Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: The Piercing Wind at the Treetops (1)
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As Se-hwa had predicted, I kept my position in the Mutual Protection Army and exchanged letters with the Crown Prince from home.
There was another reason why Yeongjo didn't dismiss me besides what Hong In-han had said. He figured that I, the one who'd "jumped into the fire," would hold onto my post for the time being.
I'll play along for now and make my moves from the shadows.
The servants who held the candelabras during the fire, and the underlings who'd smeared oil around the banquet hall and placed kindling everywhere, had all been destroyed by Hong In-han's hand to the point where digital forensics would be impossible.
Well, a guy who beats gisaeng women at will—women even noblemen hesitate to strong-arm—would toss aside his own servants easier than a disposable lighter.
That made it hard to find evidence that they'd intentionally set the fire. I considered introducing fingerprint analysis to Joseon, but I dropped it since I'd have plenty to get caught for myself.
I gave up on the impossible and focused on Kim Chiryang first.
I spread word far and wide of Kim Chiryang's closeness to Hong In-han while giving him an honorable title.
No complicated schemes needed. With Kaoru and Jangbok running ragged serving the endless stream of guests at our house, going back and forth to the kitchen in speakerphone mode and dropping just a word or two was enough.
The guests who left didn't need a penny from us—they posted about it on their own in the Hanyang offline communities.
"Heard the rumors? A fire broke out in the palace, Kim Chiryang burned to death, and that guy was Hong Jinsa! They found dozens of those paintings on him!"
"What? Looks like he was drawing nothing but that stuff, went mad, and started molesting women! Now the capital will finally get cleaned up!"
"But the paintings are innocent. Just reading about a traitor's misdeeds doesn't make you a traitor. It's not the paintings' fault—it's Kim Chiryang's."
"You saying that because you have some yourself?"
"What nonsense!"
"Oh, but what about Kim Chunsik then? Weren't there stories about those paintings coming out of Samhwadae?"
"You're behind on the news, friend. It was all Kim Chiryang using Kim Chunsik's name. A loyal retainer who saved the Crown Prince wouldn't do such things."
"The world has such a cunning bastard!"
In public, everyone celebrated the restoration of morality. But behind closed doors, with so many people grinding their teeth at the mention of Kim Chiryang, no one could openly mourn Hong Jinsa's death in the capital.
The most enthusiastic one was Hong Daeyong.
Hong Daeyong, whom I'd (attached to the Office of Diplomatic Correspondence for what might be the last big move of this reign), had become Park Jiwon's superior after arriving first.
He breathed the words "Kim Chiryang was actually Hong Jinsa" everywhere he went. Any longer, and it'd end up in the diplomatic documents to Qing.
'Hong Jinsa is dead! He's gone! See? Not me, you sons of bitches!'
People empathized deeply with Hong Daeyong's past grievances and pretended not to know.
But I didn't empathize. This was a big business—what did it cost?
Life achieves immortality by passing on genes. Culture achieves immortality by spreading ideas.
It doesn't end when the creator dies. I ordered even more enthusiastic publishing work from the Publishing Bureau of the Training Command.
Hong Jinsa, who lives on merged with the darkness of Joseon and its underbelly, doesn't die. He's already dead.
The immortal Hong Jinsa became an untouchable illusion, fulfilling even more people's desires.
And filling my coffers too.
The Office of Diplomatic Correspondence, where I first experienced Joseon's corrupt practices, handles all of Joseon's diplomatic documents. Naturally, it's extremely important and an essential stepping stone to high office.
So, were Hong Daeyong and Park Jiwon placed there to advance Chundang? That's part of it. But there was a more important reason.
To get my hands on the Joseon-Qing diplomatic documents.
Overstepping my authority? No. Citizens have the right to transparent government information disclosure. I'm modernizing Joseon.
Advisories to the Ministry of Rites or memorials to the Emperor can be seen by court officials, so that's fine. What I need are the intelligence reports coming from the Hamgyong Province border.
Among the Three Great Leaders of the Brutal Faction, Training Vanguard Commander Jo Dong-jeong fell to Eoji's hand, and Three Provinces Naval Commander Kim Yun to Han Jung-ryang's. But Jo Dong-ha, the Northern Garrison Commander of Hamgyong who plotted the rebellion with them, had fled without a trace.
