Chapter 31: Munich Conference (1)

"What do you mean Sudetenland is or war? Answer me!"In May, the Germans stirred up unrest in Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland1.

When this issue first arose, I thought it would pass quietly like the Austrian annexation.

After all, it was a fight Hitler would win, so Germany shouldn't be too upset if we didn't take their side.

I naively judged the situation like that.

It was my misjudgment.

I should have thought deeply about why Park Han-jin in the webtoon had taken Germany's side on the Sudetenland issue.

On May 20th, Czechoslovakia, angered by German pressure, mobilized its army.

They immediately requested support from their allies, France and the Soviet Union.

France betrayed expectations and prepared to intervene early.

[Let's teach those German bastards a lesson while we're at it.]

Even the Soviet Union, which I thought would hesitate, issued mobilization orders to the Red Army.

[Good. We should team up with the West and crush Germany this time.]

The international referee, Britain, also received a request for support from France.

Of course, the British Empire dithered and hesitated on this issue too, but it didn't matter.

Two great powers clearly expressed their attitude to fight on the opposite side of Germany.

As the situation unfolded like this, the mustache also requested support.

Where?

To Pyongyang.

"Your Excellency. The cabinet wants to know your intentions. Considering the relationship established during the previous Park Han-jin administration, should we promise support to Berlin?"

No, have these gentlemen gone mad?

Supporting that could easily make us a fixed Axis power in World War II!

After all, I've done to try and save this Korean Empire, they want to put the country on an express train to hell, tearing it into four pieces?

I immediately expressed my opposition.

"We promised Britain and France we wouldn't interfere in European affairs. A nation must have integrity, how can we go back on our word?"

"B-but, if we hesitate here, Berlin will be displeased."

Indeed, that would be the case.

The mustached one shamelessly asked for help, and we flatly refused.

But there was no other choice.

I can't let myself, our Korean Empire, die for the Nazis, can we?

The cabinet clearly expressed our refusal to Germany.

And just one day later, German ambassador Eugen Ott2 came running.

I was startled by his plump, pig-like appearance resembling Nazi's number two, Hermann Göring. Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

While I was having such impolite thoughts, the German ambassador attempted to persuade me.

Eugen Ott wasn't a formal ambassador but a chargé d'affaires, so his tone and manner were extremely polite.

"Your Excellency. Thank you for granting me this audience."

"It's nothing. Please, have a seat."

I offered him a seat and asked the reason for his visit.

As expected, it was about that.

"Please reconsider the Korean government's decision. Berlin needs the support of its friend Pyongyang more than ever."

Hmm.

It's true that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

If I only knew the future up to the point where the mustache man wins, I would've gladly bet on Hitler.

But did that bastard stop gambling there?

No, he was the kind of bastard who kept raising the stakes and shouting "all in" until he went bankrupt.

Sitting next to such a reckless guy, it was only a matter of time before my wallet got emptied.

"Ambassador, I will think carefully about this matter."

Just think about it.

I persuaded the ambassador to leave with such nice words.

Even if he wanted to stubbornly persist, he had no choice.

Unnecessarily giving a negative influence on my 'thinking' would only harm his own country.

As time passed, the Czech crisis intensified.

I was gravely concerned that this might actually trigger World War II.

If a world war broke out and our Korean Empire got swept up in it?

I had a gut feeling that it was time to prepare for war if only to protect our Korean Empire.

Tears of blood flowed from my eyes at the thought of having to pour resources into unproductive military spending when we should be focusing on modernizing the homeland.

But there was no choice.

Even if I wasn't interested in war, war could be interested in me.

"This is the Army Minister's office? We need to convene a full military leadership meeting."

I requested a full military leadership meeting from the Army Minister.

A week later, high-ranking military personnel gathered at the Imperial Army Ministry building.

Army Minister Marshal Roh Sung-guk, Navy Minister Marshal Shim Gi-su, Marine Corps Commander General Shin Hui-beom, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Won Young-guk, myself, and other notable stars sat together.

The official purpose was "Discussion on the European Security Crisis" presided over by Army Minister Marshal Roh Sung-guk, but the real aim was to coordinate military opinions before increasing armaments.

Soon after the talk began, a fierce debate erupted between the Army and Navy.

The reason was simple.

It was a budget fight.

They argued over how to distribute the upcoming military budget increase.

"The Korean Empire is a peninsula nation surrounded by sea on three sides. We also need to protect our protectorate Japan, overseas territory Taiwan, and the South Sea Islands. What else should such a country develop but its navy?"

