Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: 20. Festival of the Beasts (2)
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To build connections with the Crown Prince's martial aides through polo for my Animal Farm business, I gradually started mingling with them.
While I'm stuck doing this useless Crown Prince Academy gig that won't help my career at all, I might as well get something out of it.
The problem was that these martial aides' way of socializing was straight out of some hot-blooded shonen manga.
"I humbly request a lesson from the renowned Dog-Beating Stick master!"
These guys, convinced that earning the title of Dog-Beating Stick Defeater would get them the Crown Prince's attention, would challenge me to a duel under the pretense of building friendship.
I just told them to count it as their win.
Even if I were a true master of Real Dog-Beating Technique, I'd have done the same.
Are you guys for real?
They didn't even consider the political fallout if they beat me to death and pissed off the Crown Prince. And before that, do you really want to grab sticks and fight a total stranger until blood spills? Is that fun for you?
Afterward, you think we'll magically become "friends who understand each other after one fight"?
In the 21st century, bump into someone and you'd be in court for three years straight.
No, these guys would just hack them with an axe if lawsuits got annoying and call it "no grounds for prosecution."
As a modern man, I couldn't comprehend these barbarians at all. So I dodged their challenges like avoiding shit.
But my polite evasions had an unexpected effect.
The challenger backed off with a flushed face of shame, and everyone who heard about it was impressed.
"He has the bearing of a great man. He doesn't accept provocations or fights because he harbors grand ambitions."
Of course. Kim Unhaeng here has dreams. I need to pocket a million nyang and climb up top.
Soon, someone useful came along.
While my Spring Quarters—aka the Crown Prince Academy—assists the Crown Prince with civil affairs, the Laurel Quarters, or Crown Prince Escort Office, protects him with martial prowess.
Jo Jimyeong, holder of the key post of Supervisor of Horses (from 5th rank) in the Escort Office, approached me. It's a martial position with strong civil official vibes, like a propaganda officer.
"I'd love to see that fine steed the Crown Prince bestowed upon you, Dog-Beating Stick."
Hey, don't call it by that official nickname like it's set in stone.
I'm not some landless beggar named Yi Jaewoon, so why pin that on me? Even if I chose it myself, we're not that close.
But I didn't say that.
Not because Jo Jimyeong was impressive himself. Nor because he was around my father's age.
It was because of old Duke of Pungneung Jo Munmyeong, who had served as both Left and Right Prime Ministers.
And Jo Hyeonmyeong, Munmyeong's own brother and Chief State Councillor just three months ago.
Both were eighth cousins to the Jo Jimyeong standing before me—a distance not too far by Joseon standards.
With such illustrious figures in the Jo clan, you can guess the rest.
Yeah, they're the Pungyang Jo clan, who'll later team up with my family to royally screw over Joseon. Their current power is still way below Andong Kim.
That explains why this Jo Jimyeong, without any real talent, holds a 5th-rank post right by the Crown Prince's side.
He's the type I hate most as a self-made man who succeeds through effort and passion: a sneaky parachute kid riding family coattails.
So I replied politely.
"Of course. How could I refuse?"
Pony was a royal gift, so I kept her well-groomed anyway. No reason not to show her off.
I'd noticed she oddly hadn't been gelded, so I was pondering if she could serve as a stud for my ranch business.
And as expected, Jo Jimyeong's real business wasn't just admiring the horse.
After some bland chit-chat at my house about how great the horse looked and how well I was caring for her, he got to the point.
"My ninth cousin once removed is the current Governor of Pyongan Province. He petitioned His Majesty for amnesty, but he'll likely return to his post soon. I've heard plenty about warhorses up north from the Elite Cavalry Guard and such. Since you're a martial arts prodigy, Dog-Beating Stick, I figured you might be interested in fine steeds."
The "nephew" he mentioned was Jo Jaeho, son of former Chief State Councillor Jo Hyeonmyeong and current Pyongan Governor.
Our ages are similar, so he doesn't feel like a nephew, but that's due to the distant relation.
I'd heard of Jo Jaeho even in the future.
Sado Seja's death is so infamous that anyone directly involved, like Hong Gyehui, rings a bell.
But Jo Jaeho is on the opposite side from Hong Gyehui.
He threw himself into stopping King Yeongjo's forbidden scientific experiments—gaining humanity-prohibited knowledge—and got killed in the fallout.
In other words, Jo Jaeho and his crew side with the Crown Prince—the Small Faction.
They don't get along with our Noron or even Yeongjo.
So I responded to Jo Jimyeong cautiously, on guard.
"Warhorses are the foundation of the military, and the military is a key national affair. Even as a civil official, I can't neglect it."
"Our minds align perfectly. But as a scholar, I can't stoop to shoveling manure or brushing horse tails. Don't I need someone reliable?"
Jo Jimyeong pitched it like, "I've got a great startup opportunity for you."
