Please Don't Raise Your Voice - 2
There are six debaters eager to flip their eyes back and wag their tongues, but only one mediator. It was only natural for there to be a single moderator serving as both referee and host, but I couldn't shake the inner anxiety about just how "real" these Akrok Academy scholars truly were. Was it really right to throw those six scholars before the Emperor and prepare just one leash for them all—?
Still, mad as they might be, they were scholars. Men who knew loyalty and propriety, righteousness and the Way. If they were genuine scholars sincere in their debates, their loyalty to the Emperor would be genuine too. I desperately clung to the belief that even a speck of reason and conscience would make them restrain themselves.
"A court debate? What do you mean by that?"
Then, Jin-i took an interest in the court debate. It felt like stumbling upon a gem while walking down the street. Among us three siblings of the Giwang household, Jin-i was the one who'd studied the most—an elite through and through. Considering how this big brother of his had rolled desperately in the dirt of real-world practice rather than theory, and Ryeong-i had taken the path of a warrior rather than a scholar, he was practically our sole scholarly talent. So I shoved him straight over to the National Academy. Better two mediators than one. Controlling six alone would be tough, but two handling six would be a breeze. And because Jin-i wanted to see the world with his own eyes, not just through the scriptures.
"Is that all?"
"Jin's so cautious and perfectionist. If I didn't give him a push, I figured he'd stay at Song Mountain for thirty years. At this rate, he'd end up as the next Shaolin abbot, calling everyone 'brother'."
Plus, without a method like this, I half-suspected Jin-i would turn into a ghost haunting Song Mountain. No matter how long it'd been since I'd seen Ryeong-i and Jin-i, family was family—I had a decent grasp of their personalities and talents. Jin-i could pass the civil exams right now if he wanted. Hell, he didn't even need to take them. As a grandson of the Giwang, his bloodline was basically a passing certificate.
Yet he's still studying.
Frankly, it was excessive. He'd long since moved beyond studying for the exams into studying for study's sake. Whether that was genuine passion or some ulterior motive, I wasn't sure. Jin-i managed his expressions so well it was hard to read his mind. But either way, it didn't matter. If it was the former, this was a chance for him to learn that experience mattered as much as scriptures. If the latter, an opportunity to smash his sneaky little schemes.
"True. Jin-i is meticulous like that. If he's not satisfied with himself, he'd never come down from Song Mountain."
Besides, Father had his own regrets about Jin-i's time at Song Mountain. It was admirable that his brilliant son devoted himself to study, but doing it roughing it at Song Mountain instead of a proper home or capital academy? A parent couldn't help but worry. So even when I "sold" Jin-i off to the National Academy, Father just nodded calmly, as if hoping he'd come down the mountain this time—and even better if he entered officialdom.
"As expected, only a big brother truly thinks of his little siblings. Thank you."
"No need for such words, Father. It's only natural for a brother to look after his siblings."
My response seemed to satisfy him; Father smiled faintly.
"If Ryeong-i had become a scholar too, our Un-i would have guided her with all his heart. A pity."
"Even I can see Ryeong-i was born a warrior. If she'd chosen the scholar's path, her body might have held, but her mind wouldn't have."
"That's exactly why it's a pity. If she'd had even a speck of a scholar's temperament, she'd have had so many more paths to choose from."
With that, Father personally poured tea into my cup.
"Un-a."
"Yes, Father."
"Leave Ryeong-i and Jin-i in your care. If your grandfather or I step in, they'll end up as those showy types who make a fuss. But an eldest sibling looking after the young ones—that's a beautiful thing."
"I'll keep it in mind."
I bowed my head slightly at Father's request. He was right. No matter that we were Giwang heirs, openly relying on Grandfather the Giwang or Father the crown prince would lead to underestimation relative to our talents. They'd say we succeeded only on bloodline. Not wrong, but my siblings would have soared even if born commoners. Sticking them with a "bloodline one-trick" label would be a problem.
Of course, unlike them, I was a bloodline one-trick. Hitting junior third rank in my twenties owed more to blood than ability. I wished half the blood in my veins would just drain out.
"But Un-a."
"Speak, Father."
"I know Jin-i is clever, but wisdom in action and soothing people are different matters. I'm worried if a boy who's only read scriptures alone can handle the mediator role."
A perfectly valid concern; I nodded instinctively. It worried me too.
"That's why I entrusted him to the Grand Tutor. After a fortnight of intensive training, he'll handle one role just fine."
But that flaw could be covered with connections. The Grand Tutor—one of the realm's top breasts—teaching him. Feng Sheng's know-how, born of daily mediating those scholars at Akrok Academy. Combined, Jin-i would become a cold, mechanical mediation monster.
