Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 161



Only Krnovel

#Episode 161 Americans like me

As expected, the satellite launched by South Korea caused a huge stir.

Sputnik 1, humanity’s first artificial satellite, was originally launched on October 4, 1957.

However, eight years before that, South Korea launched the world’s first artificial satellite, and it was also successful, so it was inevitable.

And that’s in geostationary orbit, a whopping 36,000 km away from Earth.

At this time, unlike the original, there was no space confrontation due to system competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.

In the midst of all this, South Korea fired a shot.

The whole world literally cheered after hearing the recorded song transmitted by ‘Our Star 1’, a dummy satellite and the world’s first artificial satellite.

The song was Arirang by Chunsa Na Un-gyu.

“Arirang Arirang Arariyo

Going over Arirang Pass.~

The one who abandons me

“You can’t even go ten miles and you get sick~”

Because it was in geostationary orbit, the area where the song could be received was limited to Asia and the Western Pacific region centered on the Korean Peninsula, but Arirang was recorded and broadcast and resonated around the world.

The reason why Chunsa Na Un-gyu’s Arirang was chosen among the numerous Arirangs is because this Arirang is the most universally known and also has special symbolism due to Chunsa Na Un-gyu’s independence movement.

Before becoming a film artist, Chunsa Na Un-gyu participated in the March 1st Movement in Gando, Manchuria. After the school he attended was closed due to Japanese oppression, he wandered around Manchuria and participated in the anti-Japanese struggle in several independence movement groups, including the Baekdu Mountain Tiger General Hong Beom-do.

And in the end, he was caught as the culprit of the ‘Cheonghoeseon Tunnel bombing attempt incident’ and was tortured and imprisoned for two years.

Because of this symbolism, the special Arirang created by Teacher Chunsa, who remembered the melody of Arirang sung by workers from the south to build the railway from Cheongjin to Hoeryeong when he was an elementary school student, was published on Woori Star No. 1.

This Arirang soon became known around the world due to its uniqueness as ‘a song from humanity’s first artificial satellite.’

However, Truman said something a little sad to Lee Kang-cheol.

They said it would have been better if they had been notified in advance, but deep down, they seemed quite disappointed about losing the world’s first title.

So Lee Kang-cheol said something.

“Anyway, the Soviet Union originally posted it first. “Please don’t show any foolish jealousy.”

“Still, I feel a little sad? What’s next? “We’re going to send people into space, right?”

“ha… … .”

In the end, Truman was satisfied only after hearing that Korea and the United States were cooperating in space development.

It seemed that Korea and the United States should share the title of humanity’s first astronaut.

“And that is. “It’s a bit embarrassing to tell you, but the Ministry of Defense is raising concerns.”

“… … .”

Lee Kang-cheol immediately understood what he meant.

ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

In other words, it refers to an intercontinental ballistic missile.

In the first place, neither the United States nor the Soviet Union developed rockets with the grand goal of space development.

The main purpose is to fly a rocket across the continent to the other country.

Also, a nuclear bomb.

And whether it’s a rocket carrying a satellite or a rocket carrying a nuclear bomb, that’s it.

It varies depending on what is mounted, but putting a satellite into geostationary orbit was virtually the same as completing an ICBM.

So it was natural for the U.S. Department of Defense to be concerned.

Moreover, the United States was convinced that South Korea was currently the only country along with the United States that possessed nuclear bombs.

Although Lee Kang-cheol never gave a clear answer.

“Whoa! This, indeed. I have nothing to say about this. No matter what you say, the U.S. Department of Defense will be suspicious and worried. “In this matter, we have no choice but to trust each other.”

“All right.”

Although they said they knew, the United States will now engage in a space race with South Korea in earnest.

It’s a space race, and eventually ICBMs will be secured sooner or later at any cost.

Somehow, the ‘Sputnik shock’ became the ‘Our Star shock’.

* * *

March 1, 1950, 10 a.m.

Yeouido National Assembly Building.

“Long live Korean independence!”

“hurray! hurray! hurray!”

Today is March 1st, commemorating the March 1st Movement.

Not only Lee Kang-cheol, but also senators such as Kim Gu, independence activists, and tens of thousands of ordinary citizens gathered to celebrate March 1st.

However, Director Cho Tae-hyun of the National Intelligence Service showed up late and whispered something into the ear of Lee Kang-cheol, who was sitting after giving a commemorative speech.

“okay? “At dawn this morning?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay. “I will receive a proper report after the ceremony.”

“Yes, I will prepare.”

When Jo Tae-hyun stepped away, Go Seok-man, who was sitting next to him, asked.

“What’s going on?”

“They say the Chinese Communist People’s Liberation Army began a large-scale offensive toward the south early this morning.”

“Hmm, is this just the beginning?”

“I guess so. Anyway, let’s report on the details after the ceremony.”

“All right.”

After the March 1st commemoration ceremony, Lee Kang-cheol called the three military chiefs of staff and other military leaders, as well as Kim Kyu-sik.

Since Cho Tae-hyun, the head of the National Intelligence Service, is giving a briefing, in modern terms, it is like the National Security Council (NSC) has been convened.

