Chapter 143

The Northward Expedition.

Perhaps, in the history of the Korean Peninsula, if there was a word more heart-stirring than the Southward Expedition, it would be the Northward Expedition.

Countless kings had called for a Northward Expedition, but none had ever succeeded.

Yet now, Kang Yuseong and the President were discussing that monumental endeavor.

“Let’s launch the Northward Expedition!”

At that single sentence, Kang Yuseong felt his heart pound.

Kang Yuseong slowly nodded in response to the President’s words.

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

It wasn’t solely for the benefit of the Republic of Korea.

In truth, while it was a strategy born of self-preservation, the term “Northward Expedition” still held significant allure. To occupy North Korea, cross the Yalu River, and advance into the vast continent of China.

It was a thrilling prospect.

“Let’s do it, Commander Kang Yuseong. I’m counting on you. However, I haven’t yet managed to convince the Emergency Committee. I’m confident I can persuade them, but it will likely be a major hurdle.”

Indeed, that had been the very reason past Northward Expeditions had failed.

Whether it was a king or anyone else who attempted it, the opposition from their retainers had always been formidable.

To provoke China was, both in the past and now, an incredibly burdensome undertaking. The President was clearly concerned about precisely that.

Hearing this, Kang Yuseong slowly began to speak.

“Would it be possible for me to meet with them?”

The President looked at him with a surprised expression.

“Commander Kang Yuseong, you mean?”

“Yes. Since I devised the strategy, it seems fitting that I should be the one to persuade them. Could you arrange a meeting?”

“Hmm…”

The President fell silent for a moment.

Then, he slowly nodded again and said,

“If the Commander persuades them directly, it might be easier to make progress… Very well, I’ll arrange a meeting. The sooner, the better, I presume?”

Kang Yuseong nodded at the President’s words.

Time was short, so meeting with the Emergency Committee as soon as possible was crucial.

“I’d appreciate it if you could expedite it.”

The Black Wind Unit was already on the move.

They needed to act before the unit infiltrated North Korea.

“Understood. Please wait a moment. I’ll arrange the time.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Kang Yuseong received the President’s promise and exited the office.

Now, once the Emergency Committee was persuaded, everything would begin.

A day when Kang Yuseong’s life, unlike his past where he had been forced to die helplessly, would restart.

* * * * *

The President contacted him not long after.

It was only a few hours after he had parted ways with Kang Yuseong.

This indicated that the President, too, recognized the urgency of the matter.

The meeting place was the President’s office.

It was one of the two most heavily secured locations in the Republic of Korea.

The other, needless to say, was Kang Yuseong’s own office.

When Kang Yuseong’s car arrived at the Blue House, staff from the presidential secretariat, who were already waiting, guided him inside. Unlike before, the presence of secretariat and security personnel spread out from the entrance suggested that the President intended to settle this matter immediately.

As Kang Yuseong re-entered the President’s office, he saw seven Grand Committee members of the Emergency Committee seated within.

The Emergency Committee consisted of seventy members nationwide, with one Grand Committee member for every ten members.

In the past, they would have formed parties and engaged in political strife, but now things were different.

With the nation pushed to the brink of survival, fighting along party lines was unthinkable. For that reason, after the Mega Shock, the National Assembly had been dissolved, and the Emergency Committee had taken its place.

And the decision-making power of these Grand Committee members was immense.

They even held the authority to make decisions on behalf of ten committee members.

“Good day. I am Kang Yuseong, Commander of the Integrated Security Command.”

Upon entering, Kang Yuseong offered a polite and respectful greeting.

The Grand Committee members returned his greeting.

At this time, the most crucial figures in the Republic of Korea were all gathered in this room.

“Please, have a seat, Commander Kang Yuseong.”

After they had exchanged greetings, the President motioned for Kang Yuseong to sit.

“Yes, thank you.”

Kang Yuseong took his seat, facing the Grand Committee members of the Emergency Committee.

“Now, as I’ve already explained, this meeting has been arranged to discuss a matter of utmost importance. I hope we can have a thorough discussion.”

“May I speak first?”

One of the Grand Committee members spoke up.

As the President nodded, the man, who appeared to be in his mid-fifties, fixed a sharp gaze on Kang Yuseong.

“I understand the Commander has proposed a Northward Expedition. Is that correct?”

From his manner of speaking, he seemed to have a legal background, exuding a sharp, business-like aura.

“That is correct.”

“And I understand its intention is not merely to occupy North Korean territory, but to go further and dismantle China. Is that also correct?”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“Yes, that is what I proposed.”

At his words, the Grand Committee member frowned for a moment, then spoke, almost spitting out the words.

“Do you truly believe that’s possible? Our opponent is China. A nation that, even when compared to the world’s strongest, America, is by no means inferior!”

At his statement, the other Grand Committee members exchanged glances and murmured amongst themselves.

China.

That name, then as now, still seemed to hold the Korean people in an unyielding spell.

Kang Yuseong offered a faint smile and replied,

“If I didn’t believe it was possible, I wouldn’t have proposed it.”

“How can it be possible? If the Commander’s operation fails…”

The Grand Committee member’s eyes flashed.

“Then, the Korean Peninsula is finished.”

