Chapter 29: Counter-Coup (2)

March 28, 1938, somewhere in the Capital.A gentleman wearing a fedora appeared at an office set up in the middle of the city.

Immediately, men in plain clothes stood up and saluted.

"Everyone, sit down."

The gentleman sat at the head seat, then removed his hat.

The face revealed beneath was gaunt and sharp.

His eyes were incredibly intense, reminiscent of a pine tree that had weathered many storms.

"General, I'll begin the report."

"Go ahead."

One of the plainclothes men attached a very detailed map of the Capital to a slate.

Holding a pointer, he indicated various spots on the map as he spoke.

"Lee Sung Joon's movements are as follows. Every day at 7 AM, he departs from the Chief of Staff's residence to the Army Ministry. There are mainly three routes, but since yesterday, he's been frequently changing his path irregularly."

"What about his escort?"

"Suddenly, an additional company of military police was added. Judging by the rotated manpower, it seems at least three companies have been mobilized."

The gentleman swallowed hard.

"We can't get close enough to eliminate Lee Sung Joon for certain. Plan B seems appropriate."

Of course, the counter-coup side wasn't without ideas.

If they couldn't use guns to get past the security detail, they could use snipers or suicide assassins.

By shooting from a distance or conducting a suicide bombing, they could create an opportunity regardless of how much protection Lee Sung Joon had.

"I'll look for suitable recruits among the former military hunters."

"Do that."

"But, General."

"Speak."

"Hasn't our information leaked? The fact that Lee Sung Joon has strengthened his security like this proves he's aware of our movements."

"It's natural if you think about it. Lee Sung Joon's eyes and ears are everywhere in this world. As we move, information inevitably reaches his ears. He's won the war, so imagine how many followers he has."

As everyone knew, the entire military was trembling at Lee Sung Joon's intelligence network.

So they were prepared for this level of information leakage.

"Then, isn't the safety of our organization members at risk?"

"Didn't we put our lives on the line to catch Lee Sung Joon from the start? Do you want to strike at the pinnacle of this country without even that level of resolve? What do you think this operation is?!"

The men lowered their heads at the General's thunderous rebuke.

"What we're trying to do is set this country right - a righteous rebellion. Of course, we must put our lives on the line!"

Everyone kept their mouths shut.

"Remember this well. There's no need to think about anything else. Just catch Lee Sung Joon. Once we get him, those young pups in the National Salvation Military Committee will crumble on their own. Lieutenant Colonel Lee."

"Yes, General."

"Have our members track Lee Sung Joon's movements more thoroughly without getting caught."

"Yes, General."

"Major Park, find out through our military collaborators how much of our information has leaked."

"Yes, sir. I'll check thoroughly."

After giving orders to his subordinates, the General put on his fedora.

"We'll rendezvous in a week."

"We'll see you then. Unity!"

"Unity!"

The General waved his hand in response and left the office.

Upon reaching the military vehicle, his aide looked at him with a worried expression.

"General, I still think it's too dangerous for you to lead this operation. Even if we eliminate Lee Sung Joon, his subordinates won't sit idly by." seaʀᴄh thё nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I'm aware of that. But we can't just sit and wait for death. What kind of country is our Korean Empire? It's a country led by the noble descendants of the military class. How can we stand by and watch Lee Sung Joon hand over such a nation to those who don't even know its foundations?"

As a descendant of the military class that founded the Empire, the General couldn't look favorably upon the National Salvation Military Committee, full of peasants and commoners.

His blood boiled just seeing the atrocities those bastards committed as they roamed every corner of society.

How did this country end up in such a state?

If things continue like this, Lee Sung Joon, with his title of victorious leader, will further solidify his control and completely privatize the nation.

If that happens, the opportunity will be lost forever.

He had to set the country right before he was stripped of his position.

He had to eliminate Lee Sung Joon.

For the sake of leading this country in the right direction.

If only that man disappears, everything will return to how it was.

To the military-ruled Korean Empire, they once governed.

He was prepared to sacrifice anything for that cause.

The General's eyes gleamed fiercely as he gazed at the distant Army Ministry building.

*

"This is Eagle 1. Requesting convoy position at Banwol-dong."

