Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Gojong (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as we entered the Junghwajeon Hall, I was met with the meaningful gazes of the high-ranking officials of the Korean Empire watching our group.
That said, there weren't that many of them—probably just enough to count on two hands. It seemed Gojong had only gathered people he trusted, like relatives or close aides.
And at the end of my gaze sat Gojong on the throne, clad in the yellow dragon robe symbolizing the emperor.
Gojong had left behind countless photographs, even back when Koreans shied away from Western novelties like photography, so his face was instantly recognizable.
"We pay our respects to His Majesty, Emperor of the Korean Empire."
"We pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor."
As Prince Adalbert greeted Gojong in Western fashion, Waldersee the minister and the rest of us Germans followed suit.
In the old days, it might have been different, but Koreans had grown accustomed to Western etiquette by now, so Gojong simply nodded in acceptance without a word.
"You've had a long journey. Well done, Prince."
An interpreter who looked the part translated Gojong's words into clumsy German.
But his German was so poorly pronounced that even I could barely make it out, leaving Prince Adalbert and the other Germans tilting their heads in confusion.
"He says you've had a long journey. Well done, Your Highness."
"Ah, I see?"
Unable to stand it any longer, I whispered to Prince Adalbert in a low voice.
Only then did the prince understand what Gojong had said, and he offered another bow in thanks for the warm welcome.
Watching this little mishap, Gojong must have realized the interpreter was useless. He gestured for the red-faced man to step back and then turned to me.
"You must be Baron Choi Hansu."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When I replied to Gojong in Korean, a small murmur rippled through the Korean Empire officials.
Seeing them nod and smile, it looked like I'd made a decent impression, at least.
"I've heard much about you as well. I'd like to learn more about you later."
Gojong spoke to me in a tone laced with subtle fondness.
He then shifted his gaze back to Prince Adalbert.
"I've prepared a formal banquet at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. We'll talk more then."
I translated Gojong's words directly for the prince.
Prince Adalbert nodded with a satisfied look and replied that he would.
With that, the audience was over.
Of course, the real beginning was just starting.
"Hans, what's that building for?"
"That's Sajeongjeon Hall, Your Highness. It's named after a line from Eastern philosophy: 'With thought comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes sainthood.' It was where the kings of Joseon discussed national policies with their ministers."
"Is that so? Koreans really pack a lot of meaning into their building names, unlike us."
Prince Adalbert admired Sajeongjeon with evident fascination.
There was still plenty of time before the banquet at Gyeonghoeru, so the prince and I set out to tour Gyeongbokgung Palace during the wait.
Truth be told, for me it was less sightseeing and more serving as an impromptu guide for the prince.
Thanks to that, the Korean officials tasked with escorting us were reduced to standing around like scarecrows, just trailing behind.
"And over there is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, where the banquet will be held."
"I've heard of it. Uncle Heinrich said it was the most impressive place when he visited Korea."
"I've never seen it in person either. But they say it's the most beautiful spot in all of Gyeongbokgung."
Of course, I'd seen it countless times on school field trips.
Gyeonghoeru was one of the palace's most famous landmarks, after all.
"We still have a lot of time before the banquet?"
"A bit longer, yes."
"Then let's head to Gyeonghoeru. They won't mind if we're a little early."
Growing bored of palace sightseeing, Prince Adalbert suggested as much.
I figured it was fine, so I nodded and told the idly standing officials we'd go to Gyeonghoeru.
They hesitated briefly but soon bowed and led our group there, deciding it was no issue.
"Wow~"
"What a splendid place."
"Hm. I've been here plenty of times. This place is..."
Upon arriving at Gyeonghoeru, Prince Adalbert and the Germans let out gasps of admiration at the elegant pavilion floating over the pond.
Waldersee, having seen it many times before, puffed himself up like a Seoulite showing off to country bumpkins new to the city.
Even to me, though, Gyeonghoeru was impressive.
Especially in summer, with lush greenery and bright sunlight enhancing its beauty.
"Oh. Your Highness the Prince. And Baron."
As we all stood mesmerized, a familiar voice reached my ears.
Apparently, we weren't the only ones to arrive early.
"You're here sooner than expected."
Park Je-sun, the Foreign Minister, bowed to us. He'd arrived first, likely to oversee banquet preparations.
Behind him, two unfamiliar high officials bowed similarly.
One was an elderly man, the other notably young compared to the rest.
When I asked who they were, Park Je-sun explained.
"Ah, that's Prime Minister Yi Geun-myeong over there, and beside him is Minister Min Yeong-hwan."
The Prime Minister was like the old Yeonguijeong—the Korean Empire's equivalent of a prime minister.
Yi Geun-myeong and Min Yeong-hwan, huh.
