The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 152



< Guest (3) >

After giving Madame Marie Antoinette a guest room.

I took some time alone to clear my head.

“Are you here? Come sit down.”

Early the next morning.

I called Woo Hyeon-sik and Choi Hyeon-woo into my office.

“You came too.”

The two aides brought a man with them without being asked to do so.

I called Lee Wi-jong who was in overall command of the Ikmunsa to my quarters.

“This is Madame Sontag’s testimony. Your Majesty.”

Lee Wi-jong handed me over materials that could support the content of the conversation that took place in the past as if he had been briefed on it by his two close associates.

“It all turned out to be true.”

“okay?”

“Yes. Multiple Ignorance agents are reporting back with evidence supporting her claims.”

Even while in the United States I kept a close eye on the situation in Japan and the domestic market.

So I had predicted it to some extent.

But the speed was so fast.

“Japan is rushing to invade our country’s sovereignty…”

Something like that.

The reason for this is clear in my mind.

‘Ha! It’s all my fault.’

Katsura Taro who became prime minister three times foams at the mouth whenever he hears my name.

In that situation.

I was once again increasing my influence in the European powers through this European tour.

“Your Majesty have you not become the Tsar’s new financial manager this time?”

“yes.”

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

“What would happen if that news spread to mainland Japan?”

What happened?

Katsura Taro will become more impatient.

“Last spring Japan signed the Second Russo-Japanese Agreement with Russia once again receiving assurances from Russia regarding the division of Manchuria.”

“In the meantime I became the Tsar’s new financial manager.”

“Yes if Your Majesty purchases shares in the new South Manchuria Railway Company with the Tsar’s funds.”

The hegemony in South Manchuria which was finally ceded to them by Russia could once again fall into their hands.

Unlike Britain or the United States Russia is a country that shares a border with Japan.

That is why the Japanese government will feel a sense of crisis differently than in the previous cases.

“It’s like a fire under their feet as their planned advance into South Manchuria could end up in vain.”

“Yes. Isn’t the rush to annex our country due to the calculation that at least the Korean Peninsula will be under their influence?”

I listened to their report silently and then thought about recent events.

“I heard that the British ambassador in St. Petersburg has been in constant contact with the Japanese ambassador lately. I guess this is also because of me.”

“Japan will certainly send a request for help to Britain. They are still allies.”

“yes.”

Although relations between the two countries have become quite estranged the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has not been broken.

Plus.

Britain’s rival for world hegemony shifted from Russia to Germany.

British leaders were still wary of Russia.

Because Russia is a powerful country.

‘There is no place where it doesn’t interfere here and there.’

That’s why.

It looks like Britain is getting into the act again.

‘If I were to invest the Tsar’s money in the new Manchurian Railway Company…’

Britain will be raising both hands in opposition right?

Because we absolutely cannot tolerate the strengthening of Russian influence in South Manchuria.

‘If you do this well…’

Could this be useful as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with those hateful British bastards?

‘I didn’t even mention the Chinese character for Manchukuo to the Tsar.’

Japan too.

The UK too.

It’s funny how the guy who farted is the one who starts making a fuss first.

I think it would make a great flower viewing companion.

I thought about Britain’s movements for a moment then tried to figure out Katsura’s intentions again.

“I think Katsura thinks that if he misses this opportunity he might not get another one.”

“Yes that’s right.”

It may seem like a protectorate or an annexation but it’s actually quite different.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

The protectorates recognize that they are distinct countries.

Merging means becoming one family.

That Japanese mainland citizens and Koreans would be treated equally.

‘It means that the fairy tale policy is being pursued very actively.’

Up until now we have been learning Korean in schools but after the merger we will have to learn Japanese compulsorily.

The educational system will also be reorganized to resemble the Japanese style and shrine worship which is common among Japanese people will be forced.

‘Haven’t you felt the impact recently when talking to Korean residents who just immigrated?’

I had the opportunity to talk with people who had studied abroad in Japan when they were young and then moved to the United States.

I have been amazed at the variety of vocabulary they use.

Didn’t you get to watch right next to me as they recklessly mixed Japanese and even Russian into Korean?

‘Once it’s done it can’t be undone.’

further.

Japan’s economic invasion of the Korean Peninsula will also accelerate.

Because they could legally seize the property of Koreans through land surveys under the pretext of investigating ownerless wastelands.

Even if we point this out through the UK or the US they will treat it as interference in internal affairs.

