Chapter 151. Did He Just Make Us Work Overtime?
“What?”
Eun Bang-seo asked about several clauses as if he couldn’t believe it. Won Seung answered them fluidly.
Only then did Eun Bang-seo look a bit surprised and say,
“I heard you’re from a martial background… Impressive.”
The Ministry of Justice investigators were a mix of civil and martial officials, most of whom had passed the civil service exams. There were rare special appointments, but even those were usually from the Patrol Office or related departments who had shown exceptional ability.
Eun Bang-seo’s tone softened a little. He gave various warnings and advice as he stood to leave.
“Two assistants will be assigned to you. They’ll bring you cases, so pick a few and investigate them.”
“Understood. What number is the investigator who came yesterday?”
“Room 8.”
After Eun Bang-seo left, Won Seung headed to Room 8. Mu Gi-an was sitting alone, memorizing the Complete Code of Criminal Law.
“What happened?”
“I pulled some strings here and there. My house is outside the inner walls, right? I’ve been dutiful to all sorts over the years, and it finally paid off.”
“Congratulations.”
“Now that we’re the same rank, speak casually.”
“You sure?”
Won Seung immediately switched to casual speech. Mu Gi-an stared at him in a daze.
“You switch just like that?”
“Whether today or tomorrow… It’s all the same, right?”
“Fair enough.”
Mu Gi-an replied with a awkward expression.
“What’re you doing?”
“Ah, since I’m a Ministry investigator now, I’m rereading the Complete Code. Call it steeling my resolve before the mission.”
Won Seung, who knew the situation from Eun Bang-seo, chuckled inwardly but said nothing.
“We should eat lunch.”
He went with Mu Gi-an to the outer office kitchen for lunch.
Back in Room 7, two men were waiting. One was a sturdy martial official, the other a civil one. Both were exam passers from the lower civil service tests. They knew their new boss was planted from above, and their expressions weren’t great.
The civil official slammed a stack of documents on the table and said,
“I’m Yu Seon, your assistant starting today.”
“Martial assistant Jang Hyo-gan.”
The two bowed to their superior.
“Sit comfortably. What’s all this?”
Won Seung eyed the pile Yu Seon had brought.
“Cases sent down from the Six Divisions.”
Hmm. Half of this could go straight into the stove.
Won Seung was daunted by the sheer volume. Then he caught Yu Seon’s lip curling slightly and realized the trick.
These guys…
He pretended not to notice and flipped through the files. The cases were from various counties outside the walls, big and small. Local investigators reported major incidents to the inner Ministry, archivists compiled them for superiors, and the ones needing investigation came down to the Six Divisions.
Most were cooperation requests. In truth, Ministry investigators mostly assisted. Violent crimes were handled by the Patrol Office, civil cases by magistrates or county offices, treason by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Ministry’s job was to support them.
With few men covering the vast outer areas, the Six Divisions got swamped with minor cases.
“You two, sit and wait.”
Won Seung instructed the assistants and examined each file. After about an hour, Yu Seon stood and approached.
It was stifling just sitting idle.
“There’s no need to review every one. The division head assigns the important ones. These are all optional.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“They’re requests from counties or outer Patrol Offices, but we’re not obligated to respond. They’re just for reference.”
“No obligation? Then why do the counties request if they know that?”
“Habit. More investigators make the case look bigger, pads the results. Plus, with a Ministry man involved, trials are less likely to overturn. So they send requests and see.”
Won Seung knew this well. It was what his old chief schemed for—puff up cases to snag Ministry help.
Yu Seon had clearly hauled every file from storage to haze the newbie.
Won Seung said sternly,
“I’m a serious man. One of these might desperately need support. Keep waiting.”
Yu Seon grimaced and returned to his seat. Another hour on the hard wooden chairs had them squirming. Jang Hyo-gan couldn’t take it, brewed tea, and brought it to Won Seung’s desk.
Won Seung refused.
“Take it back. Drinking tea on duty means constant bathroom breaks. How can a servant of the state neglect work hours? One piss a day is enough.”
Jang Hyo-gan slunk back sheepishly. He and Yu Seon exchanged glances. What’s with this guy? He’s nuts.
Near quitting time, Won Seung finished reviewing and stood.
Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan’s asses were numb.
Won Seung tossed one file in front of them.
“Compile everything on this case. Have it ready by morning.”
