## Chapter 201 – 20. The Spring of China
+++
Abroad, it was largely believed that the Chinese people were united in their support of the Sino-Korean summit and the refusal to pay reparations. However, the reality within China was quite different.
There was certainly pent-up anger.
But it wasn’t enough to cause such an explosive reaction.
The Shanghai Economic Alliance, in particular, had been one of the most economically successful regions despite paying massive reparations. Many argued, based on various grounds, that “Shanghai grew thanks to Korea and the Goryeo Group,” “If it weren’t for Korea, we’d still be under the pathetic Communist Party,” and “Isn’t this practically a democracy tax?” There were surprisingly many who advocated for the benefits of Korean influence.
Even among others, the prevailing opinion was at least cautious.
Many believed that the issue of reparations should be resolved through diplomacy, but gradually and without provoking Korea and the Goryeo Group.
As a result, Premier Li Wei’s rash actions were difficult to garner national support.
In this situation, the sudden announcement of the Sino-Korean summit and the refusal to pay reparations ignited public sentiment. When the unidentified missile from Goryeo Military struck the sea off Shanghai, it reached its peak.
– Li Wei, resign!
– Resign!!
– The traitor who kills the people, step down!
– Step down!!
Citizens stormed the forum where the Sino-Korean summit was being held, staging protests.
Their message was clear: Li Wei, who triggered the national crisis, must resign immediately.
It wasn’t just the forum.
Citizens, interpreting the missile incident as a strong warning from the Goryeo Group, abandoned their jobs and took to the streets.
“The backlash is more severe than expected, Premier.”
“…Fools!”
Li Wei slammed his desk.
How could there be so few people in this great Shanghai who could read the current situation!
If they continued like this, they would all wither and die!
Why else would the Twenty States of China gather in Shanghai, risking so much to proclaim a unified China?
“The People’s Innovation Party is moving. They say your… clumsy actions have endangered the nation!”
“Damn Korean collaborators…!”
He hadn’t completely failed to anticipate the citizens’ reaction.
Shanghai was an economically developed region, and its people were highly sensitive to economic damage.
But the extent was far greater than expected.
It seemed the People’s Innovation Party was playing a hand.
“…Isn’t it strange? The Goryeo bastards dropped a missile, possibly nuclear, right in our waters…! Yet instead of condemning them, they blame me?”
“…”
Li Wei shook his head, suspicion clouding his face.
“The reports that anti-national forces seeking to overthrow the system exist in this country were true. How else could this happen unless Korean collaborators, posing as the Goryeo’s lackeys, have infiltrated every corner of this nation?”
He fiddled with a card he had been planning for emergencies.
The chief secretary understood his intentions from his expression.
“…! Premier! That’s—”
Li Wei looked at the chief secretary with heavy eyes.
“Their operation has already begun. A revolution is necessary for a unified China.”
“!”
+++
Wednesday, December 23, 2076.
As I monitored the response of the Twenty States of China and handled my work, I received shocking news around 10:30 PM.
Breaking News) Shanghai Premier Li Wei Declares State of Emergency… Parliament Shut Down.
A state of emergency, no less.
Every channel was instantly flooded with news, and a sense of foreboding washed over me.
“What, is it war?”
Wow.
So, the inevitable has finally arrived….
Well, yeah.
After a missile, something akin to a nuke, fell into the sea right in front of them, they couldn’t just sit still.
But still, a state of emergency seems a bit extreme.
Are they confident?
“Are they about to declare war?”
This complicates things a bit.
From the Goryeo Group’s perspective, the warning clearly wasn’t effective, so they’ll have to respond further, which means war.
I’m just starting to expand my business, and now there’s a war.
“Master, I don’t think this is directed at us?”
“Huh?”
The news was broadcasting Premier Li Wei’s emergency address to the nation.
The subtitles, translated in real-time, contained something strange.
“To protect free democracy and a unified China from the threat of anti-national forces… seeking to overthrow the system, and to safeguard the safety of the people, I declare a state of emergency?”
There was more, but in short, it meant banning all political activities, controlling the press and publications, and prohibiting assemblies—a return to the old China.
But the justification wasn’t to respond to the recent incident, but to eradicate internal anti-national forces.
“Wow. What is all this?”
What the hell is going on?
Why are they suddenly talking about anti-national forces and overthrowing the system in this situation…?
‘Or is it? Is it accurate? The Goryeo Group’s influence must be deeply rooted.’
Seen that way, it kind of makes sense….
Still, I was so dumbfounded that I called Go Minji.
She blurted out as soon as she answered the phone.
– Yeah. I don’t know either.
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
– You’re calling about the news, right? The state of emergency in Shanghai.
“That’s right.”
