War Never Again #1
Regardless of how much the Japanese hated the current situation, trade between Korea, China, and Japan was surprisingly solid. The future looked even brighter—at least for now—because Korea, China's number one creditor stiffed on repayment, wanted it that way. Unknown to outsiders, since Korea hadn't seized any territory in the south or leased any ports, we were the primary contributors to suppressing the Boxer Rebellion. Sure, the compensation for our damages was meager, but the pure reparations—excluding that—were the richest on paper. It made sense; we hadn't demanded territory or ports on anyone's advice.
The problem was that "on paper" part. The reparations originally set for a Zhonghua Republic twice our size now. Tragically shrunk to half, that sum was impossible for the so-called republic to collect. And Britain and France weren't about to just watch. They'd already cut Germany's and Italy's shares, and Japan too—why spare Korea? After barely establishing the republic and catching their breath, the revived Qing in Xi'an had them seeing red, so they bullied us outright.
Yeah, they advised me to choose: slash the reparations or defer them. Or guarantee Zhonghua's independence—but I cut that one. Why? It'd only benefit those pure Anglo-French bastards. If I guaranteed independence for the south, the Japanese would flip out. They'd agreed to it themselves, but supporting that Western puppet? "You're the vanguard of the Western sheep!" they'd rage. Then they'd fireworks about being Asia's only big brother who could stand against the West, urging unity around them.
Obviously, that painted a bad picture. Half of Korea's citizens were Han Chinese, after all. Even those who'd secretly sympathized with the Boxer Rebellion's "expel the barbarians" cried hushed under the empire's might and the powers'. But that didn't mean we could ignore them. Pull that stunt, and suddenly the Xinhai Revolution erupts here? Proudly emblazoned with the Internationale or not, that wouldn't make me endorse socialism or the Zhonghua Revolution. Not unless I lost my mind.
The world was too bloc-economy dominant for straight capitalism to grow. And projecting imperial naval power to fix it? Our navy wasn't ready. So we went Soviet-style: domestic focus, heavy industry, regional cooperatives under collective leadership. Communists whispered that capitalism's end birthed communism; I just flipped it. Grow heavy industry Soviet-style to become a capitalist powerhouse like America. After the World Wars and Great Depression, of course.
I smiled bitterly. "That's right for now."
The world boiled down to one line: the age of great pirates. No rubber humans, but plenty of Celestial Dragons. Corporate light industry now? Capitalism? Free trade? I thought it'd work at first, but they said no. Don't do it. Avoid the Malacca Strait, skip the canals, hug the Cape of Good Hope and come back "safely." What else could it mean? Japan probably got the same. Result? Even Japan—zaibatsu-driven capitalism, booming light industry and navy—was choking.
Trade without Britain's nod? Like Spain in the Philippines: ships seized, reparations demanded. That was the era. So inward focus it was. Meaning some social redistribution. I implemented it via cooperativism and national socialism. Luckily, in Confucian culture, socialism—Confucian-style—was crowd-pleasing; resistance was minimal. Empire's Chinese, brutalized by Qing oppression, were content with autonomy, citizenship, and ancestral rites. Especially with Qing breathing down our necks next door.
Yeah, I patched things up, self-satisfied. Reports showed no immediate domestic issues. Just a ton of work. Economy growing, postwar recovery boosting it more. The problem? Foreign affairs. Specifically, Japan.
Zhonghua gasped under massive reparations, hinting at May Fourth and Xinhai. Japan suffocated in light industry, zaibatsu leaning on the military from the civilian government. My trade policy reflected that politics. Solid road ahead. Ease Zhonghua's debt, loosen Japan's noose. Sounds crazy, but we had to—and did. Fail? War. Civil or otherwise.
No one else knew, but Korea staked national fortune on this triad trade. For me, total war already. Prussian garrison state, Soviet planning, cooperativism—not my ideal.
"Your Excellency, a guest has arrived."
I'd sent a Japan expert to Tokyo. Smart zaibatsu would contact unofficially. Korea their only outlet now. Japan handled. Deep ties risked military agitation.
"A noble guest."
I rose, ushering him to the sofa.
"Pleased to meet you. I've wanted this."
"Hearing you'd forgive those oppressive, criminal reparations—how could I stay away?"
"Right. I spent big. Made this time with you urgent."
"My time?"
"Time for East Asian peace."
I dove into full ostracize-the-islanders mode with Supreme Leader Sun Yat-sen.
"I think I know your worry."
"What's that?"
"Fearing I'd demand something under debt forgiveness pretext."
"Embarrassing, but yes."
"So first: no. Forgiveness absolute. Storm out; it stands."
"Zhonghua's people will sing your resolve."
"Really? I figure they'll sing you more. I'm no favorite."
"Then I'll make them. Your peace longing."
"You truly believe peace here."
"Overpraise. Your bold East Asia peace move stunned me."
"If we don't act, posterity shames us."
"Learning from you."
"Call me little brother. Private chat."
"Then, brother."
"Brother Sun it is."
We chatted East Asian order vaguely, then I dragged drunk Sun to the Korea-China History Museum, looting China's priceless heritage.
"Not thrilled?"
I noted his unease. Figured.
"Brought you for another reason."
"What, brother?"
"All this: Zhonghua people's legacy."
Sun stared, incredulous. Next words set.
I spoke directly—no interpreter. Memorized; every character precise, no distortion.
"I believe these belong where they should."
"Sincere?"
"Why lie? Want 'em? Visit neighbor."
"True."
I met his teary, eager eyes, then looked away, giving space. Made sense. These treasures: history, legitimacy itself. "Return"—back where they belong. Zhonghua as rightful government, legitimacy undeniable—strongest state backing. With them, preempt legitimacy fights. He knew the value. Western "independence guarantees" for footholds? Faded here. Priciest now, so I resold at peak to China. Cost: Japan's isolation.
"Hope to see you again, brother."
"Me too."
I loaded Sun and crew with forgiveness papers, Korea-Zhonghua rail investment, ancient treasures, sent them off. Democratic state? Property rights, procedures—no. One-party "democracy" with framework. Leader-Secretary-General lifetime tenure. My say, no media pushback. Only praise for bold resolve. Heh. Reconcile China, isolate Japan. Good picture. World full of greed; slight concessions reveal it.
"Your Excellency, too humiliating diplomatically?"
World's greedy bunch.
"Necessary cost to isolate Japan. Pricey, but."
"Japan...?"
"Not only we looted Chinese artifacts. Reparations too."
I bet Japan won't forgive. Unless Anglo-French pressure. Those funds? All military. Armies don't shrink. Demand payback? Impossible, in my Japan.
I never mentioned Japan to Sun; neither did he. But we agreed: screw those islanders. East Asia order talk, no Japan mention? Unthinkable. Plus, artifacts. People get it without words—situations, gifts speak clear.
"Lay rails same gauge. Gauge non-negotiable. Merge with Mantetsu later, Eurasia Railway Co."
"Yes!"
"Japan'll hassle; just say 'debt forgiveness an issue?' They'll shut up publicly. Rest, I handle."
I awaited lecher Ito with Lee Wan-yong, Kim Ok-gyun. Bait ready. Wonder if they'd bite. Even Zhonghua forgiveness as their sphere infringement... No confidence there.
I exhaled smoke. Japanese content more trade offices? Doubt it.