Ch. 53: The Chinese Plan
9:19 AM, February 1st, 1922, Aoyama Palace, Tokyo
Hirohito, who had just gotten up and dressed, walked into the European-style dining room and sat down in front of his prepared breakfast. As he proceeded to eat some of it, one of the palace's butlers walked into the room and bowed.
"I'm sorry to have to disturb you during your morning breakfast sir, but His Imperial Highness Prince Kotohito is on the phone right now as we speak. He told me it was extremely urgent." announced the butler.
The young Crown Prince and now Regent stopped eating and quietly got up. He then thanked the butler before dismissing him. The butler once again bowed in respect as Hirohito exited the dining room and headed to the main lounge. Once there he approached the nearest phone and picked it up.
"Good morning Kotohito. I was told you had urgent news to tell me."
"Indeed. I have just received word from a colleague of mine who is close friends with the Chief of Police in Odawara. According to him local authorities answered a call from Aritomo's house. Apparently a servant woman found Aritomo lying dead on the floor covered in blood."
"Have the authorities determined cause of death?"
"Well here's the alarming part. The cause of death was determined to be a close-range bullet to the head. The shot was practically done execution style."
"Has a time of death been calculated? Also are were there any witnesses?"
"The body was discovered around 8:30 AM. Aritomo was known for getting up everyday at 8:00 to have his routine medicine. The fact that he failed to get up worried the household staff, prompting one of the servant women to check his room. Based on the status of the body, the murder has been estimated to have occurred within the past 12 hours. As for the witnesses, strangely no one saw or heard anything unusual."
"How is that possible? Surely a gunshot would've been heard by all the staff members. Also where were the guards when this occurred?" Hirohito anxiously asked.
"All the guards have been extensively interrogated. All that they remember doing during the whole night was performing their usual patrol duties."
"So Aritomo is found shot in the head and none of his guards or servants noticed anything unusual during the night. I find that heavily suspicious. The only question now is who did it."
Kotohito sighed. "About that, I think we have an idea on who it was. While they were examining Aritomo's body for evidence, they stumbled upon a pin button on his lapel. The button specifically depicted the logo of the Black Army."
Hirohito's eyes widened. "So the Black Army has grown more bolder. First they infiltrate us with their agent Mr. Lelouch Lamperouge. Now they are sending assassins against us."
"That's not all that was discovered."
"Let me guess, important documents are now missing too?"
"Uh...yes sir. Aritomo's safe was found opened. Valuables such as money and jewelry were left behind, but all the documents and military footage are missing."
"Just as I suspected. This wasn't simply a warning to us. It was an intelligence gathering mission. They must've found out that Aritomo was sending a report to our delegates at the arms conference in America. With the conference coming to an end, they couldn't have timed this any better."
"But how is it possible they found out? This plan of ours was only known among ourselves. Also none of those guards or staff members have any ties to foreign sources."
"At this point that doesn't matter." Hirohito replied. "What has happened is what has happened. We must accept the situation as it is and respond to what comes next. That is why I am ordering this murder to be kept under wraps. If word got out that a top political and military official of the Empire was found killed by the Black Army, fear and panic would surely grip the public."
"How should we then explain Aritomo's death then?" Kotohito asked.
"Tell the Chief of Police to classify Aritomo's death as natural in the records. I also want them to keep all the household staff members and guards under detention. I feel there's something more going on with them then what meets the eye."
"I shall do that." responded Kotohito before he hung up.
Hirohito put the phone back down and walked to the nearest window.
"So this is how you want to play now Zero. You have definitely hindered my short-term plans greatly. But don't be too excited for having the high ground right now, for this game is just getting warmed up." he thought as he stared outside.
3:44 PM, February 10th, 1922, Provisional Government of the ROK, French Concession, Shanghai
Sitting behind a large table that stretched across the whole room, the senior cabinet members and representatives of the Provisional Government listened to Zero read his recent report on Black Army activities.
"In conclusion, with Prince Yamagata Aritomo now dead, I would like to confirm that the assassination operation I sent Agent Warlock on was a complete success." Zero announced as he read his report from behind a podium.
Immediately the cabinet members and representatives immediately started to whisper to one another.
"Mr. Zero, while we are pleased that your mission was a success and that another enemy to Korea's independence has been taken out, I am still troubled by the fact you gave no consultation with any members of the Provisional Government before going through with it." explained Syngman Rhee, who as President of the Provisional Government, sat at the very center of the table.
"Mr. President, I apologize for not alerting the Provisional Government ahead of time, but me and my associates thought that the situation was urgent enough to warrant a last minute decision. As I told you in my report earlier, Aritomo was going to persuade the Western powers to allow direct intervention into China."
