The Rise Of Australasia

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As mid-September arrived, the pain inflicted by the earthquake on the Island Nation had finally lessened considerably. However, how to eradicate the epidemic in the Disaster Area had become the most vexing issue for the Island Nation's government.

To this end, the Island Nation urgently requested more masks and disinfectants from the major powers, and it strictly commanded that people within the Disaster Area were forbidden to leave even one step outside, and people outside were not permitted to enter even one step within. A stringent quarantine system was implemented inside and outside the Disaster Area.

Although relations between Australasia and the Island Nation were strained, an order like this was something Arthur would never miss.

Under Arthur's command, major mask manufacturers raised their prices threefold or even fourfold before amassing a large shipment of masks to the Island Nation.

Some of these masks even came from Australasia's mask strategic reserve. But there was no helping it; faced with the prospect of profits threefold or fourfold, Arthur couldn't help but be tempted.

Selling these masks, he could produce several times more masks, and whether as strategic reserves or sold at the original price, Arthur stood to lose nothing.

The Island Nation was not especially popular in Europe, and this disaster that struck the Island Nation did not draw excessive attention from the European powers.

After mid-September, the European powers turned their attention once more to the peace talks taking place in London, as these would determine the fate of Russia, and whether it would become, in fact, two separate countries.

September 17th, 1923, London, United Kingdom.

The British Foreign Minister formally submitted three proposals for handling the situation of the Civil War in Russia at the peace talks, marking the climax of Russia's negotiations.

Generally speaking, the first proposal was the recognition of the independence of various countries that had broken away from Russia, including Lithuania.

Secondly, it was made clear that Tsarist Russia was the legitimate Russia and that the two countries would follow the current borderlines for peaceful governance.

Lastly, Soviet Russia was also recognized as an independent country but was required to sign a neutrality agreement with the European countries, prohibiting any declarations of war on its neighboring countries and so forth.

Although these handling suggestions generally tended to favor Tsarist Russia, the British had their own ulterior motives and did not indulge the emergence of a united Russia.

Even though Tsarist Russia was still regarded as the legitimate Russia, the independence of countries such as Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland had become a fait accompli, and even Finland was recognized as an independent country, meaning Tsarist Russia's territory was facing significant reductions.

Nicholas II naturally would not agree to such a proposal, but the problem was that those newly independent smaller countries would surely agree to it.
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Even though Australasia played a role as a bystander in this conference, the British still held significant sway in these talks.

The opinion of the French was very conflicted; they hoped to see a strong Russia to share the burden with them, yet feared a Russia that was too strong would become their competitor.

After all, the previous sweetness of the Franco-Russian Alliance was due to both parties having a powerful competitor, Germany.

But currently, Germany had suffered significant restrictions, and the two strongest countries on the European Continent were France and Russia.

Perhaps it was this mindset that led the French to agree with the British point of view while also insisting on preserving as much of the Russian territory as possible to ensure that the partitioned Russia would still be a power.

The British naturally agreed with the French point of view because, looking at the current world situation, if Russia could find peace, even both countries formed from the partition of Russia might potentially become powers.

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After all, given Russia's vast population, neither side could become a mediocre country.

To cut the Gordian knot, the World Alliance directly approved the independence of Finland, Poland, Belarus, and the Baltic States, significantly reducing the current Russian territory.

This decision enraged Nicholas II, but he had no way to change it.

The dissatisfied Nicholas II turned his attention to Arthur, sending him a telegram pleading for Arthur's approval for the British to change their minds and refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the other party.

Arthur could not possibly agree to Nicholas II's request directly, and after much deliberation, he sent a return telegram to Nicholas II.

September 22nd, 1923, Russia, Saint Petersburg.

"Prime Minister, what do the Australasians say?" Nicholas II sat on his throne, and his anxious motions betrayed his inner thoughts.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty Arthur has promised to assist us in the conference, but he indicated that he cannot be certain whether the British will agree. Meanwhile, the Australasian Government is also willing to give us more aid and support, but they will not firmly stand behind us," the Prime Minister stood up and said somewhat helplessly.

"I knew it!" Knowing the result, Nicholas II was not as angry but sighed and deflatedly said, "Whether it's France or Australasia, no one will firmly stand behind us."

To be honest, Nicholas II was grateful for Arthur's support during the Civil War. Although he was clear that Arthur had not done his utmost, compared to the British and French who were still backing Soviet Russia behind the scenes, it was already commendable.

The prolonged Russian Civil War owed its thanks to the support of the European powers, which also made Nicholas II think that the former Franco-Russian Alliance was ludicrous and even regretted not having been able to promote the formation of a German-Russian Alliance.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is not too terrible, we still have a chance to turn things around," the Prime Minister took a deep breath and boldly spoke to Nicholas II.

"What chance?" Nicholas II, like a man grasping at straws, eagerly turned his gaze to the Prime Minister, asking.

"The British will not want to see the French growing too strong on the European continent alone, and the French also need an ally to help them resist the British. This is an opportunity for us, at least we are the legitimate government of Russia and still hope to reunify Russia," the Prime Minister, seeing Nicholas II interested in his words, finally relaxed and continued.

"By maneuvering between the British and French, we should be able to obtain more aid from them, helping us to rapidly recover our post-war economy and industry. Coupled with support from Australasia, our rate of development will far surpass that of our enemies, and we remain the most powerful country in Russia," the Prime Minister said with a smile.

"Once we have regained our strength, those small independent nations will still follow our rule. As for the Poles, if it comes down to it, we can simply divide them with Germany. Who could stop a Russia that has recovered its industry and economy? What we lack most now is time.

With the support of Britain, France, and Australasia, we are still the country with the best chance of unifying Russia—it's just a matter of time," having completed his proposal, the Prime Minister also took a breath of relief, turning his gaze to Nicholas II, awaiting his decision.

"You're right," Nicholas II nodded in agreement, expressing his support for the Prime Minister's proposal.

After all, Nicholas II, once the Tsar of a vast Russia, despite not being adept in military command, was still competent in politics and diplomacy.

Diplomacy between great nations is always about seeking opportunities, as no country's foreign policy is eternal because relations and interests between nations are constantly changing.

Compared with Russia, which had been severely drained by the Civil War, the mutual wariness between Britain and France was greater.

The British need a powerful Russia as a counter to the French, and the Russians also need a powerful France as their helper, which also represents an opportunity for the Russians to find.

"Tell Australasia that I hope to receive more material and technological support after the peace talks, like the airplanes and tanks they produced during World War I.

Also, tell Britain and France that we can agree to their negotiations, but the precondition is that they must strongly support the recovery of our economy and industry," Nicholas II, consoled, was in good spirits and issued his command.

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