The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 164



< The Man in the Mask (2) >

The American college system is a little different from the modern South Korean one.

Although the admission process is different it is difficult to compare the two on the same level.

The threshold for admission to American universities can be seen as a bit lower because there are various typical admissions systems and donation-based admissions systems.

However the more prestigious the university in the United States the more students drop out during the graduation process.

That’s why students who went on to prestigious universities had to study until dawn just to graduate.

During exam periods the campuses of top Ivy League universities become extremely quiet as everyone is anxious about not failing a single subject.

The atmosphere was somber and gloomy and this atmosphere continued from early September to early May.

“Come in.”

But every year at the end of May the atmosphere of the school changes 180 degrees.

Because students who have endured the arduous degree program are finally graduating.

“Excellent Mr. Lee. Your thesis is truly flawless.”

Syngman Rhee was completing his doctorate at Princeton the top university in the East.

He just now.

I was turning the doorknob of the Dean’s office while shedding tears of emotion.

His final advisor Professor Woodrow Wilson had just approved his doctoral dissertation.

“I did it. Nice!”

His graduation grade was an A-.

You might think that it’s not an A+ and not that high but Princeton was known for being very stingy with grading in this era.

The era of grade deflation.

An A- grade can be considered very good as it was only given to the top 5%.

‘It was really hard to get. It was a doctorate that was earned through blood sweat and tears.’

Because Syngman Rhee was a foreigner he had to work twice as hard as other students.

That’s why for the past three years.

Syngman Rhee had to study really hard even to the point of bleeding from his nose every week.

‘I became the first Korean to earn a doctorate. I finally have something to boast about among many Koreans.’

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In the history of Won Syngman Rhee’s graduation grade was a C+.

But now it’s A-.

Why did Syngman Rhee become so desperately obsessed with his degree risking his life?

actually.

It can be seen that this is all due to Lee Kang.

Because Lee Kang-yi unlike the original history did not return to Joseon but instead stayed active in the United States Syngman Rhee’s position declined rapidly.

Although it is very very distant Syngman Rhee is the 16th generation descendant of Prince Yangnyeong and has a drop of blood in common with Yi Seong-gye the founding monarch of Joseon.

In the history of the original the royal family law was explained in a twisted way to those who were not familiar with it and Syngman Rhee was treated like a prince in the United States.

But now that Lee Kang has appeared it is impossible to lie about this.

Because if you act like a prince in front of a real prince you’ll be treated like a fraud.

『Prince Lee. Leaving London for New York. Prince Lee considered the investor of the century. What will be his next investment?』

Maybe because I was passing by the campus building where I teach economics?

A copy of the economic newspaper The Wall Street Journal is rolling around on the floor.

There was an article about Lee Kang on page 5. Lee Seung-man took a quick look at it and then went back to his dormitory.

‘The gap between me and Uiwang is widening as the days go by.’

Economically speaking too.

The status of the Korean community is also like that.

For Syngman Rhee Lee Kang had become a huge mountain that he could no longer catch up to.

‘After that incident the possibility of me surpassing His Highness became zero.’

There was only one way to cross this river.

That’s religion.

What if Lee Kang denies Christianity?

So what if all kinds of talk come out among the Korean residents?

If such a divine opportunity had come Syngman Rhee could have become a new leader in the overseas Korean community.

but.

At the wedding ceremony last year Lee Kang was officially baptized.

Furthermore this last hope was dashed when the Japanese whom the Koreans so detested attacked Igang.

‘I’m lucky. The Bible just so happens to be in my pocket…’

After the bulletproof bible incident.

There was a lot of talk among the Korean community that God had saved Lee Kang.

That’s why.

The possibility of Syngman Rhee actually surpassing Kang has become zero.

‘If it is a mountain that cannot be overcome you must take it to my side. You must become the King’s closest confidant.’

From some point on Syngman Rhee stopped thinking of Kang as a rival.

I just thought of it as an insurmountable wall and thought about how I could become second in command under him.

“Oh Mr. Lee.”

“Yes Professor Wilson.”

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“Would you like to come to our dinner party in two days?”

Lee Kang sometimes acts as if he knows the future.

Lee Kang asked Syngman Rhee to do one thing when he entered Princeton.

Watch Wilson.

‘First let me do what His Majesty the King has asked me to do.’

* * *

Syngman Rhee arrived in front of Woodrow Wilson’s house.

dripping-

After knocking Syngman Rhee let out a deep breath.

