I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 60



Only Krnovel

EP.60 Sino-Korean War (1)

The Korean Navy’s Yangtze River fleet was a fleet for inland operations, consisting of 12 gunboats of approximately 2,500 tons.

The fleet’s power was not that strong, but the problem was that Korea was behind them.

The Chinese didn’t even think of revealing this to the Korean fleet.

“Hey, fire a warning shot at anyone passing by.”

The Korean Navy continued to obstruct the navigation of Chinese ships by tightly controlling the waterways of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal.

Even if railways shared China’s transportation/transportation volume, they could not completely replace the role of inland water transport via rivers and canals.

If things continued like this, the Republic of China’s economy would really suffocate and collapse.

The Chinese have apologized to the Koreans several times.

“Now, let’s stop. Haven’t I met all your demands?”

“What do you want me to say?”

Even when China withdrew from the Anti-Communist Pact and Chiang Kai-shek resigned as President of the Executive Yuan, the South Korean government did not spare China.

South Korea’s demands were firm.

“By concluding the Sino-ROK alliance, we will block the possibility of an Axis alliance. If this condition is not accepted, we cannot help but doubt China’s sincerity.”

It was a condition that China absolutely could not accept.

If they had accepted that, all high-ranking government officials would have been sold out.

“I absolutely cannot accept this!”

The Chinese people, who had to watch how long this pressure would last, felt suffocated.

“How long are we supposed to tolerate the tyranny of those Korean bastards?”

Then, an incident occurred.

Boom!

Several shells were fired from makeshift drums at the South Korean troops moving up and down the Yangtze River as usual.

The shells that flew in did not reach the ship, but they were enough to make the South Korean Navy feel threatened.

“You dare to fire a shell at a Korean ship?”

As with any country, warships were generally interpreted as an extension of territory.

“This is an open act of hostility by the Chinese against Korea! We will exercise our right to self-defense until we withdraw to Shanghai.”

South Korean troops fired artillery fire wherever they suspected the Chinese had fired shells.

It was a defensive measure to avoid being attacked again during the withdrawal.

Of course, this is Korea’s position and China’s thoughts were different.

“How can we tolerate the punks openly shelling right in front of our capital? The Republic of China is a sovereign state!”

The Chinese military had no choice but to respond to the shelling of the Korean naval fleet.

“Commence artillery fire from all batteries!”

As the Chinese artillery opened fire in earnest, the riverine fleet also suffered damage.

Including Yangmu, 30 South Korean soldiers were killed or wounded.

“Attack the Korean warship and cause casualties?”

The Korean Navy immediately took military action.

This is not an unusual case, as the great powers have often engaged in similar behavior in China.

In the case of Britain, there was even an incident where a warship shelled a city without warning.

There could have been many cases like that in Korea.

The problem was that the incident occurred at a time when friction between South Korea and China was at its peak.

“Show the Chinese an example!”

As soon as the Admiralty’s orders were issued, the Marines began to reinforce their forces in the international settlement of Shanghai, and the Navy dispatched part of the combined fleet to the mouth of the Yangtze River.

The Korean people did not stay still either.

“We can’t let China stand against Korea! Use this opportunity to show Nanjing an example!”

The long-suppressed cries of militarism echoed throughout Pyongyang.

Pyongyang, the empire clearly wanted war.

*

“Korea, punish China!”

The public was strongly demanding a punitive expedition against China.

Protesters gathered throughout the streets chanting “revenge!”

All the people of this country shouted to punish China.

I felt dizzy at the sound of that angry voice.

First, I closed the curtains on the window.

I wanted to get that crazy, rampaging figure out of my sight.

“I don’t know how things got to this point.”

The idea was to pressure China to an appropriate level and then back off, but things got messed up.

Whether we wanted it or not, war was inevitable.

This is in a situation where China has not yet become an Axis power.

I took a deep breath and picked up the phone.

“Zhongzhengdae. Chief Lee. Was there no circumstance where Chiang Kai-shek attempted to provoke us in order to break the deadlock? No? I understand.”

It wasn’t Chiang Kai-shek who moved.

So, was this a provocation planned by a warlord who wanted to overthrow Chiang Kai-shek?

Or else.

It could have been the work of extremists within the empire.

Although I controlled the military, I did not completely control their thinking.

It doesn’t matter anymore which one is the culprit.

Because ‘war’ became unavoidable.

“owner.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Get the tea ready.”

30 minutes later, I arrived at the Army Headquarters.

