I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 50



Only Noblemtl

EP.50 Purge (1)

The spring of April 1941, when Germany and the Soviet Union were on the verge of a fateful confrontation, was not particularly warm.

Germany and the Soviet Union both accused each other of not living up to their non-aggression pact obligations.

The world held its breath in an atmosphere of calm before a storm that seemed ready to explode at any moment.

But in Korea, far away from Europe, the horrors of war were not felt.

Rather, sprouts of militarism were popping up here and there, itching to jump into war.

No matter how much you beat and trample on it, the nature of this country cannot be changed.

“If you are not going to ally with Germany, then let’s side with the Soviet Union and take away the colonies of those German puppets, the French!”

“If a war breaks out between the Germans and the French, the Germans won’t be able to help France anyway, so what’s so scary about that?”

Before these poisonous mushrooms grew, I decided to take action.

If temporary measures don’t work, we have no choice but to create a law.

“Is there anyone against the Peace Preservation Act?”

“None (Mayo).”

“None (Mayo).”

“None. Pass (Mayo, pass)!”

The Peace Preservation Act is passed!

If you were reminded of the third constitutional amendment of the city council, you are mistaken.

“Tch, the Peace Preservation Act? What’s that?”

“Ah, that’s a club that purges socially unstable elements. It’s a law that feeds militarist dreamers like you beans and rice. Then, from now on, I will enforce the law.”

The Korean Empire’s parliament is my puppet.

If a bill is drafted at the Prime Minister’s Office and passed to the National Assembly, it will be legislated and returned to my desk in less than an hour.

You fucking idiots.

Do you really think you can get away with doing things you shouldn’t do under this dictatorship?

I think I wanted to revive the revolutionary concentration camp and make people only read the Three Meals a Day Lee Seong-jun series.

‘Hold on. The dictatorial power within me.’

Meanwhile, a corruption scandal broke out.

It was none other than the embezzlement case committed at the armory by a general belonging to our National Salvation Military Committee.

Are you saying that you stole a tank engine that had reached the end of its life cycle and made a quick buck?

This scandal was censored in advance by the Security Service and did not make even a single line in the newspapers, but it was enough to make me angry.

‘Political power is already being drained by suppressing militarists, and now my followers are causing trouble.’

Immediately, Army Minister Kim Seong-ju ran in front of me and begged for forgiveness.

“Your Majesty, I have mismanaged the military. I am ashamed.”

The new security commander, Lee Jeong-yoon, also bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, it is my fault for not being able to supervise the military. I will take responsibility for this situation and resign from my position as commander.”

under.

“Okay. What’s wrong with you guys? What’s that kid’s name?”

“This is Major General Han Chang-seok. He is a friend who served as the commander of the 120th Regiment of the 16th Reserve Division.”

“Cut that kid off. Dismiss him immediately!”

My subordinates opened their eyes wide in surprise at my one word.

However, as a comrade of the revolution, he seemed shocked at being told not to be removed from his position but to be stripped of his military uniform.

But in such cases, shocking measures had to be taken.

Whether they are revolutionary comrades or traitors, if they become a burden to my power, they must be cut down.

How could we leave alone such a person who is like that to His Excellency Lee Seong-jun, who is shouldering the weighty mission of modernizing the country and ensuring its existence?

Kim Seong-ju spoke carefully.

“Your Majesty, excessive measures may agitate the military.”

Yeah, I guess so.

You must be shocked when the general you trusted and followed with your life is criticizing you for buying rice cakes with public funds.

So, this is a warning.

The kids who buy rice cakes with public money under me are not revolutionary comrades or anything, that’s what I’m saying.

His Excellency Lee Seong-jun does not live extravagantly, but lives simply by smoking cigars, so why do they buy extravagant foreign cars and mansions and pile up gold bars inside?

If I had lived under Stalin, I would never have thought of that.

So, this Lee Seong-jun had no choice but to show us the bitter taste of power by wielding it.

“owner.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Why did we have a revolution?”

“It was to renew the empire.”

“But, is this a new religion? A revolution?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

I looked at the two people with sharp eyes.

“Let me tell you clearly. I will not tolerate anyone who buys rice cakes with public funds in the Korean Empire. No matter what kind of person they are.”

It was a chilling warning.

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

“Go and handle it.”

The security commander and the army chief bowed at a 90-degree angle and retreated from the office.

I have been soft on my revolutionary comrades, but not anymore.

As the sole ruler of this country, it was time to show his inner circle the face of absolute power.

“head of a department.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

Jeong Gil answered while holding the payment documents.

“Do you think I’m being too much for you?”

“No, Your Majesty, you have simply made the right decision for this country and its people.”

“okay.”

