Chapter 15: You gave me crap

You gave me crap.

I wish we could resolve this unpleasant symbiotic relationship.

But before that, I have to send Hong Taiji’s remains to Hanseong.

“No.”

“How about calling Gojong with this instead? Killing him under the guise of an ‘unfortunate accident’ wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Should I ask Daeyeok?’ Since the future has changed, I could ask him in a twisted way.”

“No, that’s not right.”

“We need to use Daeyeok appropriately.”

He’s famous as a question villain now, and we might get blocked later.

It’s better to ask when he’s forgotten.

“Then, sending it to Gojong seems better.”

Send Hong Taiji’s remains to that bastard and block any suspicion in advance.

For now, Lee Beomyun told me to handle the diplomatic matters.

But since this involves Samjeondo, this seems like a big deal.

“So, how do you plan to handle it?”

“How about sending Hong Taiji’s remains from Cheongju to Hanseong? I think Hong Taiji would be better out of the two.”

“That’s not bad. The Emperor will be pleased.”

“It will probably be a huge accomplishment for Gojong.”

“But a one-on-one negotiation with Hyukgwang will be problematic.”

This wasn’t something done in Hanseong, but something done here.

In fact, it was more like a private conversation between him and me.

“That’s true. For sure, Qing now treats this place as an independent entity. The Emperor must know this. But still, what does it mean that he’s staying quiet?”

“It means His Majesty has some deeper intention.”

‘This means that the Empire of Korea is still cutting ties with Gando. If Hyukgwang had threatened war, they would have drawn a line to avoid escalation. At least, on the surface.’

‘If that’s the case, it means that Gojong could abandon us at any time. But then again, could Gojong, receiving Hong Taiji’s remains, really cut ties with us? It’s about handling Joseon’s enemy. ‘

‘In the end, whatever happens, Gojong’s fate will be tied to Gando. If he doesn’t move according to my wishes…’

‘Then I’ll have to kill him.’

Lee Beomyun is someone related to my father, so even though he’s from the Geunhwang faction, I can’t do anything about him.

For now, I just need to reassure Gojong and help him recover from the humiliation of Samjeondo.

So, I carefully packed Hong Taiji’s remains and sent them to Hanseong.

***

Hanseong, Empire of Korea

Today was an incredibly joyous day for Gojong.

He was so happy that he jumped up and down in front of the gathered foreign diplomats.

Not long ago, he had been irritated by that strange woman, Ok Jinseo, who had settled in Bongcheon.

But now, that very same Ok Jinseo had sent Hong Taiji’s remains from Cheongju.

“No, forget about Qing, which is now a gigantic colony of the great powers. There’s no need to treat Qing as a nation anymore—Hong Taiji’s body, the leader of the Manchus!”

Since King Injo’s reign, Korea had been oppressed by Qing, and now, there was a chance to wash away that humiliation with a good justification.

Gojong stood in front of Deoksugung, gazing at the coffin carrying Hong Taiji’s remains.

He read the inscription attached to it: ‘Great Traitor Qing Emperor Hong Taiji‘.

He laughed loudly.

“Finally, the disgrace of Samjeondo is washed away, and my loyal subject Ok Jinseo has sent Hong Taiji’s remains from Cheongju. I am truly overjoyed. Ah, at last, I can console the spirit of Emperor Injo in the afterlife! People of the Great Empire, hear me! The remains of the man who forced Emperor Injo to perform the three bows of great respect, Hong Taiji, are now here in Hanseong, before me.”

“What a proud moment this is! The man who helped me wash away the disgrace of Samjeondo, Count Arasa, and Chief of Staff of the Sapo Army, Ok Jinseo, will be appointed as the commander of the forces stationed in Manchuria, in charge of the Shenyang region. All of you, take note!”

He was ecstatic.

Not long ago, Korea had made great strides by moving into Manchuria under the pressure of the great powers.

Now, Hong Taiji’s remains, the enemy of the nation, were being presented.

“All of this is thanks to Your Majesty’s great fortune! Long live the Emperor!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire of Korea!”

Ministers, officials, and royal family members cheered as they praised the Emperor.

In any case, Ok Jinseo, a servant of the Empire of Korea, had sent Hong Taiji’s remains.

