January 17, 2024, 09:00

  B2 bunker, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Namju (Operation Briefing Room, Joint Command and Control Center of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces)

  It had been a while since the atmosphere was this cheerful. The generals of each section of the army and staff attending the meeting were congratulating each other.

  30 minutes ago, the Central Party of New China had officially announced their intention to surrender. Following this announcement, the representatives of the two countries met in a building in a small village 30 kilometers southwest of Langfang City and began the preparations for negotiations following the surrender.

  The representatives of Korea sent to the negotiation table were Brigadier General Min Won-sik and his staff, who was commissioned to serve as the brigade commander of the 22nd Armored Brigade and as the temporary division commander of the 6th Mechanized Infantry Division (Blue Star) by President Choo Un-hee. As for New China, representatives, Vice President Chen Wei Ting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Bao Dung, and Chief of the General Staff Guo Jingfei were sent to the negotiating table.

  Initially, after the negotiation location and time were set, Korea’s representative, Min Won-sik, had nominated President Wang Jing-wi as the head negotiator, but he had declined, giving the excuse that he was not in a state to travel anywhere due to shock. As a result, the Vice President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of the General Staff were to be the three co-representatives at the negotiation table.

  Despite the good news and happy atmosphere, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong’s expression didn’t look too pleased as he sat at the middle of the long table.

  The early end to the war with New China was good news for sure, but there were still many things to think about. Fierce fighting with Russia was still ongoing in many places and it was uncertain that NATO forces would be joining the war. More importantly, there was also the issues of the Japanese cabinet’s secret project of ‘the declaration of independence,’ as well as the American Pacific Fleet’s movements.

  He seemed unable to completely enjoy their success because of the weight of responsibility he felt as the highest-ranking commander of the Korean Armed Forces.

  “Chairman! In times like these, you should laugh and smile a little,” said Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Youn Gi-youn, lightheartedly, as he approached. He had been exchanging handshakes with the other generals and was excited by the celebration-like atmosphere.

  The Chairman smiled a bit stiffly and replied, “Haha! All right.”


  At that moment, the screens in the meeting room lit up. A field officer announced into the microphone, “The negotiating meeting regarding the surrender will begin soon. Please be seated.”


  The generals and staff that had been walking around and congratulating each other hurried back to their seats and sat down.

  The brightly lit screen showed long tables and the representatives of both countries sitting between them.

  January 17, 2024, 09:15 (New China Time: 08:15)

  A small town 30 kilometers southwest of Langfang City, Hebei Province, New China

  In the living room on the first floor of a shabby building that seemed like a town hall, the representatives of both countries were sitting on opposite sides between the long tables, with serious expressions on their faces.

  In contrast to Brigadier General Min Won-sik, who had a fiery look in his eyes, New China’s Vice President Chen Wei Ting and Foreign Minister Li Bao Dung, who were sitting across from Brigadier General Min, hung their heads like they were prisoners. Only the Chief of the General Staff, Guo Jingfei, was able to look General Brigadier Min in the eye.

  “Well, without further ado, let’s get to the point. The Korean government wants unconditional surrender from New China.”


  Chief of the General Staff Guo Jingfei raised an eyebrow at the frank remarks. “What? An unconditional surrender?”


  “What! This shouldn’t be the first time you’ve experienced this?” replied Brigadier General Min Won-sik sarcastically, bringing up what had happened during the first Northeast Asian War.

  “Yes, but back then the country was China—”


  “Heh heh, isn’t New China the successor of the country that was China back then? Wasn’t President Wang Jing-wi also the Commander General of the Central Military district back then?”


  “Well—”


  “Well, as I’ve just said, I won’t waste any time. I mean what I said—unconditional surrender. If New China is willing to accept everything the Korean government wants, we will accept your surrender.”


  Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Bao Dung had been silent, trying to read the atmosphere up to that moment. He looked up and said, “Everything as you want—what conditions would ‘everything’ be referring to?”


  “Why do you ask? Are you trying to decide whether or not you’ll surrender, depending on the conditions we give?”


  “Shouldn’t we at least know what the conditions are so that we can see if we can endure it?” said Minister Li Bao Dung. He was trying to approach it logically like a good Foreign Minister should.

  “You said you’re the Foreign Minister?”


  “Yes, I am.”


  “Listen carefully. This meeting is taking place because New China has shown its intention to surrender. We’re calling it a negotiation, but we have no intention of negotiating with you on any terms regarding your surrender. So if you want to talk about any terms or conditions at all, let’s just call this off.” Brigadier General Min Won-sik leaped out of his seat.

  “Ha! Don’t you think this is too much? Sure, we’re sitting here as the defeated nation at this meeting, but this is too rude—”


  “Look, Minister Li Bao Dung! Do you not see the reality here?” Brigadier General Min Won-sik said, slamming the table with both hands and glaring at Foreign Minister Li Bao Dung with wide eyes.

  “Minister Li Bao Dung! I can still see vivid images of my comrades, dying in battle while shedding tears of blood. You sons of b

  cking crush all of you, including the piglet that refused to show his face even once. So if you don’t want an unconditional surrender, get the f*ck out of here!”


  An interpreter robot, equipped with an AI system that could convey even emotions accurately, translated Brigadier General Min’s speech into Chinese without missing a word. The three representatives hesitated, unable to respond as if they were frozen.

  “If you understand, surrender immediately or just get the f*ck out of here!”


  “Really! Don’t you think you’re being too rude? Shouldn’t you at least show some courtesy if you’ve come out to this meeting as the representative of the victorious nation?” Chief of the General Staff Guo Jingfei couldn’t stand it any longer. He jumped up from his seat and glared back at Brigadier General Min.

