The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 116



< Aftershock >

Three months have passed since Lee Kang was attacked in San Francisco.

In the meantime many changes have occurred on the Korean Peninsula.

The place that has changed the most is of course the north.

It was the Pyeongan-do and Hamgyeong-do regions that faced the two regions of Gando and Primorsky Krai.

“Lieutenant Honjo. We’re in big trouble.”

“What’s going on?”

“There is still no news from the reconnaissance party that left the base an hour ago.”

“What else?”

“Yes. I think it was probably… attacked by enemies nearby!”

“Get out of here. You idiots!”

These two border areas became hellish places for the Japanese military.

This is because the independence army led by Lee Beom-yun continued to harass the Japanese army.

“Your Majesty Honjo.”

“Why you again?”

“The enemy has appeared 1km to the northwest. There must be at least four hundred of them. What should we do?”

“These bastards. Don’t these guys sleep? They made a mess three days ago and last night and now they’re back again today?”

“….”

“Take a defensive stance immediately.”

“yes.”

The Japanese army cannot enter Gando because of the gentleman’s agreement with the United States.

I can’t even set foot in Primorsky Krai because it’s Russian land.

The volunteer army led by Lee Beom-yoon actively took advantage of this and employed a hit-and-run guerrilla strategy.

At first it was just a stinging sensation like a mosquito bite but as the armed condition of the volunteer army improved with Lee Kang’s support and its size increased the scale of the Japanese army’s damage became incomparable to before.

Now if you let your guard down an entire unit can be blown away.

That is why the Japanese army although exhausted to the point of exhaustion had to monitor their movements day and night.

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“What? The silver mines in Pyeongan Province were plundered by Joseon volunteers?”

“yes.”

The target of the volunteer army’s attack expanded beyond the Japanese military to include Japanese-owned mines in Pyeongan and Hamgyeong provinces.

This news was relayed to the Government-General of Korea in Namsan but Ito clutched his chest and let out sighs repeatedly as these unfortunate events continued to occur.

“What has our military been doing all this time?”

“They say that they are so elusive… that they are impossible to catch.”

“Tsk tsk. How much damage was done?”

“that is….”

“Report everything truthfully and without leaving anything out.”

“Those bandits ran off with all the silver bullion we mined this year.”

Japanese capitalists who came to Joseon hoping to make a fortune overnight but invested in Joseon mines ended up penniless.

It wasn’t just these people who were feeling frustrated.

The Government-General of Korea led by Ito was also in a difficult position.

“The remaining silver mine is also in a mess. The rebels brought explosives and completely blocked the original entrance so it looks like we’ll have to focus on restoration for a while.”

“Damn.”

Under their command the Residency-General was diligently building railroads and roads on the Korean Peninsula.

It is not because the Japanese are kind or because they sincerely wanted to help Joseon that they provided the infrastructure for free.

In order to more easily exploit underground resources on the Korean Peninsula these infrastructures were built at great expense.

The problem was that Ito’s big picture was being shaken to its core by the movements of the volunteers.

A situation where money continues to pour in.

But in reality there is no return at all.

Although they were plundering Joseon rice at a cheap price in the southern regions where volunteer army activities were less active the results were too poor compared to the money invested.

That is why the theory of colonial futility was slowly raising its head in some parts of the mainland.

“Damn.”

“Your Excellency the Governor-General!”

“Aren’t you the one who was watching the King in the palace? Yes. Why did you come to the Residency-General’s Office?”

“that is….”

A wrinkle deepened on Ito’s forehead.

This is because the troublemaker who had been quiet for a while has recently resumed his activities.

“The King shook the King of Joseon in front of his ministers?”

“yes.”

“Didn’t you give me an order to prevent you from attending the meeting?”

Nagano who was watching Gojong reported Gojong’s behavior as he was leaving with a look of injustice on his face.

“The King has become very stubborn lately. I think he is acting so arrogantly because he trusts the second prince in America.”

Ha! Here….

The name of that loathsome bastard is mentioned again.

Ito frowned and erased Lee Kang’s face from his mind.

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Looking at Ito like that Nagano continued to report on Emperor Gojong’s recent activities.

“He kept pointing out each and every one of them so persistently that the ministers attending the meeting were clicking their tongues. The stupid Joseon king just watched his father with a blank expression.”

Ito listened to Nagano’s story without saying much.

‘Fuck….’

