Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Future of the Korean Empire (3)
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“What nonsense is this?!”
Choi Ik-hyeon bellowed and shot to his feet at my words.
Min Yeong-hwan, Yi Sang-seol, and Yi Hoe-yeong had apparently anticipated such a response, merely letting out grim sighs with darkened expressions.
His vitality was impressive for an elder.
That must have been why, even past seventy, he had been outraged by the Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty and plotted to raise a righteous army.
Of course, Choi Ik-hyeon had indeed raised one, but after agonizing over Emperor Gojong's call to disband it, he surrendered without fighting fellow countrymen when imperial forces came to arrest him, ending up exiled to Tsushima.
“Not only closing our doors to the world, but becoming slaves to the Japanese? Baron, can you take responsibility for such words?!”
“Of course. If you wish, I can swear on my parents' names.”
At the mention of parents I'd never even met, the Confucian scholar fell silent, true to form.
Then Min Yeong-hwan asked me in a somber tone.
“Why are you so certain?”
“As you well know, Minister Min, war between Russia and Japan is not far off. And when it breaks out, Japan will seize Korea first to secure its supply lines.”
Min Yeong-hwan's face grew even darker at the word "war."
He already knew, but hearing it directly must have hit harder.
“But if we declare neutrality between Russia and Japan...”
“Do you think Japan would even care?”
The bare minimum for maintaining neutrality between great powers was a balance of forces.
Siam managed it between Britain and France, clinging to independence. But the Korean Empire was different.
The Russo-Japanese balance shattered the moment war began.
Yi Sang-seol spoke up.
“But Russia might win the war.”
“Apologies, but that's unlikely. The great powers intend to end it before a decisive victory.”
Of course, my involvement played a part, but I kept that to myself.
No need for misunderstandings.
Definitely not because I feared Choi Ik-hyeon smashing my head with an inkstone in rage.
“And the Korean Empire will likely become Japan's spoils to divvy up.”
“Deciding a nation's fate on a whim? Where in heaven or earth does such absurdity exist?!”
“Myeongam Teacher. That's the fate of weak nations. Countless have vanished that way, and ours was no exception.”
“But is there truly no way to stop it?”
Yi Hoe-yeong pleaded desperately.
It was the cry of everyone gathered here.
No one, myself included, welcomed Japan colonizing Korea.
“What if we appeal to the international community?”
Yi Sang-seol raised his hand and suggested.
A fitting idea from the man who would lead the Hague legation in original history.
But recalling that legation's fate gave the answer already.
No great power would step up for an Eastern minnow without gain.
At best, sympathy.
“Mr. Yi Sang-seol, apologies, but no nation will heed Korea's plea. They'll ignore it. No profit, and they won't set a precedent for unrest in their own colonies.”
“How can that be...”
“Of course, some in the West oppose imperialism. But they're a minority. Governments prioritize national interest, ignoring weak nations' plights as always.”
“Then we fight. Even if we die in vain, we can't watch our country stolen. After five hundred years of Joseon, how can we not fight once?”
Choi Ik-hyeon spat the words he'd said during the Protectorate Treaty, burning with zeal.
He couldn't keep pace with rapidly changing ideologies, but his loyalty was genuine.
“Indeed. We must never abandon this land.”
“Yes. Better to die standing than live on our knees!”
Yi Sang-seol and Yi Hoe-yeong agreed wholeheartedly this time, fired up.
But Min Yeong-hwan remained downcast, unlike the others.
“Even if we raise a righteous army, can we win against Japan? The 1895 uprising was crushed.”
“Minister, what weak talk! Even in defeat, we plan for the future!”
“I don't know. What remains if the nation falls?”
“Minister!”
Yi Sang-seol raised his voice unwittingly at Min Yeong-hwan's negativity.
But considering his path in original history, it wasn't surprising.
Outraged by the treaty, Min Yeong-hwan took his own life, bearing responsibility as a high official.
Personally, I suspected resignation played a part.
He could have chosen independence activism like Yi Sang-seol or Yi Hoe-yeong.
Indeed, Yi Yong-ik, pro-Russian leader and his ally, did.
But Min Yeong-hwan didn't.
He merely grieved the nation's fall and ended it all.
‘Perhaps, having been near power since youth, he'd seen too much.’
“Fate hangs by a thread, yet such feeble words. I take my leave!”
As I pondered, Choi Ik-hyeon, furious at Min Yeong-hwan, stormed out.
I didn't mind Choi Ik-hyeon.
I turned to the slumped Min Yeong-hwan.
Personally, I hoped he'd choose differently this time.
