Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Korean-Chinese War (4)
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Wang Jingwei, who was in the midst of being roundly cursed by Chiang Kai-shek, received a warm welcome from Yi Sung-jun in Pyongyang. He declared that he would promote a Korean-Chinese alliance treaty as the representative of the "Nationalist Party."
Korea and China were at war, yet they were forming an alliance?
It seemed contradictory, but it was entirely possible.
Once one recognized that Chiang Kai-shek's "old" Republic of China and Wang Jingwei's "new" Republic of China were separate nations, the contradiction resolved itself easily.
Wang Jingwei turned on his megaphone from Pyongyang, addressing the anti-Chiang factions on the Chinese mainland.
"You lot planning to sink with Chiang Kai-shek? If you don't want to go down, come over here. Let's live together. I promise you high positions if you do."
Wang Jingwei's overtures didn't achieve much success.
Even Wu Peifu, the head of the Zhili clique warlords who had been living off the pleasure of cursing Chiang Kai-shek in Beijing, sneered at Wang Jingwei.
"Better to beg on the streets than become a dog for that Gaoli bastard."
Considering the national outrage toward Korea, which had provoked war twice in just a few years, going to Pyongyang was tantamount to political suicide.
In reality, only a tiny number of Nationalist Party members followed Wang Jingwei.
Their reason for doing so was simple.
"We're washed-up anyway."
They had merely wagered their already worthless lives.
Wang Jingwei gathered these defectors and declared the establishment of the "New Nationalist Party Government."
The numbers were short, but they set up all the necessary organs and filled the seats roughly.
Aside from the fact that everyone sitting in those chairs was a traitor, they had managed to put together the bare bones of a government.
"Soon, we will return to the 'capital' via Shanghai."
"If that happens, yes."
Wang Jingwei returning to the capital meant Nanjing falling, but the traitors didn't particularly care.
Anyone who would have minded such things wouldn't have come here in the first place.
Wang Jingwei spent his days shuttling between the Korean Army Ministry and Foreign Ministry to check on the war situation.
"You'll be entering Nanjing by mid-August at the latest, so rest easy."
The promises from the Korean military were rock-solid.
The Korean Foreign Ministry fed him nothing but sweet words.
"Now that the Korean-Chinese alliance is sealed, there will never be friction between Korea and China. We're committed to letting the Chinese people live in a peaceful world—whoever stands in the way of that is the bad guy, right?"
"Exactly what I've been saying."
Wang Jingwei was convinced that his actions were just.
After all, was Chiang Kai-shek right for needlessly provoking the neighboring great power Korea and sparking two wars?
Proof that his bet had paid off came less than a week after arriving in Pyongyang.
"Nanjing has fallen!"
"Now I'm the real power in China. I'll lead the nation so such tragedies never happen again."
"If you're the Chairman of the Executive Yuan, you can do it."
Wang Jingwei expressed brief regret over Nanjing's fall and pinned all blame on the Chiang regime.
To the Nationalist government on the receiving end, it was an absurd claim.
"But what can a loser say?"
China hadn't simply lost.
The Chinese army surrendered its capital without putting up a fight against a single Korean offensive.
The Korean army swept through the Chinese capital unhindered.
Tragedies unfolded in the process.
Of course, the Korean army didn't engage in mass rapes or beheading contests like the Japanese in Nanking.
Rather,
"Those Gaoli bastards are coming by the tens of thousands."
"If this keeps up, the Gaoli will beat us all to death."
"Kid, pack your things quick. We'll die at the hands of the Gaoli if we stay."
The Chinese people, steeped in Republic of China government propaganda, viewed the Korean army as demons in human form.
In their minds, the Korean soldiers raped girls regardless of age and killed every man fit for military service—pure evil incarnate.
It was no wonder they feared the Korean army.
Far too many fled in terror, only to drown in rivers or get trampled to death in refugee columns.
The death toll from such mishaps reached thousands.
To the deceased Chinese, it was absurdly comical that the Korean army entering Nanjing showed a more gentlemanly demeanor than expected.
On August 9, 1941, the Korean army commander stationed in Nanjing issued the following edict.
