Chapter 44: Potential traitor to the country

Russia’s victory — I played a major part in that.

Even without me, the Russo-Japanese War might have ended better than it did in our original history, but judging by how things were going, at best, it would’ve ended in a draw.

If that had happened, there would have been Bloody Sunday, and they probably would’ve collapsed.

Even now, it feels like a revolution might erupt someday. But at least it’s been delayed.

Just for that, I think I’ve done my part.

“Didn’t I contribute quite a bit to that man’s business success?”

“If it weren’t for me, he’d probably be running from creditors by now.”

“So yes, I helped that man hit the jackpot — that’s what I’m saying.”

“If Russia had lost the war, they’d have been completely ruined. So, in a way, you’re not wrong.”

“Exactly. So if you think about it again, they should be thankful to me. That’s what I mean.”

“Be grateful to me.”

“He’s also grabbing up resources in Manchuria, isn’t he?”

“That’s right. He’s probably still developing it enthusiastically.”

“We have to secure Manchuria somehow. Even just to get access to the Daqing oil fields, Manchuria is essential. It might be difficult with 1930s technology, but if we just put in the effort, maybe somehow, it’ll work out.”

“Can you bring that man over to our side?”

“That would be difficult. But Ok Jinseo, since he succeeded thanks to you, he might be interested, to a limited extent.”

“It’d be great if the Korean Empire itself could offer help. What a pity.”

“Well, it’s still not a bad situation. After all, the Tsar himself is like my own Wanli Emperor. I don’t really need Bezobrazov. Still, since Bezobrazov has been running things in the Far East, I wanted to take a bite out of that too. That was my thinking — but maybe it’s best to give up now.”

“On the other hand, I could arrange a meeting for you.”

“You mean, to meet him?”

‘He’s offering to arrange a meeting for me?’ Hm.

‘It’s not a bad proposal. If Bezobrazov directly backs me, that’s huge.’

“If I can create a connection outside of the Korean Empire, my internal foundation will be that much stronger. If the great powers view me favorably and they try to take me down, the Korean Empire might get tossed around again.”

“Even Nicholas II himself might say he has to punish the Korean Empire and push the Far East army forward. Unfortunately, with the state this country is in, it’ll be difficult to stop the Far East army. But if anyone here still has sense, they won’t be able to easily remove me.”

“That’s why I must create external ties now.”

“Yes. I’m thinking of expanding the munitions industry with him this time. You know, like the airplanes you wanted.”

“Then, I leave it to you.”

Let’s see if we can arrange a meeting.

I’ve been wondering whether I could scoop a spoonful from that man’s pot too.

***

“Oh, by the way, did you hear? A bit of recent news.”

“Yes?”

“A member of the royal family from Deutsch is coming to Korea.”

‘Deutsch? Germany is sending a prince to Korea?’

“Didn’t one of Wilhelm II’s brothers visit the Korean Empire once before?”

“They’re sending a royal from the German Empire?”

“Since you’re the Minister of Foreign Affairs, you’ll probably receive official word soon.”

And just like he said —

Not long after, the German envoy Zaldorn came to see me.

Now that the recent three-way war between Korea, Russia, and Japan has ended, neither Japan nor Russia can exert influence over Korea.

Instead, Russia seems to be planning to exert influence through me, but I intend to use this situation to develop Korea.

“The reason I’ve come to see the Minister of Foreign Affairs today is because His Highness Prince Joachim, the sixth son of our Kaiser, has expressed his intention to visit Korea.”

“Is that so?”

‘Prince Joachim? I don’t know what kind of guy he is, but if he’s the sixth son, hmm… isn’t he still a kid?’

‘Am I going to have to deal with some whiny brat?’

He’s probably going to act like a spoiled nuisance just because we’re in the East.

I really don’t like kids.

‘If he acts up in front of me, he might get a flick to the forehead.’

“Yes. As you know, our German Empire and the Korean Empire could become very close in the future. Our Kaiser has great interest in you, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Prince Joachim is also looking forward to meeting you during his visit.”

‘Huh? What? That Joachim guy is looking forward to meeting me?’

“You mean me?”

‘Why would he want to meet me?’

‘Is the great German Empire really sending a prince to Korea just because of me? Should I just soak in this wave of national pride right now?’

