Ch. 64: Justice Upheld
11:38 PM, March 24th, 1925, Black Army HQ
Sitting at his desk with only his desk lamp to illuminate the room, Zero was in the process of updating his journal. The daily newspaper, which had the words "RHEE EXPELLED - IMPEACHMENT UPHELD", along with a photo of Syngman Rhee walking towards a car with his head down as he was surrounded by numerous people and reporters, printed on the front page, was also sitting on the desk. Because it was late, the only sounds one could hear was the sound of Zero's pen scratching away against the paper he wrote on.
"It has been a little more than two months since Kim Gu proved Rhee was trying to get rid of me and take control over the Black Army. Ever since then, the Provisional Government has been investigating all of Rhee's financial activities nonstop. Further analysis into the evidence provided by Kim Gu seems to conclusively show Rhee was allowing the Syndicate and other illicit opium dealers to utilize secretive Provisional Government channels in exchange for a significant share of their profits. As a result, the Provisional Government officially agreed to drop all charges towards me and reverse the enactment of Section 6 of the Shanghai Agreement, effectively restoring me as Chairman of the Black Army and unfreezing all Black Army activities.
Meanwhile, the Provisional Government's investigation revealed new interesting information about Rhee as well. While looking over his financial records, which they were able to access after much pressure, it was uncovered that Rhee was also embezzling massive amounts of funds being raised for the independence movement in Hawaii. The additional discovery has practically solidified the Provisional Government's desire to impeach Rhee. With the Provisional Government overwhelmingly voting in favor of impeachment, Rhee has been ousted as President. According to my sources, he plans to move back to Honolulu, Hawaii and work on the independence movement without the support of the Provisional Government.
Due to Rhee's ousting, Park Eunsik was elected to succeed as President today. He immediately contacted me upon being elected told me that he and the rest of the Provisional Government were sorry for doubting my innocence and almost miscarrying justice. Had to tell repeatedly tell them that they shouldn't feel sorry for they were basing their reasons and judgement on the evidence provided to them. Nevertheless, Park Eunsik told me the Provisional Government wanted to repay me by allocating most of the funds they recovered from Rhee to the Black Army. Initially I resisted, but they insisted I take the money. I eventually gave in and told him the Black Army would take the money. With the additional money, I plan to expand our intelligence networks, upgrade our weapons, and recruit more personnel.
Tomorrow afternoon I will meet with Park Eunsik and discuss future plans between the Provisional Government and the Black Army."
Seeing how late it was, Zero decided to go to bed. After closing his journal shut, he got out of his desk chair and proceeded to change into his pajamas. He then turned off his desk lamp and laid down in his bed.
10:32 AM, March 25th, 1925, Black Army HQ
As usual most of the Black Army personnel were gathered in the dining hall eating breakfast. People were either in line getting some food or sitting at one of the multiple long tables that spanned the entire room. The sound of voices filled the entire room as multiple conversations were going on simultaneously.
Amongst the many people in the room were Kae, Park, Roh, Seo, and Jeong, who could be seen sitting together and talking to one another while eating.
"Let us toast once more in celebration of Rhee being ousted and Zero being reinstated as Chairman!" Kae said as she raised her glass of milk.
Park, Roh, Seo, and Jeong quickly raised their glasses in response.
"Glad to see the Provisional Government on our side again." Park added. "Still, I am somewhat shocked that the mastermind behind everything was the President himself."
"I kind of had a feeling it was him from the start." Seo said as he ate a piece of ham. "Never fully trusted the guy."
"I have to somewhat agree." Kae replied. "Rhee's adamant opposition to Zero's actions, most notably the ones against the gangs and drug traffickers, definitely had me raising my eyebrows. However I never took Rhee to be the type of person who would actually go to such lengths to get what he wanted."
"Same here." Jeong added. "By the way, what's going to happen to Rhee now that he's out of power?"
"According to sources I've heard from within the Provisional Government, Rhee will be returning to Hawaii." Park answered.
"That just pisses me off!" Roh grumbled as he was chewing on some eggs. "I can't believe the Provisional Government is just allowing Rhee to leave after everything he has done to us and Zero."
"We're all frustrated that Rhee got off easy. The man practically jeopardized the independence movement for his own personal gain. Hell we lost one of our own trying to prove him guilty." Kae said. "However, there's really nothing else they can do. The only punishment the Provisional Government can give to the President is impeachment and expulsion."
"Well if I was in charge of the Provisional Government, I would throw Rhee's ass into a jain cell so he can rot away for the rest of his life." Roh replied.
