Chapter 175
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Side Story: Far East Front (1)
"......I surrender. Please show mercy to our soldiers."
"Understood."
Let's rewind the clock just a bit to late August 1913.
German East Asia Squadron commander Maximilian von Spee accepted the sword proffered by the gloomy Russian Pacific Fleet commander with a curt reply.
It was a surrender without any real fighting.
Of course, he wouldn't have wanted to surrender either, but with such a vast disparity in forces, he had no choice.
The Russian Pacific Fleet that had tenaciously defended Lüshun to the end during the Russo-Japanese War was no more.
Before the war broke out, the fleet's strength had plummeted after Lüshun was returned to China following the Russo-Japanese War, losing its strategic importance. Most of its forces had been reassigned to the Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet.
In contrast, the German East Asia Squadron benefited from Germany's overflowing naval power, emerging stronger than in the original history. Britain, too, had bulked up its presence in the East by merging the East Indies Fleet, China Station, and Royal Australian Navy into the Eastern Fleet under Admiral John Fisher's arrangements.
All the Russian Pacific Fleet could do was hunker down in Vladivostok like Makarov had, waiting out the war.
But the goddess of victory, unlike in the Russo-Japanese War, offered no favors to Russia's Far East forces. In the end, the fleet ventured out of port, clashed briefly, and raised the white flag.
"That just about wraps up our mission."
"Yes. It would have been nice if the French fleet stationed in Indochina had stayed put."
Spee's face showed regret at missing out on more glory as he nodded in response to China Station commander Admiral Martyn Jerram, who led the British Eastern Fleet.
Unlike the Russian Pacific Fleet, which had nowhere to go but Vladivostok, the French Far East Fleet had judged victory impossible against the Entente fleets right from the war's outset and fled toward the homeland on a long voyage.
Of course, they still hadn't made it back to France and were being nipped at across the world's oceans by the Royal Navy.
In any case, with the French fleet gone from the Far East, all Spee and Jerram had left to do was maintain sea control, occasionally hunt Entente merchant ships, and sip Qingdao beer.
"Admiral Spee, we're entering Vladivostok."
"Mm."
Maximilian von Spee nodded to his adjutant, then turned his gaze toward Vladivostok, where thick black smoke billowed from countless fires.
Above the city fluttered a Rising Sun flag—red circle on white background—that made a mockery of its name, "Rule the East."
With the outbreak of the World War, the flames of conflict engulfing Europe spread even to distant East Asia and the Pacific.
It was only natural, given the European powers' colonies and spheres of influence in Asia.
The British Empire and France, ultimate imperialists, went without saying. The German Empire held Kiaochow and Pacific islands like New Guinea, while the Russian Empire's territory stretched to Primorsky Krai and northern Manchuria.
Yet even these world-shaping powers struggled to mind distant villas when their own house was ablaze.
Thus, it was inevitable that alongside familiar players like Germany, Britain, France, and Russia on the World War's Far East sideshow, new ones—Japan and two Chinas—would enter the fray.
Japan, which had clawed a ragged draw in the Russo-Japanese War but still boasted unrivaled strength among Asian nations, joined the Entente side citing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
However, contrary to common knowledge, Britain's ally Japan was a most unwelcome participant.
Britain had initially requested Japan's involvement when France invaded Belgium, dragging them into the World War—"We're allies, so fight with us."
But Britain soon withdrew the request, telling Japan to sit it out.
"On second thought, won't letting Japan join inflate their influence in Asia-Pacific too much?"
"Besides, America doesn't like Japan meddling in the Great War either......"
The reasons were quintessentially British.
Japan might swallow up French and Russian Asian territories, grow too powerful, and eventually threaten Britain.
Considering Japan's future path, it was a prescient worry that began nagging at British minds. America, wary of Japan's rising influence, glared disapprovingly, prompting Britain to retract the invitation.
"Britain's telling us not to join?"
"Ha! We can't just stand by. This war is a golden opportunity for our Great Japanese Empire. Sakhalin, Manchuria, Indochina await us—we can't just watch from the sidelines!"
Of course, Japan being Japan, they ignored Britain, shoved the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in their face, and forcibly joined the Entente anyway.
With French and Russian colonies dangling right before their eyes, only a brain-dead empire would pass them up.
Sure, Japan could have joined the Central Powers, but bad blood with Russia aside, they weren't mad enough to challenge a beefed-up Germanic bloc over mere colonies.
Difficulty and postwar gains considered, Entente was the smarter bet.
Japan's forced entry would later doom the Anglo-Japanese Alliance at the Washington Naval Treaty, but that's a tale for another time.
In the end, with scant land forces available in East Asia, Britain and Germany reluctantly accepted Japan's participation.
"The chance to restore our honor has come! The empire's fate hangs on this war!"
"Long live the Great Japanese Empire!"
And so Japan's campaign steamrolled ahead.
Upon joining, they swiftly occupied the undefended northern half of Sakhalin. At Germany and Britain's request, they advanced into Primorsky to flush out the Russian Pacific Fleet. They routed the tiny French naval force and seized French Gulf of Tonkin.
Now, they pondered the happy dilemma of French Indochina or Russian northern Manchuria—which to vacuum up first.
"Prime Minister Yamamoto! Disaster!"
"What's all this racket?"
