21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 121

November 8, 2020, 15:45 (Local Time 14:45), the West Philippine Sea, Spratly Island (Nan-sa Archipelago) Cuateron Reef

In 2016, China had lost the “South Sea Nine-dash line” court case for the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), but still, they ignored the resultant international court ruling and built artificial islands (Cuateron Reef) and Woody Island to establish military air and radar bases. China also stationed surface-to-air missile and ground-to-surface missile forces in the area. The sinking of a Korean vessel which occurred in the morning of the eighth was also the work of Chinese ground-to-surface missiles stationed in the Cuateron Reef.

Despite being on an artificial island, the bases operated high-tech type HY-26A radars. Inside the armored vehicle equipped with the radar, an operator for the radar console shouted with a frown on his face.

“Commander! We have detected ballistic . . . ballistic missiles.”

“What are you talking about?”

Major Long Fu-Kai, Commander of the base, asked in turn.

“A ballistic missile is targeted toward our location at great speeds. Its altitude is 250 km, sir. Forty-two seconds before impact.”

Major Long Fu-Kai got close to the radar operator’s seat to see it for himself.

“How could this happen? A ballistic missile is falling on a small artificial island?”

Major Long Fu-Kai swore as he could not believe what was happening before him, then relayed the radar scan to the strike operator as he gave a frantic order.

“Base, sound the alarm for an aerial raid! Sound the alarm! We are under attack! Antiair forces enter phases to strike. We are out of time so get moving.”

An aerial strike siren rang out on the small artificial island that only housed 50 people. Moments later, the shouts of the antiair strike operator came on the radio.

– We cannot strike down the ballistic missile with our HQ-16B ground-to-air missiles, sir.

* The HQ-16B missile is a mid-range ground-to-air missile with a range of 70 km. It is capable of striking down cruise missiles and planes with its high-speed radars. Capable of operating eight rounds equipped on a truck.

– Do all you can to strike it down, instead of speaking foolishly.

– I am sorry, sir. We will attempt to strike down the missile when it comes within our range.

In truth, it was impossible to strike down a ballistic missile using an interceptor missile with an altitude range of 10 km. And if they fail to strike down the missile, the Chinese soldiers will be wiped out; hence, the hopeful response of the strike commander.

When the Astra-PIP ballistic missile fell to an altitude of 200 km, 6 of its body hatches opened and spewed out 6 rounds of Zinog missiles. Then the 6 K-SH Zinog missiles used its self-propel system to generate thrust and increase their falling speed. When the missiles reached 10 km above the Cuateron Reef that was only four times the size of a football field, the strike commander ordered to launch the interceptor missiles.

“Fire the interceptor missiles.”

Before they could press the launch button, the three rounds of K-SH Zinog missiles fell to the artificial island and created large mushroom clouds. The other three rounds all hit the other Chinese artificial island, the Woody Island. All islands met the same fate.

The Punishment of Emperor Chiu was too cruel for those receiving it. The 24 Astra-PIP ballistic missiles annihilated the 6 nuclear missile bases in mainland China. They also wiped out from the map the 16 industrial complexes that were the backbone of the Chinese economy. Also, the 22nd Army Group suffered heavy losses. The Spratly Island, the Cuateron Reef, and the Paracel archipelago all were permanently wiped off the map. Both islands had sunk into the depths from the explosion.

The 21 rounds of Hyun-mu PIP (IRBM) ballistic missiles out of 80 rounds were struck down by China’s interceptor missiles, but the other 59 rounds all hit their targets. The missiles had turned all the mobile missile vehicles and nuclear missile forces and production facilities that Korea detected into flames and ashes.

* * *

November 8, 2020, 16:50 (China Standard Time 15:50), near the Presidential Palace in Beijing, China

After they received reports from the bodyguards, President Xi Jin Ping and the members of the Central Military Commission climbed up the 100-meter stairs to exit the Joint Command Center bunker. They looked down at downtown Beijing.

