Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Secret Royal Inspector Kim Chunsik (3)
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Of course, Se-hwa hadn't come here just to spice up their married life.
She had a real reason to come in person.
Unlike my bold claims earlier that evening, I ended up stroking Se-hwa's back first as she grew exhausted.
Droplets of sweat that hadn't yet dried clung to my hand.
Feeling my touch, Se-hwa lifted her head while keeping her eyes closed, nestled in my arms.
Then she gently nipped my lower lip with hers.
She whispered in that position.
"The Crown Princess sent a letter."
The words reached me more through my lips than my ears, like some metaphysical code that would never leak out.
"I didn't understand its meaning at first, but now that you're heading to Hamgyong Province, it all makes sense. Hwang Jeong, the Inspector of Hamgyong Province, was originally the Crown Prince's tutor and one of his most favored retainers. Last year, when he was appointed to the ravaged province, His Highness personally wrote him a letter. If he has the Crown Prince's word, you can travel without worry."
An introduction letter, then.
If the Inspector was on my side, it would certainly help in prying things out of the magistrates—or rather, in rooting out corruption.
I didn't like how they kept assuming I was on their team, but I'd gratefully take it.
Still, had the Crown Prince really risked contact just for that?
I tried to sit up and read the letter. But Se-hwa tightened her arms around me.
"Don't go. I've memorized everything His Highness asked me to pass on."
Adorable. But whispering like this made it hard to focus.
I suppressed my urges several times as Se-hwa recited the letter's contents from my embrace.
Most of it concerned Hamgyong Province's devastation from various natural disasters.
Rat horde raids I'd heard about before, massive famines requiring multiple relief grain distributions in a single year, epidemics, poor harvests, and waves smashing transport ships—it was a full disaster gift set.
That's why they'd launched a large-scale relief operation earlier this year. Inspecting its progress was probably the main mission for this secret royal inspector.
I already knew most of it, and with Se-hwa's lips brushing mine constantly, maintaining focus was tough.
But fortunately, I didn't miss the most important part.
"What did you say?"
"He said the situations in eastern and western Hamgyong differ greatly, so you must investigate each meticulously. That's the end of the letter."
The east and west differ? Well, that's true everywhere.
Ending this unofficial contact with such a meaningless remark?
I mulled it over.
One possibility soon came to mind.
My route was set to cover the Six Garrisons and mainly patrol Hamgyong's east coast along the sea.
I hadn't questioned it. Hamgyong's relief grain came from Yeongnam, and the route from Yeongnam to Hamgyong was by sea.
So I'd naturally assumed that area would be the focus.
But in truth, all of Hamgyong, east and west, had been ravaged.
What if there was a separate 'western' secret royal inspector besides me?
And who that might be naturally came to mind.
Chae Je-gong, from Changdeok Palace.
If the promise to clear his exile punishment and reuse him was real, he'd be plenty motivated.
Hwang Do-myeong had said inspectors dispatched around the same time usually met the king together to receive their sealed orders.
But assuming Chae Je-gong was also headed to Hamgyong, it meant Yeongjo had done it 'deliberately' without telling them.
'Probably to spark competition. He could have just told them and paired them up. What a scheming old man.'
And I could guess the purpose.
Historically, King Yeongjo valued Tangpyeong—factional balance—above all else.
This wasn't some superficial history book claim.
He spared even the Soron who tried to kill him and the Namin who rebelled against him. Even a Koryo-era king would struggle with that.
Yeongjo had an extremely strong ego, and his personality was as far from gentle as a stone axe from a superconductor. Thus, balanced factional appointments like paired promotions or Complete Tangpyeong were truly astonishing.
Tangpyeong was, quite literally, 'above all' for Yeongjo. Even his son didn't rank.
Thus, extending his influence to the next generation inevitably factored it in.
Having received the report from the Bureau of Royal Edicts, Yi Geum naturally rested his hand on his knee while seated.
"So both have left the capital?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"No incidents? No secret meetings?"
"None. Even with the departure ban, most visit kin or friends for travel funds, but both seem intent on doing so outside the city."
"Understood."
Yi Geum felt only calm satisfaction.
'They've got the basics down.'
In truth, as the eunuch just said, the 'depart immediately upon receiving orders' rule was rarely followed.
More honestly, most secret inspectors practically advertised their departure.
But Kim Unhaeng and Chae Je-gong hadn't erred from the first step. Proof they could distinguish bendable rules from unbreakable ones.