All high-ranking officials from the Navy, including Army Minister Kim Seong-ju, were present at the Army Ministry.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

“How is the situation in the Navy, Senior?”

“The West Sea Fleet is expected to arrive off the coast of Shanghai in 12 hours. The Marine Corps will take about 48 hours.”

I looked at Kim Seong-ju.

“Let’s start by issuing a partial mobilization order.”

The partial mobilization order of South Korea is a conscription order targeting those in their fifth year of reserve service.

“I will accept it.”

When I arrived at the conference room, a large map of China was waiting for me.

The map was already sprinkled with tactical symbols symbolizing the Korean military.

That’s fast, that’s fast.

“Your Majesty, I will tell you the Army’s operational plan for an emergency.”

The operations director said confidently.

Hmm. So the plan that was supposed to come out in September has already come out?

Did these kids work 168 hours a week?

Still, this looks difficult.

I felt an uneasy feeling that was hard to explain.

Anyway, I sat down and listened intently to the operational plan explained by the operations director.

Rather than the traditional land rush from Liaodong to North China to Jiangnan, the Army’s plan was to drop bombs at the mouth of the Yangtze River and then rush straight to Nanjing.

I looked at the Navy, wondering if they were talking to each other, but it didn’t seem like that was the case.

The naval officers were obviously hearing of the operation for the first time.

I crossed my arms and signaled for him to continue.

“Our military plans to take control of China’s key economic regions along the eastern coast, then link up with the Chinese Communist Party and let them handle operations inland.”

Subcontract inland operations to the Chinese Communist Party.

Frankly, it wouldn’t be a very good picture if the Communists won, but it would be better than seeing Korea bleed.

The Army’s operation took into account more human losses than one might expect for a quasi-militarist Junker operation.

“Well, that sounds plausible. Okay.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Now that I think about it, that gentleman was a military official.

Since it was a precarious position where you never knew when your neck would fall off, it was obvious that he was delighted by even a single word of praise from me.

At that time, Kim Jeong-gil whispered to me.

“Your Majesty. A call from the Foreign Ministry.”

“okay.”

I let the generals continue their meeting and went to the Army’s office to pick up the phone.

“This is Lee Seong-jun. Oh, I don’t want war either. But what can we do? Things have come to this. Please explain our position well to the US and UK. Yes. Please do your best.”

I asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle the situation and wiped the sweat from my forehead with a handkerchief.

Come to think of it, there are more than a few diplomatic issues that will have to be dealt with if war breaks out.

germany?

They don’t even care.

The problem was Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union.

There was a possibility that the UK and the US, conscious of our over-reaction, might shift slightly from their previously friendly position.

Of course, Berlin would not show hostility toward Korea while it was still breathing, but considering the coming Cold War, this was a considerable diplomatic loss.

‘The Soviet Union is also a problem.’

With war breaking out right now, there will be disruptions in the supply of military supplies to the Soviet Union.

Moscow won’t say anything because our situation is urgent, but if we lose credibility in this matter, it could cause problems in future transactions.

Ring ring.

As soon as I instinctively grabbed the phone, Rep. Noh Jae-woo of the Yoo Hyuk-hoe spoke in an urgent tone.

“Prime Minister Lee. Something urgent has come up.”

“What’s going on?”

“The Korean Revolutionary Party submitted a resolution for a mass war.”

what?

There are people talking about war before we even get out there?

It felt like a clear symbol of a desire to comfortably engage in politics while riding on the coattails of the boiling militaristic fervor.

“Prime Minister Lee. Please clarify your position quickly. We are also in a hurry. Is this war or not?”

“First, submit a resolution for war in the name of the Grand Council and the Revolutionary Council.”

“Let’s do that.”

No Jae-woo quickly hung up the phone.

I returned to the conference room and took my seat.

“Instead of the Army.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“You, sir, take responsibility and command the invasion operation.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

He did not appoint a separate supreme commander for the Chinese expedition.

I wasn’t foolish enough to raise a dangerous war hero and create a potential enemy.

“Instead of the Navy.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Senior, you must take good care of logistics and support.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Marine Corps Commandant.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Senior, you must take the lead in our attack. We need to capture Shanghai in a short period of time. Can you do it in two weeks?”

“Is there any possibility?”

I nodded.

Although Korea is known as an ugly militaristic nation, they are the ones who make the most of war.

And those present here are the most war-weary, belligerents in Korea.

I ordered these militarists to invade China, the country they most desperately wanted to invade.