The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 104



< Korean Patriotic Group (2) >

Just as each person’s thoughts were different Koreans’ policies toward Japan were also diverse.

First let’s start with the theory of self-reliance which calls for fostering the ability to become independent.

A diplomatic theory that advocated breaking away from the clutches of Japan by establishing solidarity with overseas powers.

The theory of armed struggle that we must support the volunteer army currently fighting to drive out Japan.

and.

There was even a theory of assassination which called for assassinating high-ranking Japanese officials and their collaborators to force Japan to step down.

It can be broadly classified into four categories and the most prevalent one in the Americas was the diplomatic theory.

The theory of self-reliance and the theory of armed struggle are following suit and gaining ground but the last factor the theory of assassination has not yet emerged as a representative group.

This is because Lee Kang preached so resolutely to Koreans during the Stevenson incident.

“We are tenants of a three-room apartment. We must never destroy the last ark.”

Some Koreans have interpreted Lee Kang’s remarks to mean that Japanese and traitors excluding Westerners should be punished.

Since Lee Kang did not directly mention this none of the Korean residents formed an organization that took the assassination theory as its platform.

That is until Kim Chang-soo showed up a month ago.

“Oh! Jukam (Jeon Myeong-un).”

“Professor Jang?”

Two people who were on the front lines and insisted that Stevenson should be killed when he caused a stir in the Americas.

These two met again at the Korean Patriotic Group created by Kim Chang-su.

They shook hands and began to talk about things they had not been able to share in the past.

“Was Mr. Jang also in the Patriotic Corps? I didn’t see him last time.”

“Well that’s because I couldn’t come due to personal reasons.”

“ah.”

“By the way it seems like you joined later than me. You weren’t seen at the last meeting.”

“Yes I just signed up a week ago.”

“I see.”

Jang In-hwan looked at Jeon Myeong-un and whispered.

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“Do you know all the members here?”

“No. Last time I came at the last minute and only saw the deputy representative.”

“Oh really?”

Jang In-hwan took Jeon Myeong-un and approached a man.

“Hello. This is Mr. Kim Chang-soo who founded our Korean Patriotic Group.”

“Hello. My name is Jeon Myeong-un.”

“Please feel free to call me Baekbeom or Mr. Baekbeom.”

“Yes I understand.”

Jang In-hwan poked Jeon Myeong-un in the ribs and explained Kim Chang-soo’s background.

“You may not know it but Mr. Baekbeom here is actually an incredibly great person. Remember those Japanese who murdered the Queen Dowager ten years ago?”

“Are you talking about the unspeakable Miura Corporation and those bastards?”

“Yes. One of the accomplices who participated in the assassination of the queen along with that guy was beaten up by Mr. Baekbeom here.”

Also known as the Chihapho Incident.

If we look closely at the incident there is controversy because the statements of each party are contradictory.

For now the only thing that the members of the Korean Patriotic Corps know is Baekbeom’s statement.

“oh.”

For a hardliner just beginning to blossom the only good thing about a dead pig is a dead pig.

That is why to these people Baekbeom was a star they wanted to resemble.

“You are a great person.”

“If you are a representative of the Korean Patriotic Association you should be able to do this much.”

“Yes.”

Jang In-hwan turned his gaze and introduced the others.

“This is Mr. Ahn Myeong-geun a comrade of Mr. Baekbeom and the deputy representative. I will skip over the deputy representative since he said he saw him last time.”

An Myeong-geun and Jeon Myeong-un nodded and exchanged glances.

Since there was no time Jang In-hwan quickly introduced the other executives.

“This person here is Mr. Lee Jae-myung. The person next to him is Mr. Kim Jeong-ik and next to him is Mr. Lee Dong-soo. Next is…..”

“I know. Me too.”

Jeon Myeong-un cut off Jang In-hwan’s words.

The next reason is that Jang In-hwan was a famous person who knew him even without an introduction.

“Isn’t this person Mr. Lee Wi-jong?”

Jeon Myeong-un insisted on telling the story of Yi Wi-jong out loud which everyone already knew.

“Are you Mr. Lee Wi-jong who translated His Majesty the King’s speech at the International Peace Conference in The Hague into French and Russian?”

“Yes.”

“Your Excellency. It is truly an honor to meet you here someone who has served His Majesty the King so closely.”

