I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 110



Only Krnovel

EP.110 Korea-China Armistice Agreement (1)

Actually, I was paying attention to Berlin, but Korea had a more urgent enemy than Germany.

China is a long-time enemy that has been at odds with each other.

I predicted that there would be no negotiations with China unless Chiang Kai-shek had a hole drilled in his head or Mao Zedong drove Chiang into a corner.

As I expected, there has never been any progress in negotiations with China.

So when I heard reports that negotiations with China had resumed, I didn’t have high hopes.

As I was processing my documents as usual, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported some shocking news.

“Your Majesty. The Chinese side has expressed their intention to make peace.”

Not through secret contact but through official lines?

There were no significant changes in the situation or shifts in the front lines on the continent. Is that possible?

“By any chance, has Chiang Kai-shek fallen from power?”

Otherwise, it would be something that cannot be explained.

“That’s not true. Chiang Kai-shek is still alive and well. According to the latest information, he still holds the title of Military Chairman.”

Then what?

Even Chiang Kai-shek could not have been unaware that falling in a guillotine match would mean the end.

Did you perhaps make up your mind after seeing Germany fall?

I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to speed up working-level negotiations with China.

‘I was already worried about not having enough troops to send to Europe, so this is a good thing.’

I waited for the negotiations to go smoothly.

A day later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to me the Chinese conditions.

China’s conditions were as follows:

First, the official government representing the Republic of China must be recognized as being in Chongqing.

Whatever the format, it meant that they wanted to protect the business card representing China.

I think substance is more important than content, so I let that slide.

Second, the military demarcation line between the government of the Republic of China and the ‘Wang Jingwei regime’ is based on the 115th parallel.

Considering that the Korean military had advanced to the 114th parallel of Gangnam, it seemed as if they were asking us to make some concessions.

However, the land west of the 115th parallel that we had secured was an area that we had no practical control over.

No, considering that there were many shared lands that were divided in half, such as liberated zones set up in the rear, it was an understandable demand.

Third, the government of the Republic of China will not be held liable for compensation or war responsibility.

You may wonder what we’re talking about after stealing territory, but that’s how wars work.

At the post-war negotiation table, they tried to squeeze out as much as possible if they could find an excuse.

Considering Korea’s greed, it was not unreasonable for China to attach such conditions.

Fourth, it states that the negotiations between Korea and China are a ‘ceasefire.’

The political blow to the Chinese government if it were to let this go would be unimaginable.

To lessen the impact, it was necessary to avoid the war by taking a break.

The terms were generally reasonable and something we could agree to.

‘The timing of the Chinese bastards’ proposal is exquisite.’

It was as if we had waited for the moment when we needed our troops and then moved.

Maybe the US leaked the information.

‘There is no need to accept all of Chiang Kai-shek’s conditions, but there is no need to reject them either.’

Conditions can be adjusted by pushing and pulling.

We have time too.

Wang Jingwei flew to Pyongyang upon hearing news that negotiations with China were underway.

My ears are not sharp either.

When did you hear about it?

“Your Majesty. Surely you are not abandoning us, Nanjing?”

Wang Jingwei started crying without any shame.

As a person who is one of the few, it would be difficult for me to leave a proper grave if I cut off my hand.

“Don’t worry. Korea will not abandon its alliance.”

I consoled Wang Jingwei.

“There is a defense treaty and troops will remain, so what are you so worried about?”

Of course, there were some inappropriate examples, such as the Saigon evacuation and the Kabul evacuation, but since Wang Jingwei did not know the original text, it was not a problem.

“Your Majesty, you really must not abandon Nanjing. We only trust in Pyongyang.”

“I promise.”

I had no intention of selling off Wang Jingwei either.

The Wang Jingwei regime is a Chinese colony, or rather a Chinese branch of Korea. Why would it close down a perfectly functioning agency?

Absolutely not.

Wang Jingwei held onto his trouser legs for nearly three hours before returning to Nanjing.

Oh my, what did you do with that old soul?

Anyway, negotiations with the Republic of China progressed faster than expected.

By January 1944, the rough outlines of negotiations had been established.

Instead of accepting all of Chiang Kai-shek’s demands for negotiations, we added three conditions.

First, the Wang Jingwei regime must be recognized as the ‘de facto regime.’

This was a demand to accept the reality that China was divided, regardless of Chiang Kai-shek’s intentions.

In 21st century terms, it was similar to China and Taiwan coexisting.

