The Viceroy of the Far East and Countess Ok (2)
The Viceroy’s question already had an answer prepared. Because World War I is coming, you see.
“In any case, I have received a title from the Russian Empire and enjoy His Majesty the Tsar’s favor. If war breaks out in Europe later, there may come a time when I need to supply weapons to Russia.”
“For that reason?”
For that reason? Even that much is something we have to bear. If Russia joins the First World War, what happens? Later, when things start looking dangerous, they’ll call me their ally and demand that I join the fight. They may call it a neutral zone, but I hold a Russian title after all. If Nikolai asks me to participate, it’ll be hard to refuse. That’s when offering weapons instead of troops would change the story. I get to use them for my own purposes too.
Of course, if I placed those facilities on the Korean Peninsula, the pro-Qing faction would find some way to exploit them, so I plan to put them in Manchuria instead. That way I can also solidify my influence over Southern Manchuria. If most of the weapon production facilities are located in Manchuria, even the imperial family won’t be able to touch me. Or rather, I might strike the imperial family first. Either way, placing them in Manchuria benefits me.
Originally I’d considered abandoning Serbia to keep Russia more friendly, but despite Rasputin’s opposition they still ended up joining the war. There’d be no point in me saying anything. Since I need to squeeze some gains out of Russia before the Russian Civil War, they have to participate in the First World War. For now, I just need to prepare a suitable excuse in the middle ground.
“Above all, it’s far from our potential enemy, Japan. And it’s close to the Qing, who are easier to deal with. So if war breaks out, it’ll be the perfect place to target.”
It’s perfect for aiming at China. Russia will act as a buffer for a while, but eventually we’ll have to fight those Chinese bastards. If I secure airplanes first and strike them with those, it’ll be even better. Of course, even if I build airplanes, I’ll have to keep them strictly secret. After all, when I eventually attack Japan openly, this much preparation is necessary.
“So you intend to run a military enterprise under the name of Countess Ok. Not just airplanes, but rifles and artillery as well, I suppose.”
Why ask something so obvious? There will be Manchus who find life unbearable in the Qing and return to Manchuria. Of course, how many people would actually abandon their country? Still, at the very least, Manchuria means something different to the Manchu people. I can simply brainwash them with new ideological concepts during the process.
“Yes. So please invest a little.”
“But it’s a bit much for me to become the investor myself.”
He frowned as if the idea left a bad taste in his mouth. Huh? You don’t want to be an investor? You’re making a fortune from the Yalu River business. I could seriously mobilize the Manchurian army and nationalize the entire Yalu River enterprise under the Korean Empire. Let’s save that worst-case scenario for later. I’ll pull it out only if negotiations here don’t go well.
“I heard you made quite a profit from this war?”
Thanks to me, the Yalu River business didn’t collapse. Your luck is through the roof and the Tsar’s favor reaches the heavens. And you can’t even manage one investment?
“Ahem. That’s…”
“Frankly, you’ve earned a lot from the Yalu River, haven’t you? Let’s think about our positions. In this war, I could have helped Japan instead and pushed Russia back.”
If I had helped the Japanese army, Russia would have been the one in danger. The fact that the Tsar immediately believed my words shows that I could have given Japan different strategic advice and inflicted damage on Russia. As a businessman, Bezobrazov should understand what I’m saying.
“Hah, even if Countess Ok joined their side, would the Russian Empire have lost so easily?”
I raised my hand to stop him before he could continue, then spoke with a wicked smile.
“Even though I gave them countermeasures right away, they only fought Japan on equal terms. They did achieve a major victory in the naval battles, of course. Though we must consider that the Far Eastern army is inferior to the main Russian forces from Europe. If I had sided with Japan from the beginning in that situation, Russia would have been in serious trouble by the end of the war. You, Your Highness, might have fallen from grace, chased by creditors, and died an exile in Paris.”
