Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 380



Only Noblemtl

#2-36. Behind Diplomacy (4)

“Come to think of it, didn’t Yuan Shikai request tens of millions of won from Japan and other great powers after suppressing the recent war of Chu and Chu?

“They are always short of money. Where in the world is there a country with such ample money? But they are in a much more serious situation. The continued political and economic instability and the military build-up due to the unrest in the South inevitably consume a lot of money.”

There, Cho Dong-yoon also knew one thing that Yuan Shikai feared. In order to maintain the loyalty of his support base, the Beiyang Clan, he had to continue to maintain a structure in which military expansion was inevitable.

Of course, it is true that during the last few years of Yuan Shikai’s reign after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, China’s industrial growth and capital growth were on an upward curve.

This was because Yuan Shikai himself not only had a friendly stance toward private enterprises, but also had made efforts to expand domestic capital, such as by promoting policies to favor domestic products.

However, despite this growth, the finances of the Beiyang government were in fact running into deficit every year. The customs duties and salt taxes, which accounted for the majority of the financial income, were tied up as indemnities to the great powers or were used as collateral for loans, and in order to maintain or tolerate the warlords who controlled each province, they had to watch as military expenditures increased.

As of 1913, 27% of the central budget was already being spent on military spending, accounting for 20% of total fiscal expenditures.

This ultimately led to a problem that further pushed the already worsening economic situation of the Republic of China into the abyss of poverty.

In order to secure economic stability, it was impossible to even think about reducing military spending and managing finances in a substantial manner. In the end, Yuan Shikai had borrowed 400 million won from foreign countries over two years to pay off debts with debts, so if they were to pay the compensation now, they would inevitably suffer a serious blow.

As soon as he finished speaking, which had created a heavy atmosphere in the cabinet conference room, those who had been taking a hard-line stance began to slowly applaud, perhaps thinking that even though it would take some time, it was not a bad method.

The moderate ministers on the other side were also nodding their heads, making gestures that showed considerable agreement with Cho Dong-yoon’s words.

Encouraged by this, Jo Dong-yoon continued speaking.

“In addition, we must enforce the use of the won and the ruble as the only legal currency in the southern Manchuria region. The army needs bullets to fight, but those bullets can be bought and made with money. In the Manchuria region, which is the base of Jangjakrim, we can restrict their movements in this way without war… … .”

And finally, in the cabinet conference room, where cigarette smoke rose in thick clouds as if from the muzzles of artillery guns firing a volley of shots, a show of hands voted on his agenda.

And soon after, the negotiation proposal with the Republic of China was concluded by an overwhelming margin, and a negotiation team was prepared, led by Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Lee Yong-ik, who had already been appointed in preparation for such a situation.

The gunfire on the front lines had ceased, but another form of war would now ensue in Jemulpo, this time through pens and voices.

***

A few days later, the special envoys from both sides met in Jemulpo. A cold atmosphere was circulating between the special envoys from both sides, who had barely managed to meet due to the strong mediation requests from Russia and Japan.

The special envoy dispatched by the Republic of China was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Yeo-rim. However, his expression was distorted as if he had chewed something, and Lee Yong-ik, the Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Korean Empire, who was sitting across from him, maintained a cold demeanor while maintaining a faint smile.

However, the silence did not last long. Eventually, the Republic of China, which had fallen into the position of B, began to bring up the topic to the Minister of the Korean Empire, who was looking at them from the position of A.

“First of all, regarding the current situation at the border, our President of the Republic of China said that he hopes to quickly restore peace between the two countries.”

Lee Yong-ik laughed inwardly after hearing the interpretation of his words. The records bureau had already dug into their intentions a long time ago.

This was the result of Zhang Zuolin and Japan buying at a low price Yuan Shikai’s greed, which was full of the desire to attack South Manchuria and use it for political purposes.

Lee Yong-ik, who was aware of such circumstances, decided to take a stronger stance this time, following the cabinet’s orders.

Japan had already given up on intervening militarily, and since it held the sword of diplomatic warfare in its own hands, there was no reason not to take an active role.

“Hmm, peace. It’s a very good word, but it doesn’t sound right coming from your mouth. Wasn’t it your country that first illegally invaded our internationally recognized territory under the Treaty of Portsmouth?”

“That was not our government’s intention. It seems that His Excellency has misunderstood… How about discussing this matter together and gathering our opinions?”

“What is there to talk about? Jang Jag-rim belongs to your country, and his military actions cannot but have your intentions mixed in.”

Lee Yong-ik continued speaking as he had prepared, watching their expressions. As expected, they just looked at Lee Yong-ik with a mixture of nervous expressions and expressions that said they expected something like that.

“Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor of the Korean Empire, His Cabinet, and His Marshal’s Office have resolved as follows: We will not cease military action until the elements threatening our borders are eliminated.”

“Isn’t it safe to interpret that statement as meaning that your country is willing to go to war with your own country?”

