I Will Stage A Coup D'état-Chapter 60: Sino-Korean War (1)

Chapter 60: Sino-Korean War (1)

The Yangtze River Gangsang Fleet of the Korean Navy was an inland operations fleet consisting of 12 ships, including those around 2,500 tons.

The fleet’s strength was not very powerful, but the problem was the fact that Korea was behind them.

The Chinese didn’t even dare to show their teeth to the Korean fleet.

“Hey, fire a warning shot at that passing bastard.”

The Korean Navy continued to interfere with the navigation of Chinese ships while tightly gripping the water transport of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal.

Even if the railroad shared the transportation volume of China, it could not completely replace the role of inland water transport through rivers and canals.

At this rate, the economy of the Republic of China was about to suffocate and collapse.

The Chinese pleaded with the Koreans several times.

“Let’s stop this now. Didn’t we agree to all your demands?”

“Agree to what?”

Even after China withdrew from the Air Defense Agreement and Chiang Kai-shek resigned as the President of the Executive Yuan, the Korean government did not go easy on China.

Korea’s demand was firm.

“Conclude the Sino-Korean Alliance to block the possibility of the Axis Alliance. If this condition is not accepted, we have no choice but to doubt China’s sincerity.”

It was a condition that China could never accept.

If they accepted that, all the high-ranking officials of the government would be branded as traitors.

“We absolutely cannot accept it!”

The Chinese, who had to just watch and see how long this pressure would last, only felt frustration.

“How long do we have to endure the tyranny of the Korean bastards?”

Then an incident occurred.

Boom!

A few shells flew from a hastily made drum towards the Korean military, who were going up and down the Yangtze River as usual.

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The flying shells did not hit the gunboat, but it was enough for the Korean Navy to feel threatened.

“How dare they fire shells at the Empire’s warships?”

It was generally interpreted that warships were an extension of territory in any country.

“This is an overt hostile act by the Chinese against the Empire! We will exercise the right of self-defense until we withdraw to Shanghai.”

The Korean military fired at every place where the Chinese military was suspected of firing shells.

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

Of course, this was the Korean side’s position, and the Chinese side’s thoughts were different.

“How can we tolerate the Westerners blatantly shelling right in front of the capital? The Republic of China is a sovereign nation!”

The Chinese military had no choice but to respond to the shelling of the Korean Gangsang Fleet.

“All batteries commence shelling!”

As the Chinese military batteries began to spit fire in earnest, the Gangsang Fleet also suffered damage.

The gunboat Yangmu was hit, and 30 Korean soldiers were killed or injured.

“They attacked the Empire’s warships and caused casualties?”

The Korean Navy immediately took military action.

This was not a very unusual case, as the great powers often engaged in similar behavior in China.

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

Korea’s case was something that could happen anytime.

The problem was that the incident occurred when the friction between Korea and China reached its peak.

“Show those ching-chongs bastards a lesson!”

As soon as the order from the Navy was issued, the Marines began to reinforce their troops in Shanghai, the international settlement, and the Navy dispatched a part of the joint fleet to the mouth of the Yangtze River.

The Korean people did not remain silent either.

“We can’t let the likes of China stand against the Empire! Take this opportunity to teach Nanjing a lesson!”

The shouts of militarism that had been suppressed for a long time resounded throughout the Capital.

The Capital, the Empire, clearly wanted war.

“The Empire must punish China!”

The public was strongly demanding a punitive expedition against China.

Protesters gathered in the streets everywhere were shouting “revenge”.

Every citizen of this nation, the Empire, cried out to punish China.

The voices of anger were so overwhelming, it felt dizzying.

For now, I closed the curtains of the window.

I wanted to get that crazed, rampaging sight out of my view.

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

I intended to pressure China to an appropriate level and then back off, but things got twisted.

Whether we wanted it or not, war had become inevitable.

And this was in a situation where China had not even become an Axis power.

I let out a deep sigh, then picked up the phone.

“Intelligence Agency. Director Lee. Was there any indication that Chiang Kai-shek’s side tried to provoke us as a breakthrough? No? Okay, got it for now.”

It wasn’t Chiang Kai-shek who made a move.

Then was it a provocation orchestrated by a warlord who wanted Chiang Kai-shek’s downfall?

If not that either…

It could have been the doing of radicals within the Empire.

Although I control the military, I don’t completely dominate their thoughts.

Whoever the culprit was, it no longer mattered now.

