20. Spring of Zhonghua
Most people abroad assumed the Zhonghua populace overwhelmingly agreed with hosting the Zhonghua Summit and rejecting the reparations payment. But the reality inside was a different story.
There was certainly pent-up anger. However, it wasn't the kind that would explode into such a sudden outburst.
Especially in the Shanghai Economic Alliance, which had become one of the most economically successful nations despite paying massive reparations. Plenty of people were arguing the pro-Korea benefit theory: "Shanghai grew thanks to Korea and the Goryeo Group." "Without Korea, we'd still be under that shit communist regime." "Isn't this basically paying a democracy tax?"
Even those who didn't buy that were at least advocating caution. They believed the reparations issue should be resolved through diplomacy, proceeding step by step without unnecessarily provoking Korea or the Goryeo Group.
As a result, Prime Minister Li Wei's rash actions lacked broad public support.
Announcing the Zhonghua Summit and reparations refusal so hastily had ignited public outrage, and when an unidentified Militaris missile exploded off Shanghai's coast, it reached a fever pitch.
"Li Wei, resign!"
"Resign!!"
"Traitor killing the people—step down!"
"Step down!!"
Citizens stormed the forum hosting the Zhonghua Summit, launching protests. Their demand: Li Wei, who had triggered a national crisis, must resign immediately.
It wasn't just the forum. Viewing the missile incident as a strong warning from the Goryeo Group, citizens abandoned their jobs and flooded the streets.
"The backlash is worse than expected, Prime Minister."
"...Those idiots!"
Li Wei slammed his fist on the desk. How could there be no one in this great Shanghai who could read the currents of the times!
At this rate, they'd all wither away! What did they think was the reason the Zhonghua Twenty Countries had gathered in Shanghai, risking everything to proclaim "One China"?
"The Minhyuk Party is mobilizing. They're saying... because of your clumsy moves, the motherland is in danger...!"
"Damn Hanjian traitors sucking up to Korea...!"
The citizens' reaction wasn't entirely unforeseen. Shanghai was an economically advanced nation, and its people were highly sensitive to economic damage.
But the intensity exceeded expectations. By a lot. It seemed the Minhyuk Party was pulling strings.
"...Isn't this strange? The Goryeo bastards dropped a missile—possibly nuclear—right off our coast...! Yet instead of condemning them, they're blaming me?"
"..."
Li Wei shook his head, suspicion clouding his face.
"Those reports of anti-state forces dreaming of regime change in this country must be true. How else could Hanjian scum pledging loyalty to Goryeo have infiltrated everywhere?"
He fiddled with one card he'd prepared for emergencies. His chief secretary read his intent from his expression.
"...! Prime Minister! That's—"
Li Wei stared at him gravely.
"Their operation has already begun. For One China, revolution is necessary."
"!"
December 23, 2076, Wednesday.
As I handled business while monitoring the Zhonghua Twenty Countries' response, around 10:30 PM, shocking news hit.
Emergency martial law, no less.
"What the hell? War?"
Has what was coming finally arrived...?
Well, yeah. Dropping a missile—nuclear-equivalent or whatever—off their coast, they couldn't just sit idle.
But martial law? That's coming out swinging. Are they that confident?
"Is this a declaration of war or what?"
This complicates the calculations. From the Goryeo Group's perspective, the warning didn't land, so we'd have to respond further—and that means war straight up.
Right when we're expanding business, war of all things.
"Master, that's not aimed at us, though?"
"Huh?"
The news was broadcasting PM Li Wei's emergency address to the nation live. The real-time subtitles carried some odd content.
"To protect free democracy and One China from the threat of anti-state forces attempting regime overthrow, and to safeguard the people's safety, I declare emergency martial law?"
And more besides, but basically: banning all political activity, controlling media and publications, prohibiting assemblies—reverting to old China.
But the justification wasn't for responding to this incident; it was to purge internal anti-state forces.
"What the fuck is all this?"
What the hell is going on? Out of nowhere, anti-state forces and regime overthrow...?
Not that? Or is it accurate? Goryeo Group's influence must be deeply rooted.
That makes sense too... Still, it felt off, so I called Gominji.
She picked up and spat it out immediately.
"Yeah. No clue."
"They haven't said anything yet."
"You calling 'cause of the news? Shanghai emergency martial law."
"Yeah."
"...We had intel, but it had to make sense. So we dismissed it as fake. Like, martial law doesn't just snap into place like a game skill. But it did?"
"..."
The news was live-streaming the Shanghai parliament entrance. A massive convoy of military vehicles rolled in, clashing with staff and guards. Gunships and AVs dropped special forces right into the building.
Reporters explained the process: if over half the attending members agreed, martial law could be lifted. Breaking news: Shanghai MPs in uproar, all rushing to parliament.
But can they block it?
Parliament was already sealed by the military. No one could enter. Bare-handed MPs charging in—how would they breach armed troops?
"So what happens now? Under martial law..."
"What happens? Shit just got simpler."
"?"
I'd learn the answer soon enough.
With ironclad martial law forces on guard, paralyzing movement, the news camera panned to Shanghai's distant skies. Countless AVs incoming.
"Shoot 'em down and it's war."
"Whoa..."
"Martial law, my ass. They gonna shoot?"
Gominji's cynical sneer proved spot on. The bold martial law declaration and troops occupying parliament balked at downing a Militaris AV.
They just kept repeating: "Emergency martial law is in effect—no unauthorized subversive actions!"
Militaris, of course, ignored it.
The moment they hesitated—"Huh?"—the AVs breached parliament airspace and landed.
Martial forces encircled them, but corporate troops poured out, facing off. One spark from ignition.
Then, a distant AV slammed body-first into the building, smashing through to the main chamber. On-site reporters and foreign press panicked, cameras shaking wildly.
"Is this a movie or reality?"
"You know reality's always more dramatic, lol."
Gominji chuckled, said she was busy, and hung up.
"No interior footage?"
"One sec."
Sua and the team leads scrambled, and soon Seunghee pulled up a channel on the TV. An MP from the crashed AV was live-streaming.
"About 20 got in. Way short, right?"
Shanghai parliament had 500 members; needed 250+ seated for a martial law repeal vote, majority yes.
Impossible right now. The infiltrators pleaded desperately on stream.
And then—
"Oh? They're breaking through."
Militaris corporate forces, escorting MPs, started shoving martial troops aside. Sure, Goryeo Group's army was intimidating, but even accounting for that, they were folding too easily—turns out the martial guys were half-assing it, dragging their feet.
Once breached, it snowballed. Militaris ferried MPs via every trick, funneling them through the gap.
Martial forces couldn't seal it—would require combat, sparking war with Militaris, thence Goryeo Group.
Later, Militaris knights deployed overhead: 12 mechs unfolding energy wings in a spectacular formation. Martial forces, already outmatched, morale cratered.
Finally—
About three hours later, a haggard Li Wei appeared, accepted parliament's demand, and martial law was officially lifted.
"Goryeo Militaris saved Shanghai's democracy!"
"One China shouters are all dictators!"
"How could you point guns at citizens?!"
Militaris, who extorted fat reparations yearly and freshly nuked their coast with a missile, had become heroes safeguarding Shanghai's democracy.
"What the hell kind of plot twist is this?"