Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 146



Only Noblemtl

#146. The Great Compromise of 1901 (1)

“Is that so?”

I couldn’t help but sigh. As expected, the Japanese embassy seemed to be trying to manipulate Iljinhoe like its own limbs.

But this time, I was one step ahead. Even before that, voices of concern about the Iljinhoe were growing louder at cabinet meetings, and the story that they were armed in the Samnam area in particular stirred up even more people.

Minister of the Interior Cho Byeong-sik and Minister of the Police Lee Yun-yong were in deep thought and said that they would disarm them within a short period of time.

It was later discovered that the central police department was in a difficult position because the local martyrdom office had turned a blind eye to their private armed forces colluding with them. Those responsible needed to be punished, and a new method of control was needed.

This led to the need for direct control of local police forces from the center, and with the help of French advisers, work began on creating a national gendarmerie that could be quickly dispatched from the center to the localities.

As the Military Police was also placed under this jurisdiction, the previous commander of the Military Police, Lieutenant General Min Yeong-hwan, concurrently served as the Director of the Inspection Bureau and became the Commander of the National Military Police.

Well, the Emperor had his own intentions. The reason for merging the military police with the Central Police Department was also to keep the military in check.

Anyway, with the creation of the National Military Police, the central government’s control over the local areas began to strengthen, so Iljinhoe won’t be able to cause trouble anymore.

Meanwhile, the sound of military boots hitting the ground was heard, and a state of emergency almost equivalent to martial law was declared in the city of Seoul.

The Royal Guard and the Royal Guard Brigade were put on emergency duty, and the police officers of the Metropolitan Police Agency were standing guard like an iron wall, carrying on their backs the Chinese-style Mausers that they had captured while suppressing the Boxer Rebellion, instead of the swords they usually carried.

“Do you really have to go this far, Chief of Military Affairs?”

“As I always say, chaos is a very good excuse for interference. If Hanseong becomes more chaotic than this, it will affect the negotiations that will take place here.”

At Yongsan Station, the final stop of the Gyeongin Line, Chief Lee Gyu-tae made a displeased expression.

Today is the day when the delegations from each country visit Hanseong for talks, and accordingly, thorough preparations have been made. Wisu-ryeong is one of them.

“Weapons have always been at their best when they are separated from the people.”

“Now is not the time for that. What if the Iljinhoe and the Independence Association cause trouble in Hanseongbu?”

“That would be terrible.”

In the coming weeks, Russia, France, Japan, and Britain would be sending large-scale delegations to represent their respective interests, so maintaining order was extremely important. If the Iljinhoe, under Japanese orders, were to try to interfere with this, it would be a problem… and that also needed to be suppressed.

“I am very sorry, but Your Majesty has pardoned me for my crimes and appointed me as the head of the Imperial Guards…”

Right next to him, Lieutenant General Lee Geun-taek, who had been the commander of the demonstration brigade and had been dismissed after being impeached by the cabinet, was reinstated through the emperor’s pardon.

“So what is your mission?”

“It’s about cleaning up the trash in the city center. You know, the Iljinhoe and Ronin and all that stuff?”

“Don’t be too rough with it, General. It’ll be a pain in the ass if the Japanese embassy makes a fuss about it.”

“Of course, Chief of Military Affairs. We are sending them out of Hanseongbu very ‘politely.’”

Hmm, that polite expression is a bit awkward, but anyway, as long as you do your job well, that’s fine.

When Lee Gyu-tae nodded, he stepped back.

By the way, it’s almost time to arrive…

I opened the pocket watch.

“They say the French delegation will arrive soon!”

Everyone adjusted their clothes one last time as the Gyeong-In Line Railroad Bureau employee shouted.

Lieutenant Shin Pal-gyun, who was behind me, straightened the brim of the military cap I was wearing and smoothed the stiff sleeves so they looked nice again.

“hmm···.”

“Our delegation this time is Governor-General Paul Doumer, who is in charge of Indochina.”

