Chapter 20: The Military Coup of December 8th (8)

It was almost 8:45 PM when we arrived at the Prime Minister's residence in Jeong-dong.Standing at the intersection connected to the main gate, Colonel Kim Sung-joo and Major Lee Je-dong saluted.

"Report."

"Sir! We opened fire at the escaping car, but it seems the occupants were injured, furthermore, we couldn't recognize who was inside."

"I see."

I ordered the Battalion Commander of the mechanized infantry to disembark.

"Everyone out."

As hundreds of armed troops suddenly appeared, the 11th Military Police Battalion forces, who were pushing towards the residence entrance with the support of reinforcing Military Police and Marines, lost their momentum and fled back into the residence.

The situation wasn't much different for the residence's supporting forces.

We outnumbered the Military Police and Marines, so we acted confidently.

Picking the megaphone, I shouted,

"This is General Lee Sung Joon! As you probably know, our tanks will arrive soon. It's not my desire to continue this battle. Let us resolve this through dialogue like human beings before we bring the tanks. Who's in command of these forces?"

In response to my call, a young officer came out from behind the main gate and answered loudly.

"Captain Baek Ha-jin, Commander of the 2nd Company, 11th Military Police Battalion. I'm the senior-most officer of the residence guard."

"Where's the head of security?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Then, I'll speak to you as if you're the Commander, Captain Baek. Given how far things have come, is there really a need for us to spill more blood among comrades?"

"General. We've received orders from the Provost Marshal to defend this place. Until those orders are withdrawn, we cannot retreat."

"Listen carefully, Captain Baek. The Military Police at the Taedong River Bridge and the Guard Infantry Regiment couldn't stop us. Even that pathetic Defense Security Command couldn't do anything despite knowing our movements. When the tide is so clearly turning, why do you want to spill your subordinates' blood?"

"I'm a soldier, General, and we follow orders."

'Sigh...This is becoming troublesome.'

After this exchange, I understood.

Baek Ha-jin was a different type of person from Park Joon.

While Colonel Park valued his subordinates more than his duty, Baek Ha-Jin was the exact opposite.

For people like him, duty came first.

No matter the consequences.

There's no choice then,

Blood will be shed.

After coming this far it simply wasn't possible to just say - 'Ah, I respect your conviction, Captain.' and maintain the standoff.

We're in the end game now.

It's do or die.

"Colonel Kim."

"Sir?"

"Fire the mortars."

We could wait for the tanks, but every second counted now.

I ordered the use of heavy weapons without hesitation.

"Yes, sir."

Colonel Kim Sung-Joo, as an Ilwonhwa, was keenly aware that our lives depended on this operation.

If the coup attempt fails, we will all be labeled as traitors.

So, the use of mortars was nothing compared to that.

In fact, should the need arise, I would clear the use of armaments even more lethal than that.

One minute after the infantry set up the mortars.

Pop-!

Boooooom-!

Following a rather tame popping noise from the explosive shells being fired from the mortar, a devastating explosion occurred inside the residence.

Judging by the screams, there were casualties.

Ordering the men to hold off their next salvo, I picked up the megaphone again.

"Captain Baek, listen carefully. Next time, I will not order a stop, we will bombard this place till nothing stands. Should you survive, I will order the tanks to continue. Think Captain, Think! Will you continue your resistance or surrender?"

A moment of silence fell over the residence.

Should we fire a few more rounds?

Just then, an officer with lieutenant insignia came out of the residence and shouted at me.

"General! We surrender!"

"Lieutenant, pray tell what happened to Captain Baek? On whose authority are you issuing the surrender?"

"Sir! Captain Baek has been killed in action."

Hmmm.

There were already several people who had died by my orders in this coup, but this was the first time I had witnessed a death right before my eyes.

But I was prepared for this from the start.

There was a drama I quite enjoyed in my old world, 'The Advisors Alliance', where the actor Wu Xiubo who plays the role of Sima Yi, says...

[Leaving one's name in history is the ambition of all scholars. However, from the day I raised my army, I cast away the desire for such empty fame, whether dead or alive]

I feel the same now.

From the moment the coup started, hoping that I would come out of this with a clean reputation or fame was nonsensical.

If I achieve my goal of saving this Nation...Then what more could I ask for?

"Colonel Kim. Go and disarm them."

"Understood."

After assigning Kim Sung-joo to subdue the 11th Military Police Battalion, I entered the main building of the Prime Minister's residence with Major Lee Je-dong and a platoon of soldiers.

*



Though they heard rebels were approaching the Residence, it was a fact that this Prime Minister's residence was where the country's highest-ranking officers resided.

