Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 374



Only Noblemtl

#2-30. Goodbye to all plans (2)

If that’s the case, then the story was going to be that the information was wrong from the beginning. Either the Republic of China or the Japanese government was currently disseminating false information, and plans based on this were obviously not going to work.

“Haha, that could be true. Would the Republic of China and President Yuan Shikai be the kind of people who would go around blithely talking about the defeat of their own army? I don’t know how much faith your country has in its country, but I appreciate your willingness to provide support. However, our army has already entered the process of destroying Zhang Zuolin’s army.”

“But isn’t that your one-sided claim? Fifteen of our settlements were attacked, and there were casualties. We can’t just sit by and watch.”

“… Sir Gomura, I wonder if you are unaware of the contents of the agreement between your side and our side in establishing the Oriental Development Company.”

Lee Yong-ik stopped picking up his teacup and looked down at him quietly as he spoke.

“The clause that says, ‘If the settlement is attacked by an external threat, the two countries will respond jointly’ is clearly valid. In addition, in similar cases, your country has already requested the stationing of military or police forces.”

That was true. Just like the Treaty of Hanseong concluded with Qing after the Gapsin Coup in 1884, the Japanese military was interpreting it as authoritative.

That is why, since the founding of the Dongchuk, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of the Army, and the Ministry of the Navy have continuously requested the deployment of their own military and police forces for the purpose of maintaining public order and defending settlements.

But every time this happened, the Korean Empire showed a strong reaction of rejection and declared its absolute intention to prohibit it.

That is why we have been meticulously preparing for this large-scale offensive, as it will be difficult for the Korean military to respond.

“But this time, we are ending the situation ourselves. It’s been less than two weeks since the incident broke out, so it’s a bit surprising to hear your country offer to send troops so quickly.”

“… … .”

And when the incident finally broke out, the military was brimming with confidence. This was because they believed that this time they would finally be able to secure a foothold in Manchuria and fully check the Korean Empire.

Accordingly, the Navy Ministry dispatched the 2nd Fleet to the vicinity of Port Arthur, while the Army Ministry also began preliminary work to immediately land the newly established 19th and 20th Divisions in the direction of Yingkou.

But as the saying goes, all plans are ruined within five minutes of starting the operation, and this time too, that was certainly the case.

Initially, the Chiefs of Staff proposed to simply notify the situation. This was because if they tried to coordinate diplomatically, they could risk missing an important strategic moment.

However, thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ persuasion that it would only provoke the hedgehog known as the Korean Empire while the aftereffects of the previous war had not yet fully subsided, an agreement was reached to first issue a diplomatic notification and then take military action.

However, these people were not the immature ones who first opened their ports in 1876. They were the ones who had begun to mature both domestically and internationally after the war, so the previous logic of turning a blind eye did not work at all.

“I think the agreement included something like this. Basically, in the event of an emergency or incident in South Manchuria, the Korean Empire would be the first to respond. I also remember that if we were to engage in a joint response, there would have to be a request from our side.”

“That is why I came here to see His Majesty the Emperor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Your country’s difficulties are also my country’s difficulties-”

“Haha, you don’t have to bother me. As I said before, our military is already organizing the front lines. You don’t have to interpret it.”

As if he had anticipated this situation, Lee Yong-ik smiled broadly and cut off Gomura’s words one by one.

Gomura, who was personally learning that the rumor that Koreans are becoming more cunning day by day was not coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, could not help but be astonished by Lee Yong-ik’s specific words that followed.

“The 30,000 enemy troops who had already entered Andong were completely annihilated by the punitive force led by General Kim Si-hyeok, and our fleet is also preparing to surround Yeonggu and bombard it. We will probably be able to finish them off before July, when summer fully arrives.”

He looked at Gomura with cold eyes. It was as if he was determined to completely neutralize her by mobilizing ground forces and fleets.

“If your country occupies the permanent… … .”

“From now on, the Dongchuk pioneer villages that Japan and Korea have jointly developed will be guaranteed permanent safety. Either way, it’s a good thing, hehe.”

From Gomura Lee Yong-ik’s eyes, it was possible to read, ‘If you don’t pay attention and insist on meddling here, then you’re on your own from now on.’

Initially, they wanted to persuade the emperor, who had invested a considerable amount of money in Dongchuk, to send Japanese troops to respond jointly, but it seemed that their cabinet was one step ahead.

“If… your country’s troops enter Manchuria without the consent of our royal family, cabinet, Privy Council, and Marshal’s Office, or if something unfortunate happens.”

The sound of saliva being swallowed reached Lee Yong-ik’s ears.

“Our government and military will never sit idly by. If any unfortunate incidents occur due to ignoring this, I would like to inform you in advance that the Japanese Empire will be entirely responsible.”

“No, are you trying to intimidate us? We are just maintaining friendly relations and trust between neighboring countries-”

“How could that be, Your Majesty? I just want you to know that we have patience and limits. South Manchuria is an area that came under our jurisdiction under the previous Treaty of Portsmouth. If you send troops in so recklessly… Will the European powers just sit back and watch?”

In doing so, Lee Yong-ik spoke while realistically bringing up things that could put pressure on the Japanese Empire.

“I am terribly afraid that if your country’s military intervenes in the Manchurian issue, an uncontrolled conflict could break out.”

“What if it’s an uncontrolled collision… … ?”

