The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 86



< American Scrap (2) >

I took another sip of my drink and scanned Hearst’s body.

He was in a very comfortable position leaning back in his chair with his hands clasped on his knees.

Although we haven’t had a full-fledged conversation yet I could tell from his confidence that he seemed very confident.

“It looks like you prepared very well.”

I admired Hearst’s appearance as I placed my empty glass on the table.

Hurst answered me with a corner of his mouth slightly raised as if he was satisfied with my reaction.

“I’ve built my own empire in the media industry over the past 20 years. If nothing else this area is my territory.”

okay.

Hearst along with Joseph ‘Pulitzer’ whom we all know well is a representative journalist of this era.

I don’t know about other fields but in this field he is the best.

‘They are probably the best in the world especially in the fields of propaganda and fabrication.’

His abilities have already been proven many times.

That was the case just over a decade ago.

Didn’t one article he wrote in the New York Journal cause the United States federal government to go to war with Spain over the Philippines as he had intended?

‘You used that ability to help me last time.’

Didn’t Tanaka Mitsuaki who was the Minister of the Imperial Household of Japan come to the Korean Empire and secretly take the 10-story stone pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa Temple?

At this time Hearst at my request was very persistent in his criticism of him and the Japanese government’s shameless behavior.

Thanks to this the 10-story stone pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa was safely returned from Japan to the Korean Empire.

In the process Japan’s reputation in the United States was completely damaged.

‘You are strong when you are on my side.’

I recalled this and my previous promise to Hearst.

He clearly promised to do me three favors.

Why?

Well you’ve benefited greatly from my advice.

Didn’t I sell British bonds early to protect my wealth during the financial crisis?

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‘If I could receive help once for the Gyeongcheonsa Stone Pagoda and once more for this project…’

If you subtract 2 from 3.

yet.

Looks like we have one more chance left.

So I nodded quietly and accepted Hearst’s offer without any burden.

“I will not accept your offer. If I refuse I will regret it greatly.”

“I will do my best to make sure that your prince will not regret his choice.”

Hurst smiled stood up from his seat and looked around.

The poker table we were sitting at was isolated from the outside world thanks to a partition wall.

At first glance it seemed as though no one was there but Hurst double-checked just in case someone was eavesdropping.

“Your Majesty would you like to check the contents inside?”

He took out an envelope he had been hiding in his bosom and handed it to me.

I also took out the envelope and carefully checked what was inside.

“These are pictures.”

“yes.”

“Who is this man here?”

“I’m a journalist named Durham Stevenson.”

ah.

So this is what the loyal Japanese dog that even visited the Government-General of Korea looked like.

As my expression changed in real time Hurst asked me with satisfaction.

“I think the prince already knows this but this interest is the main one who is badmouthing the prince.”

I continued to flip through the photos.

Hearst handed over several photographs some of which showed white people alone and others of Stevenson dining with Asians.

“Behind the scenes of course…”

“This is the Japanese government.”

Hurst sat down again and called to me in a serious tone.

“Your Majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“Your Majesty what do you think would be a good way to overcome the current situation?”

“Hmm well….”

I was going to say what I had thought about in advance but decided to just brush it off first.

“Aren’t there other ways?”

“Yes. Among them the prince chose the article that corrected and refuted the article.”

“okay.”

I nodded.

In response Hurst evaluated my response.

“It’s not that bad. It’s just that taking a step back and responding is not a good way to go.”

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right.

Because rehabilitation is an act of repairing the damage that was originally done.

If you lose 10 you can only recover 8 or 9 at best.

‘I also tried to use other methods in parallel…’

What does Hurst suggest?

I looked at his face wondering this to myself.

“Are you saying that additional countermeasures are needed?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“Then tell me your wisdom.”

Hurst smiled and answered my question.

“Your Majesty please open the gates of attack against the Japanese government. As the old saying goes the best defense is a good offense.”

Hearst declared that he would inform the United States of Japan’s atrocities as he had done during the previous stone pagoda incident.

“I don’t know much about Japan but if there’s any interesting story that only you know please let me know.”

Japan has a strangely good image.

If we use this opportunity to make the world aware of Japan’s dark side wouldn’t it be possible to break the ice of those who are crazy about Japan?

“Hmm. That’s an interesting story about Japan…”

I was mulling over provocative news stories.

‘There are a lot of candidates that could be published as articles.’

America is fundamentally a Christian nation founded by Puritans.

The Puritans were as conservative today as they were a hundred years ago even in the 21st century.

‘There are a few buttons that make the Puritans want to explode.’

To focus public interest.

One instance regarding sex crossed my mind.

‘Ancient and medieval Japan was very tolerant of sodomy.’

It wasn’t something that happened between adults.

A unique Japanese traditional culture that took place between adults and ‘minors’ came to my mind.

‘When you know the truth you will be left with no choice but to click your tongue.’

These are facts that will shock even the relatively tolerant modern American Democratic Party supporters.

I decided to use Hearst’s mouth to spread the word across America.

“A few things come to mind. I’ll organize them and offer them just for you.”

“thank you.”

Hearst is looking after his own interests by publishing sensational articles.

I can fight back against Japan.

Since it was a mutually beneficial act Hearst also looked excited.

“Ah! Prince.”

“Tell me.”

“At the same time you will also need to take other measures.”

“Are you talking about activities such as media acquisitions for example?”

“Yes that’s right.”

Hearst discussed the missions of several news organizations.

