The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 35



< People Investment (3) >

Kim Jong-rim hesitated for a moment closed his eyes opened them and told me a wish he had kept in his heart.

“I would like to purchase new agricultural machinery.”

“Farm machinery? What kind of farm machinery?”

“There’s something like a oxcart right? It moves on its own without the help of livestock…”

“Aha! Are you talking about things like tractors?”

“Yes that’s right.”

Kim Jong-rim kept nodding his head while glancing at me.

“I went downtown with Mr. Yu Gil-jun because I couldn’t communicate well with him. When I looked into it the price was so ridiculously expensive that I couldn’t even think of buying it.”

okay.

The price would be so expensive that Kim Jong-rim who came here with nothing but his body couldn’t even imagine it.

“Please trust me and buy this.”

It’s not even mine and a lot of money is coming out of someone else’s pocket.

That’s why Kim Jong-rim felt slightly intimidated.

But unlike his slightly stiff face his mouth was somewhat loosened and he continued to speak what he wanted to say while being careful about what others thought.

Just like my best friend Jay.

“Isn’t it a waste to just leave this empty field to play?”

“hmm….”

“A lot of the locals here use machinery to farm. They all have a good reason to use a tractor or something.”

He nodded but his mouth was tightly shut.

As a modern person I was well aware of the superiority of machines.

But there were good reasons for not introducing it.

‘The timing is ambiguous.’

Tractors are already widely available on the market.

The problem is that it goes back to steam engines.

Since I’m not in the agricultural field I don’t know exactly when farm machinery with ‘internal combustion engines’ came onto the market.

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But seeing cars everywhere on the streets it seemed certain that it would come out in the not too distant future.

So I waited for a while and observed.

“Your Majesty you can just use me.”

“utilization?”

“Yes. You can compare the efficiency of growing rice using machines and growing rice using only people. Also if the efficiency is low I will reduce my salary.”

Originally I had no intention of buying a tractor with a steam engine.

But if Kim Jong-rim who rents out my farm comes out that actively my thoughts can’t help but change.

As Kim Jong-rim said I also want to know how much of a difference there is in efficiency.

More than anything I’m curious about how far they can go on their own.

‘It may be a bit far-fetched but… wouldn’t it be possible for overseas Koreans to improve agricultural machinery themselves?’

As agricultural technology developed various types of agricultural machinery were being produced but none of them were specialized for rice farming.

Well in the West wheat farming is the key.

There is not much demand for rice farming machinery.

‘Let’s invest.’

I pretended to think hard for a moment then quickly came up with an answer.

“Hmm… You have a point. I will buy three tractors as you suggested. You can test one on your farm.”

“What are you going to do with the other two?”

He was given the right to use one of the three but he seems quite curious about the whereabouts of the rest.

I also told this to Kim Jong-rim.

“I plan on keeping one as a spare but I plan on taking the other one apart and giving it a good blast.”

“Are you saying that you are going to dismantle that expensive thing?”

“Yeah. Oh if I’m going to do it I should buy a car that’s already on the market. I should dismantle that one too.”

If there was anyone who could handle the machine I would like to show them the structure of the existing tractor.

Because it seemed like that would allow them to create new imitations.

“I have a favor to ask of you. Look around and see if there are any skilled craftsmen. I will find teachers to teach them.”

Since people from all sorts of backgrounds came to America some of them must be able to operate machines.

If not we plan to open the lecture primarily to those who volunteer.

‘Who knows? Koreans have good craftsmanship so they might be able to make cars or farm machinery in no time.’

The automobile industry was just beginning.

In the meantime if a Korean-founded automobile company runs properly it would be the best.

It would be nice if it ended with improving agricultural machinery.

Even if we assume the worst wouldn’t it be possible to get rid of it if mechanical engineers were to emerge?

‘Come to think of it after the earthquake when I received the insurance money I also received some shares of Buick automobiles from the insurance company…’

I think I should meet William Durant founder of GM sometime.

You can also ask him if you can collaborate with him.

Or maybe they’ll ask if some additional equity investment is possible after next year.

In any case the automobile industry will grow by leaps and bounds in the future.

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Even just dipping my toes in there seemed like it would be a huge help in building my wealth.

“Just leave it to me Your Majesty.”

