Chapter 27: One-sided massacre

‘Kill your crown prince and withdraw your troops safely before your entire land is reduced to ashes. That’s what they’re saying.’

‘In short, they want to trade the Korean mainland for the withdrawal of the Japanese army. They assume we’ll accept it since we can’t win anyway.’

‘Even Kuroki can’t do anything with the remaining forces in Korea. As expected, the Korean Empire is doomed to collapse.’

But no matter how I think about it, letting that Japanese army return now makes the future too uncertain.

‘To prevent the outbreak of another war, we must accept some sacrifices.’

‘If we want to overthrow the Korean Empire completely, we must reject that proposal.’

‘Unless… there’s another way.’

‘Just like the United States wants a US-Korea-Japan alliance, we could form a UK-Korea-Japan alliance, with Britain genuinely recognizing Korea as an independent nation. If Britain truly guarantees our independence, they would likely support the latter.’

After all, they would rather negotiate with us—who are capable of reason—than with a foolish country that assassinated an emperor.

***

“Will your country, the British Empire, firmly protect our Korean Empire?”

“I have already received an official reply from my homeland. After the war, we will ensure Korea’s independence and, if necessary, station British troops in Gando.”

British troops in Gando.

It’s not necessarily a sign that they intend to take it.

It could be a way to check Russian expansion into Manchuria.

That might be part of their calculations.

But the British military probably isn’t thinking that far ahead.

They would never spill the blood of their own people.

The great and noble Great Britain wouldn’t risk its own citizens.

Ultimately, they are saying that we can replace Japan.

“Can we trust your country?”

“Earl Ok, you certainly speak quickly. Yes, you can.”

For the British envoy to come all the way here himself, things must be quite urgent.

If even the local British minister is involved, that means Britain has decided to preserve Japan.

If Britain has declared its intention to save Japan, then there’s no helping it.

“Very well. We cannot afford to suffer any more losses. Now, what about reparations? More than anything, they assassinated His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Regarding reparations, the British Empire will assist in negotiations between Korea and Japan at a later date. As for the individuals responsible for the emperor’s assassination, we will hand over Kuroki Tamemoto, commander of the First Army, to be tried in a Korean court. There will also be an official apology.”

“So, they’re essentially saying that reparations will be left for Korea and Japan to negotiate, which basically means they won’t be paying anything.”

“If we accept this proposal, there will be a new future.”

“But what kind of future that will be is uncertain.”

“There’s nothing more to say here, and no reason to argue further.”

“I understand.”

Jordan, the British envoy, left with a relieved expression.

***

This is absolute bullshit.

I can see that Britain wants to keep Korea under its influence, and I understand that they want to control the issue of reparations themselves.

All of it is absolute bullshit.

Maybe Britain intends to pit me against Japan again to keep Russia in check.

But I refuse to let that happen.

If this proposal results in the Korean Empire achieving complete independence, then it’s just an extension of the doomed late Joseon era.

The nation’s fate was sealed long ago.

***

“They’re just going to let them go? What kind of nonsense is this? You’re saying you call this a negotiation?”

Commander-in-Chief Park Seo Sangmu did not seem pleased.

“No, sir. We will strike Oyama Iwao once he is disarmed and retreating.”

This actually works out well.

It will be even easier to take Oyama Iwao down once he is disarmed and withdrawing.

“Do you understand what that means?”

“Sir, both you and the Gando administrator do not want to let them leave so easily, do you? Now that Britain is involved, an ideal outcome is impossible. We might as well take them all down.”

Now that Britain has intervened, we must act accordingly.

That means moving with force, even recklessly if necessary.

“Then the Crown Prince will be in danger.”

“Those bastards won’t dare touch the Crown Prince.”

“If they have any sense, they won’t.”

“Besides, the British legation isn’t the only foreign mission in Hanseong.”

“Maybe the Japanese thought we were weak enough to be threatened into compliance, but I already have my own plans for that.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Japan has already assassinated the Emperor and is being condemned and isolated internationally. If the Crown Prince were to be assassinated as well, could they handle the consequences?”

