Democracy or militarism, victory in war has a massive impact on a regi's support.
With the spectacular success of Park Han-jin's gamble, my support base had beco stronger than ever.
The military was obedient to , and the governnt recognized my authority.
I was now confident I could do anything.
It was ti for His Excellency Lee Sung Joon, the standard-bearer of national modernization.
First, there was a need to innovate the Empire into a country matching 'Western standards' policy-wise.
The first step was education reform.
"Koreans have the responsibility to receive 9 years of compulsory education."
Six years of elentary school, and three years of middle school.
At least 9 years of education was necessary.
I issued these directives to the Ministry of Education.
Civilian officials expressed their bewildernt at such orders.
"But, Your Excellency. We need a budget and teachers to build schools. We don't have such resources imdiately…"
"Proceed even if it ans increasing the number of students per teacher."
Just cram 80 students into one class, what's the problem?
If it's not possible, make it possible.
The officials nodded reluctantly at my forceful drive.
I also made it clear to the cabinet.
They would be held responsible if this education policy wasn't properly implented.
After education policy ca radio.
"The rate of national growth depends on how well policies are promoted. The Ministry of Communications is responsible for distributing radios to every household."
Nazi Germany, 'currently' our ally, was enthusiastic about distributing radios to every ho.
It was a strategy aid at public mobilization through national propaganda and improving support, but I wanted one more thing.
Make the public understand policies.
When people understand what the governnt intends to implent, policy execution becos that much more efficient.
"Um, by when should we do this?"
"Start imdiately."
The immobile imperial bureaucrats were the type who wouldn't move unless you kicked their behinds.
Next,
"It's ti to start the war on corruption. Catch those worms eating away at the nation's hard-earned gains."
We disgraced Park Han-jin's military faction as corrupt profiteers and seized their assets, but they were just a part of this society's privileged class.
The deep-rooted corruption of chaebols and bureaucrats that had persisted for centuries remained.
I established an agency modeled after Hong Kong's ICAC1to deal with Korea's deep-rooted corruption problem.
I nad it the Ministry of State Security2 .
The na alone exuded an aura of firing howitzers at criminals.
I also pushed various projects like the national enlightennt movent and rural modernization.
Where's the money for this, you ask?
From China of course! I spent ¼ of the Empire’s budget knowing we would get those sweet war reparations from the ching chongs.
While everything seed to be going smoothly, it wasn't quite so.
As I pushed for intense reforms, voices of discontent began to rise dostically.
How dare these bastards try to obstruct my grand ideal of recreating this Empire-Republic of Korea.
I didn't leave such malcontents alone.
"Do you know what happens when a person has bamboo shoots driven under their fingernails?"
"Well, they'd suffer imnsely, wouldn't they?"
"Indeed. And in that agony, they tend to start speaking the truth very quickly."
I had the Defense Security Command suppress the malcontents.
In fact, this wasn't a recomnded thod if dreaming of a democratic nation.
But I had no choice.
This country was abnormal, with citizens intoxicated by militarism.
Extraordinary ans were necessary to reform and normalize public consciousness.
Like morphine used as a painkiller for cancer patients, Korea needed the dicine called DSC.
Does it sound too justifying?
Hmm. I admit that.
But isn't that how it always is?
Human psychology tends to point fingers at others' actions while being lenient on one's own.
I'm no different.
Of course, the National Salvation Military Committee strongly supported my policies.
They even demanded stronger asures.
"Your Excellency. The evils of this land have accumulated for over a thousand years. To sweep away those rotten groups cleanly, intense asures are needed. Please make a bold decision for reform."
Well, it was natural to hear such words from the quasi-Imperial Way faction3 I had nurtured as reformists.
"I understand what you're saying. But everything has its limits."
I controlled the dissenters while tightening the reins on the quasi-Imperial Way faction.
While I thought this was an appropriate level of reform intensity, it seems the other side didn't think so.
As I was making plans for the country's future, an important report ca from the DSC.
