Your Exile is Namwon (1)
Despite the surging crowd and the excitement stirred by my passionate speeches, I was disoriented, but with the help of Seo Gwang-beom and the Chief Secretary Park Jeong-yang, I safely left Gwanghwamun and returned to Uigeumbu.
Even as I boarded the carriage, Hanseong was consumed by frenzy under a single slogan.
The people in the square, inflamed by my speech, immediately poured out across the entire capital, beginning a nationwide resistance movement under the leadership of Kim Ok-gyun and the Enlightenment faction demanding the withdrawal of the Qing army. Watching this, King Gojong began appeasing them the next day by issuing a second apology to the people.
At that point, I realized there must have been some agreement between King Gojong and the Enlightenment faction leaders. It was too fast, even for the Qing.
“Ah! This foolish king apologizes to the people.”
The main points were actively promoting the withdrawal of the Qing army, releasing some personnel from the previous cabinet that Daewongun had reorganized, and apologizing for indiscriminate interrogations and detentions.
King Gojong, unlike before, sent people to Uigeumbu to keep his promises, or perhaps to show he was serious when the time came.
“Immediately, comfort the spirits of the wronged, and release the innocent.”
Right after King Gojong's announcement, Hong Sun-mok, the Chief State Councillor who shared my cell, was released first, and ministers in order of age returned home to be with their families.
I greeted Hong Sun-mok, who was staggering out of the prison with the support of his son Hong Yeong-sik.
“Be careful as you enter, Lord Chief State Councillor.”
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
The other cellmates also thanked me as they left after being exhausted from harsh torture and interrogation. Thanks to that, I felt a strange satisfaction that my hardships hadn't been in vain.
“You will return soon too.”
“Thank you for the time being, Shin Dong.”
“No, thank you all for your hard work.”
“Thank you.”
Not only military officers like Yang Heon-su and Shin Heon, but also Hong Yeong-sik, son of Chief State Councillor Hong Sun-mok, expressed gratitude and were released from the prison.
As they all disappeared from my sight, my tension eased, and I leaned against the prison wall and collapsed. It was because the events of the past week had been too harsh for a 7-year-old body.
“Ah, it was fortunate that I caused less trouble than I did...”
Yes, there must have been improvements. Most of those who needed to live survived, and some who should have died lived a bit longer.
As I was staring blankly at the floor of the empty prison where moonlight seeped through the bars, having seen them off to the end.
“… Your exile is to Namwon.”
“Uh! You startled me! When did you arrive?”
I jumped up in surprise, and there was a familiar white-faced man with a faint smile looking at me.
The man in the Western suit chuckled.
“Just now.”
“Wait, make some noise. And suddenly exile to Namwon? Where is Namwon?”
“Exile is exile, and Namwon is Namwon.”
At some point, Seo Gwang-beom, who had brought his face close to the bars in front of my window, pulled back his ghostly pale face when I made a fuss and started speaking.
“Thanks to you, we had quite a few close calls. People didn't die as much as we feared. First, thank you for that.”
“Huh? Why are you doing this!? Get up!”
“Thank you.”
Seo Gwang-beom bowed deeply to me. Not just a nod, but a full prostration! When I was startled, Seo Gwang-beom, who had snorted and wiped his nose with his fingers, stood up and said.
“You spoke well beyond imagination, making it easy to incite the people of Hanseong.”
“Incite?”
When I answered with a bewildered expression, he tilted his head.
“Hm? Wasn't it to incite against expelling the Qing army?”
“… I just spoke with sincerity.”
“Hm, hm, yes. People have different opinions. I respect you.”
He didn't probe further, perhaps sensing something or because he understood Western things too.
“As you know, today's public hearing was an event organized by the enlightenment faction members centered around us, demanding that the court and His Majesty accept our requests.”
“That’s right.”
“So, it means His Majesty desired that.”
When I agreed, he emphasized King Gojong's decision again.
“And the idea of exiling you to Namwon was also His Majesty’s thought.”
