The Saint's Prophecy
The Charina has prophesied.
Robert Goddard. The man who would one day develop rockets that had yet to show any real promise. That very man now stood before me.
“So you are the one called Robert Goddard.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Robert Goddard. It is an honor to stand before the Tsar of All Russia and Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.”
He showed me every courtesy he could muster. I suspected he had already begun to wonder. Why on earth did the Charina across the sea know about him?
“It is I who am honored to meet the man developing rocket technology.”
“But… how could Your Majesty possibly know of it? Even in the United States, very few were aware of my work, and my plans all but dissolved with the end of the war.”
Of course he was curious. How could a woman reigning on the other side of the ocean know about his research into rockets? The most plausible explanation would have been during the Great War, yet Russia had been consumed by revolution and civil war at the time. There was no way I could have known.
What should I say here? I really should have prepared an excuse in advance. Simply summoning him with a curt “Come to Russia!” would have seemed suspicious, yet that was exactly what I had done.
This was always the troublesome part. I found it tiresome to come up with reasons every single time. So instead, I simply offered the gentle smile befitting a saint of Russia.
“It is quite simple. The Lord pointed you out to me and said that you possess a technology Russia desperately needs.”
“So the rumors that you are a saint… were true?”
“It must be hard to believe. Just think of it as intuition. Whatever the reason, your technology is absolutely essential to us.”
In any case, your technology is necessary to us. That should be enough. Why bother asking for reasons?
“If I may ask, Your Majesty… what is your goal?”
Since I had gone so far as to summon him directly from America, Goddard seemed genuinely curious and cautiously inquired about my intentions.
“To completely eradicate communism from the world. For now, that means the destruction of Germany.”
I declared my fierce determination with absolute clarity. All of it was for the downfall of communism. Build me rockets to crush communist Germany. To crush the Reds. So that the Soviet Union would never rise as a superpower and drown the world in a red wave as it had in the original history. I would cut that sprout before it could grow.
Even if such words appeared in the newspapers, those susceptible to communist agitation would still be agitated. After all, newspapers only hold meaning if people believe them. No doubt the communists would cry, “Our communist Germany would never do such a thing!” That was exactly the sort of people who fell for such rhetoric.
Even if the German authorities tried to control the press with an iron fist, a single newspaper article would not carry much weight. After all, hadn’t some of the Cambridge Five fled to the Soviet Union only to regret it, lamenting that the world they found was not what they had wanted? Even an American journalist who exposed the reality of the Soviet Union had been killed. One could hardly claim that communism had been fully exposed by a single newspaper.
“Hmm. I saw that newspaper on my way here. If Your Majesty is willing to provide support, I will devote myself to developing rocket technology.”
“There are a few conditions. Your name will remain in Russian history, but that technology must not fall into American hands.”
Even if I shared it, it would have to be much later. At the very least, I wanted Russia to stay several steps ahead.
“Understood.”
“You will belong to a state institution, but you will specifically work for a defense company established by the Romanov Imperial Family.”
Since I was doing this anyway, I might as well pull everything toward my side. Later, I could tell the Duma that the Imperial Family was working tirelessly for the nation and use it as justification for all sorts of projects. In the long run, it was all about improving the Romanov family’s image.
“A company, you say?”
“That is correct.”
“As long as the technology I develop can be put to use, I have no objection.”
Just like Nikola Tesla, this man was the same. If I could absorb the skills of all these talents, it would be more than worthwhile.
After sending Goddard away, only Sikorsky remained.
“Igor Sikorsky. I hear you developed the Ilya Muromets.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I fled the revolution and moved to America. My original plan was to establish an aircraft company there.”
The fact that he said “was” meant that in the original history, he had already done so by now. I believe the company was called Sikorsky. But with the Bolsheviks collapsing, he must have hesitated. Which meant he had already been considering coming to this side from the beginning.
“The Bolsheviks have been defeated. History has changed.”
“Pardon?”
It was pointless to talk about history changing to people of this era. I shook my head once and clapped my hands.
“It is fortunate that you have returned. The state will provide full support. Please develop aircraft for Russia.”
“I will do my utmost.”
If possible, I wanted to extend my reach in every direction. Even though I had transferred power to the Duma, I needed to ensure that both the Tsar and I remained indispensable to Russia. So that even in the future, the Romanov family would be necessary for the nation and the Duma to function.
