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* * *

“You’re looking at that distant future, huh?”

Ungern is in awe.

This isn’t something to be amazed by. If we don’t prepare for the future right now, Africa and the Middle East will end up in ruins just like in the original history.

I need to visualize everything ahead of time.

I have to be prepared for when things don’t go as planned.

“We need to make all the preparations in advance. Of course, I won’t just wait for their contacts. We’ve got our schedule too. Initially, the Korean Provisional Government is just one of the pieces to make things a bit less troublesome. Even if it’s not the Korean Provisional Government, we can liberate the Korean Peninsula and form a new government with the locals.”

Sometimes I think.

What if we formed a government not led by a provisional government that remains in history, but rather by the locals who suffered under Japanese rule?

That itself could be an interesting twist.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

“Above all, it seems we must return to Moscow according to schedule.”

People have feelings, you know.

I’m playing the role of a teacher who’s just grading.

I bet there are heaps of documents piled up in my office back at the Duma while I’ve been away for a few days.

Sure, I have my servants in the Kremlin. But they don’t have the authority to grade in my place.

If it’s urgent, someone from the Provisional Government should take the train and follow me to Moscow.

* * *

The Empress of Aras has arrived.

Now the Provisional Government in Harbin must decide.

“I’ll go myself.”

“Your Highness, how can you meet the Empress of Aras alone? I will follow you.”

Ahn Chang-ho decided to follow Prince I-gang, who is determined to go alone.

I-gang is a man who came to Southern Manchuria and then to Northern Manchuria, prepared to die at the hands of the Japanese.

How tragic would it be if he got caught in a place like this?

“Prime Minister Ahn, wouldn’t it be better if you stayed back just in case?”

“Anyway, the Chairman is here, and we also have Woonam (Lee Seung-man) in the U.S.”

Even if things go wrong here, Lee Seung-man in the U.S. will gather the Koreans living there for the independence movement.

Thus, both Ahn Chang-ho and I-gang had nothing to be particularly afraid of.

“Alright, then. Let’s go see that emperor of Europe directly.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As night fell, I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho left the government office discreetly, heading towards the Governor-General’s building.

Unlike Korea under Japanese rule, even in just a few years, the capitalists from Europe had invested and developed this place.

The building of the Governor-General, at the center of this development, was shining even tonight.

When they arrived in front of it, I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho were secretly amazed.

They had been in hiding and hadn’t had the chance to see the Governor-General’s building, so this was their first time.

“I heard the Empress of Aras is in the Governor-General’s building.”

“It’s really magnificent. Does the Korean Governor-General’s Office look anything like this?”

“Would it? I’ve heard Northern Manchuria has developed rapidly by receiving foreign capital. First, we need to meet the governor under the pretense of supporting oil exploration.”

“Agreed.”

Then it happened.

Before they knew it, a few sturdy men surrounded I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho.

“Damn it. Did they already know?”

I-gang clicked his tongue.

No, he had expected this. The governor of Northern Manchuria couldn’t possibly be unaware of the Provisional Government’s existence. But why had they left it alone until now only to act like this?

Is it because of Tsarina?

“You two will quietly follow us.”

Listening with the little Russian he had recently learned, it seemed they weren’t planning to kill them at least.

“I think we should follow their instructions for now.”

Thus, the two were blindfolded by the men and dragged off to somewhere.

And.

In a place they were almost forcibly brought to, the cloth that blindfolded them fell away.

In the newly revealed sights of I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho stood a woman flanked by Russian soldiers on either side.

A woman with skin so pale it approached whiteness, radiant blonde hair, and striking blue eyes reminiscent of a calm lake.

With an expression devoid of emotion, she was smoking a cigarette, as if she had already noticed the presence of I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho.

‘This woman is the Empress of Russia.’

It didn’t even seem worth thinking about, but it felt like a chance to see her at least once.

I-gang forced his trembling lips to move, trying to showcase the Russian he had practiced.

“It is an honor to meet the Tsar of Russia.”

After gazing impassively at him and Ahn Chang-ho for a while, the Empress crushed the cigarette in an ashtray and carefully opened her mouth.

“Are you Prince I-gang of Joseon? Your Russian language still has quite the way to go.”

While her intonation was slightly off, it was indeed Korean.

* * *

Hmm, it’s been a while since I spoke Korean, so it feels a bit strange.

Recently, having used only Russian, it’s my first time talking to a Korean face-to-face.

Technically, it’s a figure from the past, but it has been nearly years since I last had a conversation with a Korean.

