Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: 1+1=3
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Sehwa shook her head.
"This time, even I don't know. As you know, I haven't exchanged a single word with him yet."
"I thought you'd know about this one too."
Hong Daeyong had no idea why his prospective brother-in-law had crossed over to Jiksan to perform that stick-sword dance. Utterly baffled, he came to his younger sister, who seemed to share a telepathic bond with the man even before marriage.
But even Sehwa didn't know that far. Because neither Hong Daeyong nor Hong Sehwa knew the most crucial reason: the king's trip to Onyang.
"Judging by the royal edict that His Majesty issued, it seems he'll soon head up to Seoul with that person in tow. I can't fathom why he's going to such lengths to diligently handle even the duties of a neighboring county."
"Is he diligently performing his duties? It looks more like he's throwing a fit with all his might. And what's this about causing a major historical event?"
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed like the ghost of Qin Shi Huang had suddenly possessed him. Well, he did seem like someone Qin Shi Huang would approve of.
But Hong Sehwa teasingly scolded her brother with a smile.
"Come on, no one's died yet. Don't speak so ill of my prospective husband. Isn't building dikes that the magistrate couldn't manage all for the sake of the people's farming?"
"You're a match made in heaven. Watching you two already scheming against each other is quite the sight."
Hong Daeyong pondered deeply. If this caused any issues, it could hinder Kim Unhaeng's rise.
Then Hong Sehwa suddenly spoke up.
"Then just ask him."
"Should I go to Jiksan myself?"
"That could work, but someone closer than your cousin's older brother-in-law would be better."
"Who's closer? His father, Lord Hyohyojae (Kim Yonggyeom)? Well, he is here."
"No. How could I possibly burden my future father-in-law with an errand? He wouldn't step in 'unless the foolish child does something reckless.'"
Sehwa pointed to herself with her finger.
"There's me. We've even set the date, you know. I'll send a letter conveying my affectionate feelings and subtly inquire about his future plans. Would that wise man do anything pointless?"
Affectionate? Hong Daeyong doubted if the Joseon he knew had changed.
This was clearly a ploy to test if her prospective husband was doing something that might hinder his career. If Kim Unhaeng was acting foolishly, she'd use his conveniently present father to rein him in.
They're cut from the same cloth. To think there were two such people in the world. Hong Daeyong let out a groan.
What on earth would happen if these two married?
The next day, Hong Daeyong delivered Sehwa's letter to Kim Unhaeng.
Kim Unhaeng read it and wore a look of astonishment. Then (glancing at Hong Daeyong and muttering, "Well, that explains it.") he wrote a serious reply.
Both sealed them tightly and marked them for personal delivery only. Out of a scholar's conscience, Hong Daeyong couldn't open them.
However, regardless of Hong Daeyong's suspicions, events proceeded.
Hong Sehwa received Kim Unhaeng's reply, blushed with delight, and secretly reported the matter to her father, Hong Eok.
Only then did Hong Daeyong, hearing the full story, find himself quite busy.
Cheonan is the neighboring county to Jiksan. At the family head Hong Eok's orders, the prestigious Namyang Hong clan of Cheonan began providing full moral and material support to their prospective son-in-law, who was 'managing two counties'.
For Kim Unhaeng, who had struck like lightning and beaten down resistance but couldn't fully control the local elites due to time constraints, this was a huge help.
Even if local clerks, left supervisors, or constables recognized the magistrate as a dog-bone, they could never treat the Hong Daeyong family that way.
From senior clerks down to slaves, left supervisors and aides at the county office, scholars at the seowon— in Cheonan and the surrounding area, those with no ties to the Namyang Hong clan were the rarity.
The name Tohong (土洪), used to distinguish from the Danghong faction of Hong Gyehui, meant 'the original local Hongs'.
Their hometown was Namyang (near modern Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi), and Cheonan was right next door. They were one of the elites of the Gyeongho scholars, with vast influence across southern Gyeonggi and northern Chungcheong.
In Joseon, with far less population mobility and less centralization than modern times, Seoul didn't dominate as much.
Moreover, this era was when capital aristocratic families were just forming. Kim Unhaeng could afford to be cocky relying on his clan traits, but most Seoul families couldn't match them. They simply lacked high officials in the current generation.
Anyway, the results were good, so it was fortunate. The deepened friendship between the Jangdong Kim and Namyang Hong families was unshakable. Jiksan quickly stabilized.
And as spring that year drew to a close, on the carefully chosen auspicious day, the two held their formal wedding ceremony.
Awkward.
What am I supposed to say here?
The wedding went smoothly. Nothing for me to worry about. I just bowed as instructed, drank the union cup, and greeted the guests.
Park Jiwon and the hometown friends who insisted on coming from Seoul to Cheonan just to kick my feet were a bit of a hassle, but no real problem.
But now, sitting alone with a woman I've never met before for the first time in my life, I have no idea what to do.
No misunderstandings, please. I was a modern man. Far past the age of a 'perfectly ordinary high school student'.
