I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 111



Only Krnovel

EP.111 Korea-China Armistice Agreement (2)

Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Republic of China, had a very difficult decision to make.

It was a decision he didn’t want to make until the very last moment.

‘How do you negotiate with the Gaori Bangts?’

Although Chiang Kai-shek argued so strongly, his party did not follow suit.

“We can’t negotiate with Mao Zedong, and we’re being attacked by South Korea. Okay, let’s say this is good. If we hold out, South Korea might change its mind. But if we hold out, will the situation get better?”

“If you have a mouth, explain. Is there any way for the Republic of China to overcome this situation?”

Germany, which had been leading the aggro at the time, was collapsing.

If Germany falls, what next?

Will the Allied Forces invade China?

Of course, the American ambassador assured that Britain and the United States would not attack China.

However, if only Korea and the Soviet Union had stepped forward, China would have been finished.

In that context, the argument of the negotiation faction within the party that Germany should compromise with Korea while it is still alive was not wrong.

Even Chiang Kai-shek did not completely deny their logic.

‘But if we negotiate, I won’t be able to endure it.’

Chiang Kai-shek confronted his opponents within the party with the logic that if he held out somehow, Britain and the United States would not stand by and watch Korea monopolize China.

In the past, they would have silenced the opposition by forcibly suppressing it like this.

However, Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership was not the same as before.

The opposition gathered in front of Chiang Kai-shek and raised their voices.

Kong Xiangxi, who once served as the Prime Minister under Chiang Kai-shek, also joined the wave of banzhang.

“Your Majesty, if you do not make a decision now, you will become the eternal sinner of the 400 million Chinese people.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Surrendering to Korea is a betrayal of the Chinese people’s cause.”

“If Your Majesty continues to oppose reinforcement, we have an idea as well.”

The warlords and the anti-Chief faction indicated to Chiang Kai-shek that they were willing to defy the authority of the central government.

If Chiang Kai-shek had been the opponent during the Second Sino-Japanese War, such an attempt would have been out of the question.

But the current Chiang Kai-shek was a failed leader who had once been defeated.

The external pressure was also strong enough to be on a different level than at that time.

“If the Republic of China is going to perish anyway, wouldn’t it be better to talk to South Korea, which will at least recognize our rights?”

The warlords thought it was better to negotiate than to lose everything by defeat.

In particular, the warlords in North China, who had an implicit non-aggression pact with Korea, had a strong tendency to do so.

Since Korea is not an opponent with whom they cannot communicate, the negotiation atmosphere has become even stronger.

Chiang Kai-shek could no longer endure such voices inside and outside the party.

“Negotiate.”

When Chiang Kai-shek’s order was given, Foreign Minister Song Ziwen reluctantly entered into negotiations.

Song Ziyuan knew full well that this negotiation would end the political career of his older brother-in-law, Chiang Kai-shek.

‘Since the negotiations have already begun, we have no choice but to do them properly.’

If I had to step down anyway, I had to at least finish it off cleanly.

That way, it will help ensure the safety of Chiang Kai-shek and his younger sister.

Song Ziyuan did his best in the negotiations and managed to get a decent result.

Contrary to expectations, Korea did not act so high-handedly.

The demands were reasonable given the circumstances, and there was little aggression in the negotiations.

“So that’s the result? I see. You worked hard.”

After receiving Song Ziyuan’s report on the conclusion of the negotiations, Chiang Kai-shek became drunk.

Dai Li, his confidant, was speechless when he saw Chiang Kai-shek in this state.

It was the first time in all the years he had served the Chairman that he had seen him so weak.

The next day, at a meeting of the Executive Yuan, there was a statement holding Chiang Kai-shek responsible.

“This war was clearly caused by Chairman Chiang Kai-shek’s miscalculation. Why did he provoke the Korean army there?”

It was a story that did not match the facts, but it could not be refuted because it was written that way in the armistice agreement.

Chiang Kai-shek bowed his head to his political opponents’ questions.

“I will take responsibility for everything and step down. In return, you guarantee the safety of my people.”

Chiang Kai-shek decided to accept the humiliation for now.

If I could have held on to power until the end, I would have done so, but the tables have already turned.

For Chiang Kai-shek, it was best to step down cleanly from his position and preserve his political position.

“Extra! Extra! Chairman Chiang Kai-shek resigns!”

All of China was shocked by this news.

Koreans were also shocked by this.

Wasn’t Chiang Kai-shek a ruler who would rule China for thousands of years?

Now that such a man has stepped down, who will lead China in the future?

No one person came to mind clearly.

No one was there to fill the void left by Chiang Kai-shek.

The Kuomintang fell into severe internal strife with the departure of Chiang Kai-shek.

“After Chiang Kai-shek, I am next.”

“That’s nonsense! I was the one who led the downfall of Chiang Kai-shek!”

The same disgrace that had occurred once before was played out again in Chongqing.

“Well, look at that. That’s what the bandits who fled to the valleys of Chungking are doing. At least Jang Hyung was a man of character, but now that he’s like that, it’s only a matter of time before the Chungking regime collapses.”