Second, continue to recognize the rights of North China Railway Company and compensate for the losses incurred by the company’s assets during the war.

It may be an unconscionable thing for someone who started a war to say, but this was a condition that any great power would naturally include.

We were the victors, so we deserved to be paid this much.

Third, recognize the military demarcation line between the Republic of China and the Wang Jingwei regime as the actual border, and withdraw all liberated areas established by the Kuomintang army.

It was a demand to immediately abandon any schemes to shake up the Wang Jingwei regime from behind the scenes.

If you’re going to engage in irregular warfare like the Viet Cong, there’s no room for negotiation.

This was our position.

“I will accept all of Korea’s conditions.”

Chiang Kai-shek accepted all our demands.

Before Germany completely collapsed and there was no room for negotiation, the intention to compromise with us was clearly read.

On January 21, 1944, the Korean-Chinese Armistice Agreement was signed.

Present at the armistice were General Gil Tae-hwan, commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, and First Class Li Zhongren, the most senior officer in the Chinese military.

I sent this message to Chongqing.

“I hope that this will bring eternal peace and friendship between Korea and China. Now, let’s join hands and open a new era in East Asia.”

Even I thought it was a deceptive story.

How can eternal peace be possible when we have cut off half of China and made it our puppet?

I and China both know that China will draw its sword when the opportunity arises.

Oh, of course I won’t give China a chance to draw its sword.

Anyway, the long Sino-Korean war ended cleanly with an armistice agreement.

“Your Majesty, congratulations on your victory.”

“Congratulations on becoming the conqueror of China.”

“What, such congratulations? You guys have had a hard time too.”

I was able to laugh out loud for the first time in a while.

With the end of the Chinese front, 50 divisions of the Korean army were liberated.

Of course, with 25 divisions stationed in China, the available forces were only half that, but there was more than enough force to send to the Soviet Union right away.

I felt relieved when I had some spare troops.

Now, there was no need to be pressed for time.

I prepared a speech to the nation to announce our victory.

“Dear citizens of Korea. This is Prime Minister Lee Seong-jun. Today, I report to you that the long war with China has ended in victory for Korea. All of Korea’s enemies in Asia have fallen to their knees. The long-standing threat from the Central Plains has been completely ended today.”

I didn’t use any exaggerated rhetoric.

There was no reason for that.

Just listing the facts plainly was enough to excite the people.

“Now, we have only one enemy left, Germany, which dominates the European continent. This Lee Seong-jun promises. This last enemy will kneel before the name of Korea. Just as Italy did, just as China did, Germany will beg for mercy from Korea. We will make them tremble before the name of Korea.”

“Long live the Korean Empire!”

“Long live Prime Minister Lee Seong-jun!”

“The dirty dogs have finally kneeled before the might of the Great Korean Empire. This is an unprecedented feat in the history of the Korean people!”

After finishing my radio speech and leaving the broadcasting station, the streets were filled with people celebrating the victory and setting off firecrackers.

The loud noise was so loud my ears were ringing.

The entire empire was intoxicated with the joy of victory at the unexpected victory.

“Your Majesty, the people’s response is very enthusiastic.”

“You’re just having a fantasy for a moment. Once you realize that victory has nothing to do with your daily life, you’ll quickly wake up from the dream.”

I wasn’t intoxicated by the excitement of victory.

Actually, I’ve had this fantasy many times.

Haven’t you felt that way every time you watched the World Cup or the Asian Cup?

Whenever there was a soccer game, I would watch it as if I was possessed by a soccer player.

The more I won, the more excited I became.

If the ball went in, they would shout and cheer for the Republic of Korea.

Then, when I lost the game, it was like being splashed with cold water and I realized reality.

Oh, soccer is just soccer.

The victory was the same.

It was easy to wake up from the dream when I realized that the fantasy was not my own.

Although the nation won, the fruits never reached the general public.

Enormous vested interests, markets and influence.

It was the government and big capitalists who enjoyed all of this.

In fact, the general public would be lucky to get a little bit out of it.

“No, Your Majesty. Our people are ready to be satisfied with the mere fact of victory.”

Imperialism is a disease.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that, considering the madness of the empire when militaristic adrenaline was running high.

“I think what you said is right.”

Because this country was full of lunatics who were ready to settle for just one word, victory, no matter the cost.

So, this Lee Seong-jun had no choice but to reign at the top of this country for a long time.

until when?

Until I say ‘enough’.