Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 214

Though shortsighted nationalists often threaten rulers or leaders, Piłsudski isn’t such a common person.

If he commits terrorism against me?

‘He’d realize Polish independence would become even more distant.’

Rather, someone like Piłsudski would try to quiet all sorts of nationalist groups and reactionary elements.

So, I released him.

Because he’s that kind of person.

“Now, a question. In President Wilson’s view, does that Polish independence seem possible?”

“…Why ask such a question while classifying them as Western Slavs?”

“Please answer even lightly. Polish independence, does it seem possible even in the distant future?”

This time Wilson thought for quite a while before reluctantly giving his answer.

“…If another Great War happens, there might be a chance. But difficult before then.”

At this moment, I wanted to applaud his words without a hint of lies.

‘Now he’s following the conversation somewhat.’

This couldn’t be a more “Woodrow Wilson-like” answer than ever.

“Correct.”

“You agree?”

“No. I mean that’s the answer Piłsudski thought.”

Logically, we won’t give up Poland that we gained with so much blood and sweat just because of one “national self-determination declaration.”

If we were going to do that, there was no reason to die so much on the Eastern Front.

“…You’re quite confident another war will happen. I still don’t agree though.”

“I’m confident in a different sense. That if there is a next war, the United States won’t have the power to stop it, let alone the will.”

Though his twitching face looked quite uncomfortable, I maintained my smile throughout.

Since this was already conversation throwing away courtesy and face, we tried to tear each other apart while thoroughly digging into each other.

Thus our conversation continued without even considering the scheduled evening banquet.

The more it went on, the more I could add to my conviction.

If France is a coward.

America is lazy.

The ink on the Treaty of Versailles hadn’t even dried but America was already backing away.

==

“How was it?”

“How was it? Lansing, even a snake’s tongue wouldn’t be so vicious. He was so rude and direct it was hard to believe he had noble blood.”

“Seems it wasn’t good.”

As if frustration had fully built up, Wilson loosened his tie and shirt right after returning to his room when the talk with the Tsar ended.

“More annoying is how he treated even my ambiguous answers as ‘responses.’ As if that was typically American. Do you understand how I felt stripped naked before him as a nation’s leader?”

“…You worked hard.”

At the forced words of encouragement, Wilson seemed to become needlessly more sensitive.

The dialogue just finished, like Zen questions, was difficult even for Wilson to follow.

Though he didn’t use particularly difficult words or speak indirectly, the conversation with the Tsar felt like their levels were clearly different.

‘He said the emperor came though it’s not a negotiation venue. No. Did he come because it’s not negotiations?’

Well, would the Tsar have come personally if it was a petty pushing and pulling fight?

“Above all what makes me uncomfortable is his confident attitude. He already knows matters the United States hasn’t decided and dared to predict choices we haven’t even made.”

Wilson had to stop for a moment after saying this himself.

‘…This becomes admitting it.’

If he had just spouted nonsense, Wilson could have laughed it off after turning around and forgotten about it.

However, the more he ruminated, the more Wilson’s mind filled with their earlier conversation.

“…Lansing, will Congress oppose joining the international organization?”

“With elections approaching, the Republicans are blaming all war damage on the Democratic Party. They still claim participation was a national loss. We’ll have to see, but given the current domestic atmosphere, we must consider the possibility it won’t pass.”

“Those idiots can’t even utilize my achievements.”

The international organization was a way for the United States to remain the only moral nation while confronting imperialism.

If instead of simply dividing colonies, they implement mandates.

If under the pretext of preventing war, they can interfere in defeated nations’ internal affairs and prevent arms races between victorious nations.

If instead of tired and difficult paths like expansion and competition, the Allies unite to lead the world.

The United States too would gain the possibility of advancing anywhere – Europe, Asia, Africa – while taking a leading role in the post-war party.

Frankly speaking, does America have any market they lead except South America?

How do they not understand they’ll have to give up leadership even in this European market once reconstruction ends?

‘Technology, industrial power, production capacity, all good. But in this era, such honest things alone are insufficient.’

That’s why he wanted to create an international organization.

Because after this war ends, those imperialist nations’ behavior will obviously become fiercer beyond comparison to before.

However, that Russia from the start. No, even before starting, they drew the line.

‘Forget joining the League, they just drew lines around their sphere of influence.’

National self-determination. Respecting other ethnicities and resolving their own ethnic issues sounds good, but isn’t it actually a scheme to completely devour Eastern Europe and the Balkans?

“Really, I don’t want to meet him again.”

The recent meeting where a foreign leader, not even an American citizen, completely analyzed and seemed ready to tear apart the United States was a conversation he didn’t even want to review.

But more than such an unpleasant and unsettling conversation, what settled in Wilson’s mind was just one thing.

“Lansing.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Did we truly end the war?”

“Didn’t all war end the moment you signed the treaty? What we aimed for was accomplished and the era of peace has arrived.”

“…I suppose so.”

Namely, about the ‘next war’ the Tsar mentioned.

The next war.

Hell where humanity seemed to be annihilated despite participating for just 2 years, no, less than 1 year effectively.

That Tsar was clearly going beyond predicting to being certain about the next war.

Meanwhile, even after the talk ended, Wilson himself still hadn’t gained any clue about this ‘next war.’

As he kept thinking trying to catch up to that gap.

“Ugh.”

“Are you alright?”

“It’s nothing. Just felt dizzy for a moment.”

His head only throbbed like it would split.