Of course, this was mostly exaggeration. In reality, because the war broke out two years later than in original history, Russia had been able to move its main European forces. In fact, some units had been dispatched here and joined the Far Eastern army. In this war, every battle where the Japanese army was repelled on land was thanks to those European troops. The reason I’m saying this now is to imply that even fighting only with the Far Eastern army, I was still able to handle them. If I had helped Japan from the start, it would have been a completely different story.
“You’re going too far.”
He looked flustered, his eyes trembling, then shook his head lightly as if trying to regain composure.
“So what do you intend to do? I’m being serious. I could make the same proposal to Germany or France right now. After all, I heard Germany is transferring warship technology to our country this time.”
One wrong word and I could hand everything over to Germany. So watch your behavior. Will I become the Russian Countess Ok who helps Russia, or will I become the one who supports Germany and stabs Russia in the back?
“I understand. I’ll help. I have no choice but to help anyway.”
“Pardon?”
No choice but to help?
“His Majesty the Tsar has granted you administrative rights over Southern Manchuria. It won’t change much from the current situation, but it means he will officially recognize the lands you currently administer as the territory of Countess Ok.”
Hmm, so that’s how it is. Russia already understands the situation in our Korea. So whether they intend to protect me or absorb me, they’re trying to make me dependent on Russia. Russia is playing their cards well. It could be that the Tsar simply wants to show me goodwill, but what’s certain is that they at least understand the situation here. In the end, this also means Russia will protect me.
They call it borrowing the tiger’s might. Honestly, using this would be good, but if I do, even though I won’t have to worry about being criticized in Korea, I won’t be able to seize that power with this strength. Hah, now I see this bastard was testing me from the beginning. He had already calculated the investment before coming here. He just wanted to see if I was an easy woman or a troublesome one. Thinking about it now, it really pisses me off. How dare he try to shake me around like this?
“What if we nationalize that Yalu River Forestry Company?”
“What?”
“Well, isn’t it true? As unimpressive as I may look, I have received a title from His Majesty the Tsar of Russia and govern Gando. Isn’t the Yalu River Forestry Company a business located within my fief? Moreover, the original logging rights were granted by the late Korean Emperor.”
In short, what are you going to do if I just nationalize it? I’m testing the waters first. After all, at the point where the Russian Tsar is taking my side, this man’s business can never be completely separated from me.
“Do you think His Majesty the Tsar would stay quiet if you nationalize it?”
“His Majesty is the one who even recognized my land. Nationalization might strain our relationship, but if I inform him of something even better, the story will change.”
It also means I can use the Wanli Emperor card.
“Hah, so you want to see this through to the end?”
“Exactly. So let’s get along nicely.”
“You only call yourself a Russian subject when it benefits you.”
That’s right. So what are you going to do about it? From the beginning, receiving official positions from other countries has been common throughout history. The monarchs of Goguryeo and Baekje received Chinese titles, Silla granted titles to Balhae, and Goryeo was invested as king by the Yuan. Later, after driving out the Yuan, they granted titles to Nahachu of Manchuria. Joseon received its very name from the Ming at the start, and there was a formal system of investiture for Joseon kings.
“In the days when Great Han was a vassal of China, the King of Joseon was invested as king by the Ming. ‘We entrust you with the frontier lands and enfeoff you as king.’ That’s the meaning. From Russia’s perspective, isn’t my position similar?”
It means I’m in a similar situation. There have also been cases of foreigners receiving official positions in Korea.
“Hah, I see.”
“His name was Balashov, wasn’t it? The manager of the Yalu River Forestry Company.”
It was time to test the waters properly. I was going all-in now. I would make the hierarchy between superior and subordinate crystal clear. One of the factors that allowed you to succeed was the Yalu River enterprise, and I could take it from you.
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
He let out a short laugh and looked at me as if to say, go ahead and speak.
“How much money do you think that man has embezzled from the forestry operations?”
