21st Century Goguryeo

September 2nd, 2023, 11:00 (New China Standard Time 10:00)

New China, the communist party's headquarters in Beijing (the president's office)

After being defeated in the war against Corea, the nation attempted to go into a democracy based on the decision made by the four states' military commanders, but the petty disputes about profits incited frequent arguments.

The eastern state had claimed independence under the name 'The Eastern Republic' on October 5th, 2022, and started the division. The central state was taken over in a coup by the 38th army group consisting of Xi Jin Ping loyalists, and Beijing that was once China's political center now became the political hub for the central state. The leaders of the 38th army group immediately left the military commander's council and claimed independence under the name 'New Chinese People's Republic' or NPR for short on December 3rd, 2022.

The south and west states allied with each other and founded a new democratic nation on January 1st, 2023 under the name of 'Republic of China.' As a result, China was split into three different countries, but to be precise, there were 13 independent nations from the 10 minorities within China that claimed independence on June 15th, 2022, and three nations with the Han race.

On August 5th, 2023, the communist New Chinese People's Republic started the civil war by invading the Republic of China's economic city, Chongqing.

"Vice President!" Wang Jing Wei, who was the commander of the 38th army group and the leader of the coup, was appointed to the presidency and called for Vice President Chan Wei Ting while seated at the president's office snobbishly.

"Yes, Mr. President!"

"How's the matter I asked you to look into?"

"We are analyzing it from multiple angles, sir."

"I asked you to do that a long time ago, and you're still working on it?"

"Apologies, sir. If it takes any longer, we will get it done with the aid from the Minister of Diplomacy Li Bao Dung."

"My, my. Tsk tsk tsk. If you had to go through the ministry of diplomacy then why would I task you with the matter? Have you already forgotten this must be done in secret, so the ministry of diplomacy would be unaware?"

"I'm-I'm sorry, sir."

"I can't believe I need to run a country with a guy like him..."

Chun Wei Ting was the operations director of the 38th army group during the coup and became the vice president of the central military commission after President Wang Jing Wei held office.

"Enough about that. How's the war against the damned Republic of China?"

The NPR and the Republic of China were fighting a fierce battle against each other for the city of Chongqing, the nation's economic mecca with a population of 2.88 million consisting of 21 counties and 4 self-governed provinces.

"According to the Minister of Defense Jang Yue Fung, we should be able to completely occupy the city within 2 weeks, Mr. President."

"Two weeks?"

"Yes, sir."

"It has been over a month since we have attacked the city, and it will take two more weeks?"

"The thing is, the military is attempting to take over the city while trying to minimize damages to the industrial facilities, sir."

"All right. Give me a brief report about the other regions as well."

"Yes, up next is..."

* * *

September 2nd, 2023, 13:30

The Pyeong-yang General Hospital (the old Josungoryeo Hospital) at Daedong-gang county, Pyeong-yang metropolitan city, the Northern State, Corea

It was the 4th visit Kim Yeo-jung had made since Kim Jong-un regained consciousness.

When she heard the news about her brother regaining consciousness, Senator Kim Yeo-jung dropped everything and went to visit her brother. However, he insulted and attempted to beat her as if he saw an old enemy. Luckily, he was stopped by the doctors and nurses nearby.

Kim Jong-un's doctor explained he was so violent towards her due to mental disability caused by the impression that Kim Yeo-jung had caused the reunification and made the Democratic People's Republic of Korea disappear. He also explained how Kim Jong-un needed time to come back to reality and adjust. Kim Yeo-jung was only allowed to visit her brother once a week.

"My dear sister! I am so sorry for lashing out before." Ironically, Kim Jong-un greeted his sister warmly this time. The look in his eyes, his demeanor, and tone were completely different. The room felt much warmer compared to before.

"Dear brother! I understand. I would have done the same."

"Really? I am grateful for that. Where are you living now?"

"I'm now living in Seoul."

The visits that were uncomfortable a month ago had now returned to one a brother and sister would have.

"Seoul? Is it nice?"

"Yes, if you don't mind it being crowded, it's a good place to live."

"Are you satisfied with how things are?"

Kim Yeo-jung smiled awkwardly from her brother's question and spoke after a long silence, "I'm-I am satisfied."

"What makes you feel that way?"

Kim Yeo-jung seemed to have made up her mind from the prying questions and spoke to her brother while looking at him in the eye.

"Dear brother! South Josun, Corea is a great place to live. The citizens of the Northern state are also enjoying their lives freely and doing their best. You should, too..." Kim Yeo-jung could not finish her sentence.

Kim Jong-un smiled as if he already knew what she was going to say.

"I guess my sister has been deeply influenced by South Korean capitalism. I know what you were going to say. There's no need to worry. I still have enough wits to see reality."

