Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: 10. Love and Peace (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yi Ilje was gone. Raise a toast.
Sure, he'd probably get reinstated soon enough, but no matter what position they shoved him into, it wouldn't be Governor of Chungcheong Province.
Worried about retaliation from the court later? What did I ever do to that guy? The barley was found in Cheongju, right? Take it up with the Cheongju magistrate.
Besides, he got away with strutting around here because this is the boonies. In the capital, crawling with Noron bigwigs top to bottom? Not a chance.
But the biggest win was my uncle-ish relative Hong Gyehui getting appointed as the new Chungcheong Inspector.
From now on, whenever the governor's out "inspecting," I'll always be one step ahead. This is the science of Joseon.
Of course, unlike with Yi Ilje, I rushed over the moment the new governor arrived and paid my respects with utmost courtesy.
Scraped together every last penny I didn't have for travel expenses and gifts, so now I'm really broke.
My food and board come from the government office, so that's fine. It's my family that's the problem. My dad really can't make money.
From here on out, I need "performance bonuses." I immediately threw myself into my duties as the county magistrate.
In this era with crap communication and barely any population movement, honestly, local governance might be best left to the local gentry.
But why does Joseon dispatch magistrates even to the sticks?
If each region ran things their own way, you'd get not just moral corruption but massive administrative and economic inefficiencies.
Seo Munpyo didn't toss that shaman in just because of human sacrifice.
Villagers fled en masse because of it, turning the prime Yellow River real estate of Yeopseong into a ghost town.
Apartment prices tanked. Any 21st-century Korean would get that rage.
In fact, after Seo Munpyo, Yeopseong laid the foundations to become one of China's premier metropolises, a hub for warlords and dynasties alike. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are the most famous examples.
Magistrates like us are the ones central government sends out, armed with cutting-edge governance tech like Yeohak and Dohak for "local consulting."
Seo Munpyo "restructured" the shamans and local elites as part of that. He even did flood control projects, though they're not as famous.
Of course, there are smart folks in the provinces too.
Hong Daeyong, who drops by often these days, is a prime example.
Talked to him, and yeah, he's crap at the exams but sharp as hell. Su-si type.
But big companies don't bring in outside consultants because they lack smart people inside.
Insiders have conflicts of interest. That's why Joseon has the sangpi system.
So, the only one who can make Mokcheon County prosperous is me. Heavy responsibility.
Same for making my family prosperous.
First off, I swiftly crushed the sloppy, sticker-like resistance from the clerks.
The Shin brothers, who were officially still clerks and craftsmen, got formally fired.
I reported to the governor that Yi Bang and Gong Bang were too sick to work, all nicely polished up.
Too bad Yeoni's prayers didn't work much.
Eoji only got back three days later, so I'm not even sure she prayed, but officially, I know nothing.
And after a few months playing magistrate, turns out my reports were getting high marks.
Not for detailed content or sharp arguments, but because my handwriting rocks.
No joke. The number one rule for a good report is "easy to read quickly."
Reports exist so busy execs managing massive orgs can handle shit in limited time. Plus, the "top exam grad" halo helps.
Things went smoothly. I filled the new clerk and craftsman spots with guys I'd been watching who'd side with me.
The previous guy Shin Manhung, Shin Jihung, and their cronies' families? Assets confiscated.
Big deal, so I formally reported to the governor again.
Since I'd just paid that express approval fee, permission came through high-speed pass, naturally.
Too fast. He's saying give me a cut too.
Still, beggars can't be choosers. Buoyed, I thrust out my baton like I was stabbing with it—the short command stick from those classic magistrate pics.
"I am the loyal servant directly executing His Majesty's will! The exalted Chungcheong Governor! His Excellency commands the strict punishment of these wicked clerks!"
The governor answers only to the king.
In practice, he can't fully ignore the Privy Council or other central organs, but nominally, it's a straight line to the throne, bypassing intermediates.
That's how Yi Ilje could report clover-direct. And get axed straight-up.
"Not content with embezzling from the treasury, they slandered the inspector (me) investigating crimes. That's insulting His Majesty—treason!"
By sticking to plain facts, I gave my underlings courage to raid local elite homes.
Then the real point.
