Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Ginseng War (2)
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Kim Unhaeng watched as the hundred or so swordsmen he'd dubbed the Goblin Legion in his mind collapsed like dominoes.
The man at the forefront, Tada Kazue, desperately clung to his fading consciousness.
Mustering strength in his legs and focusing his gaze, the double vision finally merged into one.
In that instant, a figure appeared with startling clarity in Tada Kazue's eyes.
'Kim Unhaeng!'
Flames erupted from his gaze.
That punk had taken the bribes and then betrayed him without a second thought.
Even later checks confirmed that the secret envoy he'd sent to Kim Unhaeng had vanished along with everything else.
From Kim Unhaeng's perspective, it was just grabbing the attendant nearby to slow reports and prevent leaks. But to Kazue, it looked like the guy had faithfully pocketed every last bit of his greed without missing a thing—almost admirably so.
Had he sternly rebuked and returned all the bribes, Kazue might have felt shame.
Had he accepted them and handled things as requested, a certain trust might have built up.
But this level of thorough bastardry? It was a first. Amid the onslaught of the moral superpower's advanced ethics crashing down moment by moment, Kazue felt himself on the verge of blacking out.
At that point, Kazue's goal shifted from ascending to the capital and petitioning (which was doomed anyway) to something else.
"Even if I die, I cannot let that treacherous scoundrel who deceived His Majesty and misled the envoys, harming the friendship between our nations, go free! Brave sons of Tsushima, follow me!"
A cool-headed analysis boiled it down to killing the bastard who'd eaten his money and run.
Yet it rang out with a grandeur incomparable to tavern brawls or gambling disputes.
No one grasped that truth. In fact, that's the very line between epic wars and petty squabbles.
A righteous few, invoking justice beyond nations, deemed it unforgivable. And for the rest—now indifferent to justice but with no other path forward—they blindly followed the one man offering direction: Tada Kazue. Eight or nine dozen kicked off the ground.
I really didn't want to do this.
My policy has always been love and peace.
Even the seasoned commander, the Dongnae Magistrate, stayed back at headquarters, not on the front lines like this. Let alone a civilian official like me.
But I had no choice—I had to take the lead.
First, I needed to make the soldiers clearly recognize this as a "preemptive Japanese raid," securing plenty of witnesses on our side.
That much seemed successful.
Second, I had to eliminate the commander who'd charged out with his troops right now.
Waegwan was a human settlement, after all, so factions would exist over this ginseng mess.
The hardliners insisting on no retreat had likely taken responsibility for the incident—or couldn't contain their rage—and bolted. Odds were high it was that Tada whatever-his-name-was.
Without him, the rest would fall in line easily.
Plus, losing a capable mid-level manager would turn the Waegwan's cries of "false accusations" into flimsy evidence full of holes.
So, swallowing tears, I activated the skill.
Sorry, Se-hwa. My hands are stained now.
Active Skill: Guan Yu's Patience
[Auditory desensitization and visual enhancement activated]
Dulling my hearing and sharpening my sight, I spotted the figure bursting from the dust cloud crystal clear.
From a distance no normal human could identify, I recognized his face.
His bloodshot eyes bulged with veins as he bellowed in rage, but no need to hear it. The glint off his katana said enough.
Yeah, Japan has swords. Looks expensive.
And Joseon has bows.
A fair fight with our nations' signature weapons.
Active Skill: Lee Seonggye's Archery
[Precision targeting and power amplification engaged]
Veritable records outnumber the annals, but even they only log major events. Claiming they capture every daily government happening in a nation feels like a stretch given the volume.
But today overflowed with critical matters. Even the historians' swift brushes couldn't keep up.
Hongmungwan Sub-chan Chae Je-gong at the time tsked at the chaotic drafts from junior historians and polished them.
"Upon assuming the role of Special Investigator of Waegwan Affairs and entering to probe the ginseng matter, they demanded we affix the imperial seal to the court document requesting new ginseng stock, acting most arrogantly.
I replied I dared not discuss such things, yet they offered gold and silver to sway me. Most shocking: they mocked the long-banned smuggling pacts since the Sukmyojo era, brazenly trying to bring in women as if on display.
This insults the sovereign to his face. I bit my lip till it bled, hair standing on end—I couldn't help it. Which loyal subject wouldn't?
Thus, I sternly rebuked and expelled them all from the Waegwan. They, harboring grudges and fearing exposure, led 157 butchers and swordsmen out, crossing the border.
Their ferocious momentum rivaled the Byeongja Horan or Imjin Waeran of recent years. ……Permanently close the Waegwan and punish the Japanese so they never harbor such thoughts again."
Dongnae Magistrate Yi I-jang also submitted a memorial.
"Japanese are adept at charging barefoot with short swords, striking like lightning when malice stirs—hard to block.
Thus, I conferred with Special Investigator Kim Unhaeng, surrounding the Waegwan and ordering arriving Weolsong Manho Han Jung-ryang to seal the sea. We held fire first to deny those sly Japanese any pretext for clamor.
……
Unable to restrain their pirate nature, they charged. Our troops stood firm, thundering hwacha and matchlocks.
Finally, Special Investigator Kim Unhaeng led with bowshot, slaying their commander. The rabble scattered like ants ……Waegwan overseer Yoshida Shichizaemon claimed his subordinate acted rogue ……and vowed to present himself at Dongnae to explain to the investigator."
