“You’re telling us to fight Russia and die, aren’t you?”
“That could be misinterpreted.”
“True. If there’s friction with Russia when we take control of Manchuria, our empire will support Korea. We would unite with Korea to stop them.”
‘How is it that they keep spouting nonsense exactly as I predicted?’
It’s obvious they want to provoke us into making a move and then use our words for their own agenda.
Right now, there are tens of thousands of Russian troops deployed in Manchuria.
The only reason we’re even operating there is because of the Far East governor’s favor.
‘If those tens of thousands of Russian troops became our enemies, we’d be beaten like dogs. Would they still say such things then?’
At least from my perspective, no matter how much I calculate, it doesn’t seem right.
“Please continue.”
“Britain, Japan, and Korea—no, I propose an alliance of the Manchurian warlords. Congratulations. Thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Lee Beomyun, we, Britain, have decided to treat Korea as a partner in the Far East.”
‘Is this a suggestion to stand against Russia with a triple alliance?’
‘How can I trust this? These two countries offering an alliance to Korea? It’s an alliance of such low status, and Japan has always been trying to take over Korea.’
I can’t believe it.
Let’s say, by some miracle, we join forces with these pirates and push Russia out of the Far East.
‘What happens afterward?’
Japan will find any excuse to station its army in the Korean Empire, and eventually, they’ll find a justification to take Korea through military means.
Wait a second.
It’s ‘limited to Gando’… That changes things.
“There are many things to consider.”
“With Britain and neighboring Japan helping, what could possibly be worth thinking about?”
They’re speaking nonsense.
‘What are these pirate nations saying?’
“Though we are warlords, we are still subjects of His Majesty the Emperor. This is not something we can decide on our own, and even if we do, what happens after we drive Russia out of Manchuria?”
“Right, let’s hear this. I’m curious to see what ridiculous excuse they’ll come up with.”
As I tilted my head, the two men frowned.
It must be uncomfortable for the young woman to receive foreign diplomats, but to be openly ridiculed at a diplomatic meeting must be even more absurd.
But, it’s a price I must pay.
Even if I act humble, bowing to them like “Oh, thank you, Britain and Japan,” their hidden malicious intentions won’t change.
Rather than bowing, it’s better to show my true colors.
“Well, once Gando is under the control of Commissioner Gando, isn’t that something that can be done? After defeating Russia, Britain will help with Japan to ensure the safe control of Manchuria by Gando.”
“So, Britain and Japan will naturally interfere with Manchuria. Is that what you mean?”
“You are still young, so perhaps you don’t know, but diplomacy is not such a simple matter. Today’s enemy can be tomorrow’s ally, and today’s ally can be tomorrow’s enemy.”
“Yes, I know that well.”
The problem is that Japan, which might become an ally tomorrow, has always been an enemy.
If they’re enemies anyway, I can’t just smile like a fool.
It’s fine to smile and appear humble, but against these people, I can’t let my pride be too easily crushed.
“Then?”
“For our Empire to stand against Russia, we need to support the modernization of the Korean Empire. Once that modernization is achieved, we can help.”
In other words, they need to show some sincerity first so that we have the strength to at least repel invaders.
Only then will they have a legitimate reason to act.
“I see. So, for Korea to stand against Russia, the modernization of Korea is the priority.”
“I see. But in reality, we have a foothold for advancing into China. We don’t need to target the Korean Empire.”
“If Korea is there, it will be easier to enter China. If Britain didn’t want to expand, would it have built an empire that spans the oceans?”
“You won’t be satisfied just with China.”
“Would you leave a peninsula with a strait between you and China unoccupied?”
“No, you will need Korea as a stepping stone for your continental expansion through Fujian Province and the peninsula.”
The current Korean Empire can barely resist Japan.
“How rude. So, what should we, the British Empire, do to earn your trust?”
“Korea is a country that knows how to repay kindness. If both nations truly help us, if you help with the modernization of our country and create an equal alliance, we will fight Russia with you. If you treat us as partners, not as prey, we’ll gladly follow your lead. We will do as you ask, even licking the soles of your feet if necessary. But honestly, I don’t see that future.”
The Korean Empire was a nation with little hope.
‘If such a nation were developed to a point where it could at least hold its own, sure, I would crawl on the ground if that was required.’
But I don’t see that future.
And the ones offering help are Britain and Japan.
“If you believe that, you might as well be a fool. Crawling for pirates like them is out of the question.”
“So?”
“In order for Korea to stand against Russia, we need help with modernization. Only after we have achieved that will it be possible.”
In short, all of this depends on whether they show sincerity, and only after we have the strength to fight back will we move forward.
“The courage you have is remarkable. But, the Gando warlord has only about 10,000 troops. Even if they increase, they won’t exceed several tens of thousands. What confidence do you have?”
Right, well said.
“Why, then, ask for an alliance with the Gando warlord with only 10,000 troops? I can’t help but think that your plan is to use us as a reason to stop Russia in Manchuria.”
‘Aren’t they just using us as a pawn?’