Jeon Myeong-un shook hands with Lee Wi-jong looking at him with sincere respect.

Kim Chang-soo narrowed his eyes as he watched the scene.

“Mr. Jukam please take your seats. The meeting will begin soon.”

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“Oh yes.”

Kim Chang-soo guarded time like a knife.

Although no one has yet arrived as planned I don’t have the luxury of time to wait for someone who is late.

That is why Kim Chang-soo hurriedly revealed the purpose of today’s meeting.

“It has been thirty days since we formed the Korean Patriotic Group. In this short period of time we have gained as many as five hundred new comrades.”

They say they are comrades but to be precise they are passive participants who donate small amounts of money.

All those who are actively involved are gathered here.

Kim Chang-soo exchanged glances with the few people gathered in the conference room and put strength into his voice.

“How angry are you toward Japan and how much do you tremble at the traitors that so many people have gathered in such a short time? Unfortunately many of you could not attend this meeting due to your work but let’s applaud loudly to commemorate this.”

“and!”

Kim Chang-soo emphasized his specialness by looking at the cheering patriotic group executives.

“The people gathered here now are the core personnel of our organization. The reason I held this meeting by selecting only the ten executives is to inform the people here today of the grand plan that we have been dreaming of for the past month.”

Baekbeom Kim Changsu took up the mission of the Korean Empire.

After that he put the evangelism on the wall and counted the two cities on his hand.

“It is said that Ito will visit Dongrae and Uiju early next year.”

“Ito are you talking about that Japanese leader we know?”

Kim Chang-soo nodded in agreement.

“That damned Resident-General of Korea Ito is the one who brutally massacred the volunteer army in the region south of Hanyang and created the military police auxiliary system to cause division among the same people.”

Because of Ito spies and traitors like never before are emerging.

It wasn’t enough to worry about yet but it was obvious that they would sprout up like poisonous mushrooms over time.

Kim Chang-soo looked at the members of the Patriotic Corps emphasizing the reason why Ito must be killed.

“Is this information trustworthy Mr. Baekbeom?”

“I think it has a very high credibility. Because the Japanese have revealed to the world how swollen their livers are.”

Ito plans to tour all of Joseon with Sunjong.

The plan was to travel throughout the Korean peninsula with the highest leader of the Korean Empire and tacitly imprint the idea that Japan was helping the Korean Empire.

Therefore we plan to spread this information throughout Joseon and mobilize young students along the route of the tour.

The members of the Patriotic Corps trembled in anger at Ito’s clever actions.

“Ito this guy usually lives like a turtle in the Government-General of Korea under the escort of thousands of Japanese soldiers. But I heard that during this visit only about twenty security personnel will be escorting him.”

“Oh! This is truly a heaven-sent golden opportunity.”

“Yes. That is why we must use this opportunity as a springboard to kill Ito here and now. If we miss this opportunity there may not be a next time.”

At this Jang In-hwan looked at Kim Chang-soo with a curious expression.

“Mr. Baekbeom.”

“Go ahead Mr. Jang.”

“Who will be in charge of the operation? Who will have the glorious opportunity to kill Ito?”

“Of course it would be one of these. Perhaps….”

Before Baekbeom could even point out anyone a person raised his hand.

“I will take care of it.”

Lee Jae-myeong who attempted to assassinate Ito during his visit to Pyongyang in the history of the original nation but gave up after being persuaded by Dosan Ahn Chang-ho.

He raised his hand.

History changed a lot with the appearance of Lee Kang but this time too Lee Jae-myeong wanted to kill Ito first.

“Leave it to me. I will definitely punish the enemy of my people with my own hands.”

“What do others think?”

Was he overwhelmed by the burning patriotism of a young man?

Everyone remained silent showing their willingness to yield.

“Wait a minute. Here’s an objection.”

However someone appeared to object to this.

Because the executive who had been late had just arrived at the meeting.

“Leave Ito’s punishment to me.”

* * *

“Brother Tongue.”

An Myeong-geun looked at the man who appeared late with a surprised expression.

An Jung-geun approached An Myeong-geun whose eyes were wide open but his gaze was fixed on Lee Jae-myeong.

“Mr. Lee. I’m sorry but leave Ito’s punishment to me.”

“….”

