Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Counter-Coup (1)
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Whether it was democracy or militarism, victory in war had an enormous impact on regime support.
Park Han-jin's bold success in the revenge gamble he'd started had made my base of support more solid than ever.
The military was obedient to me, and the government acknowledged my authority.
I was now convinced I could do anything.
It was time for His Excellency Lee Sung-jun, the vanguard of the fatherland's modernization, to take the stage.
First, I needed to reform the empire into a nation aligned with "Western standards" through policy.
The first step was education reform.
"Koreans have a right to nine years of compulsory education."
I asserted the mandatory national education of nine years in a firm tone.
Six years of elementary school, three years of middle school.
At the very least, they needed nine years of schooling.
I issued this policy directive to the Ministry of Education.
Civilian bureaucrats fidgeted and expressed their difficulties with the order.
"But, Your Excellency, to do that, we'll need budgets to build schools and teachers. We don't have the resources right now."
"Increase the number of students per teacher if you have to. Make it happen."
Just cram eighty kids into each classroom—what's the problem?
If it couldn't be done, make it possible.
Under my hardline push, the bureaucrats nodded vigorously.
I also laid it down firmly to the cabinet.
If this education policy wasn't implemented properly, they'd be held accountable.
After education policy came radio.
"The speed of national growth depends on how well policies are promoted. The Ministry of Communications is responsible for distributing radios to every household."
The Nazi Germany, which was still our ally "for now," was zealously providing radios to every home.
It was a strategy aimed at national propaganda, mass mobilization through agitation, and boosting support, but I wanted one more thing from it.
To make the people understand the policies.
If the public understood the government's intentions, policy execution efficiency would rise accordingly.
"Uh, by when should we do this?"
"Start immediately."
The empire's bureaucrats wouldn't budge unless you kicked their asses.
Next up was,
"It's time to start the war on corruption. Catch the rats eating away at the fatherland's granary."
I'd smeared Park Han-jin's military faction as corrupt embezzlers, humiliated them, and seized their assets, but they were just a part of this society's entrenched interests.
The deep-rooted corruption of the yangban, chaebol, and bureaucrats, passed down for centuries, was still alive and well.
Modeling it after Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (similar to an audit office but with independent investigative and enforcement powers), I set up an organization to tackle Korea's entrenched corruption.
I named it the State Security Ministry.
The name alone had the dignity of firing a salvo at criminals.
On top of that, I pushed forward various projects like the national enlightenment campaign and rural modernization.
Where's the money for that?
I knew a quarter of the empire's budget would come falling from the skies over China.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but it wasn't quite that simple.
Pushing through such intense reforms started to bring murmurs of discontent from within the country.
Who were these punks to stand in the way of my grand vision to recreate the Republic of Korea in this empire?
I didn't let those complainers slide.
"You. Do you know what happens if someone tries to eat through their nose?"
"Well, they'd suffer, wouldn't they?"
"You're clueless too. The answer is, they learn to speak properly."
I had the Security Command crush the malcontents.
In truth, it wasn't a method you'd recommend if you dreamed of a democratic nation.
But I had no choice.
This country was an abnormal state, addicted to militarism from the people up.
To reshape national consciousness and normalize it, I had no choice but to use extraordinary measures.
Like using narcotics as painkillers for cancer patients, this Korea called Daehan needed the Security Command as medicine.
Too much justification?
Yeah, I'll admit that.
But isn't that how it always is?
People point fingers at others but go easy on themselves.
I'm no different.
Of course, the National Salvation Military Committee fully supported my policies.
They even demanded I go harder.
"Your Excellency, the accumulated rot in this land has piled up for over a thousand years. To sweep away those rotten bastards cleanly, we need intense measures. Please issue the decisive order for reform."
Well, since I'd raised these quasi-emperor wannabes as reformists, it was natural to hear that from them.
"I hear you. But there's a line that can't be crossed."
I reined in the quasi-imperialists while controlling the discontented factions.
