Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 302



Only Krnovel

#302. Now is the time to stay still.

June 15, 1961.

Guangnan Shipyard in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, Republic of China.

There were a lot of people gathered at the fairly large shipyard, probably to see some kind of event.

“Father! This is a destroyer we made with our own hands!”

“Yeah! That’s cool! That’s really cool!”

Chiang Kai-shek was truly moved.

Because it was finally the moment when the first destroyer built by Chinese hands was launched.

“The ship has six guns, all based on the 5-inch guns of the US military. In addition, it is equipped with a number of 40mm secondary guns and torpedoes.”

“What is the displacement?”

“It weighs 4,000 tons at full load. It’s about 600 tons larger than the Gearing-class destroyer we so desperately wanted.”

“Oh! Great! Great!”

Although the era of cannons had long since passed, in the eyes of Chiang Kai-shek, who was a former soldier, she was just a dazzling beauty.

“How much do you plan to secure?”

“We will build three ships this year, and from next year, we will join other shipyards to build 21 ships, a total of 24 ships, within four years.”

“What about other traps?”

“The cruiser currently under construction will be launched at the end of this year.”

“Oh! Cruiser!”

“Yes! A cruiser! With a main gun of 6 inches! Displacement of 8,000 tons!”

“Ohhh!”

In Chiang Kai-shek’s eyes, he could already see the Republic of China fleet destroying the Republic of Korea fleet.

“I will provide as much money as possible, so make it as fast as possible.”

“Yes, father.”

Coincidentally, at around the same time, a launching ceremony was also being held in Ulsan, South Korea.

“Hamjong aircraft carrier! Ship name Republic of Korea! Hull number 11! Named as above. Republic of Korea Navy Chief of Staff Kim Jong-woo!”

“Wow, wow, wow, wow!”

The massive ship’s hull was dazzlingly shining at the Ulsan Shipyard dock.

“You’re the end!”

“Whew! That’s cool!”

“Khuuuuk! Our Republic of Korea… … .”

“… … .”

Lee Kang-cheol, Ko Seok-man, and Kim Kyu-sik each expressed their own emotions and expressed admiration.

South Korea’s own nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been launched.

Of course, it is not the world’s first.

This is because the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN), the Enterprise, was launched in the United States last year.

However, it is not the case that South Korea ceded the first glory to the United States because it lacked technology.

There was no need to provoke the United States, so today, almost a year later, the Republic of Korea’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Republic of Korea Ship (CVN-11), was launched.

Instead, the South Korean ship was superior to the Enterprise in many ways.

In terms of displacement, the Enterprise weighs 95,000 metric tons, while the South Korean ship weighs 108,000 tons, similar to the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Here, the US, which has inferior technology, installed eight nuclear reactors, but South Korea, like the Nimitz-class, installed only two nuclear reactors, saving space and maximizing efficiency.

The differences were even greater when looking into the internal structure. The South Korean ship was equipped with the Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling Systems (HMWHS), a fully automatic cart used on the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers of the UK in the 21st century, which drastically reduced manpower.

For example, while the Nimitz-class or Enterprise-class warships required a crew of nearly 6,000, the South Korean ship was able to complete all its missions with just 4,000.

Here, electronic equipment such as radars are also state-of-the-art to enable appropriate response to any threat.

Originally, we didn’t plan on making it to the point where people would call it over-technology, but considering the nature of aircraft carriers, which have to be operated for at least 50 years once built, we removed many restrictions.

Because of this, even the United States could not access key equipment, which made the United States extremely upset and protested vehemently.

However, they ignored it and kept the specifications and performance a complete secret.

In any case, all the people were happy, but the person who was the happiest was Naval Chief of Staff Kim Jong-woo.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Is that okay, President Kim?”

“Then, is that not good? Why do you ask like that?”

“No, I like it too.”

“Hehehe!”

“Hehehe! But looking at the National Intelligence Service report yesterday, it seems like the Republic of China has started building warships in earnest. Is that okay?”

“Poohahaha!”

“Why are you laughing?”

“Tell them to build 100 or 1,000 ships. If they stick together, I’ll turn them all into fish houses.”

“ha ha ha!”

“ha ha ha!”

While the Republic of China was walking, the Republic of Korea was flying.

* * *

September 20, 1961.

Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

Mao Zedong’s house.

When Mao Zedong stepped down as chairman, he moved out of Zhongnanhai and into his private residence. The Chinese government, unable to ignore Mao, who still had great influence, gave him a large estate owned by a former wealthy man.

And deep in the garden, Mao Zedong was facing a man in his forties wearing glasses.

“Comrade Chairman! The situation continues to be unfavorable. As the economy continues to develop, the people’s trust in the reactionaries is growing deeper and deeper.”

“Well, that could be the case.”

Even though the man expressed his sense of crisis, Mao Zedong only responded indifferently.

At this, the middle-aged man opened his mouth again.

“Comrade Chairman! If this situation continues, it will become increasingly difficult to restore Comrade Chairman. We must think of some way… … .”

“Stay still.”

“yes?”

“Stay still. Now is the time to stay still.”

“… … .”

The middle-aged man had no idea what was going on.

Mao Zedong’s influence has continued to decline since he stepped down from the chairmanship.

