The Viceroy of the Far East and Countess Ok
"From their perspective, I must look like some mysterious hero from the East. That’s probably why they’re interested. After all, I did save the Russian crown prince."
European royal families were all tangled together by blood anyway.
So of course rumors would fly and spark curiosity. Even if countries were rivals or outright hostile, the royals still kept in pretty close contact.
"I see."
"At this rate I’ll have to make a personal tour of Europe someday. At the very least I need to brand myself into the minds of every European power that looks at me favorably. Too bad His Imperial Majesty is in the middle of an audience right now. Negotiations are going to be a pain. Looks like I’ll have to hustle on the diplomatic front too."
I’d dangled the bait.
I’m over here working my ass off while a girl way younger than you is carrying a mountain of ridiculous restrictions and still grinding. Don’t you think it’s about time you said something?
"If there is anything I can assist you with, please let me know at any time."
Right on cue, our professional traitor Yi Wan-yong spoke with perfect confidence.
Unlike Lady Eom, he was genuinely courteous, like a man who had finally found a solid rope instead of a rotten one.
In other words, he was stepping into my camp.
"Let’s normalize diplomatic relations with Japan."
Normalizing diplomatic relations with Japan.
Of course, the two sides had crossed the line long ago. We were fated to be enemies. Still, both Korea and Japan needed breathing room. For that to happen, we had to restore formal relations for now.
Just as Tokugawa Ieyasu had established the shogunate and normalized ties with Joseon, we needed to attempt the same.
Those bastards were already finished. They would probably spend the next few years desperately trying to stabilize their internal affairs, but it would take a long time.
In the meantime, restoring relations with their mortal enemy Joseon would buy them time and give them access to cheap grain. A pretty decent offer, all things considered.
Of course I had zero intention of going in with a submissive attitude. That part was Yi Wan-yong’s job.
"With Japan, sir? But diplomacy falls under the Minister of Foreign Affairs—"
Yes. Diplomacy is my jurisdiction.
Why am I pushing this onto you? Our professional traitor probably already knows the answer.
"Of course I should handle it myself. But I believe the Minister of Education already understands why that’s difficult at the present moment."
Diplomacy was one thing; this was another.
If I personally went to normalize relations, what would people say? Even if someone else went it would be acceptable, but if I went there would be endless chatter.
Above all, if he truly meant to help me, this was the bare minimum he should do.
I narrowed my eyes and stared at him. Yi Wan-yong stroked his mustache once before speaking.
"So you want me to resolve it personally."
"It won’t be easy, but they won’t be in any position to refuse."
Yi Wan-yong was good at running his mouth. When Gojong was alive and chose alliance with Japan, he probably tried to cozy up to them, right?
In that case, sending Yi Wan-yong was the correct move.
"But wouldn’t it still be better for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to go personally?"
Look at this guy. Trying to back out?
"Hm. Are you afraid of being attacked like those Japanese dwarfs?"
"That is not it at all. Rather, compared to a desk-bound person like myself, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who personally captured Japanese soldiers—that is, the Administrator of Southern Manchuria—would make a far better impression. The Japanese are weak before the strong and stronger than anyone before the weak. Because Joseon was weak, they bowed to the stronger Britain while tormenting us. But the situation has changed. And that is because of your existence, Minister. They harbor hostility toward those who defeated them, yet they also have a habit of worshiping and praising such figures. Wouldn’t it leave a stronger aftertaste if you went instead of me?"
Whoa, this bastard’s brain works pretty well?
It really wasn’t because he feared for his life. In fact, I recalled that Kim Si-min and even our hero Yi Sun-sin were treated favorably in Japan.
Considering that, it probably was better for me to go personally.
Which meant the guy who had just explained all this while claiming he would help me was actually planning to do nothing?
"Indeed, that makes sense. So, Minister of Education, you’re just going to sit back and enjoy the show?"
What are you going to do?
Considering how you sold out the country in the original timeline, it feels like your head is full of schemes to devour me.
