The final move to overturn Joseon from its very foundations.
The old furniture had all been cleared away, so now it was time to bring in the new.
"For Joseon to grow stronger, it must abandon its outdated structure and be reborn."
Once a locomotive begins to run out of control, it cannot be stopped. Kim Eung-geun, even as he questioned whether this was truly right, could no longer apply the brakes and continued to push forward.
Though I had encouraged him from the side, his momentum was remarkable.
If Kim Jwa-geun had been in his position, he would have known the burden of initiating such drastic reforms and held back, or placed someone else at the forefront while he stayed behind.
But Kim Eung-geun had neither the foresight nor the caution.
And he believed his safety was already guaranteed.
With both the current king and the future king, along with even a formal letter from Britain, on his side, what did he have to fear?
"Dong Zhongshu wrote in the Book of Han that if the strings of a zither are out of harmony, they must be loosened and retuned. Yi I also compared governance to this, advocating reform. Joseon today must follow that teaching."
"…We have already abolished nearly all the academies and exiled the leaders of the provincial scholars overseas. Must we push further?"
"If the iron is hot, it must be struck. Even butchers in the market know that saying."
There were murmurs that this pace was too fast.
But Kim Eung-geun forced the issue forward.
"Look at the situation. Russia has been defeated by Britain, Qing is collapsing under rebellion. If Joseon advances now, taking Manchuria and even Primorye is no longer a dream."
His logic was not wrong.
Whether one opposed it or not, the reform drive led by the Andong Kim faction surged forward like an unstoppable force.
"First, the military. We must establish a reform bureau to modernize the army."
"Wait. Reform is fine, but should we begin with the military? Our problem is budget. Can we simply transform into a modern army by decree?"
"Then we create a dedicated institution and concentrate all resources."
"And what of the rest of the state? Revenue is limited."
"We can simply issue more currency."
…
When I first heard this through Heungseon Daewongun, I realized why such reforms had failed in the original timeline.
Reform is not something one can accomplish without understanding.
People who have spent centuries studying Confucian texts cannot suddenly grasp modern economics.
Printing money to solve financial problems.
Truly, a brilliant idea.
"Crown Prince, what do you think of their policies?"
"…I do not know enough to judge."
"Excellent. Admitting ignorance is the first step. Ignorance can be corrected, but arrogance cannot."
This alone was progress.
At least he would not repeat the same mistakes.
"Your Highness, if these reforms fail, will that not create resistance to modernization itself?"
"It might."
If reform fails, people may conclude it is better not to change at all.
But Joseon needed shock therapy.
Without it, nothing would change.
"It is fine. Kim Eung-geun is expendable."
"…Expendable?"
"To allow such a powerful clan to remain would only deepen the disease within the state."
"…Then what of their reforms?"
"They will serve their purpose."
The plan was simple.
Use them.
Then remove them.
"When you ascend the throne, gather evidence of their corruption. Let officials present it. Then impeach them."
"…And the scholars?"
"They will support it. They still resent what was done to them."
It was inevitable.
Power breeds corruption.
And corruption provides justification.
"Even now, some are already taking bribes."
"Good. Let them."
The more they indulged, the easier it would be to destroy them later.
"Then what of the reform institutions they create?"
"Keep them."
"…Keep them?"
"They will build the structure. Others will fill it."
"…Others?"
"Those who will return soon."
Understanding dawned.
The reformist faction trained abroad.
Those who had studied in Britain.
"They will take those positions."
The plan had been in motion for years.
The Andong Kim faction would clear out opposition and establish institutions.
Then they would fall.
And new men would take their place.
"From the beginning… you intended this."
"Of course. One uses the pieces available."
"And Kim Jwa-geun? He shares the same clan."
"He values power over family."
That made him useful.
More than useful.
Essential.
"Your Highness… your foresight is remarkable."
"Not at all."
Then came the question.
"Why do you remain in the background?"
"To elevate others."
A convenient answer.
But not the truth.
If I stood at the center, resistance would form.
If I remained unseen, influence would flow freely.
What mattered was not recognition.
But control.
"Joseon's future must be shaped by Joseon."
Even if that future had already been decided.
"Do your best."
"I will not fail you."
The stagnant waters were being drained.
And in their place—
new waters, shaped by Britain, began to flow.
Soon, Joseon would change.
And when it did—
who would the people credit?
A difficult question.
One I had no need to answer.