Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 167



Only Krnovel

Episode 167 – Mainland Invasion

Admiral Son Il-sung questioned the explanation that our response to China’s invasion of Vietnam was holding China back.

“Then doesn’t that mean that helping Vietnam made the situation worse?”

“Maybe the Chinese Communist Party expected us not to move because of such calculations.”

“ah ···.”

“But. That’s also a dilemma because China is a country that is used to asking for two more if you give it one.”

“…”

“After Vietnam, the entire Indochina Peninsula will follow. I couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

“Then what should I do?”

“First, we need to weaken China’s power as much as possible, and if they misjudge, we need to let them know that it was a truly wrong judgment.”

“…”

I was in a really difficult dilemma, but I couldn’t just sit back and watch.

A conference call was connected with Vice President Lee and Secretary General Jin Min-gyu.

“First of all, the reason we brought you two together is because we need to create more means to block China’s nuclear card.”

– Yes. I was worried about that too.

– So, are you referring to the United States?

“Yes, the US has virtually withdrawn from Asia thanks to our OSS.”

– That’s true.

– Besides, the current domestic situation in the United States is…

“But the United States still maintains a nuclear force that is more than enough.”

– Yes.

– That’s why Israel and Iran are able to maintain that level.

“So, the two of you should come forward and create an ESSO, PATA, and US nuclear retaliation agreement.”

– That’s a good idea, but…

– There has to be some kind of carrot in the US too.

“We have nothing to give to America.”

– …

– still ···.

“If you want to maintain order in Asia and the OSS Black Sea Fleet, emphasize that the only way is to conclude an agreement. They will understand.”

– Well, if we weren’t there, America would also have to deal with China in this chaotic situation.

– Sir, if the agreement is to be effective and have external significance…

“Yes. Go ahead. Don’t worry about what others think.”

– Yes. If we can see the president and the US president in the same angle… I think that will send a clear message to China.

– Secretary General Jin Min-gyu is right. This is not a secret agreement, but the agreement itself is a warning. To make it more certain, the representative must step forward.

“Okay, you two, please help me shape it well.”

– And Mr. Representative, to make things a little easier, how about giving something to the United States, which just experienced a major earthquake?

– good idea.

“Well, if that’s the case. If you’re going to do it, it would be better to support it reliably and quickly. . .”

“…”

“How about $70 billion in humanitarian aid to help address the earthquake crisis in the United States?”

– 70 billion dollars is over 100 trillion won at the current exchange rate.

The two seemed quite surprised to hear that the United States would be receiving 100 trillion won in disaster relief.

– Wow… I didn’t say it was on that scale, but I think America would be surprised… no, impressed.

– Sir, isn’t that too much?

“Whenever you write something, if you do it half-heartedly, it’s worse than not doing it at all. It may be partly to help citizens affected by the earthquake, but it’s also intended to appeal to the United States about the capabilities and importance of OSS.”

– Hey, sir!

“Yes, go ahead. What is so difficult?”

– How is our financial situation?

– Actually, I was curious too. It’s called OSS’s finances, but it’s almost like the CEO’s personal property, so it was difficult to ask.

“Haha. The most recent I checked was around 4,000 trillion.”

– ah ···.

– Well, the aircraft carrier alone costs 90 trillion won.

“No, no. General assets are not counted. Cash assets alone amount to 400 trillion.”

– yes?

– Ugh!

– Wow, that’s awesome. It’s so cool to be able to use it in America.

“Although there are many profits from North Korean business and oil fields in the Far East Republic, OSLAM’s investment method is structured to generate profits when the world becomes unstable and accidents and incidents occur frequently, so it seems to have grown even more.”

– Sir! How about we bring in one more aircraft carrier from the United States while we’re at it?

– Now is a good time. I don’t think they will refuse since we are providing aid.

“Good idea. I was worried that there would be too much focus on one ship. Please discuss this with Vice Admiral Son Il and push it forward.”

“all right.”

“Admiral Son is at war and will likely not be able to participate in the negotiations, so I ask that you work a little harder.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, and Secretary General Jin.”

“Yes. I am waiting to hear from you.”

“Currently, the Kiribati steel mills are said to be running low on inventory due to difficulties in importing iron ore from India. This is probably due to Chinese influence.”

“China even does that kind of thing···.”

“Iran, India, and Russia have joined the Chinese yuan economic bloc, so they will try to monopolize it. They are in a war zone, so demand is high…”

“Okay, I will try to diversify my import lines to include Australia, Brazil, etc. There are some entanglements with our interests with the United States, but I will try to resolve them through this opportunity.”

“Yes. Secretary General, please exert some force. And if the negotiations don’t go well…”

– …

“You could use North Korea’s rare earth export quota as leverage. Since you can’t import from China, it could be a bargaining chip.”

