Rothschild and Czarina (3)
Walter Rothschild spent that night in the Moscow accommodations Chzarina had prepared for him, lost in deep contemplation.
“An Israel on Chinese soil.”
The Balfour Declaration had already made the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine a virtual certainty. Still, the idea wasn’t entirely impossible. Though Chzarina had phrased it strangely, a tour of Russia revealed it to be the only European nation that did not persecute Jews. The eastward migration of Jewish refugees was also a documented fact.
Establishing Israel on Palestinian land would leave the seeds of future conflict. Setting it up in Asia, on the other hand, might create friction with China—but if the country remained fractured as it was now, if a gap existed for the Jews to slip through?
Even if Japan dismantled China faster than expected, what if Russia chose to exact revenge for the Russo-Japanese War by stabbing Japan in the back? China had the population and the territory, but it had failed to modernize. It was a nation the great powers had carved up like a cake. And right now it was splintered among warlords; defeat against Japan would be inevitable.
What if Russia aided China during the Sino-Japanese War in exchange for territory?
It wasn’t impossible.
Since ancient times China had been the hegemon of East Asia, ruling over countless vassal states for centuries. Its fertile lands and vast population were the reasons it had maintained that dominance for so long.
If an Israel were founded on that soil…
The position of Jews in Europe had grown precarious. Only communist states treated them favorably; elsewhere they were branded honorary communists, spies for the Communist Party, or the hidden hand behind the Bolsheviks during the Red-White Civil War. Russia, however, was different. East Asia knew little about Jews and had suffered almost no damage from communism. If a pro-Jewish Russia stood as a neighbor and an Israel rose openly on Chinese soil… it might not be so terrible.
“Russia is not a bad option either.”
Yet the conditions Chzarina had offered carried one hidden clause. Recognition of Branobel’s primacy in Surgut, non-interference with the Baku oil fields and Surgut, and in exchange—development rights in North Manchuria. Accepting all of it would mean severing ties with Standard Oil.
From the perspective of someone who had once tried to expel Branobel with Standard Oil’s help, this was a matter of credibility. Moreover, no matter how powerful Walter Rothschild might be, he could not arbitrarily dictate company policy. In short, while it might become slightly inconvenient, Chzarina’s proposal could simply be ignored.
Only… it left a bad aftertaste.
Did this mean he would have to work with Branobel again? The company had performed well in the past. And if Chzarina was now personally protecting it, that likely meant a joint venture with the Romanov Oil Company—implying direct imperial involvement.
Backing Branobel meant backing the Romanovs.
The German and Italian branches of the Rothschilds had effectively been destroyed by the rise of communist regimes. The Austrian branch fared no better, given Austria’s staunch anti-communist stance. If anti-Jewish sentiment grew stronger in Britain, seriously considering the establishment of a major Russian branch might be worth contemplating.
While Anastasia and Baron Rothschild were engaged in their secret discussion, Duke Felix Yusupov met separately with Emmanuel Ludvigovich Nobel, who was managing Branobel. The oil business needed swift resolution. Since Chzarina was a woman of action, they had to move quickly as well.
“What brings you here today, Your Grace? Has there been a problem with the pipeline installation?”
“No, nothing of the sort. I have come to convey a message from our Czarina.”
At Emmanuel Ludvigovich Nobel’s question, Duke Yusupov waved a hand and spoke politely, his aristocratic tone carrying a hint of enthusiasm.
A message from the Czarina? What could it be? As long as it wasn’t related to that damned Royal Dutch Shell, he would be grateful. During the revolution and the ensuing civil war, the Bolsheviks had nationalized the oil industry and received support from Branobel’s competitors. Although they had reclaimed their stake in the Baku fields after the war, the nationalization had dealt them a heavy blow. They now lagged far behind Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil.
“What exactly is the matter?”
“Her Imperial Highness has proposed that the imperial family and Branobel establish a new joint oil company.”
A joint oil venture. An unexpected suggestion. Emmanuel had been planning to focus solely on Branobel’s survival while diversifying investments. Did this mean Chzarina had taken a genuine interest in Branobel?
“In other words, Her Highness wishes to create a joint company with the Romanovs?”
“Precisely. She has also negotiated with Baron Rothschild to secure backing for Branobel.”
Negotiations with Rothschild? The Rothschilds were the Jewish banking family behind Royal Dutch Shell.
“Hmm.”
This was quite surprising. He had never imagined Chzarina would show interest in the Nobel family’s oil enterprise. Royal Dutch Shell—already backed by Rothschild—had been making life miserable for them.
“In any case, your company nearly collapsed once because of the revolution. Why not seize this opportunity to stand with the Romanov imperial family?”
“Hoo… So the imperial family would directly support our house?”
Compared to the frantic brainstorming he had done on how to respond to the Bolsheviks, the matter resolved itself with surprising simplicity. A joint venture with the Romanovs would be tangible proof that the imperial family stood behind the Nobels. It also meant the company would effectively be operated directly by the Russian imperial house—and could grow far larger than before.
“As long as it does not harm Russia’s interests, His Majesty will support the Nobel family. Our Czarina holds a deep fondness for Branobel.”
