Cut One and Two Grow Back - 7
All the self-proclaimed descendants of the Huangjin Hou had been sent straight to the Second Generation Huangjin Hou. Not only the live captives, but even the corpses had been scraped together and shipped off, so their treatment was now in the Second Gen's hands.
"How dare these petty bandits use the name of my late father so carelessly. Rather than us executing them, it's only right to leave it all to the new Huangjin Hou."
Of course, entrusting their fate to the new Huangjin Hou wasn't Gu Gangwang's idea—it was Dong-gu Wang's. Gu Gangwang had wanted to deal with the former pirates without question or mercy. Sure, his intelligence skyrocketed during battle, but once the fighting ended, he reverted to the simplest, most straightforward talk imaginable. He lacked Dong-gu Wang's level of consideration for the Huangjin Hou lineage.
"Eh, if they're gonna die anyway, we could've just handled it ourselves."
Still, he inwardly agreed with Dong-gu Wang's judgment, grumbling a bit but voicing no real complaints. Gu Gangwang led the charge in battle, while Dong-gu Wang handled the aftermath. It was such a perfect division of labor that I couldn't help but admire it. This was the joint operation of old-timers who'd fought together since the founding wars.
"The Huangjin Hou will deeply appreciate Your Highness Dong-gu Wang's consideration."
"Indeed. Without you two, the late Huangjin Hou—who has passed to the next world—and the current one carrying his will would both rest uneasy."
Jo-guk Gong and Cho-guk Gong also voiced fervent support for Dong-gu Wang's decision. It was natural for Daesong's nobles and officials to show deference to the kings, but their words carried extra sincerity and loyalty. To avoid rumors like "The Dodobu neglected it, so the kings stepped in personally," this was the expected response.
"How could this be our doing alone? It went smoothly thanks to your active cooperation."
"You overpraise us, Your Highness."
"The villains would have been wiped out without us, but without you two holding the center, how could justice have been upheld?"
Dong-gu Wang, understanding the dukes' concerns, offered praise in return, and the dukes bowed even deeper. Even so, I'd caught a glimpse of serene relief on their faces before they lowered their heads. Good—they'd unburdened their hearts.
"A center alone doesn't solve everything. It's the people supporting it that make it easy. So, take care of things in Fujian too."
"Of course. We will devote our utmost sincerity to the peace of the realm and its people."
"Mm. I expect great things."
Gu Gangwang nodded in satisfaction, then turned to me.
"Han Un, don't push yourself—just stay put. You're not accompanying us for the battles; we're just traveling the same road."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll do that."
It was a considerate way of saying I could tag along without joining the military ops, but honestly, I'd prefer permission to move separately. How uncomfortable would it be traveling with two kings and two dukes? With them all bustling about on bandit suppression, I'd feel even more out of place lounging alone. Titles are the real bullies. But this grievance was something I couldn't voice—the overwhelming power of rank. Just as ordinary officials watched my every move as a crown prince, I had to mind the sitting kings. If a crown prince ignored royal authority, who would respect me?
Damn these bandit bastards. So my anger and hatred turned toward the bandits rampaging in Fujian. If their major bandit strongholds—their bosses—were dead, they should just shut up and lie low. Their fear of big bandits and disdain for officials was utterly revolting.
Ever since Yeon-i left Kaepyeong with her grandson-in-law, each day felt emptier than the last. My Yeon-i—the one who always smiled at this old man, shared quiet meals and chats, lit up with joy at her achievements after my advice—was gone.
I'd known she'd leave my side upon marriage someday, but now that she had, it felt like a hole punched through my chest. Like I'd lost my reason for living.
"Isn't it too much, with your son right here?"
"Are you the same as Yeon-i?"
"No, I suppose not."
When I shot back without hesitation at my sulking son, he shook his head bitterly, accepting it. As if he weren't feeling her absence too—yet here he was complaining to his father. He knew better than anyone how much Yeon-i's presence defined Akwangjeo.
"Have some tea."
"Yes."
So I sipped my tea and sighed inwardly. I have to get used to it. Yes, I must. Time would pass, Yeon-i would finish her provincial tour and return—but not alone; her grandson-in-law would come too. And once their tour ended, they'd marry officially. Then Yeon-i wouldn't just be stepping out briefly; she'd leave Akwangga for Giwangga forever.
Fortunately, both families resided in Kaepyeong, so visits were easy, but officially, they'd live apart. My beloved granddaughter's marriage. To prepare for that imminent future, I needed to grow accustomed to this emptiness now. It was heartbreaking, but for Yeon-i's sake.
