The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 146



< The Best and the Worst (2) >

In the early 20th century transportation and communication were not as developed as they are today.

Getting information one step ahead of others is crucial in investing.

‘Didn’t the Rothschilds also receive news of Britain’s victory before others and make huge profits?’

Currently I am collecting the latest information from major countries through Ikmunsa.

The same goes for the mainland of the Korean Empire.

The same goes for the United States where I am currently rooted.

We are collecting data at every moment by utilizing the already established Ikmunsa point organization network.

Recently they have been gradually expanding their influence by sending members to China and Japan which are major areas of activity for Koreans.

However Europe’s organization of the Ilmunsa was weak compared to other regions.

Because its importance is slightly lower compared to the United States or Japan.

Because the budget and people are limited the advancement has been slightly delayed.

I could feel this firsthand when I recently heard reports on the state of intelligence gathering in Britain and Germany.

‘It’s just the beginning stage right? We need to expand quickly….’

But there is only one country in Europe.

Russia was an exception.

“majesty.”

It boasted a tighter network of secret societies than China or Japan.

All of this was thanks to the person in front of me now.

“Welcome Mr. Russian Ambassador.”

Lee Beom-jin is a diplomat who has been serving as ambassador to Russia for nearly five years.

A person who did not return to his country and continued to stay in Russia even after being deprived of diplomatic rights following the Eulsa Treaty.

As one of the key high-ranking agents of the Ikmunsa he was carrying out the very important role of organizing and supporting the organization’s network throughout Europe.

“It’s been a while. Please say hello first.”

Lee Beom-jin has been living abroad for a long time.

I never had a chance to meet a Korean.

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Is that why?

As soon as he saw my face he looked so happy.

“Do you remember when you came here as a special envoy more than ten years ago?”

“then.”

Lee Beom-jin mentioned a memory from more than ten years ago.

This is Lee Kang’s memory before the ice age.

Even though it was in pieces some of the memories still remained in my head.

I recalled this and agreed with Lee Beom-jin’s words.

“Because of that unpleasant incident I couldn’t meet the Tsar and returned empty-handed.”

“Your Majesty the bitter back of your head still appears in my dreams sometimes. You have finally met the Tsar.”

My reunion with Lee Beom-jin occurred after nearly ten years.

Look at the face.

“uh?”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Your Majesty the King.”

“Tell me.”

“It seems like something has changed.”

Lee Beom-jin looked me up and down in a slightly irreverent manner then made a surprised face.

“Your body has changed a lot.”

“okay?”

“Yes. It seems like things have changed for the better. You’ve become a total man.”

He praised me highly saying that I had become more masculine than he had ever seen before.

I enjoyed this and responded to Lee Beom-jin’s compliments.

“I’ve been working out hard for the past five years.”

“Oh! Is that so?”

“Of course. If your body is healthy your mind will be healthy and your brain will be clear.”

“Your words are right. Health is the best. I too will keep Your Majesty’s words deep in my heart and reflect on them often.”

That’s all for small talk.

I quickly turned my head.

Because there was a young man next to me who was just waiting for his time to come.

“Ah! It’s been a while since we last met and I’m interrupting.”

“….”

“….”

“You two should also say hello.”

Lee Beom-jin exchanged glances with one of my companions.

In response to his actions a young man who had followed him on this Russian tour took a step forward with a shy expression.

“Father how have you been?”

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“I’m doing well without any pain. How about you?”

“I’m okay too.”

Lee Wi-jong who was with him when he was special envoy to The Hague hugs Lee Beom-jin and holds back tears.

In their first meeting in nearly two years the two fathers checked on each other’s condition and confirmed their bond.

“It’s the first time the two rich people have met for the first time in a long time so let’s drink a lot to celebrate.”

“I’m fine with that. Since you’re in Russia you might want some vodka a traditional Russian drink right?”

Lee Beom-jin started to laugh heartily as he took out alcohol from the display case.

“I’ve cut down on drinking lately for health reasons but back in my day I used to drink so much my nose got crooked. Oh! How much can you drink?”

You might wonder why I am suddenly asking about his drinking capacity but Lee Beom-jin was actually a veteran diplomat who had worked in Russia for a long time.

In Russia alcohol was an essential social tool.

Drinking alcohol is an activity that is as important in Europe and the United States as playing golf or hunting.

So I answered his question without any misunderstanding.

“I don’t really enjoy it but once I start I drink a lot. I’m probably a better drinker than you.”

“Well I’m not the type of person who loses easily to anyone. I was quite famous in Bukchon.”

