The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 81



< IN AND OUT >

“I heard you’re leaving California this month. Is that true?”

“Yes that’s right.”

I invited Lee Beom-yoon who was the former manager of Gando back to my house and offered him tea with a regretful expression.

After Lee Beom-yoon finished drinking his teacup he carefully placed it on the table.

“I have been away for four months now. It is time to go back.”

but.

It is not right for the head of an organization to leave his or her position vacant for a long time.

Aren’t I also suffering now because I left the West empty for too long?

‘I guess I won’t be seeing you often from now on.’

Lee Beom-yoon is a field-oriented commander who prefers to run on the field.

That means until something big happens he will continue to stay in the Maritime Province or Gando and command his troops.

I glanced at his face with regret then quickly thought of the army he led.

‘I think the name was Sapodae…’

The Sapodae was a militia that defended the coastal areas of Primorsky Krai and Gando and was much better trained and better armed than the volunteers operating in other regions.

‘That could be because the old Joseon army and tiger-catching warriors joined in large numbers.’

I asked Lee Beom-yoon recalling the information from the support team.

“I heard you wanted to have an in-depth conversation about the armed struggle against Japan. I think you mentioned it once last time.”

“Yes Your Majesty from now on….”

I quickly raised my right hand and interrupted Lee Beom-yoon’s words.

“It seems like you’ve become a bit impatient since your return date is approaching. There are a few more people I’d like to discuss this topic with you.”

Lee Beom-yoon blinked his eyes.

Because I was curious about who else besides myself would be discussing the strategy for the anti-Japanese struggle.

“Tell everyone waiting outside to come inside.”

“Yes Your Majesty.”

Two Koreans came into the office where Lee Beom-yoon and I were sitting.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

They bowed their heads and greeted me and Lee Beom-yoon.

“Nice to meet you General Lee.”

“You…..”

“My name is Park Yong-man. Please call me Woo-sung.”

Lee Beom-yoon narrowed his eyes.

It must be to recall the information about a man named Park Yong-man that was collected while interacting with overseas Koreans.

I quickly patted Park Yong-man on the shoulder and introduced him to Lee Beom-yoon.

“We are currently in the process of establishing a Korean military academy. I’m sure you’ve heard about it at least once while interacting with Korean residents.”

“Are you talking about the rumor that a military academy is being built in Tijuana Mexico to train military officers?”

“okay.”

“I heard it in passing.”

“The person here who is in charge of this business is Woosung.”

“ah….”

Lee Beom-yoon’s expression changed strangely.

I just saw Park Yong-man as a spirited young Korean citizen.

It seemed like they exchanged glances a little more seriously at the word “responsible person.”

“He is also the principal of the Northern California Flight School which was established last year. He is a capable person. Please say hello.”

I turned my head and pointed to the person standing on my right.

“I believe I don’t need to introduce myself here.”

When I gave a signal with my silent gaze Yiwijong bowed his head.

“Hello Uncle.”

Lee Beom-jin and Lee Beom-yoon were half-brothers with the same father.

Lee Wi-jong is Lee Beom-jin’s second son so the two can be considered relatives.

“Yeah. How have you been? How is your father doing these days?”

“I also asked about your father’s well-being through letters and it seems that he is still in good health.”

“Thank goodness. Thanks to you our support unit is doing well in the coastal region. Be sure to tell them I’m fine.”

“yes.”

Lee Beom-yoon praised the hidden achievements of Lee Beom-jin who was the Russian ambassador to the Korean Empire and also exchanged greetings with Lee Wi-jong.

I looked at Lee Beom-yoon and asked him.

“Let’s talk slowly. How are the situations in Gando and the Maritime Province these days?”

“I think the worst is over.”

“Is the worst over?”

“Yes. As Your Majesty knows last summer the Japanese army sent a large number of troops to Gando in an attempt to wipe out our support force.”

“I heard that news too. Fortunately you were able to obtain information in advance and escape to the Maritime Province weren’t you?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“I heard that the Japanese army recently completely withdrew its troops from Gando.”

“That’s right. Thanks to you some of our support units that had taken refuge in the Maritime Province were able to return to Gando and resume their activities.”

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

This was a time when bandits existed on land and pirates existed at sea.

When the Japanese army withdrew a temporary security vacuum was created in Gando.

It is said that they risked their lives and re-entered Gando with the sole intention of protecting their fellow Koreans even though they did not know that there might still be Japanese soldiers in Sapodae who had not withdrawn yet.

“The movements of the Japanese army have also changed. They don’t even dare to set foot in Gando. In the past they would cross the Tuman River without hesitation if they saw us.”

That’s probably because Japan and the United States signed a gentleman’s agreement here in San Francisco.

According to information revealed by an anonymous U.S. federal official the U.S. promised to provide loans in exchange for Japan withdrawing its troops from Gando.

