The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 166



< The Man in the Mask (4) >

“First of all don’t specify the topic and report it as it is. Oh and you. Before that relax your expression a bit. I’m getting anxious just watching you.”

Syngman Rhee responded to my suggestion with a forced smile.

“Your Majesty. [I] have seen and learned a great deal over the past three years… studying under my advisor Professor Woodrow Wilson.”

After calming his voice for a moment Syngman Rhee began to tell me the bundle of stories he had been collecting.

“Wilson is an exceptional administrator and educator. He is the best president who has taken Princeton to the next level in just eight years since taking office. His track record proves this.”

All of Syngman Rhee’s claims are true.

Woodrow Wilson created the precepts a small study group unique to Princeton.

Moreover he transformed Princeton into the leading research university in the East by focusing scholarships on research.

hereto.

Princeton which was ranked in the bottom ten grew into one of the top five universities in the East in less than a decade.

“I agree with that point. Without Wilson Princeton would have remained just another university.”

“Yes. But as is the case everywhere in the world where there is light there is also shadow.”

Syngman Rhee looked around with a slightly nervous expression as if he was going to say a lot of negative things next.

The place we are now is none other than the place Wilson recommended.

He seemed cautious in case someone was listening to our conversation.

“Wilson may have a brilliant mind but on the contrary his inner character is a mess.”

“In what way?”

“First of all the outside and inside are so different. It’s like wearing a mask with two faces.”

“How? Please explain in more detail.”

“Aren’t progressive policies popular in academia and politics these days?”

“Yes. Didn’t Wilson support this policy more than anyone else?”

“It is known to the world that way but in reality it is not so. It is all false.”

“What?”

“It means a trick to draw the public to one’s side.”

I secretly agreed with Syngman Rhee’s argument.

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At the last meeting of the seven.

Didn’t Wall Street giant JP Morgan recommend Woodrow Wilson as the next presidential candidate?

If Woodrow Wilson had truly been a die-hard liberal hostile to Wall Street Morgan would never have mentioned his name.

‘Even in the history of the United States Wilson only instituted a flash of progressive policy in the early days of his term.’

Look at the Federal Reserve bill which had been dragged out even under Republican administrations being passed under the Wilson administration.

Wasn’t that law passed with Morgan’s intentions reflected in ancient times?

“Everyone has that kind of duality inside them… but Wilson has it so badly.”

Syngman Rhee seemed determined to criticize his teacher Wilson.

Another Korean student who valued filial piety and loyalty would never have acted that way.

Syngman Rhee was different.

I did not find his actions surprising as he had already shown me several times his actions criticizing his former teacher Seo Jae-pil.

“Furthermore Wilson is a racist to the core even though he pretends not to be. Look at the number of minority students at Princeton since he became president. Hasn’t that number dropped dramatically?”

Syngman Rhee began to look at me as he brought up the subject.

I was especially careful because I was very sensitive to racism.

“There have been virtually no new Asian students admitted to Princeton in the past three years other than [the little guy].”

“….”

“Dean Wilson agreed with the white supremacist group and also banned blacks from entering the school. He backed down at the last minute before enacting the policy but… anyone on Princeton’s faculty knows who pushed this policy all the way to the end.”

I chuckled and turned my head to the side.

At the end of my gaze was a local newspaper.

It’s not even a newspaper published today.

A newspaper that came out a week ago had a story about Wilson on the front page.

In the photo Wilson was smiling brightly among minority students.

Anyone but an idiot could have guessed who had placed this newspaper in this spot.

‘They present themselves in the media like this but in reality they are doing things no different from southern farmers who grow cotton.’

This disgusting hypocrisy will continue until the next presidential election.

Black people who don’t know this will vote for Wilson because they think he’s a progressive.

‘After he was elected president he enacted a strong policy of segregation between blacks and whites.’

Under Wilson’s leadership the U.S. federal government pursued a strict policy of segregation between blacks and whites.

