========================
I decided to persuade him further first.
“I’ve heard you’re training troops in Nebraska, sir.”
“That’s right.
Before hearing you, I was planning to ask you to join us.”
No, thanks.
“Then where do you plan to find officers to command them?”
“…That…”
“If I join the U.S.
military and receive training, wouldn’t it increase the chances of gaining their support as well?”
“Hmm.”
Before Park Yong-man could answer, Rhee cut in.
“So you intend, like him, to somehow manipulate the U.S.
military into marching on Tokyo?
A ridiculous idea.”
“No.
That’s impossible.”
“What?”
“Japan is allied with Britain and shares interests with the United States.
You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”
At my blunt statement, his expression actually brightened.
“For a student, you have quite a clear understanding of world affairs.
That’s why diplomacy is even more important.
Gaining the support of the great powers is the fastest way to restore Korea.”
“Hah!
There you go again with that nonsense.”
Park Yong-man growled, but Rhee ignored him and looked at me.
“So what do you think?”
My face was about to get holes burned into it.
These two great figures were practically glaring at me, pressuring me to agree with them.
It felt like I was about to split in half.
I spoke slowly.
“I believe persuading the great powers diplomatically will be difficult.”
“That’s right!”
Park Yong-man grinned, but I continued.
“Japan is essentially a foreman managing a vast East Asian farm.
The United States and Britain can sit back and collect profits as long as that obedient foreman keeps producing.”
“Which is why diplomacy.”
“When would a landowner discard his foreman?”
Both men fell silent.
“When the foreman fails at his job… or starts lining his own pockets.”
“You’re saying Japan will do that?”
“Of course.
Just as they invaded Korea, they will eventually covet Manchuria and China.
I think it will take about thirty years before Japan betrays Britain and America.”
Silence fell.
“…If what you say is true, then if Japan continues its role, our independence would be impossible,” Rhee said.
“But Japan cannot do that.”
“Why not?”
“If they were truly rational, they wouldn’t have annexed Korea in the first place.
They already controlled it through the Residency-General.
Swallowing a nation with thousands of years of history and half their population will only cause indigestion.
And yet…”
“They devoured it anyway.
Because they were starving for more.”
Rhee’s lips curled into a wide smile.
“I feel as though I’m speaking not to a student, but to a diplomat of the great powers.
Ha!”
“What do you think of my idea?”
“I believe it is correct.
The diplomats of the great powers may think Japan will remain subordinate forever, but those people?
They will inevitably expand into the continent.”
“And until that day comes, I believe people like you must ensure the world does not forget that Korea exists.”
The last part was pure flattery.
Rhee?
I didn’t need him.
I would carve Korea into their minds myself.
“If we follow your thinking… then what I am doing has little value, is that what you mean?”
“That cannot be the case.
Without people like you, how would they even know whether Korea desires independence or is content living as Japan’s slave?
The moment Japan turns on the great powers, the first thing that must come to their minds is Korea.”
Clap.
Clap.
Rhee Syngman applauded lightly.
“In my opinion, you should not go to the military but to a university.
How about coming to Princeton?”
“I am sorry.
I intend to wear stars and lead the U.S.
Army to punish the Japanese.”
“Ha, hahahaha!”
After laughing for a while, he straightened himself and spoke seriously.
“There are many academies.
Which one do you want?”
“West Point, of course.”
“Not Annapolis?
If the United States fights Japan, it will be at sea.”
“There has been at least one Black cadet at West Point, but none at Annapolis.
And the U.S.
Navy has close exchanges with the Japanese Navy.”
I said that and glanced at Park Yong-man.
“And if I go to the Navy, it will be harder to assist you.”
“…Very well.
Then we will prepare for West Point.”
Rhee smiled faintly as he looked at my father.
“Sir, how on earth did you raise your son?
With a young man like this, Korea’s future is truly reassuring.”
“Haha… I always wondered what use he would be, always getting into fights, but I had no idea he had such thoughts.”
“As you know, to enter a military academy, you need a recommendation from a congressman.
