The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 159



< Christie’s & Sotheby’s (1) >

After the major earthquake in Japan.

It was May 1905 when he first possessed Lee Kang’s body.

Today is exactly May 1 1910.

It’s been almost five years now.

‘Time flies.’

A lot has changed in the meantime.

And start a family.

My status within the Korean community within the United States and within the international community has also improved considerably.

‘The future is more important.’

World War I was also a world war.

There are still quite a few big events left before then.

immediately.

Look at Mexico which borders California.

There’s going to be chaos soon.

‘Because the revolution happened because of the rigged election.’

As security deteriorates rebel groups will emerge in various parts of the country.

Taking advantage of the chaos in the political situation the rebels who have turned into rioters will cross the border and invade American territory.

The US military will make good use of this golden opportunity to gain practical experience against Mexican rebels.

Although I had connections in politics economics the judiciary and academia I had no ties to the military which could be considered the last pillar of power.

If you take advantage of this chaos to become close friends with the military figures you wish to be.

Wouldn’t this be the final piece of the puzzle?

‘From the Federal Reserve to the split of Standard Oil and even the Xinhai Revolution…’

and.

There are truly countless incidents to worry about.

Moreover these are incidents that can result in great losses if handled carelessly.

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I think I need to go back to America soon.

Because all the events I just mentioned were major events that took place in the United States.

‘I can do it this time too.’

Isn’t world history changing drastically because of my intervention?

Look at the Korean Empire right now.

The Japan-Korea annexation scenario was supposed to be carried out step by step by Katsura Taro but it was completely stopped.

All because I assassinated pro-Japanese high-ranking officials.

This is like announcing to the world that anyone who takes up arms for the Japan-Korea annexation will be given the gift of a bullet in the head.

Who would dare to come forward?

‘Not everything has changed but if I control it carefully I can change history in a way that benefits me.’

Calculating the butterfly effect is not an easy task but it is not completely impossible.

This time too I intended to do my best to look after my own interests.

“Your Majesty. Paul Ehrlich has accepted Your Majesty’s offer to recruit you.”

“Really? This is truly a wonderful thing.”

There was one variable which was that I became the financial manager of Nicholas II but I had no intention of setting foot in Europe for a while.

That’s why.

I wanted to take advantage of this moment while I was in Europe to intensively gather the talents here.

The signing of Paul Ehrlich was one of those moves.

We have been pouring money into various fields but we have been investing a lot of money in medicine and pharmacy in particular.

I most earnestly sought to recruit him because he was someone who fit my style very well.

I jumped up and down and remembered Paul Ehrlich’s achievements in world history.

“You caught the last train.”

“Huh? What is that…..”

Paul Ehrlich was a German chemist who discovered a cure for syphilis.

‘One of the best in the field.’

Syphilis was an infectious disease that had not been seen in the Old Continent (Europe + Asia) until 300 years ago.

After being spread from the New World to the Old World by Columbus.

It has been tormenting mankind for the past 300 years.

Paul Ehrlich discovered Salvarsan a cure for syphilis later this year.

Careless.

A situation where the ransom could have risen significantly if there had been just a little delay.

Then I mentioned the last train and muttered to myself. Woo Hyun-sik who was listening to me was surprised and asked me.

“Oh no. I was muttering to myself because it seemed like Erlich was recruited almost at the end.”

“Ah! Now that I think about it that’s right. As Your Majesty said Erlich has caught the last train.”

“Yes. It’s another great achievement following the hiring of Dr. Metchnikoff.”

They also recruited Metchnikov a Ukrainian scientist who ‘dreamed of extending life’ at a French research institute.

German-born botanist and leading authority Quenne will also be teaching at the university I founded starting next year.

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Schrödinger a young physicist who couldn’t tell whether a cat was alive or dead would also continue to study physics in the United States.

‘There were several nationalities but the majority were German.’

Germany is truly a blessed country.

Because you keep giving me these talented people.

‘Talent recruitment is progressing smoothly.’

ah!

Suddenly a strange thought occurred to me.

I briefly hesitated about whether I should open the path to becoming an artist to an Austrian boy who had been studying art for a long time but had fallen into despair.

‘If we remove Hitler history will change dramatically.’

what.

