The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 37



< Putting Wings on a Tiger’s Back >

The atmosphere at the event changed strangely.

Because I just completely denied all of the advice that Seo Jae-pil had been giving passionately until just a moment ago.

“….”

“….”

Everyone rolls their eyes and smirks at Seo Jae-pil.

I too was curious about his reaction so I looked at Seo Jae-pil’s expression.

Huh?

He seemed surprisingly calm.

‘You’ve got a great actor. Isn’t your real character being consumed by the concept?’

Seo Jae-pil was currently performing an extreme internal performance saying ‘Oh I forgot Korean. I can’t speak a single word of Korean.’

That’s why I kept my expressionless face pretending not to know the opposite advice I gave in ‘Korean’.

Because I didn’t translate my speech back into English just for Seo Jae-pil.

I chuckled and continued talking.

“Even if you speak fluent English among white people they will never think of you as Americans. To them we are just unwelcome visitors from the East.”

When giving advice to students you must be sincere.

When I recall that time when I was living as a modern-day Park Byeong-jun I warned the young scholarship students in front of me.

“So don’t try to forget your roots. If you deny them you’ll only be laughed at behind your back.”

Racial discrimination exists now as it did then.

Acting like a banana will only get you out of that situation for a little while.

It can be said that the only correct answer is to crush other opponents with overwhelming skill.

“Of course it will be difficult at first. There aren’t many cases to refer to. Even if you were a senior aren’t there only a few people here?”

I exchanged glances with the scholarship students one by one and gave them hope.

“But I would like to advise you this. Think positively. According to my actions according to my beliefs. Can’t you now open up a new path?”

I looked at Yu Gil-jun and Seo Jae-pil alternately and praised them.

“The international students here continued their studies while carrying the burdens of racial discrimination and poverty on their shoulders.”

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To be honest I didn’t want to mention Seo Jae-pil who gave me a bad first impression.

But we must not get too caught up in personal feelings.

Like it or not Seo Jae-pil is one of the few international students who earned a degree in the United States.

“But you are different. The money you need for your tuition will be fully sponsored by our Synthetic Association Foundation. We will also provide generous living expenses. So I hope that next time we meet you will appear before us as even more brilliant talents.”

This concludes my advice to scholarship recipients.

But I didn’t come down from the podium right away.

Because there was one more person left to advise besides the scholarship students.

“Oh and I have one thing to say to my fellow citizens.”

rough.

He took out his anger on the Koreans gathered there with an expression that showed he was very angry.

“Are you guys out of your minds?”

* * *

At this the Korean residents began to murmur.

“What do you mean Your Majesty?”

“What did we do wrong that you are so angry?”

After I got down on the podium I went to the front right.

“Yoo Min-ho Lee Jae-chang Shin Young-sook Lee Ki-ha Choi Young-rok Lee Chang-dong…..”

I wasn’t that special compared to other people.

But even in modern times there was one thing I was confident of.

Just memorize people’s faces and names.

“Do you guys have a lot of money?”

I made a face that seemed genuinely angry but then my expression changed completely.

He looked at them with worried eyes as if he were looking at his father or brothers lying in a hospital bed.

“Why did you donate so much? How can you give $10 a month to a scholarship when you earn $25 a month?”

“Your Majesty.”

“that is….”

If modern cynical Koreans saw this they would all click their tongues.

I’m not even healthy myself but I take care of others.

“I know. You don’t have the talent to learn but you want to give a chance to your capable neighbors. I know that too. But still. You give almost half of your earnings as a donation. That’s too much.”

“….”

“….”

Save that money and quickly save up to become independent from me.

I wanted to give them more harsh advice but I knew their delicate hearts well so I consoled them without revealing much of my true feelings.

“Those of you whose names I didn’t mention earlier. You also donated between $1 and $5 to the scholarship students here.”

I clicked my tongue and lowered my head.

“You’re really bad. I’m so angry inside.”

“Your Majesty.”

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“From now on I will never accept more than 1/20th of my income. I will also return any excess I have paid. I will make up for it.”

“If you don’t want to do that….”

He relaxed his expression for a moment then became angry again and warned them again.

“If the scholarship is not enough I will supplement it with my own money so everyone should know that. Invest in yourself with the money you return and become successful. Then wouldn’t you be able to donate even more?”

“Black.”

“Your Majesty.”

Suddenly the venue becomes a sea of ​​tears.

No these people.

Why are you crying here?

I quickly turned my head and looked at the scholarship students.

