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Chapter 2638 Loyalty and Filial Piety Cannot Be Coexisted (Third Update, Please Subscribe)

In July, Seoul was in the height of summer, and even the wind blowing in from outside the city was filled with the heat of summer.

But even more intense than the heat of midsummer is the burning passion of the human heart.

Looking around, the entire city has now become a sea of ​​flags—flags are everywhere, not just the Taegeukgi, but also the double star flag. The flags are held high by countless hands, some large, fluttering in the wind; others small, held in people's hands, swaying with the surge of the crowd.

The cheers came from every corner of the city, starting as scattered, jubilant shouts, gradually coalescing into a deafening wave of sound, carrying the voices of more and more people forward.

The young man in the shirt put his arm around his companion's shoulder, pushing forward while shouting at the top of his lungs. Even as sweat dripped down their faces, they didn't bother to wipe it away. Their faces were full of smiles, and their expressions were brimming with excitement.

There were also students in school uniforms holding homemade signs that read "Long live Nanyang".

A few hours ago, all the TV stations were broadcasting the same news: Your Excellency supports South Korea's accession to the Nanyang Free Trade Area.

"We are going to join the Nanyang Free Trade Area!"

"It's not a free trade zone, it's Southeast Asia! We're going to become a part of Southeast Asia."

The excited shouts drew people together spontaneously, who vented their excitement in the streets, and many more people were heading in the same direction—Chonglimen.

This ancient city gate, which has witnessed a century of changes in Seoul, has now become the focus of the crowd.

Why did we come here?
Because this is "Chongli Gate," which is the south gate, it has a special meaning at this time.

The once spacious city gate square was now packed with people. Those who arrived later could only stand along the streets surrounding the square. The two national flags were stacked on top of each other above the crowd, almost obscuring half the sky. Only the gray eaves of the city gate occasionally peeked out from between the flags, silently watching the boiling sea of ​​people below.

In the reporters' lenses, all they saw were waving flags and excited faces; a few young people even stood on the edge of the roadside flowerbeds, and the leader started singing songs, including the South Korean national anthem and SEA's "We Rise in the Rainforest." The singing was a little weak at first, but soon countless people joined in.

Although Li Yi'an only agreed in principle to South Korea's accession to the free trade zone.

However, after this news came, South Koreans felt that South Korea's participation was basically a done deal. What was the next step for South Korea?
Just strive to meet the target!

Over the past few years, various ideas about South Korea joining a free trade zone and their potential to stimulate the South Korean economy have become well-known to the public through discussions by experts and scholars on television.

How could people not be excited about such good news?

People needed a place to release their emotions, so they came to Chonglimen, a city gate that, in a way, took on a new symbolism.

It seems that history and modernity overlapped in their own unique way at this time.

The cheers of the crowd mingled together.

Those young, old, excited, and tearful expressions were clearly captured by the television cameras.

Who can understand their feelings?
Meanwhile, at the Blue House, Park Jung-woong appeared quite calm. He did not accept the congratulations. His gaze was fixed on the television screen, watching the excited people on it. His brow furrowed slightly, and then he took out a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and silently took two puffs.

After a moment, he said:
"Daughter, do you think my decision was right or wrong?"

The girl in school uniform standing next to him said:
“Father, haven’t all the parties said that if South Korea joins the free trade zone, its economy will at least double within five years, and the improvement of related laws will make people happier and have higher incomes. Isn’t this exactly what you’ve been pursuing, Father?”

Nodding slightly, Park Jung-woong said:

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm pursuing. More than a decade ago, when we left the military camp, the people couldn't even get enough rice to eat. But now, they can eat meat, not just meat soup, but real meat. If they want, they can even eat pork belly every day."

After saying that, he glanced at the people on television again, and then continued:

"That's why I hope South Korea will join the free trade zone and become a part of it. Only in this way can South Korea develop faster and break through the bottleneck of development. In recent years, I have conducted research in some Latin American countries, although their economies seem to be developing rapidly."

But in reality, progress has stalled, as if some bottleneck is hindering their further development. And South Korea… must break free from the same predicament.”

As he spoke of the Latin American countries he had visited, Park Chung-woong continued:

"But the countries in Southeast Asia are different."

