Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Korean-Chinese Armistice Agreement (1)
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In truth, if I hadn't been paying attention to Berlin, Korea had an even more pressing adversary than Germany: our longtime rival, locked in a standoff with us for ages—China.
I'd predicted that negotiations with China wouldn't happen unless Chiang Kai-shek's head got a hole in it or Mao Zedong drove him into a corner.
As expected, there had never been any progress in talks with China up to that point.
So when I heard that negotiations with China were resuming, I didn't hold out much hope.
I was going about my usual paperwork when the Foreign Ministry delivered some shocking news.
"Excellency, the Chinese have expressed a desire for an armistice."
Through official channels, not backroom contacts?
There hadn't been any major shifts in the continental situation or the front lines. Was this even possible?
"Has Chiang Kai-shek fallen from power, by any chance?"
Nothing else made sense.
"No, sir. Chiang Kai-shek is still going strong. The latest intel confirms he's still holding the title of Chairman of the Military Affairs Commission."
Then what the hell?
Chiang Kai-shek had to know that slipping off the guillotine meant the end for him.
Maybe he'd seen Germany collapsing and finally made up his mind?
I instructed the Foreign Ministry to accelerate practical negotiations with China.
'We were short on troops to send to Europe anyway. Perfect timing.'
I waited for the talks to proceed smoothly.
The next day, the Foreign Ministry compiled and reported China's terms to me.
China's conditions were as follows.
First, recognize the Chongqing government as the official representative government of the Republic of China.
No matter the form, they wanted to keep their calling card as China's representatives.
I valued substance over form, so that was fine.
Second, the military demarcation line between the Republic of China government and the 'Wang Jingwei regime' would be set at the 115th meridian east.
Considering our forces had advanced to longitude 114° east south of the Yangtze, it looked like they were asking us to give a little ground.
But the land west of the 115th meridian that we'd secured wasn't really under our control anyway.
No—factoring in the liberated areas and other pockets in the rear that were half-shared contested zones, it was a reasonable demand.
Third, no reparations or war guilt imposed on the Republic of China government.
It might sound absurd after taking their territory, but that was war for you.
At postwar bargaining tables, any excuse was good enough to squeeze out more.
Given Korea's ambitions, it wasn't unreasonable for China to attach this condition.
Fourth, specify that the agreement between Korea and China was an 'armistice.'
If they treated it as an end to the war, the political blow to the Chinese government would be beyond imagination.
To soften that shock, they needed to save face by framing it as just a pause in hostilities.
The conditions were generally reasonable and things we could accept.
'The timing of the Chinese proposal is impeccable.'
It was as if they'd waited for the exact moment we needed troops before making their move.
Maybe America had leaked the info.
'No need to accept all of Chiang's terms, but no reason to reject them outright either.'
We could haggle and adjust as needed.
We had time on our side.
Word of the negotiations with China spread, and Wang Jingwei flew into Pyongyang.
The guy had ears everywhere.
How'd he hear about it so fast?
"Excellency, you're not planning to abandon Nanjing, are you?"
Wang Jingwei threw pride out the window and started whining right away.
For a turncoat like him, if I cut him loose, even his grave wouldn't stay intact.
"Have no fear. Korea doesn't abandon its allies."
I reassured Wang Jingwei.
"We have a defense treaty, and we'll leave garrison troops behind. What's there to worry about?"
Sure, there were ill-advised precedents like the Saigon pullout or Kabul withdrawal, but Wang Jingwei didn't know about those, so no issue.
"Excellency, you absolutely cannot abandon Nanjing. We're counting solely on Pyongyang."
"I promise."
I had no intention of ditching Wang Jingwei either.
The Wang Jingwei regime was Korea's colony in China—no, our Chinese branch office. Why shut down a perfectly running franchise?
Absolutely not.
Wang Jingwei clung to my pant leg for nearly three hours before heading back to Nanjing.
Jeez, what a scene with that old-timer.
Anyway, negotiations with the Republic of China progressed faster than expected.
By January 1944, the outline of the agreement was taking shape.
In exchange for accepting all of Chiang's negotiation demands, we attached three conditions of our own.
First, recognize the Wang Jingwei regime as the 'de facto' government.
This was demanding acceptance of the reality that China was divided, regardless of Chiang's intentions.