In these circumstances, the people’s trust in the reactionaries was gradually increasing.

So, it was clear as day that if we didn’t take action now, Mao Zedong’s influence and presence would eventually fade.

However, Mao Zedong, the person involved, says that everything is peaceful and tells people to just stay still.

“Comrade Chairman, I am sorry to say this, but the reactionaries are secretly instigating you.”

“Incitement? What incitement?”

“Even if the Great Leap Forward is like that, they say that handing over Manchuria and other territories to South Korea was a huge mistake by Comrade Chairman. They say that they should have protected them somehow. And their words are actually quite convincing even to the core party members. They even bring up the fact that the South Korean guys defended Comrade Chairman last time, and say that there must have been some kind of backroom deal… … .”

“Poohahaha!”

“Oh, no, Comrade Joo-suk?”

When Mao Zedong suddenly burst into laughter, the middle-aged man was taken aback.

Is this something to laugh about?

Why are you laughing when you’re saying such important things?

“Hahahaha!”

“Comrade, Comrade Chairman… … .”

“Look here, Comrade Jang.”

“Yes, Comrade Joo-soo.”

“Don’t you think it was a waste to hand over the territory to the bastards of the Republic of Korea? I felt it was a waste too. I was so sad about it that I couldn’t sleep at night at the time.”

“Well, what about that?”

“But what the heck? Where on earth do those idiots think all the weapons that came out just before we died came from?”

“yes?”

“Do you think that if the South Koreans hadn’t supported us at that time, our republic, which occupies most of the continent, would still exist?”

“Well, I don’t know the details, but I heard that the Bread guys secretly provided some support… … .”

“Tsk tsk! To what extent? You were young at the time and didn’t know. Not to what extent. If it weren’t for the weapons support from those South Korean bastards you despise and call “Bbangz,” our republic wouldn’t even exist now.”

“Huh? Was it really that much?”

Middle-aged man, Zhang Chunqiao, was born in 1917 and is now in his mid-40s.

So, since he was only in his late 20s or early 30s when South Korea provided weapons to the Communist Party, there was no way he would have known about the fact that the weapons support was kept a complete secret from the outside world.

Even the existence of such facts was something I had only heard through hearsay when I was a key member of the party before Mao Zedong fell from power.

But to what extent, if it weren’t for the support of the Bread guys, the Republic wouldn’t exist?

“Yeah, that’s about it. That’s something all those reactionaries know.”

“But how did this fact not become known?”

“Because the South Korean bastards asked us to keep it a complete secret.”

“yes?”

“Are you an idiot?”

“… … .”

“The people of South Korea are America’s blood allies and they are the ones who are shaking their heads at communism. They are the ones supporting us, so why are you complaining?”

“Yes? Yes? No, why do those guys support us?”

“ha…….”

Mao Zedong’s patience was slowly running out.

I had this stone-headed son of a bitch by my side because he had a great talent for instigation, but I really had no idea he was so ignorant of international affairs.

Still, he decided to endure it a little longer because he was a loyal and sticky guy.

“They don’t like our China being unified. Do you understand now?”

“I don’t know?”

“hey!”

“… … .”

Mao Zedong was not only frustrated but also felt a sense of self-loathing.

If he had remained in power, he would not have had to deal with such a blockhead.

But let’s bear with it.

Because this guy was really the perfect extension of what he had in mind.

“ha…….”

“… … .”

“I’m sorry for yelling.”

“Oh, no.”

“Anyway, that’s right. The South Koreans are extremely wary of our China unifying and being reborn as a great nation. And that’s natural for them. What country in the world would want the most populous and powerful country in the world right next to them? Honestly, I would have been wary too. And considering the historical relationship between our China and Joseon, that’s also true.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Do you understand now?”

“Yes, I understand. So, Comrade Chairman, you are enduring the loss of territory in order to maintain good faith with the Republic of Korea.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“yes?”

Mao Zedong no longer wanted to give a proper slap in the face to this kind of kid.

“Do I look like an idiot to you?”

“That, that can’t be… … .”

“What the hell are you talking about? Where in the international community would you find a fool who keeps such good faith?”

“yes?”

“You idiot! We gave up because there was no realistic chance of us beating South Korea. What kind of god-like dog shit are you talking about?”

“… … .”

“This is driving me crazy, seriously. Hey, Chang Chun Chao.”

“Yes, Comrade Joo-soo.”

“What on earth do you think South Korea is?”

“What do you mean… … .”

“No, let me ask you again. Do you think the Kwantung Army is funny? Even though they lost manpower and equipment on the Southern Front, the Kwantung Army, once considered invincible, is funny?”

“No! That’s absolutely not funny!”

“The country that easily swept away the Kwantung Army and took over Manchuria as if twisting a child’s wrist was none other than the Republic of Korea.”

“… … .”

“Yes, let’s say the Kwantung Army is like that. Let’s say it’s a puppet. Then, are the Soviet Army funny? Are the millions of soldiers commanded by the iron marshal Comrade Stalin funny?”

“Absolutely not!”

“The country that pushed the Soviet army all the way to Moscow was South Korea! The country that destroyed the Soviet Union, where Napoleon and Hitler failed, was South Korea! But how did they get back the lost territory?”

“… … .”

Jang Chun-chao wondered what day it was today.