Unlike the noblemen I’ve met over the past five years Lee Beom-jin is not a person who is picky.

It was very generous.

He has a violent appearance and a violent personality so if you look at him wrong you might mistake him for a bully.

In fact it is said that he dominated the alleys of Hanyang during his childhood.

Since his father was Lee Gyeong-ha one of Daewongun’s close associates no one would have stopped him from behaving so wildly.

anyway.

He was the leader of the neighborhood gangs in Bukchon during his childhood.

Thanks to this extroverted personality he was one of the few Koreans who adapted extremely well to life abroad unlike other Koreans who had difficulty adapting to life abroad.

“Then let’s see who can drink better today.”

“Yeah. Let’s see who can drink better today.”

Unlike other introverted scholars I’ve met so far he was full of ‘popularity’.

“majesty.”

Just when a drinking contest was about to take place.

Lee Wi-jong and Lee Beom-jin tried to dissuade me.

“How about just playing some accompaniment today?”

Woo Hyun-sik and Choi Hyun-woo who were nearby also seemed to agree with Lee Wi-jong’s opinion.

“you’re right.”

“Aren’t you going to meet the Russian Tsar tomorrow?”

At this Lee Beom-jin scratched his head and agreed with their words.

“Hahaha. I got as excited as a wild boar when I met His Majesty. My son please follow the advice of Secretary Choi here and have a celebratory drink today. His Majesty will enjoy it to the fullest tomorrow.”

Lee Beom-jin is a local expert working in Russia.

He mentions one by one the things to watch out for in the St. Petersburg Palace.

He especially warned me to be careful of the Tsar’s drinking habits.

“Don’t accept everything the Tsar recommends. If you do it wrong you could get into big trouble.”

How on earth has it been since he last spoke to me like this telling me the same thing for thirty minutes?

I nodded and accepted Lee Beom-jin’s advice.

“Okay I’ll keep that in mind.”

* * *

As a former lobbyist for Bing I traveled all over the world.

There was a group of clients that I was slightly reluctant to work with.

Chinese and Russian.

In particular I avoided Russians extremely because I had to drink alcohol whenever I met them.

Those are very strong drinks too.

“Vodka is the best alcohol. Isn’t that right Prince?”

“Yes I think so too.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

Nicholas II the Tsar of Russia was one of those people.

He was the best father but I only remembered him as the worst monarch.

this guy.

He was a crazier drunk than I thought.

“You have a lot of money so when you return to America set up a vodka distillery.”

“Yes. These days there is growing interest in wine and traditional Korean liquor… We should also consider establishing a Russian vodka factory.”

There are a few types of people I dislike at drinking parties and one of them is the type who keeps pouring drinks until the other person has finished drinking.

If the other party is a type B or an uninteresting client you can resist and refuse.

If you’re a super-gap there’s nothing more embarrassing than this.

“Right right. That’s right! Drink it all up drink it all up.”

Nicholas II is a super-heavy man.

Wasn’t there an independence army led by Lee Beom-yun stationed in the Maritime Province?

The Japanese army is not crossing the border because of the Russian army and is just watching quietly.

What if I end up being unpalatable to the Tsar in that situation?

He may expel our independence army from the Maritime Province.

‘Above all….’

Nicholas II was a very wealthy man.

Russia has a large landmass and a large population but compared to other Western powers it has a low standard of living and is poor.

But the Russian royal family was different.

They were incomparably wealthy compared to other Western royal families and their wealth was greater than that of the British monarchy on which the sun never sets.

I heard they’re looking for a new person to manage this vast fortune.

I am one of the candidates.

‘If the Red Revolution happens…’

Members of the Russian royal family are annihilated.

But you can’t steal that money.

Since the owner who was looking for it also disappeared this means that the large sum of money will remain in the safe of the investment company.

That’s why I wanted to actively promote it.

Because it is a good opportunity for the bank or trust I own to grow into a large financial company.

That’s why.

I was laughing out loud gulping down the vodka I didn’t even like.

“Everyone pay attention!”

Nicholas II rose and raised his glass.

He commanded everyone’s attention by hitting his glass with a silver spoon.

“Everyone empty your glasses without exception. This prince who came here as an honored guest has emptied his glass cleanly.”

Is everyone familiar with it?

High-ranking Russian nobles at the banquet hall quickly empty the glasses in front of them.

This vodka I’m drinking now.

It’s pretty toxic.

They all look quite normal as if they are all shareholders.

“Would the prince like to say something?”

“yes?”

“What are you doing? Get up quickly and give your congratulatory speech.”

