Chapter 52: The Prince of the Far East and the Jade Count Part 2

“A munitions factory in Manchuria, huh. What’s the reason?”

I already have an excuse prepared for the king.

After all, World War I is just around the corner.

“Regardless, I was granted a title by the Russian Empire and received the Tsar’s favor. If a war breaks out in Europe later, there’s a chance we’ll need to supply weapons to Russia.”

“For that reason?”

That reason alone is still our burden to bear.

‘If Russia enters World War I, then what?’

Later, if things get dangerous, they’ll demand I join the war under the pretext of being an ally.

They call it neutral ground, but I’ve still been given a title by Russia.

‘If Nicholas demands that I join the war, it’ll be hard to refuse.’

At that point, if I say I’ll supply weapons instead of troops, it changes the story.

I can use this situation to my advantage.

Of course, I won’t keep anything in Korea.

‘Who knows what the modernists might do with them?’ So I plan to place everything in Manchuria.

That way, I can solidify my influence in southern Manchuria.

‘If most of the weapon production facilities are based there, even the Imperial Court won’t be able to touch me.’

And before they try, I might take them down first.

Either way, having the facilities in Manchuria works in my favor.

Originally, I considered making Russia abandon Serbia to become a closer ally.

But despite Rasputin’s opposition, they still joined the war.

Even if I say something, it’ll be pointless.

To squeeze more out of Russia, I need to hold on until the Russian Civil War.

So they have to participate in the war.

For now, I need to have a plausible excuse prepared.

“Most importantly, it’s far from our potential enemy Japan, and it’s close to the easier target—Qing China. If war breaks out, it’ll be the perfect opportunity.”

China really is a perfect target.

For a while, Russia will act as a buffer zone, but sooner or later, I’ll have to fight the Chinese.

“If I get ahead in aviation and bomb them first, that’s even better.’

“Of course, if we do develop planes, it has to be kept top secret.”

“If I’m going to attack Japan head-on in the future, I need to be prepared.”

“So, you’re planning to run a munitions business under the name of Count Ok? Not just planes, but also rifles and cannons?”

“Is that not obvious?”

There’ll probably be Manchurians who return from Qing territory because they can’t survive there.

Though I doubt many would abandon their country.

Still, Manchuria has a different meaning for the Manchu people.

In terms of ideology, we’ll just wipe them out in the process.

“Yes. So I’d like your investment.”

“Hmm. Still, becoming an investor myself… I’m not so sure about that.”

He frowned, clearly displeased at the idea.

“Oh? You don’t want to be an investor? After all the profits you’ve made from the Yalu River?”

“I could mobilize the Manchurian army and nationalize all the Yalu River businesses under the Korean Empire.”

“But let’s keep that trump card for later.”

“I’ll only use it if this negotiation really breaks down.”

“I heard you made quite a profit from the last war?”

“Thanks to me, the Yalu River business didn’t collapse.”

“And you’re basking in the Tsar’s favor like never before. And you still won’t invest?”

“Ahem. Well…”

“To be blunt, you made quite a fortune from the Yalu River operations. Let’s be real. In this war, I could’ve sided with Japan and helped them drive Russia out.”

“If I had helped the Japanese army, things could’ve gone badly for Russia.”

The Tsar trusted my words.

So if I’d shared different strategies with the Japanese, I could’ve inflicted real damage on Russia.

Bezhobrazov, being a businessman, will surely understand what I mean.

“Ha. Even if Count Ok had taken Japan’s side, do you really think the Russian Empire would’ve lost so easily?”

Before Bezhobrazov could finish, I raised my hand to stop him.

Then I smiled wickedly and spoke.

“Even with me advising them, the Russians only managed to fight the Japanese to a standstill. They only truly won at sea. And even then, that’s considering the Far East army is weaker than Russia’s European forces. If I had sided with Japan from the start, the Tsar might’ve been overthrown by now. He could’ve ended up dying alone in Paris, chased by creditors.”

“Of course, I’m exaggerating a bit.”