The former opposed the Eulsa Treaty at first but later turned pro-Japanese, even accepting a viscountcy—a total traitor. The latter, Gojong's maternal cousin and a key Min clan figure, protested the Eulsa Treaty and took his own life in atonement for failing to stop it. At least one decent person among the Yeohang Min clan.
Still, every high official I've met in the Korean Empire besides Min Yeong-hwan is a traitor. How?
I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'No wonder the country fell.'
It was just like the Poland-Lithuania of real history.
Poland's noble Sejm, which effectively ruled Poland-Lithuania, sided with Russia to protect their power from the king's reforms aimed at saving the failing state. They ultimately agreed to the partitions, selling out Poland.
Poniatowski, Kosciuszko, and some nobles and Poles raged, revolted, and resisted the invaders like Russia, but they couldn't avert the nation's doom.
And Poland-Lithuania was trisected by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, vanishing from history.
Just like the Korean Empire.
A depressing parallel, but history repeats itself across eras and nations.
"Is something wrong, Baron?"
"It's nothing. It's about time—shall we head to Gyeonghoeru?"
Park Je-sun nodded at my words.
Soon after, Gojong arrived, and the banquet began in a warm, jovial atmosphere.
"How is the prince's uncle faring?"
"Very well. Too healthy, if anything—it's troubling."
When Gojong asked Prince Adalbert about Prince Heinrich's visit to the Korean Empire four years prior, the prince smiled and replied.
Gojong then asked trivial things beyond my expectation: how Wilhelm II was doing, first impressions of the Korean Empire, and so on.
The same went for his questions to me.
"Baron, what's your clan seat?"
"I only know it's Gyeongju, Your Majesty."
"Ho ho, Choi of Gyeongju. Do you have relatives here in Joseon?"
"I left home at such a young age that I'm not sure."
Like family talk,
"I've heard the baron is acquainted not just with the German Emperor, but also the King of England, the Russian Tsar, and even the American President. Is that true?"
"They merely took a liking to a child like me."
or friendships,
"Baron, are you more interested in civil (mun) or military (mu) pursuits?"
"Both, Your Majesty. I'm still young, so I haven't settled on a path."
"Germany reveres the military, as I understand. But for a yangban, entering government service is..."
even chit-chat like nosy uncles exchange during holidays about future careers.
It was nothing like what I'd expected.
'This is odd.'
Gojong couldn't be doing this without some agenda.
Of course, this Korean Empire visit was largely Prince Adalbert's personal wish, without major political aims.
But even so, this was too relaxed and carefree.
It made no sense given the Korean Empire's precarious situation.
Gojong, desperate to secure his own safety, surely knew of the Russia-Japan rivalry over the peninsula and the brewing war between them.
Even if he didn't, shouldn't the officials subtly ask if the German Empire could support them?
But look at this gathering.
No talk of politics or the international situation—just idle chatter like "Do you eat well?"
"Hans? What's wrong? Doesn't the food suit you? It's much better than I expected."
"No, Your Highness. It's just unfamiliar—it's been so long since I had hometown food."
I smiled brightly at Prince Adalbert, who was spearing bulgogi with a fork, then picked up my chopsticks for the first time in ages.
Maybe I was being overly paranoid.
'Gojong might just have no ulterior motives.'
As a leader of a crumbling nation, it was problematic, but somehow it fit Gojong.
'Just enjoy it for now.'
I relaxed and picked up some kimchi with my chopsticks.
The kimchi was delicious as ever.
After the banquet with Gojong,
Prince Adalbert and I returned to Minister Waldersee's residence without incident.
"What a peaceful day."
Peaceful enough to wonder if it was okay.
I spent a leisurely evening in my room, checking letters I'd missed the day before or reading books.
That's when it happened.
Knock knock knock.
"Yes?"
"Baron, there's a visitor for you."
"A visitor?"
I glanced at the small clock on the desk.
It was nearly 9 p.m.
"At this hour?"
Far too late for visitors.
Something smelled fishy.
"Sigh. I'll come down."
I told the servant outside, threw on a robe, and headed downstairs.
But the visitor wasn't at the front door.
The one who'd come for me was, astonishingly, waiting at the back door.
Practically screaming "I'm suspicious!"
"Are you Baron Choi Hansu?"
Stepping out the back, a shady man wrapped head to toe in a black hat and overcoat addressed me in Korean.
And the visitor was Joseonese.
"Who else but me would a Joseonese be visiting at the legation?"
I replied nonchalantly, and the man nodded before whispering.
"My master wishes to meet you secretly tonight."
No sooner had he spoken than he pulled something from his bosom and handed it to me.
A letter.
'Figures. It'd been too quiet.'
I sighed, took the letter, and opened it.
Sure enough, the sender was someone I knew very well.
'Sweet chestnut would be right on cue.'
Emperor Gojong's secret missive had arrived.