Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Return in Glory (2)
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I launched a marriage brokerage service to boost our household registration numbers.
This wasn't some modern brainstorm—arranging marriages was one of a magistrate's official duties to begin with.
In this country, if a man hit thirty or a woman twenty without tying the knot, it was literally a crime. No exaggeration: the law books stated that parents would be punished severely for it.
Poverty was taken into account as a mitigating factor, which was when the government stepped in to provide dowry goods or financial support. Of course, they handled matchmaking, including pairing up widows and widowers.
But what if someone stubbornly refused?
They'd get beaten until they agreed to marry. What more could you expect from Joseon? Hurry up and have kids to pay those military taxes.
King Jeongjo was especially resolute, vowing not to leave a single eligible bachelor or spinster in Seoul.
The most astonishing part? He succeeded.
That's the majesty of a king for you. The last holdout couple only caved after Jeongjo personally called them out by name in court—what's your father do, anyway?—forcing them to wed on the spot.
Still, I had a slight disqualifier when it came to projecting that kind of authority.
I wasn't married myself.
This couldn't be covered up by my reputation as a benevolent administrator or my prowess as a tiger hunter.
No one dared call me out for fear of a beating, but it was like a high school kid serving as mayor back in Korea. Though my age wasn't that far off, come to think of it.
But if I started pushing marriage... well, they wouldn't outright tell me to go wed first, but my orders would lack gravitas.
The solution was simple. I handed full authority to Yi Bang Jo Myeongjin, who was older than my own father and had grandchildren of his own.
The礼房 office was still up and running fine, of course, but county yamen weren't as rigidly departmentalized as the central court.
Besides, I was leaving soon anyway. Empowering my close aides for short-term comfort beat long-term organizational stability.
What power comes from assigning work? Nonsense.
He could skim a little off the dowry supplies (I'd warned him sharply to keep it moderate), and this was the first major project I'd run through the clerks since taking office in Mokcheon. Everyone would know Jo Myeongjin was my man.
Sure enough, Jo Myeongjin started rubbing his hands with glee, pledging fierce loyalty by the day, while the other clerks jumped into a loyalty contest.
Up to that point, I had no worries.
I could ignore whatever Hong Daeyong said about marriage. Father would scout a few prestigious families in Seoul.
If something better than the Namyang Hong clan turned up, great; otherwise, I'd improvise.
But things didn't go as planned.
I stared at Jangbok.
He'd been trekking to Seoul often lately, and his legs looked even sturdier for it. Walking really is good for you.
Of course, I wasn't eyeing his legs out of some Sado Seja fetish. I was wondering if the fool was itching for a caning.
"Jangbok."
"Yes, Magistrate."
"What is this bizarre nonsense? You dare tamper with official correspondence to prank your master?"
I felt a pang of remorse seeing his world's-most-wronged expression.
Right. It was like scolding a blind man for graffiti. Sorry. The letter just shocked me too much.
It was from home—routine, since Jangbok ferried messages back and forth.
But this one's contents were outrageous. Father was asking:
Why didn't I invent the telephone right after arriving in Joseon?
What the hell? Too many questions hit at once; my head spun.
I wanted to hurl the letter, but Jangbok would tattle later, so I set it aside politely and clutched my head.
"Summon Hong Debo."
Hong Daeyong swore up and down he knew nothing.
That put me at an impasse.
Until now, a beating had loosened tongues, but I couldn't flog a nobleman from a famed family—not to mention a Cheonan local.
"Word got exaggerated and reached the Board of Personnel, but it's not entirely baseless. Didn't I mention it before? My cousin sister heard of Your Excellency's valor and admired you deeply—enough to want your portrait..."
Hong Daeyong, fully aware of his untouchable status, kept blabbering. His 'practical learning' was top-tier.
You kidding? What woman falls for a tiger slayer? Is her dream job a mountain poacher? I'd be redundant.
You're trying to rush a political marriage while Dad and Uncle are away in Seoul, aren't you, you unfilial brat? Unfilial conduct is a heavy crime—nothing less.
Sure, I'd considered her. The Hong Gyehui line was prickly as the next king's enemies.
But the Namyang Hong clan's local branch was just one backup option, and protocol was the real issue.
Political marriages had to follow protocol.
The lengthy pre-wedding rites in Joseon noble houses weren't extreme formalism. They were how political factions aligned.
Only then did the marriage's 'effect'—mutual amity and advancement—take hold.
Flip it: skipping birth charts and compatibility talks for 'we'll figure it out ourselves' killed political value. Like an unapproved contract.
So I had to play by the rules. I needed my in-laws as steadfast allies to the Chief State Councillor.
If I were some romantic rejecting politics in marriage, why act so meekly, scouting everywhere?
I'd be Mokcheon Wild Magistrate. My last relationship? Ancient history—even pre-install Kim Unhaeng struck out.
Those celibate years... and now mere idleness sparked chimney smoke. No, this was a full blaze.
This rumor could snowball into me already bedding Hong Daeyong's cousin. Hell, Seoul might believe it already.
