The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 121



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An Jung-geun and Kim Chang-su arrived in Harbin.

“passport.”

They presented forged identification cards to gain entry into the heavily guarded central station.

“Your name is Kim Gu?”

“yes.”

“Are you an American citizen?”

“exactly.”

“What brings you to Harbin Station?”

“Don’t you see my press ID here besides my passport? I am a reporter for the Daily San Francisco and have come to interview Resident-General Ito.”

“You?”

“Thomas Ahn. I am also an American and a journalist.”

“Oh. Is that the newly released camera you’re holding?”

“Yes. By the way the Governor-General’s visit to Harbin is just around the corner. Can you please step aside quickly? We’ll be late. We might not be able to film the Governor-General’s visit. Hey handle that carefully. How much does it cost for you to touch it so roughly?”

Kim Chang-su and Ahn Jung-geun used passports with their names altered to include their agent code names and baptismal names respectively.

Is that why?

They were able to enter and exit Harbin Station without any particular restrictions.

“I never even thought about a fake passport.”

“Yes. It was a good thing that you listened to His Majesty the King’s suggestion.”

It seems like it takes a lot to be a secret agent.

Kim Chang-su and Ahn Jung-geun felt this once again as they waited for the train carrying Ito to arrive.

“Mr. Ahn. It’s Itoyo over there.”

“I’m taking a picture. That bastard’s face is dripping with dog oil it’s really disgusting.”

Ito slowly got off the train and waved to reporters.

Is it because they screened visitors in advance?

There were no people around Ito with guns to escort him.

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Perhaps the Japanese military tried to make Ito look bold in the photo.

“Ito!”

That was when.

The Kwantung Army guards who were supposed to be escorting Ito suddenly called his name.

Afterwards he took out the pistol he had hidden in his bosom and fired six bullets at Ito.

It was surprising and unexpected.

Japanese military.

Ito.

And Ahn Jung-geun and Kim Chang-su.

To everyone.

“Everyone everyone stand back.”

Was it because I was sniped by an ally I trusted?

The Japanese army collapsed helplessly.

“Catch him! Catch the author!”

The Japanese people who came to their senses quickly arrested the culprit and gave Ito emergency treatment.

Given the blood spilled on Harbin’s history Ito’s chances of survival were slim.

“Mr. Ahn. Did you capture that scene on camera?”

“Of course.”

An Jung-geun clenched his fists and tightened his neck.

“We may not have been able to kill the enemy of Korea with our own hands but shouldn’t we record his end?”

“That’s right.”

The culprit has already been caught.

And the culprit was an identified Japanese officer wearing a Japanese Kwantung Army uniform.

Therefore there was no additional search for accomplices.

Even if there were since it was aimed at domestic soldiers and not foreigners Ahn Jung-geun and Kim Chang-su were able to escape the scene safely.

“Your Majesty you said we were the second plan before?”

“Yes.”

“That young man. Did Your Majesty bribe him?”

“well.”

Kim Chang-soo tilted his head.

I already knew that Lee Kang-i was aiming to eliminate Ito within Japan.

Because I didn’t know that even the Kwantung Army would be bribed.

“I don’t think so. Perhaps the author was lucky enough to be instigated by some operation within Japan.”

“I think so too.”

I am not trying to disparage Lee Kang and Ik Moon Sa’s abilities.

Because the seeds they had sowed so diligently had caused more chaos in mainland Japan than expected.

“Anyway it looks like you’ve done some kind of tea ceremony.”

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“yes.”

An Jung-geun and Kim Chang-su planned to shoot Ito on his way back to Japan.

We went to the scene directly to investigate and checked Ito’s location and movement route.

They were able to feel and learn many things through this process.

“When I go back I think I need to improve my shooting training.”

“I think so too.”

Currently I am training mainly for 100m and 250m.

Of course 400m 600m 800m.

I think I need to prepare more than this.

The farther away the better.

In addition the need to improve the rifles that were already in use was envisioned.

“You’ll also need camouflage techniques like beards and makeup and it would be nice to have some local insider helpers.”

“We also need someone who knows the area well and can drive well.”

Things I learned in theory.

When I try to use them in real life I see so many things that are lacking.

Kim Chang-su and Ahn Jung-geun began to record everything they felt at that moment.

Because there seemed to be so much to prepare for the next perfect assassination.

