Chapter 637
Idiot (3)
The Japanese Empire and Joseon were called fools, but that statement is half right and half wrong.
Let’s look at Joseon first. Unlike Japan, Joseon failed to modernize for various reasons and didn’t maintain good international relations.
This was actually one of the biggest reasons for Joseon’s downfall. Objectively speaking, Joseon was nothing more than a convenient tool for “containment.”
From the perspective of other countries, including Britain, why would they be interested in Joseon when they had the formidable Japanese Empire as a reliable buffer?
Moreover, the Japanese Empire had secured its position as a great power by winning the Russo-Japanese War. This left Joseon completely isolated.
If Joseon had acted a little faster, history might have been different. However, Joseon failed to take any meaningful action until it was completely isolated.
To make matters worse, Joseon had been crumbling internally for some time. It’s accurate to say they did absolutely nothing, let alone step onto the international stage.
With internal and external problems mixing like bibimbap, the Eulsa Treaty was signed and the Japanese occupation began. Japan’s military strength also played a significant role.
So what about the Japanese Empire? To briefly describe the Japanese Empire, it was this:
[The Japanese Empire that ate too much and couldn’t even digest it.]
At that time, the Japanese Empire was objectively a great power. Due to its geographical features, while its army might have been questionable, its navy was among the top three in the world.
The Japanese Empire won the Russo-Japanese War, proudly entered the ranks of great powers, and acquired colonies. It was undeniably a powerful nation.
Above all, Japan’s successful modernization was the driving force behind its growth. The person who contributed most to this modernization was Ito Hirobumi.
While Koreans know him as the man assassinated by Ahn Jung-geun, he was actually an extraordinary figure.
He greatly accelerated Japan’s modernization and wielded tremendous influence in international relations.
His assassination was so significant that some say it triggered Japan’s subsequent rampage.
[The Japanese Empire is a case study in how a great power can bring about its own downfall.]
But that was as far as the Japanese Empire went. It demonstrated powerful strength and influence in the international community, but its ideology was the problem.
Fascism based on militarism. The harsh oppression of colonies and radical policies of ethnic extermination.
Even ancient Rome treated everyone living in Rome as Romans, but the Japanese Empire had no such concept.
This led to active independence movements in Joseon, which they couldn’t properly govern. If they couldn’t even digest Joseon, how much worse was the Second Sino-Japanese War?
Even Ito Hirobumi, while supporting the annexation of Joseon, opposed “radical” annexation. He essentially foresaw the future.
[How did Japan become a great power?]
[If you realize something is wrong, you should change. But they pushed ahead with the Imphal Operation despite knowing it was wrong.]
[This operation shows how reckless the Japanese Empire had become. Perhaps even worse operations might have followed.]
The legendary Imphal Operation can be seen as the culmination of long-festering problems.
State-sponsored militarism. The factionalism that had persisted for years. These two created a disastrous collaboration.
Even the Allied forces retreated cautiously, wondering if it was a trap, saying no one in their right mind would come this way.
Of course, the Japanese army firmly believed the operation would succeed and advanced into the jungle. And then… well, the rest is history.
[The army and navy checked each other, and within each were divided factions—an absurd situation.]
[They were doing everything a military organization shouldn’t do. But what’s interesting is that it’s the kind of thing that could actually happen.]
[This operation perfectly demonstrates the importance of supply lines. Nazi Germany also collapsed countless times due to supply issues.]
Gone are the days when people criticized this as implausible. People now recall the dysfunctional nature of the Japanese Empire and shake their heads.
While Nazi Germany committed atrocities steeped in madness, the Japanese Empire was simply chaotic. Similar yet different.
Even the famous “kamikaze” tactics were once rejected by Nazi Germany as too unethical.
This clearly shows how extreme Japanese militarism was.
[This is why philosophy is important. Finding clothes is important, but finding clothes that fit is more important.]
[The terrible consequences of a flawed philosophy.]
Thanks to the Japanese Empire’s excellent sacrifice, people realized the importance of ideology.
This trend had been growing since the Holocaust but increased further after the Imphal Operation.
Most people criticize it as foolish, but they probably suspect that this could actually happen. There have been many such instances throughout history, though we view them as third parties.
[Blood and Steel is truly bizarre. The whole world is engulfed in flames, yet people are doing foolish things.]
[A work that shows humanity’s boundless potential and madness, courage and stupidity all at once.]
[The great storm of world war was ultimately created by a single butterfly.]
People find it refreshing how human stupidity stands out against the massive scale of events.
Certainly, while World War II tactically featured battles of geniuses, strategically it showcased stupidity.
The megalomaniac Führer Hitler needs no explanation, and even Stalin nearly ruined the Soviet Union until his paranoia was somewhat checked.
