I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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* * *

The reason the Asian Cavalry Division occupied Mongolia is absurd.

When I said I wouldn’t become Tsar, they said, “Just don’t be Tsar! We’ll give you the title of Great Khan!”

Isn’t that just blindfolding and pretending?

Now I look poised to become a Great Khan with a fair complexion.

Wait, hold on, are the Mongolians actually accepting this?

Are these crazy folks thinking they’ll sit around for years waiting for the Anhui Warlords to get looted before they step in to help?

“Mongolian nobles will surely rebel, right?”

“They said it doesn’t matter if Her Highness ascends to the Great Khan’s position.”

I hope that doesn’t mean they heard “it’s fine” in terms of gunfire.

Well, to be fair, Mongolia has been supported by the Russian Empire, so they might be friendly. But regardless of their intent, if they suddenly invade, won’t public sentiment turn against them?

If I become the Great Khan, it would establish a theory where Russia is the Mongol Empire and the Mongol Empire is Russia, and they might hope for China to protect them.

Is everything falling into place too easily?

I can’t avoid friction with the Republic of China either.

“Hahaha! Her Highness refuses the title of Tsarina, so they pledge to place her on the throne of the Eastern Empire out of loyal devotion.”

“That’s actually good. It will provide a precedent showing that Russia is not dead yet. For the sake of Mongolian dominance, it’s reasonable for you to receive the Great Khan’s seal and ascend to that position.”

Not Tsar, but Great Khan.

In this day and age, calling oneself a Great Khan is ridiculous.

Yekaterinburg belongs to Asia.

It could be a valid reason to claim the position of an Asian ruler.

“Then, I will appoint Bogd Khan, who offered me the seal, as the governor of Mongolia and grant him and the nobles the right to participate in the Duma in Yekaterinburg. I’ll also make Semenov the deputy governor assisting the governor and appoint Ungern as a major general in charge of the Asian Cavalry Division.”

“Yes. We’ll handle that matter in the military.”

“Your Highness, Yekaterinburg is too exposed to Bolshevik attacks. It would be wise to designate a capital for any unforeseen circumstances.”

We have reclaimed all the cities near Yekaterinburg, but it still feels precarious since it’s exposed to the Soviets.

“How about Vladivostok?”

“Vladivostok has too small a territory, doesn’t it? Then how about merging Northern Manchuria instead?”

“Northern Manchuria?”

Northern Manchuria? Just like that? Guys, our civil war isn’t over yet.

“Yes. Initially, Ungern and Semenov base their operations in Northern Manchuria. Also, I’ve heard there are Russians in a place called Harbin. Since the Bolsheviks are there, we can use that as a pretext to march south.”

“It won’t just be us. What about the others in the provisional Duma?”

This is important.

The White Army is a collection of various ideologies.

I’ve dragged this far, and public sentiment has changed considerably, but there are plenty of crazies fixated on their ideologies.

I have to be careful not to provoke them.

If someone suddenly gets in a mood and says, “I’m joining the Bolsheviks!” it becomes a real pain.

“I’m worried that widening the front line might not be wise, but if we can’t beat the Bolsheviks right now, wouldn’t it be better to at least acquire Northern Manchuria?”

“We have a small amount of strength to aid us now. Incorporating Northern Manchuria and supporting the Russians in that area appears desirable.”

Unexpectedly, there was general positivity about seizing Northern Manchuria.

If we can’t reclaim Moscow right now, it makes sense to expand to other territories.

Maybe I’ve been too focused on history and underestimated things.

I must consider the influence of my emergence on their ideologies.

At this point, aren’t there warlords around?

China is under the era of warlords right now, isn’t it?

Grabbing Northern Manchuria will be eyeing the powers looming over us.

“Your thoughts are valid, but there are problems; we can’t aim for Northern Manchuria immediately.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the Japanese.”

The Japanese are the problem.

Didn’t they just occupy the Korean Peninsula and start the Russo-Japanese War with surprise attacks without declaring war, aiming to drive Russia out of Manchuria?

The Japanese Empire, claiming their right to compete equally with European powers, continues to feed their national pride.

If these guys hear that Russia is aiming for Manchuria, won’t they fly into a rage?

The Chinese warlords aren’t a problem, and although they’re implementing reforms, they might engage simultaneously in wars against Japan and the Soviets.

In a situation where the civil war isn’t even over.

Fighting the Second Russo-Japanese War, after being exhausted by the Great War, would be quite the conundrum.

“We can view the situation from a different angle.”

“Yes?”

“If the great powers support us, it means they wish for the red plague to end. Therefore, they would likely wish for us to grow stronger.”

Typically, we’d be in a stalemate with Russia being torn apart.

Now, is there such goodwill towards us that they wish for our aid?

“Let’s ask for permission to occupy Manchuria instead?”

“No matter how much the Japanese demand, if the other powers acknowledge it, what can they do? Besides, if Russians live there, isn’t that Russian land?”

“That’s true.”

Right. Everything you guys say makes sense.

Sure. If Russians live there, it’s Russian land.

Self-determination, huh?

Yeah. Hitler twisted self-determination to fit his narrative—

Wait, that’s dangerous. After all, even the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia was Europe’s industrial center. Just because some Russians are living there doesn’t mean we should annex Northern Manchuria. Sure, if it would restore the pride of Russian people, then maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.

“That’s not the only issue. Although the White Army has unified, if the Bolsheviks launch another front, disputes might arise within the White Army itself.”

Once we got to this point, the various members of the Duma began whispering.

“Couldn’t it lead to new friction? There are also Chinese warlords, after all.”

