Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Chapter 56 - 대소 지원 (1)
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Translator: crow
Chapter 56: Aid to the Soviets (1)
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Contrary to the expectations of every nation, the Soviet Union was gaining the upper hand in the German-Soviet War.
Though they had issued mobilization orders ahead of time without being caught off guard, and though the spring rains had come just in time, when you considered the might of Germany, which had unified Europe, no one could help but be astonished by the Soviets' hidden strength.
As expected from the world's number two superpower, even if it was starving.
Time to place my bets.
I summoned the Soviet ambassador to Korea, Konstantin Smetanin, to the official residence.
Ambassador Smetanin was a Korea expert who had served as a counselor and other roles at the Korean embassy in the Soviet Union since 1937, stationed right there in Pyongyang.
Since it was a face I saw often, I greeted him warmly and offered him a seat.
“Representing the Soviet Union, I am deeply honored to accept Your Excellency's invitation. Thank you sincerely, Prime Minister.”
“No need for such formalities.”
“Is General Secretary Stalin in good health? I've heard that a sudden increase in workload can make health management difficult.”
“Thank you for your concern. The General Secretary is in fine spirits. He's still handling every document personally.”
We exchanged light pleasantries before diving into the main topic.
Once the mood had relaxed a bit, I brought it up.
“The reason I invited you to the residence today is to finalize our plans for supplying military materials to the Union.”
“Is that true? We are truly grateful. The Union—nay, the Republic of Korea—owes you a great debt of gratitude.”
Ambassador Smetanin bowed his head repeatedly, expressing his thanks.
With his homeland fighting a desperate war for survival, it was no wonder the ambassador was moved.
I presented him with the list of military supplies we would provide to the Soviets.
First, the tanks coming off the T-34 production line we were collaborating on would be prioritized for the Soviet forces.
That amounted to about 100 units per month for now.
They said production would ramp up to 300 by year's end, so supplies would only increase, not decrease.
Next up was Korea's new anti-tank assault gun, the Hyeonmu.
The Hyeonmu had been designed as a stopgap upgrade, taking into account the dismal performance of our mainstay 1939-model tanks, the Gojong IIIs. It sacrificed armor and a turret for pure anti-tank capability.
Its main gun was the 88mm Goryeo 40, derived from the 88mm Flak 36, theoretically on par with the Tiger I's main armament.
Of course, it was hard to say its real-world performance truly matched the Tiger's 88mm KwK 36.
Still, the Hyeonmu packed enough punch to destroy most existing tanks with a single hit.
We were producing 200 units a month, and we agreed to send half of them.
'And then.'
We would also supply SVT-40 semi-automatic rifles under license, as well as uniforms, boots, narrow-gauge locomotives, trucks, fighters, and more that the Korean military was producing.
In exchange, we would receive payment upfront in gold from Soviet reserves.
The 700 tons of gold the Reds had looted from Republican Spain would end up straight in Korea's treasury—a fine deal, by no means a bad one.
Of course, since we were giving far more than that, the Reds couldn't pay for it all in gold or raw materials.
We'd collect the rest postwar through spoils of war and influence over the Reds.
It might look like a business deal on the surface, but for a non-ally to sell goods to the Soviets on friendly terms in their hour of need was an act of goodwill.
Ah, but if that chafed, they should recall the dirty tricks Moscow had pulled on Republican Spain.
Currency swaps, inflated payments.
They'd exploited their position as the big dog to pull stunts even Britain wouldn't stoop to.
And now, I was the Soviet Union's big dog.
Making them cough up that stolen gold was only right.
“Once again, thank you for Your Excellency's and the Republic of Korea's generosity. The Union will never forget it.”
The Americans forgot the favors they bestowed in under three years?
The Reds were world-class liars.
Still, I replied with a smile.
“Please convey our goodwill to the General Secretary.”
The moment the Red ambassador left, I picked up the phone.
“Alright, I trust you. Start loading the trains.”
That marked the beginning of Korea's material aid to the Soviets.
Hundreds of railcars set off immediately toward the Soviet border.
The reason this wasn't Lend-Lease was that even at low prices, we were getting paid in cash or kind.
'Ah, the fortune the Americans lost giving Lend-Lease to the Soviets and never getting paid back.'
Even if you could recoup it through intangible assets like political leverage, at the national level, tangible goods or cash were always preferable.
Ring ring.
“Your Excellency, a call from the Foreign Ministry. The Germans have caught wind of our movements. Their ambassador requests an audience. What shall we do?”
Well, at this point, what difference would seeing the German ambassador's face make?