I prepared myself mentally before entering Wilson’s mansion.

‘It’s just beginning.’

By earning his doctorate Syngman Rhee felt he had become integrated into mainstream American society.

This era.

There weren’t many highly educated people who had earned a PhD from an Ivy League school so he had a high opinion of himself.

“Dean have you been well?”

“Ah! You’re here? Come inside.”

Wilson came out to the door and greeted Syngman Rhee himself.

As he entered his house Syngman Rhee noticed several guests including Wilson’s family.

“You all must have seen each other at least once as you walked around the school. The student who just arrived here is Mr. Lee from the Korean Empire.”

I thought I was invited to dinner alone.

I see some intruders.

I also noticed a young black man who had just earned his bachelor’s degree.

A white woman with a master’s degree in political science also stands out.

Even a physically fit man who appeared to be of Native American descent.

There are literally all races gathered at Wilson’s house.

‘reporter?’

Wilson was currently the Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey.

In less than a second Syngman Rhee realized why Wilson had invited him there.

‘You’re planning to use me for the election.’

Wilson cleverly used his protégés to appeal to moderate voters in New Jersey.

To make it widely known that he is not a racist.

New Jersey where he ran is a northern state that actively supported the emancipation of slaves during the Civil War.

In a word it means that it has been a Republican stronghold for generations.

“I’ll take a picture. Please strike a natural pose.”

Wilson was putting forward the popular progressivism as his election creed.

At the same time he tried to win over moderate voters by appearing conciliatory on racial issues.

This was a pretty effective policy.

This is also why recent polls have Wilson leading the Republican candidate.

“Okay we’re done. Now eat. I’ll just watch from the side.”

Wilson once again sought to use Syngman Rhee to drive a wedge into the upcoming election campaign.

Wilson proudly introduced his minority disciples to reporters.

“Mr. Lee. Please introduce yourself to everyone here. Aren’t they all just looking at your face?”

Although Syngman Rhee felt slightly bad about being used he did not think this dinner was such a bad opportunity for him.

You can build connections with local journalists and exchange contact information with Wilson’s aides.

Because I was able to build friendships with some exceptionally talented minority students at Princeton University a prestigious university.

“Hello. My name is Seungman Lee. I majored in political science and international law and I completed my doctoral dissertation under the guidance of Dean Wilson here.”

“Ah! I’m getting my PhD next week so from now on I guess I should call you Dr. Lee. Hahaha.”

Wilson looked at Syngman Rhee and shared several anecdotes from his time studying at Princeton.

He even secretly said that all the credit for Syngman Rhee’s successful graduation was thanks to him as his advisor.

“It’ll take some time for it to stick so please start calling yourself ‘Doctor’ when you introduce yourself from now on.”

“yes.”

“Anyway Doctor Lee who is standing here on my right is a great talent who will change the future of the Korean Empire. Now go and exchange greetings with the great figures of the future. This is not an opportunity that comes easily so you should also be very alert today.”

Wilson was known to be a big eater.

But today strangely enough after a few bites with the knife and fork he stopped.

Because I was a little reluctant to eat with minority disciples.

As a result Syngman Rhee also had no choice but to eat less rice.

Because Wilson who was also a teacher and a potential big shot politician kept talking to me even though I wasn’t eating.

“Dr. Lee.”

“Yes go ahead Professor Wilson.”

“That… by any chance.”

Wilson paused for a moment then looked at Syngman Rhee and whispered softly.

“Are you related to Prince Lee Kang?”

“yes?”

“I asked just in case. You and Prince Lee Kang have the same last name.”

“ah!”

In private Wilson asked only insignificant questions.

The only one.

The nutritious question is this one.

The question is what the relationship between Lee Kang and Syngman Rhee is like.

Syngman Rhee thought for a moment and then looked at Wilson.

“I am currently a scholarship recipient of the foundation established by this prince. Since I will be the first scholarship recipient to receive a doctorate I will have the opportunity to meet this prince sometime in the future.”

“okay?”

Wilson rarely showed his feelings to others.

He glanced at his disciple Syngman Rhee with eyes that flashed with greed.

“That’s right.”

Wilson whispered something softly.

As my advisor I asked Syngman Rhee to do something and Syngman Rhee listened with narrowed eyes.

Then he answered Wilson with a small smile.

“You want to meet this prince? I will try to arrange a meeting.”

* * *

“Woo-nam (Lee Seung-man).”

