Chapter 10

"Sure. I am studying at the military academy with the resolve of 'lying on firewood and tasting gall' (enduring hardships and humiliation to achieve a goal), but I feel suffocated and pained, wondering how long I must continue this life."

"You need to study diligently here to use it in the future."

"You're right. If not for that reason, why would I endure the humiliation in the enemy country?"

Sometimes he would advise me.

"Will you live as a Chinese?"

"I don't know."

"I haven't known you for long, but I know that Korea always has a place in your heart. How about it? After graduating from the military academy, let's work together to drive out the Japanese invaders."

"I'll think about it."

"If we continue like this, our country will be devoured by the Japanese. It's urgent. I am always in a hurry. I want to return quickly and save our country."

Recently, Kim Gyeong-cheon had become increasingly anxious.

He might have had a premonition.

When he said those words, it was already late summer of 1910.

And the fateful day.

The front page of the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun published the full text of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty.

There were also dense special reports on various aspects of Korea's future and usefulness.

When Kim Gyeong-cheon, worried, found me, his eyes were red.

"Are you okay?"

Instead of answering the question, Kim Gyeong-cheon said something else.

"I have to go somewhere. Come with me."

"Where?"

"You'll see."

Following Kim Gyeong-cheon, we arrived at Aoyama Cemetery.

It was famous for being the burial site of Kim Ok-gyun, a key figure in the Gapsin Coup.

The cemetery was quiet.

A gloomy atmosphere hung in the air.

Kim Gyeong-cheon whispered quietly.

"We came first. Let's wait."

I had a hunch and didn't ask further.

Sure enough, after a while, a group of young men walked in from the entrance.

They had a distinctly different aura from ordinary Japanese youths. They were all Koreans.

"Brother!"

The young man at the front, his face flushed, ran up and embraced Kim Gyeong-cheon.

He sobbed and shed tears.

Kim Gyeong-cheon, who had been holding back, also burst into tears.

The sorrow of a lost nation filled the cemetery.

After a long embrace, they finally calmed down.

A young man with a strong presence, who had come with them, looked at me and said,

"Brother Kim. Who is this person?"

"He's my friend."

"Never seen him before? Wait, could he be Japanese?"

"No. He's also Korean."

"Really? I know all the Koreans studying in Japan."

The young man glared at me with suspicion.

"Brother Kim. You didn't bring someone we can't trust, did you?"

"His name is Han Shin. He's a trustworthy friend. He came to Japan to study from China. But both his parents are Korean, so he's as Korean as any of us."

"From China?"

Not wanting to receive more suspicious glances, I spoke up.

"As I said, I'm Han Shin. I hate the Japanese as much as you do. Whatever you talk about here won't leak out. Now, I've introduced myself. I'd like to hear your introductions."

No one answered, just looking at each other. Finally, the young man who had embraced Kim Gyeong-cheon spoke.

"My name is Ji Dae-hyeong. I'm studying at the Tokyo Army Cadet School."

His real name was Ji Dae-hyeong, later known as Ji Cheong-cheon, the commander-in-chief of the Korean Liberation Army.

When Ji Cheong-cheon's identity was revealed, the other young men seemed to recognize him.

Sure enough, the names that were gradually revealed were familiar.

Yi Eung-jun, Shin Tae-yeong, Jo Cheol-ho, all well-known names.

The young man who had been hostile to me was Hong Sa-ik, who later became a lieutenant general in the Japanese Army.

Indeed, a collaborator.

When you have something to hide, you tend to suspect others easily.

To break the awkward atmosphere, Ji Cheong-cheon stomped his foot loudly.

Everyone's attention turned to him.

"This can't go on. The annexation of Korea? How can such a thing happen in broad daylight? There's only one way to vent this frustration. Let's raid the armory, seize weapons, and start a rebellion!"

In response to Ji Cheong-cheon's statement, Hong Sa-ik spoke in a dismissive tone.

"From the heart of the Japanese Empire with just this number of people? That's not a rebellion; it's suicide."

"Even if it's suicide, I'd rather die as a soldier of the Korean Empire than the Japanese Empire. That would be the highest honor we can achieve in this situation!"

"If you want to die, I won't stop you. But I refuse."

"What? Are you still a soldier of the Korean Empire?"

"Let's be clear. The Korean Empire's army was dissolved three years ago. We are now soldiers of the Japanese Empire."

"You bastard!"

Ji Cheong-cheon grabbed Hong Sa-ik by the collar.

Other young men intervened and barely separated them.

Watching the scene, Kim Gyeong-cheon spoke.

"Hong Sa-ik. As of yesterday, we have all become colonials. I don't think you just wanted to criticize your comrade in the same situation. Tell us what you think."

