The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 153



< Guest (4) >

‘Damn… why is it snowing so much?’

It’s still the end of November.

It’s as if the sky has opened up and snow is pouring down like rain.

‘They say that the day you leave is a market day.’

If we had left three days later the train would have been delayed because of this heavy snowstorm.

If that had happened the port would not have arrived in St. Petersburg on time.

‘I heard that the King of Ui will leave this city soon. Fortunately the heavens are on my side.’

“Dolsoeya.”

“Yes Nari.”

This port wanted to find out information about the king who was staying in this city through the servant he brought with him.

“Did you hear any good news last night?”

Perhaps because of the extreme cold in Russia Dolsoe shivered with a slightly frozen expression.

“Oh I made contact with someone from Uiwang last night. The letter he asked me to give you is right here in my arms.”

Rumor has it that Uiwang is quite welcoming to Koreans.

Seeing this promise being kept I guess the rumors going around are true.

‘More.’

But I have to push through this pile of snow that is higher than my height.

It wasn’t that far away so it wasn’t a big problem.

‘By the way….’

The unpleasant stinging stares I felt on the streets of St. Petersburg continue to bother me.

I think he was oriental.

Were you from the Korean Empire?

‘His eyes were sharp.’

They both looked physically fit.

One of them had such a murderous look in his eyes that it seemed like he would stab me if I spoke to him wrong.

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‘I hope my identity hasn’t been revealed?’

There are many people from the volunteer army in the northern region.

That’s why.

This port had to be careful.

If his identity were to become known to others he could easily die.

‘That’s why I said it’s hard to leave home.’

I feel like Uiwang is amazing again.

Because I’ve been living in a foreign land for nearly ten years.

Moreover as he is becoming one of the world’s leading figures Lee Hang-gu also acknowledged his personal abilities regardless of political inclinations.

‘What kind of person is King Ui?’

The rumors are polar opposites.

The port slept in the cold Russian air while recalling information about Uiwang.

* * *

“Greetings Your Majesty the King. Please accept my greetings first.”

First meeting with Uiwang.

Lee Hang-gu who was quick-witted and quick-witted quickly bowed deeply in the Joseon style and revealed his name.

“My name is Lee Hang-gu.”

Lee Kang frowned and showed a slightly negative expression.

Because I could immediately see through this port’s identity just by its name.

“Yes. Why did you want to meet me?”

Lee Hang-gu took out one of the imperial edicts he had been keeping in his bosom.

“Her Majesty the Empress sent it.”

“Sister-in-law?”

“yes.”

Lee Hang-gu glanced at Lee Kang and handed it over to him.

“From today onwards Your Majesty the Queen has officially become a member of the royal family of the Korean Empire. I salute you Your Majesty.”

Lee Hang-gu raised his head and carefully examined Lee Kang’s expression.

Contrary to his expectations the king showed no sign of joy at all.

Instead he made a blunt expression.

Lee Hang-gu was slightly embarrassed and introduced how much effort his father had put into this.

“Many people were against this but my father insisted so strongly that we overcame them all.”

“Your father… Yes. Joseon’s most famous cabinet minister Lee Wan-yong worked for me?”

Did you just braid it?

Because I’ve heard this kind of talk countless times from the lowly people in the market.

Lee Hang-gu simply nodded and emphasized his father’s achievements once again.

“Yes. It was all for Your Majesty.”

“Now I’m finally getting what I deserve for the country’s hard work. I wish I had put half of this effort into protecting the country. Anyway you’ve worked hard.”

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Lee Kang was extremely cynical.

He quickly moved on to the next topic as if he felt it was a waste of time to talk to Lee Hang-gu.

“Enough small talk. Why did you really come here?”

Lee Kang-eun looked at Lee Hang-gu and urged him.

“You wouldn’t have come all the way across the vastness of Siberia just to report this problem.”

“As a citizen of Korea I was curious.”

“What?”

“Your Majesty aren’t you working hard for the Korean Empire in a faraway land? I was curious about what kind of person you are.”

“under!”

Lee Kang made a dumbfounded expression as if he was being rude and glared at Lee Hang-gu.

At this a drop of cold sweat ran down Lee Hang-gu’s spine.

“Is it real?”

“….”

“I’m serious.”

“Yes. What safety do you think I lied about…”

“Hahaha- hahaha-”

This port was constantly struggling as if it was caught in the face of this river.

He glanced at Lee Kang’s expression and said the following.

“Why are you laughing so much Your Majesty?”

“That’s because I’m so angry. You must have come here on your father’s orders. You must have come here to see what kind of person I am.”

“….”

“My fame in the world is growing stronger day by day… but that bastard Lee Wan-yong saw me differently. Or is that so?”

Completely pierced.

Lee Hang-gu made a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Your Majesty. How can you say such a thing….”

“Am I wrong? Your father is the most recent member of the cabinet to have had a conversation with me. You must have heard about it. When I was in Japan I met that bastard Lee Wan-yong.”

“I heard that you stayed in Japan for a while to get permission to return to your country. My father visited Japan with Prince Hulbert at that time.”

“okay.”

Lee Kang rested his chin on his hands and clasped his fists.

“Now let me speak frankly. What do you think? What kind of person do you think I am?”

“….”

“Is he a womanizing alcoholic philanderer like the public said five years ago? Or is he a capable investment expert who can make money with just his hands?”

“….”

“….”

“Where has the magpie gone that used to chattering in front of me? Why has it become silent?”

* * *

This port was now in trouble.