Kim Jong-rim smiled brightly at my counteroffer.

“But there’s one thing I’d like to ask you.”

There’s something that’s been bothering me since a while ago.

Kim Jong-rim is intentionally covering his right wrist.

“I mean the wound on the right side.”

“Yes? Why are you asking this?”

I kept thinking about the conversation I had with my best friend Jay and really wanted to hear it.

Didn’t your grandfather say that he fought a tiger and got a big scar on his right arm?

“What caused that wound?”

“Oh is this what you mean?”

Kim Jong-rim frowned for a moment as if recalling the past then explained to me the story of how he got hurt.

“I used to have a cat at my parents’ house. It had such a bad temper… It made my arm look like this.”

Medicine was not advanced in this era.

Small wounds can become enlarged and leave large scars and it is said that the scar on his arm was also caused by this.

“It’s not a wound from fighting a tiger?”

“Your Majesty this is too much of a joke. How can I fight a tiger? Even if I was born in Hamgyeong Province it would be impossible.”

what.

So Jay lied?

or not….

Did I just brag to my grandson?

“Do you have a pet Your Majesty? If you don’t you should definitely raise one. Especially a cat. It seems like you’re giving it affection but not giving it….”

The truth must be far away.

There is no way to confirm this now.

But one thing is certain.

Kim Jong-rim was a man who loved cats very much.

“You should definitely raise a cat. You won’t regret it.”

I couldn’t close my mouth for a moment.

Because once again it seemed like that image overlapped with my friend Jay’s.

My friend was also a cat lover.

And fanatically too.

* * *

I returned to San Francisco leaving Kim Jong-rim behind.

‘I’m back.’

A familiar landscape caught my eye.

My lovely home.

It had only been about two months so I felt a lot lighter.

“Call Dosan (Ahn Chang-ho) and Woo-sung (Park Yong-man).”

I quickly called the two figures to my house.

“What brings you here Your Majesty?”

“Please sit down first.”

I handed the two men my freshly brewed coffee and checked in with them to see how San Francisco had been doing while I was away.

“How are the remaining Korean residents doing?”

At my words Ahn Chang-ho put down the coffee cup he was drinking and reported on the situation of the Korean residents.

“We are all working together to build houses for our residents to live in first.”

“The funds are being borrowed from the cooperative fund contributed by His Majesty.”

I quickly found Woohyunsik.

Woo Hyun-sik as if he had been waiting came carrying several large briefcases and placed one of them down in front of them.

“It’s insurance money.”

He represented Korean residents and some ethnic minorities (Italian and Irish) in collecting insurance benefits.

This should be returned to the overseas Koreans who signed up for fire insurance.

Since it is a hassle for me to meet them one by one I plan to leave it to these two who are relatively popular.

“I got it as a convertible bond from Lloyd’s. I thought it would be more useful.”

“majesty.”

An Chang-ho opened his mouth.

But I cut him off and spoke first.

“I know that too. Unlike me overseas Koreans need money right away.”

“… you’re right.”

“So I have come here with cash out of my own pocket to give to them. Bring it to me.”

Woo Hyun-sik placed another briefcase on his lap and opened it.

It was full of wads of cash.

“They added 10% to the contracted insurance amount.”

“….”

“Convertible bonds will go up even more in the future. But there are people who have to sell before then… I plan to share some of the profits I see with them.”

The Korean people are my assets.

If I lose their trust half of my strength will be gone.

If it can be prevented in advance shouldn’t it be prevented?

A small hole can grow so large that it causes the dam to collapse.

From now on I will start managing my reputation thoroughly.

“You explain it to them well and let them decide whether to receive some of the convertible bonds mixed in or all of it in cash.”

Give them a choice but the decision is theirs.

An Chang-ho and Park Yong-man nodded as if they understood my explanation well.

“More than that… I called you here separately to ask you one thing. I’ve been feeling this urgently lately. I need talented people.”

We brought it up once in Hawaii and in a month the first official scholarship recipient will be announced.

But that’s not enough.

First of all there are too few of them.

Moreover I do not necessarily need only those who have completed higher education.

‘Even if it’s just agricultural machinery for rice farming it would be great if there were people around who had manual skills. Then if you just say something they’ll be able to make it in no time.’