“What kind of person is that person?”

“He is a thoroughgoing pro-Francoisist. He will do anything for the good of France.”

General Kadual gave me a heads up. It had been a while since I had worn the fancy uniform, so I felt a little uncomfortable. The gleaming insignia of the rank on my shoulder had never been so burdensome. If I were a spirit, I could slip behind me and have a little fun.

Soon the special train for the delegation stopped, and the military band began to play songs under the conductor’s direction.

For the French Republic delegation, French melodies familiar to the military were played.

Governor-General Paul Doumer got off the train and shook hands with the Prime Minister who had come to greet him, and soon after, the French ambassador to Korea and military advisors also warmly welcomed him.

The Russian delegation, headed by Far East Governor-General Alexeyev, and the British delegation, headed by Foreign Secretary Lansdowne, were already attending a banquet hosted by the Emperor in Seoul, so all that was left to do was wait for the Japanese delegation, which was to arrive after them.

The Japanese delegation was supposed to have arrived yesterday morning, but they said they arrived at Jemulpo this morning due to bad weather.

This issue caused some confusion in the protocol. The French and Japanese ministers argued over whether their delegations should arrive in Seoul first, and the Ministry of the Interior, caught in the middle, was the only one who was embarrassed.

Although the situation was resolved thanks to Marquis Ito yielding protocol to Governor-General Paul Doumer in Jemulpo, the war of nerves was already intense.

While the Prime Minister was escorting Governor-General Paul Doumer to the palace, a special train carrying the Japanese delegation carrying the Marquis Ito also arrived one after another.

This time, a slightly higher-ranking person came out. The crown prince himself came out to greet him. The atmosphere was quite friendly.

I don’t know what Marquis Ito was like on the inside, but on the outside he was a very cultured and gentle person. That’s probably why he was able to unite and lead the people during the rebellion and power struggles of the Yushin guerrillas.

“It is an honor to meet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“It must have been hard for you to come here, Marquis. Now, let us go to the banquet hall.”

“It is more splendid than any other large city in Japan. It seems that the imperial family put in great effort in the development of Gyeongseong… no, Hanseong.”

Ito smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the crown prince.

The crown prince also seemed to like Ito’s appearance, so he treated him comfortably.

Under the escort of a cavalry unit commanded by Major General Kim Seok-jung, they rode in carriages and were warmly welcomed by the residents of Hanseongbu.

In fact, in order to mobilize the welcoming crowd, they mobilized a large number of people from the surrounding schools, residents, and merchants belonging to the Imperial Association.

“······.”

Some people were seen still holding the French tricolor instead of the Japanese flag because they were unable to change the flag properly.

Of course, Marquis Ito doesn’t seem to care much.

As the lead cavalry paused for a moment, Marquis Ito opened the carriage door slightly and called to me.

“Listen here.”

“What is it, Marquis?”

“Oh, you’re quite good at Korean. You look quite young. Are you the Director of Military Affairs?”

“Yes, it is. I am honored that you recognize me.”

“You already know about me?” he said, smiling at me and then turning to the crown prince.

“As expected, there are outstanding people in this country as well. As Your Majesty said, the reputation of the Director of the Military Affairs Bureau in Japan is also great. Hahaha!”

Is this something that came up while the two of you were talking?

Instead of answering, I smiled.

“His Highness the Crown Prince said so, and I heard that there is a very large arsenal in Hanseongbu.”

“Yes, but why do you ask that, Marquis?”

“After the meeting, can you show me around the place?”

“Weapons are ugly. Wouldn’t it be better for someone like you to visit the beautiful sights of Hanseongbu?”

“For someone like me, that’s exactly what a beautiful place is.”

He hid his sharp words behind a smile. After all, he was a politician from the imperialist era. However, it was a bit surprising that he openly asked to see the arsenal.

“I have His Highness the Crown Prince’s permission, so how could it not work?”

I looked at the crown prince in silence. He avoided my gaze, as if he knew he had made a mistake.