But Kang Yuseong met his gaze calmly and spoke.

“China is already attempting to end us. Wang Hao-ping has already made that decision.”

“We cannot plunge the nation into crisis based on such unfounded speculation!”

“Then, when the time is lost and Seoul becomes a sea of fire, what will you say, Grand Committee member? ‘I’m sorry… I didn’t know’? Or perhaps…”

A fierce light emanated from Kang Yuseong’s eyes.

A gaze that revealed a powerful will, making those who saw it flinch!

The Grand Committee member, meeting that gaze, involuntarily shivered.

“‘Let’s sacrifice our lives to save the homeland’? What words, indeed, could be uttered then?”

“Kuh…”

The Grand Committee member could say nothing, only grimacing.

While the oppressive aura emanating from Kang Yuseong was considerable, it was also because he couldn’t think of any words to refute Kang Yuseong’s argument.

The other Grand Committee members remained silent until an older man spoke up again.

“So, Commander, you assess the current situation as extremely dire, don’t you? Dire enough to advocate for a Northward Expedition.”

Kang Yuseong looked at him.

The man was someone Kang Yuseong knew well.

He was Professor Choi Byeong-seok, a respected scholar and a giant in the humanities.

He never spoke a word without careful consideration.

Every utterance from his lips carried deep thought and contemplation.

“That is correct. The current situation, as assessed by our Command, is… extremely serious.”

Professor Choi Byeong-seok pressed his lips together and slowly nodded.

Then, after a moment, he spoke again.

“Frankly, I am somewhat negative about whether the situation is truly dire enough to warrant a Northward Expedition at this moment. However, if Commander Kang Yuseong says it, I believe there’s reason to trust and follow. After all, with the recent subjugation of Japan, when everyone deemed it impossible, Commander Kang Yuseong boldly proved them wrong. Yet, there is one thing…”

Professor Choi Byeong-seok paused, then slowly continued.

“This time, our opponent is China. On this point, Commander Kang Yuseong, you must answer once more. Is it truly possible?”

“To be honest, it’s fifty-fifty. But one thing is certain: whether we act or not, China will undoubtedly strike us. The movements of the Black Wind Unit are far from ordinary right now.”

“This proposal for a Northward Expedition… as I understand it, means to decisively push the front line northward to prevent major damage to the Republic of Korea. Is that correct?”

Just then, someone else interjected into the conversation.

It was Grand Committee member Jung Seong-gwon, a retired Army General.

During his active duty, he had been an exceptional officer, hardened by extensive field experience.

His ability to devise strategies and interpret enemy operations, in particular, was unparalleled.

Knowing him, Kang Yuseong nodded in acknowledgment.

“That is correct. If combat breaks out in the current state, Seoul will inevitably suffer the worst possible damage. That’s why, during the previous conflict with Japan, the strategy was designed to defend Seoul.”

“Hmm… not bad. If China truly intends to target us, absorbing North Korea, now that Kim Jong-un is gone, and fixing the front line solely in the north would be a significant achievement, I believe. I will support Commander Kang Yuseong’s proposal.”

At his words, Professor Choi Byeong-seok quietly nodded and then spoke.

“I, too, will support the Commander. While a Northward Expedition has been a futile dream until now, our survival is at stake, and… I can’t help but feel that Commander Kang Yuseong might just pull off something monumental.”

Perhaps due to the capabilities he had already demonstrated in the subjugation of Japan, the conversation with the Grand Committee members was progressing surprisingly smoothly.

“Hmm… if that’s the case, I’ll add my vote.”

Other Grand Committee members, who had been listening silently, also raised their hands to indicate their approval.

Only the Grand Committee member who had first spoken to Kang Yuseong in an accusatory tone cleared his throat awkwardly, then reluctantly nodded.

“Ahem, well… if everyone else agrees, then I suppose I have no choice. Ahem-hem!”

As all seven Grand Committee members expressed their approval, a smile spread across the President’s face.

“Then, I shall proceed assuming the Grand Committee members have all approved. I ask that the Grand Committee members handle the formal procedures yourselves.”

“Yes, Mr. President. Understood. We will take care of the procedural matters. It seems we’re about to get very busy, so we should take our leave now. After all, it seems we’re about to make quite a stir, haha!”

“Please bear the hardship. The fate of this nation rests on it…”

“If we all work together, I believe there will be a good outcome. Farewell.”

The seven Grand Committee members rose from their seats, bowed to the President and Kang Yuseong, and exited the office. As they had said, they needed to initiate the procedures for the agenda.

“Now, things will proceed according to the Commander’s proposal. I will place my trust solely in Commander Kang Yuseong.”

Kang Yuseong replied with a faint smile at the President’s words.

“Yes, I will absolutely not betray that trust.”

“Haha, still, it’s gratifying that the Grand Committee members handled things so decisively. Don’t you agree?”

As the President let out a hearty laugh, Kang Yuseong smiled back.

“Yes. Haha!”

One hurdle had now been cleared.

What could have been shipwrecked even before it began had passed so smoothly, providing Kang Yuseong with immense strength.

‘But this is only the beginning.’

The colossal beast, China.

Kang Yuseong’s mind was becoming incredibly complex, contemplating how to contend with such immense power.