If you don’t have talent you will eventually have to develop it.

It takes a lot of time and money but it’s the only way.

“Dosan.”

“Yes Your Majesty.”

“I heard that you are very interested in the educational activities of overseas Koreans.”

“you’re right.”

“How about we start a school here in San Francisco? I’ll fund it in full.”

An Chang-ho narrowed his eyes and tried to understand my true intentions.

“If you mean school… which school are you talking about?”

“I don’t want to go to a fancy university but I want to teach academics to Koreans and their children. I could send them to local schools but you know if I send them there they’ll become complete Americans. I might lose my identity.”

I jumped up and turned my head.

It was to see the world map hanging in my room.

“We need an educational institution that can teach Korean and Hangul. We can’t make people forget our language.”

After meeting with many Koreans and learning about Korean culture I realized that the Korean language used in modern times is very different from the Korean language they use now.

It was a bit more cumbersome and difficult but if Ahn Chang-ho organized it neatly and systematized it it would become as concise as modern Korean.

“If necessary you may invite scholars from your home country. I will even cover all the costs.”

I quickly turned my head and looked at Park Yong-man.

“In addition to schools there should also be vocational training centers to train technicians. I hope you Woo Sung are in charge of that…”

“majesty!”

Park Yong-man abruptly cut me off.

He offered me something else with his eyes full of passion.

“What do you think about military schools that are not staff training centers?”

“Military school?”

“yes.”

Ah! That’s right.

When we had a conversation before Yongman Park had shown great interest in that.

“Why do you want to establish a military school?”

“Looking at the way it’s going I feel like the day will soon come when I’ll need this.”

I trailed off a little and observed Park Yong-man’s expression.

“I will seriously consider it. But the technical school is my priority over the military school. Do you think you can take charge of it?”

Park Yong-man kept moving his mouth as if he was not satisfied.

“Woo-sung think broadly. Training technicians at a technical school will also help you in your future plans. Don’t you know better where weapons like rifles are made?”

“Ugh…..”

“I promise you. I will soon establish a military school. When I do I will appoint you as its director.”

“Obviously… you promised that.”

Park Yong-man kept biting his right thumbnail as if he was still dissatisfied.

An Chang-ho who was watching this clicked his tongue and rebuked Park Yong-man.

“Woosung you’ve been holding back well for a while but your bad habits are coming out again.”

“Tch. Didn’t you get what you wanted Dosan? If His Majesty had set up a military school for me I wouldn’t be acting like this.”

I asked the two figures who were fighting fiercely again.

“So what? Will you both accept my offer?”

“Your Majesty has personally called us here and asked us to do this so how could we refuse? Isn’t that right Woo-sung? Yes?”

“You have clearly promised. I will only believe in Your Majesty’s promise.”

Park Yong-man showed his regret until the end.

His terrifying obsession seemed to be transmitted to me.

* * *

“nice….”

The coffee tastes good.

‘The coffee at this place is delicious.’

San Francisco was under construction.

I was walking around the Northern Wharf area where relatively few buildings remained researching what San Francisco needed.

‘Are these the people who will receive scholarships next week…?’

At the same time I devoted myself to developing my talents.

It’s been a year since I came to San Francisco.

Because the new semester starts in two months.

It was at that time that I was looking at new people to enter the university.

An Asian man I was seeing for the first time approached me and spoke to me in English.

“Greetings Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you.”

Aaron and Kaplan Max who were guarding me suddenly stood up.

The strange man stopped five steps in front of me without getting any closer.

“Hmm. You….”

He quickly turned his head while dragging his words.

Who is the interest?

In Hawaii too.

This is a new face I haven’t seen in the San Francisco Korean community.

‘Aren’t you Korean?’

Why do you think so?

Well he’s Asian but he was speaking to me in English.

If you are a Korean why would you bother to talk to me in English when you have a native language that you are comfortable with?

‘It must be those guys.’

There was a high probability that he was Japanese.

That’s why I’m even more alert.

“Who are you? Have you ever talked to me?”

“Oh I didn’t introduce myself.”

The unfamiliar guest smiled and introduced himself.

“Your Majesty my name is Philip Jaisohn. We spoke to each other by letter before.”

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