Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 220 Where Is My Bonus? (2)

That ignorant man had fought for four years in dangerous places and returned.

Only for his family.

Only for his country.

Though patriotism might have no end, Man-sik thought he had already done enough for his country.

Then, did the country properly fulfill its duty to his family while he was away?

"...First, my family."

From now on, Man-sik would verify this.

"No money at home? We don't even have a plot of land and carried everything to the station!"

"How much could the national tax have been! The agency clearly said they sent money to our hometown!"

"Why, why has nothing changed when I came back after risking my life? If it's like this, what did I fight for..."

And these actions weren't just Kim Man-sik's movements alone.

==

Something was strange.

The Korean land they finally returned to by train, where even nightmares had transformed into memories.

At first, the excitement built up on the train burst into uncontrollable joy, making even General Lee Dong-hwi, who had become a general, shed tears.

When he rode on horseback through Hanseong being treated as a hero, he felt like he owned the world, and when he was awarded medals, he truly felt like a hero from a novel.

However, Major General Lee Dong-hwi's joy didn't last long.

"Excuse me? The Russian funds that came into the Ministry of Finance were... used for what?"

"Various things. Completing the royal tombs, making a golden seal identical to the royal seal, used here and there."

"But no matter what, the money we received must have been considerable, how could it all be spent?"

"Hey, don't say such things anywhere! We're still in mourning!"

"...Sir, it's been almost five months since His Majesty passed away, are we still in mourning?"

Lee Dong-hwi, though also a soldier loyal to the royal family and the state, could tell something was seriously wrong.

Russia said they consistently sent money to Korea.

When he actually returned and checked, the Russian side had more than adequately paid not only participation allowances but various other compensations to Korea multiple times.

Nevertheless, bad news was coming from soldiers and officers scattered across the eight provinces.

"I, I need to meet with the ministers and department heads."

Why must the result of risking their lives be so heartbreaking?

"Why, just why."

His subordinates, those low-ranking soldiers, didn't ask for much.

They wanted their sacrifices to be acknowledged and remembered. No, actually they didn't even ask for that much.

Just taking care of their families would have been enough.

Money for food and clothes, and if possible, a little extra savings. Really, just that much would have satisfied the veterans and made them praise the Emperor.

But if the state intercepted that money after sending tens of thousands to war...

"How is this any different from selling slaves?"

Lee Dong-hwi, who lived his whole life as a soldier, couldn't even remember what he fought so hard to protect.

This was equivalent to the homeland disgracing tens of thousands of deployed troops who boarded trains for their country and families, and ignoring their hard work.

Tens of thousands. Adding their families makes hundreds of thousands. Adding their distant relatives, friends, hometown people...

'...Isn't that the entire population?'

Now even Lee Dong-hwi couldn't guess how far his thoughts would spread.

"The country has gone wrong. Don't you think so?"

"...Minister of Foreign Affairs."

"I used to work as the minister of foreign affairs. Not anymore though."

"I have nothing to discuss with someone like you who knows nothing of patriotism. Leave."

"Well, since the general treats me so harshly, I should leave in fear. Though dead Lee Myeong-bok is extorting from living citizens, and if that's not enough, now even the corrupt officials beside him are striking it rich using the king's name, I'll take my leave."

"...Wait."

Though before he would have driven him away just for looking like a seed of treason, for some reason Lee Dong-hwi stopped him.

As if waiting for just those words, the other man turned his head while keeping his hands behind his back and showed a slight smile.

"Do you want to know where all that blind money flowed? What this Korean land was like while you were dying all the way in Europe?"

"...I want to know."

"Well then, since it seems it will be a long night, let's go inside and talk."

After the two went inside, the main gate was locked and even the latticed door of the guest room was firmly shut.

The man began to provide clear answers to the many questions Lee Dong-hwi had harbored over the past few days.

He was Yi Wan-yong, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs.