Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Abolition of the Imperial System
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With the empire's atmosphere renewed, it was time to reshuffle the cabinet and reorganize the government structure as well.
The first target was the intelligence agencies, the pillars of information politics.
*Lee Kyung-ho's had his fill for far too long.*
I dismissed Lee Kyung-ho from his position as Central Intelligence Director first.
"Your Excellency, it has been an honor to serve you all these years."
As far as I knew, Lee Kyung-ho harbored ambitions of his own, yet he immediately tendered his resignation at a single word from me.
Of course. Rebelling against me would gain him nothing.
"You'll be called upon again someday, so go study in America for now."
"Understood."
I appointed Lee Kyung-ho as ambassador to the United States.
Then I slashed the power of the Central Intelligence Agency, which had wielded unchecked authority during the Yushin era.
"From now on, the Central Intelligence Agency will become the Agency for National Security Planning and focus solely on intelligence and operations. Investigations and surveillance are not your domain."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
The new Central Intelligence Director, the former First Deputy, bowed humbly.
Next came the Security Command.
I appointed Park Jun as ambassador to China, then stripped their power as well.
"The Security Command will henceforth be renamed the Defense Security Command and devote itself to military inspections. No other duties will be permitted."
"We shall obey."
In their place, I created a new intelligence agency to fill the void.
"The newly established Homeland Security Department will handle counter-terrorism and counter-espionage against state institutions. Personnel will transfer from the Security Command and Central Intelligence Agency, so manage them carefully."
"Yes, we will keep that in mind."
I had gutted the two pillars of information politics: the Security Command and Central Intelligence Agency.
This was just the beginning.
I sent my longtime aides—who had strutted about with imperious authority—one by one to posts abroad.
Army Minister Kil Tae-hwan, Chief of Staff Lee Jung-yoon, and Deputy Chief of Staff Lee Jeong were all relieved of duty in succession.
They couldn't have been pleased, but none dared show it before me.
"You've done well enough all these years."
"No, Your Excellency. It was an honor for this unworthy soul to hold such vital national posts."
New wine deserves new wineskins.
In their places, I installed civilian bureaucrats and young patriotic generals from the National Salvation Military Committee.
"You will serve at my side from now on."
"It is the greatest glory of my life to serve Your Excellency, the sun of our nation."
I hadn't excluded military men entirely, to manage army discontent.
Of course, these young generals were even more fanatically devoted to me than the old guard—a potential drawback.
These moves quietly erased all those whispered as potential successors.
Now, even if I named one, no one in the country would dare challenge it.
"Lee Sung-jun abolishes Yushin, then discards his loyal comrades like trash?"
"He's still let them feast for over a decade—that's consideration enough."
Public reaction to the reshuffle was mixed.
"Do you think I've gone too far?"
"Absolutely not, Your Excellency. You granted them undue favor and opportunities."
I agreed.
Had they not joined my coup, I never would have entrusted them with such key positions for so long.
They had fulfilled their historical role. Now they needed to fade into the shadows.
Only then could I complete the blueprint for the Korea I envisioned.
*If only I could sweep away the imperial family too.*
I hardened my resolve.
Yes. Let's topple the imperial house this time.
My prior machinations had already weakened them considerably.
One more fatal blow here, and they would crumble—that was the calculation.
"Send in the Central Intelligence Director."
Thirty minutes later, the new director, Kang Su-cheol, entered and paid his respects.
"You know the important matter I've been handling since your predecessor's days. You know what it is, right?"
"Of course."
"It's time to wrap up that operation we've been building. Any ideas?"
True to his experience as a Central Intelligence operations veteran, Kang Su-cheol responded promptly.
"How about fabricating a scandal for the imperial family?"
"Scandals come in varieties. What kind?"
"What if we make the Crown Prince a drug offender? For instance, frame him as a drug criminal."
In the current empire, drug offenders were viewed as near-traitors to the state.
The result of years of propaganda and public enlightenment campaigns.
If the Crown Prince became a drug offender, his image would be ruined for good.
"A drug offender. That's a bit tame on its own."
It might brand him as corrupt, but it lacked the knockout punch.
Even an American president—George Walker Bush, was it?—had spun a "triumph of the human spirit" story from drug use to win an election.
The Crown Prince could try the same narrative.
"We'll attach a suitable story to the drugs."
"Handle the details, but the results must be ironclad. If the outcome disappoints, my disappointment will be immense."
"We'll prepare thoroughly."
That was enough.
I didn't need to know the dirty details in advance.
I'd leave such matters to my subordinates.
