The White Countess of the East

The Foreign Minister, Ok Jin-seo.

Meanwhile, the Russian Empire had its rights and interests in Manchuria fully guaranteed. This bought them the breathing room needed to sort out their internal affairs, while the Korean Empire secured the funds required for complete independence and modernizing reforms.

“The Tripartite War between Korea, Russia, and Japan has ended in Japan’s defeat!”

“Of course it did. How could the yellow race ever defeat the white race?”

“It was only possible because of Korea’s Joan of Arc!”

“Korea survived thanks to Countess Ok!”

“Countess Ok annihilated the Japanese army and eradicated their evil. She is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the greatest loyal subject of all time!”

Across Europe, the prevailing opinion was that the war had ended as a conflict between Japan and the white powers, reinforcing the belief that the yellow race could never overcome the white race. At the same time, interest in Ok Jin-seo had never been higher.

In France they were calling her Joan of Arc, while in Russia she was celebrated as the Russian countess who led the Gando Army to victory. Most of all, the war correspondents who had followed the Russo-Japanese War had published a photograph of her that captured the public imagination. In the image, Ok Jin-seo stood with a blood-dripping military sword in hand, gazing up at the sky—an exotic and mysterious sight.

“I couldn’t tell from the photo alone, but is she really the woman who saved the Russian Tsarevich?”

“She looks quite different from your average Oriental.”

“The Russian nobility say her skin is as white as snow.”

It was absurd at first glance, yet Ok Jin-seo had become one of the hottest topics of gossip in Europe. After all, she hadn’t merely saved the Tsarevich—she had led an entire war to victory. How could people not be interested?

Of course, the fact that she had crushed two hundred and fifty thousand unarmed Japanese soldiers was quietly buried, blamed instead on Britain’s initial blunders. Even if Japan screamed that Korea had massacred unarmed civilians, it would only sound like the desperate cries of the defeated. No one would sympathize with them. After all, it was nothing more than the barking of the yellow race.

In contrast, Ok Jin-seo was no mere yellow-blooded figure—she had been personally acknowledged by the Russian Tsar. Naturally, people were bound to pay attention.

Around this time, word of Ok Jin-seo was also beginning to circulate in the German Empire.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“I wish to visit Korea!”

“Korea? You mean you want to see that Ok Jin-seo of theirs?”

Wilhelm II had grown curious about her as well. After all, she was the one who had saved Nicky’s son, Alexei. On top of that, France—their old enemy—was fawning over her, calling her the Joan of Arc of Korea.

“It seems Joachim has taken an interest in this woman called Ok Jin-seo.”

Empress Auguste Viktoria sighed, looking troubled.

“But Ok Jin-seo is a Russian countess who enjoys Nicky’s special favor.”

Wilhelm II pondered for a moment. It might not be such a bad idea. There was nothing to lose by building a personal connection with the famous Countess Ok whom Russia praised so highly. And since she was the one who had trampled those detestable Japanese, he couldn’t pretend to have no interest.

“Hmm. I was planning to revise our Far East policy anyway. This could work nicely.”

Germany was beginning to turn its eyes toward the Far East.

I read the newspaper that had come out that afternoon.

It was completely different from the Portsmouth Treaty of the original timeline. The Korean Empire—let’s just call it Korea from now on—had received two hundred million yen in reparations from Japan.

“They’re designating Korea as a buffer zone and neutral territory, while taking Tsushima and Imo-zaki as leased territories. Not bad at all.”

On top of that, we had secured Tsushima just as in the original history. And since the treaty made no mention of prisoners, Kuroki Tamemoto and his subordinates could rot here for the rest of their lives.

Now the real work of laying the foundation would begin. We’d start with light industry for the time being, then gradually shift toward heavy industry later.

“Surprisingly, Korea achieved quite a bit of economic growth.”

According to Japanese records, the Korean Empire’s GDP had reached around 850 dollars, placing it twenty-sixth in the world and second in Asia in terms of economic power. Since the Japanese themselves had recorded these figures while trying to colonize Korea, they were unlikely to be false.

The problem was that, considering how few countries existed in East Asia at the time, it only looked impressive because Korea wasn’t yet a colony. In the original timeline, this had happened around 1900. Still, it proved the country wasn’t without potential.

And a new emperor had ascended the throne.

