Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung (5)
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There are far too many rotten scumbags in this world.
No one can fail to think at least once that it's heaven's eternal lament—you can't catch them all.
After graduating from the History Department, I took the administrative exam with the goal of making the country a better place while preparing for a job in the civil service. Once I became a public servant, I worked harder than anyone.
That dedication got me promoted to senior secretary in my sixth year through special advancement.
But then some bureau chief like Ryu Jeong-hyeon starts blabbing about how he needs to claw his way up to assistant minister, and eventually full minister, so he diverts welfare budgets into politicians' flashy publicity stunts.
He even bragged that if I stuck with him, he'd hand me a director position in a couple years. I basically told him to shove it.
In the end, even though I raised hell, massive amounts of hard-earned tax money that could have helped countless families got squandered on those politicians' showy policies.
And as punishment, I got shoved into some backwater post.
If I'd just compromised a little, I'd have been a ministry director by year eight, and with high odds of rising to vice minister as an admin exam grad—then in retirement, executive director or even vice president at a major corporation.
'Of course, even if I went back to that time, I'd throw away my career the exact same way, you idiot.'
That incident drained all the fight out of me...
After reincarnating in Joseon, I figured I'd take it easy this time...
But then I get to Jinhae County and can directly help the common folk I couldn't save in my past life, and at the Hall of Worthies, I can craft policies that benefit all the people of Joseon.
So even though I kept telling myself to prioritize living comfortably, I'd end up thinking "just one more" and dive back into the work.
It's driving me insane, really.
"......Lord Secretary, you don't look so good."
"His Supreme Highness the Retired King enacts the Bangwon Law to give hope to countless commoners... so why are there so damn many people scheming to abuse it?"
Kim Man-deok nodded at my words.
"How could every human be purely good? I've seen every kind of trash there is while doing business."
"......Yeah, I bet you have."
"Still, the Bangwon Law is just getting started, isn't it? It's being implemented pretty well so far. It's directly benefiting the people, right?"
"I do think it'll turn out decent if it keeps going like this."
Humans can't be perfect. No matter how much I slave away like a dog, some things just won't budge.
Eradicating all corruption in this world was impossible from the start.
But slowly, steadily chipping away at it, improving bit by bit—that's doable.
Considering this is early Joseon, I'm the weird one for getting pissed over this level of graft.
That said, there are two big problems here.
"The corruption and scandals the public knows about are barely one or two tenths of what's actually happening. Dig deeper, and you'll find five or ten times more."
"......You're right."
"Sure, say we turn a blind eye even to that. But the real issue is..."
In 21st-century Korea, mention Yi Bang-won and "iron flail" comes to mind first—he's seen as a terrifying purgation king.
How much more in Joseon?
Challenge royal authority, and you're a demon who gets his head smashed before you can even talk.
Of course, absent any challenge to his throne, no monarch is as magnanimous as Yi Bang-won.
Even something as trivial as kids playing with a bow labeled with the three princes' names counts as sorcery under the law—courtiers screaming it's high treason warranting family executions, and he still pardons them despite the hit to his prestige.
Yet here's the problem: the Bangwon Law, pushed by the iron-flail Yi Bang-won himself, and already people are pulling tricks.
"The longer it goes—one year, two years—the worse the corruption will get. And with His Supreme Highness watching like a hawk... well, no need to belabor the point."
They'll shift the one-part-eight-measure tax onto tenant farmers any way they can, and the rich will pull every trick to shave off their increases.
Even the graft via tribute goods will evolve.
Better to preempt that with Yi Bang-won's go-to: a shocking, exemplary punishment to set things straight. Even if it delays my retirement.
If I can save someone, I'll save one more. No regrets that way.
When I arrived near the yamen with Kim Man-deok and the rest, a runner leveled his spear at me.
"......Curfew hour—why are you bringing a whole crowd into the yamen? Back off now, or I'll call more runners and have you arrested."
Even in 21st-century Korea with freedom of assembly, leading a group to city hall late at night without notice gets you nabbed.