"Your Excellency. We've received information about a counter-coup."
The mont I heard those words, reform beca completely unimportant.
Soone was trying to snatch my throne away from , how could I focus on anything else?
"What do you an by that?"
"We've only gathered rumors so far. But the information isn't entirely baseless. Considering the possibility it might be true, it would be good to start preparing for a coup."
I thought I had cut off hands and feet and stepped on those who needed stepping on.
Yet the fact that soone still dared to rebel was bewildering.
"I understand for now. Keep watching. Report imdiately when you get more detailed information!"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
I hastily picked up the phone first.
I couldn't just sit idly while a counter-coup was being prepared.
Perhaps those rebel bastards might get cooperation from other military branches.
Even Park Chung-hee had pulled in the Marine Corps to stage a coup.
There was no law saying I couldn't face the sa situation.
"Operator! Connect to the Marine Corps Commander's office. Hello, senior. This is Lee Sung-joon from the Army. I'm calling to ask for your cooperation regarding so unsavory rumors going around lately."
I then made phone calls to the heads of the Air Force and Navy, urging them to strictly control any unauthorized troop movents.
Still, this doesn't put at ease. Why am I so anxious?
That's how the human mind works.
If you know soone's targeting you from behind, you can't feel at ease even if you know you're safe.
Ah, those damn bastards.
Ungrateful bastards who don't appreciate the tireless efforts of His Excellency Lee Sung Joon to rescue the country from the pit of war and make it a normal nation.
Such bastards should be caught and thrown into the gulag.
Suddenly, I empathized with the human butcher Stalin.
For about 1 second.
Anyway, I thought about it.
The essence of a counter-coup is to overthrow the coup regi.
So I needed to put myself in their shoes and consider how they could bring down our regi.
If I were them, I'd strike at first.
I was the leader guiding the National Salvation Military Committee in all aspects - politically, ideologically, and hierarchically.
There was Kim Sung-joo who could be seen as second-in-command, but he was not soone who could fill my void.
From the beginning, I wasn't the type to nurture a strong second-in-command.
In a sense, I was in Hitler's position.
In terms of being an assassination target, that is.
Still, I don't think there's a massive organization like the Schwarze Kapelle4 roaming freely within the military. I'm not sure.
While pondering, I called for my aide.
Jong-Gil was now a seasoned Chief of Staff, so Captain Lee Sung-myung from the arrest team was serving as my aide-de-camp.
"You called, Director?"
"From today, you'll move with the security detail. I'll tell the Chief later, but make sure to arrange my movents considering vehicle routes, timing, and all spaces where I'm exposed."
"Yes, sir."
While at it, I also summoned the new Provost Marshal, Major General Lee Jeong.
Lee Jeong was a forr regintal commander of the 16th Reserve Division and also a mber of the Ilwonhwa.
"You called for , sir."
"The DSC says there's information about a counter-coup. I don't think it's just an unfounded rumor."
"What? How could there be such treacherous elents in our military? Don't worry about coup surveillance. I'll keep my eyes open even at night, watching the military."
Lee Jeong said resolutely.
Man, talk about overreacting.
It's fascinating how power works in these situations.
"I understand your feelings. The DSC will handle that, so focus on my security. From today, I'd like you to assign one company of military police for my protection. Is that possible?"
"I'll prepare three companies, sir."
Frankly, it was excessive loyalty.
But in this situation, it seed right to be a bit over-prepared.
If I were to be exposed to an attack, everything would be over.
"Alright, do that then."
While I was at it, I also called Capital Defense Commander Baek Dong-seok.
"Ah, General Baek. It's . I have a job for you."
I ordered Baek Dong-seok to closely monitor troop movents around the Capital.
I told him to report to imdiately if anyone moved in violation of orders.
After talking with my subordinates like this, I felt a little more at ease.
With such solid walls built and preparations made, what could those bastards possibly do?
I had no intention of giving conspirators 43 chances as Hitler did.
I wasn't the mustache man, who loved to shout absurd /genesisforsaken
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