First, nighttime curfew enforced. Chinese persons are prohibited from going out or staying overnight from 20:00 to 06:00.
Second, assemblies and associations banned. Groups of five or more Chinese may be forcibly detained and arrested.
Third, publishing and press banned. Those caught in propaganda or agitation will be dealt with under military law.
The edict was simpler and easier to understand than expected.
Yi Dongdong spotted Korean soldiers on the street but felt no particular threat from them.
It wasn't the Gaoli way of stabbing at the mere sight of a person.
Dongdong hurried home and handed his sister a steamed bun.
His sister munched on the bun and asked about the street situation.
"I saw Gaoli passing by, but they didn't yell or anything—just kept going. Looks like as long as you follow the notices, they won't touch you."
"They don't seem dangerous?"
"Yeah. Not really dangerous."
"If the Gaoli aren't dangerous, I wish I could go back to school soon."
His sister missed school.
But she wouldn't be going outside.
At least not until the war ended.
As Nanjing's citizens began accepting the Korean occupation as daily life, Wang Jingwei entered the city.
"Long live Peace Leader Chairman Wang Jingwei!"
"Long live Chairman Wang Jingwei! Long live peace!"
Mobilized cheerleaders tried to whip up a welcoming atmosphere for Wang Jingwei, but the citizens' response was lukewarm.
"No matter how much Chiang abandoned us, he's not on the level of a traitor who sold out the motherland."
"Even the Gaoli are ridiculous. How do they prop up a guy like that as leader?"
Wang Jingwei felt the hostile gazes directed at him.
"Ahem."
Wang Jingwei tried to console himself that such looks would improve with time.
"Sir, no need for disappointment. The masses are just pigs and dogs who need food and clothing—that's it, right? Once they enjoy the warm peace under you, their minds will change."
Chen Gongbo, the number two in the Wang Jingwei regime, eased his burden with such words.
"If only people recognize my good intentions, I want nothing more."
Only then could Wang Jingwei shake off his gloom.
And he got to work.
The Wang Jingwei regime revealed its puppet nature immediately upon formation.
"China can escape the threat of war only by following Korea, Asia's big brother. That's why we have the Korean-Chinese alliance. How reassuring is it to be protected by a fellow Asian great power that shares our sentiments?"
"The Korean army's garrison in China is a blessing for the Chinese people. Remember that the economy can only revive once the Korean army reins in those warlords obsessed with bloating their military."
"The Korean-Chinese free trade agreement will bind our economies closely, injecting new vitality into China's weakened economy ravaged by poverty, corruption, and war. Thus, we must actively pursue economic pacts with Korea for a new era of prosperity. Let me say it again: China's problem is the economy. Not damned military spending."
Wang Jingwei sold the country out three times from his seat.
First diplomacy, then security, then economic sovereignty.
The great powers, who had been watching the Korean-Chinese War with mild interest, jumped up in alarm at this turn.
"The Koreans are trying to monopolize China with their ambitions—can we just sit by and let Pyongyang get away with this?"
"Absolutely not. Korea swallowing China whole? Ridiculous."
"Let's protest strongly to Pyongyang."
"Agreed, let's coordinate."
Britain and America joined forces to issue a warning to Korea.
"We make clear to the Korean government that all nations must enjoy equal opportunities in China."
In other words, don't hog the trough like pigs.
Of course, the Korean government didn't cross the line that Britain and America expected.
"This is a temporary measure. When formal treaties are signed after the war, we will reflect your views."
Korea adopted a posture of deference toward the West.
Bending stiffly to Germany while bowing to Britain and America made Washington and London feel that Korea was reasonable.
Compared to the Germans who blatantly extorted and scammed, how civilized and understanding were the Koreans?
"Since war has broken out, let's leave it to the Koreans until it's sorted. China was trying to join the Axis anyway—what's the point of mediating for such a beauty?"
Factoring in Soviet aid issues, it was unwise to humiliate Korea too much.
"You must honor your promises."
"Of course, would we lie? We're not Germany."
The moment Britain, America, and Korea reached an unspoken agreement behind closed doors, China's fate was effectively sealed.
"Hold on long enough, and Britain and America will pressure Korea into negotiations."
Only the Chinese government was unaware of this fact.