I racked my brain trying to figure out what to say to get out of this situation.

“Have you been acting like a parasite like the late Prince Daewongun?”

“Well maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain. I have no obligation to answer your question.”

Since I’ve already ruined the conversation.

This port decided to be a little more honest.

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“What is Your Majesty’s ultimate goal?”

Lee Kang thought for a moment and then answered Lee Hang-gu’s question.

“Eat well and live well. The reason I save up so much money is because of that goal.”

“Then please return to the Korean Empire quickly.”

“What?”

“No matter how good America is it is just a foreign land. There is a saying that if you leave the corner of your room you will only suffer. It is not too late so please return to your country. My father and I will do our best to build a bridge between Your Majesty and the Japanese government.”

Lee Kang’s face changed from moment to moment.

At first he made a face as if he had seen something disgusting but soon he made a face of pity.

“There’s an old saying that you should listen to the Korean language until the end. You shouldn’t judge so hastily. This time listen until the end.”

Lee Kang preached his argument to Lee Hang-gu speaking slowly as if he were a teacher giving a lecture.

“I want to eat well and live well. Not just me but my family and my people here. And furthermore the citizens of Hanyang and furthermore the people of Joseon all live without worrying about starvation. That is my goal.”

“It’s the same for me and my father.”

“Really? But why does the Prime Minister of a country represent the interests of the Japanese government rather than his own country?”

“….”

“Considering his activities to date it would not be an exaggeration to call him the Resident-General of Joseon rather than the Prime Minister of the Korean Empire.”

This port felt a pang inside.

When I think back on my past experiences everything Lee Kang said was right.

“Even if your father is like that you are also like that. I heard that you are also a usurer in Hanyang. Is it really to fill the stomachs of Joseon citizens? Or did you act like that for personal gain?”

“….”

Lee Hang-gu who thought he could not win against Lee Kang logically began to unfold his practical theory.

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“There is always a gap between the ideal and the reality. As the world changes drastically Joseon’s fortunes are running out. Relying on the Japanese government which has adopted more advanced civilizations more quickly is the way to ensure the prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and increase the wealth of the Korean people living there.”

“Is that so?”

“yes.”

Lee Kang laughed and refuted Lee Hang-gu’s opinion.

“Japan which is struggling every year because of debts it cannot afford is leading our Korean Empire? Ha! I think I can run the country better than those Japanese. Don’t you think so?”

“….”

“Your father may not want to admit it but he must have been very disappointed with Japan’s attitude. On the other hand I continue to show that possibility. That’s probably why he sent you to me.”

There is no refutation.

In the past his father Lee Wan-yong would have bet everything on Japan.

But as Lee Kang grew Lee Wan-yong began to quietly try to get in line with Lee Kang as well.

“I mean I imagine something every night.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I imagine every night the moment when my country’s true independence comes to this land.”

It’s a story I don’t want to imagine.

When Lee Hang-gu started shivering Lee Kang saw him and snickered.

“Just imagine it for a moment. When that day comes how will the entire country turn out?”

“….”

“A special committee on anti-national activities will be established in the capital city immediately. They will start competing to catch those who have taken the lead in treason. Lawyers who have worked in the United States and have not been involved in pro-Japanese activities will be appointed as judges for the special committee on anti-national activities. They will hand down verdicts at a rapid pace.”

If that happens.

If that really happens.

The Lee Wan-yong family will face extinction.

Because they were at the forefront of treason.

“If I return to the Korean Empire I will eradicate them all by the roots leaving not a single one behind. Even if it takes decades I will track them all down and bring them to court.”

This port felt a sense of resistance in one corner of its heart.

He opened his eyes wide and asked Lee Kang.

“Will that day come?”

“Well if it had been five years ago I would have thought that day would never have come. But….

Lee Kang trailed off and then blurted out the following words.

“It’s different now. When I see you here in front of me… won’t that day come someday? The timing is just a little ambiguous.”

Lee Kang-eun highly regarded Lee Wan-yong’s talent and suddenly began to promote Lee Hang-gu’s father.

“Your father was one of the most talented people in Joseon. He had an outstanding insight into the current situation.”

“….”

“I see you want to straddle one side or the other… Gray molecules are never welcome on either side.”

The talks appear to have broken down.

This port was just about to get up from its seat.

“but….”

That was when.

Lee Kang opened his mouth.

“If you work for me I might be able to forgive you your sins. A scale is supposed to tip only when one side is heavier. If you earn merits that match your sins… wouldn’t I be able to take that into consideration and forgive you your sins?”

“Are you saying that you forgive me my father and my family for everything we have done?”

“You should speak straight. Your father Lee Wan-yong has already crossed the line. He has crossed it far too far. Who is the traitor that the Korean people hate the most? He has become a slang term for traitor and yet he shamelessly asks for forgiveness…”

Lee Kang began to gently tease Lee Hang Gu like a devil.

“But you and your family may be different. Because you are still within the line I have drawn.”

“….”

“Perhaps you and your family may be saved.”

Lee Hang-gu stood up abruptly with an expression on his face as if he didn’t want to hear any more.

Lee Kang then gave some final advice to the departing Lee Hang-gu.

“People face many crossroads in their lives. Just as you have come to me the children of other traitors will also come to me someday. I will tell them the same thing.”

“What is that?”

“First come first served.”

Lee Kang answered raising one more finger.

“Plus the ability system. Bring me information that could be harmful to Japan. You can work as a Trojan horse inside or you can trick them and do things that will harm them.”

<Guest (4)> End