Nikolai you bastard.

Anyway you only do things that I hate.

“I won’t put down my glass until you finish your congratulatory speech.”

Nikolai not knowing what I was thinking smiled broadly and offered me another try.

“What are you doing? Say something quickly.”

* * *

“Haha …

As time passes.

One by one they disappear from the banquet hall as they become more intoxicated.

Some of them held on until they lost consciousness and banged their heads on the table.

Lee Beom-jin who was next to me said that.

Woo Hyun-sik Choi Hyun-woo and Lee Wi-jong who followed me are the same.

Baron Valerian Nolken a Russian nobleman and craftsman of the Yi dynasty also did the same.

“This prince.”

“Speak Your Majesty the sole leader of Russia.”

A situation where Lee Wi-jong has lost consciousness.

I was able to talk to him through a new interpreter provided by the Tsar.

I continued my conversation with the Tsar listening to his explanation which had been translated from Russian to Korean but now translated into English.

“To be honest I’m a little surprised.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I actually had some preconceptions… I expected you to be bad at drinking.”

“Is it because I’m Asian?”

“Well that’s true. All the Asians I’ve seen are weak to alcohol.”

but.

Because the only Korean who would drink with Nicholas II around here would be Lee Beom-jin.

Even though they were shareholders they weren’t strong enough to deal with the Russians.

Nicholas II had a good reason to say something like that.

“But today you the prince have shattered that prejudice in one blow. This construction site stretching out next to you and the son of this construction site. Something that no one else has been able to do…”

The smile never leaves Nicholas II’s face.

I decided to take a quick look at him.

“Do you like it?”

“…Well. It’s like I was born and raised in Russia so I feel a sense of relief.”

There are many ways to win people’s favor.

You can buy favor with money.

You can make a good impression with your smooth speech.

Just like there are people who like you because you have pretty hands.

The person sipping vodka in front of me was the type who liked strong drinks.

“The only people who can drink as much as I do are you and Rasputin.”

The names of familiar figures are mentioned.

I didn’t really want to get entangled so I didn’t ask who he was.

“Ah. This prince.”

“Speak Your Majesty the Tsar the sole monarch of Russia.”

“I heard you’re so good at managing money?”

It may be a slightly rude question but it is somewhat understandable as the Tsar was also very drunk.

“What’s the secret? Just tell me.”

He asked me twisting his body slightly.

“There is no secret. I just analyze companies and industries and invest in them at the right time.”

“okay?”

“Yes. Some tycoons spread ridiculous rumors that I get information through insider trading… but such immoral things would never happen in the first place.”

I raised my voice and emphasized.

“Think about it. I am not an American I am a foreigner. I am even Asian. If I were to use fraud to increase my wealth would the U.S. government just sit by and watch?”

“but….”

An era rife with racism.

Russia is also a multi-ethnic country but white supremacy clearly exists there.

The Tsar seemed to understand my point.

“If you had cheated the US government would have emptied this prince’s pockets long ago.”

“yes.”

“What a great prince understanding those narrow-minded people. Didn’t the small fortune of less than a million dollars turn into a hundred million dollars in five years? Everyone is blinded by jealousy and spreads such rumors.”

Nikolai comforted me and then spoke to me again.

“Oh by any chance.”

“Speak Your Majesty.”

“How does your company manage the royal family’s assets?”

also.

You seem interested.

I guess I bought some favor by drinking a lot of alcohol.

I think it would be a good idea to try sales in earnest.

“Are you interested?”

“What a little?”

I listed some things that Nikolai might be interested in and introduced him to the special management program of America Trust in which I have a 100% stake.

“You can get even more special services by adding some fees. Investment status is reported every quarter… and if the investor wants he can even make the account anonymous and roll the investment money.”

“Ohhh…..”

As expected.

I’m obsessed with the word anonymous.

“The process for finding investment funds will become a bit more complicated but it can also be interpreted as meaning that they are more concerned about security so many wealthy people prefer this.”

“okay?”

As I mentioned before.

The Russian royal family is richer than any other royal family but its people are not.

so.

Nikolai did not want his wealth to be revealed.

This is because a riot may break out in an already unstable situation.

“I plan to stay in St. Petersburg for about a month. If you are interested please let me know before I leave. I will be happy to come and give you advice at any time.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Even though he says he’s worried if you look at his expression it’s almost as if he’s already overcome it.

I sipped the rest of my vodka cheering inwardly.

This was because he had to leave the image of him pretending to like alcohol in the Tsar’s mind until the end.

< The Best and the Worst (2) > End