“Why? Aren’t the others innocent and released? And there is no record of sentencing children under 7 to corporal punishment in any capital of our country.”
“No.”
“But why-.”
“I said before. Because His Majesty wanted it, you.”
“…”
“By the way, it’s not innocent release yet; the matter hasn’t been settled. Most of them will have to travel abroad for a world tour on this opportunity.”
When I frowned, he gave a dry laugh and explained. No, warned.
“You, who hide deep grudges in your heart and hold values of the republic of the Western nations, if you are enlightenment faction members or awakened intellectuals in that position, there would be no one who doesn’t know. But now is not the time.”
“Hmph.”
“Our Joseon is still an absolute monarchy. A country that values feudal values and traditions more.”
“I can distinguish that much, my lord.”
After his explanation, I briefly looked up at the moon seeping through the bars. There were still many clouds.
I asked in a low voice.
“Is exile a product of compromise?”
To that question, Seo Gwang-beom answered.
“It is the result of negotiations not saying a word about the release of Daewongun.”
“His Majesty is still wary of this young boy with a topknot?”
“It’s just a headache.”
“That’s quite an honor. But why Namwon specifically?”
“The capital governor and the Hojo assistant governor expressed strong opposition, saying it would be too harsh to send you too far away.”
“Those people?”
“There were other minor officials who opposed. Your story has spread beyond the capital to Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces. By the way, don’t be disappointed that you couldn’t go to Miryang or Europe. The schedule was rushed, so I didn’t have time to arrange it.”
The current capital governor was Park Yeong-hyo, an enlightenment faction comrade, and the Hojo assistant governor was Yun Ung-ryeol, father of Yun Chi-ho.
“Hm, it seems they are pressuring from both moderate and radical factions not to oppose public sentiment anymore.”
Through conversation with Seo Gwang-beom, I began to understand the situation returning roughly.
“King Gojong, you now know that you are surrounded by enemies.”
Previously, the problem of me trying to provoke the Qing army and the prisoners in Uigeumbu must have been tangled in the middle, and the public sentiment of the Hanseong people, who were extremely negative about the Qing army’s stationing and intervention compared to history, played a part.
“Are they trying to untangle one by one.”
King Gojong presented carrots that were satisfactory to each: using the enlightenment faction as tools for me, or all who sided with Daewongun and were watching, and the old military and commoners who revolted in Hanseong, who were gradually becoming dissatisfied with Qing pressure.
Even if it meant his own pride was hurt.
“Release of Daewongun side personnel, minimize responsibility for the military rebellion, Qing army withdrawal, moderate government reorganization, starting modernization to some extent?”
Punishment of corrupt officials and punishment of the maternal uncle’s family is just lip service, and probably to appease the literati, the ‘Worship of Confucius and Mencius’ movement would start moving underground.
When King Gojong moved more nimbly than I thought, with a stiff expression, Seo Gwang-beom, misunderstanding, opened his mouth.
“It’s only 2 years. If short, you might go to Namwon and then the exile could be lifted immediately. It’s to formally punish you.”
“What? Ah, no. I’m not dissatisfied with exile.”
“Huh?”
To my answer that it wasn’t, Seo Gwang-beom looked at me with a serious voice.
“Whether the Qing will withdraw willingly is the biggest worry.”
“The Qing?”
“They wouldn’t have suppressed our rebellion with their service spirit. They will definitely demand compensation.”
“That’s obvious. We were prepared for that to some extent.”
“It’s not that. They will definitely make unprecedented demands in this country, so the pain and sorrow will be borne by the people. How can I not worry?”
“So much…?”
“It will be beyond imagination.”
Feeling something off in my expression and voice, Seo Gwang-beom asked with concern.
“You don’t miss what we don’t see. You are wise, as felt in the public hearing. Can you guess what the Qing will demand from us?”
“What?”
“Military to diplomatic. Explain the things that could affect the government of this country.”
To his request, I pretended to think for a moment and then spoke.
“First, diplomatic rights.”
“Diplomatic?”
