LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 368
Israel had to reluctantly accept the UN’s mediation proposal, though it seemed unwilling.
“It’s disappointing, but withdrawing is the right move, isn’t it?”
“Ugh. Why do those Chinese have such a massive population? I heard Japan even conducted ethnic cleansing, and they’re just surviving by sheer numbers.”
What kind of nonsense is it that China’s population is so vast?
If there were fewer people, perhaps the situation wouldn’t be so dire.
Well, if there were fewer numbers, the war would have ended quickly.
“We should listen to the UN now.”
If we don’t heed the UN, the Rome Treaty could intervene.
That’s something Russia wouldn’t want to see.
So, accepting this wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Meanwhile, the National Government was vigorously protesting the UN’s arbitration proposal.
“They’re telling us to stand down, but it’s them provoking us!”
Aren’t they boldly taunting us from Shanghai?
They’ve even chased out all the Chinese living nearby.
The National Government couldn’t tolerate this.
“Let’s be clear. Isn’t it the National Government that’s been eyeing the Shanghai we handed over to them?”
The Rome Treaty officially transferred Shanghai to Israel.
And Israel stationed its troops there.
The National Government couldn’t let this slide.
“That land is indeed Chinese territory.”
That so-called Chinese territory. These Chinese are still caught up in their nationalist fervor even while fighting amongst themselves.
If they unify, modernize, and display strength, it could be incredibly dangerous.
“The world has changed long ago. How long do you plan to cling to that Chinese dream? You no longer have the capacity to wage war, do you?”
It’s time to wake up.
You are not the center of the world, nor even close to being a mid-tier power. You are merely a nation caught in a struggle for influence.
How long will you continue to act this way? Know your place and stop making a fuss. That’s what it boiled down to.
Soong Mei-ling had no counterargument to this. After all, the reason the National Government could hold any semblance of power was entirely due to these folks.
They had received help from the Israeli military during the previous war against the warlords, but they had to concede some land to them to survive, thanks to the UN.
Yet, they still wanted Shanghai back.
Of course, as the situation escalated, the damages to the National Government grew.
However, this was also tied to Soong Mei-ling’s own position of power.
“Shanghai. How can we get it back?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Whether you negotiate with Israel is up to you, but stop bringing up Shanghai, which has already left us, to the Rome Treaty.”
Absolutely not.
Even stating that, the National Government would be powerless.
After all, there’s no way they would want to create new enemies.
* * *
Cossack Kremlin Guards.
The Cossack Kremlin Guards are composed of Cossacks.
They had originally formed as a guard unit for Anastasia. However, with the establishment of the Rome Treaty and the cessation of previous tax exemptions for the Cossack people, they were officially organized.
“Is the Tsar imposing taxes?”
“Well, we’ve been enjoying the benefits all along, so it’s no big deal.”
In truth, the Cossack people found it somewhat inconvenient but accepted it.
After all, these were the ones who had followed Anastasia since the Civil War, and if their mother the Tsar decided to abandon them, there would be no response.
However, the Tsar replaced the tax exemptions with various forms of benefits.
Moscow residency rights. While they couldn’t receive tax exemptions, a pension was provided to the Cossack people from the Tsar’s personal wealth every month. Furthermore, the Tsar, as if to assure them they were not forgotten, greatly increased the Kremlin Guard’s ranks, forming a Cossack Guard just for them.
“What a great grace you’ve bestowed upon us for our disrespectful thoughts!”
“This shows that the Tsar will cherish our Cossacks for generations to come!”
“Oh, Your Majesty, I shall follow you to the end!”
Yes, all was well so far.
The Tsar had directly used personal funds to provide pensions to the Cossacks and granted them the right to work in various companies operated by the Romanovs.
In fact, the guard unit was expanded and immediately filled with Cossack soldiers.
However, the problem arose right after that.
“Is it true that His Majesty is preparing to abdicate? I heard it already?”
Recently, the Tsar had been scantily mentioned in the media and rarely appeared in advertisements or broadcasts.
Of course, from the perspective of the Cossacks who often saw the Tsar in the Kremlin, he still seemed quite spry.
“This time he might really mean it.”
“He’s still healthy, isn’t he?”
“Well, he is already well past sixty.”
“There is only one Tsar in this world, and it is only Tsar Your Majesty.”
“If he is not as strong as before…”
In truth, he might seem fine on the outside but be quite weak on the inside. I thought that, but after seeing him play with Velka not long ago, he was just like a girl joyfully running around with her favorite dog.
“Sixty years old with looks like that? That doesn’t make sense. He still seems vigorous.”
Rather, unlike before, the Tsar seemed to be having a ball at the Kremlin.
In truth, perhaps he had wished to step down and simply enjoy life.
After all, he had been running since girlhood, sacrificing his life solely for the country.
Thinking back, isn’t Tsar Your Majesty’s life quite bitter?
Though he appeared young, it was merely because people hadn’t acknowledged the fact. He was a figure who had tried to mend the empire wrecked by the previous generation.
He dragged diplomatic relations with neighboring countries up by the scruff of the neck.
In that process, the Tsar had neglected his own life.
Can a woman easily manage that? Perhaps it was too hard, and she wept quietly in silence since no one noticed.
For such a person, it was indeed pitiful.
“Shouldn’t we at least take his side?”
“Then, doesn’t that mean a succession to Grand Duke Vladimir?”
I heard that Grand Duke Vladimir didn’t seem too keen on accepting the throne.
“Who knows how it will end up; we just need to support His Majesty.”
We will unconditionally support His Majesty.
That will be the destiny of the Cossack Guards.
* * *
Recently, whispers of my abdication had been circulating quietly.
Since I hadn’t been seen in central Moscow lately, it seemed to have touched a nerve with the people.
