Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Where Is My Bonus? (9)
While Russia wanted a winner to emerge whether through fratricidal strife or survival of the fittest within Korea, Syngman Rhee guessed that would lead Korea to an irreversible state.

‘Far from being unified, the country might split! If neither democracy nor republic is achieved… all that’s left is military rule and dictatorship!’

Therefore, regardless of who held leadership, this situation couldn’t spread further, and for that, whether they wanted it or not, the Korean Empire had to change.

There was only one answer to this.

A Korean version of the Meiji Restoration.

“First, we must implement constitutional monarchy. With the military on our side now, we must sweep away the entire Imperial Household.”

“And then?”

“Parliament must revise the national constitution and get His Majesty’s approval. Having lost the Imperial Household, His Majesty won’t oppose. If he opposes here… we’ll have no choice but to go all the way.”

Clear away the shogunate.

“Even if the system changes, where’s the money to give them? Frankly, if we don’t give those guys money, we won’t be any different!”

“We must employ them.”

“…What?”

“We have no money to give them. So we must put them in the garrison or Imperial Guard and give them monthly wages.”

“Talk sense!”

“If we had such finances, would this disaster have happened!”

While everyone clicked their tongues and got angry at the suggestion to make conscripted troops into regular army that they planned to use temporarily…

“Ha! Our pockets are empty, yet you want to increase financial burden?”

“Even if we employ tens of thousands, what if they don’t accept? Do you know how many officials this country has in total?”

“Russia will.”

However, unlike other parliamentarians who got angry immediately upon hearing the proposal, Syngman Rhee had confidence.

“Russia will provide those funds. Because that country wants the Korean Empire to lead a large army that doesn’t match its status.”

This must be exactly what the Russian Emperor wants.

“How are you so sure?”

“Though that country isn’t actively exploiting Korea, that doesn’t mean they’ve let go either. It’s a signal they’re still checking Japan. Don’t you know too, Elder Yi? This country is another frontline for them.”

“…Though they seem to support Korea’s independent autonomy, in reality this country is no different from the continent’s end to the Russian Tsar. The expression ‘frontline’ is truly appropriate.”

And all Russia would invest in that frontline is military.

Even to Yi Wan-yong’s eyes, Ungnam’s argument had no errors.

It seemed feasible.

‘Though the samurai disappeared, they transformed and still remain within the Imperial Army. What’s stopping us from embracing Major General Lee Dong-hwi and his army?’

Rather, wouldn’t embracing them become a driving force for reform?

However, this proposal wasn’t without risks.

No, this was closer to an even bigger gamble than before.

‘If Russia doesn’t give us the loan…’

Then the Independence Party might have to pay the price for setting up this game along with the royal family.

As everyone looked at Yi Wan-yong, he had to make a choice.

And his decision was…

“We’re already on a running horse. Let’s try it.”

“…Though we said it was for the country, we’ll be recorded as traitors of the realm.”

“Making the imperial family into puppets and deceiving the people…”

“If someone must become a traitor, isn’t it better that it’s us?”

Changing the wrapping paper one more time to sell to Russia.

Now that the goal was set, all that remained was to move.

“Let’s start by pulling down the Imperial Household ministers.”

Would they be recorded as traitors who overthrew the country, or remembered as founders who opened a new era?

Even Yi Wan-yong couldn’t know now.

==

The Korean people ultimately chose to pull down the king with their own hands.

Lee Dong-hwi’s army defined the Imperial Household ministers and pro-royal figures as treacherous subjects and captured them all.

Parliament used that gap to change the national constitution and demand constitutional democracy from the imperial family.

‘Though he probably didn’t intend it from the start, Yi Wan-yong became a revolutionary force.’

Since the Yi Wan-yong of the original history would have also pushed the Eulsa Treaty and Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty before the Emperor’s face, I’m not sure whether to say history has changed or remains the same.

Whatever the case, now it seems that country has gained a subject.

“Stolypin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Provide them a loan with appropriate collateral.”

“I’ll proceed right away.”

For now, Korea’s subject is ‘parliament,’ whatever it becomes. However, parliament’s foundation is democracy.

“Though General Lee shows signs of stepping back, the rest of the Independence Party is still revising the constitution and promising reforms.”

“Public sentiment?”

“Whatever parliament claims won’t reach their ears. If not for General Lee, parliament would have been dissolved by the people’s hands long ago.”

It can’t help but be a truly ridiculous situation.

Though it was clearly the Yi dynasty that damaged and weakened Korea, the people are actually becoming pro-royal.

‘Is this the result of ignorance, or is this also that loyalty of theirs?’

However, an interesting name also came up through the Foreign Ministry – the name Syngman Rhee “Ungnam.”

Korea’s first dictator.

Even I didn’t know he came from the same background as Yi Wan-yong.

Like this, for the time being, Korea seems likely to have various emerging classes take the wheel – military, intellectuals, middle class, capitalists, and so on.

Whatever happens, they have made their choice, and the moment to take responsibility will come before long.

My interest in Korea ended there.

However that country changes from now on, they sold me a future of “military strengthening” and I made a contract to provide loans for that possibility.

Now whether reform succeeds or fails.

Whether prime minister rules or president rules.

The day will come when they must be used according to my requests.

==

As the Netherlands refused Wilhelm II’s request for asylum and the League of Nations didn’t seem to expect the Kaiser’s punishment either, not announcing additional sanctions…

The world finally seemed to have achieved peace.

Though Britain couldn’t wait and started a war in the Middle East, and France once again raised troops in West Africa to invade subordinate tribes.

At least in Europe, no more deadly wars could be seen anywhere.