It’s fortunate that the Allied leaders were relatively “normal”; if they too had been abnormal, who knows how history might have changed.
[This must have been what Alfheim was like during the Racial War. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for them to lose.]
[Alfheim is a great power. But their arrogance drove them to their own downfall.]
Alfheim was unexpectedly mentioned. For Alfheim, the Racial War must have been their equivalent of the Imphal Operation.
Aiker tried his best to fight, but even he was constrained by the Senate. It’s a comedy you can’t help but watch unfold.
“What a truly bizarre world. I never imagined humanity would show such diversity simply because God doesn’t rule directly.”
Father stroked his beard with interest at my additional explanation. As a former soldier, he knew well how absurd the Imphal Operation was.
He even wondered how Joseon could have been conquered by such a foolish country.
“There are all sorts of other strange operations too. Unlike what you might think, Father, people are really stupid.”
“Hmm. I can’t deny that. I’ve met all kinds of people in the military.”
“Who was the most stupid person you met?”
“There was someone who firmly believed the sea had existed since the beginning of time. He even did his own analysis, but complained that no one believed him.”
“…”
I made a strange expression. Now I understand why he might have been sent to the Navy Knights, which was a penal unit.
They probably sent him there thinking he was simply insane, not that he knew too many truths. There must have been connections with devil worshippers too.
Historically, there have been many such people. Even Mendel, the father of genetics, wasn’t recognized until after his death.
“What happened to that person?”
“He died.”
It’s a shame; he might have been revered as a great man later. But that’s how things were in the North back then.
“By the way, didn’t you say your country was ruled by the Japanese Empire and then liberated?”
“Yes.”
“And then there was a war between the same people.”
I had told him about the Korean War when I revealed my past life. It was quite a headache explaining it then.
Father seemed to be contemplating something as I nodded, then carefully asked a question.
“Was that internal conflict also because they couldn’t come to their senses?”
“Ah. That wasn’t it.”
That wasn’t because of human stupidity.
“There was someone who was greedy for communist unification.”
It was greed that was the problem.
* * *
The world engaged in deep discussions about the Imphal Operation, starting with the fall of the once-powerful Japanese Empire.
The Japanese Empire was strong enough to directly confront the United States. This is an undeniable fact.
However, after suffering a major defeat at the Battle of Midway, they’ve been on a downward spiral.
Furthermore, as they continued to commit incomprehensible acts, readers couldn’t help but question their actions.
While many people were engaged in these discussions, the fluttering of a tiny butterfly’s wings was quietly taking place.
“What? What do you mean? You’re recognizing Stabirk’s independence?”
Leorte, the crown prince of the Minerva Empire, asked in shock. His voice conveyed disbelief.
Princess Lina Urmi Kristin, who was also in the meeting, was no different. Her cat-like eyes widened in surprise.
“Father, is this really true?”
In response to Lina’s question, Berit across from them nodded gravely. But what he said was different from what Leorte had understood.
“I’ll say it again—it’s not complete independence, but rather stepping back for now. Stabirk’s recent movements are concerning, and the empire isn’t internally sound either. It’s better to let go of what we need to let go.”
“But…”
Unlike the calm Lina, Leorte looked regretful. Understandably so, as Stabirk’s potential is quite high.
Not only is their craftsmanship enviable, but the region is also rich in minerals. The Stabirk people have honed their craftsmanship using these minerals.
If factories were established there, they could generate enormous profits. It seems too wasteful to give up such a place.
But Berit had apparently already made up his mind, speaking in his characteristically heavy voice.
“Son, I want to prevent the Minerva Empire from falling like the Japanese Empire. We haven’t resolved the treatment of the Kerrison County, and we need to pay attention to the oil in the north. We have too many concerns already.”
“…I agree. But it’s too regrettable to give up Stabirk.”
“That’s why I’ve been thinking about something else. Lina.”
Despite being called upon, Lina responded with a composed expression. Berit then addressed her.
“You mentioned before that if the empire wants to expand, it should control the sea rather than land.”
“…Yes.”
This was one of the pieces of knowledge passed on from Isaac. England, despite being a small island nation, influenced the entire world.
She had suggested that the empire should prioritize controlling the seas, but the idea was rejected.
The sea was considered an uncomfortable environment, and unfortunately, the Great Depression coincided with that time.
“Are you confident in that statement? It seems like knowledge you received from him.”
“Yes, it is knowledge I received from him.”
“I’d like a more detailed explanation about this.”
Berit’s plan was simple: to be the first to control the “sea” that no one else was paying attention to.
“But excluding examples from Blood and Steel. We’ll need our own plan.”
“…Could you give me some time?”
“How much do you need?”
“I think a week should be enough.”
It seemed they would soon have another opportunity for development.