– …It’s not that we didn’t have the information, but it didn’t make any sense. So, we dismissed it as fake news. How can you declare a state of emergency with a snap of your fingers? But it happened?
“…”
The news was broadcasting live from in front of the Shanghai National Assembly.
A massive number of military vehicles were lined up, entering the premises and clashing with National Assembly staff and security.
Amidst all this, various military helicopters and AVs flew in, dropping special forces into the National Assembly.
The news provided rapid updates, explaining the role of the National Assembly when a state of emergency is declared.
The gist was that if a majority of the attending members agreed, the state of emergency could be lifted. News was being reported that Shanghai’s assembly members were in an uproar, rushing to the National Assembly.
‘But can they stop it?’
The National Assembly was already closed by the military.
No one could enter.
Even if the assembly members went to the National Assembly in this situation, could they get inside and vote?
How can they break through the soldiers with just their bare hands?
“So, what happens now? If it’s a state of emergency…”
– What do you mean what happens? It’s actually become simpler.
“?”
The answer came soon enough.
With the state of emergency troops maintaining strict security, preventing anyone from moving carelessly, the news screen illuminated the distant skies above Shanghai.
Countless incoming AVs were spotted.
Breaking News) The Military’s Shanghai Branch Corporate Army Attempts to Enter the National Assembly with Approximately 50 Assembly Members.
“What??”
Our Military’s army was attempting to drop Shanghai’s assembly members into the National Assembly using AVs!
– If you try to shoot them down, it’s war.
“Wow…”
– So what if it’s a state of emergency? Are you going to shoot?
Go Minji’s cynical mockery was spot on.
It was a state of emergency boldly declared, and the state of emergency troops occupying the National Assembly were upholding it, but they couldn’t bring themselves to shoot down the Military’s AVs.
They simply repeated the phrase, “A state of emergency has been declared, and no one can make any impure movements without the permission of the state of emergency troops!”
Of course, the Military casually ignored this warning.
Before they knew it, the AVs entered the National Assembly grounds and landed.
The state of emergency troops immediately surrounded the AVs, and the corporate army that poured out of the AVs confronted them.
A tense situation.
Then, an AV flying in from afar performed a body slam, destroying the National Assembly building and rushing into the main conference hall.
Countless reporters and foreign correspondents on the scene scattered in panic, and the camera shook wildly.
“Is this a movie or reality?”
– Don’t you know that reality is more dramatic?
Go Minji chuckled and hung up, saying she was busy.
“Isn’t there any news from inside the National Assembly?”
“Just a moment.”
Sua and the team leaders busily searched for information, and soon, Seunghee found a channel and displayed it on the TV.
It was a live stream from an assembly member who had been on the AV that rushed into the National Assembly.
“About 20 people got in. That’s nowhere near enough, right?”
The Shanghai Assembly has a total of 500 members, and more than 250 must be seated and vote in favor of repealing the state of emergency.
In other words, the current situation was hopeless. The assembly members inside were also pleading with desperate faces.
And then, it happened.
“Huh? They’re breaking through.”
The Military’s corporate army, escorting the assembly members, began to push back the state of emergency troops.
Perhaps it was because they were the Goryeo Group’s army, making them difficult to deal with, but even considering that, they were being pushed back a bit too easily. Looking closer, it seemed the state of emergency troops were also dragging their feet as much as possible, doing things half-heartedly.
As a result, they were helplessly pushed back and eventually breached.
Once the dam broke, everything went smoothly.
The Military’s corporate army continued to transport assembly members in various ways, bringing them into the National Assembly through the breached path.
The state of emergency troops couldn’t bring themselves to cut off that path.
To do so would inevitably lead to combat, which would mean war with the Military, and by extension, the Goryeo Group.
Later, the Military’s knighthood deployed in the skies above the National Assembly, creating a spectacle as 12 mechs spread their energy wings and deployed in the sky.
At this point, the state of emergency troops were already at a disadvantage in terms of military power, further demoralizing them.
And finally,
Breaking News) Shanghai National Assembly Passes Resolution Demanding Repeal of State of Emergency with 324 Votes in Favor, State of Emergency Immediately Nullified in 155 Minutes
Premier Li Wei’s declaration of a state of emergency was invalidated by the National Assembly’s demand.
Well, the process of Premier Li Wei accepting that demand remained, but legally, it could be considered virtually invalidated.
About three hours later, Premier Li Wei appeared with a haggard look and accepted the National Assembly’s demand, and the state of emergency was officially lifted.
– Goryeo Military Has Protected Democracy in Shanghai!
– Those Who Call for a Unified China Are All Dictators!
– How Could You Point Guns at Citizens!
The Military, which had been diligently extracting reparations every year and cheerfully dropping missiles into the sea off Shanghai,
Instead, they became heroes who protected democracy in Shanghai.
“What kind of development is this?”