"While I'm frustrated as everyone else here, let's be glad that Rhee will not be involved with the Provisional Government anymore and therefore unable to interfere with us anymore." said Seo. "Besides, it was nice of the Provisional Government to give us most of the money Rhee embezzled from them."
"The question I have now is what exactly is Zero planning to do with that money." said Roh. "I hope he uses some of it to buy some higher quality food."
"You seriously think he's going to spend that money on frivolous luxuries?" Park asked. "He's probably going to give most of it to Ronan and Dietrich."
"Makes sense. R&D and Intelligence have been petitioning for more funding for quite some time." Jeong added.
"Speaking of Zero, where is he now?" Seo asked.
"If I recall he and Kim Gu are meeting with Park Eunsik to discuss various issues that had occurred while us and the Provisional Government were focusing on Rhee." Kae answered.
"Well not much has happened for the past the few months. It's not like Japan has made any significant moves." said Roh.
"That's what worries Zero the most Roh. It's not like Japan to ignore us for this long, especially seeing what we have done to them." Kae explained.
"Also Hirohito isn't the type of person to simply let an opening pass by." Park added. "The fact that he took no move against us despite our internal divisions indicates to me that he is focusing on something that is more valuable."
"If that's the case, then I hope Zero, along with Dietrich and the rest of Intelligence, will discover what Hirohito and Japan have been scheming for the past few months." Jeong added.
12:53 PM, Provisional Government of the ROK, French Concession
Inside one of the smaller meeting rooms, senior members of the Black Army and the Provisional Government were discussing future plans. Sitting on one side of the table was Zero, Dietrich, Gang, and Jo while Park Eunsik, Kim Gu, and several other senior Provisional Government members sat on the other side. Because he was now President, Park Eunsik sat in the seat Syngman Rhee once occupied.
"As you can see by the report written by Prof. Ronan O'Connor, our R&D department would like to use their share of the money you confiscated from Rhee and kindly gave to us to buy the necessary equipment and materials to listed in front of you." Zero explained.
The numerous senior Provisional Government members could be seen passing around a folder simply labelled "PROJECT: KKACHI" and examining dozens of papers and schematics inside it.
"It says here that Prof. O'Connor requires a cruiser. Where do you plan to buy one of those?" Kim Kyu-sik asked.
"Our contacts in Russia have told us that Moscow has a dilipidated cruiser and would be happy to sell it for a reasonable price." answered Dietrich.
"Where do you plan to have R&D construct a project of this size Minister?" asked Hong Jin as he adjusted his glasses.
"Upon purchasing it, we plan to move the cruiser to the Russian port of Vladivostok. With the right amount of money the Russians will surely have no problem if we use the railways and naval facilities there to receive materials and construct the project."
"And what is the opinion of the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff?" Yang Gi-tak asked. "Do you believe that Project: Kkachi is worth the time and money to build?"
"I have discussed the project in detail with our military strategists and they have concluded that Kkachi will improve both our naval and aerial capabilities significantly." Gang answered. "I believe General Jo agrees with me."
General Jo nodded his head in response.
"Very well then." Park Eunsik said.
The President and the other senior members of the Provisional Government quietly began to deliberate amongst themselves while Zero and his entourage silently waited in their seats.
"Zero, the Provisional Government has no objection to your proposal and allow the project to proceed. All we ask for are reports on the construction status along with copies of all diplomatic and financial records you make with the Russian government." Park Eunsik announced.
"Thank you Mr. President for approving this project. I personally assure you that you will be kept in touch with all aspects of the construction." Zero replied.
"On to the next order of business..." Park Eunsik said as he along with the other members sitting next to him pulled out a report titled "BLACK ARMY DIPLOMATIC REPORT: CHINA - VOL. III".
"Zero, may you please explain the findings and you have compiled here?"
"Certainly Mr. President." Zero answered. "As you all know the pro-Japanese Fengtian Clique was able to take control of the capitol city of Peking from the Zhili Clique a few months ago no thanks to General Feng Yuxiang defecting and creating his own faction, the Guomunjun. As a result the two factions agreed to share power and make ex-Anhui Clique leader Duan Qirui leader of the Republic of the China. Nevertheless it has been determined that the Fengtian Clique is the one calling the shots. Based on reports that the Japanese told the Fengtian Clique to bribe General Feng to defect, it was concluded that Japan is becoming more aggressive in its expansion into China.
"Because all Black Army activities were suspended due to the embezzlement charges over the past few months, there is much fear that Japan took advantage of our absence to manipulate the geopolitical environment in China in their favor even further. That is why I have ordered almost all my intelligence and foreign affairs resources to investigate and scout the situation in China along with all communications between Japan, the Fengtian Clique, and any other warlord they are allied with."