In fact, the war started two years later than in our original timeline, which allowed Russia to mobilize some of its European troops.

Some of them were even deployed here to support the Far East army.

In all the ground battles where the Japanese were pushed back, it was thanks to those European units.

I’m saying this now to make a point: even with just the Far East forces, I could’ve handled things myself.

“You’re going too far.”

He looked flustered, his eyes trembling before he shook his head lightly.

“So what do you plan to do? I’m seriously considering making a proposal to Germany or France instead. I heard Germany plans to transfer warship technology to us, too.”

“Say one wrong word, and I’ll hand everything over to Germany.”

“So watch your mouth.”

I could either be Russia’s loyal Count Ok, or the one who supports Germany and stabs Russia in the back.

“Fine. I’ll support you. Not like I have a choice.”

“Sorry?”

“You have to support me?”

“His Majesty the Tsar has granted you administrative rights over southern Manchuria. It’s not much different from what you’re doing now, but officially, it means the land you currently manage is recognized as yours under the title of Count Ok.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

So Russia already understands our situation here in Korea.

That means they’re either trying to protect me or tie me down.

Either way, they want me to be dependent on Russia.

Russia’s playing a smart game.

‘Maybe the Tsar is simply showing me goodwill. But one thing’s for sure—he knows what’s going on here.’

In other words, Russia intends to protect me.

It’s called borrowing authority.

Honestly, it’s not a bad thing to use this.

It means I won’t be attacked from within Korea.

But with this kind of support, I won’t be able to use it to seize real power.

‘Hah. So this bastard came to test me from the very beginning.’

‘He probably calculated the investment already before even arriving.’

‘He just wanted to see if I’d be easy to manipulate—or not.’

***

Now that I think about it, this is pissing me off. How dare he try to toy with me like this?

“What would happen if we nationalized the Yalu River Timber Company?”

“What?”

“I mean, come on. Even if I look like this, I was granted a title by the Russian Tsar and am governing Jiandao. That timber company is located within my territory, isn’t it? Besides, the logging rights were originally granted by the late Korean Emperor himself.”

“In short: what are you going to do if I just nationalize the whole thing?”

“Let’s see how he reacts.”

“Frankly speaking, once the Russian Tsar is on my side, this business is inseparable from me.”

“Do you think the Tsar will just sit quietly if it’s nationalized?”

“His Majesty personally acknowledged even my lands. Nationalization may cause some tension, but if I offer something else of value, the story could change.”

In other words, I can make use of the Wanli Emperor too.

“Hah, so you’re saying you’re ready to take this to the very end?”

“Exactly. Let’s keep things civil between us.”

“You’re only a subject of Russia when it’s convenient for you, aren’t you?”

“You’re right. So what are you going to do about it?”

Historically, it’s not uncommon for people to accept government posts from other countries.

Even the rulers of Goguryeo and Baekje received titles from China.

Silla once conferred a title upon Balhae.

Goryeo was officially appointed as a kingdom by the Yuan, and after the Yuan was expelled, they even gave positions to people like Nahachu in Manchuria.

Joseon was founded with the permission of the Ming Dynasty, which even bestowed the national name.

The kings of Joseon were formally invested by the Ming.

“In the days when Korea was a vassal of China, the kings of Joseon were invested by the Ming as rulers. ‘We entrust you with the borderlands, and appoint you as king.’ It’s the same concept. Don’t you think Russia sees me in the same light?”

In other words, I’m in a similar position.

Foreigners receiving government positions in Korea isn’t unheard of either.

“Hah, unbelievable.”

“Balashov, right? The manager of the Yalu River Forestry Company.”

Now’s the time to start probing.

I’m already in an all-or-nothing situation.

I’m going to make it crystal clear who’s the master and who’s the servant here.

One of the key reasons you’ve been able to succeed is because of that forestry company.

And I could take it from you.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

He smirked, as if daring me to explain myself.

“How much do you think Balashov embezzled from the forestry operations?”

I smiled smugly, letting a lie slip out as confidently as I could.