“Tell him no. What would I even say to that bastard right now?”
I turned down the German ambassador's request.
If I was betting on the Red coin, I had to go all in.
The next day, Germany reacted swiftly.
“The German government is seizing our government's assets. They claim it's because the Korean government has shown hostility toward Germany.”
Ha. The same Germans who couldn't utter a peep when America armed Britain and France during World War I were now barking because it was us.
National power really was everything.
If we'd been on Britain's level, would Germany have dared?
Insolent bastards.
I picked up the phone.
If Germany wanted to play it that way, we'd have to respond in kind under reciprocity.
A great power had its pride, after all.
“Foreign Ministry, Director Lee Seong-jun speaking. Seize all German assets in the country. Private and government alike—everything.”
At this point, our path with Germany was set: irreconcilable enmity.
'I hope the Chinese aren't influenced by this.'
The unfortunate truth was that the Chinese were the type to act against our expectations.
If it were me in Chiang Kai-shek's shoes, I'd bite on whatever bait Germany dangled.
It looked like we needed to start operations on China soon.
In case Nanjing got any funny ideas, we'd need to peek into their affairs to take swift measures.
“Intelligence Agency.”
“Director of Central Intelligence Lee Kyung-ho speaking.”
“It's me.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“We need to set up wiretaps in Nanjing. I want to hear Chiang pissing himself right on my desk.”
“Understood.”
Since we were at it, I decided to prepare a full-scale intelligence war.
If by some chance China dreamed big with German backing, we wouldn't sit idle.
'I won't start a war over a great power's aggro, but I'll swing every knife from the shadows.'
That same afternoon, word came from Britain.
Having seen the rift between Germany and us, they'd made up their minds.
Sir Robert Craigie, the British ambassador to Korea, relayed messages from Washington and London.
“We intend to supply materials to the Soviet Union.”
Had the two countries already reconciled their positions?
The response was faster than expected.
Rulers of the world were different, no doubt.
“Are you asking us to arrange a meeting with the Soviet side, by any chance?”
“That is precisely what we request at present.”
At present?
Meaning there was more to come.
Still, there was no reason to refuse the British ambassador's overture.
To defeat the great evil of Nazism, we needed to gather the world's Dragon Balls.
That's how they'd taken down the mustachioed dark lord Hitler in the original timeline, right?
“Not difficult at all. We'll make the connection.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
“And if you plan to use our ports for Soviet aid, we'll cooperate fully.”
“We'll keep your offer in mind, Your Excellency.”
From our conversation, it seemed Britain and America were quite serious.
They planned to pass a Lend-Lease Act by August and flood the Soviets with supplies—not lagging far behind the original timeline at all.
'My efforts weren't in vain.'
If I hadn't purged the Nazis from America, Roosevelt wouldn't have moved this fast.
Of course, I couldn't brag about it anywhere.
Bragging about meddling in America's domestic affairs would only draw Washington's wrath.
By evening, the Foreign Ministry reported a telegram.
“It's from General Secretary Stalin. He thanks us for our friendly actions.”
Hm.
A telegram, not a letter.
Should I reply?
After some thought, I had them draft one.
“To General Secretary Stalin. The government and people of Korea share in the grief over the unprecedented war being waged by the Union and its people under Your Excellency's leadership. At this very moment, we salute the Soviet people's tireless dedication with blood and sweat in defense of their sacred homeland.”
That was a fitting opener.
“Yet we believe—and are convinced—that the Soviet Union will ultimately triumph. Our confidence stems from the ironclad leadership of Your Excellency, who guides the Union, and the unyielding solidarity of its ranks. Just as Napoleon, who dominated Europe, met his doom on Soviet soil, so too will Hitler taste defeat there. It is history's inevitability.”
Sprinkled in some flattery,
“The Union will surely march into Berlin and exact retribution for fascist Germany's arrogance. From Pyongyang, Lee Seong-jun wishes Your Excellency victory.”
Stalin might not read every word, but I'd conveyed what needed saying.
We in Korea were betting on your victory.
Truth be told, whether this bet would pay off was still up in the air.
The Wehrmacht's strength remained formidable, and they had plenty of time to aim for Moscow.
I'd hold off judging the war situation until at least 1942.
Until then, it'd be a nail-biting watch.
Still, with the Soviet Union's reserves that produced 29 million casualties in World War II yet still formed one pole of the Cold War, I had no doubt they'd overcome.
The Reds' prowess in the Cold War had America breaking a sweat, after all.
So win, Communists.
You're the future world's number two.