* * *

‘Ito died.’

A short but powerful message was telegraphed across the Pacific.

Given the absence of any further information both agents appear to be unharmed.

Because no news is good news.

under-

It feels like my blocked stomach has been cleared out.

It doesn’t seem very mentally healthy to be so happy about someone else’s death.

‘But the Japanese have already crossed the line first.’

Didn’t they first set the tragic stage where one side would end up dying if the other side didn’t kill?

So I felt like a bit of a bad guy but I decided to enjoy the moment.

“majesty.”

“okay.”

“What happened in Harbin.”

“Tell me.”

A few hours later.

A series of events that had occurred in Harbin began to reach our home one by one.

“So you’re saying that this was done by an army officer belonging to the Kwantung Army not one of our agents?”

“yes.”

“Where is the criminal’s hometown?”

“My name is Choshu-han.”

That means it could have been a lone wolf who was militaristic.

On the other hand it is possible to assume that Katsura used people to eliminate Ito.

‘It either way.’

Aren’t they fighting among themselves?

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Doesn’t this save you the trouble of making a special comment on this matter?

‘Well… if it had been known that Ito had died by the hands of our Koreans Nob Hill wouldn’t have been this quiet.’

Ito was the first Resident-General of Korea.

As with the Korean Empire’s subjects on the Korean Peninsula there were many Koreans living in the United States who held particularly hostile feelings toward Ito.

That’s why if he had died at the hands of our agents the Korean town in San Francisco would have set off fireworks and cheered as if a festival had begun.

‘Also just like last time Japanese people who are interested in fun will probably come and start a protest.’

Just like when I was attacked Koreans went to Japantown and protested.

I would have done the same thing.

‘I feel like drinking.’

Anyway Ito who had been a headache died.

Is that why?

I took a whiskey out of the liquor cabinet and poured it.

I offered a drink to the man in front of me and he took a sip of the drink I offered him and added to what I expected.

“Japan will become even more reckless in the future. In the long run that is.”

“But wouldn’t the moderates take back power in the short term?”

“yes.”

Because the current Prime Minister Taro Katsura has made a lot of shit.

Moreover his political enemy Ito died.

It is a natural law of the world that the opposition party gains power.

“But Saionji will ultimately fail. With his abilities it will be difficult to change the major trends in Japanese politics.”

If we had the ability to do that we would have done it long ago during the previous administration.

I rate Saionji lower than Ito and shake my head at the possibility of his long-term rule.

“I think so too. Saionji’s influence on the army is too minimal.”

“okay.”

As I mentioned last time the current Japanese government is extremely abnormal.

The position of the head of the cabinet is guaranteed by law.

However the authority of the Army and Navy which are subordinate agencies is stipulated in the Constitution.

Ironic situation.

As in any country the constitution is above the law.

The Army Minister and the Navy Minister said that they were superior to the Prime Minister.

He often rebelled against the Prime Minister’s decisions making ridiculous assumptions.

‘First of all the Prime Minister has no authority to appoint cabinet members.’

Moreover the positions of Army Minister and Navy Minister could not be filled by retired reservists or civilians.

The argument is that the current general must be put in his seat.

As long as Katsura holds the army in his hands there will be at least one opponent in the moderate cabinet.

If he makes even the slightest mistake the hardliner Army Minister will surely resign using this as an excuse.

Since the Prime Minister has no power to appoint officials the existing cabinet will be dissolved.

‘Unless this is changed Saionji will never be able to serve as Prime Minister for long.’

The disarmament he is so vigorously pushing for is an impossible mirage.

“By the way I bet the two agents learned a lot.”

“Yes. They didn’t remove the Ito with their own hands but didn’t they witness it vividly up close? I heard they even recorded it.”

“Yes. Let’s use this experience as a learning curve and plan the next plan. This time we tried to let them go as a second choice but next time we want to put them first.”

“yes.”

Who is my next target for elimination?

Of course they are the Eulsa Five Traitors.

Can’t we just let traitors roam our country as if they were their own front yard?

It was necessary to issue a strong warning if only to curb the growing number of spies.

“I heard you’ve been refraining from going out lately are you aware of the situation?”

“Yes. That’s what it said in the report.”

“Well they can’t just stay at home. They’re cabinet members.”

“Yes that’s right. If there’s a special event they’ll have to show their faces outside even if it means forcing themselves to do so.”