In Joseon, where pursuit investigation know-how is lacking, the way to catch a fugitive is "come here." Usually, they take family—especially parents—as hostages.
Even Yi Sun-sin couldn't catch the "unobservable" Bae Seol, who was executed this way. Trying to outrun the fastest admiral with speed was foolish from the start.
But even after executing all his family, he doesn't return. Two possibilities.
First, Jo Dong-ha is already dead. This has the court officials' support.
Second, Jo Dong-ha is definitely coming back for revenge. That's what I'm wary of.
They share enmity toward Yeongjo, but the Brutal Faction and I can't walk the same path. Depending on how I use it, it could be a huge gain or a huge loss.
Hong Daeyong, grateful to me for clearing his "injustice," actively cooperated with my "information disclosure request."
However, there were no peculiarities in the human intelligence reports from Hamgyong disguisers or magistrates.
Even asking Gil-sang, my ginseng trading partner and Duman River illegal entry broker, yielded the same.
That's the same Gil-sang I connected with during my secret royal inspector trip to the Six Garrisons. He'd come all the way from Hamgyong to Hanyang personally every time, insisting on delivering ginseng.
Partly because expensive stuff can't be sent by post (since he skimmed en route), but his sincerity shone through in stamping his face like a seal.
Impressed by that loyalty, I mentioned it to the Crown Prince and handed over one or two ginseng estate posts to Gil-sang and his friends.
From a border broker eating scraps not knowing when death would come, he'd risen to a proud pillar of Joseon's economy. Gil-sang supplied even more earnestly.
He'd be even more grateful since I "mediated" with the Kaesong merchants claiming monopoly on red ginseng patents. As expected, great conversation thrives on rapport and sincerity.
Gil-sang was one of the few who could have a private audience with "Kim Chunsik"—something even most yangban couldn't.
He entered with his nose held high amid envious gazes, unpacked his red ginseng bundles, and said,
"Your Excellency (I'm not one), I got your letter and looked into it diligently, but even the Eight Banner troops in Hunchun don't know, so it seems that traitorous bastard either didn't cross the Duman River or slipped away another way quick if he did."
"Another way? Don't tell me north?"
I didn't think he'd go that international, but with Sin Chi-un already linking with the Dutch, there's no law saying Jo Dong-ha couldn't link with Russians.
But I was mistaken. Manchuria's north is Russian land, but no Russians live there.
"No way, right? That's just inhabited by barbarians wearing fish-skin clothes[魚皮㺚子, here referring collectively to Tungusic tribes like the Nanai or Ainu from the Maritime Province]. I'd go west."
"West? Liaoning or Shenyang? He'd get caught quick by General Fengcheng or Shengjing officials there."
Pretending ignorance on purpose, Gil-sang got even more excited.
"Of course Your Excellency wouldn't know the lowly folk's affairs. Truth be told, with the Great Ming fallen and no emperor under heaven, how harsh must it be for us Hans? Folks think west of the Yalu (Manchuria) is empty under banner garrisons, but people desperate enough to dig rocks have been shoving through Shanhai Pass for ages."
What? The fortress invincible in conventional total war until pierced by the final beastly Japanese army? Why so flimsy?
Well, Joseon envoys once opened Shanhai Pass gates with just a few hangover pills, no cannons or machine guns needed. Guess that's just how the world works.
From Gil-sang's continued explanation, illegal Han Chinese settlers lived here and there in the Yalu upper basin, tacitly permitted by the Qing government as enemies.
"If there's a money line, you could gather local thugs. But whether that can stand against the Northern Army, who knows."
Hmm. He probably won't do something that stupid. Best he'd rise to is head of some western Manchurian bandit gang.
If I had money, I'd approach Shenyang officials.
Jo Dong-ha, who rose to Northern Garrison Commander, wouldn't be ignorant of the secret chat room Yeongjo made with ministers for his fashionable northern expeditions like his great-grandfather.
A few inflated screenshots of Shenyang invasion plans could sour relations (Qianlong isn't a fool, so words alone won't move troops).
Good idea.
Shall I help?
I pulled a straight face and entrusted Gil-sang.
"I'll pay a bit more for this ginseng batch, so if that guy contacts ginseng estate holders for money, let me know immediately. This is His Majesty's secret order to detect the traitor—if it leaks, we're both done. Even Hamgyong Governor or Northern Garrison can't know yet. The traitor Jo Dong-ha might have lines there."