The city was up in flames, and the fire trucks that fortunately escaped the electromagnetic pulse or EMP were dousing the flames.

President Xi Jing Ping breathed heavily from climbing the stairs. He spoke a few phrases then stopped speaking. He was tired, but his silence was caused mainly by his seething anger and despair on seeing Beijing in flames.

“Let’s go, Mr. President.”

Vice-President Li Qian Chao spoke as he helped the President up. A moment later, dozens of armored vehicles that came from the suburbs stopped and lined up to escort President Xi Jin Ping.

“What about my family?”

“Yes, they are already on their way to the X-2 bunker, sir.”

President Xi Jin Ping got on board the armored vehicle that was heavily guarded. They moved to the new X-2 bunker that was near the suburbs of Beijing.

* * *

November 8, 2020, 16:50, Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center), Seoul

“It seems ‘Operation Punishment of Emperor Chiu’ was more successful than we thought, sir.”

Operations Director Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun glanced at the screen showing the statistics and spoke to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Yes, the Korea–China war will encounter a great turning point from this operation. When will we be able to organize the data?”

“We are currently working on it, sir. We expect the calculations to be complete in 30 minutes.”

“Could you get it on a tablet for me? I think I need to follow the flow of time as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sir.”

Someone called out to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was smiling contentedly from the success of the operation. He turned around and answered.

“What is it?”

It was Strategic Planning Director Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon who spoke.

“We just got a phone call from Chief Kang Byung-woo at the Strategic Resources Management Office.”

“Yes, how did it go?”

“He said he can give a sure answer after he returns to the U.S., but Director Yulian seems to have agreed to our terms.”

“I had no doubt Director Yulian would not refuse our terms. I am sure he decided to accept our offer because of the rapidly changing situation. He must have heard about the Korean ballistic missile strikes on mainland China after all.”

“Yes, it seems to be that way, sir. I would also agree to our terms without worrying about military retaliation in China’s current powerless state.”

“That’s great! Since the safety of our commercial ships is ensured in the West Philippine Sea by the U.S Navy, we no longer need to disperse our own navy to protect them. However, keep the six deployed submarines there.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

November 8, 2020, 17:30 (China Standard Time 16:50), X-2 bunker, Beijing Province, China

The X-2 bunker was one of many that were built for nuclear warfare along the Beijing area. The bunkers were equipped with more modern equipment compared to the Presidential Palace’s Joint Command Center bunker, and its outer and inner walls were twice as sturdy.

The 100 or so Chinese government officials, including President Xi Jin Ping, had all arrived at the bunker and headed to the Command Center because they had not received a report about the situation for two and a half hours after Beijing was hit with EMP attacks. President Xi Jin Ping asked about the status of the war as soon as he arrived at the Command Center.

“What is happening out there?”

When President Xi Jin Ping spoke in an upset tone, Commander of X-2 bunker Colonel Sun-Fo showed the data he prepared for the President before giving a report.

“At exactly 1429 h, Beijing was attacked by an EMP ballistic missile, presumed to be from the Korean military, and 80 other locations on the mainland were also attacked by ballistic missiles as well. The area with the greatest damage is . . .”

The report lasted for over an hour. When it was finished, President Xi Jin Ping sank into his chair and covered his face with his hands. The President was in shock about how in that short time, 35 percent of the industrial complexes that propelled China’s economy had been wiped out along with the nuclear missile bases and mobile missile forces.

When he could no longer bear the pain, President Xi Jin Ping spoke.

“How many nuclear missiles are functional?”

“Including the ICBM nuclear missiles, Mr. President?”

“Yes, all of our nuclear missiles.”

The Commanders of the rocket missile forces who were listening on the sidelines gave orders to their aides-de-camp to accurately assess the numbers and then answered the President.

“Please wait a moment, sir.”

The rocket missile forces Commander bowed his head and gave the report to President Xi Jin Ping, who was feebly sitting down with his eyes closed.

