章節 2: Chapter 2 The Wings of a Butterfly
Last night, the Emperor on the Buryaburya train messaged, wanting to meet with me, but I used the injury as an excuse to see him in two days.
To be honest, I still haven't decided what to ask for in the future, and I felt I wasn't ready to negotiate with them myself.
I could divide my negotiation strategy into two if I were to summarize the requirements.
1. Requirements that could lower Japan's ability to conduct war in a future Russo-Japanese War.
2. Requirements that could hinder Japan's current modernization.
If these two requirements had been met, the Russo-Japanese War as we know it might not have happened at all.
The first thing that came to mind was the demand for a stake in the Iwami Silver Mine, Japan's largest silver mine, and its associated mining operations.
It has been privatized and its name changed to Omori Eun-min, but the current situation in Japan is comparable to a dictatorship.
It was also worth considering the share of demand for the Ashio copper mine, the largest copper-producing area in East Asia. Japan's primary exports are resources such as minerals, and the leash on these resources could hurt Japan's growth in the coming years.
Or perhaps it was worth considering the Sado gold mine, which was available until the late 20th century.
Of course, it would be nice to ask for rights to these resources.
Just as in modern Korea, the top ranks take responsibility for the actions of the police or soldiers. It would be helpful to break down the leadership that should lead Japan in the future.
It is an undeniable fact that no matter what kind of evaluation the leaders of Japan are receiving, their ability to exercise control remains strong.
'In my mind, I want to kidnap Emperor Meiji when he boards a warship.'
Capturing the Emperor, who had no meaning and was only the boss of the barge, was an arrangement that would only result in the anger of the Japanese people. No matter how much Japan fears us now, it is natural to feel hate and anger rather than fear if he kidnaps their king.
As soon as the protagonists of the alternative history I had read in the past acted as if they were waiting, I thought, 'how could a person act like that?'
When I saw myself in that position and acting like the protagonist in the novel, I wasn't expecting this to happen.
'What's certain is that it's impossible to fully destroy Japan through this negotiation, but I must give them a painful blow.'
Japan is a country with massive potential, and based on that potential, it is only a matter of time before they join the list of major powers. If you cut off the sprouts when they have not yet entered a proper growth period, no matter how much potential they have, they will remain a second-class country.
Of course, this was an overly hopeful observation, and there was still a lot of work to do once I returned to St. Petersburg. It is safe to say that the modernization of Russia, where the majority of the people are illiterate and the transportation network is not properly established, has not even started.
Considering that my father, Alexander III, was in the midst of reactionary politics after Alexander II, my grandfather, was assassinated at the hands of liberals, the path I had to go through was difficult.
'Based on this negotiation, I'm taking the first step to change my fate.'
Nikolai II was an incompetent tsar and devoted father, but he died a miserable death without even protecting his own family. Many mountains were still to be overcome to change the fate of the last tsar of the Romanov imperial family.
This negotiation was to be the easiest of the mountains I have to overcome. I am also the perpetrator, but I am a far greater victim.
"Your Majesty Emperor asked for another meeting. What should I do?"
Would it be nice to convey that you are not in a position to do the meeting yet?
"No, tell them we can meet today, but let me tell you that it would be nice to meet with only an interpreter present instead of the other attendants."
"I will tell you how it is."
Finally, the first steps toward changing the waters of fate have begun.
* * *
Emperor Meiji felt uncomfortable as he boarded the boat. Such diplomatic negotiations were burdensome for him because he was not interested in actual politics, burdened by his excessive popularity.
However, as reported by his loyal servant and the current Japanese cabinet, it was comforting that the other party seemed unfamiliar with this kind of negotiation and had never learned basic royal studies.
Especially if the spoiled prince, who is just 16 years old, engages in negotiations. He has the confidence to deal with the inexperienced prince as he has gone through tough tribulations such as the Southwest War.
'This shall not interfere with the future movement of the Japanese Empire.'