“They’re just a large number of nobodies, aren’t they?”

“Right now, how can China focus on Northern Manchuria? It’s crucial for Russia to showcase its strength.”

Others seemed to mull over my words, but Kolchak and Wrangel were all for taking Northern Manchuria somehow.

I wouldn’t mind some more land, so Northern Manchuria doesn’t sound terrible.

Of course, this is just because I’m Anastasia right now.

We are only in dire straits without the great powers.

Reforms might improve the situation somewhat.

“Well then, what about viewing it from a different angle?”

“A different angle?”

“Let’s give orders to Major Ungern and slowly make our move into Northern Manchuria under the pretext of protecting the Asian Cavalry Division.”

So they want to catch a few excuses and just pretend to slowly move down towards it?

“Just pretending to push forward.”

“If the great powers oppose, we can just negate it.”

That sounds somewhat attractive.

If we could poke around once or twice and the great powers do nothing, that would be enough.

For the sake of preventing Japan from establishing a puppet state in Manchuria, there’s also the need to reduce their influence there.

If the great powers turn a blind eye and let us fight, the narrative changes substantially.

In fact, we might be able to expand in the Asian region thanks to the civil war.

“Then let’s make our move south while also informing the British. After all, they’re our largest backers along with Germany, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And for us, numbers are essential. We need people to fight and run factories, right? Thus, I will welcome the Jews living in Russia.”

“Are you planning to implement a pro-Jewish policy?”

“If things go well, we might also receive the support of Jewish capitalists.”

Since Hitler has decimated the Jews, other nations have been blind to them, while Russia stands as a notable anti-Jewish state.

During the Russo-Japanese War, Jews even supported Japan, which was rather absurd.

So, it’s essential to touch upon the feelings of Jews as well.

* * *

UK

Meanwhile, the British Empire, having received reports of White Russia’s southward advance into Northern Manchuria through the British Ambassador to Russia, didn’t react sensitively like during the Great Game.

A Russia capitulated to Germany wasn’t in a position to compare itself to the British Empire that had subdued even Germany.

Furthermore, the current Russia is split in half, and Princess Anastasia’s White Russia is in a position receiving support from Britain.

Moreover, Russia expressing a desire to acquire some parts of Manchuria in this situation appeared almost cute.

“To claim they would move south to protect the Russians in Northern Manchuria.”

“Now things are getting bearable; it seems our lovely princess wants to claim Northern Manchuria.”

“Aren’t they too busy putting out fires at home to be planting flags in other regions? That seems a bit much.”

“Perhaps it’s a sign that she wants to show that the Russian Empire is still intact.”

It’s merely her asking for a lifeline, and Northern Manchuria should be okay, right?

“I’m fighting hard! I’ll make sure you don’t catch the red plague! So, how about a little more compensation?”

That’s what the princess is indirectly saying.

Considering that the very birth of the Soviet Union is Russia’s own doing and that Russia’s survival up till now has been thanks to great powers, it’s a bit funny.

The UK was thinking of turning a blind eye to this matter.

Because, after all, Ukraine, Finland, the Baltic States, Belarus, and others have all broken away, and those regions are now under the influence of the British Empire.

The United States also had no reason to deny Russia if it secured the interests it held in Manchuria.

“This matter cannot be resolved at the ambassador level. Mr. Gallipoli should go to Yekaterinburg to meet with the princess.”

“Indeed. Go see Gallipoli.”

“Seriously, these guys! Can’t you just go?”

That’s how Mr. Gallipoli was dispatched to Yekaterinburg.

The UK might think it’s okay for Russia to take Northern Manchuria.

The issue now is whether the Japanese Empire, eager to devour Siberia and the Far East, would accept that.

“Northern Manchuria? We haven’t eaten anything! Why Russia? Why only Russia?”

Naturally, the Japanese were having a meltdown.

Russia claims they won’t receive support from the Imperial Japanese Army and can’t even advance into Siberia anymore.

Why exactly should this be given away?

“Since the great powers have permitted it, we have no grounds to oppose. I’ve heard that the British Empire is even sending people to the provisional government in Yekaterinburg regarding Northern Manchuria.”

“Well then, what about the plans to divide Manchuria?”

“Manchuria?”

With the tacit approval of the great powers, Japan, unable to expand excessively, shifted their strategy to munching on whatever pieces of Manchuria they could grab.

After all, the great powers were exhausted from the war and wouldn’t intervene in Manchurian matters.

If they failed to advance into Siberia, they had to at least secure Manchuria.

It might be possible for Japan to negotiate solely with Russia while excluding other great powers.

“We will establish a private agreement with Russia. Russia gets Northern Manchuria, and we take Southern Manchuria as a foothold for continental advancement.”

“Rather, if we secure Northern Manchuria under the pretext of protecting the Russians there, we’d be helping our ally Russia.”

“I would gladly accept that. Let’s split Northern and Southern Manchuria amicably, and as soon as this civil war concludes with a Soviet victory, we’ll immediately advance into Northern Manchuria, how about that?”

Just because Russia is currently split in half doesn’t mean that an attempt to grab Manchuria would go unnoticed by the great powers.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Takashi Hara, didn’t want to take unnecessary risks in the aftermath of the Great War.

“If we’re to share Manchuria, we must clear our past grievances with Russia. After all, it’ll be impossible for Russia to entirely annex Northern Manchuria. It wouldn’t be too late to send a military attaché to observe the situation in White Russia.”

“Let’s do that.”

Japan maintained a vague response, not endorsing but also not opposing, as it wanted to negotiate with Russia regarding Manchuria later on.