When I didn’t answer, Marquis Ito sounded disappointed.

“Ha, that’s too bad. We showed the Joseon delegation everything from the naval yard to the armory···.”

“I understand. With His Highness the Crown Prince’s permission.”

What can I do? In a monarchy, the crown prince is the second most powerful person after the emperor.

The front ranks began to move again, and soon the carriages also began to move.

Marquis Ito and the Japanese delegation arrived at Gyeongungung Palace and attended a banquet, where they were warmly welcomed by the Emperor.

The banquet hall was bustling, but there was a cold air inside.

Governor-General of Indochina Paul Doumer and Governor-General of the Far East Alekseev were talking something in French, while Ito also seemed to be talking in English with Foreign Minister Lansdowne and discussing the future course of action.

Perhaps they are trying to devise a strategy for the meeting tomorrow.

I went outside and watched the scene quietly.

There was no time to enjoy the banquet.

Because I was busy receiving reports on the current situation in Hanseongbu, where the state of emergency was continuing, and preparing for any possible riots, I was also very busy paying close attention to security.

It looked like it was going to be quite a long night.

***

Meanwhile, the emperor’s special envoy arrived in an unexpected place.

The legal advisor Greathouse arrived in the German Empire on secret orders from the Emperor, and he immediately had an audience with their Emperor, the Kaiser.

He had a handsome beard and showed great interest in his Far Eastern guests.

Of course, he was not a Korean, but a foreign advisor hired by them, but in any case, the fact that the emperor of a country personally sent a special envoy to him aroused great curiosity.

“Your Majesty, I am Lord Great House, a special envoy from the Korean Empire.”

“Thank you for your hard work during your long journey.”

“The Emperor of Korea sends greetings and wishes to His Majesty the Emperor of the German Empire, wishing him glory and blessings.”

Greathouse spoke with the utmost courtesy, for, as far as he knew, the Kaiser of the German Empire was quite a moody man.

Moreover, he was very ill-tempered and had a very narcissistic side, so if he made a mistake, he didn’t know what kind of disadvantage it would bring to his employer, the Korean Empire.

Although they were weak compared to Russia or Japan, they could not help but take notice, as they had stationed the German Empire’s Oriental Fleet and ground forces in nearby Kyoju.

“I am truly grateful that the Emperor of Korea is so concerned about me. So, what issue did you come to discuss with me in person?”

“Your Majesty, the Emperor of Korea seeks the assistance of the German Empire in matters arising in Asia.”

“Haven’t the great powers already joined forces to subdue those uncivilized people called the Boxers?”

“No, Your Majesty. The Russian Empire and the Japanese Empire are on the verge of conflict over Manchuria.”

Kaiser adjusted his posture as if he was interested.

It seemed like something interesting was going to happen, as Russia and Japan were clashing.

“Behind Japan is Britain.”

“They’re only just now trying to find their friends. Unfortunately···.”

The German Empire had rejected Britain’s offer of an alliance this year. Britain was neurotic about the great bear, Russia, escaping from us.

Until twenty years ago, they thought that Britain’s power was sufficient to dominate oceans and continents, so they blockaded Russia instead of seeking friends.

But times had changed. Britain could no longer dominate the European seas on its own.

Naturally, the same was true of other oceans.

It is true that they still possessed the world’s greatest fleet, but the vast colonies, the increased administrative costs that came with them, and the enormous funds consumed to maintain the huge fleet were enough to call them the British Empire, or a perennial deficit empire.

“But what does that have to do with our empire?”

“The German Empire’s colonies in Kyoju Bay are in danger.”

“Who dares to threaten the colonies of our empire!”

“It is the Empire of Japan.”

Greathouse began to bring up the serious issue. His task was to scratch the Kaiser’s head while at the same time applying his yellow peril theory to Japan.

I thought he would understand it, since it was something he had been advocating since 1895.

“Huh? Not Russia?”

“Russia cannot defeat Japan. The Russian army in the Far East is weaker than the Japanese army, and it will be difficult to avoid defeat in the end.”

