“There is an improvement!”
“Alexei is finally free from pain!”
After some time, even Nicholas learned of it.
By now, it seemed fitting to pass on the remaining knowledge to the doctors here and wrap things up.
“My task is almost complete. As long as you follow my instructions, His Majesty will recover.”
“A truly miraculous feat. Not a single doctor in the Empire could achieve this. How could you…”
Nicholas II continued to express his boundless trust in me.
It was only natural—after all, he had witnessed firsthand that I did not let his son die.
I had secured this trust in a way different from Rasputin.
The real question was, what would become of the actual Rasputin now? But honestly, that wasn’t my concern.
“This much is not so difficult, is it? Now that I have resolved the issue of hemophilia, it may be rude of me to make such a request immediately, but I hope Your Majesty will honor your promise.”
“Speak your wish.”
His expression was relieved, as if he was ready to grant me anything I asked for.
‘Should I aim high here?’ Negotiations like this required boldness.
It’s like asking for an allowance.
“If you actually want 5,000 won, you confidently demand 10,000 won and then gradually let it be bargained down. On the surface, it seems like a failed negotiation, but in reality, you end up profiting.”
“What I wanted now was a mutual defense treaty.”
In other words, I needed a military alliance.
“Along with a mutual defense alliance, I would like Your Majesty to recognize all of Southern Manchuria, excluding Dalian, as Korean territory.”
“Korea dares to speak of mutual defense?”
“And even territorial claims?”
“Isn’t this too excessive a demand?”
The nobles jeered and voiced their opposition.
I had already been quite generous here.
‘If anything, I had just saved Russia itself.’
“Japan’s invasion is inevitable. In Europe, it may be different, but in the Far East, there is a real possibility of Russia losing a limited conflict. After all, the Russian Far East is far removed from European Russia. Even a mere dog becomes a wolf in its own home.”
“Korea and Manchuria are like Japan’s front yard. Moreover, Japan has Britain, Russia’s opponent in the Great Game, standing behind it. Why wouldn’t this make sense?”
“If the Korean Empire falls to Japan, Russia will also be threatened by Japan, which is acting as Britain’s enforcer. This is by no means a loss for Russia.”
I was certain of this.
Nicholas II, entranced by my eloquent speech, gave a small nod.
“There is logic in your words.”
“I may concede the mutual defense treaty, but Southern Manchuria? Isn’t that too much? During the Boxer Rebellion, Korea rejected our offer to intervene and instead took Gando for itself.”
One figure in particular was strongly opposing me.
I wasn’t sure of his name, but he must have been an important figure.
Nicholas II seemed to be weighing his opinion as well.
“We would prefer if you remained in Russia rather than returning to Korea.”
“I must be in Korea.”
At my firm reply, Nicholas II exchanged whispers with the man who had opposed me.
They were likely negotiating what to offer me.
And then, at last—
“Saving my child, the heir of Great Russia, is akin to saving Russia itself. However, directly ceding Korean territory risks provoking Japan. Therefore, I shall grant the title of Count of Russia to the Staff Officer of the Korean Imperial Guard, Ok Jinseo, and entrust Southern Manchuria to her under Russian administration.”
…What?
‘Not to Korea, but to me personally?’
Well, sure.
‘It would be a better choice for the future if I held it rather than letting that bastard Gunbami have it, but still… This?’
Wait a minute.
So this is why Gunbami… He envied a mere female officer in the Imperial Guards and thus sided with Japan?
Those traitorous bastards in the intelligence community never told me something this important!
Still, it wouldn’t be wise to argue further.
The Tsar had shown generosity.
‘If I kept pushing, he might rescind his offer out of spite.’
In any case, this was essentially granting us Southern Manchuria.
“And if Japan’s invasion is inevitable, then I shall also establish a mutual defense treaty with the Korean Empire. Ok Jinseo shall defend both Southern Manchuria and the Russian Trans-Manchurian Railway.”
‘What the hell just happened?’
I had somehow ended up as a vassal of the Russian Tsar.
‘Was this… a good thing?’
‘Even if I protested, it wasn’t clear if he would simply hand it over.’
I could do nothing but bow my head.
Yet doubts lingered in my mind.
A count’s title… ‘Was this even possible?’
‘Could a female count truly govern Southern Manchuria as her domain?’
Then again, Russia was still officially engaged in the Great Game against Britain.
