Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 72 More Painful Than a Gunshot Wound (4)

Korea has nothing to show from this war except the Korean Forward Detachment. Rather, Japanese forces effectively used Korea's railways, roads, and ports for the war while the Korean Empire government just watched.

'I heard that Russian Tsar enjoys purges. What should we do about this.'

'Though we had no choice, will those Russians understand that?'

'Can the Korean Empire... remain as the Korean Empire?'

Meanwhile, news spread that there were other Koreans who achieved great merit in this war on the Korean peninsula.

Among them the representative figure was Kim Du-seong.

He was known for substantially encouraging and supporting Koreans in Maritime Province to participate in the war.

"I'm not such a person!"

"Teacher Choi Jae-hyung, all Koreans and Russians in Maritime Province know. Who else but you could supply guns and ammunition to Korean Forward Detachment marksmen and organize independent Korean units?"

"I'm telling you it wasn't me!"

"No, you're already the only candidate even if you deny it..."

Petka Choi. Choi Jae-hyung was utterly bewildered by the group seeking him out.

By chance receiving kindness from a Russian captain in his youth, he learned commerce and Russian language and naturally settled in Maritime Province.

Later, by chance getting an opportunity to raise business through military supplies and after Nikolai Bunge and those madness-filled bureaucrats arrived, he built even greater wealth.

Helping in this war wasn't from any great intention either.

"...Sigh, fine, I am Kim Du-seong."

"Teacher!"

"Originally the Russian Empire was the country that first proposed Korea's neutrality to Japan and other powers. I also confirmed while living here that they sincerely treat immigrants. So I only helped in this war, I have no intention of receiving commendation or promoting my achievements."

That's really all.

The reason for creating independent Korean units? If you feel nothing seeing that Jewish regiment, you're not qualified to lead Maritime Province Koreans.

The reason for helping the Korean Forward Detachment? Should I just watch when fellow ethnic marksmen can't fight properly because they have no food and no bullets?

"Though I am Kim Du-seong... I believe you know why I used an alias."

"Soon when the peace talks with Japan end, Russia's hand will reach Korea in some form."

"Of course."

"If you want Korean independence, you must desperately prove that Korea doesn't go against this empire's interests. In that sense, sweeping away national traitors led by the Korean Forward Detachment was very well done."

But it's not enough. The imperial government won't be satisfied with self-purification without Russian hands.

"Don't misunderstand. The Russian Empire isn't Japan. They didn't fight this war coveting and trying to take the Korean peninsula."

"Then what was it for?"

"The Qing."

Choi Jae-hyung who became a great magnate living as Petka Choi knew exactly where this Far East economic system pointed.

This place is Russia's foothold for properly eating up the Qing.

Korea is just the appetizer that came before.

"So the country called the Korean Empire. Must show how helpful it can be in eating up that Qing."

"But the Korean Empire is a poor country. Since founding it has few products and people have never not gone hungry."

Does it have resources to sell to the Russian Empire, does it harvest the wheat they use as staple food?

This country has nothing. Though Choi Jae-hyung rather said Korea could maintain independence because of that, Seo Jae-pil couldn't agree.

This way there's no benefit for Russia in keeping Korea independent.

But Choi Jae-hyung burst into laughter and shook his head.

"This country you see. The country itself is just a port from the Russian Empire's perspective. Three sides are sea and not frozen a single day of the year while having big countries on both sides. Also when sailing the Pacific Ocean from far away to come to the Asian continent, it's the first peninsula you reach and right next to the Qing where all sorts of great power exchanges happen."

"...Was the Korean Empire in such a position?" Find exclusive stories on empire

"You see? The Russian Empire has no reason to take anything. They probably don't even want to."

What Russian could refuse if the Korean Empire approached introducing itself as a port?

"Hand them the sea. They won't be interested in the land."

Conviction filled Choi Jae-hyung's words.