“At that point, even Britain wouldn’t be able to do anything. Even if we were to massacre the entire Japanese army, would Britain really shed blood for Japan?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Rather than protecting a castrated monkey, they would prefer to use that monkey to stir up trouble with Russia.”

“That makes sense.”

“We don’t even have any other choices. Even if Britain declares direct military intervention, Russia is right next door.”

“If Russia uses the Emperor’s betrayal as a pretext to advance south and seize control of Korea before Britain can intervene, then what?”

In other words, the game-changer now is Russia.

“If we align with Britain, will Russia just stand by?”

“No.”

“More likely, they will march south into Korea with a vow to destroy us.”

“Hah, I hadn’t considered that.”

“Exactly.”

“We don’t have a choice anyway.”

“At the very least, we must establish our value clearly.”

‘If I die, then so be it. That would actually be ideal for me. If anyone holds me accountable for this later, it’ll be annoying.’

“But between sacrificing one idiot or eliminating hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers, which is the better choice?”

“Of course, it’s more beneficial to use this opportunity to wipe out the entire Japanese army in Manchuria.”

“Even Britain must be getting flak for staying allied with Japan after they assassinated the Empress and Emperor. No matter how dirty their colonial empire is, would they really back a nation that openly murdered a monarch?”

Lee Beomyun trusts me, and I have successfully convinced Park Seo Sangmu.

If Japan truly loses everything, then the Crown Prince might also be killed.

But whether they kill him or not, if the Japanese eliminate that pest, it would actually be a favor to us.

The British thought they could pressure us into making concessions, but I have no intention of doing so.

The development of Manchuria can now be funded with the wealth we seized from Qing China.

‘Maybe I should ask on the forum again?’

I can’t go into too much detail, so I’ll just ask about the key points.

***

[Author: Jinwi Possession]

[Title: What happens if Britain intervenes in the Korea-Russia-Japan War?]

—”What if Britain intervenes after we take down Oyama Iwao?”

[Comment]

[Daebung01: At that time, Japan was already branded as a country that murdered its own allied monarch.]

They were already being ridiculed for allying with an uncivilized nation, so helping them would be difficult.

Britain prides itself on appearances and wouldn’t easily support Japan.

Even if they did, Russia had troops stationed all over Manchuria, and since Gando’s administrator, Earl Ok Jinseo, was favored by the Tsar, if he requested help, Russia would have driven out British forces from Korea to protect its sphere of influence.

The explanation got a bit long, but considering you answered based on the premise of “if Britain intervenes,” it means that, in reality, Britain is not militarily intervening here.

Anyway, the Far Eastern Army has tacitly allowed us to take down the Japanese forces.

No matter how weak the Korean Empire’s military might be, they are not so incompetent that they would lose to a disarmed army.

Then, let’s show no mercy and kill them all.

In Saint Petersburg, they began reviewing a mediation plan, and Japan’s Manchurian army was ordered to retreat.

“Korea has accepted Japan’s withdrawal, so hurry and return home.”

The British side assured their safety, telling them to leave.

The Japanese army had to surrender their weapons entirely to the Russian forces.

“I still can’t accept this! We have a total of 250,000 troops stationed here. The Imperial Army has not yet been defeated! And now you expect us to hand over all our supplies and leave?”

“There is no other choice.”

Britain had guaranteed their safety.

That meant Britain had not yet abandoned the Empire of Japan.

It was proof that, despite hardships, they could still hold on to hope for the future.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Originally, the Japanese army had planned to return home via Lushun Port with the assistance of the Russian fleet.

However, before they could even leave Mukden, an army blocked their path.

An army flying the three-legged crow banner alongside the Taegeukgi.

It was the army of the Korean Empire.

“How can we call ourselves the sons of Korea if we do not take revenge for our military?”

“In the Year of Imjin, you caused the war and ultimately retreated, but this time, you will not!”

They were determined to wipe them out here.

The Korean Imperial Army, united in their desire for the emperor’s revenge, stood ready to attack the 240,000 Japanese troops.

“Those crazy Joseon bastards! Are they really going to defy Britain?”

‘Hadn’t Britain assured them?’

“They had tied down the Koreans, at least long enough for Japan’s Manchurian army to withdraw.”

