Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Loyalty Training (1)
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Lee Sung-jun's brisk movements were quickly detected by the Security Command, which had been monitoring the generals.
Lee Jung-ju, who had been appointed Security Commander with Park Han-su's trust, received the trend reports and ordered an internal investigation into Lee Sung-jun.
"But Lee Sung-jun is a collateral imperial family member backed by the young officers. If we investigate someone like that carelessly, won't there be backlash?"
Lee Jung-ju kicked the shin of the secretary chief who had uttered those words.
"You idiot fuck. Is this the time to worry about that? That bastard Lee Sung-jun is openly meeting high-ranking officers and scheming something. He hasn't met frontline division commanders, but he's done everything else suspicious. If we don't investigate a guy like this, who the hell do we investigate? Go dig right now. Find out what the fuck he's thinking while running around."
"Ah, yes, sir."
He said that, but even Lee Jung-ju didn't think Lee Sung-jun was plotting a coup.
To prepare a coup, you'd need frontline division-level commanders as allies or to be in that position yourself.
Neither applied to Lee Sung-jun.
The commanders of the 16th and 17th Reserve Divisions were juniors loyal to Marshal Park Han-jin, and the Guard Division (division-level) commander was an Army Infantry School graduate with no connection to Lee Sung-jun.
The Guard Division went without saying.
Under these conditions, how could Lee Sung-jun possibly launch a coup?
However, it was undeniable that many loyalty units—formed to counter regime overthrow attempts—had been pulled to the front lines, creating gaps in regime protection.
So, they couldn't ignore someone engaging in suspicious behavior.
Lee Jung-ju planned to thoroughly investigate Lee Sung-jun this time and give him a stern warning.
'Don't get any funny ideas. This is the Security Command. We're watching everything.'
Following Lee Jung-ju's orders, the Security Command first assigned four teams under Surveillance Chief Colonel Kim Jin-gyu to tail Lee Sung-jun.
Each team waited in shifts of two outside Lee Sung-jun's official residence and the Guard Division barracks, then shadowed him when he appeared.
"Anyone who dozes off and loses Lee Sung-jun is done for. Stay sharp and stick close."
"Yes, sir, Chief."
Tailing Lee Sung-jun wasn't limited to the teams under Colonel Kim Jin-gyu.
The security unit stationed at the Army Ministry also received orders to monitor him.
"Suddenly ordering extra reports on Lee Sung-jun's movements. Is that guy up to something?"
Army Ministry Security Unit Chief Colonel Kang Jung-guk was puzzled by the higher-ups' directive but issued orders to his security agents.
"Check what Lee Sung-jun's doing in the Policy Research Office from time to time. If there are any weaklings, intimidate them, pressure them, and get some stories out of them. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
After combing through Lee Sung-jun like this, Security Commander Lee Jung-ju uncovered a few facts.
'Why are all the officers he meets high-ranking ones from frontline units around the capital?'
'Why did Jo Tae-su, chairman of Taejeong Industries, meet with him?'
He couldn't help but be suspicious.
Something smelled fishy.
Lee Jung-ju compiled a thick "Lee Sung-jun Surveillance Report" and requested a private audience with Marshal Park Han-jin.
"His Excellency is waiting."
Once the private meeting was approved, Lee Jung-ju entered Park Han-jin's office carrying the document binder.
Park Han-jin received him seated at a 10-meter-long desk stretched out imposingly to intimidate visitors.
Visitors had to stand before this overwhelming desk when addressing him.
This vicious habit of Park Han-jin's—to psychologically dominate visitors and reinforce the hierarchy—spared even his most loyal subordinates.
That was power.
Park Han-jin took out a match and lit his cigarette.
Unlike Lee Sung-jun, who often smoked cigars, Park Han-jin favored domestic cigarettes.
There was no special reason.
It was just the tobacco he'd grown accustomed to since childhood.
Power's habits were the same.
Once ingrained, you couldn't break free.
Park Han-jin had grown comfortable in his position of power over the past five years.
Lee Jung-ju waited until Park Han-jin permitted conversation.
After finishing his cigarette, Park Han-jin stubbed it out in the ashtray.
"So, Commander Lee. What brings you to see me? Found some special problem in the military?"
"Yes, sir."
