NIS Agents Tearing Up the Japanese Empire - Chapter 98



Only Krnovel

Kyungsung Blues (6)

“Wow… … Tokyo is turned upside down.”

“It was very reminiscent of a battlefield.”

“Tsk tsk. It seems like if the Japanese don’t fight among themselves, thorns grow in their mouths.”

“I guess that’s how it is… … . At this rate, it seems like it’ll be difficult to receive manuscripts from Japan.”

“It seems like it will be difficult to even distribute newspapers across the ocean for the time being, let alone manuscripts.”

The day after the Kanto region of Japan was hit by a massive earthquake.

The situation in Tokyo, which I heard from local sources and a correspondent who had been sent in advance, was much more serious than I had expected.

The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, and as aftershocks continued to follow, even buildings that were barely holding on were collapsing in real time, and a massive fire that turned Tokyo upside down broke out because of it, so it was expected to happen.

But in this situation, the fact that the Army and Navy immediately raised an army to purge the rebels was a result that was far from what I had expected.

If my original plan had been to link my last private message with this great earthquake, I would have greatly reduced the status of the Army, and in return, I would have promoted the Navy to create a sense of crisis among the Army’s higher-ups.

And then, on the condition that he become their trumpeter, they would extort a little more money, and later, while cheerfully disparaging the Navy, they planned to create discord between the two by making the Imperial Japanese Navy look like a bunch of idiots who just spend money without thinking… … .

‘I didn’t know that the two of them would shoot each other in the capital and even fire cannons.’

Things turned out much better than I planned.

No, can we really say that this worked out well?

It was welcome that they were cutting down their own flesh to eat it, but it was also a little scary to see them burning it so hotly.

‘Huh, even if the soldiers were on bad terms with each other, I expected them to just kill one or two people through internal fighting… … . If it really comes out like this… … .’

At best, I thought that a key figure in the military or government was ‘murdered’ by a ‘lonely crime’ by a hot-tempered officer, and I only fanned the flames from the side, but the result was like pouring oil on a fire.

But, it is not possible to stay surprised forever.

Now is the time to proceed with the plan or scrap it if you think it is too much, rather than being surprised by what has passed.

‘With this, the Army and Navy have crossed a river of no return. It wasn’t just about pointing guns at each other, they pulled the trigger and shed blood, so this won’t end peacefully.’

According to local sources, the Imperial Palace, where the Japanese Emperor resides, was also damaged in the aftermath of the battle.

This could be interpreted to mean that the Emperor’s army also pointed their guns at their master, the Emperor.

‘If we lose this fight, both the Army and the Navy will be in big trouble.’

If one side falls, the other side will gain great power and take everything.

And by then, it was clear as day that the Emperor, who had briefly held power and authority, would once again be reduced to a figurehead like in the days of the shogunate, and a change in government meant that the way Joseon was governed would also change.

‘If possible, I would like to see things end without either side clearly having a clear victory.’

In a situation like the present, it would be better for the ending to be vague rather than one side clearly seizing the opportunity and the regime changing.

But looking at the current situation, it seems that the Army, which has more troops and more equipment and resources, has the advantage.

Although the Navy was supported by the 1st Fleet stationed in Tokyo Bay, no matter how great the battleships were, they were ultimately just ships floating on the sea.

‘No matter how hard the Navy and Ground Forces fight, they will not be able to overcome the inferiority in manpower and equipment… … In this situation, it would be good to have some reinforcements.’

If I were in Japan now, I would have helped the Navy by killing key figures in the Army or by stealing Army supplies, and so on.

But now I was in Gyeongseong, not Tokyo.

‘Shit… If I had known things would turn out like this, I would have gone to Japan even if it meant pushing myself a little.’

It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.

I am not an omnipotent God, so how could I have anticipated and acted in a situation where the Army and Navy were shooting at each other?

Still, it wasn’t like there was no way.

“They say a wise rabbit digs three holes.”

“It’s Kyoto Samgul.”

“President Namgung.”

“Tell me.”

“Assuming that we issue an extra edition now and distribute it in Japan… … how long do you think it will take?”

“huh?”

President Namgoong Hoon tilted his head to my question.

“Right now, Tokyo is in a state where national facilities have collapsed due to an earthquake, and a battle is taking place right in the middle of the city. Nothing is going to work properly.”

“That’s Tokyo.”

What I want is Japan, not Tokyo.

“Japan… … If it’s Japan… … It’s about 1:00 PM now, so if I quickly pull out the article and send it to Busan by train, it should be around evening.”

“And if you cross the sea by boat, it will be late at night.”

“We’ll have to change trains again in Japan, so at the earliest, the extra edition will probably be distributed starting from the southern part of Japan around lunchtime tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

Well then, there was still plenty of time.

“Phew… … .”

He took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart, turned the dial on the briefcase he usually carried, and took out a piece of paper from inside.

This bag and the paper were things that had been with me since the last time I went to the Shanghai Bank.

“What is this?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

“Heh heh… … . I’m curious about what you’re trying to show me while being so tense, but at the same time, I’m also afraid.”

President Namgung was being sarcastic, but instead of responding cheerfully to his words as I usually did, I kept a serious expression.

“You should do that. After seeing this, the boss won’t be able to sleep soundly.”

“… … Is that it?”

“Yes, that’s about it.”

Then, President Namgung’s face turned ashen.

“Um… … . If I asked what this was, would you tell me?”

There is a saying, “Seeing is believing.”

“So he’s telling me to just keep my mouth shut and watch.”

“… … .”

President Namgung took a deep breath, lifted the curtain with trembling hands, and looked into the most important part of my plan.

Then, he leaned back against the back of the chair, looking at me and the paper alternately with a blank expression.