In Joseon? Forget it—not treason, but a solid flogging offense.
Resist, and it could turn into a treason charge with your head on a pike.
So this runner's action is spot-on.
Thus, as a proper official, I should respond by the book.
I showed him the inspector badge in my hand.
"I am Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung. I'm here at Anseong Yamen on urgent official business."
"My apologies, my lord."
"Open the yamen gates at once."
"My lord, it's curfew—the magistrate's asleep. Please come back at dawn."
He's right, of course. No need to hassle or yell at a runner doing his job.
Instead, I signaled Kim Man-deok with a glance.
He unfurled the edict I'd received straight from the king.
"A royal decree!"
At those words, the runners hit the dirt.
Once he read it through, cold sweat poured off them like rain.
Regular runners (non-officers) have no stake, but hearing they can inspect freely under royal decree froze them solid.
"Wake the magistrate at once. From now on, by royal decree, this inspector will thoroughly audit Anseong County. Obey my orders."
"Yes, my lord!"
Joseon had no secret inspector system till now. Only Yi Bang-won, King Sejong, and I know what one is—give or take.
Hence the need for an edict spelling out my exact authority.
Otherwise, even if they call me a bandit and arrest me, what could I say?
But with the genuine edict in hand, from now on, these yamen runners live or dance at my whim.
"Man-deok, where should we start inspecting?"
"In my view, the biggest issue with the Bangwon Law... is the tax-measuring tub. Just pad it by one tenth, and you skim over ten percent more from the people."
"So one tub lets them embezzle more than ten percent in taxes?"
"Yes, Inspector."
I pointed at one of the gate-guarding runners.
"Tell me where the yamen warehouse is."
"Yes, my lord. This way—follow me."
The rice sacks in the place he led us to were bigger than I'd expected.
These bastards are definitely fudging the tub size to overcollect—has to be.
"......Bring the measuring tub."
The moment it arrived, I whipped out the yucheok—Joseon's standard measure—and checked the tub's size.
This magistrate's no total fool; he didn't go as far as padding it a full tenth like Man-deok said...
"Hm, the tub's off by about five pun (5%)."
Anseong's commoners were unwittingly paying an extra five percent on taxes.
No big deal per tub, but pennies make mountains.
Tallied up, it's dozens—maybe hundreds—of seom of rice. Impressive, really.
"And these pears for tribute... they look off too."
This isn't some premium spot growing Damyang watermelons worth over 100,000 won a pop, but still, they're smaller than expected.
"Have all the tribute pears been sent up already?"
"Not yet—we're still buying them."
From his voice, face, eyes, posture—I could tell.
He's hiding something that can't see the light.
"Where are you buying the pears? The new law says local markets..."
"Well, uh..."
The world's hardest thing is whistleblowing from inside.
That's why rooting out military abuses is so tough.
Speak up, and you're "human trash" for the rest of your service—unbearable.
"......Where's your hometown?"
"Gwangyang County, Jeolla Province. I'm here on corvée duty."
"Answer honestly, and by my authority, I'll send you home."
Corvée rotates anyway; sending him early once won't wreck fairness much.
"Through monks at Chiljangs Temple."
"......I see."
As I pried that out, the magistrate rushed into the warehouse.
He didn't know exactly what a secret inspector was, but "royal decree holder," so he came dressed impeccably.
"Aigoo, Inspector Kim. Long journey—must be weary. Rest up till dawn tomorrow..."
Nope. I don't negotiate with criminals at the crime scene.
"From now on, by inspector authority, I seal this yamen warehouse. I'll proxy all Anseong County duties. Return to quarters, rest easy, and wait."
......Ah, this is the thrill of a "search and seizure."
Terror of the 21st century.
After the search, I slightly overreached my authority and shipped the Anseong magistrate to Hanyang.
Everyone knows what awaits: Yi Bang-won in black dragon robe, iron flail in hand, ready to greet him warmly.
"......Alright, Bangwon, let's have a constructive talk again."