Surprisingly, the new era name was decided to be Yeongrak. In any case, the previous emperor was dead. The current one had greatly expanded the nation’s territory and finally driven out the Japanese devils. So they had taken the era name from the time of King Gwanggaeto the Great and Emperor Yeongrak of the Northern Wei.

The country that had been on the brink of collapse had finally caught a lucky break. It was like a fish that had found water.

“But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I never expected to end up as Foreign Minister as well.”

I had originally planned to head straight to Shenyang. That made sense—my base was in Gando, after all. But because I was so fluent in foreign languages, they had saddled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me with the position of Foreign Minister. It couldn’t have been easy to hand such an important post to a mere twenty-year-old woman. Even Yi Beom-yun must have found it difficult. It felt like a stretch. Still, it was within the realm of understanding. Of course it was.

Having taken on diplomatic duties, I now had the obligation to meet with the various ministers—or rather, ambassadors—who had been promoted to that rank.

First was the Russian ambassador, Weber.

“It is truly an honor to meet the Countess Ok I have only heard about in words.”

“The honor is mine. You must have had a difficult time flattering the previous emperor.”

Weber, who had been close to the emperor only to be betrayed in the end. He probably didn’t have very fond feelings toward Korea.

“Hahaha. Honestly, given the situation in Korea, I can understand it to some extent. But it was still quite disappointing.”

Since he had shared a vague connection with Gojong and had protected Korea all this time, Weber must have felt a sense of betrayal. That was why I needed to soothe him gently here.

Although Manlyeokje Nicky—Nicholas II—was already helping me, it was still best to maintain friendly relations with the diplomats.

“It was all because he fell for the nonsense about handing over all of Manchuria. Really, even if they had obtained it, Korea’s capacity would never have been enough to defend it. They trusted Britain and Japan far too much.”

Just how stupid was Gojong to trust those two?! Of course, if I hadn’t helped Alexei, the Russian Empire might have turned Korea into a protectorate after the war. There was always that possibility.

But I had made Nicholas into Manlyeokje, and I had armed the Sapodae with weapons that Russia itself would struggle to equip its own troops with. The best happy ending for Gojong would have been to trust the mutual defense treaty, repel Japan when they invaded, and then cross over to the Japanese islands together. Unfortunately, his eyes had been completely blinded by the prospect of taking all of Manchuria.

“It was truly a foolish choice.”

“But instead of requesting an audience with the newly enthroned emperor, you came to see me separately?”

At my words, Weber gave me a look that said, Why are you asking something so obvious? Meeting Sunjong would be nothing but a waste of time. He would probably just stammer incoherently, and the Russian homeland would likely instruct him to compromise with me anyway.

“The truth is, it concerns the Gando issue.”

“Please speak freely.”

I already had a rough idea what it was. Although I had cooperated with the Viceroy of the Far East, I was still using Shenyang as my base. In other words, the exact boundaries of Gando had yet to be clearly defined. They were probably asking why I was occupying Shenyang in Manchuria when we had agreed to limit ourselves to Gando and not touch the rest of Manchuria. That must be the problem. Since the Manchurian matter fell under the authority of the Sapodae, it made sense that they would come to me.

“The territory of Gando is not clearly defined. We wish to settle this point definitively.”

“Hmm. The territory of Gando is roughly this much.”

I took out a map and drew lines across it. In truth, Gando wasn’t some tiny plot of land—it should encompass most of southern Manchuria. It would probably be about the size of the early Goguryeo kingdom’s territory.

“Isn’t that most of southern Manchuria?”

Come on, most of southern Manchuria? That’s unfair. Honestly, excluding Shenyang where I had set up my official residence, the actual territory was probably only about one-tenth of all Manchuria.

“No, it isn’t. It’s more like a long stretch extending upward, wouldn’t you say?”

“Hmm. However, His Majesty the Tsar will not yield on matters concerning territory to Korea.”

To Korea, yes. But what about to Ok Jin-seo?

For the current Korea, securing the population of Manchuria was essential if we wanted to increase our numbers. Of course, assimilation and integration would be necessary as well, but that could only be done now. When Korea—when the Sapodae—had the chance in Manchuria, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we had to assimilate them.

“I am not merely a Korean. I am also a Russian countess.”

