A uniformed woman in the rear of the aircraft was crying. One of the men in civilian clothes kept his head in between his knees, cursing over and over again like he had Tourette syndrome.
The aircraft leveled off, and the lurching maneuvers ceased. A few moments later, Chase watched as they passed a large gray warship on his right side. It looked like an American destroyer, a DDG, a long white wake behind it.
Chase could make out the crew members on the bridge wing looking up at his plane. Each of them wore the white masks and gloves known as anti-flash gear. Other crew members were manning machine guns along the ship. They were at battle stations.
32
Jinshan sat behind the Chinese presidential desk. It was the first time he had actually operated from the office, but the symbolism was important today.
“They are here, Mr. Jinshan.”
“Show him in.”
In walked the ambassador of Japan. He did not look happy.
“Mr. Jinshan, the people of Japan strenuously object to the abhorrent attacks that have occurred over the past twenty-four hours. We demand that—”
Jinshan held up his hand. “Please, Mr. Ambassador. If you will allow me to speak.”
The ambassador went silent, although he was visibly upset. His body language was, even in these dire circumstances, carefully calculated to convey just the amount of visual displeasure that his nation wanted to communicate.
“I understand that Japan must be very worried about what is happening. I could offer you reasons for why we have taken this course of action. But I will refrain from that conversation for now. It would be a waste of time. Something I have little of, I am afraid.” Jinshan sipped tea from his cup. He was tired. He knew that he could have had someone else do this part. But he didn’t trust anyone enough to get it right.
Jinshan continued, “Japan will be left alone.”
“China has already attacked us.” The ambassador did his best to control the volume of his voice.
“Mr. Ambassador, if you were to study the targets that we have attacked, you will note that they fall into one of two categories. The first category is any location that supports the American military. They are our true enemy in this fight. We cannot allow US military forces to inhabit a position in such close proximity to our own. The Americans have shown hostility towards us, and it would be strategic malpractice to allow them to continue this military presence unimpeded.”
The Japanese ambassador said, “I disagree with this assessment. The Americans showed no hostility to China. They have been a peaceful—”
“Please, Mr. Ambassador. Hear me out first. Then we may have a short discussion. The second category of targets in Japan were, in fact, Japanese military targets. We regret that this was necessary, but it was. We have and will continue to destroy any weapons or systems that could hurt our own military progress in the region. I suggest you immediately convey this information to your superiors in Japan. Tell them to abandon all military assets while our campaign progresses. If you like, we can even have our military coordinate with yours to let you know when it is safe to proceed back onto your bases.”
The ambassador fumed. “This is insulting and ridiculous. You can’t expect us to agree to this. What gives you the right?”
Jinshan looked at his diplomatic team, who sat quietly on the couch beside the ambassador. Then he turned back to the ambassador. “Our military power gives us the right. It gives me no pleasure to say this, Mr. Ambassador. You must understand that. But if we wanted to, we could bomb your island nation into oblivion. We could coat it with fire. We could launch weapons of mass destruction that would make Hiroshima and Nagasaki look like child’s play. The firebombing of World War II would be nothing to what China could unleash. But this will not happen — not as long as you agree to terms.”
“What terms?” The ambassador looked squeamish. “Not surrender.”
“No. I wouldn’t ask that. It is undignified. Neutrality. I want Japan to remain neutral. To retain their honor and be at peace with China.” He looked into the ambassador’s eyes, knowing how important honor was in the Japanese culture. “We are speaking to the political leaders in South Korea and Taiwan today as well. We will make them the same offer. Promise neutrality, and we will not bomb your people. We will not invade your nations. We will allow you to live in peace and prosperity. But you must renounce any partnership with the United States and agree to terms. You must promise to stand idle while we wage war upon America. Do not sacrifice the well-being of your people for a bunch of gaijin.” Jinshan used the Japanese word for foreigner.
The ambassador’s face betrayed his shock at Jinshan’s blunt words. When he regained his composure, his tone was hushed. “How is what you ask not to be considered surrender?”
Jinshan gave a slight grin. “Surrender will occur if you decline this proposition, Mr. Ambassador. And many lives will be lost before I offer terms of surrender. Surrender will come with a Chinese military occupation of your homeland. These terms contain no such caveat. This is an opportunity. I suggest you take it.”
All pretense of shock and anger was gone from the ambassador’s face. He was, after all, a professional diplomat, and Japanese to boot. His stoicism and discipline won the day. “I will provide you an answer soon.”
Jinshan’s face was impassive. “That is all, Mr. Ambassador. Please have an answer for me by tomorrow. Our military operations will proceed as described.”
The ambassador rose and left the room, escorted by one of Jinshan’s security guards and a member of his diplomatic team.
When the door closed, Jinshan turned to the others sitting on the couch. “Summon the South Korean ambassador next.” They nodded. One of them hurried off to get the Korean ambassador, who was already waiting in the building. The ambassadors were probably alarmed at the notion of being brought hours away from Beijing to the Chinese leadership bunker in the mountains. But these were unusual times.
The roar of supersonic jets could be heard overhead. They would be the fighters, standing guard against any possible strikes on Beijing.
“Do you need any lunch, sir?” an assistant asked from the side door.
“No, thank you.” He saw the way she looked at him, concern in her eyes. He must look dreadful. Jinshan sighed. He just needed to get through these first few months. After that, he could rest, for however long he had left.
The door swung open. “Mr. Jinshan, the ambassador from South Korea.”
The ambassador walked in. She was an older woman, experience and intelligence in her eyes. Unlike the Japanese ambassador, she made no effort to display anger or shock at recent events. She stood until Jinshan offered her a seat, then sat quietly, waiting for him to start.
“Madame Ambassador, I wish to express my most sincere condolences at the loss of so many of your countrymen. I hoped that this day of North Korean aggression would never come.”
The woman didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t believe it is unassisted, Mr. Jinshan. Or should I call you Mr. President?”
He shrugged. “Whatever pleases you.”
“What do you want to ask me, Mr. Jinshan?”
“I can make it stop.”
She stared back at him, her nostrils flaring. “How?”
“We will instruct the North Koreans to cease fire and return north of the DMZ. But no retaliatory strikes can be made.”
“I can’t say that I have knowledge, due to my communications restrictions that your guards imposed on me, but I believe that retaliatory strikes must be ongoing, Mr. Jinshan.”