The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 202



< Recovery (2) >

“Oh my. Doctor you don’t have to do that.”

Oregon located in the middle of the three western states of the United States.

Koreans working in the Rice Valley in the south-central region were finishing up the year’s harvest by doing the last of their farm work.

“This is the kind of dirty work we have to do. Please rest here.”

As the name Rice Valley suggests this place was famous for growing rice well.

The straw seen here and there is evidence of this.

“No I will help you.”

Late autumn.

Since most of the rice was harvested by Korean farmers Syngman Rhee had nothing to do.

Just moving bundles of straw?

“Oh my this is not the place for someone as noble as yours to be… I am sorry.”

Since Syngman Rhee had only studied his entire life he was of no help whatsoever in farm work.

However it was a refreshing shock to Koreans to see two highly educated gentlemen working together.

It was as if a high-ranking official was harvesting the crops with them.

Is this why?

They looked at Syngman Rhee with slightly admiring eyes and never left his presence glancing at him from the side.

“Everyone eat lunch and then get to work.”

“What’s the main dish for today?”

A man named Baek Yeong-ho who was working closely next to Syngman Rhee asked a woman who brought lunch.

The woman smiled brightly and looked at Baek Yeong-ho.

“Well what could it be?”

“Ugh! So-galbi!”

“wow.”

Koreans really liked meat.

Moreover the newer immigrants who had just arrived from Joseon had a strong preference for meat.

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“Eat that slowly.”

Crunch crunch.

They say farmers work for the sake of food.

The Koreans here emptied their bowls of rice very quickly.

“Yeah. Then it starts to feel like a chore.”

Syngman Rhee slowly moved his spoon and chopsticks taking a sip.

Other Koreans who saw it made expressions like ‘That guy with long bag straps is different after all.’

“Do you know what the most enjoyable thing is since coming to America Dr. Lee?”

Yang Deok-su who had just arrived here a month ago looked at Syngman Rhee with rice cake on his lips.

Syngman Rhee gestures to this.

To get the rice cakes out of my mouth.

Then Yang Deok-su wiped his teeth with his dirty sleeve covered in dirt and began to ask himself the question he had just asked.

“This means I can eat meat every day.”

“okay?”

In the Korean Empire cattle are still used for farming.

That’s why I can’t eat beef easily.

But America is a country that mainly eats meat.

Since it was a place with enough economic power to run a large-scale ranch it was natural that beef was readily available.

“Yes. I don’t know about expensive cuts like sirloin or tenderloin but I could eat ribs like this every day. This place really is like heaven.”

“but.”

Sirloin and tenderloin are expensive even for Americans.

In the case of ribs ox bones and oxtail they used to just throw them away.

That’s why Koreans could easily use this to cook meat and Baek Yeong-ho who was with Syngman Rhee mentioned this.

“By the way Mr. Kim from Suncheon is a truly resourceful gentleman. I thought he was just a scholar who studied but he gathered these ribs from the butcher shop and planned to distribute them to Koreans. Isn’t that really ingenious?”

Baek Young-ho recalled the face of Kim Bong-tae who was also an immigrant and reevaluated him.

“When I first saw him I thought he was some nobleman bragging about his ancestors and making money… but thanks to that nobleman I can eat beef ribs like this. He really looks different.”

Baek Young-ho suddenly made a face as if something had occurred to him.

“Oh Doctor. Did you hear the news?”

“What’s the news?”

“It is said that Mr. Heo who worked under Mr. Kim started his own business independently.”

“okay?”

“He shamelessly visited the Synthetic Association Cooperative but the cooperative denied him a loan.”

“Those teeth?”

“Yes. I heard that Mr. Kim announced that for a while he will not provide startup funds to those who want to do the same work as him.”

Syngman Rhee nodded as if agreeing with the decision of the Synthetic Association Cooperative.

“Well that was Mr. Kim’s original business plan. We have to keep it for a certain period of time.”

“Like a patent?”

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“Okay. Okay.”

Baek Yeong-ho who loved to fart stuck close to Syngman Rhee and agreed with what he said.

“Come to think of it… That guy Mr. Heo who ran away is the problem. How could he betray Mr. Kim who even paid for his boat fare when he came to America even though he hit someone in the back of the head?”

Recently the keywords ‘trust’ and ‘betrayal’ have emerged as major keywords in Korean society.

After settling in the United States several of them started to work together in business.

This was because most cases ended badly during the process.

Syngman Rhee warned new immigrants to be careful by informing them of these cases.

He also repeatedly emphasized that such a thing should never happen in the comrade association he founded.

“Doctor Lee.”

“Oh. Mr. Ahn.”

Recently Ahn Gyeong-pil who used to accompany Syngman Rhee returned to Rice Valley.

He was holding a document in his hand. Syngman Rhee looked at it with satisfaction and ordered An Gyeong-pil to come closer.

“Have you eaten by any chance?”

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Then why don’t we come and have lunch together?”

Syngman Rhee glanced at the documents An Gyeong-pil was holding and asked him.

“Okay. Has the location been confirmed?”

“Yes. Here is the personal information I have been investigating.”