‘That’s why the merger must be prevented.’

If you can’t stop the big flow you have to slow it down as much as possible.

‘The primary goal is to end World War I when the influence of the European powers will weaken.’

It’s only about five to ten years but that’s a lot of time.

I wanted to delay the merge as much as possible because it could have had more butterfly effects than I thought.

“So you were cutting off Abamama’s limbs first.”

“Yes. It seems that the Sone Commander-in-Chief is determined to purge His Majesty’s people.”

The domestic situation has also changed strangely since the San Francisco attack.

My biological father Emperor Gojong who had been quietly sitting in the corner of the room was seen ignoring all sorts of trivial instructions from pro-Japanese cabinet members and Japanese officials dispatched to Japan relying on my authority.

‘Even Gojong is true.’

Whether it’s the past or the present you still can’t read the mood.

“Haven’t Your Majesty been slightly provoking Japanese officials?”

“yes.”

Ito Hirobumi.

As the leader of the moderate faction in Japan he appeared to be pro-Japanese on the outside so even when Emperor Gojong slightly acted out of turn he just let it go.

However Sone Tonggam is an extreme hardliner among the hardliners.

A term referring to a bureaucrat who would immediately draw his sword at the thoughtless misdeeds of Emperor Gojong.

However Gojong once again showed his lack of political sense and provoked the new Resident-General of Joseon.

Sone Tonggam seemed intent on taking revenge driving Gojong into a corner by expelling all of his foreign associates whom he had never touched before.

‘He must be really scared by now and looking for a woman.’

Perhaps because of Lee Kang’s fragmented memory I knew Emperor Gojong better than anyone else even though I had never met him in person.

Taking a deep breath I quickly began to come up with a plan.

“The annexation must be prevented at all costs. Once it is stamped it can never be reversed.”

“yes.”

I held up two fingers organizing the solutions that came to mind.

“To do that I have to do two things at the same time. Ah! Would you like to try to match them?”

Lee Wi-jong who had been organizing the materials he had brought in front of me raised his hand and opened his mouth.

“First we need to isolate Japan diplomatically once again.”

“okay.”

America is on my side right now.

They feared the emergence of an absolute hegemonic power in the Manchurian region.

The most active ones were the Japanese government so Washington was more wary of Katsura than anyone else.

‘The British are the same. They still maintain an alliance with Japan…’

Britain will also be satisfied with the current situation as long as it does not involve Russian power.

They would not want to upset the barely maintained balance of power in the Manchurian region again.

‘Because Katsura was in a hurry I was able to draw the next picture in my head so quickly.’

To Britain.

What if the Tsar’s fortune was not invested in the new Manchurian Railway Company?

What if we persuade them to maintain the current situation as much as possible?

How will they react?

Britain will say yes and take my hand.

‘It would be easy for external forces to crack down on it.’

The problem is inside.

I have no idea how the pro-Japanese cabinet will sell out the country.

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

“The last place that sent me a telegram was Harbin.”

Wouldn’t it be more helpful if we could hear directly from those who are actually on the ground?

“Call them quickly.”

At my command Yiwijong opened his eyes wide and asked me back.

“Are you thinking of starting the project to eradicate pro-Japanese collaborators in the mainland that has been put off for some time?”

“Yeah. They showed their weaknesses so I need to move quickly too.”

Careless.

Since the Gyeongsul Gukchi can happen again we must purge high-ranking officials who might agree with it one by one.

Wouldn’t that be the only way for Emperor Gojong to resist to the end without becoming weak-willed?

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

The alien species showed a slightly negative expression and was wary of my plan.

“Because of the recent spy crackdown in Uiju assassinating key figures may be a bit difficult.”

“okay?”

“Yes. The high-ranking pro-Japanese officials known as the Eulsa Five Traitors and Jeongmi Seven Traitors are currently staying at home and not leaving the house because of the incident that occurred in Uiju.”

I chuckled and opened one of the cabinets on one side of the office.

“Even those who curl up in their shells like turtles sometimes come out. They all show up at official events hosted by the government.”

He placed a sealed letter on the table.

Then I ordered Yi Wi-jong to read who the sender was.

“Isn’t this… a letter from King Leopold II of Belgium?”

“That’s right.”

I smiled and thought of the face of the murderer Leopold II.

“I heard it’s that great serial killer. He said he’ll do it today or tomorrow.”

“….”