"There's a reason this steed recognizes a hero and follows you. Word is the Kim clan is thriving these days. I'd appreciate it if you met my trusted agent urgently."
This guy knows I've made bank.
He's proposing a joint investment in the ranch business. With Pungyang Jo backing, monopolizing military horse rentals for events would be a cinch.
I pondered briefly.
Then nodded.
I could always refuse after meeting his "agent."
But when I actually met him, I was shocked.
***
Our king employed Joseon's RoboCop Jang Bungeok to wipe out the Inspector Clique.
At the same time, from his days as Heir Apparent, he kept private thugs like Inspector Clique bigwig Pyo Cheolju on payroll.
It's like the cop and villain in a crime flick both working for one boss.
But after Prince Yeoning upgraded to King Yeongjo via the Live Sense patch, problems arose.
The clique targeted yangban, so Yeongjo couldn't overlook it. Like how cops ignore gangsters extorting civilians (taking their cut), but shred them for touching police directly.
In the end, Pyo Cheolju—textbook case of "use and discard"—fled to the provinces.
Yeongjo was the one who let him escape alive.
Jang Bungeok wasn't one with a strong ego. No matter how skilled RoboCop is, robots follow programming. Yeongjo inputted the code, and Jang let Pyo go.
Pyo only returned to Seoul after Jang's lifespan ended and he became scrap.
Afterward, Pyo behaved wisely, like a true ex-aide to Yeongjo: quietly ran a real estate office and died of old age.
And that realtor Pyo Cheolju was the "reliable agent" Jo Jimyeong introduced.
Coincidentally, he was also the one who scouted my Gangnam Daeseong Academy site.
That's how Jo Jimyeong knew I had money—I finally realized.
***
The students staggered into the academy exhausted after running laps until they dropped.
Even energetic young Park Jiwon protested: how could he study like this?
So I strapped sandbags to his back. Training's supposed to be at 100x gravity, kid.
Honestly, my selected students aren't lacking in academics. That's why I picked them.
What's missing is desperate grit to pass no matter what, and enough toughness not to retire from beatings at the exams.
Yeonam... grit is key.
While the students studied at the hall, I strolled the scenic Han River banks. Part walk, part heading to the ferry.
My attendants: Eoji and, if I must specify, Pony from the Crown Prince.
And one non-attendant.
Once we were far from the academy with no one around, I spoke quietly.
"Didn't realize you carried an iron staff per your nickname. Who'd think a famous realtor has ties to a noble house like Pungyang Jo."
Cheolju was a nickname, not his real name.
Think "Pyo the Iron Staff." Or more literally, "Jongno Iron Pipe Pyo."
Though different from an aluminum bat.
As I saw in Jiksan, metal's precious in Joseon. Pyo carrying an iron staff was like a South American drug lord draped in gold rings and chains.
His "I was wild in my youth" boast was literal truth.
Prince Yeoning's old political thug Pyo Cheolju bowed politely behind me.
"Having preserved my life by Your Majesty's grace, I've forgotten all past bravado. How dare I repeat such arrogance? I never dreamed the lord whose staff skills make all Chang'an weep in fear would take interest in this worthless land."
"You've heard of me?"
"They say you discipline the ignorant with your staff, reformed Yuanak Township in Chungcheong with a single point, and in Seoul awed even martial officers surpassing Leopard Head from Water Margin. Even the deaf would know your name."
Huh. Yeah. Flaunting your royal connections, huh?
But it's thug bluster.
No real high-level ties.
Otherwise, Jo would've called him "my agent." Or Pyongan Governor Jo Jaeho's agent.
To Yeongjo, Pyo was a pawn—discarded at that.
Proof: no one's using him now. The Crown Prince probably doesn't even know.
Pyo's maintaining old martial family ties from Yeoning days. Jo Jimyeong level's probably his top line.
The info quality he bragged about shows it.
Knowing about Crown Prince polo seems impressive, but "secrecy" here means no public scandal, not absolute confidentiality. That's impossible from the start.
More interestingly, Pyo had fully flipped sides.
The Small Faction plants people around the Crown Prince against Yeongjo.
Jo Jimyeong's a prime example in the Escort Office.
And this guy's on the outside.
Considering Pyo once protected Yeongjo from Small Faction, it's dramatic betrayal.
But Yeongjo ditched him first—no law says Pyo must follow.
Gratitude for sparing his life? Laughable. Humans aren't beasts thankful for lighter beatings.
The Small Faction's angle is clear: Pyo as a card for crises, testifying to Yeoning-era crimes—maybe even the salted-fermented-crab incident.
But then he shouldn't ally with me, a Noron heir.
So the ranch proposal's Jo Jimyeong's personal greed. Matches his stats from my skill read.
Yeah, he thought he could milk someone like me without worry?
We'll see who gets milked.
I turned to Pyo Cheolju with a smile.
