Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The International Peace Conference (2)
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Prince Yi Kang of the Yi clan.
The fifth son of Emperor Gojong and effectively his second son due to the early deaths of his older brothers.
He was also one of the few royal family members who resisted Japanese rule and participated in the independence movement after Korea lost its sovereignty in the original history, when most of the Joseon royal family bowed their heads to Japan and lived off the scraps they tossed.
'But why is Prince Yi here?!'
I could understand that Yi Sang-seol, who had gone to America, was acquainted with Prince Yi—perhaps even friends.
Prince Yi had left for the United States in 1899 to study at Roanoke College in Virginia.
However, in the original history, Prince Yi had returned to Joseon two years ago in 1905, so his presence here in The Hague made no sense.
It seemed history had diverged again, changing something else along the way.
"Judging by that odd look on your face, you're wondering why I'm here."
"Yes. I thought Your Highness had returned to Joseon long ago."
"At first, I planned to. But Father Emperor and a few others weren't thrilled about me coming back. And I don't like how the country's being run these days anyway. So I decided to stay put in America."
At Prince Yi's grumbling, a few historical facts about him surfaced in my mind.
For one, it was true that Emperor Gojong hadn't welcomed Prince Yi's return.
In 1902, while studying in Japan, Korean students there had formed the Ilshimhoe and plotted to overthrow Gojong and enthrone Prince Yi as emperor.
Of course, Prince Yi—who was in America, far removed from Japan and had no connections to the plotters—didn't even know it had happened. But that was enough to arouse his father Gojong's suspicions.
Power was something even fathers and sons couldn't share, after all. Extreme as it was, even in the Joseon dynasty—which prized filial piety—not even King Yeongjo sparing his son Crown Prince Sado from the rice chest was an exception.
In the end, after the Ilshimhoe incident, Gojong began seeing Prince Yi as a threat to his power. When Prince Yi arrived in Tokyo as a stopover in March 1905 after finishing his studies and preparing to return home, Gojong forbade it and ordered him back to America.
But Prince Yi didn't give up. He returned to Tokyo in August of the same year, only for Imperial Noble Consort Eom—the de facto empress after Empress Myeongseong's death—to bribe him and block his return, urging him to stay in America.
Consort Eom was the mother of Yi Eun, the last crown prince of the Korean Empire, and Prince Yi's return—with his high succession rights after Sunjong—threatened her ambitions for her own son.
In the original history, Prince Yi had pushed through and returned anyway. But that was just the original timeline.
In this world, it seemed Prince Yi disliked the Korean Empire—now a Japanese puppet despite avoiding colonization—and his father and the imperial family who had no intention of resisting.
I'd heard that public sentiment had completely abandoned Gojong and the imperial family after the Treaty of Portsmouth, after all.
Thanks to that, Prince Yi was still in America, leading to this meeting in The Hague.
"Don't you miss your homeland?"
"I do, but life in America isn't bad, so no need to worry. Joseon's a stuffy place, wouldn't you say? America, on the other hand, is so free-spirited—it suits me perfectly. And above all, there are so many voluptuous beauties there. Hahaha!"
"Your Highness!"
As Prince Yi laughed heartily at his own joke, Yi Sang-seol raised his voice as if pleading for some decorum.
An Jung-geun looked unfazed, already used to such behavior from the prince.
I wasn't particularly surprised either.
Prince Yi was famously a playboy who loved drink, women, and revelry.
He enjoyed drives in his car to admire passing beauties and, at parties, would shoot out chandelier lights with his pistol to liven things up.
Of course, there was a theory that this debauchery was an act to evade Japanese surveillance.
But given examples like falling deeply in love during his American studies—declaring he'd give up his royal status and throne for her, shocking everyone—or fathering numerous illegitimate children with many concubines, it might just be his nature.
'In that sense, he's more like his grandfather, the Heungseon Daewongun, than his father Gojong.'
Wild histories claimed the Daewongun mingled with thugs like Cheonhajangang to fool the Andong Kim clan, earning the nickname "dog of the funeral house" for his rogue ways.
Was this what they called atavism?
"Anyway, I hear you've been eager to meet me?"
"Your name is well-known even among Koreans in America, little baron. Oh, wait—can't call you 'little' anymore. You've grown too much for that."
True enough, I was already fifteen.
Next year, I'd be high school age, and I'd shot up past 170 cm, so the "little baron" nickname no longer fit.
"And Dosan here—I brought him along since we were both there. Stuck in America, unable to return home, we got close hanging out. Thought I'd let him see Europe while we're at it."
"...Your Highness, that makes it sound like I just came to The Hague for fun."
"Isn't that right?"
"Absolutely not. I'm here to meet the baron and learn how the world turns at this International Peace Conference. Plus, the Netherlands has long been renowned for international law."
An Chang-ho answered crisply in a voice matching his earnest demeanor.
Prince Yi—who was far from a straight-laced scholar—pouted at the boring reply.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the unexpectedly fun group dynamic and turned to An Chang-ho.
"Nothing beats debating with a friend to pass the time. I'll be in The Hague for the conference, so we have plenty of time—hang out as much as you like."
"Thank you for your kindness."
"Oh, right—I've heard bits about it, but how's the Free Government faring?"