I laughed arrogantly and boldly, slipping in a lie. I had no idea whether he had actually embezzled anything or not. But here, the one with the loudest voice wins. The one with power defines justice, and can even insist that black is white. Unfortunately for them, the Yalu River Forestry Company is sandwiched between my fief and the Korean Peninsula. Although the agent is in Port Arthur, the one who can wield real power is me.
“Do you really think my agent would do such a thing?”
Bezobrazov snorted, but would he really think that? This man still doesn’t fully understand the situation in the Far East. So I need to show him that, unlike him, as the master of Gando I can do whatever I want.
“It could be true, or it could be false. But to me, who administers Gando, it’s the perfect excuse to use. That’s what I’m saying.”
If Balashov has embezzled, and I simply fabricate the evidence appropriately, how would Bezobrazov, stuck far away, ever know?
“What exactly are you saying? Surely you don’t mean…”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I can create as much debt as I want.”
Depending on what I do, the situation will change drastically. What’s certain is that I can seize the Yalu River Forestry Company. I’m saying I’ll do as I please, so what are you going to do about it?
“You’re going to use it as an excuse? Hah!”
He turned his head sharply, laughing as if he was speechless. Yes. I have to make it an excuse. And is this really just for my own benefit? It’s for everyone’s benefit. Isn’t it?
“Why are you acting like this? It means let’s both benefit. I will become the agent of the Yalu River Forestry Company and receive investment as well.”
The Korean mainland had finally begun to see its economy recover after the war ended and they thoroughly dealt with Kuroki. Of course, it was no surprise that they were running a slave economy using the slaves (Kuroki’s First Army) in the process. I’ll act as your agent. In return, hand everything over to me. At least I’m not causing you vague losses. If Russia collapses later, I can simply take over everything this man has built in the Far East.
“You’re telling me to do everything.”
Everything? It’s not that big a deal. I’m simply making clear who will lead the superior-subordinate relationship.
“But wouldn’t it be reassuring for you to have me, Mr. Bezobrazov?”
Having someone who can take responsibility for military power wouldn’t be bad for him either. At the very least, he could use it as a means to pressure his political enemies.
“You’re saying you’ll become my strength?”
He looked at me with suspicious eyes.
“If you help me, is there anything I couldn’t do?”
If we can become allies to each other, isn’t that enough? Both you and I will need allies eventually. My name is already circulating among the nobility, but that’s only among the nobles and the imperial family. Within Russia, many people must still harbor complaints about my existence. The military, those who want reform, and so on. There will be many who want to keep me in check. After all, I’m not Russian, I’m Korean. At least Rasputin is from Russia, right? Even if nothing else, he’s the same race.
“You are the most difficult type of woman I have ever dealt with.”
“I’ll graciously accept that as a compliment.”
It was good that I didn’t push any further with threats. Since Bezobrazov had originally intended to do business with me, and there was the Tsar’s order, he couldn’t ignore it. If I threatened him, he had no choice but to yield. Now, what should I say next?
“Have you decided on the company name?”
I hadn’t decided on a name. This was also something I had decided on the spot. I had simply thrown it out to hit Bezobrazov with a blow and to do something, anything. If I suddenly pushed this hard, it would be troublesome. Then, Manchurian Military Industry Company seems the most appropriate.
“Manchurian Munitions Company.”
It might sound a bit plain for a military enterprise name, but it’s not bad. I can ask the alternate-history gallery for weapon designs, and have Bezobrazov and Choi Jae-hyung provide the investment from behind. A company that produces airplanes, rifles, and artillery. It will soar as the greatest arms company in the Far East.
“Manchurian Military Enterprise doesn’t sound bad. Hoo, I see. To think I would be pushed around like this by one Eastern woman. It’s absurd.”
He shrugged as if he hadn’t expected this. But this isn’t the end. Let’s say they passed the decision to make me the owner of a county within Russia. Then, shouldn’t they at least resolve the border issues considering my current position?