The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 74



< Washington (3) >

“Your Highness I apologize again for my rudeness earlier.”

Roosevelt sighed deeply.

Then he recited to me a story about his eldest daughter Ellis.

“Ellis… grew up without a biological mother since she was little so at some point she started to become a little bit twisted.”

He told me the story of Ellis calling her his sore thumb.

“I have been raising my daughter with regrets for no reason. My past wrong choices have led to this result.”

As I entered the office earlier I caught a glimpse of the faces of Roosevelt’s wife and other children.

I knew he was married twice but today is the first time I learned that Ellis has a different mother.

I quickly analyzed the current situation making a mental note of Roosevelt’s family history that I had not known about.

‘The atmosphere is getting heavy.’

It’s nice to be indebted to Roosevelt but it’s not good to let the mood deteriorate like this.

Because even a story that was supposed to be unfolding amicably can easily get tangled up.

“These pants fit better than I thought.”

I glanced at the trousers I had changed into fiddled with them and said the following to Roosevelt hoping to ease his embarrassment.

“It feels like I’m wearing clothes that were tailored to my exact specifications as if the tailor knew my body. Can I consider these pants a gift from the President?”

I plopped down on the sofa placed in the middle of Roosevelt’s office.

At this Roosevelt smiled and did not bring up the heavy subject of his children any more.

“Oh of course. I am also happy that the prince is satisfied. Please take it later. It is new so you can wear it comfortably later.”

“Thank you.”

After sitting on the sofa I slowly looked around.

This is to compare what has changed with the office scenery I saw before.

‘The structure has changed a lot…’

It is no exaggeration to say that the modern White House was created by Truman.

This is because he carried out extensive internal renovations and completely changed the structure during his tenure.

‘You seem to really enjoy hunting huh?’

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The interior structure was very unique but the decoration was also strange.

Roosevelt’s personality was clearly expressed.

Because there were stuffed animals on display everywhere.

‘Jack Milo the gold magnate of California and Roosevelt too…’

Americans these days really seem to love hunting.

“Mr. President.”

“Please speak Your Majesty.”

“I heard that the Minister of Finance Cortelho who is here said that the President was looking for me.”

“That’s right. I invited you to the White House because I wanted to ask you a few questions. The dinner will be held soon so let’s talk about business first.”

“great.”

He emptied the glass of water on the table and continued talking.

“This prince.”

“Please speak.”

“Have you heard of the immigration bill that is being discussed?”

It’s out.

This is the immigration law that I have been preparing for over the years.

I nodded in agreement with Roosevelt’s question.

“I know. There’s a bill being discussed in Congress to regulate indiscriminate migration.”

“you’re right.”

I lowered my voice and put strength into my eyes.

“I heard that the main point of this bill is to block new immigration from Asians.”

“I won’t beat around the bush. Unfortunately that’s true.”

Roosevelt gave me detailed information on immigration law.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard the details but the draft was a law that would ban immigration from all Asians except Japanese.”

“I know. I just heard that Koreans were added to the exception list after the San Francisco earthquake.”

“Yes. It’s all because of the dedication shown by this prince.”

Roosevelt gave me a big boost in front of me.

“The story of this prince was spread all over America to the point that even here in Washington D.C. the prince heard about it. Do you know about it?”

I know.

Who acted like that?

‘America is truly a country that loves to create heroes.’

Is it because its history is short?

Since they had few great people to emulate whenever a hero appeared they would promote him in the media without exception.

of course.

The yellow press also desperately wanted to see the heroes fall so they kept a close eye on them to see if they did anything wrong.

As I nodded in agreement Roosevelt named several members of his own party and said to me:

“A lot of our Republicans are in favor of this especially those in the West who are arguing strongly that Koreans should be exempted.”

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There may be several reasons for this.

They may be impressed by my dedicated disaster relief efforts and show favor to me.

It was also because I passionately supported political funds after I became wealthy.

Some of them may be dealing with Morgan this time and feeling pressured by Morgan and Rockefeller.

As we know they already have a majority in both the Senate and the House.

“As far as I know the current majority party is the Republican Party. Is there a problem?”

“that is….”

Theodore Roosevelt trailed off looking slightly embarrassed.

“There are Democrats and some Republicans who are pushing back. They are pressuring me to exercise my veto.”

The majority party is the Republican Party?

He made a face like I was asking what the problem was without saying anything.

Then Roosevelt pretended to be troubled and looked at me.