I thought this was an appropriate level of reform intensity, but apparently the other side didn't see it that way.
While I was devising my own plans for the nation's future, an important report came up from the Security Command.
"Your Excellency, we've obtained information on a counter-coup."
The moment I heard that, reforms became utterly unimportant.
My throne was at risk—how could I focus on anything else?
"You, what do you mean by that?"
"We're still in the rumor-gathering stage. But the intel isn't completely baseless. Just in case it's true, we should start counter-coup preparations."
I'd thought I'd cut off hands and feet, crushed who needed crushing.
It was disconcerting that someone was still trying to rebel.
"Got it. Keep an eye on it. Report immediately if you get more details!"
"Understood."
I hurriedly picked up the phone.
With a counter-coup in preparation, I couldn't just sit idle.
'Maybe the rebels are getting cooperation from other branches.'
Even Park Chung-hee had pulled in the Marines for his coup.
No reason it couldn't happen to me.
"Operator! Marine Corps Command, please. Hello, Senior. This is Army's Lee Sung-jun. I heard some unpleasant rumors lately, so I called to ask for your cooperation."
I also spoke on the phone with the heads of the Air Force and Navy, urging them to strictly monitor any unauthorized troop movements.
'Still, this doesn't put my mind at ease. Why am I so anxious?'
That's human nature.
Once you know someone's aiming for your back, even safety feels uneasy.
'Damn those bastards.'
Ungrateful wretches who couldn't appreciate the tireless efforts of His Excellency Lee Sung-jun, working day and night to rescue the fatherland from the quagmire of war and turn it into a normal nation.
Those kinds should be rounded up and thrown into the Gulag.
Suddenly, I felt a moment of empathy for human butcher Stalin.
For about one second.
Anyway, I gave it some thought.
The essence of a counter-coup was toppling the coup regime.
So, I needed to think from their perspective: how could they bring down our regime?
'If I were them, I'd go for me first.'
Politically, ideologically, in the hierarchy— in every way, I was the top dog leading the National Salvation Military Committee.
There was Kim Seong-ju, who could be seen as number two, but he was no one who could fill my shoes.
From the start, I wasn't the type to cultivate a strong deputy.
'In a way, I was in the Hitler position.'
As an assassination target, that is.
'Doesn't mean there's some massive Black Orchestra-like organization roaming the military. Who knows.'
As I pondered, I called in my aide.
Jung Gil-i was now seasoned enough to be Chief of Staff, so my attendant aide was Captain Lee Seong-myeong from the arrest squad.
"You called, Commander?"
"From today, move with the security detail. I'll tell the Chief later too, but arrange my routes considering vehicle paths, times, and all spaces where I might be exposed."
"Yes, sir."
While I was at it, I also summoned the new Provost Marshal, Major General Lee Jeong.
Lee Jeong was from the 16th Reserve Division's regiment command and a member of the Unity Council.
"You called."
"Security Command says they've got counter-coup intel. Doesn't sound like complete nonsense to me."
"Pardon? How could such sinister elements exist in the military? Don't worry about coup monitoring. I'll keep my eyes open day and night watching the troops."
Lee Jeong said resolutely.
People really overdo it sometimes.
This showed how strange power was.
"I appreciate the sentiment. Security Command will handle that, so you focus on my protection. Starting today, I'd like a company of military police for my guard. Can you manage?"
"I'll prepare three companies."
Honestly, it was overzealous loyalty.
But in this situation, overpreparing seemed right.
If I got exposed to an attack even by a slim chance, it was all over.
"Do that, then."
On that note, I called the Capital Defense Commander, Baek Dong-seok.
"Hey, General Baek. It's me. Got a job for you."
I ordered Baek Dong-seok to strictly monitor troop movements around Pyongyang.
If anyone moved in violation of orders, report to me immediately.
After coordinating with my subordinates like that, my mind eased a bit.
With defenses this solid, what could those punks do?
I wasn't going to give conspirators 43 chances like Hitler.
I wasn't some gap-toothed mustache.