“What is the basis for this?”

“This is a military map of the Korean Empire showing the armies of both countries deployed in the Far East.”

The Greathouse presented him with a large map that lay beside him and said:

Then the Kaiser asked his attendant to spread out the map on the table.

In an instant, the entire situation of the Far East theater came into view in detail.

“Russia’s military is inferior to Japan’s by 7:2. Japan’s fleet power is also increasing rapidly, upsetting the balance in the Far East. Furthermore, Britain is helping Japan, and France will not help Russia if it goes to war. They have internal problems and cannot afford to intervene.”

“Then wouldn’t this be an opportunity for our empire? If France abandons Russia, we can approach Russia and surround it?”

“Look at the bigger picture, Your Majesty. If Russia is defeated, who will stop the Japanese Empire in the Far East?”

The Kaiser suddenly remembered why he had rejected Britain’s offer of an alliance some time ago.

It was Prime Minister Salisbury who proposed an alliance to the German government.

That too, on the condition that it be an official alliance, not a secret one.

They had been making contacts to curb Russian influence, but the Kaiser himself refused.

The reason was that he did not want to ruin relations with Russia, but in reality, he wanted Russia to make new expansions in the Far East.

The more Russia stirred up trouble in the Far East, the more opportunities it presented to the German Empire.

By the late 1890s, the German Empire had taken a big bite out of the Königsberg region, but it was in a position where further expansion was difficult.

Because countries like Britain, France, and the United States were looking at it with disapproving eyes.

But what if Russia were to take their attention instead? That would be a golden opportunity for expansion. They could even annex the entire Shandong Peninsula while they’re at it.

If Japan had defeated Russia in such a situation, the German Empire’s plan would have been shattered.

It was also an unacceptable problem for the Kaiser. And it would be a problem based on the yellow peril theory that he himself advocated.

“If Russia in Manchuria is driven back to the Maritime Province by Japan, the next natural target will be the colonies of the German Empire. Your Majesty, what has Japan, backed by Britain, to fear?”

When I thought about it, the special envoy’s words were right. He couldn’t help but feel resentful about the fact that Japan’s voice was growing stronger as the Boxer Rebellion was suppressed.

Of course, he also disliked France, which was an ally of Russia, but personally, he thought it would be better to be friends with the French than with the Japanese. At least they were white and European.

“Yes. If Japan were to piggyback on Britain….”

“The peace of Asia is in your hands. If war breaks out, everything will go wrong. The Korean Empire cannot stop the Japanese Empire alone, and if Russia, France’s ally, is defeated, it will be unstoppable. Of course, this may bring about a French retreat in Europe, giving the German Empire an opportunity, but at the same time, in Asia, all the European powers will have no choice but to retreat on a large scale.”

“······.”

It was a terrible conclusion. And, more than that, it was the point where his fears became reality.

“Then it can’t be! It’s an unacceptable future!”

“That is right, Your Majesty. Therefore, you must help us even more. Our Korean Empire is balancing against Japan’s ambitions and protecting the peace of Asia. Only Your Majesty the Righteous Emperor and the German Empire, feared by all nations, can stop them!”

Greathouse raised his voice, thinking he had completely captured the mood.

Kaiser looked at him like that and his already sharp eyes widened even more.

“Very well. I will order Marshal Balderzee, who is currently operating in China, to intervene in the negotiations taking place in the Korean Empire. And the safety of the Korean Empire will be clearly guaranteed by our Eastern Fleet.”

He stood up from his seat, his fists clenched, his resolve firm.

How dare the Japanese try to destroy the peace and balance that the Europeans fought so hard to build.

Such a thing is absolutely unacceptable. Furthermore, it is an attempt to destroy the peace that this small kingdom in the Far East should have.

He thought to himself.

The German Empire can be the great balancer and arbiter, and the only one who can lead them is the Kaiser himself.

What kind of situation will his intense ambition bring about?