Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 63
Only Krnovel
#63. We called him Patriot.
“You said it was part of Japan, so where did you decide to get it?”
“We can have everything except Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. “First of all, southern Sakhalin, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Tsushima, etc. have been confirmed.”
“Huh! “That much?”
Kim Gu asked in surprise, as if he was out of breath.
“I don’t think there are that many. “It has not been that long since Sakhalin, as well as Hokkaido, were incorporated into Japanese territory.”
“I know that, but it’s still a huge piece of land.”
“It is a land that is not burdensome for us. There are many of our compatriots in southern Sakhalin, and Hokkaido does not yet have a large population, so we will not feel embarrassed even if we eat it.”
“okay. “You are truly amazing.”
“He says all kinds of things. Even so, compared to Manchuria, it is a new experience.”
“Ha, you really occupied Manchuria…”
Kim Gu’s expression hardened a bit.
“Why are you doing this? “Manchuria is a territory that we rightfully occupied after defeating the Kwantung Army?”
“Whew! Because of that, I had a bit of trouble with President Jiang before I came here.”
“hmm? No, why?”
“The Cairo Declaration also clearly stated that Manchuria is China’s own territory, so how could those who claim to be the Republic of Korea occupy it? He was very angry and asked how the Republic of Korea could do this to him.”
“her! So what did you say?”
“Why don’t you know what it’s about so you can answer or make an excuse? But I couldn’t even make a flimsy excuse. Although it was unknown at the time, it was something that could put pressure on President Lee’s government.”
“Well done.”
“But are you really planning to make Manchuria our territory?”
“Is there any reason not to? This was not occupied for sentimental reasons, as it was our homeland. If we do not increase our size now, we will suffer greatly from China later. In the end, they were even invaded before we arrived because of the Taiwan issue.”
“okay.”
“I fully understand that you and other members of the Provisional Government are uncomfortable because of your relationship with President Chiang Kai-shek, but this is absolutely necessary for the future of our country. Moreover, President Zhang’s Nationalist Party was driven out to Taiwan by Mao Zedong anyway and could not even visit Manchuria. Never mind.”
“haha! I was just asking. Even though it was the provisional government, I also served as president. If it is necessary for the future of the country, of course we should do so. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Yes, sir, I know very well your patriotic loyalty. ha ha ha!”
“ha ha ha!”
For the first time since we were together, everyone was able to smile.
And when the atmosphere became a little softer, Kim Gu opened his mouth again.
“Yes, Chairman Lee. Anyway, I am truly grateful to you for welcoming us so undeservedly, even though we are now just useless old people.”
“No, you are talking about a big problem. “You have a lot of work to do for the country in the future.”
“You don’t have to say anything unnecessary. And although we are old, it would be difficult if our immature friends listened to us and had expectations for us. Even so, many people are anxious about the future…”
“ha ha ha! “I guess we looked really bad.”
“It’s not like that…”
“Now that we’ve talked, I’ll be honest. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“haha! “Then it’s good for us.”
“Yes, to be honest, we are a bit burdened by the provisional government figures. Politically speaking.”
“I completely understand. haha! “You are very honest.”
Kim Gu and Kim Gyu-sik had no choice but to admit it with slightly bitter expressions when Lee Kang-cheol openly said that they were a burden.
Even if they change their position, they will do the same.
Although he devoted his whole life to the cause of his country’s independence, he thought that he had done little to help achieve independence.
All that remains is a sick, tired, and old body.
Now all that remains is to exit into the back of history.
“Whoa! However, I hope there is no misunderstanding. “It is burdensome in realistic politics, but it does not mean that we will treat poorly those who have devoted themselves to the independence movement at home and abroad, including those in the Provisional Government.”
“hmm? “What does that mean?”
“I’m saying that I don’t want you to be deeply involved in real-life politics, but I’m not saying that I’m going to treat you like an obsolete person. Of course, as a senior citizen of the country, you can participate in government administration through advice, and we need the seniors’ decades of experience and personal relationships.”
“Is that so? “If you are saying this to comfort us…”
“You’re welcome. Although we come from the future and everything is ahead, we are still in the 1940s. There will be many difficult problems that cannot be solved even with future knowledge and technology. That’s where the elderly need to play a role.”
“haha! “If even old people like us need anything, we will roll up our sleeves and help.”
“ha ha ha! thank you And you don’t have to worry at all about the courtesy of the two elders and other independence activists.”
“Oh, what do you mean?”
Kim Gu and Kim Gyu-sik were delighted.
Where should two people go to eat?
There are thousands and thousands of people in Joseon who respect them.
However, this was not the case for unnamed independence activists.
They are also people who make a living, and when they go home, they are the breadwinners.
Until now, we have ignored the hardships of our families in the name of fighting for our country’s independence, but that is no longer possible once we become independent.
Therefore, the two people representing the Provisional Government were having quite a few practical concerns, but they could not help but be glad that Lee Kang-cheol told them not to worry.
“In our time, there was a saying like this. “If you participate in the independence movement, three generations will be bereft, and if you are pro-Japanese, the three generations will enjoy wealth and fame.”
“her···.”