‘How did word about me spread in Europe?’

“Aren’t you called the John of Arc of Korea? Even our German Foreign Ministry wants to deepen ties with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

‘Oh… so they want to maintain good relations with us.’

“I see. So while the visit itself is a goal, it could also be seen as an effort to strengthen our relationship with Germany.”

“Exactly. Korea is now, in name and reality, a truly independent nation. That’s why His Majesty the Kaiser wants to help strengthen Korea’s military so it can maintain its independence.”

Strengthening our military — it’s the most urgent need Korea has right now.

But wait. Korea’s army has already been heavily influenced by France.

Even during the Battle of Hanseong, French media praised it as ‘Asia’s France standing up to Britain.’

They probably hyped us up because we were using the military they had trained.

“But we’ve already built our army through the French advisory group. Isn’t Germany and France bitter rivals?”

‘Aren’t they practically mortal enemies?’

‘Wouldn’t accepting a German advisory group cause trouble?’

“Oh ho, you must’ve studied history in Europe since you were young — you seem very well-versed in it.”

“Ah… so that’s how the story got twisted.”

“That explains why so many foreigners have been oddly favorable toward me. Well, even I would probably feel some affinity toward someone who could communicate directly without a translator.”

“That’s right. So instead, our German Empire would like to offer help with naval forces. Surely France wouldn’t object to that.”

“You mean warships?”

“So, they want to support our navy — that’s what this means.”

“Russia’s fleet appears to be stationed in the leased territory of Tsushima, but they can’t compete with Britain. That means Russia alone won’t be able to protect Korea’s seas. Therefore, our Kaiser wishes to develop Korea’s navy — just like Britain helped build Japan’s fleet.”

I see.

So it’s all about maintaining balance in the Far East.

Germany’s ideal goal would be to make us their ally, but their real objective is to ensure that Korea is strong enough to protect itself and serve as a balancing weight among the great powers.

Just like Goryeo once did by balancing between Liao Goryeo Song, or Jin Goryeo Song. It’s simply on a larger scale now.

***

“So, it’s because of the balance in the Far East.”

“Yes. His Majesty, the Kaiser of the German Empire, wishes for Korea to grow stronger and become the pivot that maintains balance among the powers in the Far East.”

So, they want to support us for the sake of balance in the Far East.

The real issue is how far they’re willing to go with that support.

If they’re going to help us maintain that balance, then they should help us properly.

“How far are you willing to support us?”

“Recently, banks were established, and Russian and German companies started coming in. So now, the critical question is: ‘how much support will they give? The more, the better.’ Korea right now has to take everything it can get.”

“Germany’s support seems more substantial than expected, and while Russia might not be happy about it, so what? We’re in no position to be picky right now. Besides, the Russian fleet is technologically inferior. Even if Britain asks for information, they won’t give it up—so maybe it’s better to just take what Germany offers.”

“We’ll assist with whatever you need—selling warships, naval training, and the like.”

“We’ve acquired some warships from Japan.”

Though honestly, I doubt the ones from Japan are in good condition.

“Ha ha ha! The warships of our German Empire cannot be compared to those of Japan.

“Besides, Your Excellency the Foreign Minister surely knows how Japan scammed your country with those ships. Can you even be sure those vessels are all in working order?”

That’s true. I already figured as much.

Honestly, I didn’t care if they were in good condition or completely wrecked.

“What I really want is to weaken Japan’s navy as much as possible.”

“The Combined Fleet is likely destroyed, and anything that was about to be commissioned will probably end up in our hands—so it’s practically over already. Korea will remain an army-centered country, but we still need a navy strong enough to defend the peninsula.”

“Taking this chance to receive help from Germany isn’t a bad idea. Russia’s influence is being pushed out, and even Britain won’t be able to interfere in Korea. We need to take action while we still have this small window of opportunity.”

“I understand. I will personally report this to His Majesty the Emperor and obtain a favorable response.”

Zaldorn smiled at my words and withdrew.

“Is this the result of our victory in the Russo-Japanese-Korean War?”

“Phew… at least that’s one thing off my chest.”

I’m not sure if bringing in Germany is really the right decision.

I heard our military advisor met with the admirals of the German East Asia Squadron before he died.