For example when going to the bathroom.

Minorities have to use minority-only restrooms to do their business.

It was Wilson and his cabinet members who devised this ridiculous policy.

“If it were me… I wouldn’t help Wilson enter politics. I don’t think it would be beneficial but rather detrimental to His Majesty’s political career.”

I agree.

Even though I am a prince my skin color is ‘yellow’ for a white person.

“I think it might help you though.”

“….”

“Isn’t he your teacher?”

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Is it because it’s in front of me?

Or is it really sincere?

Syngman Rhee shook his head violently and seemed slightly angry.

“Even if it helps [the sitter] it won’t help us Koreans. Furthermore [the sitter] is a citizen of the Korean Empire living in the United States.”

I nodded with a knowing expression.

“I understand Wilson’s disposition. Let me hear it through to here.”

“….”

“Okay let’s move on. Okay. What do you think Wilson is vulnerable to? What do you think his weaknesses are?”

* * *

Wilson’s weakness of course is that he is a racist.

His controversial remarks were widespread as his entry into politics was unpredictable even two years ago.

“Thank you. Your advice has helped me prepare for many things.”

further.

Wilson was also a very loving husband.

That’s why Wilson seemed so dependent on his wife.

If you attack the wife you may discover another weakness.

“Okay. What do you plan to do after graduation?”

That’s all for Wilson’s story.

The next topic of course was the future of Syngman Rhee.

“I am… contemplating where to use my abilities.”

I was having a private meeting with Syngman Rhee.

That’s why.

I was able to observe Syngman Rhee’s facial expressions vividly one by one up close.

‘That expression looks so familiar.’

I looked at his face quietly and recalled the past for a moment.

Although it was a short time as I concentrated a memory in my head quickly flashed through my mind.

‘I remembered. Yes!’

21st century.

I’ve seen a lot of things like that when I worked as a lobbyist.

When you desperately want something.

Especially when you want to look good to influential high-ranking elders.

I used to make peculiar burdensome expressions toward others without even realizing it.

‘I was like that too when I was a newbie….’

Syngman Rhee had exactly that kind of expression on his face.

I think the other person wouldn’t know this but it’s an expression that anyone who’s experienced in many interpersonal relationships can understand.

Syngman Rhee was making that exact expression right now.

‘Is it because it hasn’t been polished yet?’

Maybe it’s because he’s not a politician but a political scientist but rather a doctor of political science but he still can’t seem to hide his true feelings very well.

As time goes by and you go through some trial and error you will soon learn it.

Because he was still just a rookie aspiring politician.

“First of all I want to help Koreans in America.”

I quietly listened to Syngman Rhee’s story without complaining and analyzed what had changed in him.

“If by any chance my abilities can be of help to Your Majesty I would like to work by Your Majesty’s side.”

In fact Syngman Rhee’s attitude toward me changed strangely as I began to pursue success.

You can tell just by looking at the frequent use of the word ‘small person’ which means lowering oneself in front of me.

“I hope you find your bearings quickly. When you’ve sorted out your thoughts come see me sometime.”

Syngman Rhee continued to beat around the bush without directly mentioning a specific position.

I agree with this.

He ended the story without saying what he wanted.

Because Syngman Rhee wanted to demand something first.

It’s easier to control him if he comes in one step lower.

I continued to be patient and pretend not to notice his passion.

“Oh Your Majesty. There is something I wish to tell You.”

“What is it?”

“that is….”

Syngman Rhee began to whisper to me with a confessional expression on his face.

“Philip Jason said something bad about me to you?”

“yes.”

Are you feeling impatient?

Syngman Rhee again mentioned Seo Jae-pil to prove how truly loyal he was to me.

“I see. Thank you so much for letting me know.”

Syngman Rhee came a little closer to me with a rather curious expression on his face.

“How will you respond?”

“I plan to just watch for now.”

“….”