Wang Jingwei characterized the Republic of China in Chongqing as a “seasonal regime.”

It meant that the opponent would disappear after a while.

If the Kuomintang regime had collapsed like that, it would have been a good thing for the Wang Jingwei regime.

Wang Jingwei thought that while the Republic of China was floundering like this, he needed to solidify the position of the Nanjing regime.

“There is a reason why our Nanjing government is orthodox. Look at the behavior of the bandits in Chongqing. Aren’t there only warlords and politicians who fight every day? What kind of vision can such a group have?”

“Our legitimate government of the Republic of China is different from such an ignorant mob. Order and principles, economy and prosperity, peace and coexistence. Under these slogans, the Republic of China will rise up vigorously as a new economic powerhouse in East Asia.”

While Wang Jingwei used the fall of Chiang Kai-shek as an opportunity to focus on propaganda, Mao Zedong launched an active offensive.

“Without Chiang Kai-shek, the Chongqing people are nothing. Now that the war is over, let’s start a full-scale offensive against Chongqing.”

Mao Zedong mobilized the million Red Army troops he had amassed and began to encroach on the territory of the Republic of China on a large scale.

“Because there is the Communist Party, there is a new China!”

“Land distribution, equality for the people, and abolition of classes!”

“A world without warlords! A united China!”

The communist army steadily expanded its territory by defeating the warlords while shouting fearsome slogans.

“Let’s fight for the new China. Let’s fight for the Communist Party!”

The warlords, who had been acting opportunistically and exploiting the changes, could not withstand the offensive of the communist army armed with a vision and ideology for the future.

“Why are the fighting power of these communist bastards so strong?”

At least it was clear that the military forces possessed by the warlords were no match for the Communists.

“How can we fight back if the central government steps in?”

“What on earth is the Kuomintang government doing!”

“Sir, please help us in Chongqing. If we’re going to put up a central government sign, shouldn’t we do that?”

But the Chongqing government was in a vegetative state.

“Oh, the person in charge isn’t here yet!”

Only then did the warlords feel the need for Chiang Kai-shek, whom they had helped to overthrow.

“Let’s re-elect Chairman Jang.”

Although Chiang Kai-shek’s confidants, such as Tang Yanbo, Hu Zongnan, and Tian Jing, tried to create public opinion in favor of Chiang Kai-shek’s return, powerful warlords such as Li Zongren poured cold water on these claims.

“Why are you reinstating Chiang Kai-shek, who you finally kicked out? Stop talking nonsense!”

Although the Communist forces were said to be strong, the Kuomintang forces still had an army of 3 million soldiers.

If we got our formation back together, there was nothing we couldn’t fight against.

“Chiang Kai-shek is absolutely not allowed. If you bring him back, we will also cut ties with the central government.”

Chiang Kai-shek’s attempt to return to power was thwarted by opposition from powerful warlords and anti-Chief factions.

Without a focal point to unite the party, the Kuomintang continued to lose.

However, because the weight class was so large, the Communist forces could not defeat the Kuomintang in one go.

“Still, at this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the Kuomintang is overthrown.”

Mao Zedong was confident at the sight of his enemy in disarray.

As long as Chiang Kai-shek did not return, the Communist victory was certain.

Korea was also quite embarrassed by this situation.

The reason Korea accepted the armistice was because the survival of the Republic of China, a coalition of warlords, was advantageous to the balance on the continent.

However, if the armistice resulted in Mao Zedong swallowing up the continent, it would be like putting the cart before the horse.

“Then maybe we need to think like the British.”

The British were a people with the animosity, if not the courage, to extend a hand even to yesterday’s enemies.

If the British Empire, the master of war, did so, Korea also needed to follow its example.

His Majesty’s jade tone contained the meaning that it would be good for Korea to also show its hatred towards the Chinese mainland.

“I will accept it.”

South Korea immediately reached out to the Republic of China.

Even though it is an international community where yesterday’s enemies can become friends, this was beyond common sense.

Li Zhongren, the de facto leader of the Republic of China, was dumbfounded by South Korea’s proposal.

“Are these guys really out of their minds? They fought until a month ago and now they’re trying to form an anti-communist alliance?”

But the threat from the Communist Party was too terrifying to be dismissed as an outstretched hand from those with a grudge.

After much deliberation, Li Zhongren decided to accept Korea’s offer.

However, there was a condition.

“South Korea’s support must be kept secret.”

It would not have been good for the legitimacy of the new Chinese regime to receive aid from an enemy that had recently humiliated China.

“Let’s do that.”

South Korea and China joined hands in the name of anti-communism just one month after signing the armistice agreement.

Mao Zedong was embarrassed by this absurd alliance.

“No, is this even possible?”

Even the Korea-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty was not more embarrassing than this.

Of course, Mao Zedong did not give up on communism just because the situation got complicated.

“Korea will not directly intervene on the continent. It will take some time, but the Red Army’s victory is certain.”

Mao Zedong ordered the offensive to continue.

One month since the Sino-ROK armistice agreement.

The Chinese still did not realize that the war was over.