"So don't worry. If it doesn't work out, I'll just make him a spectator instead. We only planned one mediator anyway."
"You rascal. Treating a court debate like theater? Spectator, indeed."
He said that, but Father's expression was utterly serene. He just wouldn't say it outright—he saw this court debate as a grand gladiatorial bout (tongues only) staged by the Emperor himself.
And honestly, that's what it was. Summoning provincial squabblers to the palace was pretty much the Emperor stirring the pot himself. Who could complain if the Emperor was the instigator?
Jin-i's "sale" to the National Academy drew interest from the whole family, not just Father.
"Will Jin-i start at the National Academy?"
Ryeong-i showed the most curiosity. As the only sister and sole freeloader in the family showing signs of employment, she was naturally intrigued as big sis.
"Nah. He's just there temporarily for the Grand Tutor's lessons."
"Feels like it'll be on-the-job training instead of scriptures..."
I chuckled at Ryeong-i's mutter. That'd be the best route, actually. With Jin-i's skills, he could shine in the cabinet or Hanlin Academy, but teaching at the National Academy wasn't bad either. He'd dipped into every field, not just one. And the Academy's nature meant rubbing shoulders with countless heavyweight scholars. Natural ties to their alumni and disciples too—build a network there, then transfer to a power center. Talent, bloodline, connections. What a perfect trinity. Maybe a future cabinet university scholar from our Giwang house.
"Speaking of, when are you heading back?"
As I daydreamed of little bro's flashy future, my eyes turned to sis's present. Not telling her to scram on sight after so long apart. Best to rest up fully before going. But the Imperial Guard wasn't leisurely. Even as left vice censor, I'd toiled like a dog; Ryeong-i, not yet high-ranking, must roll even harder. No time for this leisure, right?
"Around the court debate. Rest with family till then, then come back and grind, they said."
"Oof."
I sighed instinctively at her plight. If the boss says "rest up, I'll grind you proper when you return," they mean business.
"So, uh... can I bring this one when I head back?"
Buooo?
Ryeong-i, who'd worn a bittersweet look, gently tickled the nose of Buong-i in her arms.
"With this guy, I think I could endure the hardship."
"Buong-i's the only reason I'm enduring. Don't get greedy."
Buong-i toddling around on stubby legs. Sniffing with his snout, honking buo-buo. Those tiny cutenesses were propping up my sanity. No way I'd yield him.
"Too bad. Guess I'll play plenty before heading back then."
Buo! Buo-oong!
After even a butt fart for Buong-i, he wriggled and burst into laughter like it tickled. Buong-i was always adorable. These days, I half-thought meeting Koke Temur at Jiayu Pass was worth it for Buong-i.
Was that bastard worth one Buong-i?
Mongolia's sole Hwagyeong master = one baby rhino. The miraculous equation nobody else in the world would believe settled in my head.
I miss Song Mountain. My second hometown. My heart's hometown aches for it.
"The key is whether we see murim as part of Daesong or as something separate. Even murim warriors are part of Daesong, so we must embrace them. They've already been punished for their injustice and cowardice—how can we punish them twice for the same crime? Without guilt, all that remains is that they are Daesong's people!"
"That's only if the punishment was just. Did they receive lawful punishment, one the realm could acknowledge?"
I closed my eyes softly while watching the scholars from Akrok Academy. I wanted to plug my ears too.
"Whether they're part of Daesong or separate doesn't matter! If part, they must follow the government's decisions; if separate, they're foreign parasites leeching off Daesong's lands and people! Either way, strict punishment is in order!"
"By 'part' and 'separate,' I meant legal protection! By punishing them, we've acknowledged them as part of Daesong, so we must avoid double jeopardy under the law! Don't muddy the point!"
No. I just want to escape this hell.
Big brother...
I resented my heartless brother who'd returned to Giwangjeo. How could he toss his little brother into this demon den and walk away so lightly?
"Are you alright?"
But someone's voice patting my shoulder soothed the resentment.
"I'm... fine. Gotta get used to it."
Feng Sheng, nephew of the Weiguk Duke. He'd come up to the capital with those scholars and was set to mediate them. Seeing him stirred pity and sorrow instead of frustration and resentment. Even I felt conflicted after a mere glance at them—how must he feel, having lived with them at the same academy?
They say beneath the bottom is an even deeper bottom.
This guy was exactly that. I was the bottom; he was the sub-bottom.
"You'd best get used to it quick. This is tame compared to their usual."
Ah.
Tears welled up.