Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 218



Only Krnovel

Episode 218 – Eurasian Front

After finishing my schedule at Marshall Camp, I boarded the ARK again and headed to Korea.

The world was still in turmoil, but when the steel submarine began to submerge, a strange sense of peace was felt.

As I thought about setting foot on Korean soil for the next schedule, I felt my heart flutter for some reason, even though there was nothing to see or anyone to meet.

Hyein couldn’t hide her excitement either. But her excitement and thrill didn’t last long.

I heard that China has started to dream.

All RICE Pact member countries implemented a policy of exporting all resources classified as strategic materials only to their economic allies.

* RICE Pact (Russia, Iran, India, China, and Sahel Economic Pact): An economic bloc treaty centered on China, with Russia, Iran, India, China, and African Sahel countries participating.

Those strategic materials also included essential elements for fertilizer production and diesel cars.

Not only South Korea, which is highly dependent on China for its elements, but the entire world was in chaos.

There have been countless instances of Chinese bans on urea exports, but they have often been lifted after raising prices slightly.

Also, it was possible to import through third countries. But this time, all routes were completely blocked.

Coincidentally, the major producers of urea were China, India, Russia, and Iran. In other words, the countries ranked first to fourth in world urea production were members of the RICE Pact.

Secretary General Jin Min-gyu contacted me to discuss this matter.

“Sir, the situation is more serious than we thought.”

“That’s right. Why do these elements only appear in RICE Pact countries?”

“It is also produced in the US and Canada, but exports are being restricted to stock up on domestic demand due to this situation.”

“That neighborhood has always thought about how to live for themselves first, so I don’t even have any expectations.”

“Not only Korea, but also Japan and the Far Eastern republics do not have more than three months’ worth of reserves.”

“Well, China is the problem all the way through…”

“That’s right. They took away Taiwan and Yunnan Province, and they still haven’t come to their senses and are tormenting us to the end.”

“wait! ”

“…?”

“President, I think there might be an element in Yunnan Province. It feels like there are a lot of mountains there… I’ll have to check.”

President Jin Min-gyu also seemed to have realized something when he heard that the elements were likely to be produced in Yunnan Province.

“Oh, right! I forgot Yunnan Province.”

“I think it will come out. It seems more likely than in a desert area like Beijing or a flat area along a river like Shanghai. Let’s check first and then call back.”

“all right.”

Both Commander Zhang Yuanmin, who is in charge of the military administration of the Yunnan Federal Government, and Director Lee of the Information Department were instructed to find out about the elements produced in Yunnan Province.

A reply came within hours of issuing the directive.

It was very positive content.

It was good news that Yunnan Province was one of the major element producing areas in China.

In Yunnan Province, tens of thousands of tons of urea for industrial and agricultural fertilizer production are produced every day.

They said that they need to check a little more, but that the quantity can be supplied at least to South Korea, the Far Eastern Republic, and Japan.

That quantity was more than enough to solve the immediate shortage of elements.

It seemed likely that China’s ban on elements would further increase OSS’s influence in the international community.

I felt proud that my forced occupation of Yunnan Province was of great help in this situation.

He instructed Secretary-General Jin Min-gyu to appropriately distribute the amount of Yunnan Province’s exports to ESSO and PATA countries.

And some Southeast Asian countries that provided lukewarm support when the Vietnam War broke out did not forget to say that the quantity should be differentiated.

The ARK I was still on was quietly swimming in the deep waters of the calm sea.

As the submarine passed the Federated States of Micronesia and headed toward Guam, Chief Lee of the Intelligence Service contacted us, saying he had something to report.

“Sir, there is something wrong with America.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Trump is running for president again.”

“Huh? Isn’t that person almost 100 years old?”

“That’s right.”

After resolving the issues with China and India, it was now the United States. I felt that there would not be a single day of peace.

“Oh, the world is about to get more complicated, sir! What are the chances of Trump getting elected?”

“Considering the current public opinion and political landscape, there is no presidential candidate from either the Democratic or Republican parties who can take on Trump.”

“Oh, this is a big deal. Why does Trump have so much support?”

“In a situation where there is a high level of national fatigue over war… Trump’s strong America First policy seems to be working.”

“What does that mean?”

“Trump has openly stated that if he is elected, he will get out of all the wars that are going on.”

“Ukraine, Palestine, Iran… all of them?”

“Yes. And also···.”

“What now…?”

“They are talking about joining hands with China and Russia if it helps the United States.”

“Sigh~ This is driving me crazy.”

It was surprising news that Trump was running for the US presidency again, but what was even more surprising was the man’s words and the American society that accepted those words.

“Trump is saying that he could break up not only NATO but even the South Korea-US-Japan alliance if it is not in America’s interests.”