Since I’ve been surrounded only by Russians, the few times I’ve spoken Korean aloud were merely to avoid forgetting Hangul.

Of course, that was with my body not being my own but rather that of Anastasia, making it tough to speak Korean. Nonetheless, it wasn’t bad.

“Did Your Majesty learn Korean?”

“The Russian Republic is a multi-ethnic nation. Since there are Koreans, naturally, their language piqued my interest. I’ve always had a hobby of exploring knowledge, which led me to learn it. It’s not like I made a special effort to think about Joseon.”

Ungern, as well as the personnel from the Governor-General’s office seated in a row, were astonished.

I had planned to hide my knowledge of Korean as much as possible.

Since this was a secretive meeting and bringing an interpreter would be inappropriate, they had to communicate, but I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho were not fluent in Russian.

It’d be better for me to speak Korean.

My pronunciation was clearer this way.

“I see.”

“I’m a busy person, so I don’t have much time to chat with you. Let’s get to the point.”

There’s no need for me to spoon-feed them.

It would be uncomfortable if they got the impression that I’m particularly fond of Korea.

“Please help us achieve our independence.”

“Help you achieve independence without any conditions? You don’t mean to say that the royal family, which has formally joined Japan through a treaty, is seeking the independence of the Korean Peninsula, do you?”

“That is indeed the case.”

Whether it was embarrassing to come asking for help or out of resentment, I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho grimaced and gritted their teeth.

Well, if you come asking for help, you’d better show how to speak.

Tilting my head slightly, I asked.

“Is it the wish of the millions of Koreans living on the Korean Peninsula?”

“The Korean people have never wished for Japanese rule, even once. They were merely forced to affix the seal to the treaty due to the guns and traitors.”

“Is that so? Well, it can happen. That is the plight of a small nation. But tell me this: so what?”

At my words, I-gang’s eyes widened.

Did I seem like a “Oh, I see! That’s unfortunate,” person who would blindly offer help?

Or did they expect me to react somewhat differently?

“I know even while being in Moscow. I’ve heard that the Joseon royal family is labeled a traitorous clan.”

“!!”

The reason I ignored that was that a liberated Korea shouldn’t become the Korean Empire.

No matter how many times I think about it, I-gang would sacrifice himself for Korea’s liberation.

But it was clear he wasn’t the right fit.

From the start, the declaration of the Korean Empire wasn’t legitimate.

They didn’t defeat the Qing Dynasty with the strength of Joseon itself and proclaim the empire. Rather, they ran and concealed themselves in the Russian consulate after escaping from the Japanese, only to return and declare an empire.

“Is it simply that the royal family itself is labeled traitorous? It doesn’t seem like mere manipulation either.”

I pressed I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho.

We must clarify the distinction.

Personally, I don’t have much favor for the Joseon royal family.

A liberated Korea must not allow the Joseon royal family to return as monarchs.

“Of course, I cannot deny that, but our Majesty is here to rectify all those wrongs.”

That much makes sense.

“I’ve taken it upon myself to rise and crush all the communists, spilling their blood on the land to match their red flags. Just from the communists I’ve personally killed, I could fill a trench.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“I at least stood against absurdity. Yet your people are deeply tied to the royal family, which has clung to Japan. I’ve heard you’re currently collaborating with those very Japanese who oppress you?”

Let’s see what comes out of that mouth of yours.

With that thought, I kept pressing harder.

Alright, I-gang. What words will come out of your mouth?

At least with the changes in history, I somewhat expect more.

“I am aware of that.”

“Then do you intend to free Joseon just so that your Joseon royal family can govern it again?”

“An independent Joseon will not be an empire. Our royal family has already lost the people’s opinion in Joseon. Rather, I intend to personally punish the royal family and the traitors after independence. This is merely my desire to correct the wrongs committed by the Joseon royal family, even if I have to do it alone.”

Well, that should suffice. It’s fortunate that we’re not under the rule of the royal family.

However, that alone isn’t enough. Russia isn’t a country where I can just want to fight a war.

Most importantly, as the Tsar of this nation, I cannot simply let Russian lives be lost at my whim.

After all, it was agreed internally that we would stab Japan in the back, but the Provisional Government is in a position where they need to rely on human feelings.

Then they must at least persuade me and those around me.

It’s not just I-gang.

Ahn Chang-ho. He too. Both are those who tried to fight against Japan, and they find themselves here because of my alteration of history.

Yet the Provisional Government still lacks military strength and doesn’t even govern an inch of land on the Korean Peninsula.

