Chapter 40: Instead of the outside, Ok Jinseo

Meanwhile, the Russian Empire had completely secured its interests in Manchuria, giving it time to stabilize internally, and the Korean Empire had managed to secure funds for full independence and modernization reforms.

“The Russo-Japanese War ended with Japan’s defeat!”

“Well, of course. How could the yellow race defeat the white race?”

“It was possible because of Korea’s Joan of Arc!”

“Korea survived because of Count Ok!”

“Count Ok wiped out the Japanese army and eradicated the threat, so Count Ok is an eternal loyal subject!”

In Europe, since the Russo-Japanese War had ended with Japan’s defeat, many mocked the idea that the yellow race could defeat the white race.

Meanwhile, interest in Ok Jinseo was rising more than ever.

In France, they were going on about Joan of Arc, and in Russia, she had gained fame as the Russian Count who led the Gando region.

Above all, the photo of Ok Jinseo, taken by a war correspondent who had participated in the Russo-Japanese War, was exotic and mysterious.

In it, she stood with a blood-dripping sword in hand, looking up at the sky.

“I can’t really tell from the photo, but is that the woman who saved the Russian heir?”

“She doesn’t look like an ordinary Asian.”

“They say even Russian nobles mention she has pale skin.”

At first glance, it seemed absurd, but anyway, Ok Jinseo was becoming a hot gossip subject in Europe.

Not only had she saved the Russian heir, but she had also led the war to victory.

Naturally, people couldn’t help but take an interest.

Of course, the crushing of 250,000 unarmed Japanese soldiers was initially blamed on Britain’s blunder, so it was quietly forgotten.

Even if Japan cried out that Korea had massacred unarmed Japanese people, it would only be seen as the shout of a loser.

No one would sympathize with Japan.

After all, it was just the barking of the yellow race.

On the other hand, Ok Jinseo was not just any ordinary yellow race figure recognized even by the Russian Tsar.

‘How could people not take an interest?’

At this time, Ok Jinseo’s fame was also starting to spread in the German Empire.

***

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“I want to visit Korea!”

“To Korea? Do you want to see that Ok Jinseo?”

Emperor Wilhelm II was also starting to take an interest in Ok Jinseo.

After all, she had saved Alexei, Tsar Nicholas’s son.

Even France, the enemy, was calling her Korea’s Joan of Arc.

“Joachim seems to have taken an interest in this Ok Jinseo.”

Empress Augusta Victoria sighed, as if troubled.

“No, Ok Jinseo is a Russian Count who enjoys Tsar Nicholas’s favor.”

After a brief pause, Wilhelm II thought that it might not be a bad idea.

He could deepen ties with the famous Count Ok of Russia and it wouldn’t hurt.

The person who crushed those unsavory Japanese guys was someone even Wilhelm II couldn’t ignore.

“Hmm. I was thinking of revising our policies on the Far East. This might not be a bad move.”

Germany was beginning to take an interest in the Far East.

I read the newspaper that came out earlier today.

• Relations with the Japanese have been severed! Unequal treaties are gone!

The Paris Treaty had been signed.

It was completely different from the historical Portsmouth Treaty.

The Korean Empire, now referred to as Korea, had received indemnities amounting to 200 million yen from Japan.

“Korea will be a buffer zone and a neutral territory, and Tsushima Island will be used as a leased territory. Not a bad deal.”

According to the new terms, Tsushima was also acquired, and there was no mention of prisoners of war, meaning Kuroki Tamemoto and his subordinates would rot there for the rest of their lives.

Now, it was time to lay the first stone again.

For now, they would focus on light industry and later shift to heavy industry.

***

“Surprisingly, Korea has grown economically.”

According to Japanese records, Korea’s GDP was $850, ranking 26th in the world, and it had reached the second spot in Asia in terms of economic power.

Since it was recorded by the Japanese who were trying to make Korea a colony, it couldn’t be a lie.

The problem was that considering how many countries there were in East Asia at the time, it just appeared second because it wasn’t yet a colony.

In the original history, this happened in 1900.

This means it wasn’t without potential.

And a new emperor had ascended the throne.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Korean Empire!”