Just a bit older than my father, but missing teeth and hunched—must've suffered dodging RoboCop.
Eoji could take him out in one hit if needed.
"I've heard much about you from Jo, the Supervisor who serves the Crown Prince alongside me. Trust only in him, and lend your hand to prospering the nation's fortunes."
"I shall obey."
***
Pyo was indeed suitable talent.
Realtor and ex-martial officer, so he knew horses well.
While he scouted ranch sites near Seoul with our investment, I tackled another task.
Before the Crown Prince causes real trouble, limited use of his authority isn't bad.
I hated complicating my escape plans, but no choice.
To minimize risk while dipping into Crown Prince waters, I needed slight reform.
Even if the Final Weapon Backdoor's inevitable, I need lines like, "While Kim Unhaeng was at the Academy, the Crown Prince at least studied."
Of course, this golden boy won't listen to advice.
So I chose appeasement.
Actual study doesn't matter.
Who cares? He's not even becoming king anyway.
What matters is Yeongjo's perception.
I can't control palace intel, but making it look like he's studying for the informants? Easy.
Just don't go out.
Model Crown Prince Academy official, I brought him a book—history on top for cover.
He frowned at the sight, but his face changed as I explained.
"This is a Chinese book I urgently commissioned from gambling den couriers. A fresh take on the Classics that'll greatly aid your studies, but as it's a Classic, it has taboo content—best clear the room."
Emperor's banned lists matter in Beijing, not Hanyang. Even the king badmouths Qing with ministers.
But formally, we follow. Crown Prince gets my drift anyway.
This miracle study hack was inspired by his smuggled foreign books.
His eyes lit up at the forbidden knowledge.
He immediately cleared the room.
Attendants withdrew, convinced. Joseon lacks power, but anti-Qing is national ethos.
"I knew from your top exam score. Your broad insight is no ordinary thing!"
"Overpraise, Your Highness. I merely seek to fill my lacking knowledge widely. If I may, even in Yanjing, this book's priceless. Fortunate indeed."
True. Nonexistent in Beijing.
I wrote it days ago.
Author: Wind, Flowers, Snow, Moon.
From some scripture? Nah, chapter titles from his fave BL novel Fragrant Spring Quality, in order.
Joseon's erotic culture is explicit "for premodern," but from 21st-century view, Joseon's like ancient mad-science civ on collapse's edge. Most folks drown in peak material abundance and pleasure pits.
One-to-one, explicitness and variety crush Joseon.
So even "wholesome" me could write stimulation surpassing Crown Prince's threshold.
Civil exam grad.
If arts, I'd draw too.
Dodged palace eyes, pulled night shifts writing. Sleepless nights.
Worth it.
Crown Prince forgot I was there.
As expected.
Even married guys know: marriage doesn't mean delete the hard drive. Different beasts.
Didn't know your tastes? Brought it all. Anthology: pure love to NTR to hardcore captivity ruin. Pick your poison.
I spoke loudly on purpose.
"Though differing from orthodoxy, how sharply do new Chinese scholars scrutinize history?"
"Like opening new eyes. This... this is great nation's civilization! I was a frog in a well!"
"With Your Highness's brilliant nature, you'll master it all! I'll withdraw so you may ponder deeply!"
"D-do so. Well done. Hey, someone! Grant Instructor Kim Unhaeng a robe for fervently teaching enlightenment! From now, I'm reading—no one disturb till I call!"
That day, the North Scholar sapling read fanatically late into night.
This change was annals-worthy. I tipped my annals colleagues, but the event spoke for itself.
*******
1. For plot, simplified to Andong Kim (Noron) vs Pungyang Jo (Small Faction), but inaccurate.
Jo Jaeho was Small Faction, but not the whole Jo clan; he opposed Sado Seja's execution and died with him, but that doesn't make him Noron endorsing Imo Fire Incident.
2. Jo Jimyeong real; was Escort Supervisor then (승정원일기). Later called Jo Jaeho's "close kin" in purge (Yeongjo Annals), but actually ninth cousins once removed via fathers.
Kim Unhaeng called him talentless, but Jo later impressed Yeongjo/Hong Bonghan as magistrate with real economic feats in Jeolla's Imphi County—not Kim-style, genuine.
3. Pyo Cheolju true except RoboCop bit. Did real estate till death.
Legend: Inspectors sent assassin; fought Jang Bungeok, fled over wall. Jang was ~60. Academy consensus: cyborg, no aging.
4. Yeolha Diary: Park Jiwon ink-chats Beijing Koreans, tears/burns paper or blots ink often—taboos, banned books/phrases. Qing cultural control extreme; huge lists.
Park writing it means no taboo in Joseon. Diary even mocks emperor.
Park not yet using Yeonam pen name.
5. Rare for Crown Prince Academy private tutoring. Crown Prince favors Kim Unhaeng for such sessions. But Fragrant Spring Quality chapters real.