This was no different from an accomplishment of the Emperor himself.

“Today, we must inform the royal shrine and wash away this disgrace. The remains of the traitor Hong Taiji will be properly buried in front of King Injo’s tomb at Jangneung. You must all understand that! And today, we shall call the foreign diplomats and hold a grand banquet!”

“How about inviting the Qing diplomats to celebrate as well?”

“After all, it’s as if we are stepping over those Manchu scum, so such extravagance would be justified.”

“His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, has sent his congratulations for Your Majesty’s recovery of national honor.”

Despite his distaste, Ito Hirobumi showed up at the gathering with the foreign diplomats.

But today, his face didn’t seem entirely unpleasant.

He must have some hidden agenda, though.

He probably came to reaffirm relations with Russia.

“Our King, the Emperor of Great Britain, also sent his congratulations for Your Majesty’s recovery of national honor.”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

“The Tsar of Russia has sent a congratulatory letter for your revenge on Qing but expressed concerns over the refusal of the mutual defense treaty.”

The mutual defense treaty, yes.

That’s what was at stake.

Gojong had refused Russia’s mutual defense treaty and instead chose Britain and Japan.

Because of that, it had been difficult to face Weber’s face these days.

He must have felt deeply betrayed.

“Things just turned out that way.”

“I hope it’s a choice you won’t regret.”

Even Weber didn’t seem to approve of this choice, as he stood up and left first.

The British and Japanese diplomats smiled contentedly.

With this, Korea and Russia’s relationship was effectively ruined.

War with Russia was now inevitable.

However, after the banquet, Min Yeonghwan, Lee Yongik, and Yi Wanyong expressed concerns about Gojong’s decision.

“Your Majesty. Still, for a woman to be appointed as the governor of Shenyang? This is too much of a bold move.”

“That’s right. Even considering her gender, how can a mere woman, who was only appointed as an aide by Governor Lee Beomyun of the Sapo Division, be given a position like the governor of Shenyang? It’s too radical.”

There had been no precedent like Ok Jinseo in the 500 years of Joseon history.

“My goodness. My goodness. Now, the emperor of Arasa, that girl whom Ok Jinseo disregards, has granted her the title of Count. And in the area where Ok Jinseo is in charge, there are thousands of soldiers from Korea. That means she could use those troops to attack Hanseong if she dislikes something. And take note. Didn’t the Qing’s Guangxu also go alone to the area of Fengtian to negotiate?”

This is a kind of wordplay.

In the end, Ok Jinseo is an individual separate from the Korean Empire, a Korean warlord.

But by appointing her as a governor, the Korean Empire is symbolically declaring that Manchuria is an extension of its territory, both internally and externally.

With this alone, the Qing Dynasty will have to recognize the Korean Empire’s influence behind Manchuria and will inevitably have to come to Hanseong for negotiations.

“Then.”

“The Qing is in a situation where they can’t move in any direction. We must clearly claim Manchuria as our own, and if the British and the Japanese are using us, we should use them in return. And speaking of that…”

Above all, King Gojong had worked hard on this.

Both Lee Beomyun and Ok Jinseo, who are currently in Manchuria, had made significant contributions.

However, considering the land from Gando to Manchuria, Lee Beomyun could present an image of someone who could stand against the Korean Empire.

Even more so, Lee Beomyun commands elite troops who crossed over from the northern borders of Korea.

Then, at the very least, the power balance had to be adjusted.

More specifically, so that no one in Manchuria dares to challenge him, the emperor.

The plan was to tear and divide things up.

“Speak up, please.”

“Lee Beomyun, the governor of Gando, is effectively treated as an independent warlord. In the midst of that, an aide from the Sapo Division, a woman no less, is appointed to the position of governor. How will the power balance in Manchuria look now?”

Only in such moments, when he was plotting schemes, did King Gojong’s mind work remarkably.

“Then, are you intentionally trying to make them check each other?”

‘If that’s the case, what would happen?’ Lee Yongik furrowed his brow.

“It’s already difficult to integrate Manchuria into the Korean Empire, and now you want to make them fight each other?”

“With the future of the Korean Empire uncertain, what will happen if Manchuria and Gando are torn apart?”

“That’s right. We can’t let Manchuria set up its own government. Isn’t that right?”