“This is the South Patrol Office’s full-effort investigation. No need for support…”
“……”
Won Seung stared blankly at Yu Seon.
“Sounds like you don’t wanna work. That it?”
“No, it’s just not necessary…”
“Fine, drop it then.”
“N-no, sir.”
“Say the word if you wanna quit.”
Won Seung spoke sternly and left.
Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan stared at each other.
“Did he just make us work overtime?”
“Ah, fuck…”
Their faces turned ashen. An official’s welfare depended on the boss… They’d drawn the short straw.
A rewarding day.
True Minister Won Seung mounted up and left the outer office.
Three hours poring over petty outer-wall cases showed how folks lived. Endless incidents boiled down to two causes: money or affairs.
Martial artists are a different breed.
The lofty ones he knew staked their lives on martial attainment, sect grudges, honor.
Exhausted, Won Seung bought tanghwa from a shop, spurred his horse out of the city, and raced to Samya County. Worth every coin.
He pushed open the gate, announcing the master’s return.
“Choye! Big brother brought tanghwa.”
* * *
The next day.
Won Seung arrived to find a report on his desk. As he read, hollow-eyed Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan entered.
Jang Hyo-gan had dashed to the South Patrol for case duplicates; Yu Seon gathered and organized Ministry reports.
Pretty capable, huh?
Won Seung was impressed inwardly but showed nothing, reading on. Not much substance.
Yu Seon approached cautiously.
“You’re not really taking this case, are you? Turns out even the South Patrol’s stumped.”
“Why?”
“Victim’s from a martial clan?”
“So?”
Won Seung knew. A scholar heading to the exams found dead thirty li south in a hillside forest. Victim from one of the Five Great Clans: Je Gal Clan.
He’d picked it after recalling Hong Il-wan mentioning a scholar murder. Martial clan victim piqued interest.
“Je Gal Clan requested halting until their man arrives.”
“Since when do martial clans order investigations on or off?”
Officials and martial world clashed, but this was a capital-bound exam scholar killed nearby. Clan ties or not, Patrol had to investigate.
“Ujae himself is coming.”
“Ujae?”
The Zhongjing fool-genius, one of the Three Prodigies with Sangyang’s Yangjae and capital’s nameless martial scholar.
“Even if the Je Gal patriarch came, an official does his duty.”
Won Seung declared boldly and stood.
“I’ll head out. You two rested poorly—go home.”
Won Seung grabbed the file and sought Eun Bang-seo.
“I’ll take this case.”
“Not an easy one.”
“That’s why.”
“Good. Newbie with fire. Give it a shot.”
Eun Bang-seo approved readily.
Won Seung exited the south gate straight to the scene.
Over there.
Victim: Je Gal Mun. Between Nam and Henan counties, a wooded hill; body found in forest a dozen zhang off the mid-slope path.
Yellow tape cordoned it off, unmanned—pure show.
Won Seung gauged the body’s position from the report, scanned around. Je Gal Mun stabbed in the chest. Initial report: unlucky scholar robbed. Re-examined post-identity reveal: killed by a master.
Orders followed to safeguard exam scholars.
After scouting, Won Seung rode to South Patrol Office.
“What brings you?”
His uniform was permit enough.
“Ministry investigator. Here for your cooperation request.”
A man soon guided him to a small hall. A waiting chief detective.
Broad shoulders, barrel chest—the man frowned slightly at Won Seung. Too young; must think it a slight on South Patrol.
“South Patrol Chief Hwang Woo. You’re the investigator?”
“Ju Neung.”
Won Seung replied curtly, showing the request.
“Sorry for the delay.”
“No need to come. Forgot to cancel the request.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Sit first.”
Hwang seated him and explained.
“Case is solved. Just waiting on Je Gal Clan.”
“Why defer to them?”
“Martial clan feud. Announce wrong, we take the heat.”
“Martial feud?”
Hwang lowered his voice.
“Long trip, so I’ll brief you. Traces of Mo Yong Clan martial arts on Je Gal Mun’s body.”
“Mo Yong Clan?”
Not Five Great, but one of Seven.
“Martial world business, then.”
“Why kill a mere scholar?”
“Scholar or martial prodigy, doesn’t matter. Brass says no need to meddle in their squabbles.”
Ah, that’s why martial-involved cases fizzle unresolved.