Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Turbulent World
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The city gates of Kaifeng stood wide open, as if utterly unconcerned by any threat of invasion from outside. It was proof of just how great the symbolic power of the Five Harmony Alliance was and the sense of security it instilled in the people.
In the inns along the market street, gossips clustered around bottles of liquor, pouring out their own opinions and picking up tidbits from one another. The breweries had so much grain that Kaifeng's fortunes were overflowing.
The group happened to be passing by. The conversations reached Yuk Jin-yang's ears clearly.
"I heard the youngest son of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan made a huge contribution in Shandong."
"Is that true?"
"True as can be. You know I have connections in the Five Harmony Alliance. The rumors are flying thick among the great clans. They say he teamed up with the Mount Tai Sect and lopped off the heads of the Huangbo Clan's young master and their key figures, one after another."
"I've heard that too. They're already saying envoys are going back and forth."
"If it's true, that's astounding. That's top-tier performance even among his peers. He wouldn't fall short compared to the later-generation talents from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering!"
"Might even surpass them. The Huangbo Clan's young master is a far tougher opponent than some riffraff from the unorthodox sects."
They spoke freely, assuming the subject wasn't present. Far from pleasing, it embarrassed him. Yuk Jin-yang turned his head away, pretending not to hear.
"Kaifeng is so peaceful. You wouldn't even think we're at war."
Yi Jeong-baek grinned slyly, looking at him like a shy child trying to hide his embarrassment.
"The higher-ups must have taken measures. Spreading word of a young hero of fifteen's exploits to steady the people's hearts."
The other Five Harmony Alliance warriors also began praising Yuk Jin-yang, treating him like a talented nephew. They'd grown close through the hardships of their recent mission.
"Indeed, Young Hero Yuk's contributions were great. He took the heads of the Huangbo Clan's direct bloodline, their young master, and even an Elder Council leader."
"It has even greater significance than the subjugation itself! He defended Lianxing Fortress and halted the rebels' advance."
"Young hero, you can afford to be a bit prouder. Just the grain you burned must amount to hundreds of dan."
Yuk Ryul, who had been listening quietly, finally chimed in.
"Perhaps even the fastest promotion isn't out of the question. That's how big a merit it is."
"Even Uncle too?"
"Why? I'm speaking from the heart."
Yuk Ryul dropped the playfulness and spoke in a more serious tone, low enough for only Yuk Jin-yang to hear.
The next words came via transmission.
—So be careful with how you carry yourself when you get back.
—May I ask why?
—In my view, your cousins didn't rack up merits like yours. Believe me when I say nothing is as ugly or reason-robbing as jealousy.
Yuk Jin-yang nodded silently.
His inner thoughts differed. Bowing his head moderately wasn't hard. But it wasn't the best approach.
'They won't stop keeping me in check just because of that.'
Yuk Jin-yang's mind began turning even more tensely than it had on the battlefield.
In the rear garden of the temporary residence where the Zhejiang Yuk Clan was staying in Kaifeng Prefecture.
The Yuk Clan head sat atop a luxurious pavilion, admiring the view. Grand Steward Choe Rim approached quietly from behind and made his report.
"Young Master Jin-yang has returned."
"I heard. The whole of Kaifeng is abuzz."
The clan head had already received full reports on his youngest grandson's actions, including the death of the Huangbo Clan young master and even the intervention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He crumpled the letter in his hand. At the same time, blue flames erupted, incinerating the paper. It was the Samadhi True Fire. The messenger pigeon perched on his shoulder clacked its beak.
"Kwak Yeong sent a letter. He thanked me for saving his daughter's life."
"Is that so? That's... unexpected. I figured a general like Kwak Yeong would take a harder line."
"Have you forgotten? We're not rebelling against the court."
Choe Rim smacked his forehead.
"Haha, my mistake. I must be getting old. The alliance's official stance has always been hostility only toward the new clans."
"Yes, on the surface."
The targets the alliance's swords were pointed at were solely the new clans. They hadn't uttered a word about the conflict between Prince Yan and the court.
As if weighing which side—emperor or Prince Yan—to join.
"Of course, the court isn't foolish enough to trust us blindly. But they'll keep all possibilities open."
"They won't act rashly."
"That delay is exactly what we want."
The Yuk Clan head chuckled dryly and turned to ask,
"So, did you come to talk about Jin-yang?"
"Cloud Sea Hall Leader has returned from the branch and is waiting. Just as in the last letter. He says he brought along a few courtiers he's won over."
"Got it. I'll head there now."
The Yuk Clan head returned to the annex the Zhejiang Yuk Clan was borrowing, accompanied by Choe Rim.