In 21st-century terms, it was like coexistence between the Communists and Taiwan.
Second, continue to recognize the rights of the North China Railway Company and compensate for asset losses incurred during the war.
It was a shameless demand from the guys who'd started the war, but any great power would include it.
As victors, we had to squeeze out at least this much.
Third, recognize the military demarcation line between the Republic of China and the Wang Jingwei regime as the actual border, and withdraw all liberated areas set up by the Nationalist forces.
It was a demand to abandon any schemes to undermine the Wang Jingwei regime from behind.
No irregular warfare like the Vietcong, or no deal.
That was our stance.
"We accept all of Korea's conditions."
Chiang accepted every one of our demands.
You could clearly see his intent to compromise with us before Germany fully collapsed and left no room for talks.
On January 21, 1944, the Korean-Chinese Armistice Agreement was signed.
At the signing, Commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force Senior General Gil Tae-hwan and the Chinese side's senior-most officer, First-Class General Li Zongren, were present.
I sent this message to Chongqing:
"I hope that eternal peace and friendship now settle between Korea and China. Let the two nations join hands to usher in a new era in East Asia."
Even I thought it was deceptive bullshit.
After slicing off half of China and turning it into our puppet, eternal peace was a pipe dream.
I knew—and China knew—that the moment an opportunity arose, they'd draw their swords.
Of course, I wasn't about to give them that chance.
Anyway, the long Korean-Chinese War came to a clean end with the armistice agreement.
"Congratulations on the victory, Excellency."
"You've become the conqueror of China. Our felicitations."
"No need for such grand celebrations. You've all worked hard too."
For once, I could laugh heartily.
The end of the China front freed up fifty Korean divisions.
Of course, we'd need to leave twenty-five divisions garrisoned in China, so usable forces were only half that—but it was more than enough for immediate dispatch to the Soviet Union.
With spare troops available, my mind was at ease.
No more racing against the clock.
To announce the victory, I prepared a national address.
"Honored citizens of Korea. This is Imperial Prime Minister Yi Seong-jun. Today, I report to you that our long war with China has ended in Korea's victory. All enemies of Korea in Asia have been brought to their knees. The ancient threat from the Central Plains has been utterly eradicated today."
I didn't resort to flowery rhetoric.
No need.
Stating the plain facts was enough to ignite the public.
"Now, the only enemy left to us is Germany, lording over the European continent. I, Yi Seong-jun, promise you this: this final foe will kneel before Korea's might as well. Just as Italy did, just as China has, Germany too will beg for Korea's mercy. We will make them tremble at Korea's name."
"Long live the Korean Empire!"
"Long live Prime Minister Yi Seong-jun!"
"The filthy Chinks have finally knelt before Korea's power. An unprecedented triumph in Korean history!"
When I stepped out of the broadcasting station after the radio address, the streets were packed with people celebrating the victory, setting off firecrackers everywhere.
The constant bangs left my ears ringing.
The unexpected victory had the entire empire drunk on the joy of triumph.
"Excellency, the people's reaction is incredibly enthusiastic."
"It's just a fleeting illusion. Once they realize victory doesn't change their daily lives, they'll wake up fast."
I didn't get swept up in the victory fever.
Truth be told, I'd seen this illusion plenty of times.
Hadn't I felt it every World Cup or Asian Cup?
During soccer matches, I'd get so immersed it was like possessing the players.
A win would intoxicate me even more.
I'd cheer and chant for Korea at the top of my lungs.
Then a loss would douse me like a cold shower, snapping me back to reality.
Oh, right—soccer's just soccer.
Victory was the same.
Realizing the illusion wasn't theirs made the dream shatter quickly.
The nation had won, but the fruits never trickled down to the masses.
Vast interests, markets, influence.
All of it went to the government and big capitalists.
The average citizen was lucky to get table scraps.
"That's not true, Excellency. Our people are prepared to be satisfied just with the fact of victory."
Imperialist high.
Militarist adrenaline.
It wasn't wrong, thinking back to the empire's frenzied state in its heyday.
"You might be right."
This country was crawling with lunatics ready to settle for the word "victory," no matter the cost.
So I, Yi Seong-jun, had no choice but to reign from the top for as long as possible.
Until when?
Until I said it was enough.