Kim Ok-kiun and Shumamura had long conferences.  They discussed ways and means.  The reformers were to overthrow the reactionaries in the Cabinet by the only possible way, killing them; they were then in the King’s name to grant Japan further commercial concessions, and the Japanese were to raise a considerable loan which should be handed over to Kim for necessary purposes.

Takezoi was on a visit to Tokyo when his deputy and the Korean came to an understanding.  They were rather anxious to have the whole thing through before his return, for they knew, as every one knew, that Takezoi was not the best man for a crisis.  But when the Minister returned from Tokyo there was none so bold as he.  He boasted to his friends that Japan had at last resolved to make war on China, and that every Chinaman would soon be driven out of the land.  He received Kim and heard of his plans with satisfaction.  There would be no trouble about money.  A few Japanese in Seoul itself would arrange all that was necessary.  Let the thing be done quickly.

It had been customary for the Legations only to drill their soldiers in daytime, and to inform the Government before they were taken out to public places.  But one night Takezoi had his Japanese troops turned out, marched up the great hill, Namzan, commanding the city, and drilled there.  When asked why he did it, he cheerfully replied that he had just made an experiment to see how far he could startle the Chinese and Koreans; and he was quite satisfied with the result.

He sought an interview with the King.  He had brought back the 400,000 yen which Japan had exacted as indemnity for the Hanabusa outrage.  Japan desired Korea’s friendship, he declared, not her money.  He also brought a stand of Japanese-made rifles, a gift from the Emperor to the King, and a very significant gift, too.  The Minister urged on the King the helpless condition of China, and the futility of expecting assistance from her, and begged the King to take up a bold position, announce Korea’s independence and dare China’s wrath.  The King listened, but made no pledges.

Kim and the Japanese Secretary called in their allies, to discuss how to strike.  One scheme proposed was that they should send two men, disguised as Chinese, to kill two of the Ministers they had marked as their victims.  Then they would charge the other Ministers with the deed and kill them.  Thus they would get rid of all their enemies at a blow.  A second plan was that Kim should invite the Ministers to the fine new house he had built, should entertain them and then kill them.  Unfortunately for Kim, the Ministers were not willing to come to his house.  He had invited them all to a grand banquet shortly before, and only a few had accepted.