21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 17

April 4, 2016 15:20 (CST 14:20). Presidential Office in Beijing, China.

In the face of last year’s 8/15 Pyongyang bomb terror and fear of a war between the North and the South, China remained calm and made no hasty judgment to exacerbate the tension. They had only declared a state of emergency in the Northern Theater Command, halting all military actions in regions near the Yalu River to prevent any misunderstanding. This decision influenced the United States Seventh Fleet headquartered in Yokosuka and the naval base in Guam to control their military movements and prevent a threat of war in the Korean Peninsula.

Though the North and South found it a relief to avoid a sudden war that would have left the entire Korean Peninsula in a sea of flames, China’s unexpected actions were posed with a wide variety of questions.

Upon receiving the sudden news of the Pyongyang bomb terror, President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Central Military Commission were deeply concerned. They had to determine whether their involvement in a potential second Korean War would’ve been harmful or beneficial in light of the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty. They questioned if their military involvement and economic loss could’ve been made up with benefits for them after the reunification of Korea. Strategists in the Chinese Central Military Commission have discovered that exercising development rights for revenue, such as underground resources, would’ve more than compensated for their loss from their involvement. Before these calculations, they still had to determine if their involvement would lead to a victory against the American and Korean army.

China was a part of G-2, had an annual economic growth of over 10%, and was second in the world in military expenditure. Even so, the overall opinion of the strategists in the Chinese Central Military Commission was that they were still no match for the United States. To prevent a war they weren’t prepared for, China made their unexpected decision last year during the 8/15 Pyongyang bomb terror.

A stack of reports sat on President Xi Jinping’s conference table. The report was titled ‘Fact-Finding Report on Northeast Asian Weapons Proliferation from Japan’. As President Xi Jinping carefully scanned through the report, his expression changed. He talked to his National Security Director, Ju Yao, in an offended tone.

Vice President Li Yuanchao, who was sitting next to President Xi Jinping and also looking through the report, joined the conversation.

“The Japanese got to F-22... Japan is determined to purchase stealth aircraft. Trying to buy F-22s through the export restrictions of the United States Congress isn’t easy. We need to figure out a way to guarantee our national safety.”

“You are correct. Vice President Li Yuanchao, Japan is now being mandated as a common country and kindling the weapons proliferation in Northeast Asia. I will need to speak with General Fu this week, as well as get a comprehensive update on the current development of the J-20 stealth aircraft and the next generation of stealth aircraft radars.”

“Yes sir, I will bring him in.”

After Vice President Li Yuanchao’s answer, Director Ju Yao spoke cautiously.

“Sir... There is one more thing I need to tell you that is not in the report.”

“One more? Tell me, Director Ju Yao.”

“Though it has not been confirmed yet, I received information that Japan’s Ministry of Defense is secretly purchasing weaponry through unconventional means.”

President Xi Jinping’s brows furrowed as he turned to Director Ju Yao.

“There’s more to this? What are they purchasing?”

“My apologies, sir. It is still uncertain what they are purchasing exactly, but I am sure that it is a weapon dangerous enough to threaten the safety of China, as well as other Northeast Asian countries.”

‘Not only are they trying to purchase F-22 that is restricted by the United States Congress, but they’re also purchasing another weapon through unconventional means?’

President Xi Jinping was certain that he could best Japan in any problems relating to government, economics, and military. Upon entering the 21st century, the height of economic growth and military expansion bolstered this confidence. Furthermore, President Xi Jinping’s militant personality helped to make China a country that doesn’t back down in foreign relations with neighboring countries or making self-righteous decisions.

After pondering for a moment, President Xi Jinping pushed his chair aside and walked towards the window as he continued talking.

“Last year’s Pyongyang bomb terror was our golden opportunity. If we intervened in light of the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty, a war would have broken out. If North Korea reunited the Korean Peninsula, we could have also benefitted through its underground resources and other political influence. Sadly, we couldn’t do that because we weren’t ready.”

“That is correct. Our military was not developed enough to go against the United States army. Going forward, we need to expand our military budget and complete our current projects as soon as possible.”

As soon as Vice President Li Yuanchao finished saying this with a stern face and a sense of determination, President Xi Jinping turned his gaze to the Chinese flag inside the room and confidently spoke up.

