Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 270 : Side Selection

January 18, 1898

Washington, D.C. – The White House

The tension in the room was thick as President Matthew Hesh stood before his Cabinet, members of Congress, and senior military advisors. A large map of East Asia was pinned on the wall, covered in red markers that tracked Russia's land movements through Manchuria and naval projections in the Sea of Japan.

Everyone waited for him to speak. Some stood. Some sat stiffly in leather chairs. All of them were on edge.

"This is not just Japan's war anymore," Matthew finally said, breaking the silence. "It's a war for control of the Pacific."

He looked around the room. "If Russia wins, they won't stop with Japan. Korea will be next. China follows after that. The entire region becomes a Russian sphere of influence—and we're locked out of the fastest-growing markets in the world."

A senator from Vermont, Edwin Rowe, folded his arms. "But siding with Japan, Mr. President? That's a bold move. Some would say it's a betrayal of the Western alliance. We're a Western nation. Japan is not."

Murmurs of agreement followed. The old worldview still clung to many in the room—that Europe and North America were the civilizing force, that unity among Western nations was paramount.

Matthew didn't flinch. "And what has that unity brought us? Endless talks and vague promises. Not one European power has stepped in to stop Russia—not Britain, not France, not Germany. If anything, they're quietly hoping Russia wins so they can carve out what's left."

"But Japan's not one of us," another congressman added. "They don't share our culture, our—"

"Our what?" Matthew cut in, eyes sharp. "Our skin color? Our religions? Our way of doing business?"

Silence.

He continued. "This isn't about culture. It's about strategy. If we let Russia dominate East Asia, we lose access to a region that will define the next century. Trade routes. Resources. Emerging markets. Technology."

He turned toward Secretary of Commerce Harold Ellis, who had been quiet until now.

"Ellis, what's our projected trade growth in Asia over the next two decades?"

Ellis straightened. "If current trends hold, it could account for nearly forty percent of our export economy by 1920. And that's without full trade treaties with China and Korea."

Matthew nodded. "You want to talk about betrayal? Sitting back and letting Russia seize all that is betrayal. Betrayal of Amerathia's future."

Some in the room looked convinced. Others still resisted.

"But it's war, Mr. President," said General Hastings. "We commit troops, ships, money. People will die. And if Russia retaliates directly against us—"

"Then we respond," Matthew said firmly. "This isn't about joining Japan's war. It's about preventing a Russian monopoly on the Pacific. It's about defending a balance of power that we benefit from."

He looked around again. "Let me ask all of you something. If we sided with Russia and helped them crush Japan, what makes you think they'd stop there? What's stopping them from turning on China, on Korea? On Indochina? They don't want allies. They want control."

The room was quiet now, the gravity of his words setting in.

"And what happens," Matthew added, "when Amerathia is boxed out of Asia altogether? When we have no say, no access, no presence?"

He walked slowly across the room, hand in his pocket.

"This isn't about East versus West. This isn't about race or culture. It's about survival. Economic. Strategic. National."

He finally reached the front again.

"Amerathia sides with Japan. We will offer military support, economic assistance, and naval protection. We will not let Russia rewrite the future."

There was a pause. Then Collins, standing near the back, gave a small nod.

The room erupted into mixed responses—some clapping, some sighing, a few outright shaking their heads. But the decision had been made.

Matthew stepped out of the conference room into the hallway, Amber waiting nearby with Maverick in tow.

"How did it go?" she asked.

He gave a tired smile. "We're siding with Japan."

Amber nodded slowly. "Good. They stood alone. They won't forget who stood with them now."

Matthew looked out the nearby window toward the Capitol dome.

"Neither will history."

—

Tokyo, Japan – January 20, 1898

Emperor Yoshihito stood in the War Room once again, but this time, there was a change in the air. Admiral Togo handed him a fresh telegram from Amerathia.

Yoshihito read it silently.

It was a formal declaration of support. Naval aid. Munitions. Advisors. Amerathia was stepping in.

The Emperor said nothing for a moment.

Then, he looked up.

"Send a reply. Tell President Hesh… Japan is grateful."

General Yamagata smiled for the first time in days.

"We may just survive this yet."

—

St. Petersburg – The Winter Palace

The news of Amerathia siding with Japan hit the Russian court like a thunderclap.

Tsar Nicholas threw the telegram across the room.

"They dare interfere? They dare side with those… those islanders?"

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Grand Duke Alexei looked troubled. "This changes everything."

"Then change everything," Nicholas growled. "Double the invasion force. We'll bury them both."

But the panic in the Russian war council was clear.

They had expected to crush Japan quickly.

Now, they were facing a much bigger fight.

—

Washington, D.C.

Matthew stood on the White House balcony that night, looking out over the lights of the capital. Collins joined him, hands in his coat pockets.

"You know this is going to get ugly," Collins said.

"I know."

"But we've made our choice."

Matthew nodded. "We have."

They stood in silence for a moment.

Then Matthew added, "And if we win, we don't just save Japan. We secure our future."

Collins looked out across the night sky.

"Let's hope the future is ready."

Matthew didn't answer right away. He watched the stars above the Capitol, thinking of the storm to come. Then, with quiet resolve, he said, "Let the Russians come. Let the world watch. We're not just stepping into a war—we're stepping into history."

Collins gave a faint nod, then stepped back inside.

Matthew remained on the balcony a little longer, the wind brushing against his face.

For the first time in days, he felt clear. The path forward wasn't safe, but it was necessary.

Amerathia had chosen its side.

Now, it was time to stand by it—no matter the cost.