“If Joseon, which was sleeping late, wants to stretch its legs, it needs to maintain relations with Western powers and governments of all nations to show hope, but the Qing will hinder it by wanting to keep Joseon as its vassal and protectorate forever.”
“Subjugation.”
Indeed, they tried all sorts of schemes through the Sino-Korean Regulations for Maritime and Overland Trade to economically and diplomatically isolate Joseon and turn it into their subjugated state.
“They don’t want us to communicate with the world.”
“More simply, they want to isolate us from the world.”
“Hm.”
“Never overlook their schemes. This is not just subjugation. The Qing’s goal is to turn Joseon into a protectorate and colony as per the Public Law of All Nations.”
Seo Gwang-beom, groaning at my words, took out a notebook from his Western coat and started scribbling urgently.
“Restriction on diplomatic rights, then what?”
“Next, I will reach out to the army of this country.”
“As a layman in military affairs, I can’t guess. What example?”
“Along with the sweet temptation of reforming the military system, they will propose to provide uniforms, rifles, and various firearms for free. Then it’s over. Except for the topknot, the army of this country will all change like the Qing army.”
“… Yes, I see. Military system, military system.”
He reacted sensitively to the word military system, then sighed and confessed honestly.
“In fact, His Majesty already had some secret exchanges with Qing commanders.”
“Really?”
“I heard it indirectly, so I don’t know details. But His Majesty despises the rebels who caused the military rebellion and the useless gold army who guarded the palace. So, he tried to seek help from the Qing army and reform the military system from the beginning.”
I hit my forehead in surprise at Seo Gwang-beom’s story and shouted.
“Impossible! Would the court ministers just watch that?”
The reform of the Joseon army under the Qing army’s influence would be in 2 years at best. Was the threat King Gojong felt from the changed history due to my intervention greater than I imagined?
“It’s just the beginning of the story. It’s not that a formal meeting was held to plan it. Even now, you and your advice can prevent the Qing’s sinister moves, and the ministers will have to devise countermeasures. What else?”
When I was too surprised, Seo Gwang-beom waved his hand and continued to calm me.
“Diplomatic, military, then economic. Or revising the trade regulations?”
“Yes, you guessed right.”
“Obviously. That’s a problem we enlightenment faction members were also concerned about. Smuggling at the border is inevitable, and not only the Qing but also our country has a big problem, so the practical people felt the need for modern trade rules between the two countries as soon as possible.”
“But our country, which owes a big debt to the Qing, may not easily get equal treaty promises.”
“That’s right, I’m worried about that too.”
I let him think for a moment and pondered. Indeed, would our Joseon get nothing from this treaty?
“No, there is.”
Suddenly, I thought of something I didn’t miss and asked Seo Gwang-beom.
“Or, is the person dispatched as an attaché to the Beiyang Minister’s representative this time Ma Jianzhong?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Good. Even if the historical flow changed, there were things that didn’t change.
“Ma Jianzhong is not just a villain. He emphasizes the most-favored-nation clause and changed the regulations through negotiations to change the unfair treatment Joseon received from Japan.”
Moreover, the Fang Guiling shield well-known today was a decision directly arranged by Ma Jianzhong. Ma Jianzhong would allow more constructive dialogue.
“Just not Yuan Shikai. First, aim at that side and make the next treaty on an equal table.”
I immediately relaxed and started conveying my thoughts to Seo Gwang-beom.
“Then it’s fortunate. Minister Ma is not only a talented person with rich learning and experience from studying in China early on, but also a moral scholar.”
“How do you know that…?”
“That’s not important.”
To his expression of not knowing, I shook my head and continued explaining that it wasn’t important now.
“Other things are not needed. Before negotiating, emphasize only one thing to the Beiyang Minister and the attaché.”
“What?”
“The more favorable the treaty to the Qing, the more it means that the Qing is supporting the increasing Japanese influence in Joseon in the future. Urge that a strong subjugation fence is necessary for the empire’s borders to be peaceful. Even if you explain it like this, Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang will understand the meaning.”