  “Hey, Chief of the General Staff! Did you just talk about courtesy? It’s so shameless for you all to be bringing courtesy up. You, who kidnapped family members of a citizen of the country you were trying to steal military technology from, so that you could use them to steal that technology for you? Also, you made plasma bombs from that stolen military technology and committed murder on a massive scale. Do you have no shame, Chief Guo Jingfei?”


  “Isn’t that an act of inter-state conflict that’s done secretly by any country?” Chief Guo Jingfei shot back, suppressing his anger from within. He refused to back down.

  “Haha, a secret act of inter-state conflict? That’s why you all are called the primitive Chinese. If you were a normal nation and if you were a rational person, shouldn’t you be apologizing for your wrongdoings first? Do you really want to give such ridiculous excuses?”


  “These aren’t excuses. I’m talking about facts.”


  “Enough, talking to you seems like a waste of time. Colonel Kim!” Brigadier General Min Won-sik turned his head, remaining in the position he was already in, and called for Colonel Kim Min-wook, the division operative who had been sitting next to him.

  “Yes, General!”


  “Contact the artillery unit right now! Give orders to fire all the bombs on hand at the set coordinates in 10 minutes!”


  “Yes, sir.”


  As Colonel Kim got up from his seat, another general of the Brigadier General rank sitting to the left, Brigadier General Oh Dong-gyun, opened his mouth to speak. He was the commander of the 19th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the 22nd Armored Brigade, one of the brigades that had suffered damage close to annihilation. “Using bombs sounds a little wasteful, don’t you think? If we just keep them trapped, the armed protesters will clean them up nicely.”


  “Ah! I didn’t think of that. That sounds like a good idea. Haha.”


  The representatives of New China felt their faces burning up and throbbing at the playful conversation between the two generals. Even though they were furious, they couldn’t express it openly. This was indeed the reality they were facing at the moment.

  “Excuse me! Brigadier Commander Min!” Vice President Chen Wei Ting, who had been listening without a word, started speaking quietly.

  “What is it? I don’t think there’s anything else to do here. If you’re going to say something useless, just go back now.”


  “We will do as you say.”


  At Vice President Chen Wei Ting’s words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of the General Staff looked at him in surprise. “Vice President! We can’t do that.”


  “He’s right. The president won’t accept that.”


  “Stop. Is there any other way out of this situation besides doing as he says? Or do you want to go back and die for nothing?”


  He had a good point. The Foreign Minister and the Chief of the General Staff snapped their mouths shut.

  “As of the present time, New China will unconditionally surrender to the Republic of Korea.”


  “Really?”


  “Yes. You must, however, ensure our safety.”


  “You don’t have to worry about that. From now on, Korea will guarantee the safety of all of you. Now, the Republic of Korea will accept unconditional surrender at the request of the Central Party of New China. Deputy General!”


  “Yes, Commander!” One of the deputy generals answered as he put down the two documents that were prepared on the table.

  “Sign here.” Brigadier General Min Won-sik crossed his arms and pointed to the document with his chin.

  It was an official document of surrender used internationally. Vice President Chen Wei Ting had made the decision, so Foreign Minister Li Bao Dung and Chief of the General Staff Guo Jingfei silently signed the surrender document. With this, New China had officially unconditionally surrendered to the Republic of Korea.

  This was a major event that will go down in history—China and New China had been defeated twice in three years, both losses ending with an unconditional surrender.

  “Now! These are the official requests from the Republic of Korea to the defeated and surrendered New China.”


  Brigadier General Min Won-sik shook the heavy document that he had just received from the Deputy General. Regardless of what was in the document, New China had to accept it without any conditions. Vice President Chen Wei Ting’s face fell as he was handed the document.

  “Take some time to read that later. For now, let’s announce your surrender in Hong Kong.”


  “Why Hong Kong?” Vice President Chen Wei Ting, who was just about to read the document, asked with a confused face.

  “Does the place matter?”


  “No, but wouldn’t announcing it in New China…”


  “Heh heh, you signed the official surrender document, didn’t you? From now on, you must follow the instructions that we give you,” said Brigadier General Min Won-sik in a slightly irritated manner. He immediately turned and gave orders to the armed soldiers using his hand.

  Armed soldiers surrounded the representatives of New China.

  “What are you doing?” Chief of the General Staff Guo Jingfei protested, offended by the treatment.

  “What do you think? We’re protecting your lives! From now on, our soldiers will keep you safe, so please bring President Wang Jing-wi in the armored car we have prepared for you.”


  “Even so, how could you treat us like criminals?”


  “Treat you like criminals? It’s not that we’re treating you like criminals—aren’t you actually criminals? War criminals! Isn’t that right?”


  “What? Weren’t we guaranteed our safety?”


  “Who said anything about your safety being forfeited? We will keep you safe, so stop objecting and follow the instructions. You’re making me tired. Lieutenant Colonel Lee! Move out!”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Lieutenant Colonel Lee Hyung-won, commander of the 151st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, answered and gave instructions to the soldiers right away. Soon after, the representatives of New China were escorted towards the prepared armored car by the soldiers.

  “Haha, Commander! You should quit here and work as an actor full-time,” said Brigadier General Oh Dong-gyun, amused.

  “What do you mean, work as an actor full-time? What are you talking about?”


  “Your acting was so believable just now. Haha.”


  “Ah! Haha, I was actually a bit pissed off. You could say I was half sincere, half acting.”


  “Regardless, I’m glad that your excellent acting helped us get to where we wanted.”


  “That is true. But they wouldn’t have had a choice. The thing they valued the most was their lives.”


  “Yes, it does seem like that.”


  The two generals lingered and continued their conversation as the representatives of New China departed……