“You should also keep in mind that the scholarship you receive is not coming from my own pocket. It is the Koreans who worked hard on the farm and saved every penny to support you. So you should feel even more responsible and study hard.”

I recalled my past memories when I was Park Byung-jun.

Sometimes when I look at the Korean community it feels like I’m looking at Korean society of the past.

Those who immigrated in the 80s are stuck in the 80s.

Because those who immigrated in the 90s seemed to be seeing the South Korean society in the 90s.

‘There have been many cases where the pillars of the family were pulled out and everything was bet on the eldest son but the ending was not good.’

Successful people all think they succeeded because they were good.

I put this story at the end of my speech to prevent this in advance.

‘After all this try betraying Nana and the Korean community. What will happen?’

How did it happen?

Don’t be a shameless person who doesn’t know gratitude.

You will never be able to come near the Korean community again for the rest of your life.

‘Of course this is not the end.’

They also sneakily included a clause requiring scholarship recipients to serve the Korean community for a certain number of years.

It was also added that if this is violated a penalty of five times the amount of money received must be paid.

‘If not then I’ll pay for it myself.’

By the way.

It seemed like Syngman Rhee was watching my expression from the beginning to the end of today’s event.

When I looked straight into Syngman Rhee’s eyes he looked slightly embarrassed and turned his head away.

“Woosah (Kim Kyu-sik).”

“Yes Your Majesty.”

“Please finish the event.”

“yes.”

* * *

After the scholarship award ceremony a dinner was held.

Since it is like a modern Korean buffet where you can eat a variety of dishes everyone is preparing a meal by picking out their favorite foods.

‘Ugh… I can’t stand it.’

Sophie was in a hurry and headed to the bathroom.

at that time.

A figure other than Aaron who was escorting me followed me into the bathroom.

“Woo-nam. Long time no see.”

“Hello Your Majesty the King.”

It was Syngman Rhee.

After I finished peeing I wiped my hands and said hello to him.

“Yeah. Are your studies going well?”

“It is all thanks to Your Majesty. Thanks to the scholarship foundation Your Majesty established I can now focus on my studies.”

postmark?

Syngman Rhee was the first to use the word dwarf to me.

“Your Majesty I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m a bit cautious about saying that…”

After watching him hesitate I went outside for a moment.

Aaron who was escorting me was standing outside the bathroom and I ordered him to stay outside for a moment.

“Now tell me. What are you trying to say that takes so long?”

The information that came out of Syngman Rhee’s mouth was truly unexpected.

“Are you saying that Seo Jae-pil behaved like that in his home country?”

“yes.”

When Seo Jae-pil returned to Joseon Syngman Rhee reported to me the sayings and actions he had performed at that time.

“Professor Seo Jae-pil was once my teacher.”

Syngman Rhee emphasized the word ‘once’.

“But I felt I had to tell His Majesty this. I thought that the development of the Korean community was more important than the relationship between teacher and student.”

Just before I stepped down from my position at the Independence Association.

I don’t know what connection receiving a year’s salary in advance has with the Korean community.

Anyway it seemed like really helpful information for getting to know Seo Jae-pil.

“I understand how you feel.”

I held Syngman Rhee’s hand tightly and added my thanks.

“I guess you hesitated a lot. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Yes thank you.”

dripping-

Someone knocked on the bathroom door.

It looks like Aaron is an important person since he didn’t stop him.

“Your Majesty. Are you inside?”

It was Kim Kyu-sik.

“okay.”

Kim Kyu-sik entered the bathroom and frowned slightly.

“What did Unam say to Your Majesty that made his expression so dark?”

“It’s nothing. I just told you about my personal problems. Don’t you know how persistently white people harass Asians?”

I looked at Syngman Rhee and said.

“I’m going to go now.”

“yes.”

Looking at Syngman Rhee’s back I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘You’re really quick-witted. You must have guessed what would happen to my teacher today.’

Currently all the overseas Koreans are on my side.

I gave advice that was the exact opposite of Seo Jae-pil’s.

Seo Jae-pil’s status in the Korean community was bound to be limited.

‘Or maybe it’s a check.’

The person who currently holds the position of highly educated person among the overseas Koreans is Seo Jae-pil.

The person who was closely following him was Syngman Rhee.

If Syngman Rhee gets his degree soon he will have to compete with Seo Jae-pil for this position someday.

‘My influence has grown since last time. Are you saying that you will bow down to me for now?’