“They say it’s all because of your majesty.”

Well that’s partially true.

When I was in Washington I met with American political figures and argued day and night about Japan’s ambition to invade Manchuria.

Of course it didn’t seem like it would work because there were so many pro-Japanese lawmakers and cabinet members who loved Japan.

America puts its own interests first.

I kept pointing out things that could be Japan’s weaknesses.

With the gentleman’s agreement just around the corner there’s no way we wouldn’t use this.

“Is it true?”

Lee Beom-yoon asked me again.

I shrugged my shoulders and pretended like it was nothing.

“I guess I was influenced to some extent. But I can’t say that all the credit is mine.”

“and….”

At this the three figures opened their mouths in admiration.

I’m going to Paris.

Everybody keep your mouths shut.

“It was just a matter of luck that our interests coincided with those of the United States. You should keep this in mind. Like any country the United States puts its own interests first.”

I emphasized that such luck would not come easily in the future.

“In order to move the United States or the Western powers this prerequisite must be met. Do you understand?”

“yes.”

I called Woo Hyeon-sik and ordered him to bring out the map.

“ruler….”

As the Korean Empire spread its influence it quickly turned its attention to the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

“I heard that volunteer armies are active in various places… If you know anything please tell me everything.”

Park Yong-man who was very interested in armed struggle was the first to speak up.

“Your Majesty. I hear that the Joseon volunteer armies scattered throughout the country have recently been unifying into one organization.”

Lee Beom-yoon also added additional information later with an expression that suggested he had already known the information that Park Yong-man knew.

“The name is Creative Army and it seems like they will advance into Seoul sometime this month or next month.”

The two people showed enthusiasm as they brought up this story.

I think this plan will work.

But this species was different.

As an agent of the Ikmunsa he recently began to connect with some of his colleagues who are active in the country.

Yiwijong had a rather serious expression on his face and made a different prediction than the two people before him.

“Your Majesty the Creative Army’s operation to advance into Seoul will most likely fail.”

“No. What if I start over without even opening the lid?”

Park Yong-man continued to question Lee Wi-jong while looking at him.

“Do you have any information we don’t know about?”

To this Yi Wi-jong replied.

“The health of Lee In-young’s father who was elected as the creative director is very poor. It seems likely that he will not survive this month.”

“Heh heh…..”

Lee Beom-yoon looked very worried at his nephew’s report.

It’s Park Yong-man.

But I tilted my head.

“What does that have to do with the success or failure of the operation?”

“Your Majesty. Lee In-young will soon be mourning his father. The problem is that he is famous for being a filial son.”

“ah….”

“What would happen if I had to step down as captain because of my father’s death?”

Well what happened?

Morale will drop and the operation will fail.

The probability of success is already low so this will converge to 0.

“I predict that Lee In-young will return to his hometown to receive the award. I hesitated a lot when I was first offered the position of captain.”

I thought about it for a while and then took that variable into account to try to predict my own future.

“Then it will not be an easy fight. No it will be a fight with no chance of winning.”

I am a very realistic and calculating person.

“Once the center of gravity disappears the volunteers will scatter.”

Even if that’s not the case.

I guess they’re filming season 2 of the Donghak Peasant Revolution.

‘I want to intervene but the situation around me is the worst.’

Above all the diplomatic environment is extremely bad.

Although the number of political and business figures who feel favorable toward me has increased here in the United States the reality is that there are still less than a handful.

Moreover the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was still strong.

‘Even if you support me with all your might it’ll be like a bottomless pit.’

Although Japan’s borders are teetering on the brink of collapse due to its massive foreign debt Japan is still one of the great powers.

A country that holds hegemony even though it sits at the end.

In contrast I was only one of the five richest people in America.

‘An individual waging all-out war against a nation? Is that possible?’

In the beginning it might be an even fight.

The persistence itself will be different.

‘If you look at the fact that there aren’t many independence activists among the conglomerates in modern Korean society… those conglomerates would have collapsed long ago.’

As a second-generation Korean American I don’t know much about the detailed history of the independence movement.

But it must have definitely existed in Korea too.

A historian who supported Joseon’s independence army and helped Joseon achieve complete independence.

The reason they are not easily found in modern times is probably because they have all perished.

‘The best way is guerrilla.’

This also has its limitations.

You never know when or how the Japanese army might invade Gando.

The Maritime Province isn’t entirely safe either.

He placed a document on the table where the Great Korean Empire’s proclamation was spread.

“Your Majesty what is this?”

“The first Russo-Japanese Agreement concluded in 1907.”

The terms of the agreement are simple.

The Outer Mongolia region will be occupied by Russia and the Korean Peninsula will be occupied by Japan.

“If you read the contents of this treaty carefully you will see that we are just like pieces on a Go board.”

The two sides agreed.