“No, it’s all an alliance for America’s benefit. Is there anything else?”

“Don’t you know that guy? The interests Trump talks about are only short-term economic interests. In other words, he’s saying we won’t fight a war that doesn’t make money.”

“Huh~ Really, it sounds like you’re talking about using American soldiers as mercenaries.”

“He also made a statement to that effect. He said that he would only send troops to countries that pay. He also said that he would cut off all economic support to Ukraine.”

“Huh? You said that a person who wants to become the leader of a country uses his own army as mercenaries?”

“Yes, that’s right. But what’s even more absurd is that such statements are resonating with American voters.”

“Oh no… When is the US presidential election?”

“It’s November this year.”

“Then, there will be trouble in the areas where the war is not over.”

“Every country is in a state of emergency right now. Not to mention Ukraine and Israel…”

“…”

“I think both the Far Eastern Republic and the Yunnan Federation, which we gave independence to, will be affected.”

“That’s right. If the US leaves, the remaining power of Russia, Iran, and China will be directed in other directions.”

“The economic fallout is no joke either.”

“That’s right. The US itself has created uncertainty…”

“And this needs to be checked a little more, but… well….”

“What is it now? Please tell me.”

“It’s secondhand information. There is information that Trump has ambitions to invade Venezuela.”

“Haa~ This old man is so greedy… He’s about to leave now.”

“They don’t need morality, righteousness, or manners. They will do anything that benefits them.”

“Where did the plan for the US invasion of Venezuela come from?”

“We have clearly confirmed that a think tank run by the Trump camp is creating a scenario for an invasion of Venezuela.”

“Is it because of the oil?”

“Yes. The reason is that cooperation with the United States has been lukewarm compared to the lifting of economic sanctions.”

*Venezuela’s oil reserves are over 300 billion barrels, more than Saudi Arabia’s 260 billion barrels. It is the world’s largest in terms of reserves.

“Haa~ The world is really becoming a mess.”

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. I think our OSS also needs to make its course clear. We need to keep in mind the possibility that the United States could become a competitor rather than an ally.”

“Even if the alliance breaks down, we won’t become direct competitors. However, if the world police disappears, it will be a headache in many ways.”

“CEO!”

“yes?”

“Didn’t the president always say, ‘What seems unlikely to happen, inevitably happens.’”

“Ah. That, that’s right. We must not let our guard down.”

“OSSIA is currently analyzing information on changes in the international order. We will report back shortly. The immediate issue is Ukraine, where our OSS is deeply involved.”

“That’s true. We have deep ties to Ukraine, but it’s too early to give up just for grain and iron ore.”

“…”

“Is there no way for us to intervene in the US presidential election and change the outcome?”

“The OSSIA Americas team has reviewed it from various perspectives. Not only is it not cost-effective compared to the investment, but even if all operations are successful, it will not be able to turn the tide.”

“Whew~”

“The most likely solution in the current situation is ···.”

“Yes, come on.”

“It’s to help the war that the United States is currently fighting to be a victory, at least in name. Before the US presidential election.”

“So what you’re saying is that if we end the war before the presidential election, Trump’s words will also stop.”

“Yes. If the war ends before November of this year, even if Trump becomes president, he will have nothing to do. That will be the biggest variable that will prevent him from being elected.”

“That may be true, but···.”

“That’s right. Isn’t war something that everyone wants to end but can’t…?”

“But we should try, if that’s the only way.”

“Sir, an early end to the war is also not cost-effective.”

“Boss, when have I ever done something that was cost-effective? I just do my best.”

“Oh, I understand. I will do my best to help you according to your decision.”

…

After finishing the call with this division chief, I called Commander Lee Du-man, who had been appointed as the commander of the OSS Eurasian Forces.

*** OSS Eurasian Forces Organization ***

* 1st Carrier Squadron:

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and escort group, 100 aircraft

* 1st and 3rd assault squadrons:

Two America-class amphibious assault ships and escort ships, two arsenal ships (Joint Firepower Ships Daeshin Ki-Jeon 1 and 3), and about 80 aircraft.

* 1st Marine Artillery Brigade:

2 self-propelled gun battleships – Heavy Shinki-Jeon 1, 2 + 3 ships awaiting commissioning

Escort group – 3 Aegis ships, 1 CGN air defense cruiser

* 1st Submarine Squadron:

OSS-SC SSN attack submarines, SSGN cruise missile nuclear submarines, ESB unmanned underwater vehicle carriers (number of deployed ships unknown)

* OSS Cream Corps:

50,000 troops (expanded from the Crimean Brigade) / multinational mechanized corps / volunteers from Ukraine and multinational volunteers

* * * * * * *

…