"I will go to Qing."
"Qing?"
That made sense. Our relationship with Qing wasn’t good either. We had squeezed development funds for Gando on the condition that we wouldn’t touch Nurhaci and Hong Taiji’s remains.
That money had ended up in the pockets of those Hongseongguk bastards who were developing Gando in British fashion. The relationship there wasn’t great either.
If they hadn’t been one of the great powers, the Qing dynasty would have been in real trouble.
What exactly was he planning to get out of Qing?
Since we held the remains of Nurhaci and Hong Taiji, they couldn’t kill Yi Wan-yong. He knew that and was trying to get a free meal.
"Indeed. So you thought that far ahead."
If he tries to eat me with this I’m going to be disappointed.
"Won’t Qing collapse before long?"
As expected from Yi Wan-yong.
Since Qing would collapse soon, he was going to go there and do some victory-lapping. That was what he meant.
How much time was left until the Xinhai Revolution? It was 1909 now. Less than three years. And since they had been beaten so badly in Manchuria, it might collapse even faster than in the original timeline.
Considering that, sending Yi Wan-yong should be fine.
"That’s right. It won’t last long."
The silver lining was that we had already squeezed everything we could from Qing before its fall. We got the Gando development funds, after all.
Once Qing completely collapsed, Gando would become even more stable. The Manchus would likely accept our rule without much resistance.
Russia was still present anyway. At least while China remained divided, targeting Gando would be difficult.
With the table already set, I was genuinely curious what Yi Wan-yong would do and bring back from Qing.
"We cannot afford to keep the Japanese at our backs while remaining hostile to them. I will do my utmost to improve relations with Qing."
Huh? Improve relations?
"Improve relations?"
Yi Wan-yong was going to Qing to personally attempt to improve relations?
"Though I may not look it, I have held a cabinet position since the time of the previous emperor. I will devote myself to this country and work to improve relations with Qing."
Of course Yi Wan-yong wouldn’t believe I genuinely wanted improved relations. He must have something else in mind.
From his perspective, he needed to look good to me right now, so he would at least try to prove his value.
Fine. Go ahead and wag your tail.
As long as my dog does his job properly, I’ll keep using him to the end. If he performs really well I’ll give him the Hwang Hui ending. If his usefulness runs out, I’ll boil him and eat him.
"I’ll trust you this once."
At a point where blackmail was possible, improving relations didn’t mean much anyway.
Yeah. If we gained anything, it would probably be Qing’s renunciation of its claim on Gando.
It wasn’t like we were going immediately. I’d wait and see what picture Yi Wan-yong was drawing.
A few days later, Joachim returned home.
There wasn’t much I could do for Joachim, who must have been disappointed after meeting Geumjjok-i. All I could offer was the fact that we had crushed the Qing army and defeated Japan.
"This visit to Korea must have been disappointing for you."
"It was a little disappointing, but it was interesting enough."
"Instead, I’ll write a book about General Yi Sun-sin later and send it to Germany."
He had shown a lot of interest in General Yi Sun-sin.
"Oh, I would be most grateful."
"And if the opportunity arises, I will visit Europe myself someday."
If I went, I needed to travel through France, Britain, Germany, and so on, promoting myself everywhere.
How about taking the Siberian railway to visit Russia again, then Germany, France, and finally Britain?
Britain was a country we had to keep in check, but there was no need to openly show that Korea was wary of them.
"Is that true?"
Joachim beamed.
That was fortunate. The way he looked at me wasn’t with the eyes of a man looking at a woman, but with the eyes of someone gazing at something he respected.
If, as Nam Sang-deok had said, Kaiser Wilhelm had really sent him with marriage in mind, it would have been incredibly annoying.
"Of course. So please look forward to our next meeting."
"Yes. Then I shall await that day."
I couldn’t tell him I wouldn’t go while looking at that smiling face. Since I had to visit Europe at least once, promising this much for now was enough.
I never thought the day would come when I would write a book about General Yi Sun-sin.