Yi Cheok had held the imperial enthronement ceremony at the Hwang Hyukgwang.

Surprisingly, the era name was decided as Yeonglak.

Anyway, the previous emperor had passed away, and now the empire had expanded its territory greatly and finally drove out the Japanese.

So, they had chosen the era name from Gwanggaeto the Great and Emperor Yongle.

The country, once on the verge of decline, had now flourished, like a fish finding water.

“However, I never expected that I would become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

‘Originally, I had planned to go to Shenyang.’

‘After all, my base was in Gando.’

‘But because I was so good at foreign languages, I was also entrusted with the position of Foreign Minister.’

It would have been difficult for a 20-year-old woman to hold such an important post, and it must have been hard for Lee Beomyun as well.

It seemed unreasonable.

But that was understandable.

Now, as the Foreign Minister, I had to meet with diplomats from various countries.

First, there was the Russian ambassador, Beberda.

***

“I am truly honored to meet the legendary Count Ok.”

“This is truly an honor for me. It must have been difficult to flatter the late emperor.”

Beberda, who had been close to the emperor but had ultimately been betrayed, probably didn’t have good feelings toward Korea.

“Hehe, to be honest, given Korea’s situation, I understand, but it was quite disappointing.”

Since he had a vague relationship with King Gojong and had supported Korea in the past, Beberda must have felt betrayed.

So, I had to calm him down.

Even though Tsar Nicholas was already helping me, it was still important to maintain good relations with the diplomats.

“That nonsense about handing over all of Manchuria… It was foolish. In the end, even if they gained it, Korea wouldn’t have been able to protect it with its own power. The British and Japanese were overly trusted.”

‘How could King Gojong have been so foolish to trust those two?’

Of course, the Russian Empire could have made Korea a protectorate after I helped Alexei, but I made Nicholas the Tsar, and I had armed their forces with proper weapons.

King Gojong’s best happy ending would have been to simply rely on the mutual defense treaty and fight off Japan together.

But unfortunately, his obsession with Manchuria got in the way.

“That was truly a foolish decision.”

“But did you come to see me separately without meeting His Majesty the current Emperor, who has ascended the throne?”

At my words, Beberda had a look on his face as if to say, “Why ask such an obvious question?”

Ah, there’s no better way to waste time than meeting with Sunjong.

As expected, he would stutter, and the Russian Empire would tell me to compromise with him.

“Actually, there is an issue with Gando.”

“Please tell me.”

I roughly understand what he means.

“Although I cooperated with the Governor-General of the Far East, I am still holding onto Shenyang as my base.”

“It means the boundaries of Gando are still unclear.”

“Why am I occupying Shenyang in Manchuria when I said I wouldn’t touch Manchuria, but only focus on Gando? That’s probably the problem.”

“The Manchuria issue is under the authority of the Sapo Corps, so there must be something that brought him to me.”

“The boundaries of Gando are not clear. I want to make this clear.”

“Hmm, the area of Gando is roughly around here.”

I took out a map and drew lines on it.

Originally, Gando wasn’t a small area, and it might actually be most of Southern Manchuria.

It might be around the area of early Goguryeo.

“Isn’t it most of Southern Manchuria?”

Ah, to say it’s most of Southern Manchuria, that’s unfair.

Honestly, apart from Shenyang, where my residence is, the actual territory may only be one-tenth of the entire Manchuria.

“No. It’s more like it stretches upward.”

“Mm. But our Tsar will not concede any territory to Korea.”

‘If it’s Korea, that would make sense.’

‘But what about Ok Jinseo?’

For today’s Korea, in order to even fill the population, it must secure the population of Manchuria.

Of course, assimilation and unification must also happen, but if not now, it will never happen.

When Korea and the Sapo Corps seize the opportunity in Manchuria, they will assimilate it.

“I’m not just a Korean. I’m also a Count of Russia.”

‘Am I just a Korean?’

‘Isn’t this the perfect time to use my Russian noble title?’

I’ll play it my way: Count Ok, just a Russian noble.

“So, that’s right. Count Ok is essentially a vassal of both countries. However, in Russia, it’s more symbolic. You are, in fact, a vassal of Korea.”