“Japan?”
To Seo Gwang-beom’s question, I answered firmly.
“Yes, what the empire fears is not extinction but contempt. Li Hongzhang will understand the meaning of that word, so he won’t aim for small things for big ambitions. Remember that.”
The reason they intervened immediately in Hanseong’s rebellion today was to prevent the spread of a large-scale bloody incident in Joseon, as it was happening in Vietnam after losing suzerainty due to France.
“It’s not that they are just threatening us.”
If we mention Japan, Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang can easily understand the meaning.
Perhaps.
Meanwhile, while I was in Uigeumbu, exchanging with enlightenment faction members and building connections, what was Heungseon Daewongun doing in Tianjin?
“Haha, Lord Daewongun. I have a young daughter getting married this time, so just one picture…”
“Hey! Is the order not visible here?”
“Joseon father-in-law! Please give just one set of characters to this frail old man with little time left!”
“Teacher, teacher!”
“If it’s money, I’ll give as much as you want! Just one!”
Literally explosive popularity, the Tianjin taishoufu was in a frenzy with Qing nobles rushing in upon hearing Daewongun’s prestige.
“Haha, everyone line up.”
“Move aside! Move aside!”
“Beiyang Minister, open the way!”
At that time, Daewongun, looking at the scene with a satisfied expression, narrowed his eyes at the soldiers who appeared with a thunderous voice in the middle of the crowd.
“Hm?”
There, behind several flags and spears, an old man of the same age with a similar bearing but stern eyes was approaching me, staring at me.
He was the real power of the Great Qing Empire, Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang.
“Why is Your Excellency in this humble place?”
“Allow me to forgive the rudeness of not coming down from Beijing for a while. There were too many urgent matters to handle.”
“Forgiveness? I don’t care at all.”
After exchanging brief pleasantries, they moved to a small corridor inside the taishoufu.
“Have you heard the news from Hanseong?”
“Since security is so tight, I haven’t heard anything.”
“I’m sorry. Due to the court’s decision, I can’t give you complete freedom, but I will personally order a simple envoy.”
Daewongun, sending a suspicious look at the improved attitude of Beiyang Minister, bowed in thanks.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“More importantly, the reason I came to see you today is to talk about the Joseon issue.”
“What?”
“There are quite a few radical friends among the Joseon people. They say to withdraw our suzerain’s army or call it occupation.”
“Is that so?”
When Daewongun tried to answer with ‘That’s really fortunate.’ to Li Hongzhang’s worrisome voice, he barely lowered the corners of his mouth and turned his back.
“Our people don’t listen even if we scold them a hundred times with a twisted face. Let them try it.”
Laughing inwardly, Daewongun was about to say something when he heard Li Hongzhang’s continued story, which conveyed the king’s rational and reasonable monarch, and his son’s foolishness, and almost lost his composure.
“Even so, it is truly fortunate that the Joseon king is a rational and reasonable monarch. Taming the people well, releasing the troublesome ones who were imprisoned without guilt, or light exile, or deportation abroad as diplomatic envoys. As an old man who was worried that a large-scale bloody incident might occur in Joseon, it is truly fortunate.”
“Innocent release? And light exile?”
“Yes. What’s the problem?”
Li Hongzhang, thinking something was off with Daewongun’s reaction, turned his head, and Daewongun clenched his fists tightly, biting his teeth and answering.
“Why don’t you strongly punish the traitors?”
“The story is strange. If they are traitors, you are the one we are detaining, who is now admitting guilt yourself? And where is there a father in this world who wishes his son to become a tyrant, Daewongun.”
“A tyrant is also a monarch!!!”
Daewongun’s sudden shout startled Li Hongzhang, who stopped and looked back at him. But ignoring it, the embodiment of politics who had once thrown everything away for desire shouted.
“A tyrant is also a monarch! Tyrant, tyrant!”
In a foreign land across the sea, Heungseon-gun resented his foolish son.
After all, if one is a monarch, one must be prepared to have one’s blood all over one’s body.