“Why hasn’t the Tsar appeared on television lately?”
“The media should not oppress Mother Tsar!”
“This is clearly the Duma persecuting Mother Tsar!”
Conspiracies were sprouting everywhere.
Most of the media outlets are under the Romanov’s thumb offering ‘freedom’ (?), yet they’re stating the media is oppressing the Tsar.
Ah, that’s a bit sad. Honestly, I hope they could recognize the truth, but this way, I can’t even have fun, and what’s this all about?
“Mother Tsar, please do appear more often in today’s Roman news.”
Alisa even begged desperately to let at least a voice be heard.
Once, an ordinary citizen even attempted to invade the Duma.
“Why should I handle something the Duma should manage?”
If anything, isn’t this the Duma’s job to resolve?
“Out there, they’re even suggesting we should hang the Duma.”
Hmm, this is a bit concerning. That’s quite an exaggeration.
I was somewhat afraid to accept this.
It wouldn’t be a bad plan to take decisive action now, but what if workers really started rushing to the Duma wanting to drag it down?
The protests that had barely quieted could erupt again.
Honestly, even now, the only difference is that they’re not protesting. Isn’t there chaos erupting here and there?
‘Mother Tsar said not to protest, so can we do other things instead?’
Wasn’t the workers’ employment policy properly passed?
Pushing forward this time feels risky. It seems ridiculous. Ridiculous.
“Even if we push through, we might manage somehow.”
“If that happens, the Duma will be wrecked.”
Maria countered my words.
Ah, why is it that I can already imagine what will happen?
Citizens of Moscow rushing towards the Duma, many of whom include workers too.
The Duma being dragged down and a revolution happening—if only a coup; but a coup for me is the problem.
Wow, this is actually going to be frightening.
“I never imagined they’d threaten the Duma like this. Really.”
This made it difficult to even wash my hands clean.
If I make a fuss, what could possibly happen? It’s all too predictable.
I’ll find myself once again having to appear in the Duma and face public opinion. Just the thought of it horrifies me.
“They’re more like children wishing for their mother Tsar.”
No, at this rate, it might very well look like a threat.
Of course, letting this slide would feel a bit remorseful, but if this continues, there’d be no chance to wash my hands clean.
If it goes on like this, cleaning my hands would be absolutely impossible.
This time, I had been planning a gradual abdication, but will there be all sorts of issues from the Rome Treaty nations again?
“I had indeed tried to hand things over to Vladimir somehow. But what will happen now?”
That’s quite concerning. Honestly, I feel the same.
I’m just being honest. This seems so absurdly obvious, yet am I becoming a workaholic, feeling my rear twitch?
It’s just a primal instinct.
No matter how you look at it, this seems like I’ve tied my life to the Tsar’s duties.
Something in my fingers keeps twitching.
Having to score daily has become such a habit; what can I do?
“Still, I will now take my rest.”
I said boldly, clenching my hand.
This monumental declaration that seemed almost trivial. I just hope no one will stop me.
“Oh wow, suddenly saying that leaves me unsure of how to respond.”
“Now I also want to do what I want. I deserve some free time, right?”
I need time to rest as an Emperor. It’s my duty.
I have worked hard until now, and I need to get things right for my future.
Even Wanli played behind the scenes for decades, didn’t he? So now, I should be able to enjoy myself for decades too.
After all, there are the Duma and the Rome Treaty headquarters; what could possibly be the problem?
“That’s true, but what are you planning to do with your free time?”
When asked what I plan to do, it’s naturally to answer.
“Well, that’s…”
Right. At least during the day, there’s nothing to indulge in.
I’ve experienced various things since becoming who I am, but honestly, how should I live as an ordinary person? What should I do? That’s a huge dilemma.
At the very least, I don’t have computers, smartphones, or the ability to surf the web. What can I do?
When it gets down to it, there’s nothing I can actually do.
“Um, Maria. What do ordinary people enjoy in their free time?”
What do people enjoy in this world?
“Men usually enjoy sports, while women gather and chat, right?”
Even so, that’s not my cup of tea.
First off, I have no flair for conversation, and chatting among women gives me a sense of discomfort.
As an Emperor, I don’t have much to talk about, nor are there many women who can converse with me on that level.
If there are, they’re other nations’ princesses, but meeting them isn’t exactly easy, and there’s not much to discuss.
Eva Perón might be the most approachable, but I worry our conversation would turn risqué.
“If not that.”
“Then it must be romance.”
Are you telling me to date at my age? With this body of mine?
Sigh, while I never had zero interest in romance, do I really need to pursue that?
To seriously become a lovesick girl tossing enticing glances? That seems far-fetched given my social standing and reputation.
Just consider the number of people guarding me right now in the Kremlin.
“Romance? What kind of romance at this stage? Honestly, I’ve come too far.”
To genuinely engage in romance seems a bit… off.
How to put it? There’s still some mental resistance? Something like that.
“Didn’t Churchill say they would introduce some of their royal family as a potential match?”
“What should I do with someone much younger than myself? Ugh.”
Please, make some sense here.
Even if they brought someone in their twenties, that’s still way too young.
Unless I was genuinely starved for physical affection and dying to get close to another nation’s royalty, which certainly isn’t the case for me.
“Having a physical relationship would change things.”
A physical relationship with a kid?
No matter how you look at it, that’s just wrong. No thought even forms in my mind.
“Even so, that’s a hard pass. At the very least, someone around the same age would work.”
“Yet a man in his sixties? I wouldn’t go there either.”
Ah, surely maneuvering with a man in his sixties is also a bridge too far.
Wait, why are we even discussing romance at all?
“I don’t understand how we ended up on romance.”
At this age, thoughts about romance would surely fade away.