“Well, it’s obvious. If the armies of both sides are not coordinated, an armed conflict breaks out, and bloodshed breaks out, we will start by imposing a ban on grain exports and gold exports to your country.”

He continued with a gentle smile, contrasting with his cold words. If they were to immediately block the export of rice and beans, or even the trade in cowpeas, it was obvious that enormous economic and social chaos would occur within Japan.

Even though the cabinet officials were concerned about this, the military ignored it, which was a problem. To be precise, it would be correct to say that they put forward the logic that they had to advance into Manchuria even at the risk of such damage.

“Although I am here right now, having a cup of tea and a snack without any particular feelings, our people outside think differently. They suffered enough in the last war.”

“It’s been 10 years. We want to look to the future with a new relationship with your country.”

“It’s only been ten years, Sir Gomura.”

A heavy current flowed around them, as if each passing minute and second were an eternity.

“In the war against your country, countless people were mobilized. In the northern provinces, fathers and sons, mothers and their daughters had to fight on the battlefield, and in the southern provinces, entire villages had to observe the same ancestral rites day at the same time. So many people lost their precious lives in the war and died in unknown places.”

“…What is the point?”

“Your Majesty, I ask you to judge rationally, not emotionally, regarding the issue that is your country’s forte. Although it has been ten years since the war ended, we still have not forgotten. Even if your country sends troops to help us with good intentions, our government, military, and people will reject it. Perhaps, this will continue forever, even if it passes through generations.”

In his cold eyes, he could see exactly what action the Korean Empire would take. Instead of responding, Gomura decided that it would be wiser for now to remain silent and wait for his next words.

“This is not just a matter of friendship and trust between the two countries, but it is also a practical matter. If there is another problem in Asia, we will have no choice but to clash again.”

In the end, it was a strong will and warning that they would not back down even one step and would not allow the Japanese army to advance.

‘These guys risked their lives in South Manchuria.’

Gomura sighed and thought about it. For them, the sovereignty over South Manchuria meant more than just the recovery of their homeland.

The idea that these were precious spoils of war, obtained by defeating the invaders in the last war, seemed to have captivated the entire military, government, and civilian population.

Since things were going to go wrong anyway, he was more concerned about preventing the destruction of Jangjakrim than sending troops, and he asked Lee Yong-ik for the most important information to convince the military and the cabinet.

“… So, how far along are your military plans for operations now?”

I thought that if the Korean army was advancing north of Andong, it might be easier to persuade the military.

And he had to hear an answer that exceeded his expectations.

“Hmm, I’m also in the military for a while, so I’m not sure if I should say this or not… … .”

Lee Yong-ik, who pretended to be thinking for a moment, pretended not to be able to resist and spoke softly into his ear.

“We are currently conducting the most complex operation, involving the combined forces of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to destroy Jang Jag-rim and his bandits, who have already permanently retreated.”

“Seo, no way… … Are you saying that you’re going to occupy Sanhae Pass?”

“Well, if nothing else comes up, that could be possible. First, the current army will capture Yeonggu within a few days. There is also the possibility of advancing to Geumju and Sanhaeguan. Especially if it is an army commanded by General Kim Si-hyeok, I believe it will be able to advance even further.”

This was a warning that had real bones. The hero of the last Far East War, the one who created countless widows, was leading the troops on the front lines.

Surprised, Gomura put down her teacup and spoke in a trembling voice.

“I will pretend I didn’t hear that, Your Majesty. Your recent remarks are too extreme.”

Gomura waved his hands with a surprised expression. I thought they would be so flustered by now that they wouldn’t even say anything if they were to involve their own army and navy, but instead, they were threatening them.

“Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding. Your country will also value diplomatic solutions and will be looking at the current situation rationally. This is really annoying, I also like mischievous pranks, so it’s annoying, annoying.”

… These were too gruesome stories to be considered mere jokes. Gomura judged that if he talked about the demands of his home country here, he would lose his initial investment, so he decided to back off for now and contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again to discuss what to do next.

‘That’s a good thing. Even the military’s vain ambitions can be broken by making excuses.’

Gomura thought that this was perhaps a blessing in disguise. If the news that the Korean army was already entering Yeonggwang was true, then no one in the military would be able to see it easily.

Even more so if the commander was Kim Si-hyeok, who had massacred countless Japanese soldiers in the previous war and created countless widows. When he thought about that, he quickly got up from his seat and tried to leave.

“I fully understand your intentions. It is regrettable that we are meeting today, but I think we must end here.”

He politely bowed and tried to leave the room, but Lee Yong-ik wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Oh, before you go. Instead of full authority, please take all the refreshments here with you. I put in a lot of effort to prepare them, so it would be a shame if you leave like this.”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty. I appreciate your kindness, but something urgent has come up with me right now-”

“Oh, in Korea, isn’t it the law to follow Korean etiquette? And if the guest enjoys himself to the fullest, then the host will feel at ease. Please rest a little longer and enjoy the refreshments before you go.”

Lee Yong-ik shrugged and looked at him. Perhaps General Shin Heon, who had emphasized etiquette and pressured Kuroda, the Japanese plenipotentiary, to eat rice cakes during the Ganghwa Treaty of 1876, had done the same.

As things did not go as expected, Minister Komura, who was at a loss as to what to do, ended up reaching for some snacks, and after a long time, he was finally able to return to the newly built Japanese embassy in Jeong-dong.

And for a while there were rumors going around that he had been suffering from indigestion, but it was not known whether this was true or not.