From far away someone shouted out Syngman Rhee’s nickname.

A familiar voice.

Syngman Rhee quickly turned his head toward the source of the voice as if he was delighted.

“Woosung (Park Yong-man) and Geum (Jeong Soon-man).”

Syngman Rhee Yongman Park and Sunman Jeong hugged each other and began to cry.

The three of them were so close that they were called ‘Samman’ in the Korean community so they acted like that.

“Thank you for coming. I was secretly feeling bitter about having to finish my graduation ceremony alone.”

“what.”

“We’re sworn brothers so isn’t this normal?”

Early days of immigration.

The three of them who are now together have been hanging out together in Hawaii.

Syngman Rhee looked at Yongman Park and Sunman Jeong reminiscing about that time.

“By the way… what is that flower you are holding in your black hand?”

“Oh this?”

Jeongsunman scratched her head with her hand feeling embarrassed.

“I bought the congratulatory wreath that I will give at the graduation ceremony tomorrow in advance today.”

“Anyway you’re really that ill-tempered. If you were going to give me a wreath tomorrow why did you buy it today instead of buying it tomorrow? It’s such a hassle.”

“There was an old lady selling it in front of the main gate. I couldn’t just pass it by.”

Jeong Sun-man is a truly cruel type.

There is no such thing as that.

And you’re taking care of a Western grandmother who isn’t even Korean.

Syngman Rhee looked Jeong Sun-man up and down with an expression that said he did not understand her even though she was his friend.

At this Park Yong-man quickly changed the subject.

“Ah Unam. Did you find a photographer to take your graduation photos?”

“Oh that? I already got it for you.”

“Really? That’s a relief. If you hadn’t asked me I would have taken the picture myself.”

Unlike Syngman Rhee who continued his studies Yongman Park worked under Kang Lee for the past five years.

That’s why.

He had a lot of money and sometimes had to take pictures for his job.

He also had that expensive camera.

Syngman Rhee looked at Yongman Park with envy.

“Oh by the way you. What are you holding in your right hand?”

“Am I more curious about news from my home country than we who came from far away?”

Park Yong-man with a look of defeat on his face handed a copy of the Korean newspaper that had just been published today to Syngman Rhee’s right hand.

“I’ve read it all. So when you have time go back to the dorm and read it.”

Syngman Rhee didn’t want to read the newspaper right away because his friends were in front of him.

but.

The headline on the front page was so provocative that I quickly read the content.

“Haepungbuwongun (Yoon Taek-young) is famous?”

Park Yong-man corrected Syngman Rhee’s words.

“They say he wasn’t just killed he was assassinated. It seems he died at the hands of a righteous man who thought only of his country day and night.”

“….”

Syngman Rhee is true.

He did not particularly support the anti-Japanese armed struggle that was being carried out in the world.

This would rather have the opposite effect and make the Anglo-American powers wary of Koreans.

That’s why Syngman Rhee continued to listen to his friends’ stories with a displeased expression.

“Woo-sung. According to rumors that bastard Yoon-ga. I heard he got his head cut off like that.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. According to reliable sources that’s true. It’s going to be quite a pain to take my head with me on the way to the afterlife. My skull will roll around every time I walk.”

I wanted to burst out in anger right then and there but those in front of Syngman Rhee were his friends.

Moreover they were close friends who came from far away to congratulate him on his graduation.

That’s why.

Syngman Rhee suppressed the discontent inside him and agreed.

“It seems that there are a lot of righteous people active in the home country these days.”

“Yes. I’m very active.”

“Didn’t they also punish the relatives of the king who tried to sell the country after the Eulsa Five Traitors and Jeongmi Seven Traitors? And that’s not all. They are punishing even the petty ones who sold the country.”

“Furthermore we also need to punish the Japanese who have been sucking up our Korean capital. For now… I don’t know if it’s too much or if they are telling us to exercise self-restraint but it seems like the Resident-General of Sone is safe.”

The upper line that Park Yong-man is pointing to.

It’s probably Lee Kang-il.

Fortunately our real Joseon prince who is active in the United States does not seem to have ordered such an extreme choice.

‘I need to gain strength quickly…’

Yeah that’s right.

Wouldn’t it be possible to restrain the extreme armed struggle advocates who are still actively pushing for it next to Lee Kang?

“Hey! Over there….”

“huh?”

“Aren’t you Mr. Seo Jae-pil?”

< The Masked Man (2) > End