Chapter 102
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Magician of Leavenworth (6)
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Oota sometimes harbored serious doubts about the United States Army's rank system. And that sentiment hadn't changed even now.
The young man standing before him, Captain Eugene Kim.
Former acting brigadier general.
Hero of Cambrai and guardian of Amiens.
And a key figure in the Korean-American community across the Americas.
He couldn't be dismissed lightly just because he was young.
Nor could he be underestimated as some stiff-necked soldier.
Japan was full of overnight millionaires who had amassed staggering fortunes by capitalizing on this Great War, but it was a whole different story when a young officer not yet thirty became both a war hero and one of those millionaires.
Proceed with caution.
He needed to read this man's intentions and figure out if he could stand alongside the Empire.
To probe the true aims hidden in his heart, Oota began carefully laying the groundwork.
Oota Tamekichi.
Having passed the higher civil service exam, he became a diplomat, serving in places like Hong Kong and the Kwantung Leased Territory before spending long years active in North America—America, Canada, Mexico, and beyond. A true America expert.
This was his first time dealing with foreign diplomats. As a Japanese diplomat no less, his tension had reached its peak, but he couldn't let it show.
The atmosphere in the consulate was truly subtle.
It wasn't laced with enmity, but neither was it overflowing with unbridled goodwill.
Whew. Thrusting your head into a tiger's maw and putting on a circus act must feel like this. One wrong sneeze, and your head would come flying off in chunks.
"The reason I invited you here today is that I simply had to meet Captain Eugene Kim, the great hero of East Asia."
"Great hero? Hearing that sends shivers down my spine. Haha."
"It's been over a century since the various peoples of Asia began suffering under Western incursions. Admiral Togo showed the spirit of the Empire's men at sea, so naturally, a great general must emerge on land as well!"
"I always hold deep gratitude for the letter Admiral Togo sent me."
As they traded flattery, a junior staffer entered with a bottle of whiskey.
"This is one of the perks of a consulate. America's Prohibition doesn't apply here, so please drink without worry."
"It's been ages since my last drink. Thank you."
Clink.
The glasses touched lightly, and they each downed a full shot.
This wasn't just a casual meet-and-greet.
The reason for summoning him now was obvious enough. It had to be about his brother's wedding.
True to form for a diplomat, the conversation leaped across every topic imaginable.
Sashimi's so hard to come by these days; booze is getting scarce too; saw this play the other day, hilarious—have you caught it?; what cigarettes do you smoke?; dog person?; what do you do on days off? ...
Enough already.
I was wrong, so spare me.
I swear off diplomats from now on.
His energy was draining fast. It felt like all the coffee he'd had before was just a warm-up compared to this nonstop chatterbox auntie routine, and on top of that, he had to parse every word for hidden meanings. His brain felt like it was frying. His brain... his brain was quivering...
"How are the wedding preparations going?"
"I'm already married myself."
"Haha. Naturally, I'm referring to the wedding of Mr. Eugene Kim—no, Kim Yushin—the president of San-FranKo, the company feeding half of California. Isn't it the hottest topic among the well-connected folks in San Francisco these days?"
"I'm always off on assignments, never home, so Yushin's the real head of the household now. Father and he will handle it just fine."
Huh. Word had spread that far already?
Of course, the intelligence network at the top of this town's food chain was beyond imagination, so they might've caught wind somehow.
But was he seeing things cynically, or did dropping that topic feel like it had some ulterior motive? Was it just his imagination?
"As it's the esteemed Kim family's wedding, I'd love to show my face personally for such an auspicious occasion. If it wouldn't be an imposition, might I attend in a private capacity?"
"Of course. We'd be honored to have such a distinguished guest grace the event."
Honored my ass. Why are there so many people who actually want to die?
Dosan presiding over a wedding with the Japanese consul general. Chaos. Pure chaos. This is diplomacy for you.