Lee Jae-myung expressed his dissatisfaction indirectly by remaining silent.

But the majority gave strength to Ahn Jung-geun.

“Well I think General Ahn is more trustworthy than the young Mr. Lee.”

“I think so too.”

Lee Jae-myung raised his voice as he chewed over Jeon Myeong-un’s remarks.

“General? Are you saying that the person over there is the general?”

Jeon Myeong-un looked at Ahn Jung-geun who was standing in the middle of the conference room and told the people gathered in the room about his history.

“Yes. General Ahn here is the one who led the volunteer army for many years. You must have heard of him. I’m talking about General Lee Beom-yun who fought against the Japanese in the Northern Gando and Primorsky Krai.”

“Oh that person…..”

“General Ahn served as an officer under General Lee. The number of Japanese soldiers who died at the hands of General Ahn alone easily exceeds two figures.”

To those gathered here the only good Japanese are dead Japanese.

If you just consider the number of people killed Ahn Jung-geun kills far more than Kim Chang-su.

That is why everyone had no choice but to acknowledge Ahn Jung-geun’s brilliant career.

“This teacher.”

“Yes General Ahn.”

“How old are you?”

Lee Jae-myung hesitated for a moment and then revealed his age.

“I’m twenty-two this year.”

“I just turned the contract end last year.”

An Jung-geun clicked his tongue and uttered the following words.

“You’re young. And that’s a lot.”

Lee Jae-myung became furious at this.

“What good does it do to be young to kill Ito? I am not as good as the general but I am also….”

Ahn Jung-geun quickly continued speaking to the excited Lee Jae-myung.

“That’s why it’s a shame.”

“…Huh? What is that?”

“What would your parents think if you died at such a young age?”

Suddenly attacking parents.

Lee Jae-myung’s head is spinning.

“At that age I never thought of killing Ito. But you are different. Yes I will admit this much. When it comes to patriotism and love for your country you seem to be more passionate than I am.”

An Jung-geun patted Lee Jae-myeong on the shoulder and praised him.

“But patriotism alone won’t be enough to defeat Ito. I’m better at using guns than you and have more combat experience.”

I hate to admit it but Ahn Jung-geun’s argument was appealing.

That’s why Lee Jae-myung was also angry but he agreed.

“So just leave it to me this time. I will definitely punish my Ito.”

Lee Jae-myung quickly mentioned one person.

“Lee Wan-yong.”

“huh?”

“Then I will definitely kill that bastard Lee Wan-yong with my own hands.”

As in the case of Yuan history he set Yi Wan-yong as his next target instead of Ito.

“If you promise this Ito will yield.”

As soon as Lee Jae-myung finished speaking all the other people attending the meeting stood up without exception.

“I also want to deal with one of the Eulsa Five Traitors.”

“I also want to take on the next mission.”

“No don’t be so cruel. Give me a chance too.”

The majority of those gathered here are those who have come here to punish traitors even at the cost of their own lives.

That’s why everyone including you volunteered to be entrusted with the mission.

At this Kim Chang-soo made a moved expression.

“General Ahn.”

Kim Chang-su approached Ahn Jung-geun and tried to convey his wish to ask for his help.

at that time.

Jeon Myeong-un who was attending the executive meeting for the first time today raised his hand.

“But Mr. Baekbeom.”

“Please speak sir.”

“I’m talking about this assassination plan that Baekbeom is thinking of. Does His Majesty the King know about it?”

The conference room became quiet as if someone had pressed the mute button.

“You are not trying to do this without His Majesty the King’s permission are you? No matter what anyone says His Majesty the King is the leader of our Korean community in the United States. His Majesty the King once said…”

Jeon Myeong-un still remembers that day clearly.

Lee Kang clearly ordered them not to assassinate Stevenson.

This could be interpreted this way.

There should be no hard-line struggle to assassinate the factor.

At least in America.

‘I’m not sure but…’

Furthermore the Japanese may not be able to do it either.

That’s why I had to check.

“His Majesty the King of Jukam said that Americans and Europeans are not allowed.”

“That’s right. Let’s interpret that statement carefully.”

“I also remember. His Majesty clearly tacitly agreed to punish the Japanese and the traitors and turncoats.”

There are rebuttals here and there.

But Jeon Myeong-un had no intention of giving up even an inch.