Still, objectively, Chae Je-gong trailed by a step so far.
Kim Unhaeng had gained the lead in the first trial—overcoming their passively or actively assigned ordeals.
Chae failed to seize Sunsan, while Kim defended the ranch successfully. Thus, Chae went into exile, Kim merely demoted.
Yet Yi Geum hadn't given up on Chae.
Kim Unhaeng's talents resembled those of a merchant or schemer. Valuable for a kingmaker, but hard-pressed to beat the righteous path long-term.
In contrast, Chae's literary cultivation, philosophical grasp of classics, and scholarly foundation far surpassed Kim's 'exam-prep-only' depth.
Objectively Kim might lead now, but Yi Geum subjectively favored traditional scholar Chae.
Hamgyong needed inspectors anyway, and two wasn't odd given the size.
Not informing them meant Inspector Hwang Jeong would be flustered.
But if Hwang—practically 'Park Mun-su of the prior generation'—faltered before two rookies, that was a problem.
Moreover, while Yi Geum trusted Hwang, his closeness to the Crown Prince irked him slightly.
Yi Geum shifted focus back to Kim Unhaeng and Chae Je-gong.
Whoever surprised him more this time would walk the royal road under the king's protection.
It was like a mafia boss pitting two young enforcers, promising the bigger tribute earner turf from that street cart to this lottery shop.
Yi Geum felt that kind of anticipation.
If there were cigarettes, he'd have lit one.
'Noron's new Tangpyeong star, or Namin's comeback pillar? Whichever wins, I'll use him.'
Normally, I wouldn't care about competing to be Yeongjo's latest fancy phone.
But I had to become Chief State Councillor.
Even if it happened in the next reign, I needed solid progress now.
I would win.
I'd figure victory criteria later; first steps were set.
Reach Hamheung before Chae Je-gong and meet the Inspector.
All Hamgyong intel would converge there.
But I'd already spent half a day to Wangsipri and a night here.
Leave now?
I gazed at sleeping Se-hwa in my arms.
She'd brought the letter yet memorized it, even sulked to keep me.
I stroked her hair. She let out a soft moan and shifted.
Sun would rise soon anyway. I relaxed.
Thirty years from now's Chae might be different, but now he was just a small-time corrupt official.
Plus, he lacked the Crown Prince's intro.
If this time was the price, I'd yield that handicap.
The next day, after breakfast with Se-hwa, Hong Daeyong arrived peeking around, loaded his sister into a palanquin, and prepared to leave.
He said brazenly,
"I'll drop off my sister and catch up soon. Can't match an inspector's group with a horse medallion, but you'll use the Susongdo route from Seoul through eastern Hamgyong to the Tumen River basin, right? I'll catch you by Gosan Station at latest."
"What for?"
Undeterred by my blunt retort,
"I won't meddle in official duties. A secret inspector can't declare himself, but travelers can band together if they click. I've always wanted a northern tour."
I mounted my pony in disgust.
Good thing this was my ranch. Ponies for all, fine horses for the other three.
Eoji and Jangbok had herded cattle but never ridden; I handled that.
Jangbok now fancied himself a riding prodigy—a minor side effect.
Now it was a speed race.
The secret inspector's symbols—'Inspector's Dispatch Blade' and 'Horse Medallion'—tied closely to relay stations and their runners.
Stations nationwide provided transport and armed escorts anytime.
Of course, Joseon didn't properly compensate for such services. Runners needed to eat, so it cost the inspector personally quite a bit.
And they expect no embezzlement? I'll break even at least.
At An-gi Station in Gyeonggi, I recruited our last party members: runners Jo Gap-dol and Gang Ui-jin.
Now: two slaves, one clerk, two runners, me—standard six-man secret inspector party.
These runners were sharp and diligent. Jo Gap-dol even bantered with me, a stranger, like some Silhak scholar.
"I've heard of the tiger-slaying bow lord of Wangsipri. No bow? Oh, you have one. If a tiger shows en route, jackpot! Haha!"
Dog-Beating Stick of Jangdong, now Tiger-Slaying Bow of Wangsipri.
I gave up and chuckled wryly. Next time, a spear?
The journey proceeded smoothly.
As Gyeonggi runners, they got legal service at Gyeonggi stations. Just two extra horses needed, no big deal.
In Gangwon, they offered swaybacks, demanding 'sincerity' for better. But solutions existed.
When Druid King appeared at Cheorwon Pungjeon Station, over ten horses rioted. People flew from hooves; the station nearly collapsed.