King Gojong smiled slyly in front of Min Yeonghwan and Lee Yongik.

Yes, King Gojong was a filthy and petty emperor who even kept his own subjects in check.

I had sent Hong Taiji’s remains to Hanseong so that I wouldn’t be called by Gojong.

And our King Gojong truly knew how to make someone feel terrible.

For the gift I sent, Gojong had given me a bitter gift in return.

He appointed me as a governor in Fengtian, where I had established a base.

“King Gojong, with this kind of mind, should he not be thinking about driving the Japanese out?”

‘Does he want to make me someone of the same rank as Lee Beomyun?’ I could clearly see why he was doing this.

He wants Lee Beomyun and me to check each other.

Think about it.

‘Is it normal for a woman to be given control over a military district?’ No, it’s not.

However, the title of governor isn’t even an official position in the Korean Empire.

And as for Ok Jinseo, I also hold the title of Count of Russia.

Some special positions can be given in this way, and perhaps that’s how he sees it.

“Did the emperor make you a governor?”

Lee Beomyun wouldn’t compete with a young girl over something like this.

Then, from the beginning, I have to collaborate with Lee Beomyun.

“This doesn’t make sense. If someone has made achievements, they should be appointed as a general, not given an ambiguous position like governor. I could understand it considering that I am a woman.”

I hadn’t even held a position like brigade commander; suddenly, I was just thrown into a governorship.

It was like a beggar becoming a prince overnight.

‘If you look at the history of Joseon, has there ever been a woman who held an official position?’ Even if there were, it would be rare, considering they were uneducated.

So, the fact that the emperor granted me such a special position shows that he made a major decision. But that’s just an excuse.

In the end, the position of governor is to oversee the military in that region, but it is not an official position in the Korean Empire.

“Tell me your thoughts.”

“The position is not even an official one in the Korean Empire. There’s definitely something fishy about this.”

No matter how I look at it, this is suspicious.

“Suspicious?”

It’s obvious that something suspicious is going on here.

The emperor doesn’t leave his subjects alone.

Looking at it, Fengtian already has an administrative facility for Manchuria, so that’s understandable.

“Look at southern Manchuria. And recently, Yeonggilri has been helping us with developing southern Manchuria to assist with our control over Gando. We are assimilating both the Manchu and Han people into our culture. We’re receiving attention from the British and the Japanese, and if the general gathers his forces and marches toward Hanseong, what then?”

This seems like a plan to make Lee Beomyun and I monitor each other.

That’s it.

“Are you saying that the emperor doubts my loyalty?”

Suddenly, Lee Beomyun glared at me, his eyes wide.

‘Loyalty?’ That man would suspect anyone who has gained enough merit to threaten him.

The Japanese are already eyeing Korea, and he’s someone who is obsessed with power and authority.

Don’t trust King Gojong.

King Gojong is now trying to keep us in check.

Although he initiated all of this, and even allowed us to act as governors of Gando, in the end, he’s still trying to control us.

“No, it’s not like that, but he’s trying to prevent us from growing stronger by making us check each other. Like a factional struggle. If we’re suspicious of each other, we won’t be able to grow stronger, and we’ll end up relying on the Korean Empire.”

In the end, we will naturally be incorporated into the Korean Empire.

Originally, that was the right thing for the Korean Empire, and since we’re Koreans, it’s natural.

But think about it from another perspective.

‘Should we leave the fate of Manchuria and Gando in the hands of someone who’s just playing these dirty tricks and who can’t even deal with the Japanese?’

No matter how you look at it, this is just a repeat of the Japanese annexation of Korea, with Manchuria and Gando added into the mix.

“But I have no such intentions.”

Even if I don’t want that, the situation is different.

Across the world, power struggles happen, whether you want them or not.

Even after the world collapsed, this flow didn’t change.

At first, soldiers who protected the survivors eventually became the ones who oppressed them for power.

Especially someone like King Gojong, with the Japanese pressure, will be even more inclined to do so.

“Even if we don’t want it, the emperor is trying to create such a situation. He is keeping us in check.”

He wants Lee Beomyun and me to check each other.

Logically, I’m not even a match for Lee Beomyun in terms of power.

‘Does King Gojong see me as such a threat?’