“But shouldn’t we check it out and get approval for this plan? If not what will happen if we do this on our own and Koreans in the US get hurt?”

“….”

“….”

Lee Kang thinks Korean Americans are special.

They shouldn’t be discriminated against because they are both Koreans but at least in Jeon Myeong-un’s eyes Lee Kang seemed to take better care of Koreans living in the United States than of Koreans living in the mainland.

“What if you do something without permission and His Majesty becomes very angry? Please tell me Mr. Baekbeom.”

Kim Gu was calm.

Because it was an expected question.

“That’s why I invited Professor Lee Wi-jong here for special attendance at this meeting. Professor Lee Wi-jong.”

“Yes go ahead Mr. Baekbeom.”

“When will you introduce us here to His Majesty the King?”

Kim Chang-soo pressured Lee Wi-jong with a slightly anxious expression.

“You are the only means of contact for our Korean Patriotic Group with His Majesty the King.”

“….”

“This was also the reason I initially recommended this teacher to join our group. I believed that if he shared our vision he would push this forward someday.”

“Does Mr. Baekbeom mean that we should push for this now?”

“That’s right.”

“….”

When Lee Wi-jong did not give a clear answer Ahn Myeong-geun spoke sarcastically slightly doubting him.

“Come to think of it this teacher didn’t really express any opinions for or against the assassination plot against Ito today. It felt like he was watching our actions as a third party.”

I don’t think he’s a spy though.

The members of the Korean Patriotic Association looked at them with the same eyes as the diplomats who were at odds with them.

“You are not by any chance advocating absurd diplomatic theories like those of the student Syngman Rhee who went to study abroad in the East are you?”

Yi Wi-jong looked at them shaking his head from side to side.

“You all are very suspicious. I was already wondering when I should invite you.”

Yi Wi-jong stood up from his seat and looked at them.

“Everyone follow me.”

* * *

The place where the regular meeting of the Korean Patriotic Association was held was quite close to Lee Kang’s residence.

That is why the members of the Patriotic Corps wanted to move on foot rather than using cars or carriages.

“Professor Lee Wi-jong.”

Kim Chang-soo looked at the Yi Wi-jong heading south and asked.

“If we go this way we will be further away from His Majesty the King’s residence. Shouldn’t we go in the opposite direction?”

“Before that I have something to show you.”

After saying this Yi Wi-jong stopped not far from the conference room.

It was one of the places he usually used as a hideout.

“Everyone please come in.”

Members of the Korean Patriotic Corps followed Lee Wi-jong into the building.

As soon as they entered their eyes widened and they looked surprised.

“Isn’t this… a direct copy of the entire view of downtown Hanyang?”

It’s not just a hideout.

There were photographs in each room and on the large table in each room were miniatures that seemed to show the city’s scenery in miniature.

“It looks like the entire Pyongyang area has been moved here.”

“This is a reproduction of downtown Kaesong.”

“There are also photos of Tokyo and Beijing. These model buildings are surprisingly similar.”

The members of the Patriotic Corps could not hide their surprised expressions.

At the same time they looked at the alien species with envious eyes.

“When I heard your father’s name I expected that he would be quite well off but I didn’t know that he would support you this much.”

“I’m jealous. I’m really jealous.”

In fact all of this came out of Lee Kang’s pocket.

For espionage activities the urban structure of China and Japan as well as Korea was studied.

For this purpose a large amount of operating funds from Lee Kang’s pocket were used as the activity expenses of Ikmunsa.

‘There’s no need to tell them where the money came from. I guess I’ll just let them think that I received help from my father.’

Lee Wi-jong folded his arms and quietly looked at the members of the Patriotic Corps who had been mistaken.

That was when.

“Ugh. Ugh…”

The room furthest from the entrance.

Kim Jeong-ik who had visited the room and checked the terrace appeared before them with a breathless expression on his face.

“What’s wrong with you? Why did you see a ghost?”

“Of of of of of of….”

“What? Tell me.”

Kim Jeong-ik pointed his finger behind him and knelt down spitting out the words that had been swirling around in his head.

“His Majesty the King… is in that room over there.”

As soon as Kim Jeong-ik finished speaking a man came out into the living room.

A person everyone knows.

Lee Kang appeared in front of them.

< Korean Patriotic Group (2) > End