Judging from the way he is acting it seems that Emperor Gojong’s attitude of relying only on Russia and boasting proudly to Japan during the Akgwan Pacheon incident is changing little by little.

If we don’t correct this early this guy will cause another big accident.

‘The king is a greedy person who constantly pursues power.’

Ito knows Gojong very well.

He was an expert on Gojong who had been analyzing Gojong ever since the Japanese government first began to set its sights on the Korean Peninsula.

King Sang of Joseon who loved chestnuts as a child was put on the throne by someone else.

Although he sat on the throne he was half a puppet because he had to constantly share his power with those around him.

To my father.

To my wife.

To the pro-Qing pro-Russian pro-Japanese and pro-American bureaucrats who cannot be trusted.

Now to my son.

Didn’t they give it to you semi-forcibly?

People naturally want to protect what is their own.

Gojong was a person with that tendency from the beginning.

How much must such a petty person crave power when he keeps having what is his own taken away by others?

“I guess that won’t work. I guess I’ll have to stop by Gyeongbokgung Palace sometime.”

At that time Japan was in a situation where the Japanese government was being suppressed by the United States.

As soon as this crisis came Gojong began to slowly revive his true nature.

“Get ready to leave quickly. We will be heading to Changdeokgung Palace in ten minutes.”

“Yes Your Excellency the Inspector General.”

* * *

“I greet your two majesties.”

Since it had not yet been forcibly annexed the Korean Empire was a demigod but it was clearly an independent empire.

That is why Ito bowed his head and called Gojong and Sunjong their majesty.

“Oh. Aren’t you Ito Tong-gam?”

Ito Hirobumi glanced at the welcoming face of Emperor Gojong.

At first glance it looks different than before.

Looks like he’s regained his confidence.

Maybe 8 years ago.

It must be thanks to his second son that King Gojong’s expectations are now becoming reality.

‘I guess you still think America is on your side.’

Judging from recent movements it would have been easy for Gojong to have been mistaken.

Because the United States has been very aggressive in pressuring the Japanese government since the Japanese ronin’s failed attempt to assassinate Lee Kang.

The United States worked hard to coax the relatively passive United Kingdom into giving Japan a concession on the standard-gauge parallel construction of the South Manchuria Railway.

‘The rights to the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria are still in our hands… but we still don’t understand the situation.’

Fortunately existing rights still remain.

Even in Manchuria it is the same.

The Russian-style South Manchurian Railway owned by Japan will not disappear just because the standard gauge is expanded.

The Kwantung Army will also remain in Manchuria and guard existing facilities.

of course.

Although the real power was lost and some of the old Beiyang warlords became rivals of the Kwantung Army.

“The two rich men are talking very nicely.”

“then.”

Ito looked at Emperor Gojong who was greatly mistaken and then checked Emperor Sunjong’s face.

Although he became an idiot due to the side effects of drinking coffee laced with opium his filial piety towards his father still remained.

Seeing Emperor Gojong trying to manipulate the Joseon king from behind the scenes Ito had a thousand thoughts.

That was when.

“We talked about the upcoming tour. This is our crown prince’s first time on a provincial tour…”

A very unpleasant word came out of Gojong’s mouth.

Referring to the current emperor as “Crown Prince” this was a statement that completely denied the abdication that took place last year.

“You are not the crown prince you are the emperor.”

“Ah Jim was mistaken. I’m getting old these days and my mind is wandering.”

Gojong cleverly used his age as an excuse to say that his previous remark was a mistake.

However seeing that he was looking at Ito with great interest it seems that Gojong’s attitude had definitely changed.

Before I was so scared that I couldn’t even make eye contact.

“I’m sorry Prince. Please understand this old man.”

“No Abamama.”

Look.

Aren’t you provoking yourself again?

Ito was seething inside but decided to hold it in for now.

The intention was to first check how far Emperor Gojong would go.

“Your Majesty have you attended the meeting recently?”

“Oh that.”

Gojong continued speaking one corner of his mouth slightly raised.

“It’s been three years since I entrusted the country to the Governor-General and the Cabinet but the state of the country is not improving but rather becoming a mess. I came in the hopes that it might be of some help.”

“….”

“There is an old saying that a good official is a good official. I have been on the throne and governing Joseon for nearly 40 years. I thought your experience would be of great help so I gave you some advice.”

“okay.”

Ito glared at Gojong as if he was going to kill him.