Gil-sang's face swelled with pride at contributing to the nation. He nodded like a Manchurian independence fighter.
"Even if my head rolls, I'll keep it secret."
"Of course. That's a loyal subject."
With the south guarded by the Four Generals, I'm at ease. The Dutch are all talk and won't reach here... now to handle the north.
My businesses still required a lot of money.
So recently, I developed a new revenue stream: having Dalmun form public opinion that "Kim Chunsik flattened Hong In-han's nose, preventing him from rampaging against gisaeng anymore."
Soon, the Samhwadae gisaeng agency under Dalmun expanded greatly. With Hong In-han actually lying low now, the rumors had solid credibility.
Joseon banquets of this era cost enough to buy several houses at once.
And a good chunk of those profits went to the gisaeng.
Jeong Yak-yong once won 3,000 jeon gambling with gisaeng and blew it all on them. That's the same Dasan who stresses integrity in his Shepherd's Heart.
That money flows back to the gisaeng management agencies.
Contract terms... fairer than 21st-century Korean entertainment agencies. Gisaeng aren't prostitutes, so no conscience issues—think of it as event dispatching.
Then, hearing the Dowager Queen was ill, I sensed opportunity.
I don't know if the Dowager knew, but for now, the King couldn't lock the Crown Prince in a woodshed.
This was my only window to leave.
I went to Prince Nakchang under the pretext of discussing royal clan concerns. With entertainment agency revenue bills stuffed in my sleeve.
Prince Nakchang Yi Taeng wasn't the type to fuss over debts originally.
He'd chase off merchants, ignore even yangban women. That's why I hesitated to lend him money last year.
But now, to me—who saved the Crown Prince and became a hero of the three-branch bloodline—he couldn't.
'If he won't repay Chunsik's debt, he won't repay anyone's!' Prince Nakchang's credit rating would plummet, ending his fun loan life.
Tell the King? For what crime? Even lese-majeste is impossible—the King dislikes Prince Nakchang.
And if he doesn't repay me, the Crown Prince will dislike him too. Lese-majeste is a crime only the strong can impose.
By summer preparing for the winter solstice embassy that year, Prince Nakchang flinched whenever he saw me.
"Prince Nakchang, Your Excellency. Long time no see."
"Ch-Chunsik? Thanks for last time. I'll earn and repay that 3,000 yang this round..."
Why slyly omit interest? Is there debt in this world repaid with principal only?
"No worries. With interest, it's 4,000 yang—don't fret. Looks like you're heading to the winter solstice embassy again this year. Anything else short?"
"W-Well... no. I'll handle it myself this time. Cut attendants or tighten my belt. Can't live in debt forever."
Trying to escape the multi-debt swamp?
Who gave you permission for that PSA? You're my slave till you die.
"I heard it all. Last time, due to Prince Yeongseong's orders, your embassy budget was halved? How to save the chief envoy's face like that."
Park Mun-su's power abuses were beyond words.
This is why Noron guys suck. For the nation, I have no choice but to become Chief State Councillor soon.
Prince Nakchang clung to me immediately.
"What do I need to do?"
Quick on the uptake, geezer... I mean, Your Excellency.
When Prince Nakchang Yi Taeng submitted his embassy roster—including "Mutual Protection Army Commander Kim Unhaeng, renowned for his martial prowess"—as winter solstice envoy escort, Yi Geum upgraded his evaluation from general trash to recyclable.
According to recent subtle "well-being check" hints from Prince Nakchang, he'd seen Yi Geum's resolve and military expansion early and decided to pick sides.
With no talent beyond warping via his great-grandfather's Uiju gate method—useless outside envoys—what could Prince Nakchang do?
Exactly this: take Kim Unhaeng on the embassy jaunt.
Not just physically separating him from the Crown Prince—that wouldn't hit hard, as Yi Geum thought last time.
But what if forever?
(Per Hong In-han,) with unhealed torture wounds (per Crown Prince,) and jumping into fire bare-bodied, Kim Chunsik won't emerge unscathed from the grueling embassy road.
Plus, winter solstice embassy is winter travel. A little nudge from Prince Nakchang, and Kim Unhaeng's death looks natural.
Even rotten, royal blood is royal. Yi Geum reaffirmed the imperial truth that even dog shit has uses and approved the document.