These were all local dailies that wrote articles favorable to the Japanese government.

“It cannot stop there. The Prince must also bribe the journalists who are sponsored by the Japanese government.”

If I buy off the journalists who were neutral I’ll have one more person on my side.

If you bribe a reporter who is on the side of the Japanese government the effect is doubled.

No because you can see more than three times the effect.

Hurst emphasized this.

‘If you are only after money I can easily get you on my side.’

If you’re steeped in Wapanese ideology like Stevenson it might be a little difficult.

“Ah! Lastly. Please crack down on the Korean residents.”

“The Korean residents?”

“yes.”

Hurst began to tell his story with a grave expression on his face.

“How many media companies do you think I own now?”

I tilted my head slightly.

But first I told Hearst what I knew.

“If you include small local media outlets there are over twenty.”

“you’re right.”

Hurst snapped his fingers and began telling me stories about his group.

“We made it big in New York but our group really got its start here in California. My father left me a small tabloid in San Francisco and I built my empire on that.”

Hurst pounded his chest with his hand and spoke with fondness of California as he explained to me.

“I love California so even though I’m in New York I always have my eye on the West.”

“I see.”

“Yes. That’s why. I’m quite friendly with the local journalists…”

Another envelope emerged from his arms.

Just like before it was a very thin envelope.

As soon as I received it I checked what was inside.

Unlike before there was a piece of paper inside instead of a photo.

A quick look revealed that the entire page was covered in writing.

“I heard that articles like this will be appearing all over California tomorrow or the day after.”

“hmm….”

I quickly looked through what was inside.

As I read I found myself biting my lower lip.

“It’s not enough to shake me up now they’re trying to tarnish the image of our overseas Koreans.”

Hearst knew many journalists in the Western United States.

That is why I knew very well what the Japanese government was preparing for the future.

Hurst said to me with a bitter smile.

“Aren’t the prince a Korean and the Korean community a prince?”

I responded much more calmly than I expected.

In response Hurst commented that the Japanese government’s strategy was changing.

“Stevenson the fool cannot see my future… but I can roughly predict his future.”

Hurst stared into space for a moment then exchanged glances with me again.

“The Japanese government will continue to provoke the Korean community. Your Majesty is responding very calmly.”

I nodded and agreed with Hearst.

“So you’re changing your strategy?”

“Yes. We will try to win over the Korean community and turn public opinion in the United States to our side. Koreans are honest but they have some shortcomings. Aren’t some of them very impatient?”

Hurst also spoke of the patriotism of the Korean people.

He pointed out that this could be an advantage but could also become a disadvantage in the future.

“What will happen if we continue to write articles that only stimulate the patriotism of Koreans?”

“….”

I didn’t answer and just clenched my fist.

Hurst stared blankly at this imagining a future he didn’t want to think about.

“If say one of the Koreans were to attack Stevenson….”

If things really turn out as Hearst predicted public opinion in the United States will be in shambles.

‘America is completely self-centered. Above all it is a white-centered society.’

What would happen if the already unpleasant looking Asian immigrants attacked the great local white people?

The image of Koreans is good though.

Not everyone liked it.

The opposition will rise up and attack the major media outlets from all sides.

“There will be talk of immigration reform right away.”

“I guess so.”

“The article Stevenson wrote will be reprinted across America.”

I can guess what it will be like.

After that protests will take place in various places to prevent further immigration of Koreans.

“That’s why Your Highness.”

Hurst came closer to me and emphasized.

“While I am trying to stop the Japanese scheme Your Majesty must crack down hard on the Koreans. If Stevenson is shot in broad daylight all the work You have done so far will be for naught.”

* * *

『Without the help of the Japanese Empire Joseon would have difficulty surviving in the jungle-like international community. Therefore the treaty concluded in the previous year of Eulsa was nothing short of a blessing for Joseon and Lee Kang’s Hague speech was truly a childlike innocent remark.』

Articles exchanged between Hearst and the poker room spread throughout California.

“majesty.”

“Oh by any chance… have you read this article?”

So people who worked around me such as Ahn Chang-ho Park Yong-man and Yu Gil-jun came to see me.

They came to me shaking with newspaper articles in their hands complaining.

“Not only are you insulting His Majesty you are also protecting Japan’s shameless actions.”

“You can’t just leave interest alone.”

“Your Majesty I will immediately send someone to the interest group to request a correction to the article.”

After calming down the excited three I asked about the atmosphere in the Korean community returning home.

“How were the Korean residents behaving?”

“Every time we get together we only talk about this.”

“Really? How’s the atmosphere?”

“It doesn’t look normal. Your Majesty don’t you know the disposition of our people well?”

“Everyone is reading this article and holding their breath.”

Because I absolutely cannot tolerate articles that justify Japan’s colonial rule.

That’s why a significant number of Korean residents donate $1 a month to the Synthetic Association.

Some of the funds will be used for scholarships but a significant portion will be used to support volunteers fighting against Japan.

More than 80% of the association members are donating money for this purpose.

Additionally many of those who have just arrived in the United States are families of volunteer soldiers.

Naturally anti-Japanese sentiment was very strong.

“Some hot-tempered people openly say they will kill this guy.”

Hearst’s fears were becoming reality.

I could feel the gravity of the situation so clearly.

“I was already worried about this problem.”

I looked at Ahn Chang-ho and gave him an order.

“I think we need to call an emergency general meeting. Please gather all the Korean residents in one place quickly.”

< American Scrap (2) > End