Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 565 Korean Peninsula
After 1868 years of painstaking development starting from 31, the Han Kingdom finally became a first-class power on par with Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Russia and other countries. With the rise of the Han Kingdom, its influence on the world situation has become more and more profound.

As for Korea, the war ended in February 1895. According to the armistice agreement, the Kingdom of Korea gained independence and became an independent country in the modern sense.

In March 1895, in order to restore the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula, the faction headed by Queen Min intensified the implementation of the policy of alliance with Han and Russia to contain Japan, and frequently contacted Han and Russian diplomats in Korea.

In May 1895, dissatisfied with the boycott policy of the Korean government, the Japanese organized and planned an armed coup against Queen Min.

At 1895 p.m. on May 5, 12, nearly a thousand Japanese ronin, armed with weapons, launched an attack on the Korean royal palace.

At 10 p.m., the Han garrison, which had received the news in advance, dispatched a unit of about 1200 marines to the Joseon royal palace to repel the attacking Japanese ronin. Subsequently, King Yi Hee of Korea, Queen Min and others, under the protection of the Han army, evacuated to the Han warships docked at Incheon Port.

On May 5, the Han Kingdom issued a notice condemning the Japanese government's armed interference in North Korea's internal affairs and its despicable behavior of undermining the independence of the Kingdom of Korea, and demanded that Japan withdraw its troops stationed in North Korea within a limited time.

On May 5, sensing changes in the situation in North Korea, the Russian government dispatched more than 17 troops to land in Chongjin, North Korea, on the pretext of protecting the safety of its nationals in North Korea. At the same time, it issued a warning to Japan, demanding that it stop any interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Korea.

With the support of Han and Russia, the usually weak King Yi Hee of Korea, who had just broken free from the control of the Qing court and Japan, instantly became emboldened. On May 5, he issued a notice in the name of the Korean government, denouncing pro-Japanese officials headed by Kim Hong-gil, Zhang Bo, Yu Gil-jun, Park Young-soo, and Seo Kwang-hwan, and ordered all localities to organize volunteer armies to eliminate traitors.

From the end of May to the beginning of July, at the call of the North Korean government, a large number of volunteer armed forces spontaneously emerged in various parts of North Korea. On June 5, dozens of volunteer armed forces, with numbers ranging from dozens to hundreds or even thousands of people, poured into Seoul and killed pro-Japanese officials such as Kim Hong-gil and Zhang Bo. By July 7, the total number of volunteers from various places reached 6. The pro-Japanese forces supported by Japan in North Korea were uprooted in just over a month, suffering heavy losses.

Faced with the joint pressure from Han and Russia, the Japanese government, aware of the huge disparity in strength, had no choice but to make concessions and give up its interference in the Kingdom of Korea. Since then, a situation of confrontation between Han, Russia and Japan has emerged on the Korean Peninsula.

Japan's strategy of dominating Korea temporarily failed, and the Korean King Yi Hee was complacent. In August 1896, he proclaimed himself emperor, established the Korean Empire, changed the era name to Gwangmu, and then followed the example of the Han Dynasty to carry out land reform, measuring land across the country and redistributing it.

At the same time, in order to repay the help of Han and Russia, especially to curb the expansion of Japanese power, Korea changed its conservative policy of isolation and opened up its entire domestic market to Han and Russia. It also leased Incheon Port to Han as one of the port bases for Han's South China Sea Fleet.

The number of troops stationed in Korea by Han, Russia, and Japan was adjusted to 3000, 3000, and 2500 respectively. Troops exceeding the prescribed number were withdrawn by the end of the year.

Subsequently, a large number of Han industrial and commercial products entered the North Korean market, and industrial products such as canned food, matches, textiles, compressed biscuits, electric lights, telegraphs, bicycles, and automobiles also appeared more and more frequently in the lives of the North Korean people.

In September 1896, under the guidance of military instructors from the Han Kingdom, the Joseon government, renamed the Korean Empire, selected 9 people from the original government officers and soldiers, volunteers, and young and strong conscripts as the standing army of the Korean Empire. The formation, training, weapons and equipment of the standing army all relied on the guidance and supply of the Han Kingdom.

海军方面，则以优惠价格，采购了2艘排水量1350吨永兴级轻巡洋舰、1艘排水量3000吨级退役铁甲舰（俘虏自巴西共和国海军）、4艘排水量760吨级退役海狮级炮舰、6艘排水量120吨级退役海鲨级鱼雷舰。

Relying on the help of the Han Kingdom, the "Korean Empire" established its own modern army and navy fleet. The morale of the people in North Korea was high, and all classes believed that the country had achieved independence. They dreamed of retraceing the path of the Han Kingdom's prosperity, realizing the country's industrialization and modernization, and completely expelling the Japanese forces from the peninsula.

However, behind the seemingly prosperous, stable and peaceful situation, the situation on the peninsula is undercurrent and full of variables.

Japan is not willing to give up its vested interests on the Korean Peninsula.
The 1895 war was the first foreign war since the Meiji Restoration in Japan, and the Korean Peninsula was also considered by Japan to be the fruit of victory in the war. Now, due to the interference of Han and Russia, Korea has regained its independence and the expected results have been lost. Naturally, Japan is unwilling to accept this.

Therefore, since the end of the war, Japan has never given up its influence and control over the Korean Peninsula. Its overt armed intervention has been restricted by China and Russia, while Japan has focused its energy on other areas. A large number of bankrupt samurai, ronin, and street thugs entered the Korean Peninsula under the deliberate guidance of the Japanese government.