Still, it’s fine to add some nationalistic flavor when it comes to him.
"We will also help ensure that your returning navy can possess powerful warships and skilled sailors. We will cooperate on submarine technology as well."
"Yes, you can discuss that separately with our navy."
I had asked Cooper to prioritize technology transfer for submarines.
The navy only needed to be strong enough to protect our own waters and deliver one good hit to Qing or Japan before withdrawing.
"Administrator of Manchuria. A man named Choi Sa-jang from Primorsky Krai has come to see you."
"Ah, I know him. Tell him I’ll come out to greet him personally."
What Choi Jae-hyung would bring was probably related to Bezobrazov.
I needed to look into Bezobrazov quickly.
That makes sense. So I can threaten the guy moderately.
He said he didn’t know the situation? Then if I throw my weight around and act like a lunatic, what can he do?
"Should I dig a little deeper?"
To be honest, I could just ask everything while prepared to be blocked.
The thought crossed my mind for a second, but I shook my head.
This was enough.
Once history changed, everything afterward would change too. The alternate-history gallery posts would change as well. There was no real need to know everything.
It was fine to just toss out questions like this from time to time.
Asking everything at once would be too much.
Alright. That should do it. Time to go see Choi Jae-hyung.
As expected, when I met Choi Jae-hyung this time he brought a white foreigner with him.
I had never seen the man before, but judging by the atmosphere, it had to be Bezobrazov.
"You’re busy as always. Hm? And this gentleman is…"
I already knew exactly who he was, but I pretended not to.
"This is the Viceroy of the Far East himself. Didn’t I tell you?"
Ah, so it really was that Bezobrazov.
I widened my eyes in feigned surprise, looking at Bezobrazov as if I had only just realized.
Right after the German prince left, Bezobrazov had come to see me. Didn’t that mean I was pretty popular?
I should greet him first.
After all, a viceroy was far higher in rank than a mere countess like me. Strictly speaking, I should have gone to him first.
Since he had come to me personally, the proper thing was to bow and scrape a little.
"Viceroy of the Far East, Bezobrazov. I had heard about Countess Ok from President Choi here and was quite curious."
Bezobrazov had the face of a businessman.
At the same time, he had the face of a complete con artist. The kind of face that looked like it would lose everything in the stock market.
"I see. In that case, did you also hear what I told President Choi?"
The airplane. The airplane.
Hey, if you guys learn about this you’re going to be ridiculously impressed, you know?
It means we can rush the airplane tech tree ahead of everyone else.
If we build it in secret and unveil it in war, it would be perfect. The First World War might even end in victory under Russian leadership.
Of course, from our perspective, if we want to swallow Primorsky Krai we’d still end up getting hit with the tactical nuke called Lenin and face a revolution like in the original timeline.
"Yes. You mean that military airplane."
"Would you be interested in working on it together?"
"If I monopolize this thing, what are you going to do about it?"
Monopolize the whole thing? Is that even possible?
I could just post on the alternate-history gallery saying “I’m preparing a novel—” and ask.
"No matter what, would you really take something that belongs to the person who saved His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince?"
No matter how much favor you enjoy, there are others who can replace you. But there is only one person who saved the crown prince. That was what I meant.
Bezobrazov’s face crumpled at my words.
Given the current situation, Rasputin was definitely gone. So this guy could take that position, but at the very least we should stay on good terms, right?
"Hah. Fine. If we produce this military airplane, where exactly do you plan to produce it?"
"Yes. Please provide some funds. I intend to begin full-scale weapons production in Manchuria."
We would arm the Manchurian army with the weapons produced there.
Many Koreans had already crossed over.
It wouldn’t be an army of only Han and Manchu people; Koreans would be part of it too.
Once factories were built, we would bring in laborers as well. Koreans would move to Southern Manchuria to work in the factories, and they could bring their families.
Manchus and Han people would join them, and Southern Manchuria would naturally assimilate into Korea.
