- A Work of Renewal for the Russo-Japanese War
- 1 In the winter, Sahng-jeh-nim asked Byung-ook, “Japan and Russia are taking advantage of our nation’s weakness, and they are fighting for dominance over Korea.
- 2 The Korean government is divided into two parties: one in favor of an alliance with Japan and the other in favor of a coalition with Russia. Which do you think is the right policy?”
- 3 Byung-ook answered, “Because of racial discrimination and the differences between the East and West, it would be better to be friendly with Japan and keep Russia at a distance.”
- 4 “You are right. If Western power is not driven out, the East will be trampled by the West forever.
- 5 Therefore, it is correct to drive out the Western power to protect the East, and to do so, I appoint Japan as heaven and earth’s great il-ggoon.”
- 6 Later, Sahng-jeh-nim had Byung-ook move to Jahng Heung-hae’s house in the same county.
- 7 One day, in front of other disciples, Sahng-jeh-nim said to Byung-ook, “To free you from trouble, I am going to start a war between Japan and Russia. I will drive away Russia by helping Japan.”
- 8 Finding this unbelievable, the disciples said to one another that it would be ridiculous to bring about a war between two nations to resolve one person’s crisis,
- 9 and that it was even more nonsensical to say that He would drive off mighty Russia by helping Japan, which was much weaker.
- (JSD Dojeon 5,26)
