Undying Flame (2)

Though the Communications Ministry established a wireless communications department using detectors and antennas this year, practical use remains uncertain.

In other words, with current technology, the Tsar in St. Petersburg cannot give real-time orders regarding situations in the Far East, or further south in Joseon.

Thus naturally, Joseon's issues primarily fall to Governor Sergei himself.

'Hmm... would have been better if he'd cleaned up this part too before leaving two years ago.'

It's not incomprehensible. If they'd tried establishing a pro-Russian cabinet while explicitly inserting "Joseon is an independent nation" into the treaty, the Jinzhou Treaty would have been seen as just the great powers' base intentions.

Then should they just watch as Joseon gradually submits to Japan?

"That's not right either. Sigh, how complicated."

The problem began with recognizing such a non-independent country as an independent nation from the start.

If Joseon had united firmly and exercised consistent diplomacy, it would have been easy to help or draw lines, but now the situation had become too complex.

For Russia now, truly a country they could neither swallow nor spit out.

'What did they call this in the East... chicken leg?'

Though Joseon doesn't look that appetizing. Hard to say.

Just looking at Joseon settlers, they have different races, cultures, and even food on their tables.

Different meaning difficult to subjugate, let alone integrate or cooperate.

Joseon is such a country. A country difficult to simply accompany.

"Your Excellency Governor, Minister Weber has requested additional warships."

"Is he Joseon's diplomat or our empire's diplomat? Why does he keep complicating matters!"

Karl Weber - who would have thought he'd even help Gojong's escape.

Moreover, not sending him back but hosting the Joseon royal family at the legation - it's enough to drive Governor Sergei mad.

Sergei tried to view the situation through the Tsar's eyes from his crown prince days, setting aside Joseon's current value.

'He always warned of war risks, so he probably opposed actual occupation of Joseon.'

He must have been averse to Russia and Japan's borders physically getting closer.

Moreover, though the Trans-Siberian Railway construction has gained momentum, much time is still needed until completion.

In other words, he might have boldly shaken off everything including Joseon.

But it could be thought of oppositely too.

Why did he order South Manchurian Railway construction? Surely that means he found value beyond what he thought in this land?

Then doesn't that mean sphere of influence Joseon could also benefit the empire?

"Colonel Roman, what did Admiral Romen say?"

"He opposes deploying warships as an extremely threatening measure but says he'll wait fully prepared at port just in case."

"Thoroughly military-like."

Admiral Romen's judgment is correct. Just one Armored Cruiser Admiral Kornilov under his Pacific Fleet command would devastate that Joseon.

Therefore, if not expanding matters, ships shouldn't be deployed as the minister requested.

"Today marks four months of the Joseon king staying at the legation."

How long can he stay at the legation like that? As time passes, Japan must also show reaction.

"Can't ignore those island pirate bastards either."

"If we try to take Joseon, it's uncertain if France and Germany would help like before."

"Backlash is concerning too."

Already dying from being ground by mountains of work daily, and this Far East never has a quiet year.

Unable to do anything either way, Governor Sergei who chose to watch for now just waited for orders from far Europe.

And the answer that came was completely unexpected.

Though not a very long order, summarizing it further:

[Join hands with Japan]

"..."

"Perhaps we explained the situation here wrong? Some content was omitted or Joseon was confused with other regions being so small?"

"No. This document bears the Tsar's seal. The Foreign Ministry and Communications Ministry wouldn't work so carelessly."

When Joseon's king fled to the legation escaping Japan... to join hands with Japan.

One thing is certain.

That the Tsar is not on Joseon's side.

==

What was the core justification for the Sino-Japanese War?

'Joseon's voluntary request.'

This was the biggest reason that let Japan both repel other countries' intervention and deploy troops.

This situation is the same. They imprisoned the legitimate monarch and seized power. And that power is pro-Japanese forces?

With Gojong's request, even if Governor Sergei sent ships to sweep Hanyang, Japan should have nothing to say diplomatically.

That's how history actually went too.

"This is a trap."

Gladly sending ships and troops at Gojong's request and trying to grow pro-Russian forces.

Not looking further ahead while drooling at the too deliciously set table was original history Russia's fatal mistake.

That wasn't all. Sending military advisors, stationing troops, and pushing Gwangmu Reform with pro-Russian cabinet just as pro-Japanese cabinet did Eulmi Reform.

But in fact, for current Joseon, both Japan and Russia are just threatening countries.

No matter how much Gojong hates Imperial Japan, the possibility of raising them well to use as vanguards against Japan approaches zero, and rather only accelerates factors for the Russo-Japanese War.

Same even if Joseon declares the Korean Empire.

Practically, Joseon is something not to be touched until building up military power in the Far East.

"Looking at original history again, Russia dispatches a finance advisor controlling Joseon for a year before letting go."

Naturally preempting considerable rights in Joseon during that year.

"Despite not even properly developing the Far East."

What I occasionally reminisce about is the Republic of Korea, not Joseon I only read in text.

And since I pride myself on knowing Joseon better than anyone in Russia, I will boldly abandon Joseon.

"Your Majesty, I heard you summoned the Foreign Ministry."

"Minister Nikolai Giers. You must have heard recent East Asian news."

"The situation is turning favorable for us. At this rate, the Korean Peninsula will roll in just by staying still-"

"That's not it. Make a treaty with Japan. A treaty making Joseon a neutral zone with both pro-Russian and pro-Japanese factions stepping back."

"..."

"Just do it."

The only area where I absolutely won't listen to others' words. The Far East.