But from experience, this was an event that usually followed ample conversation and time together.
I'd anticipated this, but actually facing it felt incredibly awkward.
First, clear the surroundings. I shooed away the guys huddled outside the door.
Even Jangbok was lurking under errand pretenses, so I had to call Eoji to physically chase them all off.
True yangban to bastards, transcending class in revolutionary mingling. I get Park Jiwon being a middle schooler, but Jangbok, dude, what are you so curious about now?
Once it quieted down, I returned.
The bride sat with her head bowed and hands clasped according to propriety, showing no agitation.
Right, let's talk first.
"Raise your head."
But the bride's response was unexpected.
"Wouldn't it be easier for you to recognize me if I keep my head down?"
I wasn't greatly surprised. Yeah, after that letter, I figured as much.
It wasn't because she was merchant Lee Jaemun's daughter, but because she was from a noble house. Later, I'd blackmail Jaemun for deceiving the magistrate and squeeze something out of him.
I adjusted my posture.
Honestly, before that letter, I only felt mild pity for Hong Sehwa. I thought she was just a tool for her cousin's ambitions.
But that letter pierced through my plans, save for the Yeongjo invasion.
Never make her an enemy.
The best way, then, is to make her an ally.
If a good ally means someone who understands your intentions and coordinates perfectly, then in some sense, no one better had appeared yet.
"Truly bold. Since you already know, I'll say it: I sought this marriage to prosper the family. I've even gone around to houses of court officials, shamelessly lobbying like one seeking favors. Yet serving a father-in-law who raised his daughter so wisely would bring more honor than being any high official's son-in-law."
In Joseon, praising (young) people usually meant praising their parents; blaming them meant blaming parents too. Modern times flourished only in the latter.
Only then did Sehwa raise her head. Our eyes met, and I saw the bride's face directly for the first time.
Hong Daeyong, you honest fool. I admit it. You're a true scholar.
Sehwa said something similar to my thoughts.
"Meeting you in person and speaking, you're exactly as I admired in my heart. It's wonderful."
Sehwa couldn't initiate due to position. I slowly removed her heavy veil and ornate decorations.
Not rushing, not hesitating.
Lips touched, then parted.
Indeed, the knowledge of a noble house wasn't wasted; her lips, colored only with safflower rouge instead of toxic cinnabar, carried its scent.
Amid that fragrance, Sehwa spoke, lips brushing between words.
"I've thought of you and longed for you for so long."
"...Only now do I truly think of you deeply."
"That's good. Thank you for not hiding or lying."
Sehwa moved her hand slightly for the first time, placing it on my face.
I fully embraced that faintly trembling hand to reassure it.
Sex education exists even in this era. Because producing heirs is paramount.
When explaining this field, people often say 'instinct', but it's actually 'learned'.
Without any chance to learn, you can't do it. Remember that Chinese couple who held hands for a year in bed and then sought infertility treatment?
Yangban learn mostly theory, commoners practical—the difference is that. One practical method is what Jangbok tried last night.
Women learn surprisingly detailed in secluded quarters (Park Jiwon said so; I'd never heard in Korea).
But theory is still just theory.
Sehwa, waking later than me, startled and flusterred about.
"Oh, dear. Why am I like this? From midway, my mind went blank, and I didn't know what to do. What now? For good energy conception, I should have used the secret remedy I learned."
I hesitate to ask what that remedy was.
"Rest a bit more. I'll slowly comb my hair in the meantime."
"I didn't hear it would take this long. I'm sorry I didn't wake first to tidy up."
It's fine. Status Window, you bastard. You're finally showing something good.
What use are violent skills like archery? Love and peace first. For tigers, just use guns. Even Lee Seonggye is useless against bullets.
While I combed and washed, Sehwa deftly straightened the disheveled bedding.
Seeing someone from a yangban house tidy herself feels awkward, like the first time.
But can't call Jangbok. Damn, feels like my phone's dead. Since this is in-laws, I'll ask Sehwa's handmaid's name later.
By the time I finished, a proper scene was set, and Sehwa had done moderate grooming suitable for home.
How did she finish so much so fast? Amazing in Korea or Joseon.
Sehwa asked me.
"By custom and propriety, staying here a few days would please me, but with official duties, you'll need to go hold court (坐起, magistrate's office hours), right?"
Her face doesn't swell even after sleep. Youth?
I paused before answering.
"One day should be fine. I have much to discuss with you too. More helpful than asking seasoned clerks at the office."
Sehwa's cheeks flushed.
Not a lie. Consulting smart Sehwa on future plans, correcting my errors before work isn't bad. That's my intention.
But there's something I haven't—couldn't—tell even my closest wife.
Besides Sehwa's face, something else floated before my eyes.
I'd summoned it again (whispering softly). Needed time to think about this guy.
This didn't pop up at the wedding. Last night, deep into the night, it suddenly appeared, nearly giving me a heart attack. This thing's standards are weird. Understanding it makes me angrier.
I know this reward. But what followed was the issue.