"I had assumed someone of Mr. Yushin's stature would marry into one of those fine New York or D.C. families, but to think he's tying the knot with an Imperial daughter—truly a moving affair. Haha."
A sharp jab. Tricky one.
Saying "She's from Okinawa, not Japanese?" would be trouble.
Grinning and going along with "Yep, marrying a Japanese gal~" would be trouble too.
It felt like he was being led by the nose, but there was no choice but to flip the board here.
Eugene twisted his face into the ugliest scowl he could muster.
"I'm a born soldier, so I don't catch hints well. No point twisting words and building resentment—spit it out straight."
Act like this, and you'll hate it. Just say what you want outright!
Oota responded as if he'd been waiting, putting on an exceedingly Japanese display of abject apology.
"No, no, nothing of the sort. Since you insist on straight talk—and this is absolutely not my opinion or the Empire's—I must note that some of my subordinates worry whether Okinawan riffraff might cause trouble for the Kim family over this marriage."
"Riffraff? What could those thugs possibly do to our family?"
"You know how in-law relations can be so delicate—"
"Once a woman marries out, she's an outsider. As the saying goes, a wife follows her husband, so how dare some chit meddle in the family's major affairs? Who does that wench think she is, piping up on anything beyond household matters?"
In his modern mindset, this was clacking dentures beyond imagination, but it still played in this era.
"Precisely. Wise words indeed."
"Sounds like you're saying our family can't even keep its own house in order. When the hen crows, the household falls. If she gets uppity like that, she'll get a good whacking right then and there... tch!"
I'm a Taliban. A Confucian Taliban. Master of the Three Bonds and Five Morals, viewing XX chromosomes as subhuman—clack clack clack...
Oota was struck dumb by Eugene's self-hypnotic rant. What could he say? One more word, and it'd be an unforgivable insult.
He'd successfully parried the opponent's thrust.
Hesitate here, and this diplomat would open a new front.
Whether it killed or fed him, he had to counterattack and seize the initiative.
"Truth be told, I've been quite disappointed in your country lately."
"What? Has some Imperial subject offended you, Captain?"
"No. It's disappointment in your country itself."
A chill crept over his expression.
But hear me out. I've got a big gift box packed just for you today.
"I'm an American. My patriotism and loyalty are directed solely to the United States. But as an American, I believe reflecting the voices of all minority groups to the fullest is the true path for America."
"We're always grateful for your efforts, Captain. The Empire and Japanese-Americans thank you. If there's any misunderstanding, let's clear it up here."
He might be green at sweet-talking, but clinging to a script he'd written? That he could do. Let's go all in today.
"I don't act for the few tens of thousands of Koreans alone. My goal is for Koreans, all Asians, Blacks, Hispanics—every minority—to be treated as proud U.S. citizens."
"If you tell us plainly where we've disappointed you, we can help advance your noble ideals. The Empire always wants to stand with you, Captain."
"Fine. Let's lay it out. Your friends have been lobbying hard in D.C., and it's already splintering our voices. Minorities are scraping for scraps here and there without a clear target. No progress."
Tension flickered in Oota's eyes as Eugene's intent dawned on him.
"Lobbying, you say...?"
"What else? Immigration law, obviously."
Yeah. All your fault.
This reliable Eugene Kim is gearing up to fight the immigration bill on a national scale—why are you guys playing solo?
Bet he never saw immigration law coming out of left field like this. Gotta hammer him before he recovers.
If the immigration bill under discussion in D.C. passes as is, not only Chinese—already banned—but nearly all East Asians, Eastern Europeans, and minorities' immigration to America grinds to a halt.
Japan's naturally fighting it tooth and nail, but from his various channels, their lobbying was amateur hour.
Worlds apart from the economic powerhouse Japan of original history, pouring endless yen into relentless lobbying.
So why not outsource to me? Easy win.
"Why does your country and the Japanese-American community fracture minority solidarity instead of uniting for one voice? Splitting into Korean, Chinese, Okinawan factions? How am I supposed to fight freely in D.C. with a fractured rear?"