I don’t know how World War I will end.

Wouldn’t it be better to take your time and watch the interest accrue rather than getting rid of it right now?

“Time has already passed so quickly.”

“It’s time to start preparing to leave for London.”

“okay.”

There’s one last thing to do before leaving England.

Having a farewell dinner with Baron Rothschild.

The time has come to choose whether to resolve the animosity between the two or leave it as is.

‘What has the Baron prepared?’

* * *

The Baron’s house was smaller than the other houses.

But as he had taken care of the practicality the interior was truly extravagant to an unparalleled degree.

I clicked my tongue again as I looked at the artwork hanging in the Baron’s house.

‘There are Monet’s works and Renoir’s works hanging too.’

This era.

It seems that there exists at least one work by a fairly famous painter.

Although Baron Rothschild is unlucky and often stabs others in the back of the head I acknowledge that he has an eye for art.

‘I heard that Jews have been oppressed by those in power since ancient times so they prefer portable precious metals and works of art over real estate… Is that the case with the Rothschild family?’

As I was briefly reminiscing about the Jewish investment methods the Baron appeared before me and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty please come in.”

The Baron greeted me a little too warmly and treated me with a brighter expression than usual.

“It’s been a while Baron. It’s good to see you too Walter.”

“Please sit over here.”

Two rich men sat down with me in the center.

2 to 1.

But the conversation was mainly with the Baron.

“I have heard the story through my son Walter. It seems that the prince has misunderstood me a lot. Today I would like to untie this tangled knot.”

The Baron suddenly stood up from his seat.

After that he bowed to me in oriental style and apologized.

“First of all I bow my head and apologize. I never invested in Japan with the intention of offending this prince.”

An old man who had just turned seventy apologized to me even bending his pride.

Seriously.

JP Morgan and Baron Rothschild are the same.

Successful people seem to have the courage to throw away their pride as if it were an old pair of shoes for their own success.

I remained silent and watched how the Baron behaved.

“When the Japanese side asked me to procure new bonds even mentioning the possibility of default I simply lent them. I should have been more careful… I really had no idea that that damn Katsura Taro had been re-elected as the new Prime Minister.”

The Baron is a very cautious person.

He usually showed a calm side but he also showed a very cautious side when investing.

Taking this into account the Baron’s current excuse was likely to be false.

“As you know wasn’t Prime Minister Katsura dismissed a year ago? I never dreamed that he would return in half a year.”

“…··.”

“Now that we know about this we have stopped issuing new loans. So please calm down.”

The Baron continued his argument.

Rothschild also told me that he was secretly supporting the overthrow of Prime Minister Katsura through official channels including the British government and unofficial channels that he had in place.

‘If what the Baron says is true the Japan-Korea annexation will be postponed.’

It will be delayed at least until 1914.

After World War II.

Only in the mid-1910s when Japan’s finances had improved and the attention of the great powers had turned to Europe could Japan attempt annexation of Korea again.

“I guess I misunderstood.”

There are three main reasons for coming here today.

The first of these was the downfall of Katsura Taro.

“For a moment I thought you were against me.”

Whether the Baron’s words are true or false.

Its truth or falsity is irrelevant.

What I need now is the collapse of the Katsura Cabinet.

Currently Japan’s lifeline is controlled by the Rothschild family.

If he were on my side again I could forget what happened in the past.

“Enemies? We are comrades in the same boat.”

“That’s right Prince. Our family needs to look good to you in order to stop Morgan’s monopoly in New York. How can we be enemies with you?”

After a long time Walter opened his mouth.

I looked at the two rich men my stiff expression slightly loosening.

“Well then. I will believe you guys.”

I swallowed once and said what the two rich men wanted to hear.

“As we promised before I will take your side when it comes to legislating the Federal Reserve Act. However….”

“but?”

“Please speak Your Majesty. Is there anything you would like to ask of our family?”

I made the offer to them with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“I would like you to provide me with one convenience.”

“It’s convenient.”

“Yeah. As you know I’ve been investing a lot here and there recently.”

“Yes yes.”

“Cash is a bit dry.”

“ah…··.”

To put it simply it means asking to borrow some money.

The Baron is in a good mood or not.

He looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“The Rockefeller family who are now my family are also not in a good situation so I feel a bit awkward asking Morgan for help.”

“….”

“I was thinking of borrowing some money from your family’s bank. What do you think?”

“Please give me some time to think about it.”

I put my briefcase on the table and showed the Baron the documents I had brought with me.

“I have my shame. I didn’t come empty-handed. Here are the collateral.”

“Are you willing to put up your farmland in the western United States as collateral?”

“okay.”

A situation where collateral is certain.

At this the Baron slightly relaxed his expression and continued speaking.

“Okay I’ll arrange for a loan in your name from the bank I own. Would something like ten million dollars be enough?”

“Yes. Plus…..”

“Plus?”

“There are rumors going around.”

“What are those rumors?”

“You know that antitrust lawsuit against Standard Oil? I heard you were behind it….”

“Hey this is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

The Baron was startled and denied it.

“Anyway if you’re behind this stop bothering me now. I’m getting pretty nervous that Standard Oil is really going to break up.”

“Oh I see you invested quite a bit in that company.”

“That’s right. At first I bought some because it was a low price. After that I continued to buy more to support the falling stock price. But the situation is still not good so this is… a really difficult situation.”

“I see. I don’t know if it will help but I will pass this on to my bank.”

“Thank you.”

The second and third goals are linked.

First of all the second goal is to secure cash.

As I just confessed to the Baron I wasn’t running low on cash but the more cash I had on hand the better.

I proposed it to the Baron.

Fortunately Rothschild did not reject my loan offer and accepted it.

‘The third is the key.’

Standard Oil’s stock has fallen 10% over the past year.

It was stuck in the same spot while other stocks were skyrocketing embroiled in antitrust lawsuits by the U.S. government.

‘There is excessive short selling.’

If the Baron.

If you still try to restrain me.

Or the Baron.

If I leak this information to my potential enemy.

‘The enemies who don’t know will short this stock even more.’

But you know.

After Standard Oil was broken up into about thirty companies under antitrust laws its total assets quadrupled.

Each of the broken up companies began to look after their own interests.

This is because the price of circulating petroleum has skyrocketed.

Oil demand is fixed but sales prices are rising.

This is a phenomenon that occurs when you buy something while crying.

‘If you short sell recklessly you’ll end up in hell.’

The opponent may gleefully short sell me thinking he’ll kill me but this is a trap I set.

It will be a card that will definitely kill any potential enemy.

Or at least it could deal a major blow.

I looked at the Baron with a meaningful smile on my face.

“This prince.”

“Tell me.”

“There will be a meeting in the eastern United States in about six months.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. The Federal Reserve bill will probably be out by then. The senators who drafted it will be able to explain it to us.”

The Baron spoke with force in his voice.

“You must take my side then.”

“Of course. You have done such good deeds for me and I am not the kind of person to repay kindness with enmity.”

Is that why you’re laughing so much? I’m on the Baron’s side again?

or not.

Is that why he looks so happy thinking he’s got my leash?

“It’s almost time to go. The triplets are waiting for me so I’ll leave now.”

“ah!”

The Baron stopped me as I was about to leave with a look on his face as if something had just occurred to him.

“This prince.”

“Tell me.”

“Is your Majesty interested in the art trade?”

then.

Isn’t collecting art a hobby that is both a pastime for the upper class and a major means of investment?

“London has been a key hub for the antiques trade for the past hundred years.”

“I heard that story too.”

After the British Empire grew they raided graves all over the world and brought all kinds of precious relics back to the capital London.

Naturally the antiques market had no choice but to develop.

The Korean Empire is also one of the victims.

I had to be there for the British action which was full of hate but I had to attend anyway.

I looked straight into the Baron’s eyes maintaining a rather interested expression.

“Before you leave… · · How about attending a private auction hosted by Christie’s and Sotheby’s? If you’re interested I can send you an invitation right away.”

ah.

I was just about to leave England.

I think I’ll have to stay here a little longer.

Because the offer the Baron made was a sweet one that I simply couldn’t refuse.

“Good. I’ll do as you suggest.”

“I knew you would so I prepared an invitation here. Oh! Christie’s auction will be held at six o’clock the day after tomorrow. Just go to the address on the back of the invitation I just gave you and enter. Then I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

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