For example.

Although Ito’s case is an exception when a foreign head of state dies cabinet members usually attend the funeral.

Well I guess we can just wait for a time like that.

“Where are Kim Chang-su and Ahn Jung-geun now?”

“They say it’s in the Primorsky Krai.”

“Bring them back to Tijuana so they can feed back the relevant information to each other.”

“yes.”

As Yiwijong was about to return to the scene to carry out my orders he handed me something.

“Oh Your Majesty. Your Majesty has sent a secret message to Your Majesty.”

A handwritten letter from Emperor Gojong.

I haven’t read the contents yet but I can guess what it’s filled with.

“Hmm. Where was it?”

I started rummaging through the drawers where I usually kept important items.

Then he found a sealed letter and quickly handed it over to Yi Wi-jong.

“Here is my answer to that.”

The second son blinked and asked me.

“Did you know that His Majesty’s secret letter would arrive and prepare it in advance?”

“then.”

I crossed my arms and took a slightly defensive stance.

When I recalled Emperor Gojong’s face this action came out quite naturally.

“Think about it. During the last tour you maintained an uncooperative attitude throughout despite the strong requests of the ministers.”

“Yes. I also know that through reports.”

“I think my brother must have done so because of the strong request of Abamama. If he was not so strong-willed he could have refused countless requests from the ministers throughout the tour so there must be no other reason.”

I continued talking snapping my fingers.

“So what comes next?”

What could it be?

You should contact me.

While desperately searching for the son he had abandoned he said “You must be having a hard time overseas.” “But I’m also having a hard time.” “I need help so why don’t you as a filial son do something about America?” and so on.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have such words written all over a secret letter?

‘First I have to play along with him… and induce him to do what I want.’

Since I came to America I am now separated from the original Joseon royal family.

But strictly speaking I too am a member of the royal family.

The Joseon royal family’s misdeeds will also tarnish my reputation and honor.

‘They are spending their budgets recklessly and some are even reaching out to Japan.’

First of all we need to reduce the amount of aid we receive from Japan.

Even if some of the returned domestic mining rights were to be provided to King Gojong.

‘Normally you wouldn’t react at all even after hearing what I say.’

It’s different now.

In particular didn’t the United States put strong pressure on Japan this time and imprinted the phrase “The only enemy that can stand against Japan = the United States” very strongly in Emperor Gojong’s mind?

‘If we continue to instill hope that America might help Gojong will act differently.’

I handed this to Yi Wi-jong not forgetting his last words.

“Be careful not to let your contact information be exposed in Japan.”

“yes.”

After the second species left.

I took a sip of the whiskey I had poured and thought about it for a moment.

I was racking my brain to figure out how I could get the Japanese military to run wild as quickly as possible.

‘I guess it’s only China…’

When Japan could not extract any interests from China.

If I were to obtain the right to build a railway other than the South Manchuria Railway would the hardliners remain silent?

Maybe the kid will have a huge seizure.

Because they are people who can’t stand seeing others do well.

‘You can’t do something this big alone. You have to form a consortium with several people.’

As business partners the best are American capitalists like Rockefeller and Morgan.

“majesty.”

That was when.

Choi Hyun-sik who has been with me since my study abroad days in the U.S. and is now my chief of staff knocked on the door of my office.

“Your Majesty. Deputy Morgan has sent someone.”

“Morgan Jr.”

“Yes. I wish to see Your Majesty’s face one last time before leaving for the East.”

More than half a year has passed since the wedding.

The situation is that everyone has returned to their hometown.

But Morgan Jr. had to stop in Panama where his father was putting all his efforts into it.

After inspecting the progress of the canal construction we also visited sugarcane plantations in Cuba and Mexico.

He is also said to have been involved in the opening of a new bank in Western Canada.

He says he’s finally heading back after checking on his business across the western part of the New World.

I thought about it for a moment.

‘Yeah. I’ve been working nonstop since the wedding so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to throw a party for the first time in a while.’

Now that I’m back I won’t be able to see you for a long time.

It was worth taking a day to see.

Moreover unlike his father JP Morgan Morgan Jr. had a very good relationship with me.

So there was no reason to avoid him.

“I checked my schedule and it looks like Wednesday or Friday evening this week would be a good time.”

“Then let’s do it on Wednesday.”

“Yes. Then I will do that.”

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