To be honest, I have no idea whether he embezzled anything or not.

But in a place like this, whoever speaks louder wins.

Power defines justice, and if you insist that black is white, it becomes white.

Unfortunately for him, the Yalu River Forestry Company happens to lie within my territory—and on Korean land.

His representative might be stationed in Lushun, but I’m the one who can actually wield power.

“You think my representative would do such a thing?”

“Bezhobrazov scoffed, but… would he really know for sure?”

“This man still doesn’t fully understand the situation here in the Far East.”

“Which is exactly why I have to show him something he doesn’t have—I’m the master of Gando, and I can do whatever I want.”

“It might be true, or it might not be. But the point is, as the one managing Gando, I can use it however I please.”

Balashov has embezzled funds.

“And if I decide to forge the documents a bit, how would Bezhobrazov—sitting far away—ever find out?”

“What are you talking about? Are you seriously—?”

“Yes. That ‘seriously’ is exactly what I mean. I can fabricate a bit of debt however I like.”

“Depending on how I act, the entire situation can change dramatically.”

“One thing is certain—I can seize the Yalu River Forestry Company.”

“If I say I’ll do as I please, what are you going to do about it?”

“You’re planning to use that as leverage? Hah!”

He shook his head and laughed in disbelief.

“Yeah. I’m making it into leverage.”

“And it’s not like I’m doing this just for myself. Isn’t this beneficial for everyone?”

“Why are you reacting this way? I’m saying we can work together in peace. I’ll be the forestry company’s representative and bring in investments.”

“Now that the war on the Korean peninsula is over, the economy has just started to function again—after carefully handling Kuroki.”

“Of course, that process included using slaves (Kuroki’s First Army) to sustain a slave-based economy, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

“I’ll represent the company.”

“In return, hand over everything else to me.”

“At least I’m not demanding this without offering something in return.”

“If Russia collapses, I’ll just absorb everything this man owns in the Far East.”

“You’re saying you want everything, huh?”

“Not everything—just enough to clarify who’s really in control here.”

“Still, Mr. Bezhobrazov, wouldn’t it be reassuring to have someone like me on your side?”

Having someone capable of providing military force wouldn’t be a bad deal for him either.

He could use me as a way to pressure his political rivals.

“You’re saying you’ll be my strength?”

He looked at me with doubtful eyes.

“If you support me, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

“Isn’t that enough—to become each other’s ally?”

“Both you and I, in the end, need reliable allies.”

Sure, the nobility and the royal family already know my name, but there are still plenty of people in Russia who resent my presence.

“The military. The reformists. People who are bound to see me as a threat.”

“I’m Korean, after all. At least Rasputin was Russian—he was, at the very least, white.”

“You’re the most difficult woman I’ve ever dealt with.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

At least I didn’t have to resort to further threats.

Bezhobrazov always intended to go into business with me anyway.

With the Tsar’s direct order, he couldn’t ignore me.

‘If I pushed, he’d have no choice but to give in.’

‘So, what should I say next?’

“Have you decided on a name for the company?”

I hadn’t. Like always, I’d just been improvising.

This whole thing was just something I blurted out to throw him off balance and take a gamble.

Now that he’s suddenly bringing it up, I’m caught a bit off guard.

‘Manchuria Munitions Company’—that sounds decent enough.

“Manchuria Munitions Company.”

“As a name for a weapons manufacturer, it might sound a bit old-fashioned, but it’s not bad.”

“We can get design help from the ‘Daeyeok Gallery’, and Bezhobrazov and Choi Jaehyung can fund us from behind.”

Planes, guns, cannons—this company will produce them all.

It’s the perfect name for what will become the top arms manufacturer in the Far East.

“Manchuria Munitions Company… not bad. Hah, to think I’d fall for an Eastern woman like this. Unbelievable.”

He gave a shrug, as if he still couldn’t believe what just happened.

But this isn’t the end.

Suppose Russia even approves making me the lord of a countship.

‘In that case, shouldn’t they also help settle border issues, at the very least?’