‘Is he asking me to choose?’

‘If I pursue Russia’s interests, Southern Manchuria will become your territory.’

‘Otherwise, be content with a small corner of Gando.

“Tell the Tsar that, as a woman from Korea, the only way for me to gain influence is this method. As the ambassador knows, I’m not a woman, am I? Doesn’t the Tsar want Korea to become a solid pro-Russian state? To achieve that, I must at least show some influence over Southern Manchuria.”

Even just looking at the name “Korean Empire Manchurian Army,” doesn’t it show the government’s firm resolve over Manchuria?

“Ah, I see. Count Ok is indeed someone many women in Europe admire.”

“That’s true. Does it even make sense for a woman to be so active in this era?”

‘What I trust is ultimately foreign powers.’

‘The more I perform, the more foreign countries will be intrigued by the hero story of a mysterious Eastern woman.’

‘The more I act, the more I will be able to move freely in the circus they desire. Even if the Korean Empire is conservative, they won’t be able to do anything about me gaining foreign favor.’

“This is a bit embarrassing.”

But I smiled awkwardly, pretending not to notice.

“But isn’t Korea essentially a neutral country? How can it become a pro-Russian state?”

“Well, the degree to which neutrality is tolerated is different. Even a dog wags its tail at the master who treats it well. What more for Korea? I’m just adding a little bit to that story.”

Korea isn’t officially a neutral country.

Even the British are aware that Korea could change its stance.

They too needed a reason, and so they accepted the buffer zone and neutrality of the Korean Empire I casually mentioned.

Anyway, they need a justification to intervene.

Moreover, just because I’m negotiating with Beberda, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will lead to an alliance between Russia and Korea or turn Korea into a pro-Russian state.

“Hmm, I understand.”

“I can persuade Tsar His Majesty through the Governor-General of the Far East directly. Eventually, I will have to meet Tsar His Majesty anyway. I also need to slowly downsize our army and reform it, so I can’t afford to have a conflict with Russia.”

As long as Niki likes me, there will be no fighting, but I must handle this quickly, or who knows how the imperial family will react.

Although Prime Minister Lee Beomyun is in place, Empress Dowager Cixi Eom is quite sensitive.

“I will proceed with that.”

***

My meeting with Beberda ended on a somewhat good note.

Of course, this would only be possible once the Sapo Corps fully takes control of the military.

That’s why many officers from the Sapo Corps were placed in the positions of the Korean Empire’s protest army.

It was a precaution to prevent a split in the military.

In the end, controlling the central army is the most important thing.

And by placing officers in the guard units as well, the Sapo Corps can essentially take control of the entire military.

After all, the military has already been greatly reduced.

Out of the 80,000 soldiers, except for those assigned to Gando after the war, most were conscripts, and I sent them back to their hometowns.

At this point, causing friction with Russia would be madness.

Now, it’s time to meet with the American consul who took the Unsan gold mine.

Horace Newton Allen.

The man who gained all sorts of benefits through the Korean Empire.

***

“Joan of Arc, you are quite beautiful.”

“You’re too kind, Ambassador.”

I couldn’t stand Allen’s typical bald head.

This man was the one who quickly took over the gold mine.

Looking closely, I could already feel his greed.

Technically, Queen Myeongseong handed over the Unsan gold mine, so he could do whatever he wanted with it, but still, from my perspective, it’s hard to accept.

“Actually, the reason I’m here is not for nothing.”

“It’s because of the Unsan gold mine, isn’t it? Am I wrong?”

“Yes.”

He seemed to try to avoid it and talk around it, but once I hit the nail on the head, his face turned red and he nodded.

“It’s unfortunate, but this was an issue during the reign of the late Emperor, and the Unsan gold mine is necessary for Korea’s imperial finances.”

I’ve heard that the benefits from the Unsan gold mine have been significant for America.

Allen used Emperor Gojong so well.

Technically, the Unsan gold mine was something Queen Myeongseong gave, though.

“Excuse me, Shenyang Administrator. Is there not a bond of trust between nations? Are you really trying to nationalize an investment that has already been made?”

This guy’s tone changed immediately.

‘Why does he think I can’t do it?’