Hm?
As I drew another inward sigh, a messenger hawk appeared from the southeast.
"Oh, a letter from Yeon-i, looks like."
"Seems so."
My lips curved up unwittingly. A hawk, not a pigeon—Yeon-i's thoughtful gesture for her grandpa and father. Hawks flew faster than pigeons, after all.
"Last letter was from Jushan, right?"
"Yes. Assuming no issues, they should be in Onju by now or crossing into Fujian."
I extended one arm, and the hawk swooped in swiftly, perching on it.
"Good work."
- Piiik!
I gently scratched under its chin, and it closed its eyes, trilling happily. It had brought news of Yeon-i from afar. A precious bird—I'd feed it well and send it back stuffed.
With my heart calmer, I unrolled the letter, and
Gu Gangwang Jin U-ryang-i sends greetings to Ak Wang Ak Hyeon.
"What."
An unexpected name stared back from the letter. Not from Yeon-i... but Gu Gangwang?
Why?
Confusion hit. I'd learned from Yeon-i's letter that she'd met him, but Gu Gangwang was supposed to join Dong-gu Wang for pirate suppression. Yeon-i and her man were landing in southern Zhejiang separately. So they'd parted ways immediately—why was Gu Gangwang suddenly writing me?
What's going on?
Suppressing unease, I read on quickly.
His Majesty's virtue reaches the heavens and overturns the seas; before Dong-gu Wang and I could act, the eastern tributaries had already begun suppressing the pirates. Thanks to this, we assessed Yuguo's situation and anchored at Onjub. There, we encountered Your Highness's granddaughter and grandson-in-law.
I let out a chuckle at the bizarre tale of them reuniting right after parting. This had to be because of the grandson-in-law. Back when he toured the Central Plains with his inspector escort, he'd met kings everywhere. When I heard he'd encountered all five Ija Kings, I wondered if he was seeking them out on purpose.
Meeting Your Highness's grandson-in-law is practically routine now, so no surprise there. But with recent unrest centered in Fujian spilling to nearby areas, we've decided to travel with them.
My smile faded at what followed. Unrest forcing them to join up? With a Chojeoljeong inspector, ordinary trouble couldn't touch Yeon-i or her man. Gu Gangwang knew that—yet chose to merge paths?
In Fujian, bandits in overwhelming numbers have risen, damaging parts of Zhejiang. At sea, pirates claiming descent from Fangjin have stirred chaos. True, mere thieves wouldn't dare harm esteemed officials and a crown prince. But to prepare for contingencies, I've judged it best to accompany them until the situation stabilizes.
"Hoo..."
I sighed at the rest. In that case, Gu Gangwang's decision made sense. If even a king spoke of stabilization, the chaos in Fujian and Zhejiang had peaked. Wandering such areas with a small group was risky, no matter the Chojeoljeong guard. Even with peak experts holding firm, waves of hundreds or thousands of bandits could spell disaster for Yeon-i and her man—I couldn't guarantee otherwise.
"What's it say?"
My son, quietly sipping tea, voiced his curiosity at my sigh.
"See for yourself."
I handed him the letter, and he reacted much like me.
"So that's the trouble in Fujian."
"A pity. His Majesty's gaze reaches everywhere under heaven, yet frontier villains fail to grasp that truth."
"If they understood, they wouldn't have chosen this path."
"True enough. You're right."
I nodded, stroking the hawk still perched on my arm. Not Yeon-i's letter as hoped, but assurance that Gu Gangwang was ensuring her safety. Good news nonetheless—it deserved fine feed.
"Century-old snakehead should do."
- Piiik?
The hawk tilted its head at my words. Don't worry—I wouldn't feed a hawk mere grass like some heartless sort. I'd give it all the meat it wanted, let it rest its fill, then send it off.
Bandits rising in force...
But Gu Gangwang's letter left me uneasy. Bandits in an era founded by my ancestor and upheld by His Majesty? On a scale shaking entire regions? As a king, I couldn't tolerate it. For heaven's mandate's firmness, for the realm and people's peace—I couldn't stand idle.
"...We should move too."
"Yes. I'll prepare the Akga Army."
One short phrase, but my son grasped it perfectly. Dispatch some Akga elites to aid Gu Gangwang's suppression in Fujian; the rest patrol Zhili and surrounds with imperial permission. Make "bandit" a word heard only in the underworld for a while—
Wait.
That Han Jung fellow in Hanjung was probably idle anyway. Borrow some of his leisure troops? It'd look odd for Akwangga to patrol Zhili alone. For Giwangga's standing, better to move together.