At Lee Jung-ju's response, Park Han-jin gestured.
Park Han-jin flipped through the first page of the document binder Lee Jung-ju respectfully presented.
"Lee Sung-jun? Ah, that headache of an imperial family member."
Park Han-jin remembered Lee Sung-jun clearly too.
He knew the names of all general-rank personnel to begin with, but Lee Sung-jun stood out among them.
A heretic from the imperial family who spouted his national views through newspaper editorials and novels.
And he wasn't incompetent at it.
He'd shown real results in Spain, where Park Han-jin had sent him to strip him of rank.
The Lee Sung-jun Park Han-jin knew was a peculiar figure unlike anyone he'd encountered.
"He's scheming something."
"That's your investigation's conclusion. High-ranking officers and capitalists too. It'd be hard to pick only such suspicious figures to meet in such a short time."
"Yes, sir."
"But it'd be tough to touch Lee Sung-jun directly, right?"
"Correct. That's why we need Your Excellency's decision."
"My decision."
Park Han-jin closed the binder and stood from his desk.
The Marshal slowly walked toward the window.
Of course, Park Han-jin had no intention of ordering them to shake down Lee Sung-jun.
Touching the young officers' leader would risk depleting Park Han-jin's already dwindling political power amid the war.
Park Han-jin stood at the window with his hands behind his back.
"Among the officers Lee Sung-jun met, is there anyone worth shaking down properly?"
"Pardon?"
Sunlight streaming into the window reflected off Park Han-jin's glasses, flashing sharply.
"Wolves, you see, when hunting, go for the weakest animals first. Cubs, pregnant females, old beasts—those have the highest success rate."
Park Han-jin opened the window.
A strong wind blew in through the wide-open panes.
"The Security Command needs to act like wolves too. No need to target the healthy lead male right from the start."
Strike Lee Sung-jun's associates first.
Then extract material from their mouths and cut off his arms and legs.
"That approach will take some time."
"No matter. Rice tastes better when steamed slowly. Haven't you started surveillance on frontline division commanders and key high-ranking officers?"
"Yes, sir. We have."
"That'll do. I'll handle the rest, so focus on the investigation."
Lee Jung-ju bowed deeply and withdrew from Park Han-jin's office.
Park Han-jin gazed down at the government district streets visible beyond the window.
This seat was the heart of Daehan.
Power.
He wouldn't allow a challenge from some lowly policy researcher.
Of course, Park Han-jin saw almost no chance of Lee Sung-jun launching a coup.
If he dreamed of challenging him, he wouldn't move so conspicuously.
Still, precautions seemed necessary.
There were always others who might dream of coups, even if not Lee Sung-jun.
Park Han-jin stared at the streets for a long while before picking up the phone.
"Connect me to the Capital Defense Commander."
"Connected, sir."
"Ah, General Jin? This is the Army Minister."
"Ah, Your Excellency."
"Starting today, prepare loyalty training in your unit."
"Pardon? Loyalty training, sir?"
"The war has the Pyongyang student districts in disarray. Leftist reds might incite students to riots, so we need to prepare for that."
"That could happen."
He framed it as preparing for protests, but it was really an order to plan troop movements against a coup.
He avoided mentioning "coup" directly because the mere fact of a "challenge" would undermine the military regime's authority.
Park Han-jin then spoke with key frontline commanders like the 3rd Army Commander responsible for field forces in the capital region and the Capital Corps Commander.
Not just the 16th and 17th Reserve Divisions in the Pyongyang area, but commanders of various units in the greater Pyongyang region—like the 12th Infantry Division and 33rd Infantry Division—also received Park Han-jin's calls.
They found the order to prepare loyalty training odd but pledged faithful compliance.
Before being direct superiors, Park Han-jin was the head of their faction.
The generals were ready to launch not just loyalty training but even a loyalist coup if their faction leader desired.
"If that's what Your Excellency wants, we'll restrict soldiers' leaves and outings and begin loyalty training."
"Good. I trust only you, General Shim."
Park Han-jin expressed satisfaction at his subordinates' obedience.
There were gaps in wartime, but with preparations like this, a coup was impossible.
No matter who the opponent was, he'd smash them the moment they rose.
In his calls with the generals, Park Han-jin reconfirmed the immutability of his power.