So, the cabinet members believed that the rebels wouldn't dare harm the Prime Minister.

Even during Park Han-jin's coup, such belief held true.

Back then, the Prime Minister did give up his position to Roh Jae-woo, whom Park Han-jin had pointed to, but he faced no threat to his personal safety.

Surely this time would be the same...

However, the rebels proceeded to fire Artillery rounds at the residence.

The presence of Artillery stilled a different kind of fear compared to mere bullets.

Fearing the building might collapse at any moment, the cabinet members couldn't hide their pale, drained faces.

Even Roh Jae-woo, known to be as calm as a lake, couldn't conceal his bewilderment.

Soon, there was a commotion outside the door, and soldiers in combat boots burst into the Prime Minister's office.

The Military Police officer at the lead surveyed the room, then stepped aside and bowed respectfully.

"It's safe, General."

General?

Was he perhaps referring to the infamous coup leader Lee Sung Joon, the only General grade officer among the rebels?

The Prime Minister looked at the 'Lee Sung Joon' who appeared before him with a gaze holding a mixture of curiosity and fear.

Lee Sung Joon stood about 180cm tall with a sturdy build.

His face was a masculine one with strong lines.

Judging by appearance alone, he had the typical likable look of a warrior, but something set him apart from most of the boneheads in the Military.

'His eyes.' Sᴇaʀᴄh the n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

As a seasoned politician, Roh Jae-Woo recognized the undisguisable ambition lurking in Lee Sung Joon's eyes.

The kind of ambition that could make a man commit unspeakable things for the sake of his goal.

Indeed, it was as if a monster lurked in those eyes.

The Prime Minister couldn't comprehend how such a man remained quiet for so long.

Regardless,

While the Prime Minister and the cabinet members were overwhelmed by his presence, Lee Sung Joon spoke,

"Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, and esteemed ministers. I apologize for the many unpleasant experiences you've had today."

The cabinet members wanted to argue if he could really call that an apology, but they kept their mouths shut upon seeing the guns of the Military Police in the office.

People like them were experts in reading the room.

Besides, even the most stubborn man would have to bend their principles in a situation like this.

Roh Jae-woo spoke on behalf of the terrified cabinet members.

"To call it an 'unpleasant experience' seems an understatement. It's as if the entire country has been turned upside down."

Expressing his displeasure, Roh Jae-Woo dropped the use of honorifics with Lee Sung Joon.

"I don't wish to change the way things are being done, Prime Minister."

"Hah! Then why did you even attempt this coup, General? Couldn't you simply turn back now?"

"Forgive me. I misspoke, I will change at least one thing. But everything else will remain the same."

"Surely you cannot be hinting at what I am thinking General...Are you saying you'll take the position of Army Minister?"

"How could I possibly take that position, Your Excellency?"

At least, Lee Sung Joon had enough sense to not suggest that.

Instead, like Chun Doo-hwan, he planned to create a separate position of power for himself, from which he could control a puppet Army Minister.

Roh Jae-woo understood Lee Sung Joon's intentions.

"You...You'll put a puppet as the Army Minister."

"Ah, I wouldn't go that far, Your Excellency, after all, who else but me could resolve this situation?"

It was sophistry, but not entirely wrong.

Lee Sung Joon was the only one who could command the coup forces.

Scraping the floor with his combat boots, the General observed the cabinet members.

Everyone, including the Prime Minister, flinched at the sound his boots made.

"Here's the deal. If you don't side with me, your political life ends here, Prime Minister."

"Wouldn't my political life end even if I side with you, General?"

"Now, how did you reach that conclusion?"

Lee Sung Joon had no such intentions.

If he dismissed the Prime Minister, the head of the state, it would be akin to signaling every Nation out there that a Major Event occurred within the Empire.

And the repercussions of such an act wouldn't be good for Sung Joon who wished to govern the country in the future.

"Then, are you saying you'll keep me in office?"

"Why would I waste a perfectly good Prime Minister? Besides, people who know how to run a country don't exactly grow on trees..."

With these words, Sung Joon was appeasing the cabinet members as well.

Should they side with him, their positions would be secured.

But until when?

Until Sung Joon wanted them to, of course.

However, unlike the cabinet members, Roh Jae-Woo didn't fall for Sung Joon's sweet proposal.

Regardless, the General decided to give them some time.

"Please stay here and think about my offer. You might feel a bit indecisive, but should you agree with me, wouldn't your positions be guaranteed? I expect an answer when I return from the Army Ministry. Major Lee, let's go."



After signaling to Major Lee Je-dong, the General strode out.

Je-dong and the Military Police followed, flanking Sung-joon as if escorting a King.

It looked as though they were attending to Royalty.

***

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