Chzarina sought to draw out every ounce of Russia’s potential in preparation for the coming Great Depression. That meant extracting every possible resource. While other nations fell into ruin, Russia must at least maintain the status quo—and ideally advance. That was why she had turned her attention to oil. The Romanov Oil Company could manage on its own, but with Branobel’s strength added to the mix, the results would be far better.
“But what about Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil? I wonder if the Rothschilds will truly look the other way.”
They would surely ramp up their interference. For the Nobel family, which had been based in Russia, the civil war had inflicted severe damage. Having someone powerful watching their back would be a godsend.
“Have faith in Her Majesty. Since she is already speaking with Baron Rothschild, the matter is as good as settled.”
Indeed. If the agreement was limited to Russia, even Royal Dutch Shell would be unable to interfere further. That was precisely why they had backed the Bolsheviks in the first place.
Very well. It was worth a try.
“Hmm. This will require discussion within the family, but personally, I will review the proposal favorably.”
Not long afterward, the Romanov-Branobel joint oil company was officially established.
It seems our dear Baron Walter Rothschild has come to study me rather than animals. How soon after our private talk has he already come calling again? Am I some exotic creature? I suppose I should listen to what nonsense he has to say this time.
“Your Majesty. Regarding the establishment of Israel…”
So he was interested in founding an Israel in the East. Not content with the Balfour Declaration, he wanted to set his sights on China? As far as I recalled, the Jewish chemist Chaim Weizmann—who had discovered the acetone production method and was originally from the Russian Empire—had insisted to Balfour that only Palestine could be the Jewish homeland. I hadn’t expected the Baron to show such interest.
If I played this Israel card well, perhaps I could induce even greater Rothschild investment in Russia. In that case, I should put on my brightest smile and speak with honeyed words.
“Yes. Please, go on.”
“The Balfour Declaration already exists. Does Your Majesty intend to pursue a separate path?”
Balfour? Why should we concern ourselves with the Balfour Declaration? As I remembered, the declaration had been somewhat ambiguous until the Holocaust gave the establishment of Israel overwhelming international support. Ah, I see. He was weighing the merits of Palestine versus an Israel in China.
If an Israel were truly established in the East, the Rothschilds and Britain could use the Balfour Declaration as a pretext to extend their influence deeper into China.
Very well. Time to dangle the bait and see how he bites.
“Did I not say it was merely a hypothetical? If, by some remote chance, an enormous number of Jews were to migrate to the East, we would have no choice but to help them establish a nation. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hmmm.”
If you truly want to see a country founded, just bring all the Jews who would have gone to Palestine under the Balfour Declaration. That’s what I’m saying. In the long run, because of antisemitic states, the Middle East would begin writing a bloody history. It might not be so bad. Of course, if Jews claimed part of China, the Chinese—driven by their particular brand of Sinocentrism—would try to expel them from the Central Plains, and the Jews would fight desperately to keep their newly claimed Eastern Jerusalem.
A pro-Russian independent Korea helping Israel contain China from behind the scenes would also be a nice touch. Later, to block America’s advance into the Pacific and Asia, we could build a navy far larger than the army, contrary to real history. It was a rather decent picture.
Provided the baron before me cooperated, and Britain discreetly aided the scheme.
“Is there truly oil in North Manchuria?”
He stared at me with open suspicion. This was clearly a personal question. After all, developing an oil region would bring the founding of an Eastern Israel that much closer.
“It will require deep drilling, but it is definitely there. I dispatched an exploration team myself. That is why we must urgently develop better drilling technology.”
“Is this merely Your Majesty’s speculation?”
Yes, it is merely speculation. If you’re so dissatisfied, go learn future knowledge yourself. I wanted to say it outright but held my tongue. In moments like these, maintaining an air of mysticism was best. Wasn’t he already reacting strangely to the Eastern Israel project?
“Yes. It is merely speculation. Yet that same speculation led us to Surgut, and the exploration team has already confirmed the possibility. We simply need superior drilling technology.”
“Hmmm.”
He must be curious. He must be agonizing over it. Chzarina was trying to connect two subjects that seemed completely unrelated: the development of North Manchuria and an Israel in the East. I had subtly planted the idea—if they invested seriously in North Manchuria, then when the Israel envisioned by the Balfour Declaration faltered, I would help establish one in the East. That was the essence of it.
“Russia is a land rich in resources. We intend to develop even more advanced drilling technology. Who knows? If you help us, the Rothschilds may yet gain a firm foothold in Russia.”
At the very least, I could provide a sanctuary for Jews who might otherwise be reviled wherever they went in Europe.
“Truly, it is like the whisper of a devil. There is something I wish to ask such a Czarina.”
With that kindly face, what else could he possibly be curious about?
“Please, speak freely.”
“After touring Moscow today, one thing became clear. Your Majesty is a saint, and Your Majesty foresees many things.”
Why the hell are you investigating that, you damned old man? Are you some Anastasia scholar studying me instead of animals? I shook my head with deliberate modesty.
“It is simply that the citizens of the United States praise me excessively and have attached strange titles. I am embarrassed that it has reached even Baron Rothschild’s ears.”
“The story of how you also foresaw Japan’s disaster is famous even in Britain. Several Japanese visitors to England spoke of it.”
So what exactly do you want to say? I’m feeling extremely uneasy right now.