Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The End of the War (2)
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On May 7, 1945, in Reims, France, Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the German High Command, signed the surrender document on behalf of the German forces.
“We absolutely cannot recognize a surrender document that excludes the Soviet Union!”
The Soviets protested, leading Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel to sign the document once more in Berlin, but it was clear the war had ended there.
Ah, of course, signing the surrender didn’t magically activate some divine power that made every German soldier across Europe raise their hands at once.
German forces still remained in various parts of Europe, resisting in several locations.
By original history standards, the fighting wouldn’t stop for another week or so.
Thus, the surrender agreement was merely a symbolic act declaring the war’s formal end.
The actual combat would drag on for a few more days, just like in original history.
“With the war against our mighty foe Germany now over, Your Excellency can finally sleep soundly with legs outstretched. Congratulations on the victory.”
Jeong Gil spoke in a voice brimming with joy.
The end of the war.
I walked to the window, hands clasped behind my back, pausing for a moment.
Jeong Gil’s phrasing was off.
Humanity was always at war.
Even in moments that seemed peaceful, nations fought tooth and nail for survival.
Through economics, diplomacy, espionage.
What had just ended was merely the physical form of war.
That didn’t mean great powers would never again resort to brute force.
Far from it.
Regrettably, this world knew nothing of nuclear terror.
Unlike original history, where Japan sacrificed itself to take two atomic hits, this world’s Germany had knelt before nukes even entered the picture.
“A world ignorant of nukes.”
Since people—and political leaders—didn’t grasp the horror of such weapons, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone tried shoving nations back into the flames of world war.
One misstep, and the Cold War I knew could erupt into a hot one.
“If that happens, this world is truly finished.”
All the effort to twist arms and pull the empire from the brink of war could vanish in an instant, with Pyongyang going up in smoke.
That made possessing nukes all the more essential.
Nukes were a necessity to guarantee Daehan’s survival amid the uncertain future ahead.
“You, the phone.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jeong Gil picked up the receiver and handed it to me.
“Foreign Ministry.”
“Foreign Minister Joo Si-kyeong speaking.”
“Foreign Minister. I wanted to check on the results of our contact with Baron Rothschild. Did they respond to our approach?”
“Of course, positively. They indicated that if we side with them on territorial adjustments, we could maintain good relations going forward.”
That was a bit tricky.
Getting entangled in real estate disputes invites endless curses.
No, terrorism.
How much headache did those 21st-century Islamic fundamentalists cause?
Best to avoid tangling with them at all costs.
“Handle it by offering moderate support funds instead. If they feel slighted, throw in cooperation on recognizing Israel as a state. If they demand more, let me know.”
“The baron will be satisfied with that. No need to worry.”
Rothschild satisfied with that?
I appreciated the reassurance, but it remained to be seen.
“If things wrap up smoothly, pass along that I’d like to meet David Ben-Gurion to solidify our cooperation.”
“David Ben-Gurion?”
“Very important figure. As important as Rothschild. Make my intentions crystal clear.”
“Understood.”
David Ben-Gurion would become Israel’s first prime minister.
As a staunch Zionist leader, conversing with him was paramount.
Secure Israel’s cooperation, and we could slash nuclear development time far below projections.
Sharing nukes in return? No issue at all.
The Palestinians might suffer, but their fate had nothing to do with us anyway.
Israel was settled, more or less.
Now for our preparations.
“Intelligence Agency. Director Yi?”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“How’s the Institute for Energy Research for Human Peace progressing? Any issues securing uranium or preparing facilities?”
The institute, established just before war’s end, was nominally under the Ministry of Resources and Industry, but Intelligence handled actual oversight.
As the name implied, it aimed to create a beautiful sun to safeguard peace.
“We’ve secured the minerals, but persuading scientists and preparing equipment has stalled progress. Actual research won’t start for a year, we estimate.”
That wasn’t slow, all things considered.
Even the Soviets, second among great powers, began serious nuclear work in 1943, accelerating in 1945.
A one-year gap wasn’t bad.
My goal was third among great powers, not first.
“Take your time with preparations. As long as it’s done right, I don’t mind. Just manage it without mistakes.”
“No worries. We’ll prepare thoroughly.”
“And cover costs from Intelligence budget for now. I’ll reimburse once funds are raised.”
“We’ll see to it.”
“I’m counting on you alone for this.”
I gazed at the blue sky for a moment, then asked Jeong Gil.
“Do you think this war marks the end of wars for our Daehan?”
I’d already concluded as much myself, but I wanted the perspective of an ordinary man like Jeong Gil.
“Surface enemies are gone, aren’t they? In that sense, yes, I’d say it’s the end of the war.”
Textbook answer.
“You’re right.”
But also wrong.
We were always competing with the major great powers.
Fall behind in that race, and we’d end up like Britain, France, or Germany—old powers shoved into history’s back alleys.
Think Red Queen hypothesis.
I didn’t want Daehan descending to second-rate status like the old powers.
This nation had consumed ten years of my life.
More than survival, it was my domain, forged from my blood, sweat, and tears.
Let others scorn such a precious achievement?
Not on my watch.
“But we can’t rest easy.”
Daehan occupied an awkward position.
Neither full liberal democracy nor communism, it couldn’t secure all-out backing from the big brothers of either bloc.
Not getting checked was a win.
“You mean our position is precarious? But I understand there are nations and groups sympathetic to Your Excellency’s Korean-style democracy. Factoring in their support, I don’t think Daehan needs to fear so much.”
“You’ve got more to learn about politics. What’s politics at its core? Gauging the pecking order. With the two strongest around, how many middling powers would bet on another middling one?”
Original history’s India faced the same issue.
Preach non-alignment all you want, but when push came to shove, they ran to America or the Soviets.
Even India, who decried that, begged Soviet pardon and U.S. aid after getting thrashed by China.
Without power, that’s how it goes.
To lead a bloc, you need matching strength.
Korea lacked it still.
So even if follower groups or nations emerged, they wouldn’t form a meaningful force.
And if they did? Newborn states or shaky weaklings—how much help would they be?
If they didn’t drain us while begging, count ourselves lucky.
“That’s why balance matters. While the two great powers stay evenly matched, we can build enough power to claim third force status.”
“Then the current setup favors us, doesn’t it?”
Not quite Cold War yet, but everyone sensed it.
The world had split in two.
As Jeong Gil said, a bipolar world clearly benefited us.
“For now, yes. But the picture can change anytime.”
With World War II over, my original history knowledge was useless.
How do you predict a nuke-free world’s timeline?
“The picture... changing?”
“Of course not overnight. But what’s a leader for? Preparing umbrellas for rain that might fall tomorrow.”
National leaders must always eye the distant future and prepare.
Especially long-tenured rulers—long-term vision is essential.
As a dictator bearing infinite responsibility for Daehan, it was my duty.
“Fair enough.”
“Truth be told, the moment I heard Germany had fallen, my first thought wasn’t joy, but fear. Our common enemy, who’d absorbed everyone’s rage, was gone.”
“Most wise of you, Excellency. Still, set aside such worries today. It’s a rare day when the empire wins a war of global scale during your tenure. How often does this happen?”
It shouldn’t happen often.
Once was plenty.
Even I thought brooding on victory day was a bit much.
“I get you. Light me up.”
“As you wish.”
To celebrate war’s end, I put a cigar in my mouth.
The smoke of a victorious prime minister tasted bittersweet.
Through the slowly dispersing grayish haze, I glimpsed the hazy prospects of the Daehan Empire.
It symbolized us, too—stepping into a foggy future.