Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Rebellion.

“How enviable. Who would have thought that such a small island nation could produce so much silver?”

“I know, right? I thought it was a barren and useless region.”

If one excluded Hawaii, which had recently seen a lot of traffic, the closest Asian country to the western continent was none other than Japan.

As a result, many imperial fleets passed through Japan, but it was very chaotic due to the ongoing warring states period, and it was not very rich in resources. 

So many merchants lost interest in Japan.

They were too busy paying attention to India, China, Indochina, and various island nations near the equator.

But when silver began to pour out of Iwami in Japan, the situation changed. 

The merchants regretted it then, but it was too late.

The exclusive trade rights of Iwami had already been taken by the Swift Rope.

‘I’m really lucky.’

The Swift Rope always appreciated his enormous fortune.

He monopolized the silver from Iwami, received a special role from Kim Kiwoo to help with the reform of Joseon, and his trading company joined the ranks of the giant trading companies in the shortest time in history.

He couldn’t help but think that he was born with a lucky star.

However, he was always anxious.

‘You never know what will happen in life.’

He never wanted his happiness to be destroyed. 

So he did his best in everything he could.

He firmly established his power in the west, where gold mines were being developed and prospering rapidly under Kim Kiwoo’s orders. 

He supported the Ouchi and Hojo clans and stabilized the Iwami silver mine.

And he supported the king of Joseon and Yi Hwang’s faction in every way possible, maintaining a close relationship with the imperial government, especially Kim Kiwoo.

‘I must not disappoint His Majesty the Emperor.’

Aside from respect, Kim Kiwoo was a living absolute power.

It was hard to survive in the empire if he offended him.

On the other hand, if he maintained his relationship with him as it was now, it was not easy to touch the Swift Rope and his trading company.

That’s why he always paid close attention to the situation in Joseon.

“Master. The situation in Joseon is not good.”

“Tell me more.”

At the Swift Rope’s order, his subordinate continued his report.

“As you expected, Master, the resistance of the scholar class is intensifying. Many scholars are flocking to the streets and protesting, and we have spotted frequent meetings of key figures of the anti-reform faction.”

“I see.”

At that report, the Swift Rope nodded his head.

He had been active in Asia for a long time and had a deep understanding of Confucianism that was widespread in East Asia.

Especially in Joseon, a country of Neo-Confucianism, the scholars were very stubborn.

‘I never thought that those narrow-minded nobles would easily accept the imperial culture and cooperate with the reform.’

The bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment. 

But he didn’t have any expectations from the beginning, so there was nothing to be disappointed about.

“So they’re going to rebel after all.”

“It seems so.”

“Foolish nobles. Do they think that rebellion will succeed this time as well?”

“The rebellion succeeded not too long ago.”

“Tsk tsk. The situation is completely different now…”

The loyal subjects who drove out Yeonsangun and put Lee Yul on the throne felt confident that they could replace the king with their own hands if they didn’t like him.

‘Well, from their point of view, the current king must look much more dangerous than Yeonsangun.’

Lee Yul’s reform was an act of overturning the roots of Joseon, a country of Neo-Confucianism. 

They would never tolerate it.

“Are you ready?”

“Don’t worry. The rebellion will never succeed.”

“You can’t be sure. His Majesty has even allowed us to use the latest firearms for Joseon’s reform. If we fail in this situation, our position in the empire will be greatly reduced. Review all possible scenarios once more.”

“Yes. I understand, Master.”

After that, his subordinate bowed his head and left the room.

‘It’s better to be overly sensitive.’

That way, he could eliminate any possible variables.

‘If I get caught in a rebellion with this cheat-like gun, it’s my fault.’

The empire’s firearms had developed steadily along with other fields and reached the present level.

After the development of smokeless powder, breech-loading rifles, or breech rifles for short, became the mainstream.

And then there were the six-shot revolvers and the fearsome machine guns.

The empire’s firearms had no rivals in the world where pre-modern weapons were still dominant.

Kim Ki-woo and the directors knew this well, and that’s why they restricted the export of firearms.

They did not sell guns that were superior to cannons to other countries.

In this situation, giving six-shot revolvers to Joseon was a very exceptional decision.

It was a proof that Kim Ki-woo cared a lot about the reform of Joseon.

‘I will surely succeed.’

Swift Rope tightened his fist around the rope and firmly resolved.

***

The past few years in Joseon were nothing but chaos.

Many goods and ideas from the empire came in, and the followers of Yi Hwang increased, causing frequent clashes with the privileged class. 

Then, the iron steamships appeared in front of Joseon’s sea, and Lee Yeok was persuaded by Swift Rope.

After that, Lee Yeok started to reform from the bottom up.

But as the saying goes, a long tail gets stepped on.

“Your Majesty! How can you accept the barbarians’ learning! Joseon is a country of Neo-Confucianism!”

“You must not accept such false learning!”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

When it was revealed that Lee Yeok wanted to reform Joseon like the Wakan Tanka Empire, many scholars rose up.

Their momentum was like a raging wave.

“The world is changing fast. You must have seen it too. The Wakan Tanka Empire is a rising sun. Their iron ships have no match in the sea, and their weapons are also the best. What about other things? The empire’s overwhelming products and the goods produced in this country of Joseon are incomparable. In this situation, how long will you be entangled with the learning of the past.”