With the northern army, which was practically the backbone of the Korean Empire, all gone to Manchuria, it would be easy for them to just take over the empire, which was already vulnerable in the original history.
They would probably throw us a bunch of gifts as a condition.
‘If Japan wins the Russo-Japanese War and turns the Korean Empire into a battlefield, it’s really over.’
“I understand if you don’t trust us. But we’ll show a little gesture of goodwill. Our British Empire will help develop Manchuria.”
“Develop Manchuria?”
“If they help develop Manchuria, we’d be grateful, but in the end, it’s not an investment in the Korean Empire—it’s an investment in Manchuria.”
“We, Japan, will support weapons. How about it? Right now, we see Lee Beomyun, the warlord of Manchuria, as an independent entity, not part of the Korean Empire.”
“I see. The Japanese see us as nothing more than a northern warlord, and they’re using that to their advantage.”
Britain and Japan want to use us in Manchuria to set up their puppet state.
Since the ruling class in Korea would be of Korean descent, there would be constant friction with the Han Chinese in Manchuria, so they’re probably hoping to take advantage of that and use us.
I can see exactly where this is going.
“An independent entity.”
In the end, they never said they wouldn’t target the Korean Empire.
They want to see us as an independent entity, keeping us separate.
It’s clear.
There’s no choice.
If, by any chance, they accept my proposal, I wouldn’t be against joining forces with them.
Japan still hasn’t colonized us in this timeline.
‘If Japan eventually becomes a pro-Japanese country like it did in the original history, we might have to consider it, but right now, it seems they have no such intention.’
They might be trying to sow discord between the homeland and Manchuria.
At this point, there’s no need for further hesitation.
‘If they want to use us, then we should use them too.’
‘In that case, it’s only Russia that remains, with whom we share a border.’
I happen to know how to gain the favor of Tsar Nicholas II.
Still, if Britain and Japan insist on giving us things, it’s better to accept them.
If we refuse now, they’ll only try harder to swallow us up.
“We can’t exactly refuse, so let’s accept their gesture of goodwill.”
***
After meeting with the British consul Jordan and the head of the Japanese Imperial Privy Council, Ito Hirobumi, they assessed the situation in Manchuria.
“They may have just defeated the Qing army, but their military is far superior to the Korean Empire’s army.”
“Indeed.”
Unlike the Korean Empire’s military, the military in Manchuria is quite organized and well-structured.
Historically, Korea’s northern army was strong.
‘If the French officers trained that northern army, it might not be on par with a great power, but at least it would be at the level of a semi-great power.’
Though it’s a local military, it crushed the Qing dynasty, so it’s certainly at the level of a semi-great power.
With proper supplies, it would be formidable.
Ito Hirobumi thought that if such a military were to hold out along the Amnok River, the Japanese army would suffer significant losses when crossing into Manchuria.
By that time, the forces in Manchuria would have grown even larger.
At this point, it seems that the best strategy might be to use diplomatic efforts to bring the Korean Empire under Japan’s influence, making it a pro-Japanese state, and expanding Japan’s influence into Manchuria.
“I thought she was just some ignorant woman, but she’s actually quite clever. The rumors about a madwoman running wild in Manchuria weren’t just gossip.”
“Be cautious.”
“Is the head of Japan’s Privy Council afraid of a mere woman?”
‘Mere woman?’ They’re already looking down on her like this.
“Isn’t she going to get a slap in the face soon?”
“Korea, yes. The country may be in a terrible state, but every time it faces a crisis, a remarkable hero appears to save the nation. It’s always been like that.”
“For example, there was Yi Sunsin of Korea.”
“Though there weren’t many historical figures worth noting, there was always someone who, when the country was in danger, would step up to save it.”
“Could someone like that emerge this generation?”
Ito Hirobumi had recently been thinking about that.
Then, a woman, rumored to be the madwoman of Manchuria, appeared, and she could speak several languages of the great powers.
“Still, she’s just a young, reckless woman. You’re overestimating her.”
“In Korea’s history, there was a woman named So Seono. Despite being a woman, she founded the kingdoms of Goguryeo and Beijing.”
“Of course, there was Jumong, Biryu, and Onjo, but So Seono played a significant role in the founding of these two nations, and her name is even recorded in Japan.”
“Ito Hirobumi was the one who led Japan to its current position, having helped it rise from the period of foreign encroachment.”
He has an eye for people.
In his view, the Korean king, despite struggling to save a country that was bound to fall to Japan, was a cunning fox who lacked the ability to do anything but plot, and his ministers were just trying to secure stability by clinging to the great powers.
‘What if that woman turns out to be someone of the same caliber?’
The great powers are already showing interest in Manchuria.
Russia is strengthening its defenses in Manchuria right now.
This means they’re clearly targeting the Empire.
In that case, we must separate Manchuria from Korea, and Korea’s government from Manchuria.
“Then we need to divide Manchuria from Korea.”
The British consul is right.
She may seem like a reckless, young woman now, but yes, she’ll have to experience a harsh lesson.