“As the president of this country I must respect minority opinions. That is why I would like to ask you Prince to promise me one thing.”

“What exactly is it?”

“Promise me that your Majesty will take good care of the Korean people.”

“….”

“If those immigrants cause trouble here in America you will have to share the responsibility with me.”

So are you saying we should disperse responsibility?

First of all it feels really good to see me as the leader of the fun Koreans.

I nodded and agreed with Roosevelt.

“Okay I’ll try my best.”

“It won’t work out. You have to promise me.”

I looked troubled under Roosevelt’s pressure.

“We Koreans are more dedicated to our community than anyone else. Moreover our crime rate is also quite low. We will not cause any problems that would worry the President.”

“But things don’t always go the way the prince wants them to.”

“Yes that’s right. They might act out like the President’s daughter did today.”

At my answer Roosevelt leaned back slightly and narrowed his eyes.

I looked at Roosevelt like that and pressed him.

“In this world even children don’t do as I wish so how can a grown adult listen to what I say?”

“….”

“I will try my best but I cannot control all of the Korean residents. That is why I cannot give you the assurance you want.”

Roosevelt looked understanding.

“Then you will have to put in effort as you just told me.”

“Yes I will do that.”

Roosevelt thought about something for a moment and then asked me.

“Oh one more thing. I have something to ask the prince.”

“Please speak.”

“Secretary James. Bring me the map.”

Roosevelt showed me the map of the Korean Empire and asked me.

“According to an anonymous German diplomat…..”

If you write anonymously and read it as Wilhelm II it will work.

I quickly grasped the gist of the second question.

“It is said that Japan is currently sending troops to this region called Gando.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. When I asked the Japanese side about this they admitted that it was true. However the reason is interesting… They claim that this land is Joseon territory.”

Roosevelt looked me in the eye and asked.

“Your Majesty you are a prince of Joseon. You know Joseon better than any expert in Washington… no in America.”

If I wasn’t here you wouldn’t have checked this.

Either take Japan’s claims at face value or trust the opinions of some obscure Korean expert from the United States.

So that means it was one of the two.

“So are you asking me to verify the relevant information?”

Roosevelt nodded without answering.

I answered his question with this.

“Japan’s claim is half right and half wrong.”

Roosevelt tilted his head at my answer.

“What does that mean?”

“I’m talking about the Gando land that Japan claimed. It is Joseon land.”

I quickly heard the following words as to why:

“There is some controversy depending on how you interpret it but in Gando most of our people live there farming. They are under effective control and Japan’s actions can be seen as an act to further strengthen that control.”

“Then does that mean Japan’s claim is wrong…”

“The reason for sending troops to Gando was wrong.”

Japan stated that the purpose of this military dispatch was to maintain public order in Korea.

I pointed this out.

“Yes.”

“Is it really for the sake of maintaining public order? Japan considers Korea as its base. It will not only covet Korea but will also show its ambitions in South Manchuria all of Manchuria and Liaodong. After that it will want to occupy the Central Plains.”

“So does that mean that the action you just took was intended to expand Japan’s influence in South Manchuria?”

“Yes.”

To my argument.

“Hahahaha-”

Roosevelt and his cabinet members including Corteleu burst into laughter.

“This prince is really… his jokes are too much.”

“That’s right. The Japanese government promised us that they would not advance into Manchuria or the Central Plains.”

“Manchuria and the Central Plains are regions where the interests of both our country and Britain depend. Your Majesty would they dare to ignore us the United States and advance into the southern Manchuria region?”

Roosevelt and his colleagues all had somewhat pro-Japanese tendencies.

They wanted to make Japan their partner and check continental powers including Russia.

That’s why they trusted the Japanese government so much.

‘It’s making my stomach turn.’

Isn’t it Roosevelt’s fault that we are suffering so much in a foreign land?

Oh.

I would have liked to have supported the party opposing Roosevelt.

But on the contrary what about the Democratic Party of today?

Even Woodrow Wilson who entered politics a few years later said the same thing.

They are worse than Roosevelt.

Because he is a typical racist.

It was also at this time that whites-only restrooms were built in federal government buildings in the United States.

‘So do other Democrats except Wilson.’

They are all the same.

Democratic politicians of this era were either Christian fundamentalists or without exception racists.

I’m talking about people who don’t really get along with me.

That’s why I had no choice but to join hands with Republican politicians and make deals with Roosevelt who had the biggest stake.

