Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 70 More Painful Than a Gunshot Wound (2)

Then they might be satisfied just living peacefully on their island.

'No, no. Too optimistic thinking?'

Or who knows. They might appear again grinding their teeth after 30 years for a fate-betting rematch.

Whatever happens, it's our role to grasp and control East Asian hegemony from now on.

For now at least.

"Whew, finally feels like we're at the starting line."

I should probably be happy about preventing the empire's collapse by winning the war.

== Explore more stories with empire

Currently during negotiations, the Japanese-Russian army front line was right above Pyongyang.

It's questionable to even call it a front line - most troops had withdrawn and even some who fled weren't strategically retreating but just running away to mountains or southern Korea saving only themselves.

Though battles ended, the Russian camp was still busy with over 40,000 dead and 80,000 wounded in the past 8 months, but within there was one group maintaining solemnity.

"Who are those suit guys? Civilians? Who let them in! Hey misters-"

"Just shut up."

Black suits. Black hats. And black handkerchiefs.

Though unsuited for this humid land, no one stopped them.

No, rather even high-ranking commanders stood among them in uniform.

Even those unaware of the circumstances began to realize seeing the one standing at the front of that group.

Colonel Hertsel Yankelevich Tsam.

Then those clothes must be Jewish attire.

"General. For allowing this... truly thank you."

"Don't mention it. Sorry I couldn't do more. Are those representatives of the Jewish communities?"

"They sent one representative each from villages and cities."

Traditional Jewish funeral.

All a mere major general like him could do was inform the world of this fact and submit detailed accounts of the colonel's merits to superiors.

The Chevra Kadisha following the Jewish regiment's footsteps one by one, erecting gravestones in areas where battles occurred.

None who saw this sight dared curse them as dirty Jews.

They weren't the only ones doing such acts.

"What's that A-frame carrier?"

"...Even if we can't perform proper rites, we should at least bury remaining bones in sunny places. Otherwise how cold will their bones be this winter?"

"Don't the dead not feel pain?"

"Enough. There are human duties in this world. Our Korean unit will handle it."

The few Koreans who enlisted in the Far Eastern Army and cavalry collecting and burying bones regardless of friend or foe.

While untimely cleanup continued here and there.

"The Japan-Korea Protocol was declared void due to Japanese coercion!"

"Destroy all Korean Facility Regulations!"

"The Korean Empire declared neutrality so is a victim of this war!"

With news of war's end, Hanyang that had been quiet also began stirring.

As Japanese forces lost all will and did nothing, Gojong quickly reclaimed Hanseongbu and summoned the Korean Forward Detachment that had sided with Russia to the palace to commend them.

The Korean Forward Detachment was a unit centered on marksmen that fought in the Russo-Japanese War while receiving support even from Korean immigrants in Manchuria.

Essentially the only thing the Korean Empire did well in this war and Gojong's last Russian coin purchase funds.

Now with Russia's victory, their status and value rose immeasurably.

These people entered Hanyang.

"Find the Japanese soldier Yun Chi-sang! Find and tear him to death!"

"Report anyone wearing Japanese uniforms! We'll kill them ourselves!"

"Huh? Lieutenant Colonel Hakushiro? You were supposed to be withdrawn, why are you still stationed in Hanyang? Get out before we kill you!"

Naturally it would be strange if blood didn't flow.