"Bring every filthy coin to the treasury, not a penny spared. No mercy for resistance. Anyone who defies the inspector's orders will face the full weight of national law!"
Sure enough, the men realized their solid backing and puffed up with bravado.
"Yes, Magistrate!"
Gongsaeng (messenger) Jo Manguk, the first to surrender to me, and Hyangbang Song Pilje, the first from the six clerks to pledge loyalty, charged in and wrecked shop. Hyangbang fits the theme.
Hyangbang or not, these guys had to go. They'd already been blacklisted by Shin Manhung's resistance faction.
If I don't uproot them before I leave, these guys get revenge-killed. They'll work hard.
But since we stormed in hastily (or they'd bolt), hard to tally exact totals. Lots of non-cash assets too.
Reporting the results, I tsked dramatically.
"Heh, why do their stories not match up?"
"Our apologies, Magistrate. These idiots below are so clueless. Surely some skimmed— we'll beat it out and get the truth."
Jo Manguk, field commander, bowed deep.
Good job, Manguk. Exact totals would be trouble.
I said magnanimously,
"No, you've punished criminals diligently—can't let that tarnish morale."
Gotta overlook it boldly. Recall Item Prince Xiang Yu's lesson.
If I bitch about minor skims after they followed orders, who'll follow me next time?
"I'll smooth it over, so don't worry. Hyangbang, good work—take this for beef soup. Let the kids have makgeolli and dog leg too."
Beyond expected bonuses, my promise to handle the aftermath with authority thrilled them more. They bowed gratefully.
"Your grace is boundless, Magistrate."
Once they left, I logged the "minimum estimate" in the books.
That's the wicked clerks' assets now. Just recover that much.
Too much shrinks my cut; too little looks fishy. Need proper finesse.
Compared to actual, even after shares to those two, their crews, and tribute to Hong Gyehui, plenty left.
That's my performance bonus, obviously.
Worth all that Noryangjin civil service cram.
This is Korea's advanced admin system— "budget performance pay," straight from the National Finance Act.
For real.
No such law in Joseon, so I, with future knowledge, introduced it.
Like isekai heroes making guns and steam engines. But I'm liberal arts, not engineering.
Not like handing shopping bags of cash to loan shark thugs with aluminum bats like some gang boss.
Don't know exact total, but way more than Mokcheon County's budget.
How much did these bastards skim?
Now I can give followers a taste of the rewards.
With faction purged, Mokcheon office united as one. Songs of magistrate loyalty will echo.
My modern consulting rolled on unchecked.
What does a corporate consultant always do first?
Cut payroll.
Layoffs pump stock prices. Financials improve.
Long-term value? Who cares. Shareholders don't. Can't wait for long investments. Today's red arrow matters more.
So, I disbanded Mokcheon County's army first.
Crazy? Maintaining it is crazier.
Why could I smack Shin Manhung silly?
No weapons drawn, but county soldiers couldn't touch Eoji. Dead weight.
Ask if they even got paid? Fair point for regulars or irregulars.
But even free troops need rice, and in this gun era, weapons need gov management.
Make 'em earn it. Like civil support.
Why army here, not border?
Security? They caused most issues.
When did they ever secure anything? Joseon security is self-service.
Joseon rules by virtue and moral education.
Weapons and war are inauspicious; all things hate them, so the sage avoids them [Tao Te Ching]. Mokcheon's motto: Love and Peace from now on.
Hey, Bingbang. Join the craftsmen for construction gigs. Even North Korea, with similar army quality, calls construction brigades Guard Divisions.
Thus, Mokcheon Youth Assault Brigade plan complete. Not just army—resistance clerks' families "volunteered" to atone too.
Don't worry. Books show perfect elite force maintained.
What's different from Joseon army norms?
Yi Ilje built a time-space fortress? Can't I build Quantum Troopers? Unobservable, so bandits'll fear 'em.
Right, no need for gunpowder then? Would just cause explosions. Sell off 200 geun.
Hunters buy it. Old powder's useless anyway.
Caught? Why? Governor's my dad's bestie.
Next-next magistrate might notice, but by then, gone—report as stolen. Done.
Qin Shi Huang melted weapons into golden men post-unification.
Europe has "swords to plowshares."