“Your Majesty. I exchanged telegrams with my father… Rumors are circulating in Russia that a second Russo-Japanese agreement is being promoted with Japan.”

“They each ate the Korean Peninsula and Outer Mongolia so they probably want to divide up Manchuria too. They’ll propose dividing the South and the North with the South Manchuria Railway as the boundary and dividing it up for each.”

I looked at Lee Beom-yoon and warned him.

“Through that negotiation… your support unit could be put in danger.”

“Are you saying that the Russians might sell us out if we have to?”

“okay.”

Lee Beom-yoon asked me for my opinion with a troubled expression.

“Then what should we do?”

I turned my head to the side.

It’s to first listen to what other people besides me are thinking.

Yi Wi-jong came forward first.

“Uncle. Instead of thinking about burying your bones in the Maritime Province you should expand your field of activity to Manchuria. In addition you should gradually establish contact with the Qing local government forces that control the Manchuria region.”

“Are you saying that we should avoid an all-out war and allow Japan to accumulate damage through small-scale local wars?”

Park Yong-man intervened in the conversation between the two people.

“But this won’t be enough to hit Japan. Unless we assassinate a key Japanese figure…”

Assassination of key figures is a method that is much talked about even among independence activists.

Because it could easily be criticized by the international community.

The peace faction which believed that diplomacy should be especially important considered this word taboo.

That’s why Park Yong-man looked at me carefully.

Lee Wi-jong looked back and forth between me and Park Yong-man and then came up with a compromise.

“We should fight a local war along the borders of Manchuria and the Maritime Province while eliminating Japan’s allies one by one on the international diplomatic stage. Isn’t that right Your Majesty?”

right.

Whether you focus on diplomacy or

Whether you are engaging in armed struggle.

Or do both together.

It doesn’t matter at all.

The most important thing was to break the alliances with Britain and Japan the two most successful countries in the world at the time.

“It will take a long time.”

Japan is a very useful tactic for Britain.

Joseon and I are not yet in England.

“Everyone looks gloomy. Didn’t you all expect that this wouldn’t be easy?”

“But you know.”

After a while Lee Beom-yoon suddenly started to worry about me.

“Is Your Majesty well?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you provide us with weapons we could end up being branded as the leader of an extremist group.”

I know.

If I provide financial support and get caught by Japan they could accuse me of being the mastermind behind all the volunteer armies active in Joseon.

but.

“Don’t worry about that.”

Because there is something called a trust company.

If I support Lee Beom-yoon through money laundering Japan will also not be able to easily find out that I am with them.

Above all else.

“There is someone else who can help you.”

I smiled brightly and reassured Lee Beom-yoon.

Really.

Because I was thinking of creating an agent.

* * *

The number of Korean tycoons who came to America was much greater than I expected.

The three richest brothers who made a name for themselves in the race are currently staying here in San Francisco.

The Gimhae Kim clan who claimed that all of Suncheon was their land is also said to have settled near Southern California.

Chungju Gaeseong Pyongyang Uiju.

Even the wealthy people of major cities have come to the United States.

“Your Majesty please greet me.”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you.”

Their backgrounds were also diverse from the nouveau riche to black market traders and traditional landed tycoons.

Among them I first called the Lee Hoi-young family to my house.

“These days people are calling you the second Lee Kang.”

Lee Hoe-young and his brothers were the wealthiest men in Joseon owning all the land near Dongdaemun east of Hanyang.

“Your Majesty. How can we the venerable King compare to you?”

Lee Hoi-young lowered his head with a look of surprise on his face at my greeting.

“That’s right. Please take back what you just said.”

Lee Si-young also followed her brother’s example and asked me to stop talking to her.

“well.”

I answered them stroking my beard.

“I heard that he came from Joseon to America and brought a large sum of money with him. He deposited about a million dollars in a local bank here in California. Isn’t that enough to call him the second Lee Kang?”

All the bank presidents in San Francisco were people I knew well.

Capitalists of this era were not very strict about enforcing personal information protection laws.

The extent of the changes in the wealth of Koreans could be easily determined by attending a single meeting.

I heard some interesting news from them and was telling it to the Lee Hoi-young family.

“If a second or third Lee Kang emerges among us Koreans wouldn’t our status in the United States be greatly enhanced? I was really happy when I first heard that story from another American.”

Do you think the Jews were rumored to be rich because the Rothschilds were so successful?

Besides him other people are also successful so everyone regardless of whether you are Jewish or not is known as rich.

I wanted Koreans to become wealthy.

I was truly happy because I believed that as the number of wealthy Koreans like me increased the pressure on me would be dispersed.

“I heard you’re interested in acquiring companies in the U.S.… What companies exactly are you looking to acquire?”

I looked at Lee Hoi-young’s complexion and looked at him.

“As a senior who came to America before me I will help you if I can. Just tell me.”

< IN AND OUT > End