"Though I am surprised as you Mr. President about this decision made without deliberation, I think Zero's actions were reasonable." Park Eunsik added. "If Japan managed to convince the Western powers to directly intervene in China like they did in Russia, they would be right on our doorstep."
"We are safe from the Japanese authorities since we are located within French jurisdiction. Besides, an assassination of such a high level figure will surely encourage the wrath of Japan and the rest of the world." Rhee replied.
"Actually I would disagree." added Kim Gu, who sat at the table as Provisional Government's Director General of the Police Bureau. "I have received many reports about Japanese agents operating within the French Concession. It is my conclusion that we take whatever means necessary to keep the Japanese out of China. Isn't that correct Zero."
"Correct. Japan already has troops guarding the railways in Manchuria and is supporting the Fengtian Clique ruling the region. However, despite their attempt to convince the international community to intervene into China, there is evidence to show that they aren't done trying yet."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Kim Kyu-sik.
"What I mean is that the Japanese are planning to have the Fengtian Clique make a big move, one that would expand Japan's influence greatly without appearing to be an aggressor. The letter between the General Yu and Prince Yamagata Aritomo indicated that the relationship between the Fengtian and Zhili Cliques that jointly rule China is rapidly falling apart. There have also been reports of both sides redeploying tons of war material all over Northeastern China."
Zero walked over to the slide projector set up on the table adjacent to the podium and turned it on. He then signaled someone nearby to turn out the lights. When the lights went out, the only thing that was fully visible was a map of Northeastern China being projected onto the wall. Drawn on the map were many solid/dotted lines and arrows indicating observed fortification lines and troop movements respectively.
"As you can see from this visual aid, tensions between the two cliques jointly ruling the government in Peking is rapidly increasing. The likelihood of conflict breaking out between them is growing each day. If open conflict breaks out, then the Zhili Clique is going to need to all the aide they can get their hands on."
"Zero, what exactly are you suggesting?" asked An Chang-ho.
"What I am suggesting is that the Black Army and the Provisional Government allocate resources towards strengthening the Zhili Clique."
All the Provisional Government members immediately started to talk to one another upon hearing Zero's suggestion.
"I object Mr. President!" called out of the representatives. "China is a lost cause. Factions are constantly switching sides. The best shot we have at countering Japan and achieving independence is to focus our resources on increasing our influence in the United States. Hasn't that been the overall policy adopted by this government so far?"
"With all due respects, I think we should reevaluate our current policy and perhaps shift a majority of our attention to China and the rest of the Asian continent." another represented responded. "The fact that our commission was rejected to be heard at the recent conference in Washington D.C. has made me doubt how helpful the Americans will be."
"Then where do you plan to get our money from? Most of our money comes from supporters in America. I highly doubt supporters in China, who are already tight on cash, will be able to provide a fraction of what their counterparts in America can do." added a third representative.
As ministers and representatives on both sides of the room started voicing their opposition to one another, Rhee grabbed the gavel laying on the table in front of him and banged it several times. Immediately everyone in the room quieted down.
"Zero, your plan on intervening in China is quite interesting. However I personally reject. The current policy adopted by this administration is to work with the Americans and get them to assist us. Despite mine and my associates' opposition, we have still allowed you to maintain communication and connection with Soviet Russian government. Besides, according to my sources, the Zhili Clique is well-funded and equipped enough to defend itself on its own." responded Rhee.
"Normally I would agree with you Mr. President, however according to evidence discovered at Prince Aritomo's house, the Japanese are not simply sending rifles and bullets to the Fengtian Clique."
Zero then switched out the current slide in the projector with a new one. The map of Northeastern China disappeared from the wall and instead was replaced with a picture of blueprints of what appeared to be a large railway howitzer. Printed along the top was the name "PROJECT - RAIJIN".
"According to the analysis made by my team of engineers, these Raijin railway howitzers are extremely powerful and can pack a devastating blow. The designs of these howitzers are based on the Big Bertha super-heavy howitzers developed by the German arms manufacturing company Krupp. Each is one capable of delivering terror." Zero explained. "Apparently the Kojima Group has ordered the production of four of these and is planning to ship them to the city of Changchun in Manchuria."
He then switched the slides multiple times, causing different pictures of blueprints to be projected. Each of the blueprints depicted intricate designs of state-of-the art artillery shell, rifles, bombers, fighters, tanks, and armored cars. Once done showing and explaining the power of these new weapons, he then showed on the projector copies of purchase orders made by either the Japanese government or the Fengtian Clique. Other documents displayed included orders to conduct military exercises at the Korean-Manchurian border, which was clearly understood to be an excuse for the Japanese to allocate lots of weaponry and resources to such a small area without warranting international condemnation.
"With this type of equipment, the Fengtian's odds of overrunning the Zhili increases dramatically. If no action is taken to assist them at all, then I fear we will be within striking distance of Japan."