"Well. We're focusing on solidifying ties with Korean organizations in the Maritime Province and America."
Min Yeong-hwan and Yi Yong-ik had established the Korean Free Government in Kiautschou with my help, working to restore Korea's freedom.
I wasn't directly involved but had quietly supported them by introducing retired German officers and NCOs as instructors.
'This distance feels right for now.'
Getting too involved could draw unwanted attention or diplomatic issues.
As a German Empire official and the Kaiser's subject, it might even cause talk within the Free Government.
Besides, the Free Government would only gain real importance after World War I.
With the Anglo-Japanese Alliance still in place, Japan would likely side with Germany and Britain in the war.
'Of course, Japan could still implode spectacularly afterward.'
It might even be worse than the original history. If Japan joined us as allies, they'd devour undefended French colonies in Asia or even parts of Russia's Far East—left vacant unlike in the Russo-Japanese War.
In the original history, Japan seized Germany's Asian-Pacific colonies, including Kiautschou, during World War I and kept them as spoils, spawning "narikin" overnight millionaires and enjoying a golden age.
They could rebound stronger, becoming an even bigger headache.
That's why I was stocking useful cards like the Free Government for the Far East in advance.
'Stopping Japan's war entry might be tricky.'
Winning World War I was our top priority—I couldn't do much about it.
Unlike France or Russia, the German Empire had only the East Asia Squadron as meaningful force in the Far East.
"That's got me worried lately."
As I pondered, Prince Yi sighed.
"Worried, Your Highness?"
"Minister Gyeseong and Minister Seokhyeon are clamoring for me to become emperor."
"...Pardon?"
Emperor? With Gojong still alive?
"Are you planning a coup right now?"
"It's been years since the Japanese seized the court—what coup? They just want me to declare myself the legitimate emperor of Korea. Seems they see me as a focal point against Japan and the puppet imperial family."
In short, Min Yeong-hwan and Yi Yong-ik wanted to make Prince Yi a rival emperor.
Wait, was this the 20th century or ancient Rome, medieval times?
"...We know it's an outdated notion."
Yi Sang-seol spoke up, looking embarrassed as he read my expression.
"But for the common people of Joseon—who barely grasp parliament or democracy—such archaic ideas might resonate more."
"That's certainly true, but..."
Even in Europe, monarchies outnumbered republics by far at this time.
Koreans, who knew even less of democracy, would be even more susceptible.
With Gojong's popularity in the gutter, enthroning Prince Yi would surely draw popular support.
There was precedent in the Ilshimhoe incident, and even the Provisional Government had tried to spirit Prince Yi away for propaganda, if not outright enthronement.
'Yi Yong-ik aside, Min Yeong-hwan was a constitutionalist who urged Gojong to expand civil rights (though ignored).'
It made sense they'd lean toward a rival emperor.
Overthrowing an incompetent king for a new one was familiar logic in Joseon, born from the Reverse Revolution.
"Frankly, I'm not thrilled."
But Prince Yi seemed quite negative about Min and Yi's plan.
Perhaps due to his American studies—or like the original history, he had little interest in the throne or restoration plots.
"No matter how you justify it, we're the Yi clan who let the country fall this far. Do I even have the right to claim the throne?"
"Your Highness, such despairing words!"
"Bojae, I've never been emperor material. I'm just a playboy who loves a good time. Little brother Hansu here would do better at it than me."
"Ahem! Your Highness, that's too much joking."
As if I were some Yuan Shikai with emperor fever.
I cleared my throat at his tasteless joke and continued.
"If I may say one thing: don't stress too much. No one knows the future, and whatever path you choose—if it's the right one—that's enough, isn't it?"
"Haha, thanks for the words."
Prince Yi smiled faintly, some tension easing.
I didn't know what Korea's future held—constitutional monarchy or republic—it wasn't for me to decide.
Rooted as I was, I was an outsider who would bury his bones in the German Empire.
I just hoped my old homeland, Prince Yi, Yi Sang-seol, and all fighting for independence would fare better than the original history.
"Well, we'll head back then."
"Yes, take care of your health."
A few days later, Prince Yi—looking a bit more resolved—left for America with Yi Sang-seol.
He still had no desire for the throne but acknowledged his name's value and would use it for Korea's freedom as much as possible.
An Chang-ho stayed in The Hague through the conference, as planned for meeting me and studying.
Thanks to him, I spent the dull conference days chatting enjoyably.
And on October 18, 1907,
The conference ended as delegates from 44 countries signed the resulting statutes.
The statutes included Russia's demanded convention on declarations of war—unforgotten after Japan's surprise attack—and totaled 13 articles, effective January 26, 1910, three years later.
As expected, Britain's armament limitation push was rejected—due to France's fierce opposition, as anticipated.
Sorry, Britain, but armament limits didn't appeal to Germany or others either.
"Well, I should head back to America too."
"It was a pleasure. Take care across the sea, Mr. An Chang-ho."
With the conference over and no reason to stay, I bid farewell to An Chang-ho—who was also leaving for America—and set off for Germany.
But my steps toward home were heavy.
The cause? A fresh newspaper headline.
The global financial crisis dubbed the Panic of 1907—before the 1929 Wall Street Crash coined the Great Depression.
It had begun.