Cloud Sea Hall Leader Yuk Seo was pacing in the corridor leading to the banquet hall. He rushed to his father and bowed obsequiously.
"Please come in. Everyone's waiting inside."
"What's with all the fuss? They're just disgraced scholars anyway."
"No, Father. Even so, calling them nobodies? They might all look the same to you, but they're all talked about as promising talents out in the world."
"Who did you say?"
"Yang Sa-gi, Yang Bu, Yang Yeong, and Hae Jin."
The Yuk Clan head nodded.
"Names I've heard once or twice passing through the capital. But Hae Jin—that bald scholar who got chased out for boldly remonstrating with the Taizu Emperor? I hear he writes decent prose."
"Yes. But he seems to have reflected on it; he's a changed man. Stuck in some backwater village for ten years, so it's no wonder."
"Is that right?"
A strange smile played on Yuk Seo's lips.
"Lately, he's been quite proactive in forming factions. They say he thrashed about desperate for success. Heh."
"We can use them moderately, then."
"Moderately? You should use them big. Do you know how much effort I put into spiriting them away? It was really tough."
Yuk Seo boasted slyly of his own merits amid the banter. But the clan head remained utterly indifferent despite his son's antics.
"...Well, it's the first sensible thing you've done in a while."
The Yuk Clan head strode briskly into the banquet hall. The scholars, who had arrived first and were sitting uncomfortably around the round table, rose quickly and bowed their heads. The clan head waved them off.
"Sit, all of you. Why such formal courtesy? I'm not the emperor."
"Haha..."
Hanlin Academy scholar Yang Sa-gi let out an awkward laugh. The men seated to his left and right were also Hanlin scholars. Men meant to advise the emperor were here in Kaifeng.
Soon, servants brought out lavish dishes. The scholars swallowed hard. The clan head glanced at his eldest son standing rigidly behind him and asked,
"Did you starve them or something?"
"It wasn't my intention. They needed a chance to eat first. Rushing from the capital here in one go was the priority."
Yuk Seo hurriedly made excuses. The clan head nodded and graciously urged the scholars,
"Eat first. Then we'll talk."
"Th-thank you."
Truly famished, the scholars threw decorum to the wind and wielded their chopsticks. Watching them stuff food into their mouths ravenously, the clan head finally spoke.
"So, why did you come here? Spare me the preamble. I'm not dim enough to think I don't know why I had you brought here."
A long silence followed before anyone answered. Yang Sa-gi finally spoke.
"Not all Hanlin scholars agreed to the stipend cuts. But His Majesty's will was firm."
The other scholars began voicing their grievances in turn.
"Those who didn't support His Majesty's will have all fallen from favor."
"His Majesty favors only those from the Hanlin Academy who served as Grand Tutor to the crown prince."
"The phoenix chooses its perch carefully. Besides, I've long had ties to Prince Yan and admired him."
The last was Hae Jin. The clan head looked at him impassively.
"You have a connection to Prince Yan?"
"Yes, he greatly admired my poetry."
"Then why not leave the court altogether? Join Prince Yan and become a secret messenger shuttling between Beiping and Kaifeng. It would benefit both sides."
Hae Jin paled slightly.
"Shamefully, my health is frail; traveling a thousand li is beyond me. If I were a warrior, I'd have rushed to Prince Yan's side."
"You're joking."
Hae Jin breathed a sigh of relief. The clan head subtly changed the subject.
"How did you even get here? Slipping past the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the capital to here can't have been easy. You didn't actually retire to the countryside, did you?"
"How could we?"
Yang Sa-gi swallowed the food in his mouth and answered calmly.
He knew their situation well. Their value came from their Hanlin positions. Lose those titles, and they were mere literati.
"We used the excuse of inspecting public sentiment in Jiangnan. Said we needed to check the governors for any schemes amid the chaos."
"Did the emperor and court accept that?"
"Yes, they even granted us temporary censor positions."
Yang Sa-gi presented his censor's badge. It was genuine. The clan head's smile deepened.
This passed muster. No sanctimonious prattling or clumsy ambition on display.
"Bring a bottle of Dongshan Brew."
The name of a famed liquor reserved for special guests. Smiles formed on the scholars' lips. It meant they had finally earned proper recognition.
Soon, Grand Steward Choe Rim brought the liquor himself. The clan head poured their cups personally. The scholars fidgeted, unsure where to put themselves.
The wine made a round. The clan head downed his in one gulp. Only after savoring the grassy aroma and sweet aftertaste for a long while did he speak again.
"Coming here as Hanlin scholars must not have been an easy decision. What is it you all want?"