Because ‘war’ had become unavoidable.

“You there.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Prepare the car.”

30 minutes later, I arrived at the Army.

At the Army, high-ranking officials from the Navy, including Army Minister Colonel Kim Sung-joo, were all present.

“Your Excellency. I apologize for causing you concern.”

“What’s the situation on the Navy side, Senior?”

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

I turned my gaze to Kim Sung-joo.

“Issue a partial mobilization order.”

The Empire’s partial mobilization order is a conscription order targeting reserve forces up to 5 years.

“I will obey.”

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

Tactical symbols representing the Korean military were already scattered all over the map.

They’re fast, very fast.

“Your Excellency. I will explain the Army’s operational plan assuming an emergency.”

The Director of Operations spoke confidently.

Hmm. No, the operation plan that should come out in September is already out?

Did these bastards work 168 hours a week or something?

Still, this looks tough.

Something felt uncomfortably off in a way I couldn’t explain.

Anyway, I sat and listened intently to the operation plan explained by the Director of Operations.

The Army’s idea was not the traditional land rush from Liaodong to North China to the South of the Yangtze, but to drop bombs at the mouth of the Yangtze River and rush straight to Nanjing.

I looked at the Navy side, thinking they had coordinated with them, but it didn’t seem like it.

The Navy generals clearly looked like they were hearing the operation for the first time.

I crossed my arms and signaled for them to continue.

“Our military plans to seize China’s key economic areas on the eastern coast, then link up with the Chinese Communist Party and have them take charge of operations in the interior.”

Subcontracting inland operations to the Chinese Communist Party.

Honestly, if the Communist Party wins, it won’t be a pretty picture, but it’s better than the Empire shedding blood.

The Army’s operation, for being devised by militaristic pseudo-Junkers, was considering the loss of life more than expected.

“Well, it sounds plausible. Not bad.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Come to think of it, that fellow was a military man.

Being in a precarious position where his head could fall off at any time, he was visibly delighted even at a single word of praise from me.

At that moment, Jong-Gil whispered to me.

“Your Excellency. There’s a call from the Foreign Ministry.”

“Got it.”

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

“This is Lee Sung Joon. Ah, I don’t want war either. But what can we do? Things have turned out this way. Please explain our position well to the U.S. and U.K. sides. Yes. Please take care of it.”

I urged the Foreign Ministry to handle the situation and wiped the sweat off my forehead with a handkerchief.

Come to think of it, if this war breaks out, there will be more than a few diplomatic issues to deal with.

Germany?

I don’t even care about them.

The problems were Britain, America, and the Soviet Union.

The U.K. and U.S., being aware that we acted excessively, might slightly shift from their previous friendly position.

Of course, as long as Berlin is still breathing, they won’t express hostility towards the Empire, but considering the coming Cold War era, this is a pretty big diplomatic loss.

The Soviet Union is also a problem.

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

As urgent as our situation is, Moscow won’t say anything, but losing credibility in such matters could cause problems in future dealings.

Ring ring.

As soon as I reflexively grabbed the phone, Prime Minister Roh Jae-Woo of the Yuhyeok Party spoke in an urgent tone.

“Prime Minister Lee. Things have become urgent.”

“What’s the matter?”

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

What?

There are people talking about war even before we’ve made a move?

I could clearly sense their intention to comfortably engage in politics by riding the surging wave of militarism.

“Prime Minister Lee. Quickly clarify your position. We’re in a hurry too. Is it war or not?”

“For now, submit a war resolution in the name of the Daejeong Party and Yuhyeok Party.”

“Will do.”

Roh Jae-Woo quickly hung up the phone.

I returned to the conference room and sat down.

“Army Minister.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“You take responsibility and command the invasion operation.”

“It’s an honor, Your Excellency.”

I didn’t appoint a separate supreme commander for the China expedition.

I wasn’t foolish enough to foster a dangerous war hero and create a potential rival.

“Navy Minister.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Senior, you’ll have to handle logistics and support well.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Marine Corps Commander.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Senior, you must lead the spearhead of our attack. You need to capture Shanghai in a short time, can you do it within 2 weeks?”

“Is there even a question?”

I nodded my head.

Although the Empire is considered an untrustworthy militaristic nation, they’re damn good at one thing: war.

And those present here are the most battle-hardened warmongers in the Empire.

I ordered these militarists to invade China, which they least wanted to do.