Syngman Rhee also visited cities where new immigrants were settling such as in Washington State and Oregon.

US Korea run by Seo Jae-pil.

I also continued to meet with those who contributed editorials to the Hanmi Shinbo.

In particular I mostly met people who made remarks that seemed to slightly criticize Lee Kang.

This time the person who caught Syngman Rhee’s radar was a Korean-American named Ha Seok-yong.

“Pastor…..”

Syngman Rhee glanced at Ha Seok-yong’s profile and picked up a piece of short rib.

After that I tore it apart with great enthusiasm.

* * *

“Who are you?”

Northern California.

It is about 300km away from Rice Valley where Syngman Rhee was until two days ago.

“This is Dr. Syngman Rhee. I am Baek Yeong-ho who follows this doctor. These people here are members of the comrades’ association who follow this doctor.”

“Dr. Lee? Are you the Dr. Lee who was the first Korean to receive a doctorate?”

Syngman Rhee nodded silently and looked at the other person.

At this Pastor Ha quickly extended his hand.

“Doctor Lee. My name is Pastor Ha Seok-yong. By the way why are you here Doctor Lee?”

Baek Yong-ho who was next to Syngman Rhee suddenly took a half step forward and swung his sword.

“Hey Pastor Ha.”

“yes?”

“Where are you putting your profane hands?”

“….”

“Are you possessed by the devil?”

Ha Seok-yong looked back and forth between Lee Seung-man and Baek Yong-ho with an expression that said “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Syngman Rhee continued to remain silent.

Instead Baek Yong-ho came forward and scolded him on behalf of Lee Seung-man.

“How dare you insult His Majesty the King who fought for Korean independence? And yet you are a pastor who guides lost lambs?”

“What is that…..”

“Oh you haven’t repented yet sir.”

Baek Yong-ho threw an old newspaper editorial at Ha Seok-yong’s chest.

Ha Seok-yong picked it up without knowing what was going on and continued to make a puzzled expression.

“This is…..”

“What is it? It’s the content of Pastor Ha’s interview with Reporter Park.”

Ha Seok-yong carefully read the newspaper article including the underlined parts.

I’m sure I’ve done similar interviews before but the tone was strangely different.

He jumped up and down in his seat as if he felt wronged.

“I didn’t say that.”

“So are you saying that Reporter Park made up something that didn’t exist?”

“I clearly said something to Reporter Park… that I was a little disappointed with. I had no intention of criticizing His Majesty the King.”

Syngman Rhee suddenly raises his hand.

He stopped Baek Yong-ho from trying to corner Ha Seok-yong.

Syngman Rhee held Ha Seok-yong’s hands tightly with a generous expression as if he had expected this.

“rev.”

“Yes Doctor Lee.”

“It’s not too late even now. From now on cut ties with Hanmi Shinbo and devote yourself solely to the young shepherds here.”

“This is Dr. Lee.”

Ha Seok-yong looked at Syngman Rhee and held back tears.

“I I am truly wronged. I am afraid of what our church members will think of me if I leave here. Can this doctor explain it to me?”

The Korean community is small.

The saying goes that rumors spread quickly.

Even now blasphemous words like ‘traitor’ and ‘Satan’ are still spreading widely.

If the church members are unknowingly eavesdropping on this it could be a big problem if it is not dealt with.

So Ha Seok-yong asked for help.

“I will help you Pastor Ha. But before that… there is something you must do Pastor.”

Syngman Rhee advised.

He told the Daily Korean the first Korean newspaper and the Pacific magazine which he founded to publish a rebuttal to the article.

Pastor Ha nodded vigorously and made an expression of understanding.

“I will do so. I really did not mean to do so. I hope His Majesty the King does not misunderstand this…”

* * *

“Ugh!”

A basement room in Shanghai.

The interrogation was taking place in a dark place.

“Who else is there who sympathizes with me?”

“Ugh! Please save me.”

Kim Gu snorted making a face as if he was talking nonsense.

“You want to survive after betraying your people… How shameless.”

“….”

“You sold your soul for 30 rubles… Even after you die you will go to hell. Agent 84.”

“yes.”

“Leave this place in charge while I return. And don’t forget to interrogate him until he confesses everything he knows.”

“yes.”

Kim Gu had just left the room which was blocked on all sides to block out the noise.

He took out a cigarette and looked at the sun high in the sky.

“Whew- This spy is endless no matter how many times I catch him.”

Kim Gu is the vice-captain of the Patriotic Corps a subordinate organization of the Ikmunsa.

The main task of the Ikmunsa is to punish traitors.

There is also the task of eliminating high-ranking figures such as Lee Wan-yong.

Because we are also currently working on eliminating pyramids.

Kim Gu’s work was truly endless.

“They’re like poisonous mushrooms.”

Temptation is fleeting.

Even that guy who had been in Primorsky Krai and then fled to Shanghai said he received about 30 rubles a month.

A full-time worker in a mine gets paid 45 rubles a day.

It may not seem like much but for those without jobs it can feel like a lot of money.

I wonder if even if the Patriots remove it again and again it will continue to grow like a poisonous mushroom.

“Chief Kim.”

“huh?”