Anyway, Yi Geum still couldn't arrest the Crown Prince outright yet.
Despite his hints, Training Commander Hong Bong-hwan seemed unable to imagine or comprehend plotting against the Crown Prince. Ruling a nation with commoners was exhausting.
Plus, the Dowager—who dared betray her son—sensed something and took to bed. With filial piety as pretext for arresting the Crown Prince, Yi Geum couldn't violate it himself.
The strong worry more about losses than defeat.
Yi Geum, with much to lose, waited for the perfect moment when both Dowager and Kim Unhaeng would die.
Once the embassy returns with Kim Unhaeng's corpse or half-corpse, the Crown Prince is done.
At this point, Yi Geum didn't imagine someone else thinking the same, just changing the target.
The people around me are just helping Noron rising star Kim Unhaeng—not aiding traitor Kim Chunsik.
Even suspicious ones like Han Jung-ryang probably wouldn't think of overthrowing the King.
They don't know the King lives long and prosperous. If they did, they'd reflect on their rash mouths chanting "ten thousand years."
So no one to carry out my goal: "Subtly inform Qianlong of our King's Alzheimer grade and the Crown Prince's competence." Can't delegate indirectly.
I had to go myself.
But I won't take a loss-making deal, so I brought veteran trusted Chun-sik Group member Lee Jae-un—after Se-hwa and Eoji—and part of Samhwadae.
As well known, the embassy road is diplomacy and trade.
Merchants like Uiju's Man-sang follow with court approval, and since chief envoy Prince Nakchang is my slave, "court approval" is mine to give.
Lee Jae-un was thrilled.
"As expected, Dog-Beating Stick sir has grand ambitions—I knew it ages ago!"
"You know it's not just business, right?"
"Of course."
But I overlooked another key purpose of the embassy road.
Beyond diplomacy and trade, it's a hot overseas trip for scholars, especially hipster Silhak scholars.
"I've always wanted to see Yanjing once. With Chunsik, it's reassuring!"
Hong Daeyong had already used his Office position to snag the Imperial Calendar Delivery Official (皇曆齎咨官, practical diplomatic document handler for calendars).
How can he have zero shame? Is this Silhak?
Power corruption peaked with Park Jiwon.
Same office but pushed out by Hong Daeyong's seniority, Park Jiwon rolled on my courtyard ground.
"Take me too! Seeing China is my dream!"
"Am I the King? Or chief envoy or Minister of Personnel? Why the fuss here!"
"If big bro's going, you pulled strings for the rest anyway, right? Squeeze me in! Look how much I've done for you!"
What nonsense—this guy's scary if overheard.
I quickly thrust out the Baekhangjibon "Filial Piety." I'm Neo-Confucian, not Silhak.
"One must get elders' permission to travel far. Tell your grandfather, and I'll mention to the chief envoy."
Yeolha Diary? Who cares. Joseon doesn't need it. Just a China trip vlog anyway.
Scarier if he causes trouble. I read Yeolha Diary in my past life—Yeonam was at best a tour bus Karen grandma.
No way current "Chief State Censor" grandpa permits his grandson quit his hard-won post (Park Jiwon must resign privately; he'll reinstatement soon) for overseas jaunt.
But Park Jiwon seems to have learned backing abuse from grandpa.
Days later, Chief State Censor Park Pilgyun subtly told me,
"Lately, the Crown Prince laments no Crown Prince tutors, only talks to eunuchs and palace women—grateful, but even by past emperors' precedents, shunning yangban for inner servants isn't recommended for a monarch."
"If I don't take your grandson, you'll 'vigorously perform censor duties'?"
Chilling grandfather-grandson duo. I've threatened as Crown Prince stand-in plenty, but first time threatened by one.
Thus, this year's winter solstice embassy included two useless Silhak scholars.
Author's Note
1. Lots of returning faces today. Gil-sang appeared in the 'Pied Piper' arc, Jo Dong-ha first mentioned in 'Rebellion Hunter' and noted as escaped in 'Crab Rang's Revenge'.
2. True that Park Pilgyun, as Chief State Censor, remonstrated the Crown Prince for favoring only eunuchs/palace women. But real Park Pilgyun distinguished public/private clearly. Park Jiwon and Hong Daeyong did use connections for China trips in real history.
3. In-story Dowager Queen (Inwon Wanghu) dies next year from story point, 1757.