Even the Foreign Ministry who prides themselves on knowing it well must step back regarding that place.

Minister Giers, who was briefly uncomfortable, didn't question further.

"Then I'll finish by getting one or two rights properly so all nations with most-favored-nation status can step in."

"Good."

Befitting the person who designed the Triple Intervention, Minister Giers confirmed my intention and answered he would make it 'land awkward for anyone to eat'.

This is enough. Well endured.

Truly a trait, patience, that would never have existed in the original Russian Empire.

Though it's forcibly wiping drooling saliva with Tsar's power, I'm satisfied with just that.

After Minister Giers leaves, I carefully examine my feelings about Joseon.

'Well, I've become quite Slavic too.'

I feel nothing.

No guilt, no sense of duty.

Truly at this moment, I found no value in that peninsula.

==

In the end, a repeat of two years ago.

"Truly, are you saying this country is even useless?"

"...That's not it. Rather, because the Tsar knows East Asian affairs better than anyone, he made this choice."

"Minister Weber, I'm not angry. Rather disappointed and ashamed."

Yi Hui (Gojong) somewhat understood as king the Tsar's choice in far Europe.

In his eyes, he was just a puppet king of an infinitely small country.

No different from a foal only asking for help everywhere without standing on its own.

In June '96, the pro-Japanese cabinet that lost governing ability when the king disappeared collapsed.

However, Kim Hong-jip wasn't beaten to death by pro-Gojong merchants or cabinet members weren't captured.

They only received nominal punishment.

"The crime of lusting for power as a royal elder is no different from Sedo politics, an atrocious crime. Criminal Yi Ha-eung is stripped of Daewongun position and forbidden from setting foot in Hanseong again."

"Criminal Kim Hong-jip also committed high treason colluding with Yi Ha-eung, and is sentenced to exile."

Kim Hong-jip listening silently to the charges knew inwardly. That exile wouldn't be long.

The fundamental reason proper punishment wasn't carried out was that when Russia received Joseon's request, they rather tried to resolve issues directly with Japan bypassing Joseon.

What Russia finally intervened in but didn't change.

Imperial Japan immediately responded, fearing Joseon would completely fall, and some powers woke up to receive Korean Peninsula rights one by one as gifts through that most-favored-nation treatment.

The waves raised by a small country's king seemed to conclude like this.

To a situation where no one could laugh, but no one cried either.

Gojong bitterly returning as palace master.

Minister Weber who drove out the pro-Japanese cabinet but could do nothing more.

Even factions still remaining with certain powers as backing.

Watching such scenes, the Amur Governor-General's Office, most alert of all, felt déjà vu.

"...Isn't it strange?"

"It's strange."

"Definitely strange."

Governor Sergei, Roman Kondrachenko, Romen Nikolaevich.

If one person felt it, it could be illusion, but if three people felt it simultaneously, that's no coincidence.

"Roman, I thought troop deployment orders would come."

"I too worried how far the incident would grow. Who knew it would be contained ignoring Joseon like this."

"Oh, weren't we even preparing for deployment?"

"That's what I mean."

Why did they feel inexplicable familiarity with this awkward conclusion? Though Russia and Japan made a satisfyingly peaceful treaty.

As Governor Sergei pondered deeply trying to recall when he felt this discomfort, he suddenly remembered feeling something similar.

"...Right, the Duma."

"Hmm? The State Duma?"

"Ah, you mean that fighting arena the Tsar created?"

Though far away, they weren't ignorant of the mess happening in St. Petersburg.

The State Duma, highest national advisory body, splitting into factions fighting daily and eating away at each other without progress.

That they have no complete decision rights too.

Just endlessly arguing and fighting divided regardless of right and wrong too.

And the Tsar watching too.

All similar. No, too identical.

"...Surely the Tsar declared war would break out in the Far East. That conviction was like he'd start it himself if war didn't happen."

"Right? That's why I've been stuck in the Pacific Fleet for 5 years? Normally admirals have frequent personnel changes like military districts or governor's offices."

"Force reinforcement, Governor, you know well since you're devoted to it."

Joseon concluded neither here nor there. Just like the current Duma.

"Then... wouldn't the Duma be like here?"

Though he couldn't understand why the Tsar ordered sending Duma representatives to the capital even holding meaningless elections, the governor suddenly thought about the Duma's case rather than Joseon.

According to the Tsar, war will break out in the Far East. Naturally Joseon will be swept up too.

Then the Duma?

How long can they fight hitting back and forth there?

When the Tsar hides his true intentions more than anyone.

"...Ah, that's too much interpretation."

"Hmph, surely the State Duma couldn't be a guillotine?"

"Right?"

"Right! Let's stop this, I have work to attend to!"

"Ah, I remembered parts lacking in deployment preparations so I'll go check!"

"Yes, yes. Hurry along!"

The three people awkwardly dispersing. But even as they left, their conversation wouldn't leave their minds.

'There's no doubt the Tsar's true intentions lie in this Far East. Since his crown prince days.'

'A peaceful treaty with a country to war with, what an absurd development.'

'Needless suspicion, needless suspicion.'

But the more they recalled the Tsar they knew, the more the hazy future of the Duma seemed to become clear.

One fortunate point Governor Sergei considered was:

"Beren Volkov, that fellow just formally holds an independent seat so he'll have no influence here."

"Surely he's not causing trouble there?"

"That guy's just a soldier, just an ignorant soldier."

Whatever the Duma's future, the Far East was too far to be affected.