“I heard that a Jewish woman named Ayn Rand wrote this book, Towards the Annihilation of Communism. She is apparently studying at Moscow National University.”
“Ah, yes, she is.” I nodded without thinking. Wait, when on earth did she write that? The Ministry of Education had said they were publishing anti-communist books. Had they put Alisa Rosenbaum to work? I never imagined she would write a book called Towards the Annihilation of Communism. Her pen name had definitely been Ayn Rand. It must be her.
“This author truly felt the essence of communism I witnessed here at a very young age. Seeing that, I realized that not all Jews are Bolsheviks.”
In other words, in our mustached soldier’s mind, Bolsheviks now ranked above Jews.
“What is the dream you ultimately wish to achieve?”
“To eradicate the Bolshevik scum who ruined great Germany, and to unify Germany under the leadership of Austria—under Vienna.”
I see. So that was it. Even if the constituent states became independent again after communist Germany collapsed, unifying Germany would still be a net gain. There wasn’t the slightest trace of falsehood in his eyes. Had all his anger toward Jews been redirected onto the Communist Party instead?
In the original history, this was the man who had triggered the Holocaust by deciding to kill all the Jews. Now, it seemed every red in the world would receive Hitler’s wrath in their place. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed better to support Hitler. If things went well, I could set him up as the shield of anti-communism and let him kill all the reds for me. I prefer others to blow my nose and cook my meals for me. If I declared I would kill all the communists, it wouldn’t fit the image of a saint. On the other hand, it was perfectly fine for Hitler to do it.
“Rebuilding the Dual Empire will be difficult too. You really are something. The red wave will try to swallow Austria whole. When that time comes, I will support Austria’s position.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll also make separate arrangements for the Volga Germans to help you.”
With those words, I left the construction site. The question was whether it would truly work. Personally, I could only hope that Hitler would build a proper breakwater. If that failed, I would have no choice but to give him more power. This side also shared a border with China in Asia, so Hitler’s Austria needed to perform properly. Of course, China wouldn’t be a concern for the next several decades. But to make sure it stayed that way, I would need to meddle in Chinese affairs.
Now, my next destination was one place in particular. Honestly, that book by Alisa Rosenbaum that Corporal Adolf had shown me—Towards the Annihilation of Communism—had also caught my interest.
Yes. It was time to meet Alisa Rosenbaum.