Hm. Good. Love and peace rule.
One snag disbanding army: rebels.
Lee In-jwa's wave still has sneaky Geumgang Mountain gentry dreaming of comebacks.
But rebels aren't demon-summoned.
Just Koreans, so predictable quality.
If well-planned multi-faction uprising, even real army useless. Mokcheon soldiers? Useless.
My thinking wasn't wrong.
Rebels aren't demon-summoned.
But I overlooked one realm.
Joseon has demon realm, human realm—and animal realm.
The fatal challenge to my love-and-peace policy came from there.
It hit while Youth Assault Brigade slaved on reservoir.
Earthworks, low materials—hammer labor costs, big savings. For me.
Not easy, so I was OT-ing too.
Sudden crash-bang.
"M-M-M-Magistrate!"
Finishing double books unseen, I closed casually. Lucky illiterate runner didn't notice.
Vitality Enhancement passive means night work's fine.
Then a runner bursts in.
Annoyed. Who wouldn't be?
"What's the racket at night?"
Runner gasped speechless. As I pondered yelling again, he squeezed out,
"Tiger!"
'Your name Tiger? So what?' Three seconds later, I kicked the desk and jumped up.
I reacted that hard for a reason.
Old me would've scoffed: "Army first, why me?"
But I disbanded it.
Bingbang's Craftsman No. 2, foreman now.
Plus, not ordinary tiger. Forgetting dignity, I ran with the runner, asking,
"Tiger dared hit where fires burn and people gather?"
Joseon’s tiger apartment complex.
Male tiger needs Seoul-sized turf. Seoul city, not walls.
Yet tigers overpopulate here?
Joseon so comfy, they agreed to cohabitate.
People fought back since ancient times.
Everyone knows tiger ecology basics.
So I mandated big night fires to save firewood.
Fire + crowds deter beasts.
But one rare bold one lived nearby.
"Yes. A big tiger, Magistrate!"
Not "huge," but "tiger, not leopard."
Fucked. Different leagues.
Joseons distinguished them.
Modern folks know Great Dane vs. Chihuahua, both dogs. Busy.
"You sent people, so they're holding out!"
"Y-Yes. Hole from official works—hiding, swinging sticks, torches. I went on rescue call, saw that much... Ran like hell before tiger noticed."
Good call by ex-soldier Kim Hyeongju.
I'd sidelined him grabbing military control. Sharp eyes lucky.
Ex-troops easier to control than civvies. Panic scatter = death lottery.
Near site, panting, hand to brow.
Far, but flashes, shouts clear.
Giant shadow prowling.
Looked around.
"Anyone with guns?"
"Mountain gunners live far. Powder separate—too slow."
Fuck. Self-roast.
I yapped guns unlucky starters, sealed for 30-min unlock. Hide skim too.
Many villagers out, hoes, sickles.
But no closer.
Pre-modern wild knowledge: closer enters charge range.
Matchlock speed? Laughable.
Tiger aware but not charging—range not right. They suck long-distance.
Someone whispered,
"What about guard Eoji...?"
Eoji famous now.
No one takes 10 lashes. Nickname: Red Flower. Fades in ten days. Blood bursts.
'Red Flower Eoji.' Cooler than Dog-Beater. Rank-breaking?
But flower or Sword Emperor, same vs. tiger. Adult sees 9yo vs. 13yo diff.
Human edge: brains. Sorry Eoji, not much over tiger.
Eoji absent anyway. Yeoni holds him three days in ten. Damn cheonmin couple.
Deep breath. Really didn't want this.
Showed bow gripped since tiger word. Nightly strung for assassins.
"I'll do it."
"M-Magistrate?"
Unbelievable? Me too. Civilized me vs. apex predator National Geographic style.
But more unbelievable:
Watch closely.
Tell no one.
If archery leaks, they'll push general.
No military desk or drill instructor bell-ringing.
Rapid-fired arrows from quiver. No time for strap.
Grabbed one, ordered rest ground-stuck for easy grab.
No handing mid-flow—scarier tangle. Seconds matter vs. beast.
They moved fast. Eight-ish arrows around me, I roughly aimed, full draw slow-pull.
Then certainty.
Not clear view, but no doubt.
Eye contact.