“Not everyone can like me. As you know I am the son of His Majesty the Emperor.”

I recalled something that happened five years ago.

When I just left Japan and arrived in Hawaii.

Many of the local Koreans looked at me with hostile expressions.

Some people criticize my behavior when I was in America.

The majority of people looked extremely distrustful because I was the son of Emperor Gojong.

“The late Emperor has accumulated a lot of karma so some of them inevitably hate me.”

Syngman Rhee is showing me outward favor now but Seo Jae-pil is different.

What could be the cause?

It’s all because of my father.

‘Because the resentment I have built up toward King Gojong has reached its peak. To the point where I can’t see any objective information about myself.’

Gojong reigned as king for 40 years and enacted many policies.

Some pushed through to the end but most changed direction drastically in less than a year.

Such changes can also lead to severe economic crises.

Sometimes it led to political purges.

That’s why.

A significant number of them suffered great damage due to Gojong.

‘The Lee Seung-man in front of me was tortured in prison and Seo Jae-pil lost his family.’

The reason Syngman Rhee and Jae-pil Seo acted differently is probably because the resentment they had built up against me and King Gojong was different.

Syngman Rhee can forget this but Seo Jae-pil hates Gojong so much that he cannot overcome it.

‘Some of the Korean residents might be similar to Seo Jae-pil.’

There is no other way than to overcome it with skill.

There is no other way than to prove that Gojong and I are different.

That’s why I planned to work hard at my job today too.

* * *

I had a lot of thoughts while talking with Syngman Rhee about Woodrow Wilson.

in result.

One conclusion was reached.

‘It could change the future dramatically. But I cannot tolerate Wilson becoming president.’

No businessman should have any political leanings.

Progress is progress in its own way.

Conservatism is conservatism.

Because it helps.

‘Now is the time for progress.’

Because of the extreme gap between rich and poor Americans now want progressive policies.

This trend will continue until the boom brought about by World War II makes all Americans prosperous.

‘The funny thing is it was during this era of progress that the very laws that were passed were racially discriminatory.’

Woodrow Wilson’s segregation policy did not end with mere discrimination against blacks.

This will lead to discrimination against Asians as well as blacks and other races.

It was obvious that a blanket ban on Asian immigration would be next so we could not just sit back and watch.

“This prince.”

“Dean Wilson.”

I was very cautious inside but I was not a lowlife enough to show it.

So I smiled and shook Wilson’s hand.

“I heard that General Rhee Syngman said that you wanted to see me so badly. So. What happened? Why did you want to see me?”

Wilson treated me very kindly because he didn’t know what I was thinking.

He told me about his current situation with a cautious expression.

“As you know I am running as a Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey.”

“It’s a time when political funds are greatly needed.”

“Yes that’s right.”

It could immediately get in Wilson’s way.

But then another unknown figure will emerge as the Democratic candidate.

‘All the current Democratic candidates are racists. That’s why ironically Wilson should be the Democratic presidential candidate. I know his weaknesses.’

Until he becomes governor and is nominated as the next Democratic presidential candidate.

I intend to support Woodrow Wilson very actively.

“You have taught General Syngman Rhee well so I will trust you and support you. Yes. I am planning to throw a hundred thousand dollars into your election campaign right now.”

“Thank you Your Highness.”

“Tell me.”

“Could you give Mr. Rockefeller a leg up too?”

I looked slightly puzzled.

“Is Representative Rockefeller reluctant to meet you?”

“yes.”

but.

Rockefeller is a staunch Republican.

In contrast Woodrow Wilson was the Democratic candidate.

“I’ll try to make time sometime.”

“Yes thank you.

Because I was planning to push hard until the gubernatorial election.

He accepted Woodrow Wilson’s request.

At this Wilson bowed his head to me and kept thanking me.

“See you again soon.”

“Okay. I’ll send someone soon.”

“Yes. Then go ahead and take a look.”

< The Masked Man (4) > End