Another member of the Patriotic Corps appeared before him.

Kim Gu tilted his head as he received a document from him.

“What is this?”

“According to Agent 21 this is the hidden card to catch Seo Jae-pil in the United States.”

“Philip Jason? You want to catch that troublemaker?”

Kim Gu quickly unsealed the envelope.

Inside there were several documents explaining it along with countless photos.

“Isn’t this Dr. Lee?”

A person that Kim Gu is familiar with is depicted in it.

Syngman Rhee was the first Korean to receive a doctorate from a prestigious eastern university.

I envied him and remembered his face.

Kim Gu began to check what was written in the document.

“Oh I was wondering what you’ve been doing but you’ve been doing something special.”

The corners of Kim Gu’s mouth go up.

Personally I really liked Syngman Rhee’s actions.

“I thought he’d look like a gentleman because his bag straps were long… but he’s a hotter guy than I thought.”

It looks useful.

Seo Jae-pil had been constantly criticizing Lee Kang’s actions and had been getting on Kim Gu’s nerves.

I was having a hard time figuring out how to get rid of Philip Jason’s influence.

He couldn’t help but be happy that Syngman Rhee was beating Seo Jae-pil like that.

“How much of our operating expenses do we have left?”

“Well I guess I’ll have to check that out. Why do you ask?”

“I would like to donate some money to this doctor’s fellowship. If there is any activity funds available I would like to use them.”

“yes.”

Part of the special activity expenses may be executed under the authority of the vice-president.

Kim Koo wanted to use this to support Syngman Rhee’s current actions.

“If we do this well we might be able to eliminate Philip Jason’s influence among Koreans without lifting a finger.”

I wanted to assassinate Seo Jae-pil but I couldn’t because Ahn Jung-geun was wide awake.

In this situation Syngman Rhee appeared and Kim Gu saw him as a savior.

“Vice President Kim.”

“Huh? Oh no Manager Ahn.”

Even a tiger will come if you call it.

An Jung-geun appeared in front of Kim Gu.

The two met again after a long time and immediately hugged each other.

“Welcome. I heard you were coming this week but I didn’t know you were coming today.”

“Me too. I thought you shaved when you came today even though you didn’t say you would.”

“Please sit over here.”

An Jung-geun looked at the documents Kim Gu was holding and asked.

“Vice-Chief Kim. What is that piece of paper you are holding in your hand Vice-Chief Kim?”

“Oh this is it? It’s nothing special.”

“is it so?”

“Yes. I was checking the news about how Korean residents in the US are doing.”

Kim Gu quickly changed the subject.

“Oh! I heard that Chief Ahn’s children are also staying in the United States. How are your sons doing?”

An Jung-geun made a longing expression as he recalled his son’s face.

“I was planning on writing a letter anyway but it looks like you’re busy learning both English and Korean these days.”

“Haha is that so?”

Kim Gu glanced at Ahn Jung-geun’s face and asked.

“I want to go back to the US as soon as possible and see my son.”

“Yeah that’s true.”

An Jung-geun looked at Kim Gu again and clasped his hands together.

“Vice President Kim.”

“yes.”

“Is the search for spies going well?”

Kim Gu took a deep breath.

“Here in Shanghai there are so many people who sell out their fellow countrymen… They are as numerous as the Japanese collaborators active in the Maritime Province.”

“Oh like that.”

“I heard that the British capitalists demanded early repayment from the Japanese… How do they continue to lure us Koreans with money? I really want to know the secret.”

“We can’t completely eradicate it but let’s use this opportunity to cover up as much as possible the eyes and ears of Japan operating in Shanghai.”

“Yes that’s what we should do. Why would our Patriotic Corps be mobilized here with the Ikmunsa?”

After saying that Kim Gu pretended to think about something for a moment.

After that he got up from his seat and looked at Ahn Jung-geun.

“Ah! Not the manager.”

“I’m listening Deputy Manager Kim.”

“The guy who has been avoiding us for so long sent a letter saying he will meet us this evening.”

“Min Dae-gam?”

An Jung-geun tilted his head and made a puzzled expression.

“That’s funny. I didn’t know he would approach me first.”

“I heard that recently the South China gangsters have been coveting his property.”

“Heh heh. Really?”

“Yes. We cannot let those bastards take this away from us so we must meet him as soon as possible. To be honest isn’t most of Min Daegam’s property the property of our people in the Korean Empire?”

“Yes.”

“It’s almost time to meet up… Would you like to join us Director Ahn?”

An Jung-geun responded to Kim Gu’s proposal.

The two of them took their luggage and went to the meeting place.

“Oh! Here it comes.”

A middle-aged Korean man approaches looking around.

He approached one of the Patriot agents cautiously and opened his mouth.

“Are you by any chance from the Patriotic Corps?”

“Yes. By the way where is Lord Min now?”

A middle-aged man stops.

Then the patriotic agent at the front took something out of his bosom and showed it to me.

It was an invitation sent by a man called Min Daegam.

“ah!”

The middle-aged man after checking the contents showed a slightly relieved expression and guided them to the meeting place.

“Your Majesty is waiting inside. Come in.”

< Recovery (2) > End