November 1, 2020, 09:00 (China Standard Time 08:00), China Beijing Province, Central Military Commission Joint Command Center bunker

  The Central Military Commission was in a state of panic after losing Sun-Yang in a day. Most devastating was the fact that they deployed a large number of fighter jets to strike the 7th Mobile Corps despite opposition from the Chief Commander of the Air Force, and as a result, they lost half of the Air Force men. Also, they lost 252 jets out of the total 320 jets, including their latest J-20 and J-31, and yet no serious damage was inflicted on the 7th Mobile Corps.

  The Chinese Air Force had now given up on guarding the Northeastern provinces. They instead resorted to gathering their outdated jets to protect their capital Beijing.

  “What! What kind of strategy did you use?”


  President Xi Jin Ping furiously glared at the Generals of the Central Military Commission.

  Everyone was silent. Then Vice-President Kan Kuichou carefully spoke.

  “Please calm down, sir.”


  “Do you think this is the time for me to calm down? We are losing every battle, are we not? If you all want to keep your positions, you better come up with a solution!”


  Slam!

  President Xi Jin Ping kicked the newly repaired door and left.

  “How did the People’s Liberation Army befall this fate?”


  The disheartened Vice-President Kan Kuichou spoke. He went to sit where President Xi sat, to think.

  Vice-President Li Yuan Chao of the Central Politics Commission was not a member of the Central Military Commission but attended the meetings after the war broke out. He shrugged his shoulders as if to scold Vice-President Kan Kuichou and spoke.

  “Vice-President Kan! Is there any reason for us to hold back in this situation? The Korean military has now reached Sun-Yang!”


  “What do you suggest we do?”


  Vice-President Kan Kuichou, while resting his chin on his palms asked.

  “Shouldn’t we use tactical nukes?” Vice-President Li Yuan Chao suggested.

  When he heard the mention of tactical nukes, Vice-President Kan Kuichou furrowed his brow and shouted.

  “Don’t speak of such foolish suggestions. Are you saying we launch nuclear bombs on our own soil?”


  “Vice-President Kan! Are you just going to hand over the three Northeastern provinces to the enemies?”


  “Who said I was going to hand them over? If we do launch the nukes, what use would it be to reclaim a territory that has been polluted by a fallout? Please think before you speak,” retorted Vice-President Kan.

  “The final strategy is something for you to decide, Vice-President Kan. I only suggested the idea since a few rounds of tactical nukes would beat down the Korean military’s front forces. Please don’t take it too seriously.”


  Vice-President Li Yuan Chao stood up from his seat with a sly grin and left the command center.

  “That bastard is sly as a fox,” Vice-President Kan Kuichou thought.

  Vice-President Kan Kuichou, who was not in good terms with Vice-President Li Yuan Chao became furious after seeing Li’s mocking grin. The thing that upset Vice-President Kan the most was how he also thought of using tactical nukes. It seemed necessary now that China is in crisis. He spoke.

  “Commanders! Give me reports from the field.”


  Vice-President Kan Kuichou angrily shouted at the commanders in each branch of the military.

  November 1, 2020, 09:00, Seoul Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center)

  “This is the Chinese military’s formation based on 5:00 a.m. today.”


  Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun, the Operations Director, began the briefing while standing next to the screen.

  “The 65th Army Group is on the verge of collapse. Their headquarters have all been eliminated along with their front force, the First Armored Division. Other subordinate divisions have lost 60% of their men because of the Phoenix ground attack jets deployed yesterday and have all retreated to Pan-Jin area.”


  “The early part of the operation to strike the commanding headquarters was successful then.”


  “Yes, Joint Chief of Staff, sir.”


  “It seems Lieutenant General Yang Min-choon is showing his talents on the field from his days as the Strategic Planning Officer.”


  Chief of Army Staff General Shin Sun-yong laughed heartily as he spoke.

  “Yes, he was the Strategic Planning Officer before. Now, let’s move on to the next item in the docket,” said the Joint Chief of Staff.

  “The 39th Army Group in charge of the second line of defense for Sun-Yang had only a part of their infantry force stationed in Sun-Yang for their guerilla warfare. The rest of the 39th Army Group’s forces and equipment has retreated to the Xi-Min Province to regroup. Based on our intel, the remaining forces and equipment of the 39th Army Group are the size of one mechanized infantry division.”