Then three box-like containers appeared before me, resembling rice chests.
Labeled Bing (丙), Jeong (丁), Mu (戊), priced at 100, 50, and 30 Majeun.
Damn, it's a gacha.
Maddening no matter how I think about it. Where'd they sell their originality?
Calm down. My wife is giving me a weird look.
Better to organize what I know before spinning the gacha rashly.
First, this Ascension Chart game had various choices as I thought, and I picked one path.
Because it said '100 or more' Majeun. If only one path, the amount would be fixed—no need to specify.
This path is variable, influenced by my choices.
And that means their goal might not be obstructing or screwing me for soul theft.
I'll think on that later. Second...
I learned what Majeun was shortly after first receiving it. Now it's 'opened market'.
Both tie to China. Using Qing money in a market trading with Qing.
Could just fit the era where Joseon trades mostly with Qing, but hints one of 12 goals involves Qing.
What if the 10th core goal is 'Manchu Conqueror' or 'Emperor Slayer'?
Then shouldn't it give 'Mao Zedong's Infinite Legion Host' or 'Truman's Little Boy' instead of 'Lee Seonggye's Archery'?
Calm down again. Pretending to ponder alone looks too unnatural now.
"Do you have some worry?"
Sehwa asked worriedly. I took her hand.
"Nothing like that. Thinking about court attendance earlier, I was pondering how to receive the royal palanquin in Jiksan County. Sorry for spacing out."
Sehwa's face brightened.
"Ah, about that, I have some thoughts too."
Really? I was just raging at the status window.
Seems Sehwa can provide more than high-official backing.
Then, what does Sehwa want from me?
Ah, I get it roughly.
After this, Sparta-train Hong Daeyong to pass the exam somehow. Need to snag a 100-geun turtle shell or something.
Even father-in-law failed, but beating the father-in-law gets me in the annals again. Seeing his nephew roll, he'll gain insight.
Work tomorrow, then. Call it honeymoon.
Sehwa seems to want that too.
While Lee Jaemun's merchant group mined gold at Jiksan County's Golden Creek, the Jiksan Youth Assault Team handling 'dike construction' around the perimeter were also last year's delinquent grain loan defaulters.
Grain loan collections aren't fully enforced.
True deadbeats or tough-to-touch yangban remnants are just marked unpaid and passed to the next magistrate.
In , how could that yangban with massive unpaid loans get away? Magistrates beating yangban spreads rumors among them.
Song Jinheum didn't deviate much.
But I'm different.
Late Joseon develops a monetary economy. Reputation matters, but it's monetizable.
Not just bribing to fix rep. More crucially, 'politics without money holds little value'.
And I have more justification.
This is why the three administrations grow corrupt. These depraved, lascivious three-administration bastards need strict corporal punishment to sober them.
Prior dike work was camouflage for placer mining—I didn't care if done. Now it's different.
Thanks to wise wife's advice.
I subtly rounded up even the remnants who'd escaped collection and threw them into labor. Humans are equal, I vaguely recall learning.
"I, I'm the 10th-generation descendant of Minister Kim of the Jungjong era!"
Then traitor's spawn.
Yeonsangun, watch over this.
"If you don't hold office, descendant or not, you're no yangban. And is there a law saying yangban can hoard military grain? How can strict law discriminate!"
Jungjong? Ancient history. Closer to modern Korea. Nothing scary.
If bitter, pass the exam like me.
Boast merit subjects? At least top-class Wonkyun level.
My order to drag these hereditary flops away was instantly executed.
But no plans for whipping to work.
Virtue before law. Tormenting people into slavery for money isn't Joseon ideology. That's for those American slave states over there.
I used a more civilized method.
"Finish this stone bridge solidly on time, and grain loan ledgers are forgiven immediately. Miss the deadline by a day, interest at 5%. Two days, compounded principal hits 105 or so. Don't want corvee till death—or generations—work diligently."
Ah, you Joseon folks don't know? This is 'compound interest'. Common sense in my world.
...Want to say, but it's common sense here too. Faces paled.
Not illegal. Grain loans carry interest. Methods flexible per situation.
Sehwa's advice: roads and bridges.
Makes sense. Royal visit needs traffic control, beautification basics. I was gold-blind.
Bridges crucial. Joseon lacks permanent bridge concept.
Yearly wooden bridges (vanish in monsoons) exist here, but can't offer to king? Don't want Jang Yeongsil's fate.
People's hardship?
Say army chief of staff visits unit. If division commander leaves helipad uncleared out of concern for troops' fatigue?
Chief might praise caring for subordinates.
But that hypothesis unprovable forever.
No such mad division commander in Korea from the start. Even with army's weirdos, limits exist.
I'm not just county head but military commander too.
Joseon (officially) uses yangin gaepyeong system.
All local yangin are my soldiers. Cheonmin... just cheonmin, so obey.
Under my command, we'll build an Autobahn through Jiksan. Ensure company commander isn't 'disappointed'.
Budget? Spare no expense.