“During the last Russo-Japanese War, we were in chaos and relinquished victory to Japan. However, this time is different. After undergoing a Great War and a Civil War, millions of elite troops will swiftly topple Southern Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. Liberating Korea should be a quick matter.”

“Russia is indeed a great power, so that is expected.”

Liberating the Korean Peninsula would be far easier than landing in Japan.

Can they handle the hundreds of thousands of troops pouring down from Northern Manchuria via the Siberian railway during the Sino-Japanese War?

Japan would instantly lose the Korean Peninsula.

Moreover, judging by the situation now, it seems Mutaguchi Renya will defend Southern Manchuria, which means victory is practically assured.

From Russia’s perspective, dealing with Japan over the sea is much easier than confronting the United States.

“Alright. Let’s say we help. Then what do we gain when our Russian men fight and bleed for you Koreans against Japan? This land already has abundant resources, land, and population. If we bleed for you, what will we gain?”

“There are many differing preconditions, Your Majesty.”

Differing preconditions?

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t Russia, in the first place, thinking of waging war against Japan?”

What makes him think that?

Does Korea even have access to such information now?

Only a few are aware that there are plans to backstab Japan later.

“What do you mean by that? Right now, Russia and Japan are allies. Why do you think you’re preparing for war?”

“The alliance is, after all, simply because Russia needed time to stabilize its domestic affairs and to hold onto power in Europe. You sought Japan’s hand for that reason.”

Oh? Let’s hear more.

“Go on.”

“First of all, you supported the Legalist Government under the pretense of backing China’s righteous government.”

This time it was Ahn Chang-ho.

He seems to be trying to fill in the gaps in I-gang’s understanding.

In that case, we should consider this a military-vassal relationship, shouldn’t we?

“That’s just building a case. All the major powers in the anti-air agreement are colonial empires, so why should we support colonies?”

“That very anti-air agreement is the reason why you have no choice but to help us.”

“Why is that?”

I’m from the internet generation of the 21st century.

There’s no way they could trick me with mere wordplay.

“Your Majesty must eliminate the communist states for the maintenance of your regime and your legitimacy. Isn’t that true?”

“How dare a mere prince of a fallen nation speak such nonsense to our Majesty!”

Ungern stood up from his seat in a fit of rage.

Yes. Well spoken.

Seeing Ungern get so angry means I struck a chord.

No. But does this person understand Korean?

Ah, is it the influence of the Asian Gamasa Corps?

If it were the real Anastasia, she would likely react the same way.

I raised my hand to stop Ungern from attacking I-gang and Ahn Chang-ho.

“Now, Commander Ungern. Let’s hear them out first.”

“Mmm.”

In the end, Ungern sat back down. And as if waiting for it, I-gang opened his mouth again.

“Thus, it is Germany. If Germany turns communist, then the Tsarina will create an anti-air agreement.”

“That’s true. But you’re still going in circles. So why must we go to war with Japan and help you?”

“Try to persuade me.”

From the Russian Tsar’s standpoint, he can’t just go all out in support.

“Since before the Russo-Japanese War, Japan has supported the communists and revolutionaries in Russia. In other words, Japan is a nation that supports the communists. From Russia’s perspective, doesn’t that mean they must be dealt with for the humiliation suffered in the Russo-Japanese War?”

“Did you know that much?”

I-gang must have stayed in Japan, gathering information about their situation.

Or perhaps he thought from the beginning to seek Russian assistance and was thus investigating.

Whichever it is, he’s no ordinary person.

If what he says is true, then there are sufficient reasons to strike at Japan.

The fact that they are making these claims directly is something that would otherwise have no context if spoken by the Korean prince.

But even so, whether that reason would lead to liberating Korea is another matter for discussion.

“Your outlook is quite broad. Well, that makes sense, considering you came to meet me. So, what is it? What does Russia gain by liberating you?”

That’s indeed a proper question.

The State Duma would likely think along those lines too.

Why bother liberating Korea?

If they could just take down Japan, they could box Korea in and establish a puppet state for Russia.

If Japan fell to the likes of the United States or Britain, they could easily incorporate Korea.

What they think is different from my mindset, having been Korean in my past life.

“If war were to break out with Japan and you liberated Korea, Korea would become a reliable ally for Russia in protecting the Russian Far East.”

“You would become a reliable ally in protecting the Russian Far East?”

That’s quite a grand statement.

Even if I touched upon what I desired, as the Tsar, I can’t blindly trust that statement.

Do they think they can persuade the Tsar of Russia with that?

 

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