"As consul general, I work for Japanese and Japanese-American rights, but I can't intervene in their individual actions. I hope you understand."
"I see. Can't intervene. That's the Empire of Japan's stance. With a massive wave about to sweep away all Asians, the homeland washes its hands. Fine. I'll exclude Japanese-Americans and do my utmost for the ethnic groups that trust me."
"That's not what I meant. So you see Japanese-Americans as... potential allies in this cooperation?"
Incredulity dripped from his tone. Naturally.
"Let me say it again. I'm an American. I've never discriminated against Japanese-Americans."
"But isn't Japanese involvement in the Kim family's various ventures rather low?"
"Or is it the opposite? Japanese folks seem to steer clear of us just because we're Korean. As if someone high up is deliberately blocking them—"
"No, absolutely not. As I said, we don't control the Japanese-American community."
"Then there'll be no issue if I actively engage with Japanese-Americans."
"Th-that..."
Finally, the man was faltering.
Eugene had forced a choice on him.
Band together against the immigration bill.
In exchange, let the Kim family sink some hooks into Japanese-American society and grab a share of influence.
If he thought Eugene was hogging it all for Koreans, that'd be a mistake. This war hero was a cosmopolitan through and through. Trust him once—he'd carry the team.
Refuse here, and Eugene gained justification to clash moderately with Japan.
It wasn't him rubbing shoulders with disloyal Koreans. The Japanese rejected him first. Boo-hoo.
Accept, and with Tokyo's blessing, he could "cooperate" with Japanese-Americans across the board.
Like the Korean community now, offer education, jobs, protection—make them gradually reliant on the Kim shadow.
Perfect timing with the immigration bill and booming economy; the Korean scene proved it was manageable.
Then, when the Pacific ignites in 20 years, present the choice.
Meekly abandon everything for internment camps.
Or join him on the battlefield to prove loyalty to the Union.
Of course, only he knew that future.
To Oota, this proposal was too sweet to refuse.
Common sense said as long as America and Japan avoided war, it was a rational win-win.
Without asking, Eugene pulled a cigar from his pocket.
Victory cigars taste so damn sweet.
So, what's it gonna be?
Even after Eugene left, Oota kept knocking back the remaining whiskey and chain-smoking.
His mind was a mess. No, it was sorting out, but everything he'd calculated lay in ruins, demanding deeper thought.
He'd worried Eugene was a die-hard nationalist, deeply tied to those Korean independents, poised to oppose the Empire.
But meeting him, Eugene seemed more the sly politician.
"Korean independence? You think that's feasible? Unless you're a superhuman turning sand to rice or pinecones to grenades, how do you drive out the Imperial Army and liberate the peninsula?"
"Mutual benefit isn't the only basis for symbiosis. Sometimes, rivals trying to topple each other... make the perfect partners in solidifying positions."
To him, the independents, the Empire—even America—were mere partners to grasp or discard for status.
"I'd love more Koreans coming to America. Builds my power. Japanese, Chinese—doesn't matter. They'll all need a pillar someday."
"This immigration bill in D.C. is the storm we unite against for mutual gain. Don't you need my help?"
"Feels like I've been possessed by a ghost."
No matter how much he drank, the tightness in his chest lingered.
Of course, he couldn't buy all of Eugene's words wholesale. A Korean rubbing elbows with An Chang-ho indifferent to independence?
But the more Eugene poured into independence, the narrower his U.S. footing would get. Maybe he was timing a clean break from those terrorists.
Shed the "independent sympathizer" prejudice, view him as a rational politician—then the Empire of Japan was his ideal patron and fellow traveler! Odd no one had connected the dots sooner!
If.
If only.
If he, Oota, forged this partnership with Eugene.
A pipeline to America's—and Asia's—war hero.
Block the immigration bill, safeguard Japanese-American rights.
"They say lick the plate clean after poison."
A red carpet to ministerial heights shimmered before his eyes.