The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 127



< What I Forgot (3) >

“Following His Majesty the King Mr. Yu Gil-jun has been elected as the second president of the Synthetic Association. Everyone please clap your hands and stand up. Let us welcome and congratulate the new president.”

“and!”

“Yoo Gil-jun! Yoo Gil-jun!”

The Synthetic Association Hall was filled with cheers from the residents.

I shook hands with Yu Gil-jun who won the association president election and smiled brightly.

“I sincerely congratulate you on taking over as the new president of the association after me.”

“Thank you Your Majesty.”

In fact Yu Gil-jun’s election was a planned event.

Because I appointed Yu Gil-jun as the sole senior vice-president.

Since he had declared to the public that he was the most trusted figure among the association’s members Yu Gil-jun had already started off three steps ahead in this election.

‘It was a fight I absolutely could not lose.’

Currently I have the absolute support of the Korean community.

Yu Gil-jun rode the coattails of my popularity.

Unless I kept making mistakes winning was a given but things went as I expected.

“You have worked hard as the vice president until now… From now on as the president you will serve the Korean community even more.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

Today is a good day.

It’s normal for only good words to be exchanged on a good day.

Good medicine is meant to be bitter.

Since the president of the association was closer to a politician than an administrator I emphasized at the end what politicians should be careful about.

“As I said earlier your abilities have already been proven. Your character is also proven. However there is one thing that worries me.”

“What is it?”

“Childcare.”

Yu Gil-jun looked like he understood what my warning meant.

He looked with anxious eyes at his two sons who were cheering him on from afar.

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“….”

“….”

Silence falls.

Even good words take some time to digest.

I kept shaking his hand waiting for him to let go.

‘It’s now.’

When Yu Gil-jun let go of my hand and tried to move away from me I pulled him closer.

After that the two of them started whispering and talking to each other.

“That’s what it’s like to be human. Even though we thoroughly punish others for their mistakes strangely enough our children are the only ones who can’t think rationally.”

“….”

“Even for those who have reached a certain level.”

“I am sorry.”

In 1902 Yu Gil-jun planned a revolution to establish me as a constitutional monarch instead of King Gojong.

This act was discovered in advance and the family was torn apart.

Only he and his two sons were able to escape to Japan alive.

Now only the eldest son Yoo Man-gyeom and the second son Yoo Eok-gyeom are standing by his side.

Two men stood at a distance curious to hear us whispering and then slowly approached my father.

I glared at one of the two brothers and warned Yu Gil-jun again.

“Your first son has been in bad taste lately. I don’t think it’s been talked about much in the world yet… This issue could surface soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. From what I heard it looks like you’re having money problems.”

“Is it a money issue?”

“That’s what they said.”

Yu Gil-jun will have to find out more than that.

Because I don’t want to interfere with his family history any further.

“I trust you will handle it well. If possible I will try to handle it neatly as soon as possible.”

“yes.”

Let’s stop here with a warning to our successors.

I looked at the association executives gathered here and started to tell them what I had not been able to say.

I urged them loudly.

“Oh and I have something to tell you.”

“Please speak Your Majesty.”

“Before I completely hand over the position of association president to Mr. Yoo I would like to mention a few long-standing projects that I was unable to complete during my term. I hope that the next association president will wrap up these projects well. I mean with one mind.”

He raised two fingers and declared to them that he had two long-cherished projects.

“Recently the place that used to be called the Sea of ​​Joseon or the East Sea is being printed incorrectly as the Sea of ​​Japan.”

“Are you saying that the East Sea is being distributed as the Sea of ​​Japan?”

“Yes. Unfortunately there has been no comment on this matter in the home country. If you think about it the Japanese have taken away our diplomatic rights. It seems like this will not be discussed in the future.”

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Until the late 19th century the East Sea and the Sea of ​​Joseon were more commonly seen on maps but from then on the notation Sea of ​​Japan became overwhelmingly more common.

My intervention won’t change this trend but protesting it will help get the name changed later.

Because I can break the pathetic excuse of saying that I was doing something for 40 years and now I’m finding fault with it.

That’s why I planned to do some preliminary work in advance starting now.

“We must continue to protest until the incorrect English place names are corrected. We must also continue to send protest letters to foreign ministries around the world about Dokdo which Japan forcibly annexed.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

The problem of notation of the East Sea as the Sea of ​​Japan.

It’s not like there’s no way at all.

Because you can make the major companies your own by asking map companies and newspapers or even buying stocks.