“But these Joseon men—were they truly willing to fight the British Empire just for the sake of their emperor’s revenge?”

“Yes. If one is struck, it is only right to strike back.”

“In fact, it had been strange that Korea had remained passive until now.”

Still, this was Britain they were going against. No matter how blinded by revenge they were, surely they knew that Britain was the strongest power in the world.”

“How can Korea be so unfaithful in international relations?”

At Oyama Iwao’s cry, a woman at the forefront, mounted on a horse, stepped forward and sneered.

“You speak of faith and honor, yet you killed an allied emperor just to take over postwar Korea?”

“!!”

There was no rebuttal to that.

“But still, did they not have any sense of reality?”

“None of you will leave this place alive!”

A declaration of complete annihilation.

At the same time, unsettling laughter spread among the ranks of the Korean Empire’s army.

They meant it.

They truly intended to wipe out the entire Imperial Army.

Oyama Iwao quickly assessed the situation.

‘At this rate, our only chance is to surrender to the Korean army. Otherwise, we’ll all be slaughtered!’

In the end, Oyama Iwao fell to his knees before the Korean Imperial Army.

For the sake of the future, he could kneel temporarily.

“We… we surrender to the Korean Empire! Take my life, but please, I beg you, treat my soldiers as prisoners of war! If Korea—”

“Open fire.”

The order was given.

The Korean Imperial Army, having surrounded the Japanese forces, opened fire.

Bullets rained down mercilessly upon the Japanese army.

Tat-tat-tat! Bang! Bang! Boom!

“Neeeyoooooon!”

“You think Britain will properly pay the ransom for prisoners? No, you’d just go groveling to them, calling them ‘big brother’ and asking them to take the captives off your hands. And as for your life? Of course, it’s ours to take.”

Before the words had even fully left her lips, bullets and artillery shells rained down on the Imperial Army, tearing them apart.

A one-sided massacre.

A horror that should have been impossible in a so-called civilized world.

“Aaagh! Please, spare me!”

“Mother… I want to see my mother!”

The Japanese army collapsed completely.

The once-proud Imperial Army was now reduced to a panicked, fleeing mob.

“What is the cavalry doing? Kill every last one of those fleeing bastards!”

Japanese soldiers who tried to escape were cut down by Manchu cavalry, who swept through their ranks like a storm.

Whether they threw themselves to the ground and begged for mercy, whether they dropped their weapons and tore their clothes to wave makeshift white flags—none of it mattered.

The Korean army crushed them without hesitation.

Oyama Iwao could do nothing but watch in despair as his troops were slaughtered like cattle.

“No… no, this can’t be happening. Our soldiers are dying… The Imperial Army is being wiped out without even getting the chance to fight back…”

His expression hollow, he watched as his men were turned into piles of flesh.

Then, he glared at the woman who had given the order to fire.

“You… you will not die an easy death!”

At his curse-filled outburst, Ok Jinseo smirked and raised a pistol to her own head.

The bullet fired.

It fell to the ground, completely harmless.

“Not dying, huh?”

“…What the hell are you?”

His words carried a trace of arrogance, but Ok Jinseo waved her hand dismissively.

“You don’t need to know that. You are nothing more than a footnote in the world I am trying to create.”

In this war, which would later be called the Russo-Korean-Japanese War, Korea would secure its independence.

Oyama Iwao was just another nameless soldier who would perish in Manchuria.

To Ok Jinseo, this war was a desperate struggle for survival.

A battle to erase the history of colonization as much as possible.

“You… you wretched woman!” – Slash!

Oyama Iwao could not say another word.

Ok Jinseo’s blade had already severed his neck.

His head rolled forward, his face frozen in an expression of utter horror.

***

Tat-tat-tat! Bang! Bang!

The Korean Imperial Army continued their one-sided massacre against Oyama Iwao’s forces.

Strangely enough, the weapons used to annihilate the Japanese troops were, in fact, those they had surrendered to the Russians.

And so, the Mukden Battle became, after the Battle of Salsu, one of Korea’s most overwhelming victories in history.

Of course, it was technically just a slaughter of unarmed soldiers, but let’s not dwell on such trivial details.