LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 65
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After Tsarina Anastasia and the Russian ministers withdrew, Józef Piłsudski called a cabinet meeting.
How should I address this headache? After much thought, I finally laid it all out, but it seemed the cabinet was not too fond of the Tsarina’s proposal.
To be more precise, they were not pleased with the Russian Tsarina voicing such opinions.
“Isn’t the Tsarina being arrogant?”
“Partnering up with Germany is also an option.”
“Yes. Let’s expand into Russia while we’re at it. They’re toothless anyway.”
“But the British are a problem.”
“The British are across the sea, and their troops haven’t been withdrawn from Austria or the Baltics. If we do the job for them, they’ll turn a blind eye. Isn’t that what the Tsarina is hinting at?”
Expanding into Russia.
Such words were coming from the cabinet now.
Right. Józef Piłsudski would have thought it might be feasible if the current state of Russia was like it was five years ago. If the civil war had continued, it could have been worth a shot.
But that’s not the case now.
Now is not the time to shout expansion and show hostility.
“The current Russia is not to be underestimated.”
Sure, they were defeated by Germany in the Great War, but they have experience from the civil war and even retook Constantinople.
Young, assertive, and with direct battlefield experience, the Tsarina had a strong grip on Russia.
Moreover, just looking at population numbers, Russia is a massive opponent. Their land is vast, and a single war can drain us of our energy.
Can we handle an increase in occupied territories?
Can we trust Communist Germany? Are our supplies sufficient? Numerous issues arise.
Furthermore, right now, Communist Germany lacks a substantial military.
Of course, they will ramp up armaments when the time comes.
Whatever happens, Poland will become a battlefield.
Even if teeth grind, likely, the Tsarina’s willingness to personally mend relationships is already a consideration for Polish pride.
To even come to Poland, a region once under Russian control, shows that the Russian government is tightly held by the Tsarina. But how much can Poland advance against a united Russia?
“The Tsarina mentioned something. Is Berlin not closer than Yekaterinburg? Thinking back to the civil war, to undermine Russia’s war capabilities, we’d have to reach the Urals. No, we might even have to cross them.”
I can hardly imagine getting that far.
It’s not possible to say there wouldn’t be external pressures.
In considering war shares, Poland’s military should take the lead. However, if we station troops in occupied areas, there’s a risk of treachery.
There’s no guarantee that Germany won’t swallow Poland whole.
Will Britain and France come to help then? I doubt it.
“That may be true.”
“Isn’t it clear just by the way she’s boldly coming into Polish territory? Let her try if she dares.”
The Tsarina swooped into Poland like a moth to a flame but surely knows her worth.
If anything happens to her here, or if we refuse the Tsarina’s proposal, the repercussions will fall on Piłsudski.
“Will they really guarantee our independence?”
“That’s what they say.”
If the Tsarina said it herself, it might be trustworthy.
According to the Tsarina, Russia still holds a lot of land despite some loss.
It seems they are also aware of the anti-Russian sentiments of the Polish people. If they were to occupy again, they wouldn’t send their troops to suffer heavy casualties.
“Then, will you accept it?”
“There are many worries.”
Józef Piłsudski sighed deeply.
That is the problem. Józef Piłsudski has fought countless times on the battlefield.
He also finds this situation unsatisfactory.
It’s frustrating that they would give away Lithuania, which is under British jurisdiction, as if it’s a charity case. He’s not completely against fighting Russia, but still…
“If Russia is not thinking of attacking us, wouldn’t it be better to stay neutral? A mutual defense treaty? If the Russian army comes to fight Germany on our land, what chaos might ensue?”
“Hmm.”
War with Russia should be avoided.
This was something both the cabinet and he acknowledged.
Even just the elite forces Russia has now would likely outnumber the Polish army several times.
However, forming a mutual defense treaty is a hefty burden.
Inviting the Russian army into Poland to fend off Communist Germany could hurt public sentiment.
Can the Russian army be trusted?
As is evident from the cabinet’s composition, soon Józef Piłsudski’s Poland will also have another election and elect a president. Will that not have an effect?
A long night of deliberation for the cabinet.
In a building in Warsaw, Polish nationalists and right-wing forces gathered.
Naturally, they were aware of how the cabinet was functioning and they were furious.
How could they let go of hard-earned independence? They would not allow themselves to be manipulated by the Russians again.
“The cabinet has positively received the Tsarina’s opinion.”
“How can they accept that? That makes no sense.”
“We have to proceed as planned.”
Their goal was a second Sarajevo. No, something even larger.
They had even received explosives from the German Communist Party, which supports Polish nationalists, to eliminate the Tsarina.
A daring woman had come this far, but that was that.
If they could just eliminate the Tsarina, Poland and Russia would cross a point of no return, and Germany would come to Poland’s aid.
Austria has become a minor nation, so they would not be able to aid Russia. They could fight Russia under German support.
“There aren’t many bombs. We must be sure to target only the Tsarina.”
“Yes!”
The die has already been cast.
Sure. All of this was for Poland’s sake.
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What choice will Józef Piłsudski make?
He will likely adjust my proposal and think it over.
At least, I believe so about Józef Piłsudski himself.
To be so confident must make me no different from that dreamy Sun Yat-sen or the idealistic communist idol Lenin, who believes the proletariat revolution will happen no matter what.
The ministers who came along also seemed worried.
“No, if that’s the case, you should at least guide us to a proper place. This shabby inn is unacceptable for the Tsar of All Russia and the Saint, the Emperor of Eastern Rome.”