There are few CEOs who have the courage to refuse pressure from major shareholders.

That is why I first planned to contact the top three famous map-making publishers and pursue stock acquisition.

Of course I didn’t tell this to the executives of the Synthetic Association here.

Because only I can do this.

If you leak information to people who won’t help you and it reaches Japan’s ears things will get complicated.

“There is another similar diplomatic issue. For the sake of friendship between the United States and our Korean Empire the association is promoting a project to donate a pear tree to the capital city of Washington D.C.”

According to the original plan cherry trees were to be planted in the area but the San Francisco shootings completely derailed this plan.

Moreover since Katsura not Saionji is currently in power this discussion is not even being resumed.

I was thinking of taking this opportunity to plant pear trees instead of cherry blossoms in the capital of the United States Washington D.C.

“We were planning to send about 4000 seedlings. The negotiations were almost complete but the attack happened and things were put on hold for a while.”

“Oh I see.”

“Everyone please take care of this and finish it. I will only trust you.”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

In the United States once an institution or building is established it is not easy to change it.

The cherry blossoms donated by Japan symbolized the friendship between the United States and Japan but when World War II broke out they became controversial and were in danger of being cut down.

Didn’t they overcome the crisis and show tenacity by simply changing the English name of the cherry tree at that time?

‘Washington’s Cherry Blossom Festival turns into a Peach Blossom Festival.’

It may seem like a big deal but one small problem can change your image and that can have a butterfly effect that can lead to another big problem.

I was thinking of aiming for this.

In particular the two issues I just mentioned seemed better if the Korean community association took the lead rather than individuals.

Rather than forcibly ending it I just left it as is.

“I only trust you.”

So the Korean Community Association the Hapseong Association left my hands.

Of course since my subordinate became the next president of the association he was not completely out of my influence.

* * *

After the general meeting I returned straight home.

The house was more hectic than usual.

This is because the whole family was busy packing their bags before leaving for Europe.

“majesty.”

Choi Hyun-woo and Woo Hyun-sik who were checking my luggage with a list in the corner approached me and asked about my schedule.

“I have a few things to confirm with Your Majesty as I am on a tour of Europe.”

“Tell me.”

“I mean the list of countries you gave me before. Are there any other countries you would like to add?”

I quickly checked the document Choi Hyun-sik handed me.

uk.

Netherlands.

germany.

russia.

All the countries to visit were listed but upon closer inspection it seemed like one country was missing.

“France is missing.”

“Oh is that so?”

“Other countries are monarchies but France is a republic… Perhaps France was left out when contacting the royal families of those countries.”

“Oh I see.”

Choi Hyun-sik nodded and wrote down France on his list of places to visit.

Meanwhile Woo Hyun-sik asked me a question that had been bothering him for a while.

“Your Majesty. Have you decided on the order of your visit? It may be late but I still need to notify the royal families of each country of the detailed schedule of my visit.”

I looked thoughtful for a moment.

Then two of my close associates warned me.

“Your Majesty. You might just pass it off as nothing special but the order of your tours is surprisingly important.”

“That’s right. Everyone will be watching with bated breath to see how His Majesty’s decision is made. You must choose carefully.”

So diplomatic protocol is really nothing special.

Surprisingly I attach great significance to trivial things.

Who is sitting next to me?

Who do you eat with?

How many hours does the meeting last?

etc.

We compare ourselves to our competitors paying close attention to even the smallest details that may be considered trivial.

It seems like the great powers are currently fighting over which country I should visit first.

“Everyone wants to be the first to visit.”

“Yes that’s right.”

Because if I visit that country first I can promote that country as a priority over other powers.

Me too.

It’s not like my mom likes it or my dad likes it.

“Ha- It’s complicated.”

“But you have to decide. You have put it off long enough.”

“I guess so.”

I scanned the list and carefully recalled the name of each country.

“The first place to go is….”

While Woo Hyun-sik and Choi Hyun-woo were watching my mouth.

I decided.

“It’s the Netherlands.”

“Not England Russia or Germany?”

“Why?”

“If you choose one of the three one country may be satisfied but the other two will express their dissatisfaction. The Netherlands is a country that maintains neutrality in the midst of the chaos of Europe which is like the calm before the storm so everyone will understand what I mean.”

In terms of national power it would be natural to choose the UK but in fact I had nothing to gain from them during this visit to the UK.

the other side.

Germany is a major defense customer for the newly developed aircraft.