  “It’s a relief we have pushed the first and third strongest army groups to the brink of elimination,” said the Joint Chief of Staff.

  “The 40th Army Group has been confirmed annihilated by the pincer attack of the Capital Armored Division and the 3rd Armored Division along with aerial strikes by the Phoenix fighter jets. Only a few remaining soldiers went to Sun-Yang to join the guerilla warfare.”


  Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun, who stopped speaking for a moment, pointed at the digital map on the screen and continued his report.

  “Lastly, the 16th Army Group that did not participate in the battle of Sun-Yang gathered reserve forces and divided its forces to erect a line of defense along the Xi-Ping and Ji -Ling provinces with Chang-Chun at its center. Also, part of the infantry divisions has moved to the mountains of Ji-Ling Province, preparing for a highland battle.”


  Joint Chief of Staff Kang Ui-sik asked a question to Operations Planning Director Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon, who was sitting next to him.

  “How are we going to respond to a highland battle? I am getting forgetful because of my old age,” the Joint Chief of Staff asked.

  “We have decided to respond to a highland battle by first attacking with choppers and land attack jets, then sending in light armored mountain divisions afterward.”


  “Right, let’s now check the fifth phase of our operations.”


  As soon as the Joint Chief of Staff finished speaking, the Operations Planning Director Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon got up and stood next to the screen.

  “We will now begin the briefing for the fifth phase of operation ‘Rise of Goguryeo.’ Please direct your attention to the screen.”


  The screen showed a different digital map.

  “Phase 5 of operation ‘Rise of Goguryeo’ consists of erecting a front line and occupying the three Northeastern provinces. Please take a look at this map.”


  The digital map showed the cities the Korean military was occupying.

  “The 7th Mobile Corps has set Sun-Yang as its headquarters and will be receiving rations and ammunitions, and make repairs until November 4 at 10:00 a.m. The 20th Armored Division will pass Lao-Dung Province and march toward Xin-Min; the 3rd Armored Division will march to Tung-Lao; and the 30th Mechanized Infantry Division will march to Lao-Ning through An-san by November 4 at 10:00 a.m. Additionally, the 25th Light Armored Infantry Division under the 1st Corps is mobilizing toward Sun-Yang and will arrive by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow to begin their guerilla excursion operations. The 9th Mechanized Infantry Division has passed Pyeong Yang and now marching toward Da-Ren.”


  The Operations Director pointed at the digital map that outlined the western front with his laser pointer and continued his presentation.

  “The 7th Mobile Corps, 3rd, 25th, and 9th Divisions will pass through Pan-Jin Province to Fu-Xin and then erect a western front up to Tung-Lao Province that will block off the three Northeastern provinces from China’s mainland. Then they will enter into the adhesion phase of the operation.”


  Chief of Army staff Shin Sung-yong raised his hand.

  “Yes, sir.”


  “If a frontline will be established up to Lung-Xiao, would it be possible to aid the three Northeastern provinces through the side roads that connect the two?”


  “Yes, it is more than possible. The four-lane roads in that area will help the mechanized infantry divisions in mobilizing troops. The 7th Mobile Corps will observe this area 24 hours a day with the aid of unmanned drones and reconnaissance satellites. If they detect movement in Chinese forces in the area, we will respond with the 17th Aviation Brigade’s land attackers and surface-to-surface missiles.”


  “I see.”


  “Up next is the path and destination of each subordinate division from the 5th Corps. The 6th Mechanized Infantry Division will station a single brigade and march toward Xi-Ping Province. The 8th Mechanized Infantry Division will station a single battalion in Tung-Hwa and march to Pan-Shi.”


  “We will now move on to the 2nd Corps’ path. The 27th Light Armored Mountain Division will station a single battalion in He-Long Province and march forward. The 15th Light Armored Mountain Division will station two battalions at Fu-Song Province and march to Fu-Nan. The 7th Armored Division will have its entire forces march toward Jin-Lin Province from Bai-Shan. Lastly, the 1st Marine Division will station two battalions at Yeon-Byeon and march toward Mu-Danjiang. Operations for the 2nd Corps, 5th Corps, and the 1st Marine Division will all begin on November 3 at 9:00 a.m.”