“Oh, yes. I understand.”

The world has become divided into a dollar-based economy and a yuan-based economy, competing with each other. This has been visualized not only through economic competition but also through war.

The Russian-Ukrainian war, China’s invasion of Vietnam, and Iran’s occupation of Israel were all part of the economic camp.

…

The deployment of the OSS 1st Northern Army to the Laos front and the dispatch of North Korean troops to Vietnam were completed.

Although fierce fighting continued in Vietnam, North Korean reinforcements allowed the Vietnamese Army and PATA Rapid Response Force to reorganize their lines.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which had gathered in Yunnan Province to invade Laos, remained stationary at its base south of Pu’er City.

Lieutenant General Kim Jong-o, commander of our Southern Army, and General Cha Min-soo, commander of the Northern 1st Army, requested an operational call.

– Sir, you’re connected.

– Your Majesty! I am leaving this message to greet you.

“You both have worked hard.”

– I have nothing to do. I just do my best in my mission.

– Sir, I would like to report to you first as there is new information and a change in circumstances.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

– Our Southern Army Intelligence Battalion contacted the Xishuangbanna Dai people in Yunnan Province, China, and brought about military cooperation.

“Oh! That’s good news to hear.”

– One of the reasons the Chinese People’s Army’s invasion of Laos was delayed was the organized sabotage by the Xishuangbanna Dai people.

– It’s the Chinese people’s karma for persecuting ethnic minorities.

“Please explain further.”

– Yes. There is virtually only one road from China’s Yunnan Province to Laos, which is Route 213. And that road is in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is within Chinese territory.

“What if that road goes through Laos?”

– There is only one road in Chinese territory, but as it approaches the Laotian border, it splits into three roads.

– The other access route passes through the Phongsali jungle area, where Laotian regular troops are heavily deployed and lying in wait.

“So, did that minority group stop the Chinese People’s Army on Route 213?”

– The Xishuangbanna Dai people do not have the military power to directly stop the Chinese army. It is understood that the advance has been slowed down by passive sabotage such as road destruction and uncooperativeness in garrison stations, as well as by the Chinese army’s own problems.

“Anyway, it looks like we’ve gained some time. That’s fortunate.”

– Marshal! Marshal, your determination is needed.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

– I think that if we preemptively attack Route 213, which the Southern Army Commander explained, and occupy it first, we can turn the battle situation to our advantage.

– There is some truth to what Lieutenant Cha Min-soo said. Route 213 is a bottleneck, but once you get past it, you will have a variety of routes to advance from the Chinese army.

– It is true that from our perspective, which is absolutely lacking in manpower, there is a considerable burden in establishing a defensive line.

– However, I felt a great burden about launching a preemptive strike on mainland China, so I requested a connection to obtain your decision.

“Um… Laos is not yet a party to the war, but have you heard the opinion of the Laotian military?”

– We did not exchange direct opinions for security reasons.

“Well done.”

– yes?

“If there were risks to maintaining security, I think my decision would have been more cautious. Laos was originally a pro-China country.”

– ah···.

– As expected, the enemy is···.

“What do you think is the success rate of the operation?”

– The Chinese People’s Army is still establishing a base at the entrance to Route 213.

– If we move quickly, we can take control of the end of Route 213 before the Chinese advance.

– As China also did not expect it, the 213 Road control operation is confident of success.

“You have a backup plan and reserves ready, right?”

– Yes, it’s ready.

– No problem, sir.

“Okay. I approve the invasion of mainland China.”

– Thank you, Your Majesty.

– I will bring you news of victory.

“Yes. Then I will only trust you two.”

The Southern Army and the Northern 1st Army combined had a combined 150,000 troops to face the 550,000-strong Chinese People’s Army.

There was no choice but to supplement the lack of troops by occupying strategically advantageous high ground.

It also seemed possible to market the military action as a retaliatory measure against China’s invasion of Vietnam, rather than as a defense of Laos.

This was the first time China had been attacked on the mainland since World War II, and the OSS was the main culprit.

After approving the invasion of mainland China, several measures were taken to use it for psychological warfare.

There was no real benefit to be gained from changing world opinion, but it would be a shocking psychological warfare for Chinese domestic public opinion and the Chinese military leadership.

The fighting spirit of China’s rank-and-file soldiers will be heightened, but the military leadership and the Communist Party will be deeply troubled. And it will send another message to China’s many ethnic minorities.

…

Because of the shape of the border, where Chinese territory seemed to be digging into the Laotian border, it was a situation where Chinese territory was surrounded by Laos on three sides, which was advantageous terrain for operations.

Operation to occupy Route 213 was progressing smoothly.

The Laotian government was notified after the operation began.

Although it was actually against international convention, we asked for their understanding as it was for the sake of maintaining the security of the operation, and they did not particularly protest.

…