"Yes, Father, with the help of SEA, their economy is developing rapidly, which is really amazing."

"Yes, this is precisely the biggest difference between Chang'an and Washington. Washington has never wanted to see us become strong, just like why they abandoned Iran. It's because Iran is very likely to become the hegemon of the Middle East, which would seriously damage American interests in the Middle East. Therefore, when faced with a crisis, they chose to abandon the Pahlavi regime and South Korea..."

Turning to look at his daughter, Park Jung-woong said again:
"South Korea, a few years ago, Washington decided to withdraw its troops from South Korea not only because of its strategic retreat, but also because of our strong development potential, which was also not in the interests of the United States."

Jin Hui, you know, in Washington, there's even a saying now that America's biggest strategic mistake was helping the SEA become a superpower?

This is a view that has only become popular in recent years. With the open conflict between Chang'an and Washington and the trade disputes between the two sides over the years, some people in Washington believe that Chang'an's current strength has threatened American interests.

"That's just nonsense. The US has helped so many countries, but how many of those countries have actually become powerful nations?" Jin Hui snorted, then said:

"It's just the Americans there making up an excuse to attack Chang'an."

"Ah."

Park Jung-woong nodded and said.

"That is indeed possible, and that is why there is such a stark contrast. Chang'an never rejects the idea of ​​its friends becoming stronger and richer."

Moreover, they proactively offer assistance. Over the years, it's not just Southeast Asian countries that have benefited; many countries, including South Korea, have also benefited.

"So this also shows that Nanyang has a broad mind and is open to all rivers."

Jin Hui looked at her father and then said:
"This is precisely why you, Father, decided to side with Chang'an."

"It's really good, but..."

Park Jung-woong thought for a moment, then said:

"Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, and we must also see the other side. You know, among those people celebrating outside, the reasons for their celebrations are actually quite different."

After saying this, Park Jung-woong raised his eyebrows slightly, then frowned again.

"Some of them cheered because of Your Excellency's verbal commitment to support the economic growth and changes in people's lives brought about by South Korea's accession to the Nanyang Free Trade Area."

But some people did it because—they went home!

"go home?"

Jin Hui looked at her father and said.

"Father, are you referring to the 'orphan theory'?"

Park Jung-woong nodded, and then said:

"Yes, in the past few years, we have completely aligned ourselves with Chang'an. We started speaking the national language and writing Chinese characters. We even abandoned our own language just to integrate into their culture and for development. We went to this extent, but in return..."

Park Jung-woong paused slightly before continuing:

"There are still some people in South Korea who haven't moved on from history. They believe that South Korea, being a small country, should serve a powerful nation, just like during the Joseon Dynasty, and that this is South Korea's future."

Since the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Korea has been isolated in the East Sea, like an orphan for centuries. Hence the saying, "orphan theory."

When he brought up the topic of orphans, Park Jung-woong frowned, his tone serious and tinged with dissatisfaction. After all, he was working hard to develop the country, not to become an orphan.

"They have always valued respect for righteousness and regarded the Ming Dynasty as their true parent country, a view they have held unwavering for hundreds of years. Whether it is the Manchus or Japan, they are nothing but barbarians."

They had been searching for their ideal homeland, and now…

At this point, Park Jung-woong looked into the distance and then said:

"They witnessed the power and prosperity of Chang'an. What did they see? To some extent, they saw the motherland they envisioned. This is why the theory of orphans emerged in this country and was accepted by many."

"So, Father, you mean they're celebrating... celebrating the return of their beloved homeland?"

When Jin Hui mentioned her homeland, she seemed a little awkward.

"There are indeed some people who think that way."

Park Jung-woong paused slightly before continuing:
"And there are probably quite a few people who think this way. They... have finally found a spiritual home again."

After saying these words, Park Jung-woong simply stood there, then pondered for a long time before finally writing a single word on the paper.

"Loyalty!"

After writing the word, he didn't even raise his head, but just sighed helplessly, and then said...

"Alas, loyalty to the country and filial piety have always been mutually exclusive!"

After saying that, he involuntarily shook his head slightly. His expression was filled with helplessness…

(End of this chapter)