“At 5 o’clock this morning, the Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army launched a general offensive across all fronts. The Duke of Zhou is the 1st Field Army commanded by Peng Dehuai, the 2nd Field Army under Liu Bocheng, and the 4th Field Army under Lin Biao, and the remaining five field armies were confirmed as tribute.”

Director Cho Tae-hyun of the National Intelligence Service began his explanation.

“How many troops do you have?”

“The three main field armies appear to be around 500,000 to 600,000 strong each, and the five tributary field armies are each 300,000 to 400,000 strong. We estimate the total to be around 4.5 million.”

“Hwiyu!”

“Damn, is there a machine that produces soldiers somewhere?”

“… … .”

The People’s Liberation Army field force carrying out the offensive totals 4.5 million people.

In that case, if the rear forces are combined, there is literally an astronomical number of troops on only one side of the civil war.

It is estimated that the number of troops who have killed each other is at least 10 million, but they mobilized this much force, so it is inevitable that they will get sick of it.

“How many people are there in the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China?”

“About 10 commanders, including Li Zongren, Chen Qing, and Bai Chongxi, are blocking the attack with 5 million people.”

“Isn’t it almost 10 million?”

“I guess so.”

“Crazy guys!”

“The Yangtze River will be stained with blood… … .”

There would probably never be another war in which such troops were mobilized on a single front called the Yangtze River.

No, since it is China, it is possible to mobilize troops.

At this time, China’s population in the north and south combined was 500 million.

To put it bluntly, if you simply select 1% as soldiers, you will get 5 million.

In an exhibition like this, there is nothing to say even if the expected 3% or 5% is taken out.

“The current situation?”

Lee Kang-cheol asked, gesturing for silence.

“Unexpectedly, Chiang Kai-shek’s National Revolutionary Army is defending itself well so far.”

“Hoo? “Is that really unexpected?”

“It seems that the strong retreat and reorganization of the military throughout the winter is having an effect.”

“Hmm, Minister Go Seok-man. “What do you think?”

“It seems difficult to push forward all at once like the original history.”

“yes?”

“Yes, Mao Zedong gave Chiang Kai-shek too much time. Well, it was a good idea to take the time to rearmament and reorganize with the Soviet weapons we supported, but the problem is that Chiang Kai-shek has lost his temper.”

“Why do you make that person so iron and complicated?”

“… … .”

Lee Kang-cheol’s words may be a bit absurd, but they are true.

Who would have thought Chiang Kai-shek would grow up already?

“Anyway, so? “What do you think will happen?”

“President Chiang Kai-shek came to his senses earlier than expected, but as I said last time, it was too late. “We are doing our best to prevent it now, but it won’t be until a few months before it starts to collapse.”

“The bottom line is, it will just take a little more time, but it won’t be able to prevent it from collapsing, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What do you think, Director Cho?”

“I think the same.”

“Is there any basis for thinking that way?”

“As Minister Ko Seok-man said, Chiang Kai-shek is too late. It looks like they worked hard to control themselves during the winter, but their limitations will soon be revealed. The military managed to catch it, but public sentiment is still the same. This is important. “It seems pretty tight right now, but once it starts to collapse, it will be out of control.”

“Right. “Everyone else thinks the same, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Yes, I think the same. So let’s just take a wait-and-see approach for now. Well, actually there is nothing we can do and there is no reason to move. “Unexpectedly, it looks like the National Party will hold out longer, but the fact that they will collapse doesn’t seem to change.”

“All right.”

“However, relevant departments should keep an eye on it. If anything unusual occurs, please report it immediately. Oh, and as has been the case so far, there will be a significant number of refugees. “Coast Guard and Navy, please stop the refugees from flooding in.”

“Why would our Navy do something like that?”

After finishing the request, I stood up, and Navy Chief of Staff Kim Jong-woo responded crookedly.

“President Kim.”

“why?”

“It’s the Coast Guard’s job, but the Navy also controls refugees, right?”

“yes… … .”

“Please do me a favor. If I ask you to do something, won’t you say something else?”

“yes… … .”

In response to Kim Jong-woo’s seemingly soulless answer, Lee Kang-cheol shook his head and stood up.

And as he left, he said something.

“Hey, that person never just passes by.”

“… … .”

* * *

Quang! bang! bang!

Ta-da-dan! Tadang! bang! bang!

“Ugh!”

“Stop it! “I mean stop it!”

In an instant, the entire Yangtze River area turned red, and corpses formed a mountain.

However, neither the Communist Party nor the Kuomintang paid much attention to such things.

Because there were too many soldiers on both sides to fight with guns.

As the fierce battle continued, May was already coming to an end. As the temperature rose, the stench of rotting corpses filled the air.

And little by little, the Republic of China began to be pushed back.

“Are you really going?”

“I should go and try something.”

“Whoa! “Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry too much. You know, right? “Americans like me.”

“But still… … .”

“And I’m not just going there blindly, right?”

“I don’t know if that guy will be of help.”

“Ho ho ho! Even the most seemingly useless thing in the world has a use. “I have a plan, please leave it to me.”

“Thank you, ma’am. In the end, I only have a wife. “You have enough funds, right?”

“Yes, take plenty.”

“Have a nice trip. “I will wait for good news.”

“It will definitely happen.”

May 26, 1950.

Chiang Kai-shek’s wife, Song Meiling, boarded a plane to the United States.