“This is… … . What is this thing?”

“It is an item that contains the names and signatures of many people, and is often called a joint petition.”

“Huh… … . Why do the names I see here seem familiar… … ?”

“That’s because most of the names there are influential figures in Japanese politics, military, and business.”

“… … So you’re saying you’re going to print this out as an extra edition and distribute it in Japan?”

“Yes, and it will be spread throughout Japan in the name of Governor-General Saito.”

“Governor Saito?!”

President Namgung seemed to have regained his energy as he banged his desk and stood up from his seat.

“Hey, did you show this to the governor?!”

“Not yet, but I plan to show this and trade it soon.”

“Deal? Then the publication date of the extra edition will be delayed?”

“Just take a picture of it. I’ll do whatever it takes to get Governor Saito’s permission by the end of the day.”

“… … You yourself?”

“yes.”

President Namgung’s face changed in a very complex and subtle way.

“I don’t think you obtained this legally… … . Is it okay if I show it to Governor Saito?”

“It’s not okay.”

“What?!”

Of course, this is something that should be kept in the personal vault of the Bank of Shanghai.

The Black Dragon Society, who lost this, still searched for it with fire in their eyes, and because of this, Sasaki, a high-ranking police officer at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, was abandoned in his home country and almost died.

The names of the conglomerates were mostly on this list, but the politicians and military figures that were occasionally seen were mostly from the army or had experience in the army.

But now.

Imagine this thing being revealed to the world in Tokyo, with the Army and Navy engaged in a war-like street battle.

What will people of the world think when they see this?

Don’t you think that the Imperial Japanese Army has been preparing a coup for a long time?

Of course, they are not stupid either, so they will start cutting off the tail by making excuses that the people in this petition are not in office or are retired.

However, looking at the current situation, it would be difficult to dispel suspicions of a coup by the Army, so if they had any intention, they would likely enter into negotiations with the Navy, which was cornered, to end this controversy.

‘If we don’t do that, we’ll all be ruined.’

The moment the army was suspected of a coup.

All the justifications they put forward will be thrown into the trash can, and an army that loses its justification will quickly collapse.

Of course, in an immediate fight, it might be possible to defeat the Navy and destroy the Navy Ministry, but the military in the Japanese Empire was not only in Tokyo.

The factions within the Japanese military were largely divided into the Army and the Navy, but if you look closely at the Army and Navy, you can see that there were detailed factions within them as well.

A representative example is the military police commander and his group who went to the emperor to suggest an investigation into the Song Byeong-jun incident, but were subdued and are now under house arrest.

In addition, there are countless factions tied together by regionalism and school ties.

However, in a situation where the largest faction within the army has lost its legitimacy due to suspicions of a coup, if the Emperor, who is the living, breathing legitimacy itself, steps forward, there are not many fools who would reject this.

The timing was also opportune, as the Imperial Palace had just been damaged, and the Emperor and his family would have been furious.

“But… … If you confront Governor-General Saito with this as the Governor-General, wouldn’t that be tantamount to confessing to him that you are the ghost of Keijo…?”

“Yes.”

What I was doing now was no different from a mouse walking towards a cat to put a bell around its neck.

But it was also an operation with a high chance of success.

Governor-General Saito must have heard about this situation and must have been quite troubled.

And considering his political leanings and personality, he would want to end this incident as soon as possible in some way.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“What kind of work do I do that isn’t dangerous? I always say that I put my life on the line every single moment I breathe.”

“Umm… … Is there anything I can do to help… … ?”

“No. If something goes wrong and you get into trouble with President Namgung, even if you are tortured later, just tell him everything you know about me. Then, they won’t torture you so cruelly.”

President Namgung was startled by my words.

“What are you talking about! How can you say such pitiful things to me, Namgung Hoon! Although my body is old, I am not weak enough to succumb to such torture!”

“I didn’t say that the boss was weak. I just said that when a problem arises, if possible, don’t throw yourself away and tell me everything you know to take care of yourself.”

“How can you say such things to me… … .”

“I’m not saying this for you, sir. I’m saying this for my own good.”

“what……?”

I stood up, leaving President Namgung behind, who was dumbfounded.

Then he picked up the hat that was hanging on the hanger, pulled it over my head, and smiled brightly.

“You don’t think I told President Namgung everything about me, do you?”

“what……?”

“If something goes wrong, President Namgung won’t be able to see me after today. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be taken away by the police or the military.”

“What is that… … .”

“Well, I may not see you later, so have a good afternoon, good evening, and good night, Mr. Namgung.”

Then he left the president’s office.

In Namgung Hoon’s hands was a copy of the petition that the ghost of Kuroda… no, Gyeongseong had just given him.

At the left end of the copy was a small note, which contained a short phrase.

[If I have to leave my post, please open the Bible in the third drawer of the bookshelf in the president’s office.]

President Namgung stood up from his seat as if possessed by something and pulled out a Bible from the bookshelf.

Now that I think about it, this is a book I’ve never seen before.

Namgung Hoon was not a Catholic or Christian, so there was no way he would have had a Bible on his bookshelf.

That means this is something left behind by the person who left a little while ago.

Namgung Hoon carefully opened the Bible.

Then, bonds with blank name boxes poured out like corn.

Each item cost a considerable amount of money. If you add everything up, it would be enough to buy the Chosun Ilbo and still have some leftover.

“Heh heh… … .”

President Namgung let out a hollow laugh, then closed the Bible and put it back in its place.

Then I sat down, combed my hair again, took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and counted to 30.

After that, he opened his eyes wide and immediately picked up the phone.

“Please call Gyeongseong Printing House.”

NIS Agent Tears the Japanese Empire Episode 99