I planned to maintain the Tsar’s minimal influence so that he could continue approving proposals from the Duma. Having gone through the Red-White Civil War, I had learned one thing: a royal family as a unifying focal point was necessary for any semblance of cohesion.
Even now on the Korean Peninsula, there was much talk of rallying around the Yi royal family. The Korean Empire’s situation was somewhat unique, but in any case, an imperial family was needed as a symbol. In the 21st century, people had questioned why Britain still needed a king, but if the Romanovs offered to cover the cost of maintaining the imperial household with the national budget in the future, wouldn’t that be ideal? All of this was an investment for the future.
A Romanov oil company would be good. A defense contractor as well. Fyodorov had already founded a defense company based on the Fyodorov Avtomat, and a tank defense company would soon be established. With Sikorsky now in Russia, it would be excellent if he could develop not only helicopters but aircraft in a much broader range.
I would do everything possible while I still could. I would work as hard as I could to prevent a revolution from ever occurring. I considered every possible scenario and even thought about the Romanov Imperial Family after my death.
Considering that I was Korean in my previous life, the late Nicholas II should be grateful. After all, a foreigner had taken revenge on his behalf.
“Speaking of which, the ambassadors from various nations have requested an audience with Your Majesty.”
From every country? It seemed Poland had left them with quite a lot to say to me.
“I see. Then I shall meet them.”
Ambassadors from many nations came to me personally to offer condolences regarding the terrorist incident in Poland. The British and French ambassadors, among others, seemed curious whether I had made some secret deal with Poland, but I deflected by saying it was a matter for the Foreign Ministry. Naturally. Britain and France probably believed that the Charina, who had nearly been killed, was now showing favor to Poland. They likely wanted to know if I intended to punish Poland in this opportunity.
But I had no reason to tell them anything. If they were upset, they could go ask Poland themselves. Ask what exactly Russia had been given in exchange for its protection. In the end, it was a matter of pride.
Next was the Japanese ambassador.
“His Imperial Majesty of our Empire was concerned whether Your Majesty, the Tsar of Great Russia, had suffered any harm in this incident, and has sent Korean red ginseng. This red ginseng has been famous since the Joseon Dynasty.”
Uchida Kosai was enthusiastically explaining the virtues of red ginseng. Korean red ginseng? So during the Japanese colonial period, even red ginseng had come under Japanese control.
“With your country in chaos after the great earthquake, this is truly a thoughtful gesture. I hope your Emperor is also in good health?”
“Since the Emperor of our Empire’s ally, Russia, shows such concern for His Majesty’s well-being, of course he is well.”
As if. I knew perfectly well that Hirohito was currently acting as regent. The current Emperor, Yoshihito, was likely in poor condition. Just looking at how Uchida was carefully choosing his words and flinching gave me the answer. Wasn’t Yoshihito already at the point where he could barely speak? Tsk tsk, what a frail man. I had ended a civil war even in Anastasia’s body!
Though comparing myself to the divinely empowered Anastasia was hardly fair. Since I was Korean in my previous life, I did want to hear news about Joseon, but asking directly would seem strange. Then again, from what Ungern had said, wasn’t the atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula quite turbulent right now?
“Hmm. I heard the Korean Peninsula is in chaos. Is that true?”
“Ah, while there are some rioters, their influence will not reach North Manchuria, so it is not something Your Majesty the Charina need worry about. Even if they rally around the Yi royal family, they are destined to collapse.”
Is that so? It seemed difficult to learn more than that. If they had any sense, they wouldn’t stir up a bloodbath in Joseon under the current circumstances. With the great earthquake having occurred, Japan would probably station just enough troops to prevent uprisings, then manipulate things from behind the scenes to ensure the Yi royal family could not become a focal point. Moreover, his reaction just now confirmed it. “Even if they unite, they will collapse.” Since they couldn’t kill the Yi family, demoting them seemed the logical choice.
But that couldn’t be all, could it?
“Wouldn’t South Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula need to be stable for you to resolve the China issue?”
“Pardon?”
“You came here because of the China problem, didn’t you? Since it couldn’t be resolved through the Duma, you came to see me directly. Am I wrong?”
I knew exactly what they were thinking. They were just waiting for the right moment to advance into China in earnest. After seeing me support Chen Jiongming, they must have been tearing their hair out and wanted to ask about it while they had the chance.