“I am also well aware of the consistent position of the U.S. government. However that does not obscure the truth.”

With a serious expression I continued my argument.

“I want you to take a look at the academic studies that are popular in Japan such as the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere Theory.”

“….”

“After completely swallowing up Joseon we will definitely advance into Manchuria. At that time America’s interests will not be the same as theirs. You who are before me will definitely hit the ground and regret it.”

At this some of Roosevelt’s cabinet members showed a slightly wavering expression and expressed doubts about Japan’s advance into Manchuria.

But Roosevelt still stood firm.

He believed in Japan until the end.

“It’s time to go to bed.”

“Don’t you go to the market much?”

As the mood began to heat up a bit Secretary of Agriculture Jim Wilson brought up the next agenda item.

Finance Minister Corteleu also looked around and informed me that the dinner was approaching.

“Then let’s eat.”

Just because I’m talking so passionately.

Nothing has changed yet.

I’ve made some money but I don’t have any influence in American politics yet.

but.

I was building my stack one by one for the future.

Someone will probably tell the Washington political establishment about the conversation we had today.

I will reminisce about this over and over again and come back to myself someday.

I moved with Roosevelt to the central hall where the banquet was to be held looking forward to a later date.

* * *

“Your Majesty did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes. Thanks to your consideration I was able to enjoy a delicious meal.”

After a brief conversation Roosevelt took a walk around the backyard of the White House and digested his dinner.

Roosevelt walked with me his heavy body tottering.

‘When viewed from behind it looks like a penguin walking on a glacier.’

The New York business community and Roosevelt’s appearance were caricatured.

Because they are polar opposites.

What they each pursued was different.

Morgan and Rockefeller showed their disdain for Roosevelt’s tone and actions in a gathering of like-minded individuals.

At their last meeting Morgan had livened up the atmosphere by imitating Roosevelt’s waddling walk and the way he would yell when he was angry.

That image came to mind and I almost burst out laughing.

“Your second daughter seems to be quite beautiful.”

“Haha… Ethel is so beautiful. Whenever people talk to Ethel that’s always the first thing they say.”

Roosevelt paused for a moment.

He was out of breath probably because he had been walking a lot with his overweight body.

“Your Highness. Ah! There was one more thing I wanted to ask you.”

“Please speak.”

“This prince has a keen eye for economics.”

“It’s embarrassing but many people look at me favorably.”

this.

I think the story we shared a little while ago was just an appetizer.

now.

It seems like the real story is told while strolling around the backyard of the White House and having a private conversation.

“This financial crisis.”

“yes.”

“It seems like the crisis has calmed down a bit thanks to Morgan’s base.”

“Yes.”

“Without reform this kind of thing will happen again in the future. In order to overcome this….”

When Roosevelt hesitated for a moment I gave him the answer instead.

“There is a need to establish a central bank.”

“I see Your Majesty you think so too.”

When Roosevelt became more alert I waved him off and tried to appease him.

“Don’t be so pessimistic about the establishment of a central bank. Even in Europe almost every country has a central bank. You should think about the positive functions of a central bank.”

Roosevelt asked me in a sarcastic tone.

“Is Europe also run by the private sector?”

“Well I don’t know much about that. But aren’t most countries run by the state?”

Roosevelt narrowed his eyes at my answer and seemed to be pondering something.

“Establishing a central bank is not an easy task. Perhaps it will be completed in my lifetime.”

“I think so too.”

“Your Majesty unless you have a firm belief it would be difficult for the government to run the Federal Reserve Bank here in the United States.”

“Maybe? If it weren’t for someone like the President everyone would leave it to the private sector.”

“Is that so?”

Roosevelt began to think about something and then opened his mouth.

“This prince.”

“Please speak.”

“By any chance I’m running in the next election… No I’m not.”

what.

Surely you’re not trying to run for a third term?

‘If the US President changes from the original history I will have to modify the plan I had in mind.’

no way.

Let’s not get excited.

The butterfly effect is happening but the president hasn’t changed yet.

Moreover Roosevelt was a politician who declared from the beginning of his term that he would not run for a third term.

‘But I guess we can make an assumption…’

I feel like I’m standing at what could be a turning point in history.

Because of me the existing history was being distorted little by little.

‘I didn’t put him on the same level but didn’t the governor of California change? Because of me….’

I squinted my eyes and analyzed Roosevelt’s current situation.

Just looking at the atmosphere…

Really.

Because I had a feeling he might run for a third term.

< Washington (3) > End