“But as you are getting older Your Majesty should take more care of your health. Didn’t you agree on this last time?”

At this Gojong made a slight expression as if to say ‘Look at this guy’ but then quickly changed his expression to one of gratitude.

“You are so worried about me. As expected it is Resident-General Ito. Of course that is why Resident-General Ito warned my second son like that.”

Gojong hits hard on the sore spot.

This statement had two implications.

The conversation between Ito and Gojong was somehow organized and reported to officials in mainland Japan.

In response to the remark he had just made Gojong presented Ito with a large piece of candy.

If hardliners hear this statement they might get the impression that ‘you’re good at spying.’

In addition it implicitly revealed the meaning that ‘Lee Kang and the United States are standing behind me.’

“I mentioned this in today’s assembly and suggested that you be given a big reward but those rude little guys raised their hands and feet in opposition.”

“….”

“They are just a bunch of idiots who eat rice so Governor-General Ito should cut them off at the appropriate level.”

It seemed as if the King of Joseon had completely lost his mind.

It doesn’t look like it will be fixed in a short period of time.

‘Should I kill him?’

no.

The timing is not good for that.

‘If I can’t handle it within my capabilities…’

Just shove it at the next guy.

Anyway Ito is planning to step down from his position as Resident-General after this tour.

‘One of the Katsura faction will be appointed as the second governor-general.’

If you show that kind of attitude Emperor Gojong will suffer for a while.

Ito smiled bitterly expressing his condolences to Emperor Gojong in front of him.

“Yes I will. I will engrave it deeply into my memory.”

At Ito’s answer Gojong looked at Sunjong with a triumphant smile.

“Prince. Oh please look at me.”

Gojong once again corrected his remarks and called for Sunjong.

“Chuck.”

“Yes Abamama.”

Gojong approached Ito and whispered in his ear as if he was giving him a compliment.

“Don’t forget what this father said earlier.”

“yes.”

Although it was a whisper the last words were said loud enough for Ito to hear.

The secret story is over long ago.

This act is intended to show Ito his influence.

The innocent and naive Sunjong simply nodded without knowing the hidden meaning of Emperor Gojong.

“Ah three days later. I heard the tour is about to begin. Governor-General Ito have a safe trip and come back safely.”

Gojong watched Ito leave and said goodbye.

Of course there was no sincerity in what I just said.

Because Gojong wanted Ito to die as soon as possible.

Didn’t that Japanese guy take away my power?

* * *

After returning to his quarters he began to write something down avoiding the eyes of the guards.

“To Kang-i…”

My second son Lee Kang with whom I have not had any contact since going to America.

To get in touch with him again.

‘I can wait a thousand years. That’s all it takes.’

Gojong thought.

This country Joseon is his.

That I can’t give it to anyone.

Even.

Even his only legitimate heir Yi Cheok thought that he should not become emperor while he was still alive.

‘I hope I can be restored someday.’

King Gojong suddenly felt regret.

This was because he remembered his past self who had been furious when he heard that Lee Kang had been chosen as the next successor during the rebellion by the reformist forces.

I regretted my old self the embodiment of power that even my own son felt was a rival.

‘I should have trusted the second one back then.’

What would have happened if we had pushed Lee Kang a little harder back then?

If that were the case.

You wouldn’t have suffered the humiliation of being forcibly brought down from the throne by those idiots would you?

“Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager is looking for you.”

Gojong’s late love.

Lady Eom sent someone to comfort Emperor Gojong.

“Okay. I want to be alone today.”

“yes.”

In the past Empress Dowager was so dependable and I felt at ease whenever she was by my side.

From the time Lee Kang began to be active for some reason Gwi-bi began to look inferior in the eyes of Emperor Gojong.

‘I remember Lady Jang as being really pretty.’

Gojong recalled the face of Lee Kang’s biological mother who had been driven out by the dead Min clan.

‘What did it look like?’

It’s been thirty years since then.

Her face is now a blur in my memory.

I only remember one thing.

The scent of flowers that came from her once again passed through Gojong’s mind.

‘Oh right.’

I remember that a woman who resembled Lady Jang appeared in the palace recently.

For the first time in a long time Gojong is thinking of embracing another woman other than Empress Dowager.

Although he is old sick and shabby.

Because he’s still a man.

Gojong began to wander the palace in search of a new woman.

<Aftermath> End