The senior members of the Provisional Government once again started to quietly talk with one another.
"With the Zhili Clique's power reduced significantly, who do you propose we coordinate with in dealing with Japanese influence in China?" Hong Jin asked.
"As of now our best shot would be the KMT based in the southern provinces. Besides being strongest force that opposes Japanese encroachment, both us and them also share common connections with the Soviet Union. It therefore shouldn't be difficult to establish dialogue with them."
"But we have supported their rivals the Zhili Clique for the past few years. They probably haven't forgotten that. What makes you think they are going to overlook that fact and be willing to help us?" Yang Gi-tak interjected.
"There is no guarantee that they will overlook our past actions. In fact it would surprise me if they did. But we must try. If we don't, then I fear Japan will use whatever force necessary to take control over China and undermine the existence of both the Black Army and the Provisional Government."
"And who do you intend to contact within the KMT?" asked Yi Dongyeong.
"That's where it gets difficult." Zero answered. "As you already know, KMT founder Dr. Sun Yat-sen died about two weeks ago. This has ultimately led to a power vacuum within the KMT along with the loose coalition of nationalists, socialists, and communists formed by Dr. Sun to fall apart. It is therefore most likely we will see the left-wing and right-wing factions of the party fight one another for overall control."
"So what you are saying is that you don't even have someone to begin talks with?" asked Kim Kyu-sik.
"That is correct." Zero answered. "It would be futile to establish relations and negotiate deals with any of the factions at this point."
"I assume then you have something else in mind then?" asked Park Eunsik.
"I plan to keep surveillance over the KMT for the time being. By observing the actions, movements, behavior, and motives of the factions within the party, we can determine which faction is the one in the best position to lead the KMT and assist us." explained Zero.
The elderly President then took a moment to further read the diplomatic report. He then deliberated with the other senior Provisional Government members before returning to address Zero.
"Ok. Based on what you just said along with the report you have provided, the Provisional Government will approve your plan and provide you with a limited amount of resources to assist you." Park Eunsik replied.
He then turned his head towards Kim Gu who was sitting further down the table.
"Kim, as a senior cabinet member of the Provisional Government and the Deputy Chairman of the Black Army, I want you to report all Black Army activity and findings back to us. I want to make sure we are kept up to date on this issue. Do you understand?"
"Of course sir." Kim Gu answered.
"And do you understand Zero?"
"Absolutely. I will guarantee Mr. Kim Gu will be updated on all our activities and any further decisions we decide to make will be done after consultation with you."
"Very good." replied Park Eunsik.
Suddenly the clock hanging on the wall started to chime it was one o'clock.
"What perfect timing." the President noted. "Seeing what time it is, I hereby putting our current meeting on hold and allowing a one hour recess. Any objections?"
Everyone sitting at the table sat silently in response. Seeing how no one objected, Park Eunsik grabbed the gavel in front of him and banged it on the table to make the dismissal official. Everyone then got out of their seats and proceeded to exit the room.
Wanting to talk with them in private, Kim Gu approached Zero, Dietrich, Gang, and Jo as they were about to leave.
"Well the meeting seemed to have been an overall success wouldn't you say Zero?" he asked.
"I agree." Zero answered. "With the Provisional Government giving their blessing, we will be able use all our resources to combat Japan's influence in China."
"Really shows that you have regained their trust after that whole embezzlement controversy you had with them." Gang added. "Still, I'm kind of somewhat frustrated that they were so quick to turn on you, especially after everything you have done for them."
"That's in the past." Jo replied. "Now it is of the most utmost importance to come up a brand new strategy to deal with the situation in China."
"General Jo is correct." said Dietrich. "We need to work as fast as possible. Japan's lack of direct action has me deeply concerned."
"Same here. Lets not forget Hirohito deployed forces and commanders that specialize in anti-insurgency on the Korean Peninsula. There's no doubt he's planning to make a big move in China soon." said Kim Gu.
"The only question is what." said Zero as he stroked his chin.
Author's Notes: So Syngman Rhee is officially out of the picture and Zero is 100% exonerated. Relations between the Black Army and the Provisional Government are fully restored. Now Zero must direct his focus on the political situation in China between the Japanese and the various warlords and prepare for there next big engagement.
Because this story revolves around the Korean independence movement, I decided to release this chapter on the 100th Anniversary of the Korean Declaration of Independence. Will try to write up and post the next chapter as soon as possible. Also would love to hear people's opinions and predictions.