"Re-really? So, you've made up your mind?"

"Yes, I have."

"That is wonderful, and a relief, dear brother."

"Of course, of course. What happens to me now? Will I get banished overseas?"

Kim Yeo-jung answered while waving her hands, "No. Just focus on recovering for now. I'm sure the good news will come from the central government."

"How could any good news come right now?" Kim Jong-un expressed his concerns.

"Big brother, there's no need to worry. The central government has promised me that they will take care of you."

"I guess we will have to wait and see, won't we? Who are those guys?" Kim Jong-un pointed to the two men standing behind his sister. Two of the usual men whom he knew, but it was the first time he had met the other two.

Kim Yeo-jung looked towards the direction his brother pointed to with his chin and answered quietly, "They are from the NIS."

"The NIS?"

"It's an organization that is similar to the State Security Department."

"They're here to keep tabs on us. I want to talk to that man over there."

"All right."

When the man approached Kim Jong-un at the request of his sister, he was able to speak with him alone.

"What's your name? Where are you from?"

"I am Agent Hong Hyuck-jun from the NIS."

"I see, I won't keep you long! Please listen to me. I want to just live a quiet life from now on. Tell your superiors that they don't need to worry about me. What could I possibly do now? Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do."

"If that's the case, then be on your way."

Kim Jong-un was now in his 40s after spending 8 years of his life in bed, and he seemed a bit different compared to his headstrong days during his 20s on TV.

* * *

September 3rd, 2023, 11:00

The South State, Seoul, Jongro-ku, Ministry of Foreign Affairs office (guest room)

Minister Kang Kyung-hee, who had been appointed by President Choo Un-hee, was busy dealing with Ambassador Yegor Titov from the Russian embassy in Corea. There was only one reason he would come to the ministry. It was about the handing off of Hokkaido to Russia that Corea signed in secret with Russia during the war.

The war between Corea and Japan had been over for two years, but Hokkaido was still not handed off to Russia, so President Putin must have made up his mind to get the territory before his term was over. President Putin only had six months left in his term.

"Minister Kang! When will the Corean government hand over Hokkaido to our government? I would like a sure answer today, please." Ambassador Yegor Titov looked exhausted from either making the same demands to the Corean Ministry of Foreign Affairs every time or being pressured by his government back home.

"Ambassador Titov, didn't I tell you it is going to be difficult to hand over Hokkaido? Hasn't our government invested over 18 billion dollars for the Siberian natural resources industry?"

Corea had invested 18 billion dollars to Russia's Siberia to build a natural resources complex in 2022. The investment had elevated the weaker eastern side of Russia's economy in an instant and helped Russia grow into an economic power.

"Isn't that a separate matter to the agreement about Hokkaido, minister?"

"A separate matter? The original agreed investment was 5 billion dollars. Our government invested 13 billion dollars more in place of Hokkaido."

"The investment of the Corean government was not only profitable to Russia but also for Corea, wasn't it? I don't think that would cover the handoff of Hokkaido." Ambassador Yegor Titov seemed to have made up his mind before the visit.

"Very well, Ambassador Titov! Is there anything else we could give in place of Hokkaido?"

"No, there is nothing else. Only Hokkaido. Our government is not making unreasonable demands, minister. We are only asking for the Corean government to uphold the promise they made, aren't we?" Ambassador Yegor Titov raised his voice. When he saw Minister Kang Kyung-hee hesitate and unable to respond, he leaned in closer and spoke quietly, "President Putin is willing to use military force to take Hokkaido if the promise is not kept."

Ambassador Yegor Titov's tone was menacing.

Minister Kang Kyung-hee responded in a shocked tone, "Are you saying Russia will invade Hokkaido? Russia will go into war against Corea?"

"When did we say that? Isn't Hokkaido Japan's territory?"

"Ambassador Titov! Our nation had a military force the size of a corps stationed in Japan to defend their territory based on its surrender. Our men are stationed in Hokkaido. Aren't you aware?"

"Then I guess all Corea has to do is pull out from Hokkaido."

"Ambassador Titov!"

When the ambassador revealed Russia's true intent, the entire room felt cold.

"I will say this again. Our government is only asking for the promise that was made to be kept. No more, no less." Ambassador Yegor Titov went back to his polite tone as if he was commanding the room. Like a diplomatic professional, he was highly skilled in negotiations.

"Very well. I understand Russia's true intent. Give me a few days. I will get a final answer from the president and contact you."

Ambassador Yegor Titov took a moment to think after hearing Minister Kang Kyung-hee's words and finally got up from the sofa.

"I understand. I will put my faith in you for the final time, Minister Kang. I'll be on my way."