“Minister Min, you said what remains if the nation falls.”
“...”
“The people remain.”
“The people...”
“Yes. A nation runs without a king, but not without people. And if only people remain, the nation endures.”
That's why dispossessed peoples worldwide staked lives on slim hopes for independence.
“So don't abandon hope. It dwells in those who don't yield.”
The next day.
The day Prince Adalbert and I returned to Germany arrived.
“Baron, must you leave now?”
Min Yeong-hwan, Yi Sang-seol, and Yi Hoe-yeong, come to Chemulpo, bid farewell to me boarding the ship, looking regretful.
But every meeting has its parting.
The time had come.
“Yes. I'd love to stay longer, but duty calls me home.”
“I see. But we look forward to seeing you again someday.”
I nodded brightly at Yi Sang-seol's words, grasping his hand in a firm shake.
But I knew.
That day was far off.
And my return to this land, even farther.
“Minister Min, your face is brighter than yesterday.”
“Hahaha. If a child's lecture yields no insight, I'm unworthy of adulthood.”
Recalling our talk, he smiled sheepishly.
Indeed, his despair had lifted somewhat.
He'd realized there was still much worth protecting.
“And remember: the unbreakable spirit is key.”
“What? Ha, haha. Unbreakable spirit. Good words.”
Min Yeong-hwan chuckled.
Then Prince Adalbert leaned over the railing.
“Hans, it's time to sail! Hurry!”
“Well, I must go. Germany's great Goethe said: if you hold a dream, its realization comes. So never give up. Today may be hard, tomorrow too, but the day after shines bright.”
“Yes. We'll keep that in mind.”
“Farewell then. I pray all goes well.”
Woooong───
That was goodbye.
My ship slowly pulled away from waving figures, horn blaring.
Leaving Chemulpo, the Korean Empire, for the distant sea.
And already, damn seasickness hit.
Back in Germany, I'd contact the Wright brothers and get a passenger plane somehow. For real.
“We'll have much to discuss among ourselves now.”
“Yes, Minister.”
Yi Sang-seol and Yi Hoe-yeong nodded at Min Yeong-hwan.
Yi Sang-seol said.
“What about Myeongam Teacher?”
Choi Ik-hyeon had stormed out yesterday, heading to the provinces without farewell.
The three already guessed his intent.
He'd quietly gather rural scholars.
And when Japan bared its fangs, rise with them, weapons in hand.
Even to meaningless death.
That was Joseon's last scholar, Myeongam Choi Ik-hyeon.
But they couldn't condemn him.
His path differed, but facing likely futility to defend the nation deserved respect, not scorn.
“Leave Myeongam Teacher to himself. As we do our work, so does he.”
“Yes, Minister.”
Yi Sang-seol nodded reluctantly.
Short-handed as they were, it pained them, but perhaps better.
Choi Ik-hyeon and his scholars mismatched ideologically and personally.
Seeds of discord, risking division.
As they'd seen countless times.
“I'll speak with Minister Yi Yong-ik and court allies first.”
Not many, he muttered bitterly.
More sought riches selling the nation than defended it—that was the Korean Empire now.
Yi Hoe-yeong ventured.
“Can't we persuade His Majesty? His active involvement would ease things greatly.”
“Sigh, I'll try, but will he listen?”
Min Yeong-hwan sighed, recalling the emperor's secret talk with the baron.
His Majesty wouldn't yield easily, but prized power, wealth, safety more.
Recalling the Independence Club's fall, Min abandoned hopes of swaying him.
Moreover, Crown Prince Sunjong, fallback last king and emperor, had been mentally scarred since the Kim Hong-jik carriage incident.
“Leave that to me. For now, Seon-o and U-dang, gather like-minded souls outside court.”
Min Yeong-hwan addressed them, diverting from headaches.
“Especially U-dang, your family's wealth is vital. I'd add ours, but the Min clan not hindering is blessing enough.”
“Of course, Minister. For the nation, what're a few coins? My brothers, even little Si-yeong, will agree gladly.”
Yi Hoe-yeong, fourth son of late Joseon's top rich family, vowed boldly.
True to the man who forsook fortune and fame—family's vast wealth—for all six brothers to join independence.
Yi Sang-seol matched his friend.
“I'll contact foreigners friendly to Korea and intellectuals like Baek-am Teacher.”
“Baek-am Teacher—Park Eun-sik of the Independence Club. Reliable.”
Min Yeong-hwan smiled and nodded.
They might not save the Korean Empire, but they could fight for its future.
Slowly, imperceptibly, the nation's fate began to shift.