Also, on the train going down to Buryaburya Kyoto last night, the emperor, who received a report of the negotiation strategy that resulted from the meeting of the cabinet meeting, felt that he had gained some confidence.
This is because he thought that with this strategy, the prince, who was only in his twenties, would not notice the secret behind their proposal.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince told you to come in. However, it is an order to bring only one person in charge of interpreting."
"Okay."
Emperor Meiji took only one attendant and headed to the room, waiting for him to arrive, standing with a light gesture.
At some point, the inside became uncomfortable and sank as if it were a whim.
* * *
Originally, two more people were present at the meeting place where only me and the emperor should be present.
The reason was simple: because I can't speak Japanese, and the other person can't speak Russian.
The feeling when I first saw Emperor Meiji, which I had only seen in photos so far, was surprisingly normal.
And the excitement of seeing the characters from the history books was only a moment.
It was uncomfortable to think that I was leading the negotiations between countries, an ordinary private student who was just a few days old.
The negotiations from taking place will be promises between nations and end up recorded as a prominent point in history books. But what took a bigger part in my mind than that was what could maximize the interests of the Russian Empire.
"I heard that you had lost your mind, but now I am glad that you have recovered to some extent."
"It's okay because God and the Tsar watch over me. However, it would not have been necessary to face each other like this if the returning police had not done that kind of thing. Isn't it?"
When I replied that I was uncomfortable, it felt quite pleasant to see the other person's expression harden.
If you think about it, isn't it possible to manipulate the people who laid the groundwork for Japan's modernization through the Meiji Restoration and building the world's third-largest economic power?
After I answered, I kept silent and stared at the other person, and I saw that the interpreter on the other side was becoming pale.
Looking at it, I almost laughed at the thought of a Korean soldier who was eating between the Korean and American presidents, but I maintained a stern expression by secretly pinching my thighs.
"I have nothing to say about this unfortunate accident. On our side, we will do everything we can to help ease your anger," he said.
Our site has secured the suspect, Officer Tsuda, but if you wish, we will transfer him immediately. In addition, messages are coming from all over Japan to pray for the health of the Crown Prince."
"Telegrams won't be able to show what I've been through, nor can they heal my wounds."
"Of course, yes, but to suggest that this incident is irrelevant to our government's and people's perceptions of His Majesty the Crown Prince."
"I'm a little sorry to say this, but I don't care what your attitude or perception is. The important thing is that an officer attacked me in your country, who was also in charge of the escort. Depending on your response, this event may be one in which Russia could declare war in retaliation."
While the interpreter spoke, I drank the water that was next to me, and continued talking again...
"But if a war breaks out, of course, the victory of our Russian Empire is clear as day. It is my position that I will first examine the sincerity of returning home, fearing that unnecessary blood of our people will flow."
Emperor Meiji was contemplating when the word war came out of his mouth, but when I said that we had room for negotiations, Emperor Meiji spoke with a somewhat relieved expression.
"Of course, your Majesty. If we can solve the problem through dialogue without the tragedy of war, wouldn't it be better to solve it through dialogue?"
"First, the Karafuto-Chishima Exchange Treaty in 1875… Ahem, excuse me. We will return the baseline for the Kuril Islands, which we owned by the St. Petersburg Treaty, back to the 1855 baseline. It is also our position that the Russian Imperial Navy can also review the rights to Tsushima Island."
At first glance, this looks like a very enticing. A proposal to secure the Kuril Islands, which had caused territorial disputes for decades, and to secure the port that Russia so longed for at the time.
But I know the poison hidden in their proposal.
Emperor Meiji, who spoke about the rewards with a somewhat triumphant look, probably thought that I would accept this offer.
I smiled and said.
"I guess you believe I am a fool."
創作者的想法 
cmluis
cmluis this was a pain in the rear to attempt to fix, the raw was so badddd!
— 新章節待更 — 寫檢討