  Operation ‘Rise of Goguryeo’


  Phase 5 (Adhesion of the western front): Conduct the occupation of three Northeastern provinces after the adhesion of the western front is complete.

  The 7th Mobile Corps will pass Fu-Xin from Pan-Jin and erect a western front up to Tung-Lao.

  The 9th Mechanized Infantry Division marches to Da-Ren.

  The 25th Light Armored Division moves toward downtown Sun-Yang.

  The 2nd Corps and 5th Corps will occupy each city in the three Northeastern provinces.

  The 1st Marine Division will begin occupying Yen-Ji Province.

  November 1, 2020, 10:00 (China Standard Time 09:00), China Sun-Yang Province Huang-Gu county downtown

  The morning scenery in Sun-Yang was peaceful despite gunshots and cannons that rang out all night. The Chinese citizens were walking the streets, going to work, and selling goods like any normal day. Some public offices and banks were open for business as well. The 7th Mobile Corps and Division Headquarters stationed full-armored military police forces in the area to inspect and search civilians and watch their movements.

  A K-21P Hyun-mu armored vehicle equipped with a large speaker announced to the citizens of Sun-Yang to disperse.

  “Citizens of Sun-Yang! This area has been occupied by the Korean military from 8:00 a.m. today. We are asking you to evacuate the area by November 3 at six in the evening. Those who will stay after this time will be arrested for illegal residence.”


  A group of masked citizens holding signs blocked the path of the K-23P Hyun-mu armored vehicle that was moving along the four-lane road while voicing their sentiments. The 50 or so protesters were shouting incoherently.

  “Bangzis leave Sun-Yang! Bangzis leave Sun-Yang!”


  “Who are those bastards?!”


  Lieutenant Oh Young-gook, the Commander of the 311 armored vehicle seated in front, opened the hatch and showed himself to the crowd. Then he got on the microphone and spoke in Chinese.

  “Listen well. We will give you ten seconds to leave. If you don’t disperse within ten seconds, we will arrest you for illegal protests.”


  The Lieutenant spoke shortly and began to count down from ten. However, the masked Chinese citizens protested further, and a young man from the front of the crowd picked up a rock and threw it at the armored vehicle.

  Clank!

  A heavy sound rang from the armored vehicle. Lieutenant Oh Young-gook stopped counting down at four and gave the order to the military police.

  “First Military Police platoon! Arrest all of the sons of b*tches!”


  When the Lieutenant gave the order, the rear hatch of the Hyun-mu armored vehicles opened and full-armored burly military policemen that were all over six feet tall disembarked, brandishing one-meter long batons.

  “These bastards seem to be unable to comprehend their situation.”


  “Fine, you sealed your fate!”


  The military police forces each spoke before running into the throng of protesters. When they saw the police running toward them, the protesters all threw their placards on the floor and began to run. However, the policemen gave chase to suppress the riot while using their batons. The young man who threw the rock at the armored vehicle seemed to be the leader. He was stepped on by boots so much that he was covered in blood while being dragged by the policemen to the back of the armored vehicle.

  “Don’t overdo it, and gather all the arrested over there.”


  Lieutenant Oh Young-gook, who pretended to suppress the violence but secretly supported it, got off the armored vehicle and walked toward the bloodied young man that was dragged behind the vehicle.

  Lieutenant Oh Young-gook kicked the stomach of the young man lying on the ground.

  Smack.

  The young man screamed, grabbed his stomach, and threw up from being hit square on his sides.

  “How dare you throw a rock at the ROK military’s armored vehicle? Should I spare you or not?”


  Smack. Whack. Smack.

  The young man was kicked successively three more times before he passed out.

  “Take him away.”


  Lieutenant Oh Young-gook pointed toward the other protesters bound in rope and got back on the armored vehicle.

  The protesters that were sitting down with their masks off were mostly young men from Sun-Yang College who were influenced by Sinocentrism.

  “Vehicle 314 will stand by here and return to headquarters when a vehicle to haul these bastards off arrives.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  The Commander of the armored vehicle 314 answered.

  “The rest of you get back to your vehicles.”


  The 4th Squadron stayed behind to keep watch, whereas the rest of the military policemen got on their respective armored vehicles.