The oldest and most respected, Kim Gyeong-cheon, was implicitly leading the meeting.

Hong Sa-ik also showed respect for Kim Gyeong-cheon.

"With our current capabilities, we will be immediately killed before we can do anything. Although our country has become a colony, there are historical examples of countries achieving independence through struggle. What we can do is to build our own strength to achieve independence."

"Coward! Are you afraid of death? How can we build that strength when our country is already in the hands of the enemy?"

Ji Cheong-cheon tried to attack Hong Sa-ik again.

Kim Gyeong-cheon, who had barely restrained him, spoke again.

"I understand Ji Dae-hyeong and Hong Sa-ik's opinions. Let's hear what the others think."

Various opinions were expressed.

One suggested that everyone resign and return home as a form of protest.

Another, more extreme, suggested committing seppuku in front of the Imperial Palace to protest.

However, the general consensus was to endure and wait.

"Ugh. I can't understand. How can you live under the sky where your country has been annexed? I can't bear it for even a day!"

Ji Cheong-cheon strongly expressed his dissatisfaction, but the other young men were lukewarm, or rather, realistic.

Kim Gyeong-cheon looked at me.

"Han Shin. What do you think? I'm looking forward to your words."

I spoke calmly.

"Hong Sa-ik is right. We lack the strength. We need to build our capabilities."

Kim Gyeong-cheon's eyebrows shot up, surprised that I would side with Hong Sa-ik.

Ji Cheong-cheon shot me a fierce glare. Hong Sa-ik looked bewildered.

"Build our capabilities? Are you serious?"

"Japan has won two wars and there is no power in East Asia that can stop it. Qing China, the 'sick man of East Asia,' has long been in decline, and Russia is preoccupied with internal issues. Japan has the backing of world powers like Britain and the United States. Diplomatic efforts won't work. Yes, for now, we can only wait."

Kim Gyeong-cheon fell into deep thought after hearing my words.

Ji Cheong-cheon urged him.

"Brother! What are you thinking? I've already prepared to die twice. When the Treaty of 1905 was signed and when the army was forcibly dissolved in 1907. I can't bear it anymore. I will fight and die."

"Endure."

"Brother!"

"Since you've endured twice, endure one more time to make it three."

Kim Gyeong-cheon spoke with a fierce look in his eyes.

The solemn atmosphere, rarely seen, made Ji Cheong-cheon fall silent.

Kim Gyeong-cheon took out a bottle of liquor from somewhere and opened it.

He then cut his little finger with a military dagger and let the blood drip into the bottle.

"I swear here. The day when Korea rises again will surely come. When that day comes, let's escape from the Japanese army, take up arms, and reunite. Until then, let's secretly work within the Japanese army, stealing their military secrets. Let's arm ourselves with their knowledge and information, and endure with sorrow and indignation until that day comes."

Kim Gyeong-cheon handed the bottle to me.

I also cut my little finger and let the blood drip, then passed it to the next person.

In silence, the bottle was passed around.

Ji Cheong-cheon, who had hesitated, also mixed his blood with the bottle.

Hong Sa-ik, who had hesitated, did the same.

Their actions were the same, but their inner thoughts might have been different, which was regrettable.

The bottle made a full circle and was handed back to Kim Gyeong-cheon.

Without hesitation, Kim Gyeong-cheon drank the bottle and passed it to me.

I looked down at the bottle's opening.

I couldn't see the color of the liquid, but I could feel the blood-soaked sorrow inside.

The day to resolve this will come. Definitely.

The bottle was passed around, and everyone took a sip.

August 30, 1910.

The oath at Aoyama Cemetery.

___________________________________________

The Last Cadet

As the year 1910 was coming to an end, the 24th class entered the military academy.

The seniors watched the new cadets gather on the parade ground.

Their faces were stern, but their eyes betrayed a hint of amusement.

"Look at these newbies. Their military discipline is lacking. Look at how they walk."

"Hey, that's exactly how you walked when you first entered, isn't it?"

"Shut up. I never walked like that."

I was recommended as a model student and assigned to live with the 24th class new cadets.

I was to take on a role similar to what Muda Guchi had done.

I had no intention of being overly friendly to the future Japanese officers, nor did I want to be as overbearing as Muda Guchi.

I planned to live quietly, blending in.

But as always, things didn't go as planned.

Assigned to the 24th class, 1st battalion, 1st company, I first met the company commander.

Traditionally, the company commander at the military academy was a senior from a few classes ahead, usually a well-performing second lieutenant.

This time, the company commander was a senior from the 17th class.

He opened the door and appeared.

A thin, nervous-looking