I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 201

Foreign perspectives assumed that most citizens of the Sino-Twenty Nations supported the recent Sino Summit and the declaration to refuse reparations. However, the reality within the nation painted a ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) different picture.

There was certainly accumulated anger among the populace. However, it wasn’t so intense that it warranted such a sudden and drastic escalation.

Particularly in the Shanghai Economic Alliance, despite paying substantial reparations, the country had become one of the most economically successful in the region. Many citizens argued that Shanghai’s growth was thanks to South Korea and the Koryo Group, claiming things like, “If it weren’t for Korea, we’d still be under the pathetic Communist Party,” or, “Isn’t this basically a democracy tax?” The notion of benefiting from South Korea’s success had more proponents than expected.

Even outside such sentiments, the dominant view was one of caution. Most people believed the reparations issue should be resolved diplomatically and gradually, without provoking South Korea or the Koryo Group.

As a result, Prime Minister Li Wei’s abrupt actions lacked strong popular support.

The sudden announcement of the Sino Summit and the refusal to pay reparations only inflamed public sentiment. By the time the mysterious missile from Koryo Militaris detonated off Shanghai’s coast, the situation had reached a boiling point.

“Li Wei must step down!”

“Step down!!”

“Traitor killing the people—step down!”

“Step down!!”

Citizens stormed the forum where the Sino Summit was taking place, protesting and demanding Li Wei’s immediate resignation for bringing the nation into crisis.

And it wasn’t just at the forum. Many who perceived the missile incident as a dire warning from the Koryo Group abandoned their workplaces and took to the streets.

“The backlash is stronger than expected, Prime Minister.”

“...Idiots!”

Li Wei slammed his desk.

Was there no one in Shanghai who could read the tides of change?

If this continued, everyone would wither and die.

Did they not understand why the Sino-Twenty Nations had converged on Shanghai, taking on significant risks to advocate for “One China”?

“The Democratic Revolutionary Party is taking action. They’re claiming that your rash decisions have put the country in danger...”

“Damn traitors—those Hanjian! Traitorous dogs sucking up to Korea...!”

While Li Wei wasn’t entirely unprepared for public backlash—Shanghai’s citizens, being economically focused, were always sensitive to such impacts—the scale of the protests far exceeded his expectations.

The Democratic Revolutionary Party seemed to be taking advantage of the situation.

“Isn’t it strange? The Koryo Group dropped a missile—likely nuclear—into our coastal waters... And yet, instead of condemning them, the people are blaming me?”

“...”

Li Wei shook his head, suspicion etched across his face.

“Reports of anti-national factions seeking regime overthrow must have been true. There must be traitorous Hanjian across this nation, serving as Korea’s puppets. That’s the only explanation.”

He began fiddling with a contingency card he had kept in reserve. His secretary-general immediately recognized his intentions.

“...! Prime Minister! That is—”

Li Wei fixed his secretary-general with a heavy gaze.

“Their plan is already in motion. For the sake of ‘One China,’ a revolution is necessary.”

“!”

Wednesday, December 23, 2076.

While monitoring the Sino-Twenty Nations’ response and working late into the evening, I was hit with shocking news at around 10:30 PM.

Breaking News: Shanghai Prime Minister Li Wei Declares Martial Law... Dissolves Parliament.

Martial law. Within moments, every channel was flooded with news, and warnings flashed across the screen.

“What is this, a war?”

So it had finally come to this.

Honestly, it made sense. After all, a missile—possibly nuclear—had landed off their coast. They couldn’t just let it slide.

But martial law? That was an extreme response.

Do they have the confidence to pull this off?

“Are they going to issue a declaration of war?”

This made things complicated. If the Koryo Group’s warning had failed, they would be forced to escalate. And that would mean immediate war.

Just when we were expanding our business operations, war had to rear its head.

“Master, this isn’t directed at us.”

“Huh?”

The news was broadcasting Li Wei’s emergency national address live. The subtitles, translated in real-time, carried a strange message.

“To protect freedom, democracy, and the safety of the people from the threat of regime-overthrowing anti-national forces... and to uphold ‘One China,’ we declare martial law.”

The address also included measures such as banning all political activities, censoring the press, restricting publications, and prohibiting public gatherings. In short, they were returning to the days of old China.

But the justification wasn’t to respond to the missile incident; it was to eliminate internal anti-national factions.

“Wow. What is all this?”

What the hell was going on?

Why were they suddenly talking about anti-national forces and regime overthrow in the middle of this crisis?

Or... could it be true? Could it be that the Koryo Group’s influence had sunk its roots deeply into their system?

