Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 280: Where Is My Friend (2)

'I will make sure the United States never remains a frog trapped in a well again.'

He planned to project their power externally as well.

"Mr. President, the Russian Empire's crown prince is heading to Japan. It's said to be a long-term trip around East Asia... I've heard he's received full authority over the Far East from the Tsar."

"...Full authority?"

"There was a similar case when Nicholas II was crown prince. If the situation is similar to that time, you can consider him as more than a diplomatic envoy."

"That old dog again... what kind of game is he trying to play this time."

But would the world wait for him?

Nikita had already arrived in Japan.

==

Honestly, I'd thought about it once.

'Hmm, is there any situation where I could get stabbed?'

A slash wound across the chest in a high-crime area would seem ideal...

If a stabbing is difficult due to security, taking a small-caliber bullet to an arm or leg wouldn't be bad either.

There was even a recent Prime Minister assassination incident, so preferably from the Control Faction.

They even had a history of trying to assassinate Charlie Chaplin, who had nothing to do with politics, so an assassination attempt on a foreign crown prince wouldn't be unusual, right?

But unfortunately, such a thing could not physically happen to Nikita.

"I'd like to look around the streets..."

"If you inform us in advance, we will clear the streets. If it's a major street, it would only be possible after the Police Department searches each building."

"Hmm, or perhaps a hot spring or provincial tour."

"As there might still be subversive elements, we'll look for places that can be rented entirely."

"Sigh, never mind. Let's just rest at the hotel."

First, the Japanese government was extremely sensitive about his safety.

And naturally, the Russian side as well:

"Your Highness? I trust you're not having strange thoughts."

"Did father order you? No, it must be the Chief of Staff who sent you to monitor me!"

"Ha ha, what are you saying? The Tsar only asked me to prevent any excessive strain on your body, though it's good that you're recognized by him."

People were attached to him regardless of location.

"Colonel Tukhachevsky, think about it. Father is getting on in years. You'll be working with me in the future."

"Oh my, but did you know? Chief of Staff Roman is still in good health. It seems he'll hold his position until I get my stars."

"Tsk, is it so difficult to find just one Control Faction person to fire a bullet? It's a proven method, isn't it?"

Nikita wasn't desiring such a radical approach merely out of a desire to be recognized by his father.

'This is just too efficient.'

How certain a method is this, with even the European example of Sarajevo?

It feels like enduring just once with eyes closed would allow an immediate reorganization of the East Asian order.

'If my younger brother Dmitri also took a bullet in Hong Kong, we could take those island bastards' land-'

His thoughts almost went that far, but Tukhachevsky perceived this and cut it off immediately.

"Easy paths come with consequences. Not a chance."

"Tsk... so inflexible."

The point where your father began to demonstrate his abilities was precisely the Japanese Empire, the final destination of the eastern journey.

'Back then it was money, but now we could gain so much more... what a golden opportunity this is!'

However, unfortunately, since there were no street parades or public events, Nikita didn't even have the opportunity to have his safety threatened.

In the end, he had to return to his role as Tsarevich and proceed with meetings with the Japanese side.

"It's quite moving to meet in person the one Admiral Romen spoke of."

"Ah, we met once during the disarmament talks. The Admiral's grand physique and dignified appearance remain vivid in my memory."

He lightly touched on Prime Minister Makoto's painful memories, but Makoto evaded with nothing but praise.

'Despite experiencing the Russo-Japanese War, his hostility seems faint. He also doesn't seem to want much.'

Befitting Makoto, who led naval disarmament and the Geneva negotiations, he was capable of letting such light conversation slide.

But could even Makoto not have anticipated Beren's behavior?

"I've heard you're a notable pro-British and pro-American faction?"

"Ha ha, rumors are never to be trusted."

"I tried not to believe it, but I'm someone who absolutely cannot tolerate joining hands with these Western bastards. Those damn—"

"Beren."

"Ahem, white supremacists who enjoy invading and massacring other races find it difficult to become friends of Asians. Just how much did they torment this country when it was opening its ports?"

Under Beren's lengthy speech, more like an unhinged ideologue than a diplomat, Makoto's mind grew bewildered, and eventually his mask began to crack.

"I'll say it again, those Western pig-dogs treat everything without light pigmentation as rotten meat! Black pigs, brown pigs! Spotted pigs!"

"...So, what is it you want to say?"

"I'll take it from here."

Fortunately, just before Beren stood up and was about to sing the Russian Empire's national anthem, Nikita appropriately intervened.

"The United States' tariffs are highly unreasonable. The logic behind their trade barriers is completely absurd."

"Aren't they just trying to survive?"

"They're only trying to ensure their own survival. They can raise import tariffs. But to impose tariffs even on exports? Does this seem reasonable to you?"

The reason why the great powers' protectionist trade is unreasonably applied to other countries:

Besides their export goods becoming expensive, those items are essential for developing or underdeveloped countries.

For example, oil.

"I've heard that while Japan's agricultural prices are plummeting, the prices of manufactured goods are rising, creating a serious anomaly. But what about raw material prices? Despite falling to less than half of what they were ten years ago, import prices remain the same. Why? Because Asia has no choice anyway."

This trading method is actually an unreasonable trade used only in colonies, an outdated approach, but Japan could not resist it.

First, even the narrowed door of trade was precious to this country, and secondly, they had no choice anyway.

"...It's a temporary phenomenon. Time will resolve it."

"Does Finance Minister Korekiyo beside you think the same? Isn't it that things will become more disadvantageous and difficult as time passes?"

Stay still and wither away.

But if they try to resolve it by force, Japan isn't that strong a country.

However, if they join with Russia, wouldn't the story change?

This is what Nikita wanted to say.

"The ill fate between our two countries was resolved long ago. Now is the time to look to the future. If you join hands with us, I guarantee we'll make your past desire for Korea seem insignificant."

"...This sounds like going beyond friendly nations."

"From my perspective, this country only needs two things."

If there's technology, people, and abundant will:

"Oil and steel. And what Russia has in excess is precisely oil and steel."

In this era, which country could tolerate imperialism? comment

"We are different from imperialists."

Ironically, even if that justification is the elimination of imperialism.