Their authority was immense, so perhaps it was feasible.
‘Was accepting this the right choice?’
‘What would Emperor Gojong say if he found out about this?’
Perhaps it was better to refuse.
After all, this was just an illusion—something symbolic.
Southern Manchuria had already been agreed upon as a “training ground” anyway.
I should refuse it once.
“Your Majesty, I cannot accept this.”
“Are you rejecting the Tsar’s generosity?”
Some Russian nobles scorned me for refusing his kindness, but I was, after all, a subject of Emperor Gojong.
“His Majesty, the Emperor of Korea, would never approve of this. Southern Manchuria is vast, comparable in size to our homeland. For a mere subject to…”
“That is a matter I shall resolve personally with the Emperor of Korea through a formal letter.”
“Although you are a woman, I recognize your extraordinary military capabilities. You shall defend Southern Manchuria.”
Honestly, this was a dangerous gamble.
But I had to accept it.
‘If I rejected it now, it would be akin to losing the Wanli Emperor’s support.’
‘Fine. If I was going to get rid of Gunbami, I might as well gain more power.’
Meanwhile, news of Alexei’s recovery had spread across Europe.
***
“A shaman from the East cured him!”
“And that shaman is Korean??”
“I heard she’s the witch who rampaged through Manchuria!”
“They say she can survive even after being shot!”
Europe was in an uproar.
After all, saving the Tsar’s son was no small matter.
‘How could it not become a huge topic?’
And then, the truly shocking news came—
The one who saved the boy was the same woman who had once wreaked havoc in Manchuria.
Of course, only a few countries, including Korea and Japan, were aware of her reputation there.
But the fact that she had been granted the title of Countess of Russia, along with control over Southern Manchuria, was enough to stir global intrigue.
“What kind of woman would be granted the title of Count?”
This naturally became a reason for many Europeans to visit South Manchuria.
Of course, not everyone viewed this development with mere curiosity.
The first to react was the Qing Dynasty, which flew into a rage as if it had a severe case of anger management issues.
“Is this even remotely reasonable? We only handed Manchuria over to Russia as a last resort! Not for a single moment have we abandoned Manchuria! And yet, to give South Manchuria to some wretched Joseon woman who deserves to be torn apart?!”
Empress Dowager Cixi trembled with her grotesque wrinkles, stomping her feet in fury.
Watching the scene, Emperor Dezong frowned.
“Then, shall we fight?”
“What?! Your Majesty, what are you saying? Of course, that wretched woman, Ok Jinseo, must be suppressed!”
“The fact that the Russian Emperor granted that Joseon woman the title of Count means he intends to protect her.”
He had directly bestowed the title upon her.
Considering the time she spent in Russia, earning the title of Count, it was clear that she had won considerable trust from the Russian Emperor.
“So? Manchuria is our sacred land. Shenyang holds the tombs of Taizu (Nurhaci) and Taizong (Hong Taiji)! No matter what, would Russia send its army just to protect a single woman?”
“That woman is filled with unwavering loyalty to her country and emperor. And now, that very woman has been granted a noble title and dominion over South Manchuria by Russia.”
The one who answered Empress Dowager Cixi’s question was Hyukgwang.
“What exactly are you trying to say? Are you implying that she has betrayed her master and aligned herself with the Russian Emperor?”
‘Isn’t she quite a bold woman?’
The military force she led in Gando was known to be one of the strongest in Joseon.
If she was that competent, Russia might have found her useful.
‘Wasn’t she just another opportunist who defected to Russia in exchange for land?’
“What if Russia and Joseon have formed an alliance?”
“Russia and Joseon?”
Indeed, the fact that this so-called Joseon official so readily accepted the title of Count could be interpreted as a deeper political maneuver.
Perhaps granting her the title was nothing more than a pretext to hand over South Manchuria to Joseon.
Maybe, in truth, this was an attempt to sever Manchuria from the Qing Dynasty entirely.
‘But so what?’
The Qing Dynasty was already a semi-colony.
Forget Manchuria—just holding onto land south of the Great Wall was a struggle.
***
Meanwhile, in Hanseong, King Gojong clenched his fist.
The Russian Emperor had granted the title of Count and the lands of Manchuria to a mere woman named Ok Jinseo from the Sapo.
‘Does this even make sense?’