“I can’t believe that those words still existed back then. “I wonder how far the pro-Japanese faction has been liquidated…”
“It’s unfortunate, but the pro-Japanese faction has hardly been liquidated. No, in fact, it should be said that there was no such thing at all. Thanks to this, pro-Japanese people and their descendants often occupied the top class of society. Even up to 2027, when we were there.”
“Oh my gosh!”
“The world is so dirty…”
The two people said something so absurd that even the hexadecimal character came out.
Does this actually make sense?
“What on earth happened?”
“Just fix it for now. I’ll tell you about that later. Anyway, aren’t we here now? The same thing will not happen again. When all overseas independence activists, including those in the Provisional Government, return to Korea, the liquidation of pro-Japanese groups will begin in earnest. We ask for your guidance and cooperation at that time.”
“Of course! “Please hold on to that.”
“And those who have been officially proven to have participated in the independence movement will be guaranteed by the state to maintain honor and dignity commensurate with it. In addition, we plan to provide convenience and benefits to descendants in all aspects as descendants of those who have contributed to the nation.”
“Huh! Is there anything in the world to be so thankful for? “Thank you, thank you.”
“no. It is a natural reward for serving one’s country. Shouldn’t we do this so that future generations can see and learn?”
“ha ha ha! Simsan was right. “With his intentions so clear, I guess that wiry old man has become as soft as a bamboo shoot.”
“ha ha ha!”
In any case, I had given up on participating in real politics.
That’s why I was worried that I might be treated poorly, but it seems like I don’t have to worry about that anymore.
“ha ha ha! Anyway, I look forward to your continued support.”
“Don’t worry. “We will actively cooperate with government policies.”
“But, there is something I need you to help me with right now.”
“yes? What is that? “Just say the word.”
“I am asking Teacher Woosa for this matter.”
“hmm? “To me?”
Kim Gyu-sik asked, adjusting his glasses as if it was unexpected.
“Yes, teacher. “Maybe it was when you were in Paris a long time ago.”
“Yes, I was in Paris for quite a while because of the Paris Commission. But what?”
“Do you remember Ho Chi Minh among the people you knew at that time?”
“Ho Chi Minh? well? “Then I don’t remember your name?”
“Then do you remember Nguyen Ai Cuuc?”
“Nguyen ai cuc? ah! Patriotism! “You’re a Vietnamese young man, right?”
“ha ha ha! you’re right.”
“We called him Patriot. My name, Ai Kuuk, is said to be patriotic in Chinese characters. He was truly a passionate friend. Now that I think about it, he was really close to Ki-hwan…”
“Are you talking about Teacher Hwang Ki-hwan?”
“Yes, he was close to me, but I was also close to Ki-hwan. Now that I think about it, I wish Ki-hwan was still alive, but why did he pass away so early without being able to see this good world?”
“Yes, I understand that he passed away in America a long time ago. “We will soon push for the repatriation of patriots who passed away in the United States.”
“I am grateful. But what happened to Patriot?”
“Anyway, you were close, right?”
“sure. “I just translated French into Chinese at the request of Gaekuk. A book will be published.”
Gyu-sik Kim was a language genius.
He had a master’s degree in English Literature from Princeton University and was a monster who spoke fluent English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Mongolian, and even Sanskrit.
“ha ha ha! great! very good!”
“yes?”
“Would you please visit Vietnam sometime soon?”
“Even Vietnam?”
Kim Gyu-sik’s expression immediately worsened.
At this time, he didn’t know what hardships he would have to go through to get to Vietnam, and it was thought that it would be difficult for his body, which was at the level of a human ward and said to not be in pain, to endure, let alone hardships.
“ah! If you are thinking about traveling, don’t worry, we will take you comfortably on the plane you came on.”
“Oh, if it’s that plane, I can go there 100 times. ha ha ha!”
“I’ll tell our military doctor before you go, so get your chronic illness cured and leave. The same goes for Teacher Baekbeom.”
“huh? “Me too?”
“I understand that you suffered from epilepsy due to being shot. We will treat you thoroughly. “Other independence activists will also be fully examined, so please do not feel burdened.”
“Thank you.”
As I finished the story and was about to leave, Kim Gu cautiously opened his mouth.
“Chairman Lee.”
“Yes, go ahead. “Please feel free to call me this comment.”
“Well, just take it slow. It is none other than the identity of Chairman Lee.”
“Yes, you decided to keep it a secret from others.”
“It would be a good idea to at least tell Mongyang and Simsan about that.”
“Hmm…”
“We can comfort the governors returning from abroad, including the Provisional Government, but that cannot be said for the governors who were in Korea. “Even though he may be keeping his mouth shut right now due to the pressure of his power.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. However, Mongyang and Simsan are people who are trustworthy and, above all, have strong influence over domestic branches. “It will help you manage people.”
“Well, I understand. “We will do that soon.”
June 8, 1945, 3 p.m.
Yeouido Airfield, Seoul.
Wooooow!
“ruler! come! Get everyone ready! hey! Curtis! “You should put out that damn cigar now!”
“I understand.”
When Ko Seok-man and Curtis LeMay, with whom he was now quite close, also interfered, LeMay put away his cigar while making a disapproving expression.
Wooooow!
Purr, purr!
Eventually, the Republic of Korea Air Force’s C-27J Spartan transport plane stopped with its engines stopped, and people inside got off onto the rear ramp, led by an elderly man in a wheelchair.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, set foot on Korean soil.