“The learning of the past!”

“How can you say that…”

Lee Yeok’s radical words provoked many officials’ anger.

They did not listen to Lee Yeok’s logical arguments, but just lamented and criticized his attitude of being fascinated by the barbarians’ learning.

The conflict over the pros and cons of reform continued for a long time.

If it had been usual, Lee Yeok would have given up on such heated arguments, but this time was different.

‘This time, I will establish absolute royal power like the Wakan Tanka Empire.’

He knew well that if he let it go as before, he would never be able to strengthen his authority again.

Thanks to that, he never wavered despite all kinds of storms.

On the other hand, the opposing figures secretly held meetings.

“I didn’t know His Majesty would be so stubborn.”

“Ahem! His tyranny is no less than Yeonsangun. Are you going to sit still like this?”

The mention of Yeonsangun meant that they wanted to discuss a rebellion.

“Joseon is not His Majesty’s country. Joseon is a country of scholars.”

“That’s right. His Majesty does not seem to understand this well.”

“His Majesty is committing a great tyranny, so we have to make a decision for the sake of Joseon’s people.”

The officials already had experience in overthrowing a king.

The first time is always hard. 

As Lee Yeok’s behavior posed a serious threat to them, they discussed again to raise a new king.

They discussed everything from when to do it, who to make the next king, who to spare and who to kill when they succeeded.

The officials were confident that they could change the regime as they wished again.

***

“Their movements are not good.”

“Sigh… I wish I didn’t have to see blood, but it ended up like this.”

“Your Majesty, you have to brace yourself. Isn’t this something you have to go through once for reform?”

Yi Hwang nodded his head in agreement with Lee Yeok’s words.

“Are you ready? We can’t let history repeat itself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Haven’t you seen the weapons that the empire gave us?”

“…They were truly terrifying weapons.”

“Although we only gave them to trustworthy people, so we might be outnumbered, they won’t be able to surpass the power of the pistol.”

“That’s right. I only trust you guys.”

Lee Yeok had also experienced the power and portability of the six-shot pistol, so he felt somewhat relieved by Yi Hwang’s confident words.

“Then please rest well. I will take my leave now.”

After that, the meeting for that day ended.

Yi Hwang continued with his final preparations.

‘History is made at night.’

Most rebellions were decided before the sun rose the next day.

This time would not be any different.

That’s why Yi Hwang distributed pistols to the king’s loyal guards who were guarding the palace, and prepared for the coup.

And not long after, the incident finally happened.

***

A dark night.

Tap tap tap.

Footsteps sounded loudly from near the palace of Joseon.

Creak.

And soon after, the gate opened wide.

Swish, swish.

As the guard gestured, soldiers who were fully prepared ran towards their predetermined targets.

‘It’s a race against time now.’

Now that the palace gate was open, the fact that a rebellion had occurred must have been reported. 

They had to finish everything as quickly as possible.

If they failed in this incident, they and everyone who had rebelled with them would die.

On the other hand, if they succeeded, they would gain great wealth, honor, and power as rebels who overthrew tyranny.

‘It’s okay. Everything will be fine.’

He shook off the slightest anxiety that remained in his chest.

There were many scholars who opposed the current situation of following Westerners. 

Those who followed Westerners were a minority.

Thanks to that, there were many people who participated in this coup, and many of them were also inside the palace.

“Who are you!”

When he almost reached Lee Yeok’s bedroom,

A loud shout was heard and many soldiers came out from around him.

“Move aside. If you do, we will spare your lives. We came here to correct Lee Yeok’s tyranny.”

“How dare you call His Majesty by his name! You must be crazy!”

“It’s not us who are crazy. It’s Lee Yeok and you who follow Western barbarians and abandon Confucianism!”

“Shut up! If you move one step, your bodies will never be intact!”

But they were not ones to listen to him.

“Attack!”

As a man shouted,

Clang! Clash!

“Aaaah!”

“Haaah!”

The rebels drew their swords and ran towards Lee Yeok’s bedroom.

“Tsk. Foolish ones. Did you really think we didn’t know you would come out like this?”

But contrary to the rebels’ expectations, there was no fear in the hearts of the guards even with their fierce momentum.

They knew well the power of the guns they had.

“Kill them all!”

As soon as the order was given, the guards pulled out their pistols and aimed at the charging rebels.

Immediately after, the surroundings were filled with loud gunshots.

Bang! Tatatatatang! Tatatang!

“Cough!”

“Gack…”

“Aaaargh!”

And soon after, screams of rebels followed.

“This… this can’t be…”

The man couldn’t finish his sentence as he looked at the scene.

Of course, they knew about guns too.

But the guns they knew were very big and had to be reloaded for a long time after shooting once.

They never imagined that there would be pistols that could shoot continuously like now.

That was because the existence of six-shot pistols was kept secret very well.

“Aaah!”

“Sa-save me!”

While he was thinking about this and that, the rebels panicked.

Their comrades were falling like straw around them. 

It was a natural result.

They didn’t know who started it first, but they began to run away at some point.