I washed my hands of it entirely.
Soon after, Central Intelligence produced a truly sordid tale.
I nodded in satisfaction at the front-page story on the Crown Prince.
The empire's young and naive Crown Prince had been too innocent.
The fawn knew wolves lurked, yet succumbed to desire as always.
He visited his usual bar, entangled himself with girls Central Intelligence had planted beforehand.
There, while consuming large quantities of drugs, he was caught in the act.
It was a scandal severe enough to topple the imperial family.
And not just anyone—the heir to the throne.
"Is this truly the conduct of royalty? The man who will inherit the throne of the world's third-ranked power, the Korean Empire, high on drugs and cavorting promiscuously with lowly girls? The imperial family's corruption isn't new, but this crosses the line. Abdicate the Crown Prince who sullies the empire's dignity. I refuse to serve such a filthy wretch as monarch."
Outrageous statements unfit for a monarchical nation flooded the newspapers.
Central Intelligence's handiwork, naturally.
"If the Crown Prince is deposed, we can ride the momentum into a national referendum."
"Preparations for the vote?"
"No need for concern. We're steadily spreading negative rumors about the imperial family in rural and urban areas alike."
"One more measure is needed."
"Your command."
"What if they preempt us—depose the Crown Prince and elevate someone the public accepts?"
"Does Emperor Kyung-myeong have the guts for that?"
I didn't think the emperor capable of such resolve either.
From what I'd seen, he was indecisive and feeble.
But people can show unexpected sides in uncharted crises.
I was living proof.
Who could have imagined a 21st-century translator becoming a ruthless powerbroker?
The emperor might reveal an unseen face in unforeseen straits.
I wouldn't underestimate that possibility.
"A cornered rat bites the cat. No room for complacency."
"My apologies, Your Excellency. We'll double-check our eyes and ears around the emperor."
The conversation with the director was cut short by an incoming call.
"His Imperial Majesty is on the line."
"The emperor?"
What could he want in this situation?
I picked up the receiver.
"Your Majesty, this is Prime Minister Lee Sung-jun. To what do I owe the call?"
A brief, steadying breath came through the line.
After five minutes of only heavy breathing, the emperor spoke.
His purpose was simple.
Wasn't it enough? Hadn't I pushed the imperial family to the brink already?
Hah.
Wrong premise entirely.
I was the one shoving an innocent boy into the mud to destroy the imperial family.
If I backed down to tears, I wouldn't have started this.
"I have no intention whatsoever of opposing you, Prime Minister. Nor does the Crown Prince. We'll wear any shackles needed. I pledge it on the imperial family's honor."
The emperor bowed his head to me for the family's survival.
But such promises were meaningless.
The 'Republic of Korea' I planned to build had no room for an annoying relic like the imperial family from the start.
"Do you know how I rose to this position, Your Majesty? I never trusted others' words unless forced. Distrust kept my back safe. That simple principle made Lee Sung-jun the victor. So why should I trust your promise?"
No matter what you say, I'll never believe you.
The emperor fell silent at my bluntness.
He seemed to grasp no flattery would sway me.
The call ended there.
I set down the receiver and turned to the Central Intelligence Director.
"Our emperor seems less attuned to reality than I thought. Still, keep the surveillance going. Acting after the fact would be a headache."
"We shall obey."
The call confirmed my conviction.
The imperial family were fools best removed from power.
A week later, the emperor deposed the Crown Prince and named his second son heir.
Quick for such a ditherer, but too late.
The imperial family's image, wrecked by the Crown Prince scandal, lay in my hands.
Representing the imperial government, I submitted a bill to parliament for an imperial abolition referendum.
"W-We're putting imperial abolition to a national vote?"
Parliament was stunned that I—an imperial clansman—was dismantling the monarchy.
But the bill passed without issue.
The result of liberal factions quietly hoping for abolition uniting with my supporters.
As the referendum proceeded, vitriol poured from the imperial family.
Word was the Dowager Empress called me a traitorous scum who deserved death.
But an old woman's rage meant nothing to me.
The results were as expected.
"Imperial abolition: 59.5%. Preservation: 33.6%. I declare the imperial system abolished."
"Unbelievable. Lee Sung-jun, you traitor! How dare you abolish the noble imperial house on your whim!"
Diehard monarchists rioted in fury at the abolition.
But their anguished cries changed nothing.
The great empire built by the ancestors and fleshed out by their descendants was finished.
This country was now the people's republic: the Republic of Korea.
By closing the imperial era, I placed the final dot on the empire's overhaul since Yushin.