"Eagle 1, copy that. Transmission confirmed."

The new radio I introduced upon taking power has been a great help for security as well.

Unlike the old radios that required a vehicle to operate, the new ones weigh only 4kg, allowing communication soldiers to carry them directly.

Chief of Staff Kim Jong-Gil finished the radio transmission and reported to me.

Even though I was listening right beside him, he still reported formally for appearance's sake.

"We plan to take a 10-minute detour, Chief."

"Do that."

"Eagle 3, no anomalies on the current route."

The advanced military police platoon moved first, checking for potential dangers or unusual signs.

Military police motorcycles flanked us on both sides and behind, nearly two platoons of armed military police followed in trucks, prepared for any armed attack.

Honestly, with this level of security, to attempt an attack?

That would be insane.

After zigzagging like this several times, we arrived at the official residence slightly later than the appointed time.

"Chief, you've arrived."

The core members of the National Salvation Military Committee standing in the inner courtyard of the official residence all bowed deeply.

"Gentlemen, it's good to see your faces after a while."

"Shall we go in?"

After greeting the generals, I sat in the head seat in the conference room.

The generals took their seats according to their predetermined ranks.

All the major power players who moved the military of the Korean Empire were gathered here.

I looked around at my "revolutionary comrades" and then shared information about this counter-coup.

While the Provost Marshal, Security, and Capital Defense commanders were already privy to all the information, the rest were not.

They couldn't hide their shock at the fact that there was a coup plan.

"Your Excellency. What bastards dare to try and overturn our revolution?"

"How about using this opportunity to clean out the rats in the military once more? Looking back, Your Excellency, you've been too lenient. You left seats for old men who should have been stripped of their uniforms."

Well, that wasn't a bad idea either.

But to wield the sword, there needed to be justification.

At first, I used the tense atmosphere of the political change to cut down military generals, but now I couldn't just recklessly strip uniforms and behead people.

If you push people to extremes without reason, even those who could have been obedient to the system can turn into potential enemies.

I had no intention of creating unnecessary trouble.

"You there."

"Yes, Chief."

"If we conduct a purge using the coup as justification, what would become of our image? What would happen to my reputation?"

"Ah."

In an authoritarian regime led by the military, it's best if there are no coup attempts.

Even if there are, we should pretend there aren't.

Announcing a coup attempt is like advertising, ‘Our control is weak, so why don't you try challenging us too?’

I had no intention of following in Putin's footsteps.

"But it's not good to leave such movements unchecked either."

"I know that too."

"What are your thoughts, Your Excellency?"

All the generals were curious about my thinking.

It's not like I had any special ideas.

Just...

"How about temporarily 'disappearing' suspicious individuals for investigation?"

This is a method favored by China's authoritarian leader, President Xi Jinping1.

Alibaba's chairman Jack Ma2 disappeared briefly in that way.

You make someone disappear for about 40 days, then claim they're under 'investigation' for anti-government statements or actions.

This isn't a purge, just a simple 'investigation'.

It's all in how you phrase it.

"There will be backlash."

"That's why I need your strength."

I planned to keep any mention of these disappearances out of the newspapers.

If anyone dared to publish such an article, I'd shut down the entire newspaper.

You might say, ‘Isn't this going too far for someone who promised to create a 'democratic Republic of Korea'?’

Well, yes, but this is about my life.

I come before the Republic of Korea.

Colonel Baek Dong-seok spoke on behalf of the others.

"We only believe in and follow you, Chief. Aren't you the leader of our revolution?"

"We will abide by Your Excellency's wise decision!"

"Just give the order! We will obey."

The generals poured out voices of loyalty as if competing.

This is (North) Korean-style unanimity.

From the perspective of someone in a high position, it wasn't too bad.

As I was leaving after the meeting, I instructed Defense Security Commander Kim Sung-Joo.

"Do not be tardy, start from today."

"As you wish, Your Excellency."

If it's hard to catch the bugs in the house, you should burn it down if necessary.

Yes.

Power, by its nature, does not allow any challenges.

I began a merciless response to the counter-coup forces.

1. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and leader of China since 2012, known for consolidating power and cracking down on dissent2. Jack Ma, famous Chinese entrepreneur and co-founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba