Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Auspicious Beast
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Li Yu's spot was empty.
An awkward silence flowed between me, Advisor Jeon, and Advisor Ga.
On the table sat the one million jeon certificate that Li Yu had left behind as a "gift," all by its lonesome.
I flicked it with my finger.
"Well, gentlemen. What should we do with this? I had no intention of accepting it..."
"Governor, your... eye is twitching, sir?"
I couldn't help but clear my throat at Advisor Ga's words. Even I couldn't stay composed in the face of such a massive sum as one million jeon.
"Ahem, ahem. Anyway! With this much wealth, we could buy grazing land and stock it with sheep right away, purchase more weapons, or use it as capital for our trade caravans."
Advisor Jeon stroked his goatee and nodded in agreement.
"You're right, my lord. Whether for military funds or caravan capital, it's a huge asset we can use immediately. Or we could use it to pay off some of the debt we owe the Hu tribes."
"Indeed, paying off debt quickly is always best."
With one million jeon, we could free ourselves from most of our debts and wouldn't need to beg the Hu tribes anymore. The idea was tempting.
At that moment, Advisor Ga warmed his frostbitten hands by the brazier and quietly spoke up.
"Governor, Advisor Jeon. Please wait a moment."
Advisor Jeon and I looked at him with puzzled expressions. Advisor Ga narrowed his eyes and continued.
"Rather than spending this wealth right away... wouldn't it be better to just store it away carefully?"
"Store it? And let it rot for what?"
"Advisor Ga, what are you saying? It sounds like you're suggesting we kick away fortune that's fallen right into our laps."
Advisor Jeon was puzzled too. Advisor Ga flashed his signature enigmatic smile.
"We don't kick away fortune. We multiply it even larger."
Advisor Ga explained that for Western Regions trade to get properly on track, it would take time for the court's movements and the surrounding situation to stabilize.
"We can't expect huge profits right away. However, people like the Hanyang Governor, who smell profit and come running, will only increase from here."
And then Advisor Ga made a bold proposal.
"So... let's treasure this wealth for now. And exactly one year from now, send off a grand Jangak caravan to the Western Regions."
"One year from now... But making huge profits on the first trade run is like plucking stars from the sky. What if we take a loss?"
Advisor Jeon asked worriedly. Advisor Ga replied meaningfully.
"It doesn't matter if the caravan takes a loss or not."
Advisor Ga lifted the one million jeon certificate from the table in front of a stunned Advisor Jeon.
"Doesn't this already hold an 'enormous profit'?"
Only then did I realize Advisor Ga's scheme, and I slapped my knee.
"Ha! Advisor Ga's ploy is truly ingenious! When the first caravan returns, we spread rumors of 'great success' regardless of profit or loss, and show off the Hanyang Governor's gift as the 'profit' to hook other investors!"
My voice rose involuntarily at Advisor Ga's brilliant scheme, but I hesitated because it sounded awfully familiar.
'Wait... this sounds like some scam I've heard of before... uh...?'
Advisor Jeon caught on late and gaped. He seemed flustered at first but soon cleared his throat with an ambiguous expression of admiration or disbelief.
"Well, that's a bold strategy. We can gather capital without any risk."
"Exactly. Of course, letting the wealth sit idle is a loss in itself, but considering the gains a year from now, it'll be even bigger. And if we factor in the caravans that will rush in to grab a share after seeing this 'profit'—"
"Hahaha! Advisor Ga! That's a masterpiece. A masterpiece! What a brilliant idea! Not just profits from our own trade runs, but we can develop the Jangak forces even further through other caravans."
"Precisely, Advisor Jeon! That's exactly my point."
I looked back and forth between the two advisors.
One I thought was an upright scholar, yet he's admiring this shady scheme. The other has been plotting to fleece others from the start.
'These guys... Am I the only one in our forces with any real conscience? Sigh, if my master saw this, how heartbroken he'd be...'
Truly, in this era, the only conscience came from my modern knowledge.
Spring of 187.
The northern chill had finally receded, and spring was in full bloom even in Jangak.
"Merchant, you're here."
"Your body must still be unwell—why not rest longer in bed?"
"Hehe. It's not so bad that I can't move yet."
Lady Chae greeted me, gently stroking her noticeably swollen belly.
The midwife said we'd see the baby by this summer.
'Ha, me, a father.'
The bigger her belly grew, the stronger my sense of responsibility became.
When I awoke in this world, my parents had taught me many things, but they passed away tragically not long after.
I wanted to spare our child that pain and shower them with happiness and love.
"Not working?"
Lost in thought, a curt voice came from behind.
It was Chiyeonya.
She had snuck up, arms crossed, glaring at me disapprovingly.
"The lady needs her rest. Stop bothering her and get out already."
"No, I'm her husband—can't I even stay by my wife's side?"
"You're the governor of the territory before you're a husband. Quit lounging around here and go do some work!"
Chiyeonya shoved my back relentlessly. Lady Chae just watched quietly with a smile.
"Sigh, I can't tell who's the real husband anymore."
Unable to resist Chiyeonya's prodding, I headed down the corridor to my office, glancing out the window. Jangak had changed a lot over the winter.
At the end of the tribal chiefs' persistent marriage proposals, not only Wei Sok as originally promised, but also Zhang Liao and Gao Shun had gotten married.
Each to daughters of different tribal chiefs.
Thanks to that, relations between the foreign tribes and our Jangak forces became incomparably tighter. With the foreigners submitting obediently to my rule, the Hu tribes couldn't harbor second thoughts lightly anymore, and conflicts between Han and foreigners noticeably decreased.
Arriving at the office, I found Advisor Jeon and Advisor Ga heatedly discussing over a map. They called me over immediately upon my entrance.
"My lord, with Jangak stabilized, it's time to prepare the next phase."
"...Hm, the next phase?"
Advisor Jeon pointed to a spot on the map.
"This is the pass connecting the Western Regions and the Three Auxiliaries. It has great potential for developing commerce and attracting talent."
"Advisor Jeon is right."
Advisor Ga agreed and continued.
"Especially since you've forged ties with the Northern Xiongnu, the Xianling River tribes, and the Tianshan Division, we have a reliable commodity at hand."
"Commodity?"
"Warhorses."
Advisor Ga's eyes gleamed.
"The horses of the Central Plains are truly unimpressive. But good northern steeds fetch sky-high prices. If we secure quality horses and sell them to Central Plains caravans, we can reap massive profits. Of course, none may match the Red Hare you ride, Governor, but we can obtain plenty that come close."
I slapped my knee at the idea.
"That's a great plan. If it were when I first took office, maybe not, but now the other tribes will gladly agree. Let's send men right away to Tianshan's Takya chieftain and the Northern Xiongnu's Lian Jie Supervisor to check on horse availability."
"A wise decision, my lord!"
As I was about to summon someone, an official rushed in.
"Governor! The Hanyang Governor and Tianshan Division's Takya Chieftain have come to see you!"
'Speak of the tiger, and he appears... But why is Kap Hoon with him?'
Puzzled, I was about to order them in when the official hesitated.
"Governor. The two... insist on showing you something personally and ask that you come outside briefly."
"Something to show me?"
Not just me—Advisor Jeon and Advisor Ga looked puzzled too.
"Hm, then let's go see."
A grating sound echoed near the stables behind the government office.
It was nothing like the usual horse whinnies. It was eerie, piercing, and shrill.
Kee-ee-eek!
"What racket is that?"
"Y-You'll know when you see it, sir!"
Following the official's lead toward the sound, I reached an area in the stable reinforced with a temporary fence. Inside was an animal I vaguely remembered seeing somewhere.
"Wha... what's that?"
It resembled a deer but was smaller, and most strikingly, two fang-like teeth protruded sharply from its mouth.
I'd never seen such a beast in Bing Province. But it lingered vividly in my memories.
The animal let out another irritable cry.
Kee-ee-eek!
I muttered unwittingly.
"...No way, that's... a muntjac?"
At that instant, the gazes of Kap Hoon, Takya, and the Advisors Jeon and Ga who had followed me—all four—locked onto me. Every one wore an incredulous expression.
Kap Hoon approached with a momentum like he might grab my collar.
"What did you say?! Governor Yeo, did you just name this creature?!"
His eyes glittered unnaturally. Takya added with a shocked face.
"Ahem, it's a bizarre creature we found in our tribal lands for the first time. We asked the scholarly Hanyang Governor here, but he didn't know... He said he'd never heard of it. Yet Governor Yeo knows it?"
"My lord, I've never seen such a beast in my life either..."
"How does the Governor know the name of this strange creature?"
Advisors Jeon and Ga chimed in with astonishment. I couldn't very well say 'I've seen tons of them in the modern world,' so I quickly made an excuse.
"Well... My master, Master Bai Gai, is so erudite that he once taught me about rare animals of the world."
I blended memory with a bit of imagination.
"He said that in the eastern lands, there's a creature called a 'muntjac'—similar to a deer but with fangs protruding from its mouth, its cry enough to chill the blood. And its courage is so great that it even charges at horses first, a truly valiant beast."
Takya nodded vigorously at my explanation.
"Ha! Governor Yeo's words match perfectly! When it first saw my horse, the thing charged without fear—I was shocked!"
"...Haha, Master Bai Gai's knowledge is truly profound and vast."
Kap Hoon nodded in admiration. Now I understood the situation.
"So... you came all the way here personally because of this muntjac?"
"When even the Hanyang Governor didn't know, we were thinking of writing to Governor Yeo's master to inquire. It's fortunate it resolved so easily."
As soon as Takya finished, Kap Hoon's eyes lit up as he exclaimed.
"This is truly an auspicious omen! A creature from the far east appearing in the westernmost Jangak lands! And from what Governor Yeo says, it's valiant too! This must be heaven sending a sign to the Emperor!"
I glanced at the muntjac baring its teeth with a kee-eek.
'No, that ugly, noisy thing... a good omen?'
At Kap Hoon's words, Advisors Jeon and Ga excitedly joined in.
"The Hanyang Governor is right! And this auspicious beast was found right in Jangak territory—what could it mean but prosperous trade routes to the Western Regions ahead?"
"We must report this wondrous, auspicious event to the court—"
"...A memorial to the Emperor—!"
"What a fine idea!"
"Truly, the Hanyang Governor's insight...!"
The three scholars buzzed excitedly about how to package the muntjac's "auspiciousness" in their report, shoving me completely aside.
Then Takya approached me, clearing his throat.
"Ahem... Governor Yeo. I hear your lady is due to give birth soon."
"Yes... that's right."
"Hm... Any news on my granddaughter? I'd like to see my great-grandchild's face before I lie down on the steppe for good..."
His words made Takya's wrinkled face stand out in sharper detail.
'Come to think of it, given this old man's age... is it his time soon?'
A twinge of guilt stirred in my heart at Takya's words. Then again, Chiyeonya and I hadn't even shared a night yet... We'd slept plenty, but...
"Ahem, I'll do my best. By the way, Chieftain, do you have any spare horses in Tianshan?"
"Spare horses and livestock aplenty! Why, Governor Yeo?"
With that, I launched into the horse trading idea I'd discussed earlier with Advisors Ga and Jeon.
Emperor Ling lounged askew on his throne, his face a mix of boredom and irritation.
Reports of unending rebellions and banditry from across the realm were tediously dull.
And instead of solutions, his ministers offered excuses and mutual slander, souring his mood further.
"Your Majesty! Hanyang Governor Kap Hoon has urgently come to the capital with important news! He claims to have discovered an auspicious omen!"
The eunuch's report prompted a lazy wave from the Emperor.
"Let him in. Probably another obvious flattery."
Kap Hoon entered the audience hall and prostrated himself. His face showed fatigue mingled with strange excitement.
"Your Majesty! An auspicious beast has appeared in Jangak Commandery of Yang Province! This is surely a good omen sent because Your Majesty's virtue reaches heaven!"
Several soldiers grunted as they dragged a massive iron cage into the hall.
Inside the cage was a deer-like creature with two sharp fangs protruding from its mouth.
The court ministers buzzed.
"What in the world is...?"
"Ugly thing."
Startled by the unfamiliar surroundings and noise, the creature suddenly unleashed its grating cry.
Kee-ee-eek!
Most ministers shuddered or covered their ears at the shrill sound.
Even the Emperor slightly furrowed his brow.
"This noisy, worthless thing is auspicious?"
Undeterred by the Emperor's indifference, Kap Hoon launched into an impassioned speech.
"Your Majesty! This beast is called a 'muntjac'! When I first saw it, I thought it merely deer-like, but Governor Yeo of Jangak enlightened me to its true nature!"
Kap Hoon embellished the muntjac's "valiance" as I'd described.
"Baring saber-like fangs from its mouth and charging even at horses! Is that not the spirit of fearless courage?!"
Kap Hoon raised his voice, referencing the realm's chaos.
"Your Majesty! The current turmoil is but a minor disturbance in history. Heaven shows Your Majesty's dignity and valor remain through this muntjac!"
He wove in remonstration.
"I beseech Your Majesty to emulate this muntjac's valor, correct the errant discipline among your ministers, strictly enforce military order, and soon all rebellions will be quelled, Your Majesty's prestige restored across the land!"
The Emperor grew intrigued, watching the ministers cower or recoil in disgust at Kap Hoon's words and the muntjac's eerie cries.
'They're all trembling at one freakish thing. Entertaining.'
The ministers' comical reactions, mixed with Kap Hoon's flattery and advice in his flowery rhetoric, gradually lifted the Emperor's mood.
The Emperor finally burst into laughter.
"Kahaha! Indeed, your words ring true! One speech pierces my pent-up frustration! Yes, how could mere bandit rabble withstand my prestige?!"
Pleased with Kap Hoon's loyalty and the "auspicious gift," the Emperor bestowed an extraordinary reward.
"Kap Hoon's loyalty is admirable! For presenting such an omen to me, a great reward is fitting! Appoint Kap Hoon as Yueji Colonel among the Five Colonels of the Gilded Army!"
"Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty!"
The hall buzzed again at Kap Hoon's unprecedented promotion.
The Ten Attendants and He Jin's expressions subtly hardened. Kap Hoon prostrated in gratitude, and the Emperor, in high spirits, ordered the muntjac placed in the palace rear garden before rising.