I am human too.

Sometimes I wanted someone to understand my decisions and ask for their agreement.

In that respect, Jeong Gil was a good conversationalist.

“Many comrades will take off their clothes in the future.”

Han Chang-seok was just the beginning.

If we inspect the military, we will find many corrupt revolutionary comrades.

If we kick out all those people, there will be some unrest in the military.

Still, it was something that had to be done.

Why was Stalin considered a great ruler even though he killed so many people?

‘Eradicate corruption.’

At least during the Stalin era, the Soviet Union was somewhat free from the problem of ‘corruption’.

That is why the Soviet Union was able to rise as a great power.

If our country, Korea, wanted to become a first-class power, it had to eliminate corruption.

The solution to corruption was simple.

Corruption offenders should be severely punished regardless of regional, blood, or school ties.

Unless there are exceptions, the upper echelons do not commit corruption.

Because the risk of being caught committing a corruption crime is too great.

If there was no corruption at the highest levels, the overall level of corruption in the country could be lower.

“Would you like a ride?”

When I heard Jeong Gil’s words, I felt like smoking a cigarette, but I waved my hand.

Even if he becomes too much of a smoker, His Excellency Lee Seong-jun will not be able to lead the Korean Empire for long.

Since the country was overthrown by a coup, shouldn’t we first put the country back in order?

If he can’t even do that, he’s worse than the Spanish dictator Franco.

There’s no way I, this Lee Seong-jun, could become a worse human being than the human butcher Franco.

“More than that, sir. There is something I must do now.”

“Yes, go ahead, Your Majesty.”

“Prepare for the press conference.”

“yes?”

“It’s as you heard, sir. Contact the top ten daily newspapers and have them come to the embassy.”

“I will accept it.”

I sent out Jeong-gil, who was feeling uneasy.

In fact, that was what I thought right after the corruption scandal broke out.

How can I not use this?

That’s how the press conference came about.

I had no intention of keeping this incident under wraps.

‘A crisis is an opportunity.’

A corrupt person does not forgive even his close associates.

I wanted to give the public that razor-sharp impression.

Goebbels showed us how useful such images can be in politics.

The only thing that bothered me was that this corruption investigation might go beyond what I expected.

Because crimes within the military are usually committed on a large scale through profit cartels.

Well, if it had gotten to that point, I would have had no choice but to wash my mouth and cover it up somewhere appropriate.

You can’t destroy the foundation of a government just to establish one principle.

Ring ring.

Just then, as I was lost in thought, the phone rang.

It seemed like the secretary’s office checked and connected directly.

If it had been like this, Chief Secretary Jeong Gil would have received it, but now there was nothing he could do.

Even if they employed a lot of people, there weren’t many people working in this office.

“This is Lee Seong-jun.”

“Hello, Prime Minister. This is Taesoo Cho of Taejeong.”

Oh, Taejeong?

The lifeline of our coup force?

But why did Taejung contact me?

I think the deal between us is over.

The moment I touched on the corruption crime, it felt somehow significant that Tae-jung contacted me.

“It’s good to hear your voice after such a long time, Chairman. You still look so upright.”

“The Prime Minister has a more powerful voice.”

Well, let’s stop small talk here.

“Mr. Chairman.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll give you exactly three minutes. Please tell me why you’re calling. My time is very valuable.”

Jo Tae-soo swallowed on the other end of the phone.

Then he began to speak carefully.

“Actually, the reason I called you today is because of the General Han Chang-seok issue. I heard that General Han was arrested, so I’m calling to ask if that’s true.”

Did you ask?

It’s not an inquiry, it’s pressure.

It must be an implicit expression of asking to be let go.

I held back a snicker.

This old man has been on good terms with our government up until now simply because he funded the coup.

So, I still haven’t realized how powerful this Lee Seong-jun has become.

Then I have no choice but to let you know.

Even if it means taking out your teeth and claws.

“Mr. Chairman.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“You have now crossed the line.”

“yes?”

“Where does a civilian intervene in military personnel affairs so presumptuously!”

When I shouted, Jo Tae-soo’s voice suddenly stopped.

“I’ll tell you this just once so you understand. I don’t know if Han Chang-seok is the chairman’s military connection or something, but I cut that bastard off. I won’t change my mind. So, please be careful. This is my final warning as a comrade who fought together in the revolution.”

“… .”

I heard Jo Tae-soo hang up the phone.

From now on, Jo Tae-soo will never treat me comfortably.

Because once you confirm the hierarchy, you can never go back to the same human relationships as before.

Even though I yelled at him for his behavior that deserved to be scolded, I still felt a bit bitter.

I took out the cigar I had been trying to hold back and lit it.