Both Seo Jae-pil and Rhee Syngman are people to watch out for.

I became even more wary of them.

“Oh more than that… where is Mr. Seo Jae-pil?”

“I am having dinner with the scholarship students there and sharing my experiences from my time studying abroad. I think I am especially sharing my struggles with medical school life with those who are planning to go to medical school.”

“okay?”

I ordered Kim Kyu-sik to do the following:

“When you go back put a lot of money in Mr. Seo’s hand for his lecture fee.”

“yes?”

Kim Kyu-sik tilted his head for a moment.

But when I continued to show my stubbornness he asked me the following.

“How much are you talking about?”

“About five hundred dollars would be reasonable.”

“Is that so much?”

Because a skilled worker earns about $3 a day.

Five hundred dollars is a lot of money.

“Aren’t you the first Asian doctor? You should at least share your experiences with our fellow Koreans.”

“older brother.”

Among the many overseas Koreans Kim Kyu-sik is the only one who is close to me.

Since there were only two of us he looked at where Seo Jae-pil was for a moment and then asked me a question.

“Would Professor Seo Jae-pil want to receive a lecture fee? He might get angry.”

I shrugged my shoulders and tried to dispel Kim Kyu-sik’s concerns.

“I will receive it. Deep down in my heart I am a person who is deeply greedy for money.”

With a bitter smile I took a handkerchief out of my pocket and wiped the moisture off my hands.

“Even if you don’t receive it let them receive it. Didn’t you say in your speech at the event today that if you come to America you should live the American way? America is a capitalist country. There is no such thing as a free lunch in America.”

“All right.”

Kim Kyu-sik answered me like that and returned to the venue.

I quietly came out of the bathroom and observed the people gathered here today.

‘I acknowledge that Seo Jae-pil is smart. But being smart and political power are two different things.’

How much political power does Seo Jae-pil have?

Will he actually receive my lecture fee?

‘If it were me I would have refused the offer. The next best thing would be to donate all the money I received for the lecture.’

If he gets paid for his lectures what he did today becomes ‘work’ rather than service.

Even though my position was already in a difficult position rumors about me receiving a large lecture fee spread throughout the Korean community.

What will happen?

‘Even if you donate all that money it’s a problem. If you spread other rumors maliciously there’s no answer.’

What is this?

It depends on how Seo Jae-pil acts.

Something that might not work.

‘I’m hungry.’

I went back to the venue with a sinister smile on my face.

Because I’m human too.

I need to eat something.

* * *

If you were to name the representative cities located on the western coast of the United States one would be San Francisco and the other would be Seattle.

“Oh well. Is he Japanese or Korean? Anyway I heard there’s a prince from the East who’s incredibly good at investing.”

Seattle located in Washington State was full of new immigrants like other western cities.

Even in this place an anecdote about an Oriental person was slowly spreading.

“Prince? Are there princes in the East?”

“Why? Wouldn’t the East have a king?”

“But how much did you earn that everyone is making such a fuss about?”

“Well I guess I would have made at least a million dollars.”

“That much?”

“You said you earned more than that? You say you produced a lot of grains like rice or something in a land that was previously thought to be nothing but a wasteland so it can’t be helped.”

“Rice? What is that?”

“Yeah. You know that risotto that Italians eat?”

“ah!”

There was an investment fair going on in Seattle at the moment.

There various capitalists gathered and exchanged new information.

John from California was one of them.

“Not only that but I heard he made a lot of money from real estate. I heard the value of all the real estate he bought has skyrocketed.”

“I heard that rumor too. I heard you recently started a company?”

“You mean that agricultural company?”

“No that’s not it. I heard he started a venture capital company or something. It looks like he’ll be investing in promising industries.”

“I heard you’ve been interested in stocks lately. I guess that rumor is true.”

“That’s right. Since he’s made some money with land he’ll probably start a new business.”

Two men handing out investment brochures at a trade fair suddenly stopped walking.

Because my ears perked up at the stories of the group John was a part of.

“Could you explain that story in more detail?”

They approached John trying hard to hide their sparkling eyes.

“Huh? Who are you?”

“Please call me Wilbur. This one next to me is Orville. He’s my brother.”

“I’m seeing these faces for the first time.”

“Well I’m from the East.”

The two brothers sat down smiling brightly holding the flyers they had in their hands.

“I would rather tell you more about the Oriental prince. The Oriental prince I just mentioned. Is he that rich?”

< Putting Wings on a Tiger’s Back > End