The Traitor's Negotiation
The Korean Empire's delegation arrived at the Qing Dynasty's Forbidden City around this time. Leading the delegation was Yi Wan-yong, the Minister of Education. In another timeline, he would have sold out his country, but here he had come as a pawn of the Manchurian faction to give the Qing a taste of their own medicine.
"Hmph. What business does Joseon have sending a delegation?"
Yi Wan-yong was startled. An old woman was facing him. He knew exactly who she was at a glance. The one who had reduced the Qing—the so-called center of the world—to this state. None other than Empress Dowager Cixi.
That bitch who ruined her country is still alive.
Yi Wan-yong sneered inwardly. Unfortunately, as 1909 drew to a close, Empress Dowager Cixi was still alive. The woman who was supposed to have died in November 1908 remained breathing. Originally, despite suffering from various illnesses, she had indulged in luxury and pleasure, which led to her contracting dysentery and dying the day after Emperor Guangxu's passing. But here, Empress Dowager Cixi had "not yet" died. It was all because Ok Jin-seo had threatened to desecrate the tombs of Nurhaci and Hong Taiji, forcing the Qing to pay an absurd sum for the "tomb protection costs" (or rather, the cost of preserving the remains) in Gando. Ironically, thanks to Ok Jin-seo, Empress Dowager Cixi had lived a little longer.
Yi Wan-yong considered it truly fortunate. If that old hag continued to hold power, the Qing would rush headlong toward ruin, while the Korean Empire's fortunes soared thanks to that woman, Ok Jin-seo. Of course, there had also been Empress Myeongseong, who could be called Korea's own Empress Dowager just fourteen years ago, but she had become the first target of the Japanese assassins who ultimately succeeded in killing an emperor, so that was a relief.
In any case, Yi Wan-yong stood before Empress Dowager Cixi.
"Though there have been unpleasant matters between the Qing and our nation, as neighboring countries, we cannot remain at odds forever, can we?"
"Well said. Then return Southern Manchuria, which Russia gave you, to us immediately."
Return Southern Manchuria. He had expected as much. It was only natural for the Manchus to demand the return of their sacred land.
"We have already developed the land, and both the Manchu and Han populations there have accepted Korean rule. How would that be possible? The reason I have come is to have Southern Manchuria officially recognized as our territory."
"How dare you! Manchuria is the sacred land of our Manchu people!"
"It was the sacred land of our Three Han peoples long before that. The time the Manchus have considered it sacred is only a few hundred years, but from Old Joseon and Buyeo through Goguryeo and Balhae, it was our people's sacred land for thousands of years. We are merely reclaiming what is rightfully ours. Shouldn't a great empire like yours acknowledge that?"
After ruling for thousands of years, the original owners have regained their strength and wish to reclaim it—so recognize it quickly.
"You insolent wretch! You Joseon dogs may be arrogant because you trust Russia, but do you think Russia will last a hundred years, let alone a thousand?"
She was right. Ok Jin-seo had also said Russia would not last long.
After seeing the Emperor and nobles in Russia, my conclusion is that they will not last. We are the only reason they did not lose the war against Japan.
Then what do you intend to do?
When they fall, we will secure Northern Manchuria and Vladivostok. And before that, the Qing will collapse even sooner.
How can you be so certain?
At the very least, the Russian Emperor is better than Empress Dowager Cixi. But we can still witness the Qing's end before then. Until that time, we must make use of Russia's influence.
"Even the Jurchens who ruled China lasted several hundred years. Would Russia, a long-standing power in Europe, be any different?"
"You insolent dog! I may leave it in your hands for now, but I will never recognize it as your land!"
At that moment, Yi Wan-yong had a rather amusing idea. Just as the Yi Wan-yong of the original world had carried the burden of selling his country while performing brilliantly, he now began to scheme with remarkable cunning.
In Beijing, rumors circulated among the Qing people that Empress Dowager Cixi, that treacherous old hag, had poisoned the previous emperor. The current emperor was still very young. He was said to be the son of Prince Chun. And that old hag was acting as regent in his stead. If handled well, they might secure Southern Manchuria quite easily. No matter how much power that old hag held, discontent was already brewing throughout the land. Now was the time for a foreign envoy to question why the Empress Dowager, not the Emperor, was receiving them. If they pressed that point…
What if I bring up the Emperor?
Yi Wan-yong's mind worked with frightening speed. He immediately turned his gaze toward the young emperor seated on the throne. What is the point of propping up that snot-nosed brat? There were already many rumors swirling about Empress Dowager Cixi. So he would strike there.
