Several weeks had passed, and by the time the Russian and Alaskan delegations met in Hanseong, Cuba had already fallen into the hands of the Central Powers.
The day felt like it was the longest that Ernest Gruening had ever endured. And it started off poorly.
Tsar Alexei showed up to the meeting dressed in full imperial regalia, surrounded by generals and admirals of his nation's military forces.
Meanwhile, Ernest showed up with himself, J.P. Williams and a handful of civil servants that worked around his office.
The sheer disparity between the two negotiating parties was enough to make the Korean emperor uncomfortable.
After the end of the German-Japanese war nearly a decade prior, Korea had its independence returned to it, and with it the Joseon Dynasty once more found themselves seated upon the thrones.