Was I just a Korean? This was exactly the moment to make use of my Russian noble title. I was Countess Ok—nothing more, nothing less than a Russian aristocrat.

“That is precisely why. Countess Ok, you are in effect a subject of both nations. Yet in Russia it is merely symbolic. In reality, you are a subject of Korea.”

So he was telling me to choose. If I acted in Russia’s interest, southern Manchuria would become my fief. If not, I should be satisfied with that tiny corner called Gando.

“Please tell His Majesty the Tsar that this is the only way for a woman like me to expand my influence in Korea. As you know, Ambassador, I am a woman. Doesn’t His Majesty the Tsar wish for the Korean Empire to become a solidly pro-Russian state? To achieve that, I must demonstrate some degree of influence over southern Manchuria.”

Just looking at the name of the Korean Empire’s Manchurian Army showed that the government lacked firm resolve regarding Manchuria.

“Ah. That is true. Countess Ok, you are also a figure respected by many women across Europe.”

Of course. In this era, how could a woman be so active? What I ultimately relied on was foreign countries. The more I distinguished myself, the more foreigners would be fascinated by the heroic tale of a mysterious Oriental woman. The more I performed in the circus they desired, the less the Korean Empire’s conservatives would be able to touch me, no matter how much they disliked me, because I enjoyed foreign goodwill.

“Oh, this is rather embarrassing.”

But I pretended not to know and smiled shyly, giggling.

“But isn’t Korea effectively a neutral country? Becoming a pro-Russian state?”

“It depends on how far that neutrality is allowed to extend. Even a dog wags its tail for the owner who treats it well. How much more so for a country like Korea? I’m simply adding one more layer to that.”

Korea was not officially a neutral country. Britain knew we could change our stance at any time. They had accepted my casually tossed-out idea of Korea as a buffer and neutral zone only because they needed justification. In any case, they required a pretext for intervention.

Besides, just because I was talking with Weber didn’t mean this would immediately lead to an alliance between Korea and Russia or turn Korea into a pro-Russian state.

“Hmm. I understand.”

“I can personally persuade His Majesty the Tsar through the Viceroy of the Far East. I will have to meet him eventually anyway. As for our side, we must now reduce the military again and proceed with reforms slowly. We cannot afford friction with Russia.”

As long as Nicky cherished me, there would be no fighting. But if I didn’t handle this quickly, I had no idea how our current imperial family would react. Although Yi Beom-yun was Prime Minister, Lady Eom was being extremely sensitive.

“Please do so.”

The meeting with Weber ended on a relatively positive note. Of course, this was only possible once the Sapodae held complete military authority. That was why Sapodae officers had filled many positions among the Korean Empire’s capital garrison officers. We had prevented the military from splitting in advance. In the end, seizing control of the central army was the most important thing. We also placed officers in the Imperial Guard so that, in effect, the Sapodae could possess the entire military.

After all, the army had been greatly reduced. Of the eighty thousand troops, most had been conscripts. After the war, excluding those stationed in Gando, the majority had been sent back to their hometowns. Causing friction with Russia at a time like this would be insane.

Next up was the American minister who had snatched our Unsan gold mine—Horace Newton Allen.

“As expected of Korea’s Joan of Arc, you are truly beautiful.”

“You flatter me, Ambassador.”

I really didn’t like that crew-cut hairstyle of his. This was the bastard who had brazenly taken the gold mine. Looking at him now, I could practically feel the greed oozing from him.

Technically, since Empress Myeongseong had been the one to hand over the Unsan gold mine, he could use it however he wanted. But from my perspective, it was still infuriating.

“The reason I asked to see you today is—”

“It’s about the Unsan gold mine, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

He had been trying to beat around the bush and pretend otherwise, but when I struck the exact point, his face reddened and he nodded.

“Unfortunately, it was something that happened during the previous emperor’s reign. The Unsan gold mine is necessary for Korea’s finances.”

I had heard that the profits the United States gained from the Unsan gold mine were considerable. This Allen bastard had exploited Gojong to the fullest. Though to be precise, it had been Empress Myeongseong who gave it to him.

“Now see here, Administrator of Shenyang. There is such a thing as good faith between nations. Are you saying you intend to nationalize an asset in which investment has already been completed?”

This son of a bitch changed his tone immediately. Why did he think I couldn’t do it?