Runner work was corvee, not job—punishment, not firing, for mishaps.
I soothed them with promises to vouch upward; they tearfully offered hidden red-maned steeds.
By mid-March, we reached Pyeonggang County in Gangwon—Hamgyong in sight.
Joseon folk tales often feature late-night travelers begging shelter.
Villains aside, they're usually granted, launching the story.
But anyone knowing merchant treatment senses something off.
Would agrarian folk, cold to outsiders, house unknown wanderers so easily?
No—even fast-moving modern urbanites rarely invite strangers home.
Humans are territorial. An unfamiliar bug in your house triggers disgust. Exceptions like nomads aside, outsiders warrant caution.
'Traveler' itself was suspicious then—most never strayed 100 li from birth home.
I learned post-arrival: Joseon hospitality for lodging wasn't generous.
Known folk slept over more than today, and kind souls housed strangers sometimes.
Usually refused. Excessive fussing brought self-defense violence.
Hwang said many inspectors suffered thus—even one chased out mid-cough from a side room.
Then they'd vent at the magistrate: 'Locals untaught, folk savage.'
Magistrate panicked, punished the house. Folk grew harsher.
That happened because they begged free stays.
We, skimping nothing on lodging for speed and condition, got warm welcomes.
Not every inn en route, so often private homes—I redistributed Seoul cash gladly. Haggling wasted pricier time.
We could because I'd weirdly hauled home cash (lacking magistrate begging tips).
Root cause: my piled wealth.
Chae Je-gong couldn't.
In Pyeonggang outskirts, we watched a one-act play from twilight shadows.
"You scoundrels! Since when did the world's customs turn so stingy? Ancient texts say in enlightened times, travelers needed no provisions..."
A chipped dog bowl flew a perfect arc from the fence.
It nailed the ranting scholar's forehead. He nearly toppled, saved by aides.
The homeowner's retort followed.
"Shamelessness has limits. First time anyone's scolded for offering food and a room. Why dirty our house for beggars like you?"
I glanced at Hwang Do-myeong. He nodded.
"That's Chae Je-gong, Ye mungwan Censor. Hard to believe an exile as inspector, but you were right, milord."
"Caught up. Good. He rushed, but... that everywhere slows him."
Chae repeated his Sunsan-grab fiasco.
Unaware of his disadvantage, he kept earning lashes.
"Beggars, you insolent curs! How dare insult a royal inspector!"
Right—perfect secrecy rare. Some even pre-sent official notices.
Not always immoral. Winter dispatch blocked by snow, or felled by local disease? Had to tell magistrate 'send men, I'm inspector.' All real per Hwang.
But Chae, dude. Come on.
A bold shout from inside:
"If you're inspector, I'm Chief State Councillor!"
Not claiming king—loyal house. No need to watch.
Not giving Chae's crew time to ponder ranks above Chief Councillor, more men than I'd guessed burst out with clubs.
Heart-stopping thuds reached us.
I turned away.
"We depart again. Take another route."
"Those guys?"
Obviously, I didn't glance back—and ordered my men likewise.
"Ignore them. A gentleman doesn't step in mud."
Confident we'd distanced Chae greatly, I decided to recoup some travel costs for speed.
Target: Gowon County office, Hamgyong's southern gateway.
Still no real inspector work.
Time to flash the medallion and do an Inspector's Dispatch.
I'd quietly compiled county magistrate intel en route.
Optimal first mark: Gowon Magistrate Yun Pil-deok.
What mistake in county admin?
Everyone errs. Bigger reasons mattered.
Closest, military officer so no dent in my Noron net, and above all, no backing—safe to squeeze.
Perfect.
Secret Royal Inspector Kim Chunsik's adventure truly begins now.
Author's Note
1. Hwang Jeong tutoring the Crown Prince and serving as Hamgyong Inspector then are factual. When appointed, Sado Seja sent a letter urging good governance.
Yeongjo didn't view him so suspiciously; Hwang was a capable retainer he trusted, easing his worries in administration and taxes.
2. Late Joseon inspectors' diaries commonly complain 'no house houses travelers overnight.'
Older ones fell ill from poor sleep/food. Magistrates: 'Shall I punish them? Name the culprit.' 'Think me petty corruptor? I just noted customs! No grudge against that Kim under the pine yonder!'—the highlight.
3. Yun Pil-deok was indeed Gowon Magistrate then, a military man. An outstanding one: top marks at Cheorwon as Training Command musketeer.