The restoration of Manchuria should have been his achievement. But now, some unknown woman had taken South Manchuria right from under his nose, humiliating his authority.
“Who exactly is this Ok Jinseo? Who is she to dare receive the lands of South Manchuria from the Russian Emperor—lands that we must reclaim?!”
“Even so, we cannot protest this matter directly to the Russian Emperor.”
Russia was, after all, Joseon’s ally.
Losing that alliance was not an option.
“What do you mean?”
“This is a personal letter from the Russian Emperor, delivered by Minister Weber.”
Minister Weber had brought a letter from the Russian Emperor himself.
Gojong’s trusted friend, Weber, had until recently been concerned about a potential Russian invasion of Manchuria.
Now, he had come bearing a letter from the Russian Emperor.
Gojong immediately ordered Lee Yongik to read the letter aloud.
“This is…”
After reading the letter, Gojong had no choice but to suppress his anger.
It explained that granting the title of Count and dominion over South Manchuria to Ok Jinseo was a necessary political maneuver, meant to satisfy external scrutiny.
Moreover, in the event of an imminent Japanese invasion, Russia and Joseon would sign a mutual defense treaty.
That part was agreeable.
However, Gojong was no fool.
After surviving the oppression of Heungseon Daewongun, Empress Myeongseong, and Japan’s relentless pressure, he had mastered the art of survival.
More than anything, he was obsessed with power.
Whether it was a mere Sapo strategist or a woman, anyone who dared to challenge the emperor’s authority was an enemy.
Even if she was just a chestnut vendor, no exceptions would be made.
“Still, isn’t she merely a strategist in the Sapo?”
‘How could a mere strategist become the ruler of South Manchuria?’
This was a direct affront to Joseon’s sovereignty.
Letting it go might be an option, but considering the vast territory stretching from Gando to South Manchuria, the stakes were too high.
This was a significant blow to the emperor’s prestige.
Just then, British Minister Jordan requested an audience with Gojong.
“Your Majesty, I hope you have been well. I have come today with a proposal from our government.”
Gojong found himself instantly annoyed.
Jordan, the British diplomat who had constantly meddled in Joseon’s affairs, was here again.
And, of course, he was smiling that sly, pirate-like grin unique to island nations.
“Your Majesty, I have heard that Sapo has gained control over South Manchuria.”
Though it had been granted by Russia, technically speaking, it had indeed been received.
For now, Ok Jinseo could be dealt with later.
First, South Manchuria had to be declared Joseon’s territory.
“It seems the sweet scent of Manchuria has reached your embassy as well.”
‘These damned vultures.’
The moment Joseon made a move to take control of Manchuria, these foreign powers came circling like sharks.
After all, wasn’t Joseon reclaiming Manchuria using only its own forces, without exploiting the Boxer Rebellion?
“Is it not time for the British Empire, Joseon, and Japan to form an alliance?” Jordan laughed.
“What did you just say?”
‘An alliance with Britain and Japan?’
‘Did that just come out of this British man’s mouth?’
‘Then again, wasn’t Britain the world’s greatest power?’
“Russia is constructing fortresses and stationing hundreds of thousands of troops in Manchuria. Is this not a threat to East Asian peace? If our three nations work together to drive Russia out of Manchuria, what would Your Majesty think?”
Driving Russia out of Manchuria.
There was no way Britain intended for only Koreans to bleed.
Surely, they planned to use both Korean and Japanese soldiers to achieve their goal.
And then, what would Korea gain?
“And what would we get in return?”
“Britain only wishes to maintain peace in East Asia. We have no other interests. However, Joseon will claim all of Manchuria, while Japan will gain Dalian as a naval base.”
‘It sounds reasonable… but can these people be trusted?’
Realistically, Britain and Japan had already taken advantage of Joseon multiple times.
Gojong could only see one outcome—being discarded after serving their purpose.
But at that moment, his small, scheming mind began working at 200% capacity.
‘What if, after driving Russia out of Manchuria, Joseon turned on an exhausted Japan using the powerful Sapo forces?’
After all, Britain would never deploy its own troops to the Far East.
Their only interest was keeping Russia in check—they wouldn’t spill British blood in Manchuria.
‘If so, then this wasn’t entirely impossible.’
Most importantly, he couldn’t leave South Manchuria in the hands of a mere strategist from the Sapo.
An inexplicable sense of inferiority burned in the heart of the Chestnut King.