NIS Agents Tearing Up the Japanese Empire - Chapter 219



Only Krnovel

NIS Agent Tears the Japanese Empire Episode 219

A tall man leaves home and never returns (4)

The news that the Japanese army had once again crossed the river and was targeting Gando was relayed through the headquarters of the independence army to all Korean-inhabited areas in the Gando region and to the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai.

In a situation where President Syngman Rhee’s authority was suspended, Lee Dong-nyeong, who was temporarily acting as president, regarded this as a grave threat and immediately declared a mobilization order throughout Gando.

“If the Japanese Empire’s ambitions for aggression threaten the livelihood of our people… … I and all my comrades in Shanghai will absolutely not sit idly by and watch this happen.”

Just because the South Korean government in Shanghai issued a mobilization order, Koreans did not respond enthusiastically and shed tears.

In any case, the influence of the South Korean government in Shanghai was merely a formality.

It was not that Shanghai did not know about this.

However, even in name, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai was supposed to represent and protect all Koreans on the Korean Peninsula and elsewhere.

And in order for the independence army, which was nominally under their command, to move, the Shanghai government’s approval was needed.

“This is an order from the Acting President of Shanghai.”

“What? Are you telling me to pack up and run away? Or are you telling me to stay hidden until they pass?”

Commander of the Korean Independence Army.

Lieutenant General Kim Dong-sam made a bold declaration at an operational meeting attended by high-ranking officers of the Korean Independence Army.

“The destruction of the enemy!”

“… … !”

“If we avoid fighting, it is clear that other Koreans in the Gando region will suffer just as much.”

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Independence Army Command, and Koreans in the Gando region were worried about being harmed.

If something goes wrong with them, not only will it cause a major problem to the support base of the independence army that was rebuilt with great difficulty, but the way the Korean community views the Shanghai Provisional Government will also change.

“You all remember that last year of the New Year, we were unable to protect them and there was a big fuss.”

Moreover, Koreans in the Gando region were the ones who suffered great damage from the Gando Massacre that occurred in the previous year of Gyeongsin (1920).

Because at that time, there were very few people in Gando who had not lost their family members or suffered misfortune at the hands of the Japanese military.

Didn’t the Japanese army’s scorched-earth tactics cause the independence army to lose both its reputation and its profits, and lead to its downfall?

“I believe everyone felt this way during the last year of Gyeongshin: that even if we avoid fighting, they will not back down gracefully.”

“Then it would be best to intercept the Japanese army before they invade.”

Among the numerous officers, the first to speak was Colonel Kim Jwa-jin, the Chief of Staff who had fought against the Japanese army at Cheongsan-ri in the previous year of Gyeongsin.

“Yes, if possible, it is best for our compatriots to not encounter the Japanese military.”

“Comrade Commander, are you considering an all-out war?”

“… … That’s right.”

“All-out war?”

“All-out war with the Japanese military?”

The room was stirred at the mention of all-out war.

This was because everyone’s memories of victories in battles against the Japanese army were limited to attacks on unsuspecting enemies.

Most of the officers gathered here were those who had no memory of anything other than defeat when they had engaged in an all-out war with the Japanese.

but.

It wasn’t all defeat.

Although it was a small number, I remember facing the enemy head-on and winning.

“What is there to be afraid of when all the comrades who fought side by side in Bongodong and Cheongsanri have gathered here?”

As Kim Jo-jin stepped forward and set the tone, the other officers followed suit one by one.

“I know because I fought them once. They may look fine on the outside, but in actual combat, they are often unable to exert their full strength.”

“That’s right. They are looking down on us, so if we fight back with indignation, we can win.”

“You are all right. We have tanks now, so they can’t do anything about it.”

“Ah! That’s right! A tank!”

Everyone’s faces brightened at the mention of the tank.

“When I saw that guy running around yesterday, my heart swelled with pride.”

“A big thing whizzed past me, and my heart started pounding at the roaring sound of its engine.”

“Tanks are tanks, but… … . Armored vehicles are also a great thing. They’re faster than tanks and easier to operate, so they’re a great thing.”

Everyone was very pleased with the new toys that Mr. Lee from Gyeongseong brought.

The overwhelming power of the tanks and armored vehicles was impressive, but what satisfied them the most was… … .

“How could we not be happy that we have fallen into the hands of tanks and armored vehicles, of which even the Japanese army had few?”

“That’s right. From what I’ve heard, all of the Japanese tanks are on the mainland, and there aren’t any on Joseon soil.”

“Kekekeke… … I can’t even sleep at night because I’m looking forward to seeing the expressions on the Japanese people’s faces when they see the tank.”

Everyone was excited at the thought of using tanks to crush the Japanese army.

but.

“Even if we say tanks, there are only four, and even if we say armored vehicles, there are only nine that are moving properly.”

“… … .”

General Kim Jwa-jin poured cold water on the mood.

“That… … was good for a while… … .”

“Ahem… … .”

“Hey, really… … .”

“A small number of tanks and armored vehicles can be a great help in holding off a large number of enemies, but they alone will not determine the course of the battle.”

“… … .”

In General Kim Jwa-jin’s mind, a battle with the Japanese army was already underway.