"By the way, may I ask why Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is receiving this delegation?"
Why is it you, not the Emperor, who greets us?
"What do you mean by that?"
When asked, it was only natural to answer.
"This envoy has come to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Qing in order to settle the matter of Manchuria and improve relations between our two nations. Why, then, is Her Majesty the Empress Dowager acting in place of His Majesty the Emperor?"
"H-How dare you! I could tear your mouth apart this instant!"
Empress Dowager Cixi rose from her seat as if she might kill Yi Wan-yong on the spot. Yet Yi Wan-yong remained perfectly composed. Smiling leisurely, he showed not the slightest sign of losing his calm and carefully opened his mouth.
"This envoy maintains a close relationship with Count Ok, who serves as both the Foreign Minister of the Korean Empire and the Administrator of Southern Manchuria. In fact, this entire journey to Beijing was led by the Foreign Minister."
"What nonsense is this!"
"Should this envoy be torn apart and killed here, Count Ok would surely raise a great army to repay the humiliation of Samjeondo in full."
"You bastard! Our Emperor is still young, so this body acts as regent in his stead! How dare you Joseon dogs threaten us!"
"They say power does not last ten years. Your Majesty has held power for far longer than ten years—countless years, in fact. Are you still not satisfied?"
Yi Wan-yong was supremely confident. Why? Because Korea was no longer a vassal of the Qing. The woman Yi Wan-yong served, Ok Jin-seo—regardless of whatever third gender she might claim—commanded a powerful army that had slaughtered countless Qing and Japanese troops, and behind her stood the Russian Emperor. Above all, Empress Dowager Cixi could never kill him. The Empress Dowager of today was very different from before.
"Are you Joseon dogs now attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the Great Qing?"
"Oh my, if you interpret it that way, we are in quite a difficult position. We came to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Qing. Yet why is it Her Majesty the Empress Dowager who receives us? Moreover, Prince Chun, the father of His Majesty the Emperor, is present. Should Her Majesty not step down by now?"
If he pushed just a little further… There was a real possibility his head might roll, but so be it. He would trust in Count Ok.
"Then what is it you want!"
"While traveling to the Forbidden City, this envoy heard countless stories. Stories of how your late emperor met his end."
In short, they could make this matter as big as they wished. In essence, it was a declaration that Korea had grown powerful enough to raise such issues with the Qing.
By this point, Empress Dowager Cixi was sweating profusely. She could suppress matters within her own country, but if foreign powers became involved—especially these vicious Joseon bastards—it would become troublesome. That man Yi Wan-yong would surely keep running his mouth until they handed over Manchuria.
"Enough. Enough! I will permit you to keep the Southern Manchuria you have occupied! So do not open that filthy mouth of yours again!"
Good. She should have done this from the start. If she had submitted earlier, things would have been much simpler.
"Anything beyond that would require Russia's approval anyway, so it is not something the Qing need concern themselves with. Now then, with this, there is no reason for our two nations to glare at each other. How fortunate."
Yi Wan-yong spread his arms wide and laughed heartily, as if he had obtained everything he wanted. At that sight, Empress Dowager Cixi, the young Emperor Puyi, and even Prince Chun—who should have been regent—shuddered. At the same time, they wondered in earnest just what kind of woman this Ok Jin-seo was, to have such a man as her subordinate.
After all, the one responsible for all this was none other than that woman, Ok Jin-seo.
"Just what kind of person is this Ok Jin-seo?"
At Empress Dowager Cixi's question, Yi Wan-yong firmly closed his mouth. He had to choose his words carefully. He had not been in Manchuria himself and knew little. But one thing was certain: she was the woman who had advanced into Manchuria—something no one in the five hundred years of the Joseon Dynasty had even dared to dream of—and expanded their territory. A general who had annihilated the Japanese army in a war against Japan, something no one else had achieved. How could he dismiss her simply because she was a woman?
"She is a warrior who gallops across the Manchurian plains like the Great King Yeongnak of Goryeo."
"Even in a woman's body?"
"Even in a woman's body, she is a hero who restored our Korean people's ancestral lands. How could we dismiss her for being a woman? At the very least, our Administrator of Manchuria is no delicate flower in a greenhouse—she is a true heroine."
Well, that was true enough. After all, the one currently ruling this Daicing Gurun was also a woman—the Empress Dowager. A woman who held the Great Qing, the center of the world, in her grasp. But unlike herself, who only issued commands from within the palace, this was someone who acted directly with her own body. Moreover, this Joseon envoy was blatantly elevating Ok Jin-seo while belittling her.