“Haha, well. Hasn’t it been since the founding of the Republic of China in 1912 that we have been in a situation similar to war?”

He continued his speech with a mocking tone. Over the past two years, there have already been seven, and including this incident, eight border conflicts, large and small, and the Korean Empire has also suffered considerable damage.

“That was just an arbitrary action by the Northeastern Security Commander Zhang Zuolin. It is true that he is in charge of the Northeastern foreign affairs of our Republic of China. However, this attack was also not discussed at all with our government.”

“Isn’t that a cowardly excuse, Special Envoy? We also had to think about our relationship with your country, so we have tried our best to refrain from escalating the war. That’s why we haven’t pursued the enemies who have gone outside our territory.”

Lee Yong-ik continued speaking, calming his trembling heart.

“So, every time you diplomatically protested to your country, didn’t you receive a promise that those responsible would be punished and that it would not happen again? But what was the result? All that happened was a large-scale bloodshed like the one we are seeing now.”

“Our government is also considering countermeasures for this… … .”

“Look here, Special Envoy. This is not the time to ask about your country’s response. This is a very important time to discuss whether to go to war with us or to move forward together for peace. Your country’s uncontrolled military actions have stretched the patience of our government and military to the limit, and our people are crying out for punishment against you.”

Jo Yeo-rim coughed in vain, avoiding Lee Yong-ik’s glaring gaze. Lee Yong-ik drank a cup of tea while listening to the shouts of the protesters outside.

In this situation, if we talk about cunning, Lee Yong-ik was also close to the fox family. If Jo Dong-yoon was a young and sophisticated fox, he could be said to be an old and unrefined but experienced fox.

“If they have an uncontrollable army on their border and they say that if they succeed, it’s a victory, and if they fail, they don’t care, then that’s their position, then it’s very disappointing.”

Lee Yong-ik sighed, accepted a stack of papers from the staff next to him, and continued speaking.

They were reports documenting all the border conflicts, large and small, that had occurred since 1910.

“Moreover, your country has not been able to control them at all. Seven times, no, now eight times. And in the process, you have not taken any responsibility. Thanks to the strong restraint of the Russian Governor-General and the protection of the Japanese Empire.”

Lee Yong-ik said this while pressuring Cho Yeo-rim strongly. Then, this time, the Minister of the Republic of China to Korea, Jeong Gwang-jeon, who was sitting to Cho Yeo-rim’s right, said this as if he felt wronged.

“But shouldn’t we also say that the Republic of China is not included in any agreement regarding the Treaty of Portsmouth? Manchuria is Qing territory, and we are the successor state of Qing. Therefore, it is questionable how effective a treaty made without the agreement of the parties involved would be.”

The Zengguang War attempted to raise the issue of South Manchuria using the same logic that the Republic of China had been using toward the Korean Empire.

At Portsmouth they argued that they had not been involved in any way and that the treaty was invalid as it had been concluded in defiance of the rights of the suzerain state.

Therefore, they continued to insist that the rightful ownership of Manchuria belonged to the original owner, the Qing Empire, and that it should now be returned to the Republic of China, which succeeded them.

Of course, up until now, the Korean Empire had been suppressing their claims with the authority of the Treaty of Portsmouth, but with full-scale armed conflicts breaking out all over the border, this was escalating into a serious diplomatic problem.

Of course, the Korean Empire, which had already gained the upper hand in many areas, had no intention of leaving it alone. If it had won a battle, it would be a good government’s attitude to know how to utilize it.

Accordingly, Lee Yong-ik began to put great pressure on the special envoys of the Republic of China. And he had to establish receipts to be received from them.

“Oh, then can we accept that the conclusion is that they want to go to war with us? Keep in mind that the Treaty of Portsmouth is a treaty that involves not only the parties to the last Far East War, but also the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. It is not a treaty that simply involves our Korean Empire.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that your country’s outrage, backed by the great powers, would reach this extent.”

Jo Yeo-rim shook her head and stood up, perhaps thinking that the conversation was no longer going well. To be exact, it would have been correct to say that she was trying to stand up.

Lee Yong-ik’s subsequent words were enough to make him cautious about his next actions.

“Special Envoy, our army is currently preparing to advance to Shanhaiguan.”

This one word might have been more fatal to them than any diplomatic rhetoric or threats. They looked at each other awkwardly as they were about to stand up, but at Lee Yong-ik’s next words, they had no choice but to sit back down.

“If you give up negotiations here, our government will judge that you have no intention of finding a peaceful solution. If that happens, our army will immediately advance beyond Yeongju and Geumju to Shanhaiguan.”

“… … .”

“Our fleet will also sail to Tianjin. Do not forget that our army planted its flag there back in 1900.”

Looking at Jo Yeo-rim, who was looking at him with a vain look, Lee Yong-ik shrugged his shoulders and continued speaking.