"Hmph. We have potential enemies in China and the Soviet Union. Do you not know how massive their land forces are? The Soviet Reds alone have an army more than twice the size of ours. The gap would only widen in wartime. You'd give the army only this much with such threats looming over us? Talk sense!"

While the generals debated heatedly, I watched with folded arms.

In truth, neither side was wrong.

The Korean Empire needed both a navy and an army.

But charity begins at home, and my thoughts leaned towards the army.

The reason was simple.

If we could surpass Britain and America by building up our navy, that would be fine.

But that's not the case, is it?

Once Britain and America started pouring their true power into naval forces, the money we invested in our navy would become 'nonexistent'.

It's like becoming crippled as in World War I.

After a while, I raised my hand to request to speak.

As I, effectively at the top of the military, asked to speak, everyone fell silent.

Marshal Roh Sung-guk said,

"Your Excellency, please speak freely."

"Yes, thank you. Then I'd like to ask our seniors one thing. Who is the main enemy of this Korean Empire?"

Some said Britain and America were the main enemies, considering future expansion into the oceans. Others said the Soviet Union, and some said China.

Well, hmm.

These are the words coming from the minds of this country's highest-ranking officials.

I've understood the thoughts of these naval enthusiasts.

Those bastards should absolutely not be given any budget.

We gave them naval power to protect the country, and now their livers are swollen, spouting nonsense about America being the enemy.

Even when suppressing the counter-coup, I, Lee Sung Joon, wasn't without some misgivings in my heart.

But not anymore.

I've gained certainty.

This militaristic Korean Empire needs the absolute leadership of this Excellency Lee Sung Joon.

If left in the hands of these brain-dead idiots, the Korean Empire would be finished.

"Well then, seniors. Do you know the extent of our country's national power?"

"Well, we're not as strong as America, Britain, Soviet Union, or Germany, but stronger than France, so about 5th place, wouldn't you say?"

"Correct. For such a country to consider the world's strongest nations as main enemies, does this, does this make any sense?"

"Your Excellency. In war, national power isn't everything. Especially for the navy, once it tilts, recovery isn't quick."

"Do we have more shipyards than America?"

"Ahem."

Honestly, it's nonsense.

Just looking at steel production capacity, the Korean Empire is just over 1/5 of America's level.

Isn't it insane to think of fighting America with this weight class?

"Your Excellency. But this is a contingency plan. Even if we don't go to war, we need to bulk up our weight class to have negotiating power."

It's not wrong.

If our naval power expands, our negotiating power would proportionally increase when bargaining for interests.

However, the wariness of Britain and America would also increase proportionally.

They're already on high alert with what we have now, and we want to increase it further?

Not a snowball's chance in hell.

I spoke decisively.

"This country must absolutely not antagonize America."

As I put my foot down so firmly, the naval generals cleared their throats uncomfortably.

Of course, these high-ranking naval officials don't truly want to fight America.

This is a kind of logic to secure a budget.

But such publicly stated logic becomes a direction that ties their own hands, preventing them from moving in other directions.

That's why these navy bastards won't do it.

"China is sufficient as our main enemy."

This too is just for show.

While I said China was the main enemy, the opponent I was preparing for was the Soviet Union.

I have no intention of invading the Reds, I wasn’t Napoleon, but shouldn't we be prepared in case Stalin breaks the non-aggression pact?

The debate was swiftly concluded with my intervention.

"Then the military budget ratio reflected in the additional 1938 budget will be decided as 8 for the army and 2 for the navy."

Marshal Roh Sung-guk announced the end of the meeting with a slightly pleased expression.

The naval generals left the conference room with sour expressions, seemingly angered.

Ah, people.

This is all for the sake of the Korean Empire.

Can’t you muscleheads see I'm trying to save this Nation?!

I clicked my tongue in disapproval.

1. The Sudetenland is the historical German name for the northern, southern, and western areas of former Czechoslovakia which were inhabited primarily by Sudeten Germans. These German speakers had predominated in the border districts of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia since the Middle Ages2. German chargé d'affaires, temporary head of the German embassy in the absence of an ambassador3. Hermann Wilhelm Göring was a German politician, military leader, and convicted war criminal. He was one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, which governed Germany from 1933 to 1945. A veteran World War I fighter pilot ace, Göring was a recipient of the Pour le Mérite.