The California senator Flint is a Republican, so at least we do not have to worry about being rejected outright.”
I had done everything I could.
All that remained was to obtain the recommendation.
I could only hope that Doctor Rhee, whose tongue was as sharp as any politician’s, would secure it for me.
Not long after, I was granted an interview with Senator Frank Putnam Flint.
“Hello, Mr.
Kim.
It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“It is an honor, Senator.”
I did not know what exactly Rhee had said, but the senator showed me considerable goodwill.
During the interview, he continuously asked about my views and knowledge of international affairs.
It seemed Rhee had emphasized that angle.
“You truly have a broad perspective for a student.
Very impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I assume you also have thoughts on political and social matters.
If you were to enter West Point, what do you think would happen?”
“It would show that the United States, the land of freedom, is capable of embracing not only Black people but Asians as well.”
He smiled and shook his head.
“Oh no.
Do not be so reserved.”
“I would not dare in front of you, Senator.”
“To be honest, recommending you has meaning for me as well.
But for you, it means even more.
To challenge a country dominated by White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, one must either be a great fighter or a skilled politician.
Let me ask again.
What do you think will happen if you go to West Point?”
At that point, I could not refuse.
It seemed he was worried I might die pointlessly or ruin myself by speaking recklessly.
“The United States is no longer confined to the American continent.
It is expanding into Asia.
It has already taken the Philippines.”
“That is true.
Does that make you uncomfortable, as an Asian?”
“Not at all.
Unlike Spain, a wicked colonial ruler, the United States is a beacon of freedom and democracy.”
I smiled.
It was the smile of a conspirator.
“The first Asian American at West Point.
I believe that can be used as propaganda, as a symbol.”
“Can you endure that?”
“If I do not, people angered by losing their slaves might kill me.”
“I cannot deny that.”
He muttered quietly.
“Am I truly speaking with a student?”
I almost laughed.
I had heard something similar not long ago.
“As a representative from California, I assume you are familiar with Asians.”
“More than most, yes.”
“In my view, Asians tend to remain within their own boundaries.
They are still Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, rather than Americans.”
He looked at me with disbelief.
Of course he would.
I was here with the support of the Korean community, yet I spoke like this.
But here, I had to be American above all else.
After two hours of praising America and one hour of declaring my Christian faith, Senator Flint granted me eligibility without hesitation.
“As you know, there are many applicants seeking my recommendation.
I plan to gather qualified candidates and hold an examination.
Be sure to attend.”
“Thank you.
Thank you very much.”
“I hope you will become an excellent officer and serve the United States faithfully.”
Not long after, I passed the examination and obtained Flint’s recommendation.
After completing the long process, including physical and fitness tests, on June 14, 1911, news spread that the first Asian American had been admitted to West Point.
A few days after my acceptance was announced, several reporters visited my home.
And with them, of course, came Doctor Rhee.
“You refuse interviews?”
“Yes.”
He seemed briefly taken aback, then quickly regained his composure.
“Eugene, think carefully.
In a democratic nation, the press is the greatest weapon.
To give that up…”
“If I were to accept, what should I say?”
“Well, naturally…”
He could not continue.
Of course he could not.
My position was ambiguous.
To the independence activists, I had spoken about how a Korean American officer could help Korea.
To Senator Flint, I had emphasized the meaning of an Asian American officer for the United States.
I had no intention of speaking carelessly.
My value would naturally rise with the First and Second World Wars.
Each time my predictions came true, the War Department and the State Department would have no choice but to listen.
For now, my goal was simple.
Quietly.
Safely.
Commission as an officer.
“So you intend to walk a tightrope.”
“To satisfy white Americans, I must emphasize that I am American.
To inspire Koreans, I must present myself as their hope.
I cannot have both.”
“You truly belong in politics.
If you ever leave the military, come work under me.
No matter what, come to me.
Understood?”
As if I would ever serve under him.
Even if I succeeded in the U.S.
military, I would inevitably need influence within the Korean community.
That meant either working with figures like him or becoming a leader myself.