“President Xi Jin Ping, there are 122 nuclear missiles that we can currently launch, sir.”

“122? There are only 122 nuclear missiles from our original 500?”

“I am sorry, sir.”

“Launch all the nuclear missiles on Korea and its military stationed at the three Northeastern provinces!”

“What? Right now, sir?”

“Of course now!”

President Xi Jin Ping stood up and shouted.

“I am sorry, sir.”

“Mr. President, we can’t, sir.”

Vice-President Kan Kuichou put his hands forward as he expressed his opposition.

“How can you say no at a time like this?”

Vice-President Li Qian Chao glared at Vice-President Kan Kuichou and shouted.

“Mr. President, if we exhaust our supply of nuclear missiles by reacting emotionally, then our strategic and tactical options for China will be narrowed down, sir.”

“I also disagree, sir.”

Prime Minister Li Keqiang also expressed his opposition as he stepped forward. He was not a member of the Central Military Commission, but as the Commissioner of the Central Politics Commission, he had the right to speak.

After he faced heavy opposition from the Commanders of the Central Military Commission, President Xi Jin Ping regretted his orders and returned to his senses.

“Fine. But I will fire Vice-President Kan Kuichou as Commander because of this defeat in the war so far. Let’s nominate a new Commander of the Central Military Commission.”

Thirty minutes later, the Central Military Commission nominated Vice-President Chiu Li Jiang Ji as the new commander. Chiu Li Jiang Ji was the Vice-President of the Central Military Commission like Kan Kuichou, and he was second in command of the military after President Xi Jin Ping. However, he only had two months left before his term was over, so he was not involved in the war up to this point. Also, if Kan Kuichou was a losing commander, Chiu Li Jiang Ji was a soldier competent in the area of tactics and strategies.

At the start of the war, President Xi Jin Ping judged that a full-frontal attack would easily defeat the Koreans instead of wracking their brains to set operations and devise strategies. Therefore, he had nominated Kan Kuichou as the commander. Thinking back now, this decision by President Xi Jin Ping was something he would sorely regret.

“Vice-President Chiu Li Jiang Ji, I know you have only two months left in your term, but please stoke the fire of China so it will roar again.”

“I will do my best. Also, please call me Lieutenant General instead of Vice-President, sir.”

“You are a true soldier, Lieutenant General. I understand.”

Lieutenant General Chiu Li Jiang Ji, after being nominated as the commander, ordered all the forces deployed to the western front to retreat. Then he ordered all the army groups to recruit additional forces to prepare for defense. The only exception was the forces stationed near the Ap-rok River border who were ordered to continue guerilla warfare, taking advantage of the nearby harsh mountainous areas.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army that had underestimated the Korean military and consequentially met defeat, began to thoroughly prepare for the war; whereas the Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff began to struggle after they had turned the tide in their favor.

* * *

November 8, 2020, 19:00, Blue House National Emergency Situation Center bunker (President’s Office), Jong-ro ku, Seoul

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kang Ui-sik, visited the underground bunker. He was reporting to the President the outcome of the second phase of “Operation Punishment of Emperor Chiu.” He connected his tablet PC to the screen and explained the statistics from an organized file.

“Looking at the results, it’s a huge success,” the President said.

“Yes, sir. The number of missiles that were intercepted was lower than we expected. We were able to achieve our goals without having to use the reserves,” answered the Joint Chief of Staff.

“That is good news. We don’t have much. But it seems that civilian losses are greater than expected.”

“We believe there were many workers present in the factories to produce supplies for the war despite it being a Sunday. We apologize for putting you in a politically difficult position because of our request, sir.”

“No need. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has its own responsibilities, just like the presidency has its own. You are doing the best you can. Never worry about such things from now on. This is something the President should do as a politician.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. President.”

“Now, it’s time to eat! So how about we all have dinner together if the report is over.”

“Thank you, sir.”