“Well… that is true, but…”
“China is most beneficial to its neighbors when it is divided. As long as they are busy fighting each other, they cannot look outward, correct?”
He would understand this much. They had probably anticipated this much and were simply trying to gauge my true intentions. This should be sufficient.
“Does that mean Your Majesty had no intention of provoking our Empire?”
“I am not saying this with your country in mind. Our nation shares a long border with Mongolia. Above all, isn’t a China that doesn’t listen far more profitable to exploit than a China that obeys and gives us no justification? Do you understand now?”
This much should be enough. They could interpret it however they liked, and later they could happily wage the Sino-Japanese War. Just from the fact that they had brought red ginseng, it didn’t seem they had come specifically to confront me over China. Though it did appear they wanted to discuss it.
Really, wasn’t this laughable? Pretending to worry about me after I had nearly died in Poland, they rushed all the way to Moscow under that pretext just to talk about China. I knew they were exactly this sort of people, but still.
“Indeed, I see. Then…”
Foreign Minister Uchida Kosai seemed to have something more to say and hesitated, mumbling.
An ambassador should speak clearly.
“Is there something else you wish to ask?”
“Your Majesty… foresaw the disaster that would strike our Empire.”
Ah, so that was it. I had wondered why they hadn’t asked about it. I had expected them to come and ask directly, “How did you know?” This was the perfect opportunity for some casual conversation as well.
“Ah, it was nothing more than a dream I had.”
“If this humble envoy may ask… will something else happen to our Empire? Could you tell me?”
Oh ho. So that was what they wanted. Did these people actually believe in such things? Well, on the surface they might say, “It must be a coincidence,” but they could still be intensely curious about the fact that I had predicted it. Especially since the great earthquake had left Yoshihito—in other words, the Taisho Emperor—in terrible health, with Hirohito acting as regent. It made sense that they would want to ask just in case.
“It is not that there won’t be. In fact, that is what makes it so strange.”
“Pardon?”
“Within two or three years, some misfortune will befall your country. That is why I asked whether your Emperor was well. Since you say he is, perhaps my prediction was wrong.”
Your Emperor’s death is not far off. That was what I was saying. They wouldn’t get angry over this. I hadn’t explicitly said he would die. I had merely asked if he was well. However, Uchida Kosai’s eyes had widened dramatically. Given their current situation, my words clearly implied that misfortune would soon strike the Emperor.
“Then… His Majesty the Emperor…?”
“I do not know what kind of misfortune it will be, but since you say he is well, isn’t that fortunate? Now, have your questions been answered?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Uchida Kosai gave a half-hearted reply, bowed, and quickly withdrew. In any case, even if I told the current Yoshihito, it wouldn’t push back his death date. In the original history, he had received every possible treatment and still died. I hadn’t given him a specific diagnosis or a cure. The doctors of this era would know far more than I did. I was merely a bulletproof tanghulu Charina who only possessed future knowledge.
The reason Uchida had deliberately asked me was probably out of hope. To confirm whether the Charina had truly foreseen a disaster. And if it was true, whether it could later help the Empire. That was likely what he was thinking. Perhaps he had even wanted to learn the exact date of the Emperor’s death.
But if the Yi royal family was demoted… well, it didn’t seem like the future would change drastically. At most, the Imperial Family Association of the Korean Empire that existed in the future might never form, and their presence on the Korean Peninsula could be completely erased.
I had said that the imperial family must serve as a focal point, but when Japan was later crushed and Korea gained independence, would it really be feasible for Japan to demote the Yi family and then restore them as a focal point after they had sold out their country? In that case, perhaps it would be better to establish a constitutional monarchy using the Wang descendants of the previous Goryeo dynasty as a symbolic figure and revive Goryeo. Or perhaps use the Tae clan of Hyeopgye to establish Balhae in an expanded Korean Peninsula that included South Manchuria. Or maybe it would simply become the Republic of Korea.
Actually, what about something like Finland, where I currently served as king? I had imagined it for a moment, but that probably wouldn’t work.
“Yes. This is still a matter for later.”
While I was lost in thought, the ambassador from the German Empire (East Prussia) arrived. His name was rather artistic. Arthur Zimmermann. It was this man who had come to see me as the ambassador of the German Empire.