Ungern seemed displeased at providing a shabby inn as accommodation for a monarch.
Well, even if it’s shabby, it’s a relatively high-class inn with all the necessary amenities. It’s better than the sleeping quarters of the Provisional Government’s residence in Yekaterinburg.
“Currently, there are many right-wingers and nationalists within Poland who harbor anti-Russian sentiment. Among them, many are fanatics, so I suspect this was intentional.”
The Polish soldier who guided them to this inn insisted that “for safety reasons,” they could only lead them here.
In other words, it was to prepare for any potential terrorist activities.
If they were sent to a nicer place, the influx of people could make it difficult for soldiers to secure the area.
Beyond that, there may also be underlying anti-Russian feelings stemming from not wanting to offer anything nice to a Russian.
My proposal could make it possible for the Russian army to legitimately re-enter Poland.
It’s a bit of a petty rebellion against that.
“They’re suggesting giving Lithuania or Latvia. Isn’t that currently under British jurisdiction?”
“There’s no way they would actually hand it over. We only said we would ‘support’ it. That doesn’t mean we’re recognizing British influence. If the British are willing to overlook the restoration of Poland-Lithuania, we’ll support it. Knowing their temperament, they might be considering an attack on Lithuania with no British military presence by now.”
“What that means is, if the UK does not allow Poland to take Lithuania or Latvia…”
“Conflict with Britain would harm Russia. Then we can just withdraw as well. Doesn’t Piłsudski deserve a chance to dream?”
In the end, it’s all just wordplay.
Isn’t it what the great powers do best?
If they agree and expand into Lithuania, that would be quite funny.
Considering the temperament of Poles, they might just follow through.
If by that time the British cannot allow it, we can just step back.
By that point, Poland wouldn’t be able to switch to Germany either, so they’d just suck their thumbs.
If the British allow for a pipeline to Poland-Lithuania, we could potentially keep Germany occupied for longer.
Whatever happens with Russia is fine.
After all, the battlefield will be Poland, right? It’s just a matter of whether Poland gets bigger or smaller, whether it defends better or worse.
The important point is that Poland, wanting to hit Russia, will serve as a meat shield.
“We must consider the scenario where they might not accept it.”
“Józef Piłsudski is not a fool. He himself leads the Polish army under Austria and has successfully defeated the Russian army, and now he is a leader of Poland with British support. He knows foreign and international relations better than anyone. If he didn’t, those British pirates wouldn’t have chosen him.”
The British wouldn’t put someone who couldn’t communicate as the leader of Poland.
He would have someone who could understand and effectively counterbalance Germany. Someone with that kind of charisma and capability.
“Then it means he will accept it.”
At a glance, that might be the case.
To be honest, Poland isn’t in a position to reject us right now. To be precise, Józef Piłsudski isn’t.
“Yes. He will likely flaunt some pride before ultimately accepting. We will also see this as an equal partnership. As for trade and other agreements, we will fully support Poland to the extent it does not harm Russian interests.”
If they accept, we reciprocate appropriately.
“If they do not accept, it would be dangerous. We are behind enemy lines, after all.”
“Yes. Honestly, I cannot close my eyes to that possibility.”
I was just thinking that “anything could happen.”
“Then it’s serious. The guard force is nearly non-existent, right?”
Ungern shot up from his seat.
Seeing a major general with such a face is quite amusing. I just threw that out there casually.
Hmm, have I really made a poor choice? Should I have simply sent the ministers?
No. I mustn’t show any weakness.
With my authority at this peak, I must do what I can.
After all, I’m just going for it blindly.
I’ve danced on the edge of death more than a few times.
Honestly, personally speaking, much like the Japanese who struck the Pearl Harbor raid to impress the US to lift their embargo, I also harbor some hope that Józef Piłsudski might be deeply impressed by my actions and readily accept my proposal.
Each of my actions ultimately rests on the prestige of Russia.
I can’t show weakness here either.
So I boldly state.
“Since we have come here, we have shown our faith first. We’ve arrived in a situation that could be fatal. So let’s wait and see.”
It really is a gamble.
If something were to happen to me here, that would be it.
In this ruined world, each day is a life-or-death scenario.
Wandering corpses that can’t even die from the bombings roam about, and laws have virtually collapsed, turning everything into a lawless wasteland.
And now, it’s time to sleep.
Isn’t it a bit odd for grown adults to be in a room with the Tsarina?
“Anyway. Isn’t it time for everyone to sleep? Surely, no one plans to stay up all night with me, right?”
*Cough.* “We are worried for Your Majesty’s safety.”
Why wouldn’t I understand that sentiment?
But still. Having everyone gathered like this seems rather inappropriate.
How do the Polish people perceive it? Wouldn’t they think we’re huddled together out of fear? Wouldn’t there be such words?
“The more we act like this, the more we must be dignified. If we stay up trembling in fear, how would they view us? Ah, the Russian Tsarina is nothing impressive after all. They’d think that. Don’t make me look cowardly.”
As it is, in terms of titles, I hold the status of Saint, Khan, Tsar, and Emperor of Eastern Rome.
It makes no sense for such a person to be scared in a country that was once occupied.
“Yes. Understood.”
Only then did everyone turn to leave.
It seems they do not wish to see the Tsarina’s authority diminished.
After they left, I could finally stretch my legs.
“Finally, they’ve gone.”
I can’t help but think about this.
At this point, would the Polish nationalists or right-wing zealots stay still with the Tsarina of a potential enemy nation visiting?
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