Yongsan Battle (2)
"Any objections?"
"We'll follow the Lord's will."
"Excellency, none."
"We will follow Excellency's will."
"The last sight our enemies see before they die will be me, flying Excellency's national flag."
"We don't even have a national flag yet, so don't get ahead of yourself..."
What they wanted from me was water to wash and drink for the soldiers, and Im Jui's firepower. When I explained this to the executives, Jeong Su-hwan said that since his house was now complete, we could connect hoses to supply even more water, and he'd take care of it right away.
"And I'm not planning to stop there. Hiding this place any longer is impossible anyway. I wanted to hold out until the farm was ready, but making it this far isn't bad."
While logistics are the lifeblood of any army, just providing water might make our contributions look meager compared to the factions that lose soldiers once the war ends. There's no denying that it's the bleeding troops who stand out.
Looking back at history, those who straddle the fence ambiguously never get satisfying results, even in victory. No need to look far—Seo Su-yeon is a perfect example. If she'd openly opposed the hardliners from the start, strengthened ties with neighboring factions, publicly declared her intentions, and poured everything into it, things might not have come to this.
She couldn't eliminate the hardliners without weakening the Reconstruction Government, had no food to feed the citizens through winter, and couldn't even maintain a facade of harmony with them. In the end, she lost power, got cornered, tried a desperate power grab, and ended up like that.
I have no intention of following her path.
"Excellency, do you have something else in mind?"
"Yeah, I'll explain. First, have the residents prepare 8,000 cans."
"Yes, Excellency."
"We'll join the alliance army."
"Thank you so much! That's one worry off our backs. We'll proclaim the alliance army's formation today on the way back and add your name to the council of five. Can we send the water tanks starting tomorrow?"
"Yes, go ahead. But I have more to discuss."
"Please, speak."
It was time to show Nakyuan's power.
"Tomorrow, when the water tanks arrive, 8,000 cans will be ready too. Take them and feed your soldiers."
"Such gratitude... We'll make sure to note that the cans come in Excellency's name."
"We're not done yet."
Ham Seong-hoon looked at me with intense interest after I said even infinite water and 8,000 cans weren't the end.
"Listen up, all you alliance leaders who came with him."
Everyone watched me with intrigued expressions.
"Your forces must have soldiers injured fighting selflessly for you. Every soldier counts right now, doesn't it? Bring the seriously wounded here."
"Excellency, may we interpret that to mean you have medical facilities far superior to those outside?"
"Yes, Chairman. We have medical facilities incomparable to the outside world. And doctors too. How long until the war?"
"The alliance has already started building defenses in Yongsan, and assuming the Reconstruction Government regroups and prepares supplies before marching here... we're thinking about a month."
"Good. Let's treat as many as we can here over the next month and send them back to the front."
"Yes, we are grateful for your grace, Excellency."
When someone asked why Seo Su-yeon's subordinate was here, she said she'd followed Seo Su-yeon's orders to escape and join when her leader was captured. Seo Su-yeon had already lost everything. To save her own life and her subordinates' if the Reconstruction Government lost, she'd sent one away to signal this war wasn't her doing.
Pathetic words from someone who'd once led a massive faction. But the alliance suspected she might have defected to the hardliners, so they'd keep her around until the war ended.
"Excellency! You called for me!"
"Yeah, starting tomorrow, the residents will be busy... but you'll be the busiest."
"Yes, Excellency!"
"Sick soldiers will flood the hospital tomorrow morning. Tonight, set up beds everywhere besides the recovery rooms. If that's not enough, pitch tents in the front yard too. Prioritize the critical cases for recovery rooms."
"Excellency! I shall obey!"
"Don't think of them as patients—get them just well enough to fight and send them back to the front. They're sending a few specialists too. Treat patients with them."
"Excellency, may I ask something?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"What if their doctors question my diagnoses?"
I approached Lee Kyung-min, patted his shoulder, and said,
"I'll be right by the hospital director's side. Do whatever you want."
If they dare challenge my appointed director in my hospital, I'll kick them out on the spot and demand formal punishment.
The sight that greeted me outside the front door in the morning was spectacular. Over twenty military trucks and water tankers lined up before the barrier. They were filling the tanks using every available faucet—from the observatory, Im Jui's house, Jeong Su-hwan's house, and even the yard hoses.
At this rate, we could supply 100,000 liters a day. As I approached the barrier, the alliance soldiers loading cans saluted me in unison.
"Salute Excellency!"
"Loyalty!"
According to the Han sisters' report, all council leaders would receive general ranks. New alliance uniforms were being made, and they'd send ours soon. The council was formed so five shared power equally—no marshal rank.
Han Byeol had grumbled that morning, "Without us, they couldn't station a large army in Yongsan due to water shortages, yet they won't make you marshal? It's infuriating." I soothed her.
The hospital was packed. I peeked in—Lee Kyung-min was in surgery, and the alliance doctors were assessing patients, noting needed operations. I'd told Im Jui to relay to him: "Use violence if the alliance doctors don't listen." They were behaving.
Talk of hospital fees came up, but we'd offer free care during the war. Good PR. Rumors of Nakyuan would spread post-war; it was about leveraging them. "A place where even the dying walk out alive." Warlords and rich elites would come bearing valuables. Then we'd charge properly.
The filled water tanks departed for Yongsan in turn. The alliance army numbered about 3,500—far fewer than the Reconstruction Government's near 7,000. They needed troops for local security, so couldn't commit everyone. But they'd sent most awakeners: 600 vs. their 800—not outmatched.
We had endless clean water and first-mover advantage with defenses in Yongsan. They'd have to attack us. In two weeks, we'd prepare to send Im Jui.
"Im Jui's so strong, and with four drones, I'm not too worried..."
The executives nodded knowingly. Drones needed 24-hour charging, so they'd stay off-combat in her bag. We had radios for comms anyway.
But the biggest issue...
"Excellency, I can speak."
"Really? Then say it now."
Im Jui began trembling. After ten seconds, she let out a weird noise.
"Ah... hng..."
"Stop."
Sure enough, sending Im Jui alone meant no two-way radio comms. Someone reliable had to go with her.
"Excellency, I'll go with Governor Im."
Jeong Su-hwan raised his hand first. He was the only suitable one here.
"The Security Unit will go too."
He stood, knelt before me, and said,
"After my people were saved here, I vowed my life to you, Excellency! And... you created the Security Unit for us, but we know... this place doesn't need one..."
Half right, half wrong. With ~100 residents who got along, no fights or crime yet. But as the barrier grows city-sized, we'd need security/police. The First Security Unit knew their role would expand, but felt useless now.
"You sure?"
"Yes, Excellency!"
"Fine. Just one thing: don't die."
"Yes, Excellency!"
It was decided: Im Jui and seven First Security Unit members to Yongsan. I told the Han sisters to emphasize they were there to report situations, assist Im Jui—not fight. Losing any would shame me before Jeong Su-hwan's wife and daughter.
"Excellency, we'll be off."
"Salute Excellency!"
The First Security Unit paraded before me and saluted. Kim Dae-geon said "war peddlers" had flocked to Yongsan hearing of the army—merchants following battlefields, selling supplies at markup. Top seller: women. I had no issue with paid prostitution, just not in my territory.
We loaded the departing group with supplies: meat, veggies, fruit in iceboxes, booze, smokes. Sell or eat as they pleased—singles could buy comfort.
To maximize our sole fighter Im Jui, we planned operations.
"Lord, what's the name of our operation?"
I smiled at Han Byeol.
"What else? 'Angel of Death.'"
Han Seol nodded.