When you think about it that way, it kind of makes sense...

Still baffled, I decided to call Minji. The moment she picked up, she blurted out:

“- Yeah, I have no idea.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“- You called because of the news, right? Shanghai’s martial law.”

“You’re correct.”

“- ...I didn’t lack information, but it was just too absurd to believe. I dismissed it as misinformation. What are we, in some video game? You don’t just click a button and impose martial law. But here we are.”

“....”

On the screen, the news was broadcasting live from in front of Shanghai’s parliament building. A long convoy of military vehicles rolled in, engaging with staff and guards at the parliament. Meanwhile, military helicopters and AVs (Armored Vehicles) arrived, deploying special forces directly into the parliamentary compound.

The reporters explained the procedure for lifting martial law: if a majority of seated parliament members voted to rescind it, martial law could be annulled. The news also reported that outraged MPs were rushing to the parliament in a frantic bid to stop it.

But can they even get in?

The parliament was already sealed off by the military. No one could enter.

How would unarmed MPs breach armed soldiers to hold a vote?

“What happens now? Under martial law, I mean...”

“- What happens? Things just got simpler.”

“?”

I didn’t have to wait long to find out.

While the martial law forces enforced tight security and everyone stood still, the news cameras suddenly shifted to Shanghai’s distant skies.

Numerous AVs appeared on the horizon.

Breaking News: Militaris Shanghai Branch Deploys Corporate Forces with Over 50 MPs to Enter Parliament.

“What??”

Militaris’ private army was flying MPs to parliament in AVs, attempting to land them directly inside.

“- If they shoot them down, it’s war.”

“Wow...”

“- Martial law, huh? So, what? Are they really going to open fire?”

Minji’s sarcastic laughter proved prophetic.

Despite the bold proclamation of martial law and the military’s occupation of parliament, they hesitated to engage Militaris’ AVs.

The military’s response was limited to repeating, “Under martial law, no unauthorized actions are permitted without the military’s approval!”

Militaris, of course, ignored this warning.

In a flash, the AVs breached the parliamentary grounds and landed. Soldiers surrounded the AVs, while Militaris’ corporate troops spilled out, facing them off.

The standoff seemed ready to erupt into violence. Suddenly, one AV rammed straight into the parliament building, crashing through to the main chamber.

The scene turned chaotic as cameras from countless reporters and foreign correspondents shook wildly.

“Is this a movie or real life?”

“- You know real life is always more dramatic.”

Minji giggled before hanging up, saying she was busy.

“Do we have any coverage of what’s happening inside parliament?”

“Give me a moment.”

Sua and the team worked quickly to locate a feed. Soon, Seunghee found a live stream from an MP who had been on the AV that crashed into the building.

“About 20 MPs made it inside. That’s nowhere near enough.”

Shanghai’s parliament had 500 members in total, requiring at least 250 to convene, vote, and pass a motion to rescind martial law. Even with those who had entered, they were far from the required numbers. The MPs on the stream were pleading desperately.

And then—

“Oh? They’re breaking through.”

Militaris’ corporate troops began pushing back the martial law forces, escorting more MPs inside. While their association with the Koryo Group made direct confrontation uncomfortable, the martial law forces seemed unusually unmotivated, delaying their actions and putting up minimal resistance.

Once the defenses were breached, things progressed rapidly.

Militaris deployed various methods to transport MPs into the parliament. With a clear route established, the MPs poured in.

The martial law forces couldn’t bring themselves to block the path entirely—doing so would inevitably lead to conflict, and that would mean open war with Militaris and, by extension, the Koryo Group.

Eventually, the spectacle escalated further as Militaris’ elite knights deployed above parliament. Twelve mechas unfolded their energy wings, hovering dramatically over the scene. This display shattered any remaining morale among the martial law forces, who were already overwhelmed.

Finally—

Breaking News: Shanghai Parliament Votes 324-0 to Rescind Martial Law. Emergency Decree Nullified in 155 Minutes.

Li Wei’s martial law declaration was effectively nullified by parliament’s resolution. While procedural acceptance from Li Wei remained, legally speaking, martial law had been voided.

Three hours later, a haggard-looking Li Wei emerged to announce his acceptance of parliament’s decision, formally lifting martial law.

“Militaris has protected Shanghai’s democracy!”

“Those who chant ‘One China’ are all dictators!”

“How could anyone point their guns at their own citizens?”

Militaris, which had regularly extracted reparations from Shanghai and even dropped a missile off its coast, had somehow become the hero that saved Shanghai’s democracy.

“What kind of insane plot twist is this?”