Apparently, they exchanged favors just in case something happened.

Perhaps Germany had been aiming to act as the balancing power in the Far East since back then.

***

“If Empress Um becomes a problem, we may need to deal with her.”

“If possible, I’d prefer to settle things peacefully, but at this rate, maybe we really do need to establish a republic. Should we go all in and just make it an outright theocratic state instead? Or maybe an anarchist, stateless society?”

“There are plenty of options to choose from.”

“Even if it’s called anarchism, in reality, some form of government would still have to exist—but as a tool to integrate multiple ethnic groups, it might not be a bad idea. Still, it has a bit of a communist feel to it, so maybe not. The better alternative would be a republic.”

“These fools who still haven’t come to their senses… I need to figure out what to do with them.”

For now, maybe I should prepare to receive the German prince.

Minister of Education, Yi Wanyong.

He was cunning to the core—even in the real world.

He was the kind of man who calculated how best to sell the country, and how to sell it in a way that would still benefit the imperial family as much as possible.

In the end, he signed the Eulsa Treaty, handing over the land and people of Korea to Japan.

But in this altered history, Japan did not win.

Russia and the Korean Empire claimed a judgment victory, taking on the status of victors.

Japan was clearly in decline, and Yi Wanyong saw them as a rotten rope not worth grabbing.

‘I knew it ever since they assassinated the Emperor.’

Who kills the monarch of their ally? That’s not something people with any sense do.

The Qing lost the First Sino-Japanese War because they were even worse than those brainless Japanese.

At least the Sapo once recaptured Hanseong.

***

“You there, Minister of Education. Were you not one of the dearly favored by our late Emperor?”

“Yes, Your Highness the Empress Dowager. How could I ever question His Majesty’s grace?”

“When those Japanese assassins murdered His Majesty, I immediately returned to my hometown to raise a righteous army.”

In reality, he merely pretended to retreat and spent the time gauging whether to side with barbaric Japan or one of the great powers like Russia.

Still, he had to say something nice.

“How could I doubt that? I simply have something I must say to you out of great anger.”

“Please speak freely.”

It was bound to be nonsense like ‘reinforce imperial authority.’

The world has already changed.

Trying to go against that tide is pathetic.

“That woman Ok Jinseo—where in the world is she from? These European diplomats are all running around looking for her, even though she came out of nowhere. And now, she’s elevated Lee Beomyun to Prime Minister, effectively turning His Majesty into a puppet, has she not?”

“What, did you actually think that idiot of a Crown Prince could govern properly?”

“Frankly, even Yi Wanyong didn’t know who this Ok Jinseo woman was.”

But let’s be honest—she had achieved far greater accomplishments than the so-called founding emperor.

Still, since he hadn’t aligned with the Manchurian army yet, he couldn’t act recklessly.

So for now, he decided to humor the Empress Dowager.

“She may be impertinent, but what can be done?”

“And why is that?”

‘Why?’ Look at the state of this imperial family.

This country has been ruled by an incompetent royal family.

At least the monarchies in Europe had some real power.

This family has been in decline since the previous reign—or even earlier, back when corrupt officials controlled everything.

“They say Ok Jinseo is fluent in every European language—American, English, Austrian, French, and German. She’s said to be barely over twenty years old now, which means she must have spent her entire life in Europe. She likely knows their inner workings well. There is no one in the entire empire as well-versed in European affairs as our current Foreign Minister.”

“She knows more about European politics than anyone in the country. She gained prestige by saving the Russian crown prince. If we remove her now, it could spark outrage from the Russian Emperor, just like when Prince Hwang Hyukgwang weakened northern defenses and triggered the Jangneung-Horan invasion.”

“She even received a noble title from Russia. If you’re worried about pro-Japanese sentiments, then isn’t Ok Jinseo clearly pro-Russian? Who’s to say she won’t end up selling this country to Russia?”

That would be a different story entirely.

They say the Sapo under Lee Beomyun and Ok Jinseo number nearly thirty thousand, including the troops in Manchuria.

If they intended to overthrow the country, they would have done it already.

Of course, judging by how she’s been filling the guards and palace protectors with Sapo officers, she probably aims to take full control of the military too.

But then again—

‘What business is that of Yi Wanyong’s?’