“I guess I’m scared because I want to meet with CEO Hearst before I die and correct the article.”

Leopold II’s health was more serious than was generally known.

He keeps refusing to meet me with the excuse that he is busy while staying in Russia.

It’s so nice to see you continue to send me letters even though you’re being ignored like this.

A rough picture formed in my head.

‘He’s more evil than Hitler. He’s also afraid of the judgment of history.’

Originally it should have been criticized and criticized but a worse person than Leopold II appeared.

There is an aspect of it being slightly buried in history books.

I hated this guy so much that I clicked my tongue and hated Hitler.

“You may be able to leave all sorts of royal affairs to the Ministry of the Interior and not even show a single whiff of it but what if the King of Belgium were to die next month? How would you act?”

“I think I will probably attend the funeral.”

Yiwijong nodded his head up and down as if agreeing with my argument.

“I don’t know about anyone else but Lee Wan-yong will attend.”

“Yes. Unlike other officials isn’t Lee Wan-yong not so fearful?”

The person who didn’t even flinch when lightning struck right in front of him from the clear sky was Lee Wan-yong.

‘Everyone who was there was so shocked that they fell over.’

but.

So from the year of Eulsa to the year of Jeongmi they must have signed treaties that sold the country out.

Thinking of the anecdote about Yi Wan-yong I predicted that he would definitely attend Leopold II’s funeral.

“Furthermore Lee Wan-yong is the Prime Minister of a country. It would be difficult for him to excuse himself from attending due to illness or personal reasons.”

“If we time it that way we could send a very clear message to pro-Japanese collaborators.”

“okay.”

If you’re thinking of selling out your country shouldn’t you be prepared to die?

‘If we eliminate the Eulsa Five Traitors and Jeongmi Seven Traitors then what happens next…’

They are royalty.

Because they are people who enjoyed all the wealth in Joseon and yet participated in treason.

There is a price to be paid.

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“Do you plan to accompany Mrs. Sontag on the rest of the trip?”

Choi Hyun-woo who had been quiet for a while asked me about Mrs. Son Tak.

I looked positive and recalled the conversation we had yesterday.

“There’s nothing she can’t do. She’s a woman who fought against the Japanese for the Korean Empire. She’s also fluent in French English Russian and Korean. There’s no one who interprets as well as she does except for this agent over there.”

“You are planning to take me to America as you promised yesterday.”

“Then. Are you really thinking of leaving my hotels in charge?”

I thought of Mrs. Sontag’s face and made a slightly wistful expression.

“Don’t you have no family left if you’re single? You sacrificed your whole life for Korea so why should you spend your old age alone?”

If not me then who will take care of it?

As I thought about the faces of other foreigners who had helped the Korean Empire one by one I remembered the face of one familiar person.

“Ah! What is Hover Hulbert doing now?”

“I still have a lot of regrets so I haven’t been able to leave the Korean Empire yet.”

“okay?”

“Yes. It is understood that he is currently staying in Incheon.”

I looked at his future with a sad expression.

“It won’t last long. The Sone Commander has decided to cut off Abamama’s limbs.”

I warned the alien by extending one finger to him.

“Hulbert will be under close surveillance by the Japanese Residency-General. So don’t approach him easily. Wait until he reaches America or China and then tell him to come over to San Francisco where I will be staying.”

“yes.”

Underwood another pro-Japanese foreigner was also ordered to be brought to San Francisco.

According to reports from the Ikmunsa agents his health is not very good due to a chronic illness.

I was thinking of supporting him so that he could recover comfortably.

‘We must help everyone except Allen the world’s greatest thief who swallowed up the Unsan gold mine.’

* * *

An Jung-geun and Kim Chang-su boarded the Trans-Siberian Railway under Lee Kang’s orders.

After arriving at St. Petersburg Station they began to increase their stride.

“Anhyeong why do you think Your Majesty has called us here?”

“well.”

An Jung-geun was a typical soldier.

He wasn’t the type of politician who would weigh the pros and cons here and there so he simply ran here following Lee Kang’s orders.

“But one thing is certain.”

“What is it?”

“There will soon be a bloody storm in the home country.”

Kim Chang-soo also nodded.

The fact that Lee Kang called these people who had been working far away to Russia meant that he had a change of heart.

Kim Chang-soo rubbed his cold palms with great anticipation.

After that they headed to the accommodation where Lee Kang was.

<Guest (3)> End