“I don’t know the exact size of the Japanese army, but… … If they come here, it will not be a small number.”

Kim Jo-jin predicted the Japanese military’s actions by recalling past memories.

“The Japanese army, as they did in the past… … will head north towards Yanji immediately after crossing the river based on information from spies.”

“Burning down every Korean village we saw along the way.”

“Yes, probably. And if we fight them in Yanji… … . they will destroy them and burn our strongholds, and if we avoid the fight and run away… … .”

The room was silent.

We all witnessed the disaster of the previous year with our own eyes, so we knew very well how terrible it was.

“The Japanese army will trample on the Koreans in Gando and laugh at our incompetence.”

With those words, Commander Kim Dong-sam stood up from his seat and looked around at the people.

“Their laughter is not funny… … . But when I think of my compatriots dying at their hands, my heart breaks… … . Isn’t that how we all feel?”

“Yes!”

“I agree with you, Comrade Commander!”

Kim Dong-sam glanced at the officers.

Among them were comrades who had been with me for a long time, and it was full of people whose faces or names I barely knew… … . There were also empty seats for people I could no longer see.

“The enemy is strong and brave. This is an undeniable fact.”

Although they had prepared in various ways, the Korean independence army was still at the level of a local warlord, and the Japanese army they had to deal with, no matter how strange its condition was, was the regular army of a great power.

but.

“Will we be afraid because our enemies are strong? Or will we be discouraged because we are weak?”

The commander’s voice was seething with more longing than ever.

“Now all that remains is to show our enemies what we have prepared for! And to completely destroy the enemy before their reinforcements can cross the river again. This is our plan.”

Commander Kim Dong-sam, who had finished speaking, glanced around the audience once more and saluted.

“I’m sorry to you all, but please leave everyone’s lives to me.”

Then the other officers also rose from their seats and saluted the commander without saying a word.

-Click.

At that moment, everyone’s gaze turned to the sound of a shutter, and there stood a young man holding a small camera.

“Oh, did I interrupt you? Sorry. A scene from history is passing by, so I thought I should take a commemorative photo.”

“Will this teacher join us too?”

The commander’s earnest eyes reached me.

It seemed like there were many things to worry about ahead of the final battle.

“I’ve always been on your side, haven’t I? But I don’t think I’ll be of much help in battle.”

“… … Is that so.”

A look of worry appeared on Comrade Kim Dong-sam’s face.

“Oh, what I mean by not being of much help in battle is that I don’t want to take away the glory from those here.”

“?”

“If you give me just a little bit of time, I will bring you the enemy’s operational plans, battle deployment charts, weapons and ammunition stocks, and even food supplies, and organize them for you to see.”

“… … .”

Mr. Lee from Gyeongseong added a word as if he had forgotten.

“Oh! If you need to, I can help you lure those guys to a certain location.”

Commander Kim Dong-sam laughed heartily at my words.

“Huh! Yes, no matter how strong and sturdy they are, we had this teacher!”

“You are right.”

“What is there to be afraid of when a human weapon is here? Fight with all your might, and when your strength runs out, you die!”

“ha ha ha!”

Everyone was laughing loudly, and the conference room that had been silent was soon filled with laughter.

In this noisy atmosphere, Mr. Lee from Gyeongseong smiled again as he picked up the camera.

“Since we’re all gathered here, how about taking a picture together?”

“picture?”

“Why do you suddenly want to take a picture?”

“What a strange person.”

Everyone was nervous and hesitant when the teacher suddenly suggested taking a picture.

“Oh, shouldn’t everyone have at least one cool photo from class? So everyone, stop grumbling, fix your hair and clothes, and come together.”

“What about textbooks?”

“I’m talking about the books they use to teach kids in school, you ignorant guy.”

“Ahem… … . I’ve never even been near a school… … .”

Although everyone said they didn’t like it, they gathered together, straightening their clothes and tidying up their messy hair.

“Okay, with the Taegeukgi hanging on the wall as the background… … Commander, please go to the center, and the rest of you, please stand in order of rank!”

Everyone gathered together with the Taegeukgi flag hanging on one side of the conference room as the background.

The conference room was quite small, so everyone had to be very close together, but no one complained or showed any unpleasant expressions.

Everyone stood up straight with a solemn expression on their faces, thinking that they were leaving a mark on history.

“Ugh… … . Your expressions are so stiff… … . Let’s not be so serious and take the picture while smiling.”

“Smile?”

“I can’t laugh… … .”

While everyone was standing around awkwardly, the awkward atmosphere continued, and the conference room door opened.

“Father! Father!”

Then, little Kim Du-han let out a short sound, clutched the bills in his hand, and ran into Kim Jo-jin’s arms, moving his short legs quickly.

“Father! I tried to use the money my uncle gave me at the market, but the lady at the market doesn’t accept American money!”

Young Kim Du-han cried and expressed his grievances to Kim Jo-jin.

“I can’t even buy a single candy with the money my ghost uncle gave me! Ugh… … Father! Take my daughter and give me 5 cents.”

“… … .”

“Poohaha!”

“Pfft!”

Kim Jo-jin’s ears turned bright red in the sudden situation, and smiles spread across the faces of those watching.

-Click.