And in history, he had betrayed too many of his allies.
I simply smiled without answering.
He laughed loudly, as if he had interpreted it differently.
“Haha.
Very well.
You want me to prove my worth.”
Then he took out an envelope and handed it to me.
“It seems someone took an interest after hearing about you.
I would rather not deliver this, but…”
“For you to act as a messenger, he must be quite someone.”
“He is called Dosan.
A man with quite the tongue.
I will give you the letter, but do not cling to him.
You belong to me.”
Dosan.
Ahn Chang-ho.
Unexpected.
I thought he was not in America at this time.
My name must be spreading faster than I thought.
“My value keeps rising.
I will remember that you delivered a rival’s letter with such generosity.”
“Of course.
Since you refused interviews, I will entertain the reporters myself.”
With that, he plunged into the group of journalists.
The more I saw him, the more formidable he seemed.
“I have to surpass that man…”
A sigh escaped me.
***
“Honey, look at this newspaper.
Hahaha.”
“That child… what will he do in the army…”
I had grown over 180 centimeters and trained relentlessly to pass the physical exam, yet to my mother I was still a child.
“I will be going far away now, so take good care of our parents.”
“Yes…”
After saying my farewells to my younger siblings, there was nothing left to do.
All that remained was to board the transcontinental railroad to New York, to West Point.
“Then I will be going.”
“Take care.
Eat well.
I wanted to pack some kimchi—”
“Are you crazy?
Those Westerners will panic at the sight of kimchi.”
“Koreans live on rice.
If he cannot eat rice or kimchi, how will he have strength?”
No matter his status in the community, even my father could not stand up to his wife.
“Son.”
“Yes.”
“Do not live like this…
ah!”
I pretended not to hear the smack that followed.
The vast railway network stretching across the United States.
My first time riding a train felt entirely antique.
It could not compare to the high-speed trains of my past life, but considering this was 1911, the ability to cross the continent by rail showed the power of this nation.
From here, my new future would begin.
After climbing a steep hill with a heavy bag, I finally stood before a massive stone arch.
West Point.
The United States Military Academy.
I became the first Asian cadet.
“Hm, a new cadet?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Welcome to West Point.
Move along.”
Just like that.
At least no one shouted at me to leave for being Asian.
I walked through towering monuments and gothic stone buildings.
My second life as a soldier was beginning.
At least, that was what I thought.
“Wake up!”
“You’re too slow!”
We new cadets were not even allowed into the dormitories.
Instead, we were thrown into open fields, living in tents like recruits.
They called it Beast Barracks, a brutal three-week initiation.
“What’s that smell?”
“The smell of the outside world.”
“You must shed all of that if you want to become officers.”
“Yes, sir!”
This was far worse than anything I had experienced before.
“Get down!”
Even by modern standards, it was brutal.
“Hey, you yellow monkey.”
“Go back to Asia.”
I stood out immediately.
On the first night, I was dragged out and harassed by two white upperclassmen.
Then.
“Still calling people monkeys?”
A voice cut in.
A cadet stepped forward.
“Say that again in front of me and I will kill you.”
The two backed off.
“Damn.
Look at them.”
After they left, he turned to me.
“I heard there was another Asian here.”
“Thank you.”
“It is nothing.
I am Vicente Lim.
A year ahead of you.”
“Eugene Kim.”
“There are idiots here, but not everyone is like that.”
He helped me up.
“You will see them for four years.
Do not worry.”
That was a relief.
West Point was harsh, but it was still a place where people lived.
Back at my tent, my classmates were talking.
“Oh, you’re back.”
“Yeah.”
“We made bets on you.”
Unbelievable.
“So I won.
Here’s your share.”
A dollar.
“I knew you’d come back.”
“Why?”
“You looked dangerous.”
“…What?”
“Introduce yourself.”
Before I could speak, one of them raised his hand.
“Let me go first.
My name is Dwight David Eisenhower.”
“…What?”
“Too long?
Just call me Ike.”
Wait.
Not that.
Who did you just say you were?