"Insolent wretch."
Yi Wan-yong coldly analyzed the Qing's situation. Empress Dowager Cixi would not last long. But at least for now, the Qing imperial family could not say anything against the Korean Empire. Not only the Empress Dowager, but even the young emperor and the princes with their royal titles were keeping quiet. It would be good to extract as much as possible before the Empress Dowager died. For example, shouldn't they collect the tomb protection fees? The remains of Nurhaci and Hong Taiji. They were far more useful than the corpses of Confucius and Mencius. Especially Hong Taiji—he was paying the full price for starting the Jeongmyo and Byeongja invasions.
Yi Wan-yong declared boldly, "And we would like you to pay additional development costs for Gando—no, for 'Manchuria.'"
"It is your territory now, so what more do you want?"
Empress Dowager Cixi resolved that once the Qing regained its strength, she would punish them without fail. If she could not do it, then at the very least the next generation must.
"Should we not receive protection fees for the remains of your founding emperor and his son?"
"Y-You insolent dog!"
Empress Dowager Cixi glared with wide eyes, yet she could do nothing. Of course she could not. What if this Joseon bastard before her became displeased and ordered the remains of the founding emperor and his son to be disposed of carelessly? Right now, they called it protection fees, but in truth it was a threat: if you do not pay, we can make those two disappear.
Despicable Joseon dogs!
She knew that even after all these years of submission, their contempt for Manchuria remained deep in their bones. But who could have known they would act so boldly the moment they gained power? She could only grind her teeth. Since she had taken this position, the Great Qing had suffered countless humiliations at the hands of the foreigners, had been defeated by Japan—once considered a vassal—and now even Joseon, which had not even dared to raise its head as a tributary state, had stolen the sacred land of the Manchus, claiming it as their ancestral territory, and was now threatening them with the remains of their founding emperor. On top of that, the head of their delegation was rude. But now the Great Qing was too weak to even rebuke such people. If they tried to punish Joseon, Russia would surely move. And the Qing had already fallen too far to punish even Joseon. Moreover, they had that brilliant general who had seized Manchuria—something they had not even dreamed of for hundreds of years. Above all, it was laughable how they dared to pressure her by bringing up the young emperor.
Empress Dowager Cixi bit her lip. "Understood. We will coordinate that matter separately."
When Empress Dowager Cixi gave her confirmation, Yi Wan-yong smiled wickedly. This much was enough to earn his keep. That monster who was ruining the great empire would pour money into Korea.
"How gracious of Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, extending her benevolence even to this request. May you enjoy ten thousand years of longevity."
Let's see how long that old hag can keep feeding. That would be something to look forward to. The longer she lived, the more opportunities Korea would have. And the higher Yi Wan-yong would soar, as if given wings.
"Is this really all right?"
On the way out of the Forbidden City, one of his attendants asked the excited Yi Wan-yong. Of course it was all right. He had another plan in mind. The Qing was teetering on the brink—not just in Ok Jin-seo's eyes, but in his own as well. Everywhere people cursed the imperial family, the military was corrupt, and beggars filled the streets. This was the state of the Qing, a semi-colony of the great powers. If the Qing truly would not last long, then they should make use of that fact.
Yi Wan-yong looked at the attendant who had followed him. "Spread rumors on the streets. Say that the Empress Dowager has now sold land to the Joseon dogs, her vassals. Call her a traitor."
The attendant's face twisted. Does this Syngman Rhee have to do even that? Besides, what would the Han people care whether the Manchus sold Manchuria to Russia or to Korea? They were already crying "Overthrow the Qing, restore the Han!" saying the Mandate of Heaven had run out.
"Would the Han people, who despise Manchuria, even care if Southern Manchuria is handed over?"
Syngman Rhee, who had quickly caught on to Yi Wan-yong's meaning, tilted his head and replied.
"That is not important. Right now, this Qing is like a giant beehive."
That was not what mattered. What mattered was that the Empress Dowager had sold land to Korea. The Chinese still regarded Korea as a vassal state deep in their bones. If those people learned that the Empress Dowager had sold land, what would happen? Manchuria itself was not important. The fact that land had been sold was what mattered. They were not fools—they would realize it had been taken by force.
"You want to stir up the beehive."
"That's right. Let's throw a rock and run."
Yi Wan-yong stroked his beard and smiled wickedly.