As I pondered outsourcing Hong Daeyong's caning to the Cheonan magistrate, he kept talking.
"So most folks in Cheonan know. With all the traffic to Seoul, it's no surprise your father heard."
"Everyone in Cheonan knows, but not me, the Mokcheon magistrate?"
"Ah, Your Excellency's buried in duties. Even Wenton ignored barley floating away while reading—Your Excellency echoes the ancients. Ha ha."
Don't mention barley. I'm scared of Yi Il-je reinstatement.
A Joseon man grinning like that... it signaled things veering into manhood territory.
Intentional or not, this guy was the rumor's source.
Fine. I'd handle it personally.
Go to Cheonan and hash it out with her family?
Close, but not Cheonan.
I told Hong Daeyong threateningly:
"Debo, you'll accompany me to the capital for New Year's Day."
New Year's, ministers greet the king.
Local officials substituted with absentee rites, but nothing barred showing up.
The king wouldn't see us. Yeongjo would rage about neglecting posts.
For leave... blame parents, like Korea or Joseon—no one questions filial piety.
Father's poison talk screamed dementia; I'd take caregiver leave.
Hong Gyehui's term was ending soon—needed to burn leave. Forgot, busy earning.
Bonus: schmooze Seoul brass, honey them up. Where's my secret gold key?
Hong Daeyong paled but accepted.
"If it clears my offense against Your Excellency, gladly."
Cheonan was pointless. Neither she nor I held marriage rights. Decision-makers were in Seoul—our dads.
So drag Hong Daeyong to Seoul, dump him before his uncle, sort truth from lies. For innocence's sake.
Even if marrying, start from zero protocol. Scout others too. More options, better.
Hong Se-hwa? Why her? She knows zilch from the start.
"A ghost would wail at this."
Leaving the Mokcheon yamen, Hong Daeyong lamented. Se-hwa, sitting nearby, smiled faintly.
"The magistrate's heading to Seoul?"
"How did you see through that? You two exchanging letters?"
"Oh my. A proper lady consorting with an outsider? Don't jinx it."
Se-hwa shyly chided his rash words. Hong Daeyong wanted to hurl something nearby—classic big brother with many sisters.
"One who walks the straight path unwaveringly... their destination's obvious."
"The Mokcheon magistrate's a paragon?"
Sorry, doubtful. Hong Daeyong corrected her. Misunderstandings before marriage spelled trouble.
But Se-hwa shook her head.
"His righteousness? Unsure. But from Brother's tales of his Seoul exploits and current achievements, his Way stands rigid. He seeks glory above all."
"Which official doesn't?"
"Not so. Even sages waver with seven emotions. Drowsy reading, irresistible favors mid-duty, pretty maids stirring the heart."
"Didn't stir seeing you."
Hong Daeyong muttered near-assault by Joseon standards, but Se-hwa brushed it off. Family 'practical scholars'.
"I kept my head down."
"You're regressing to childhood. Go on."
"Yet he sleeps for advancement, takes only career-boosting favors, shuns women harming reputation. Every walk, sit, lie serves future high office."
"Thus, to protect his name, he'll rush to Seoul for your father and uncle. New Year nears perfectly."
"Sounds like a corrupt official."
"Corrupt ones drown in emotions. Like wailing hungry brats—beneath notice as a husband."
"Wu Qi, Wei general, chased fame ignoring heaven's bonds and sympathy—bad end. What if he discards you cruelly?"
Wu Qi, warring with Qi, killed his Qi wife lest she block promotion.
If to wife, others worse. Battle genius, but ruthless climber pierced by arrows like a porcupine.
"He hasn't killed anyone, unlike that villain slaying thirty childhood mockers. I'd have sensed it meeting him."
"What? Choosing your own husband? Unprecedented filial impiety in three centuries!"
Hong Daeyong gasped. Se-hwa replied.
"Deceiving parents? Brother's no different. Everyone knows now; even that Inspector's house will drop talks. Seoul's yours, but you started this—trust you'll fix it."
Hong Daeyong swallowed.
"...You really want to marry the Mokcheon magistrate?"
"What now? You wished it."
"Because he'll surely rise?"
Hesitating, Hong Daeyong resolved.
"Plus handsome."
Se-hwa's retort was fixed. She primly turned away.
"A woman's fate bars self-advancement, so I seek one whose loyalty and filial piety will shine in history. I noted only his virtues."
Hong Daeyong couldn't guarantee Kim Unhaeng lacked loyalty or filial piety—but virtues? Among those he'd met, none.
He wasn't sure if showing her Kim Unhaeng's face was wise.
I first wrote Father roughly: 'Don't fall for factional schemes. I'll explain in person—stay calm.' Run, Jangbok.
Then, intel gathering: visited Hong Gyehui.
He was in neighboring Jiksan County on duty. Our patch always skewed his inspections.
But Hong Gyehui brushed off his niece.
"I get the niece worry, but your father Hyohyojae isn't senile. I knew too. Still, as parents, how not scold?"
"Thrilled at tales of your rise wedding noble stock, but marriage demands parental nod first. Rumors preceding? Improper conduct. Tread lightly."
Hey, challenge any upright-er magistrate in the eight provinces.
I hold back as ally—you think I don't know your local wife? Don't scorn my slave intel net aspiring clean.
After excuses, apologies, hints, probes, endless tug-of-war, I grasped his angle.
Recently, my brother's daughter born—my niece, Father's granddaughter. Obvious.
But Father promised her to Hong Gyehui's three-four-year-old grandson Hong Sanggan.
Suddenly, niece-to-me plan floated away.
By Joseon kin logic or degrees, grandson trumps niece.
Hong Gyehui eyed in-law ties with us—true.
But Plan A: I'm niece's husband.
New plan better aligns with Father.
Original: Hong Gyehui's brother in-law; now: Hong Gyehui himself.
Double in-laws avoided usually. Hong Gyehui hoped Father convinced me (mistaking my desire). Then Chungcheong 'rumor' spread.
Inspector stamped it authentic. You told Dad?
Plus, like my matchmaking duty, Inspector's merits no harm.
We both in Chungcheong, both nobles—what issue?
Hong Gyehui wanted original in-laws plus matchmaking cred linking friends' house to another noble.
Mid-ramble, he recalled:
"Oh, since you're here specially, something to ask."
"What?"
"Denunciation: Jiksan magistrate privately mining gold. Neighbor—know anything?"
Good I wasn't eye-contacting per etiquette. Protocol forever.
"Heard rumors of camp guards during that canal fix I accidentally encroached, but unverified, other magistrate's jurisdiction—no probe. I'd have reported to you."
Sorry, Song Magistrate. Gotta survive. Cover solo and bail.
Retirement age anyway. I'm young with future.
Won't exile a geezer. Stripping rank suffices.
Clerks plotted takedown.
Post-inspection, you fingered clerks for screwing you—backfired in rage.
Guilt pricked; I added:
"Denunciations unreliable—who can't slander anonymously? If camp was clerks', framing the magistrate to escape. Clerks cunning by nature. My view: Jiksan man's not greedy."
True. By Joseon, not overly so. Better than Won Gyun.
This eased my debt to Song Jinheum, preempted bad Jiksan clerks pinning 'Mokcheon laborers' on me.
Whew, our clerks I'd have 're-educated' long ago.
Hong Gyehui nodded.
"Fair. Must investigate more, so cut visit short. On New Year trip, deliver personal items to Seoul? Servants can't knock many doors."
Me, your errand boy?
Yeah.
Positive: super network. Connections profit me. Skim errand fee from dowries?
"Gladly. Grateful to broaden horizons."
I reached Seoul late that December.
Not sparse like descending to Mokcheon—just me, Eoji, Jangbok, one horse.
Made money, upgrade ride. Not trouble aversion—local economy boost.
Low rank from 6th junior grade9 limited ostentation.
No intent anyway.
Post-material modern eyes care sedan vs. palanquin? Artifact 1 vs. 2. Brag fist-axe?
Emperor-only Eight Armies Dance? Folk fest to me. Why no gisaeng? Our county too poor.
So one palanquin, dozen escorts. Budget blew prior trip.
More to home. Father gripes poison while second son stacks cash.
This gold-clad return?
1. The text glossed over it, but Jeongjo's initiative was massive national policy. He surveyed all of vast Hanyang, funding and cloth for every unmarried home.
He ordered lists of holdouts; Hanyang governor tallied daily. Couples surged. Jeongjo self-praised.
Then fun twist.
Last singles: bachelor Kim Hui-jip, maiden Shin. Both betrothed, but Kim's in-laws lukewarm (low status), Shin's home too poor for state aid.
Jeongjo upped Shin's funds, told Kim find new bride fast.
Suddenly, Shin's fiancé dumps her for another.
Seoul West Commissioner Yi Seung-hun schemes: pair Kim and Shin!
Even Joseon balked swapping spouses like parts—court officials personally persuaded both homes. Spectacle.
It worked. Forced? Happy end debatable.
From Yi Deok-mu's <Story of the Kim-Shin Couple>. Not gossip—Annals, Jeongjo 15th year, June 2, Eulsa 2nd entry mentions briefly.
Beyond economics Kim Unhaeng cited, mental reason: unmarried disrupt yin-yang harmony.
2. As prior note, Hong Gyehui's grandson Hong Sanggan wedding Anju Kim granddaughter real history. Kim Unhaeng meddled, but unchanged.
3. New Year's Day means Lunar New Year. Jeongjo-era New Year rites real, but 1750 Jan no Annals record. Yeongjo skipped bad moods often—no note here.
Locals reported to Inspector for leave. Joseon delays meant family (filial) usual; modern-like side-eye common. Kim Unhaeng friendly with Inspector—approved.
4. Kim Unhaeng tamed clerks, but magistrates didn't always win. Like Song Jinheum, clerks ousted many.
Prime example post-timeline: Mokcheon magistrate Hwang Yunseok. Came earning for family, unjustly axed.