There is an atmosphere in Russia where they want to make me their chief investment advisor at the royal level.

The Russian royal family was the largest in Europe so it could not be overlooked.

In this situation I chose the Netherlands over the UK because if I chose the UK I would provoke Germany or Russia.

“First of all I am on friendly terms with the Queen’s husband Prince Hendrik. If I were to visit the Netherlands first citing personal friendship as an excuse they would grumble a little but they would not object too much.”

What can I do if I have to visit the Netherlands for personal reasons?

If you feel bad one of the royal family members will become friendly with you.

‘Of course the German Kaiser is the envoy.’

That pervert who only looks at my hands all day is a total no-no.

Even if you give me a billion dollars it’s better to keep some distance.

Especially for my mental health.

“After that we will visit England Germany and Russia in that order. We will visit France after Russia.”

Woo Hyun-sik cautiously objected to my decision.

“Wouldn’t Germany and Russia be a little upset about that?”

right.

Even if that were the first time I chose England as the second country I visited.

Both countries could have suffered a loss of pride at being pushed out by Britain and suffered other disadvantages such as withdrawing the business they had originally intended to invest in.

“In Germany I strongly emphasize the demonstration of Lee & Wright. What they want is not my visit but the new aircraft that I am mass producing.”

“What about Russia?”

“Russia…..”

You have to compensate with something else.

For example.

“Let’s extend your stay beyond the planned time. Let’s stay in Russia three to four times longer than in other countries and become acquainted with the members of the Russian royal family.”

“Four times longer than the original schedule?”

“okay.”

“Are you okay? Your Majesty’s time is precious.”

It’s okay.

Just because you’re staying in Russia for a long time doesn’t mean you’ll only meet members of the Russian royal family.

“I’m talking about Hoover who is exploring mines in South Manchuria.”

“Oh there he was. Come to think of it his contract will be up by the time he visits Russia.”

“okay.”

Woo Hyun-sik handed me the contract he had written with Hoover.

He had been commissioned to investigate the mining situation in the Korean Peninsula and South Manchuria.

“He said let’s meet in Russia to celebrate the end of the contract.”

“Oh that’s a good idea. He’s currently in South Manchuria so if you take the Trans-Siberian Railway you’ll be there in no time.”

“That’s right. Since the next engagement is supposed to start in France it would be better for Hoover not to stop by the United States.”

“I guess so.”

I snapped my fingers and tried to schedule some extra appointments as well.

“I will also talk with Lee Beom-jin the father of the second son former Russian ambassador while I am in Russia.”

“Oh he’s still living in Russia?”

“Yes. He is doing a great job as an informant there.”

I thought of another person’s face who was quite close to Lee Beom-jin.

“I also plan to meet his younger brother Lee Beom-yun the commander of the independence army during this visit to Russia.”

Lee Beom-yoon was fighting the Japanese army while traveling between Gando and the Maritime Province.

Primorsky Krai is Russian land.

I plan to take this opportunity to introduce Lee Beom-yoon to the highest level of Russian leadership.

If we can open up contact with Russian officials it might make it easier for Lee Beom-yoon and the independence army to operate in the Primorsky Krai.

“So it would be okay to extend the stay time more than in other countries.”

“Yes I understand.”

When the outline of the European tour itinerary was roughly drawn.

Woo Hyun-sik raised his hand.

Because there is one last variable left.

“majesty.”

“What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with my European tour plans?”

“No that’s not it… It seems like the Queen wants to accompany the King on his European tour as previously planned.”

Originally I had planned to go to Europe with Ethel but because of her pregnancy I planned to leave her in the East and visit Europe alone.

However Ethel seemed to have a slightly different opinion than me.

She wanted to go to Europe with me.

“okay?”

“yes.”

“What do you guys think?”

Woo Hyun-sik rolled his eyes and took Ethel’s side.

“I heard that there are several Rockefeller family mansions in England. If you feel too full while touring together why don’t you stay in England and prepare to break up?”

It’s a compromise.

Thinking of Ethel and the unborn child.

“It is good for the health of expectant mothers to engage in moderate outdoor activities but it can also be bad if you overdo it. It might be a good idea to consider this.”

“Okay I understand. I’ll discuss the details with Ethel.”

I should ask her what she means too.

If being with me is good for her mental health then it can’t be a bad thing.

‘It’s Europe….’

Second after The Hague.

I think I’ll be able to really enjoy it this time.

What would 20th century European royalty have felt like?

< What I Forgot (3) > End