“We must prepare for a war to break out in Korea any day. Vice President Li Yuanchao, summon the Chinese Central Military commission. Director Ju Yao, use any means necessary to find out what weaponry the United States and Japan are secretly trading.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

April 7, 2016, 15:30. Seoul National Intelligence Service, Counter-terrorism Investigation Unit 1 Office.

Today was the day that the heavily debated Defense Industry corruption case, which had four subsequent trials after an initial trial, reached an unusually fast first judgment in only a month. The TV aired starting from the first trial, and the many Koreans who were following the case watched in both curiosity and anger.

As the judge leaned towards the microphone to pass judgment, the broadcasting company zoomed in onto him.

“I have reached a decision. Evidence shows that for the past six years, defendant Jeon Oh-Geun has embezzled 1 trillion won from the 10 trillion won allocated to the Defense Industry. The embezzlement was carried out by 25 people who acted out of self-interest, and the defendant’s part in being in charge of everything at the highest position must be taken seriously. Furthermore, evidence of bribery close to 10 billion won of rebate to destroyer suppliers finds that the defendant has committed first-degree treason against the country and will be sentenced to 30 years in prison and fined 10 billion won. All personal assets under the defendant’s name from the past six years will be thoroughly investigated and confiscated by the government.”

Bang, bang, bang!

Everyone in the courthouse immediately began whispering. There has never been such a harsh judgment on a corruption case before. Even though it was first-degree treason, they were sentenced to 30 years in prison, a 10 billion won fine, and needed to turn in all private assets from the past 6 years to the government. Though several people were shocked at the heavy decision, the majority of the viewers erupted with joy. However, two people weren’t paying attention to the TV. They were Manager An Yeon-wu and Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin of the National Intelligence Service, Counter-terrorism Investigation Unit 1.

“Manager An, please.”

“No! You can not ask for something that absurd.”

“Why not?”

“Do you think this is some game? I don’t have that kind of power or authority! Now leave.”

“You really think I’m that dumb? I know that you and Manager Oh Jong-hyun from the Department of Education were colleagues who worked for the same company.”

“Oh, so you’re doing a background check on me now?”

Manager An Yeon-wu rolled up the documents in his hands and angrily glared at Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin.

“Manager An, please! Have I ever asked for anything like this?”

After acting unusually coy, Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin took Manager An Yeon-wu’s hand as she was on the verge of tears.

“What the heck? Go away.”

Manager An Yeon-wu pushed her hand away and stood up while grabbing his documents. Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin fell to the ground and dropped her head in silence. After seeing this, Manager An Yeon-wu put his left hand on his forehead, sighed, and talked to her before leaving the office.

“Fine. Fine! I’ll try calling Manager Oh. I can’t stand your terrible acting.”

As soon as Manager An Yeon-wu left the office, Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin’s face lit up as if she wasn’t about to cry before. She laughed and whispered to herself,

“Ah! It’s so hard to act. Hahaha.”

Even as Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin’s terrible acting came to an end, the TV continued to broadcast the judgment of the Defense Industry corruption case.

April 8th, 2016 10:00. Prime Minister Conference Room in Tokyo, Japan.

“Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Shibasaki has arrived.”

“Tell him to come in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Shortly after, the door opened and the Minister of Defense Shibasaki walked in. A haggard man in a brown suit followed from behind.

“Have a seat, Minister Shibasaki.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Who is the man who came with you?”

Prime Minister Abe asked as he sat down and looked over at the man in the brown suit.

“He is the National Defense Strategy Negotiator who went to the United States to negotiate for our marine army project. Introduce yourself.”

“Hello, I am the National Defense Strategy Negotiator, Yagumachi Genjo.”

Standing next to the Minister of Defense Shibasaki, Yagumachi Genjo replied modestly but with a strong voice.

“Is that right? Pleased to meet you, Negotiator Yagumachi Genjo. Did the negotiations go well? Oh, I’m getting ahead of myself. Please have a seat.”

“Yes, thank you, sir.”

As soon as Yagumachi Genjo sat down, he opened his briefcase.

One week ago, Yagumachi Genjo met with Mars from USSC to negotiate but was delayed for two more days discussing the details of the negotiations. He flew in early this morning to Haneda Airport and immediately came to see Prime Minister Abe after meeting with Minister of Defense Shibasaki.

“These are the finalized documents with the U.S. Government Agency, sir.”

After opening a yellow envelope, Yagumachi Genjo showed Prime Minister Abe a few pages of documents. Prime Minister Abe read through the documents slowly, and his meaningful smile turned into a laugh.

“Hahahahaha!”

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