Merchants and capital in light industrial sectors such as textiles, printing and dyeing, papermaking, and food processing have also gone abroad with the support of policies such as export tax exemptions and subsidies, and have competed with goods from other countries on the Korean Peninsula and even the Far East with their low prices.

Against this background, a complex situation has emerged on the Korean Peninsula, with conflicts and confrontations between liberal and conservative forces, and competition and containment among various countries.

On August 1899, 8, at the Port of Busan on the Korean Peninsula, a 10-ton ship belonging to the South Pacific Ocean Shipping Company of the Kingdom of Han docked at the port. Teams of passengers walked down from the ship through the pier and set foot on the land of the Korean Peninsula.

"After many years, I finally returned to North Korea. Even breathing is smooth."

A North Korean man with short hair and wearing a Han student uniform walked down from the ship, looked at the familiar scene, and said happily.

"I went to study in China for several years and achieved academic success. My goal is to return to my motherland and contribute my whole heart to the development of the country!"

Another person in the group said excitedly, "Brother Xingjian, Brother Zhenhe, Brother Zhenrong, the Korean Empire has broken away from the control of the Qing court and Japan, and has established a modern army and navy of tens of thousands of people. The reform movement is in full swing, and the country's revival and strength are just around the corner! We came back at the right time. The empire has been closed to the outside world for too long, and the reform time is too late. There are very few people like us who have studied in the Han country, mastered advanced scientific knowledge, and are familiar with the situation in the outside world. For the sake of national development, we should write a memorial and submit it to His Majesty for review, so as to repay the empire's training with what we have learned!"

"Brother Xiongtai is right. The Reform Movement involves many aspects. Without professionals to coordinate, the Reform Movement will be just like the Westernization Movement of the Qing Dynasty, which only has the appearance but not the essence."

"Don't worry, everyone. While the ship was docked in Nanyang for repairs, I received a telegram from my uncle. The Korean Empire has made arrangements for us students studying in the country. After arriving in the capital Seoul, we will report directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs verifies our identities, we will be assigned to different departments based on our majors and our ambitions."

A young Korean man named Jin Xingjian said with a smile: "Let me let you know in advance that after reporting in, even if you are assigned different positions, your lowest level is the sixth rank. So, don't worry about not having a place to put your knowledge to good use."

"The empire treats us with sincerity, and we will do our best to repay your majesty's kindness!" After hearing the other party's words, several people expressed their determination and said passionately.

Those who were able to go to the Kingdom of Han to study as government-sponsored students all had families that were quite powerful. Therefore, after finishing their studies abroad and before they returned to report to government departments, the positions and future of many people had already been arranged in advance.

"Brother Xingjian, look behind us, there's a warship coming in."

While everyone was immersed in the joy of getting a position, a sharp-eyed North Korean youth pointed in the direction of the port and shouted to the others.

"It is a warship of the Han Kingdom, with the Han Kingdom dragon flag flying on it."

The warship docked at the port, a young North Korean man said excitedly.

"Let's go and take a look. Maybe we can run into someone we knew during our study abroad in Han Country."

"Let's go together, let's go together." Taking advantage of the joy, the group walked towards another dock where the warship was docked.

"Instructor Zhang, it's really you. I'm so lucky to meet you here!"

Jin Xingjian recognized the officer leading the team at a glance. He was the instructor in charge of tactical training when he was studying abroad at the Han Army University. He shouted happily.

"Jin Xingjian, not bad. His posture and demeanor are somewhat like those of an imperial soldier."

Zhang Chengji, wearing the army's standard spring and autumn military uniform, walked up to the few people and patted them on the shoulder. The seriousness on his face during training was gone, and he smiled and said, "Are they also students who have returned from studying abroad in China?"

"Yes, Instructor Zhang, this is Zhang Zhenhe, who is studying abroad at the University of Chemical Technology, majoring in textiles. This is Gao Zhenrong, who is studying abroad at the Imperial Navy, majoring in marine engineering. This is Quan Xiongtai, who is studying abroad at the New Beijing University, majoring in economics."

"Jin Xingjian introduced the basic information of several people around him to Zhang Chengji one by one.

"Good, very good. You are all top students trained by the Empire. I hope that after you return to the Korean Peninsula, you can apply the professional skills you have learned in the major universities of the Empire to the development of the country, promote the transformation of the Korean Peninsula into a modern country, and make efforts to strengthen the friendship between Han and Korea."

"Yes, senior, I will follow your instructions."

Everyone bowed in unison.

"Where are you going next?"

Zhang Chengji asked casually.

"There is a train connection to Busan now. We plan to take the train and report directly to Seoul."

"That's a coincidence. We are also going to take the train to Seoul."

"Instructor Zhang, do you have any mission in the Korean Peninsula?"

Jin Xingjian hesitated for a moment, but still asked.

"The rotation period for the previous batch of garrison troops has passed. The Imperial Army Department ordered me to take over as the captain of the embassy guard. They are all troops who rotate with me."

Jin Xingjian followed Zhang Chengji's gaze and looked at the side of the port, where more than 100 soldiers were lined up for repair under the command of another officer. Then his eyes turned to the armband on the other's shoulder and said in surprise: "Instructor Zhang, congratulations on your promotion. You are now a major."

"Before departure, you will be awarded a military rank. You don't need to envy it. With your qualifications, you can only be higher than a major in the newly formed Korean Army and Navy."

"How can we compare with you, Instructor Zhang? We just got lucky by chance."

Jin Xingjian and others said with some guilt.

"Okay, let's stop chatting and hurry up to get in the car. When we get to Seoul, we'll take some time to have a private meal and learn more about the situation from you."

Zhang Chengji waved his hand and ended the conversation with everyone.