'Gold bars aren't a bad idea…'
Even if Japan loses the war,the surviving Japanese will rise again, clenching their fists.People who live always find a way to survive.The resilience of the Japanese will make Japan wealthy once more.
'If only it weren't for MacArthur…'
General MacArthur is a hero who saved us from communism.But in Japan, he is worshipped almost like a god.
Without MacArthur,Japan might have ended up like Korea—divided between liberalism and communism.They would have endured long years of division,and their economic rise would have been much slower.
'I wish they had split.'
That is my honest feeling.I, too, am a Korean who cannot help but resent Japanese imperialism.
'Still, their property won't disappear from this land…'
Even if Japan loses,their land, stores, and machines will remain in Joseon.
'When that time comes…'
If I'm lucky—if Nakamura trusts me completely—all that he has built may fall to me.
We are bound by trust.And I have no intention of betraying Nakamura's faith.
When he returns to Japan, he will likely start anew.Whenever I need to build something big,I will need his help.
So, even if he tries to leave everything to me…I must give it back.
'Yes. Trust is more important than greed.'
If Korea wants to catch up to Japan's economic development,it will take 60 more years after liberation.
'President Nakamura too…'
Most Japanese elites in Korea gained wealth by exploiting Koreans.Nakamura may not be an exception.Still, one thing is clear:his wealth is not mine.
And if I don't take initiative,pro-Japanese collaborators—the cockroaches who always survive—will seize everything again.
'Knowing the future is powerful… but also bitter.'
Even after liberation, those collaborators will return—after hiding in shame for a few days—and grow under the protection of the U.S. military government.
"If that's the case, buy gold quietly with whatever money you have in the bank. Store it privately."
"As expected, you read the flow well. It's a shame you're not Japanese."
I don't know why I said this next part.
"And also…"
"What is it?"
"I know it's presumptuous, but… are you increasing your donations to receive a title?"
He is smart, yet wasting effort.
"My daughter, Rie, is half-and-half…"
"Ah…"
"Besides, I come from peasant stock."
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan claimed equality for all,but few societies have such rigid divisions between commoners, nobles, and higher nobility.
'And above nobles…!'
There is the imperial family.
After Japan annexed Joseon,they created countless "Joseon nobles."Counts, viscounts, marquises—titles scattered like confetti.
Those titles meant nothing.
'Japanese nobles!'That was the true elite class.
And those nobles,the leaders of the Meiji Restoration,placed the Emperor at the frontand committed atrocities across Asia.
'Even though Rie is already of marriage age…'
Rie should already be married,but suitable matchmakers are not appearing.
And I know she has feelings for me.
I'm handsome, smart,and honest—a rare combination.And I treat women kindly and respectfully,as I did in my previous life.Perhaps that appealed to her.
"I think it's pointless."
"Why do you say that?"
"When the Tokugawa shogunate fell and the Meiji Restoration began, the first to perish were the samurai."
Using my future knowledge makes explaining easier.
"Yes."
"When this war ends, nobility will perish first. Titles will become worthless in Japan."
Japanese noble families will disappear.
"Hmm…"
"Soon Japan will enter a chaotic, catastrophic era. When that time comes, money—not titles—will be strength and shield. You already know this, Master."
"Still, prestigious families remain."
That's true.The criminal clans were not destroyed—they rose again and became the core of Japanese politics and business.
But most noble families declined.Purchased titles will become even more worthless.
It's like commoners buying a fake genealogy to call themselves yangban.They are still treated like outsiders.
"Some will survive. But most will be like me."
The fact that he can say this shows how deeply he trusts me.
Still, I must be careful.
"It's useless…"
"Oh, sorry for speaking so boldly."
"No… I will think about it."
At some point, I became Nakamura's advisor.
'He doesn't have a son…'
I feel greed rising in me.But I cannot pursue Rie carelessly now.If I become greedy, I could lose everything.
'She's really beautiful…'
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"It's nothing."
"You always think too much. Sometimes I feel like you're not the same person anymore."
"You can only prepare for tomorrow by thinking a lot."
"Yes."
"And Master, Nari…"
"What is it?"
"I'd like to return to my hometown for a few days."
If I stay close to my family,Nakamura won't ignore them.My older brothers may avoid conscription.
I can't shoulder the misfortune of all Koreans.But the misfortune of my own family—that I will prevent at all costs.
It is one of the reasons I chase success.
"Yes, go ahead."
I will return home.Thanks to Nakamura, I have achieved success.Returning in glory—it truly is a glorious return.
"I'll lend you a car. Take it."
"Huh? Even the car?"
I didn't expect such generosity.Gasoline prices rise every day.Driving home in a car costs an average person six months' worth of rice.
'Gasoline prices…'
A thought flashes through my mind.
"What surprises you so much?"
Nakamura smiles at me.
"It's too luxurious for me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's luxury."
"But it's nothing compared to the profits you earned for me."
That's true.My sales skills made him rich.
"And when you return, won't the townspeople come out to see you?"
"They will."
"If not now, then when? Enjoy it! Hahaha!"
He laughs brightly again.
'I see…'
It seems he wants to experience that return through me.A penniless boy from Hiroshima,working under a Korean store owner,coming to Joseon and succeeding—
Perhaps his dream was to return home in a grand car.
'How touching.'
He is someone I must learn from.
I want to become an entrepreneurwho can inspire his employees the same way.
'You're my role model.'
I smiled.
"Actually, that was my dream."
He's honest.
"I figured."
"Hahaha! Then you should be the first to go back in a fancy car."
Meaning: he hasn't gone back home in glory yet.
"Thank you. My parents' jaws will drop."
"Do you think you've succeeded already?"
"I'm still hungry."
"Hahaha! I knew it. You dream big."
He laughs heartily.
'I will keep my promise to this man.'
And I will protect him.
'He is responsible for 30% of my success.'
Without a mountain to climb,I wouldn't be here.
'If back then…'
If I had followed Sirasoni,I might have lived as a gangster,called the "Fox of Jongno."
'This is why choices matter.'
I smile.Nakamura smiles back.
'He looks at me like he wants to adopt me.'
But I cannot become his son.
'Because when Japan falls…'
He will have to return to Hiroshima—to the city that will soon be destroyed by the atomic bomb.
Of course,there are still three years left before that day arrives.