The government officials once again started to whisper to one another.
"What kind of aid were you proposing to be sent to the Zhili?" asked an official.
"The Black Army currently has some surplus ammunition and rifles that can be given away. Also the communication networks established by both the Provisional Government and the Black Army can be used by the Zhili leaders to more effectively coordinate their forces. In addition, I request approximately 5-8% of the Provisional Government's budget be allocated towards loans and investments in Zhili territory. The additional money will allow them to purchase more equipment. Most importantly however would be the soldiers." Zero explained.
"Soldiers?" asked Hong Jin as he adjusted his glasses.
"I propose to send several of my military commanders along with several regiments to assist the Zhili with preparations with the impending conflict."
"Zero, what you are asking of us is to approve and sanction the use of Korean lives in a foreign entanglement. Is there political chaos in China, yes indeed. However we are no condition to handle the situation. We have barely even anchored ourselves and you expect us to jump head first into the storm. Our best choice of action would be to concentrate all our resources and approach the problem diplomatically." replied Kim Kyu-sik.
"Mr. Kim I understand the stress the Provisional Government is currently facing. However, we cannot maintain the defensive indefinitely. We must make a move with what we have in order to gain the upper hand. This may be our one and only shot to prevent the incoming rainclouds from developing into a deadly storm." replied a stressed-out Zero.
"Very well Zero. We will consider implementing your plan into action. As President of the Provisional Government, I hereby propose to continue this discussion tomorrow and to call a vote on the approval of the Black Army's plan. Otherwise this meeting is hereby adjourned!" Rhee announced as he grabbed his gavel and banged it on its block.
Immediately everyone in the room got out of their seats and headed to the exit. Zero meanwhile stepped down from the podium and gathered his materials before walking up to Kim Gu and asking him if he could accompany him back to Black Army HQ. Both of them then exited the building and got into the car parked outside. Zero then instructed his driver on where to go as he started the car up.
"So that was a very interesting meeting wouldn't you say Kim?"
"Interesting and intense." he replied. "Your plan did managed to surprise and aggrevate many people in there."
"I did notice the President was one of the more vocal critics of the plan. Surely he must understand that the threat that's at hand."
"Rhee and his supporters are adamant on focusing on building up influence overseas, most notably the United States. It's not a surprise since he has been spending a decent amount of his life there and therefore is the bedrock of his support." Kim explained.
"However the diplomatic option with the United States can only go so far. What we need is to prevent Japan from strengthening itself and managing to override not just us, but the rest of the Asian continent as well."
"Me and my colleagues are in total agreement with you and are willing to help in anyway possible. However getting stuff done in the Provisional Government has been more difficult lately."
"I've heard there have been some ideological disagreements within the government."
"Indeed. The animosity between the right-wing nationalist and the left-wing socialists has never been this bad. Premier Yi Dong-hwi's and his supporters resignation is physical evidence of this rift."
"Still, we cannot let that hinder are progress. I am relying on you to convince the other members to approve my plan."
"Zero, as your fellow comrade and friend, I will muster all the resources and support I can gather to support you, the Black Army, and the Korean people."
"Thank you Kim. I really appreciate that." Zero replied.
5:03 PM, February 11th, 1922, Black Army HQ, International Settlement
Zero, slightly exhausted, walked into his office and sat at his desk. He unlocked his desk drawer and pulled out his journal. He then picked up a nearby fountain pen and began writing in it.
"Just came back from a long meeting with the Provisional Government regarding the proposal to focus more on China. As usual Rhee and his supporters are deeply committed with their plan to focus on maintaining connections with the West despite the repeated failed attempts to get the United States or the League of Nations to support our cause. Rhee has nevertheless insisted that the connections he has made in America is the solution. Fortunately Kim Gu, Lyuh Woon-hyunh, and Ahn Chang-ho seem to agree with my proposal and managed to convince some of the neutral members of the Provisional Government to come to their side.
After much negotiating and debating between the two factions, the Provisional Government voted that they would be willing to support the Black Army's position. However the Provisional Government stated that they would only approve of the Black Army's usage of established communication networks to assist the Zhili. They also stated they would only support the Black Army aiding the Zhili the form of material resources and a limited number of military advisors. Though it's not nearly as much as I requested, it is better than nothing."
Zero then closed his journal and put it back in the drawer. As he sat at his desk looking at the ceiling above, he then started to visually remember all the people he knew from his world. Like always, he wondered what was going on over there while he was gone. Somedays he had hope that he would return. However, seeing how his odds of figuring out how to were practically 0%, it appeared this world would be his new home.
Author's Note: Glad to get that chapter written up. Wanted to complete this chapter two weeks ago, but other things got in my way. I apologize for the long gaps in between chapter releases. Anyways please comment for I love to read all your thoughts and opinions.