Then, an obstacle appeared in Japan's smooth path.
"The Qing are marching into northern Manchuria! And the Republic of China just announced joining the Entente—they're gearing up to hit Annam!"
"What?!"
Unlike the hard-fought Russo-Japanese War, two unexpected Chinese rivals crashed Japan's easy territorial grab in this conflict.
"Charge! Charge!"
"Wheek wheek kiyoot!"
Early September 1913.
Tens of thousands of Qing cavalry surged toward the northern Manchuria border, swords flashing and rifles blazing, kicking up massive dust clouds toward their stolen lands.
Their garb resembled bandits—and most had bandit origins—but with Qing banners flying, they could be called Qing troops. For now.
"Hahaha! Look, Your Excellency—the Far East Russians are being trampled like ants before our Great Qing cavalry!"
"I'm watching, so back off a bit, General Zhang."
Duan Qirui, Chief of Staff and Supreme Commander of the Great Qing Empire, half-listened to the boastful voice of Zhang Zuolin—former bandit chief, now Qing general—while recalling court discussions.
"Germany and Britain have requested our participation?"
"Yes, they say reclaim northern Manchuria while you can."
"Hmm, not a bad proposition. Russia's focused on Europe, so their Far East forces are depleted."
Kang Youwei, returned to court post-Xinhai Revolution as Prime Minister, stroked his beard with a smile at Duan's words.
Reclaiming Russian-held northern Manchuria would greatly bolster the Qing and Aisin Gioro imperial prestige.
"Joining the Franco-Russian Alliance to retake Qingdao from the German Empire......"
"......"
"Sorry. Just thinking aloud."
Prince Chun, sidelined after losing power post-Revolution, muttered oddly, but Duan and Kang's silent stares shut him up.
Duan would have ignored anyone suggesting Central Powers, anyway.
Having studied in Germany, China's top German expert saw the war tilting Entente from the start.
Betting on likely losers wasn't his style—and bad for Qing.
"In any case, this is a chance we can't pass up."
With justification and stability under Duan's military and Kang's civil leadership, it was ideal.
Qing accepted the Entente request, joining against Russia and racing into northern Manchuria before Japan could push south from Primorsky.
The World War invitation reached southern Republic of China too, but unlike Qing, they hesitated.
Politically stable Qing contrasted with the Republic's turmoil of inevitable factional strife.
Moreover, Yuan Shikai—betrayed by subordinates, ruling a half-China—lacked even original-history clout, emperor dreams distant.
"Both Anglo-German Entente and Franco-Russian Alliance urge us to join them, but I believe our Republic should stay neutral."
"I agree with Mr. Sun."
With Yuan weakened, republicans like Sun Yat-sen—who hadn't been ousted—held sway and favored neutrality.
The war offered no gains for China, and internal chaos left the Republic, unlike stabilized Qing, too weak for conflict.
One original motive—Entente recognition of the Republic—had accidentally been met via great power mediation splitting China.
"No, we must join this war."
"......Pardon? President, what on earth?"
"Heh, scholars...... Don't you see? This is our chance to make Annam rightful Chinese soil! Surely you won't let this slip, even if you pretend otherwise."
"!!!"
Yet Yuan suddenly pushed Entente entry to seize Annam—French Vietnam—shifting Republic mood oddly.
"Come to think, as Asia's republican vanguard, liberating suffering Annamese under French rule is ideal. Oh, not that we covet it—misunderstand not."
Sun and revolutionaries, unable to escape Sinocentrism, found Yuan's proposal sweetly tempting despite tensions.
'Heaven's last chance to become emperor! Can't miss it.'
Of course, Yuan's true aim: lead Annam conquest, restore prestige, finally claim the throne.
"Qing joined Entente recently, so they......"
"Now's not time to fight northern reactionaries."
Plus, the armistice post-split hadn't expired.
"Now's time to expand China, build strength for future northern expedition."
Qing thought similarly.
Not intending alliance, but both tolerated each other temporarily for juicy fruits: northern Manchuria and Annam.
For all Chinese, after all.
"China accepted our invitation. Mr. Grey."
"Ho, Marquis. Which China? North? South?"
"Heh, both Norden and Süden. Qing eyes our Manchuria bait; Republic wants Annam."
"Things are getting interesting. Japan covets it too, no?"
"Of course. We 'merely' enlisted China for 'smooth' war conduct—no 'other' intent."
"Hahaha! Naturally. No 'other' meaning for us."
Britain and Germany, slyly goading Chinese entry to check Japan, swiftly approved both.
"North China and South China rabble dare stick toes into Manchuria and Indochina—lands we already bid highest on?!"
Japan's reaction needed no describing.
From Prime Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe to citizens expecting clear victory unlike Russo-Japanese War, all seethed openly.
"Too late for northern Manchuria. Even if army pushes north from Vladivostok, Qing will seize it first."
"Tch. Cede Manchuria to Qing, get Primorsky recognition in return—focus on Indochina. Our plan anyway."
Army, preferring Manchuria over Indochina, grumbled, but post-Russo-Japanese navy gripped power, favoring Indochina thrust.
Prime Minister Yamamoto himself navy man from Satsuma elite.
As Qing-Japan diplomats hammered accords, Japanese forces prepped amphibious assault on Vietnam, navy-led.