Weolsong Manho Han Jung-ryang submitted a memorial.
"By recent royal grace, Gyeongsang naval forces were reformed; I've aided Waegwan defenses alongside Busanpo naval camps.
Indeed, Ulleung smugglers hid in Waegwan—I blocked their path ……Failing their plot, 18 Japanese ships fled seaward; I seized them and recovered smuggled national goods. Detailed list attached.
……
Captured are all Tsushima folk like those I nabbed at Ulleung, with identical goods. In my humble view, they're a gang of Yellow Sea and Ulleung border-crossers. The Waegwan that harbored and traded with them reeks of complicity.">
The other two normal Joseon officials' memorials were more plainspoken than Kim Unhaeng's florid rhetoric, but together, the trio painted a coherent picture.
The Japanese wretches backed Yellow Sea rebels, smuggled and spied via Ulleung vagrants, and used ginseng as pretext to mock and insult court dignitaries.
Chae Je-gong, representing Southerners, couldn't sit idle. He drew his brush like a sword, adding commentary below the draft.
……
Here, without the new Liberation Vanguard, six ambush units, or fearless Investigator Kim Unhaeng, the Japanese would still dupe the court and scorn the law. Alas, how not to stay vigilant? Even the ginseng ploy seems their fabrication from the start.>
What courtiers dubbed the provisional "Gyeoyujingnan" (Purge of the lewd in Gyeoyu year) had shifted from trade to military affair.
Originally Small Council's purview, the Crown Prince couldn't yet grasp military authority. Even normal-succession King Taejong clung to it fiercely.
Lee Geum deftly claimed all the credit.
Expanding Waegwan ambushes to six wasn't new under Yeongjo—hardly unjust.
Lee Geum, who'd rebuffed high officials' audiences with "I'm regent, remember?", suddenly approved upon these memorials.
Addressing the assembled courtiers, he declared:
"This stems entirely from the Equal Levy Law. Without the Liberation Vanguard, they'd have fled by sea; without levy savings, six ambushes lack rations and rusted guns—useless. Had Equal Levy Triads not launched, how could a talent like Kim Unhaeng rise to investigator?"
Hong Bong-han, who'd snagged Noryangjin Tobacco Inspector via Kim Unhaeng, swiftly chimed in.
"Kim Unhaeng wields all civil virtues unflaggingly in state affairs, evoking Xu Hui of old. All thanks to Your Highness's discernment."
Audiences usually barred high civilians, but Training Guard's purpose was anti-Japanese thugs—its chief couldn't skip. Exceptionally attending Kim Seong-eung spoke.
"Slaying their leader with an arrow echoes—though far from Taijo repelling child-spearmen—our ancestor's valor nonetheless."
But Lee Geum ignored Kim Seong-eung's hopes, not promoting Kim Unhaeng to generalship. Fair enough—Kang Gam-chan and Xu Hui weren't pure soldiers.
Instead, he stressed his goal.
"My satisfaction isn't mere barbarian kills or captures. Now, all ministers must grasp and embrace true impartial harmony."
Indeed.
Noron impartialist Kim Unhaeng led the vanguard; Soron Dongnae Magistrate Yi I-jang commanded; apolitical martial Han Jung-ryang cooperated timely.
Chae Je-gong echoed in the histories like a single reply thread. Southerners rallied for this "purge."
Noron, Soron, Southerners—even Westerners. Perfect harmony.
Anyone now saying "Hear the Japanese side?" was a straight-up ethnic traitor.
Even without that, courtiers shunned defending Japan.
Thanks to the "lewd smuggling evidence" attached to the memorials.
No one here had seen the pictures.
The Small Council, receiving direct reports, rejected submission: "Reporting such vile images to the throne is disloyalty enough."
Palace rumors don't die easy. Without visuals, imaginations ballooned wildly.
Lee Geum was no exception.
"Foreign dealings are state crux—no room for error. Scrutinize every shred of proof. Where's that vile picture summoned for today?"
Right Deputy Prime Minister Lee Cheol-bo reported.
"I received it first, and Small Council's words rang true. Unfit for the sacred throne room. No such lewd horror since King Gojong. How dare we present it?"
Tell people no, and curiosity spikes. Lee Geum snapped.
"I specially ordered it—defying in chambers? Imprison the Deputy Prime Minister!"
Reinstated tomorrow anyway, Lee Cheol-bo withdrew apologetically. He wouldn't play humiliation porter.
As ever, underlings drew the short straw. Left Deputy Prime Minister Kim Sun-haeng truly mortified, carried in the pictures.
Moments later, all attending courtiers froze in shock.
So stunned, they whispered among themselves before the king—a cardinal audience sin.
"Th-this is from... Japan...?"
"Commander Jang Yong-yeong (Hong Gye-hui)—even on your communications post, such things?"
"What talk in the royal presence? Even if, think I'd glance at trash? First for me!"
"What's this? Sir, Japanese with ears on heads and tails?"
"Quiet, fool! Know where we are?"
Hong Gye-hui, grilled for his Japan stint, hushed peers' ravings.
He glanced at the king.
But no rebuke. Just silent, holding the paper.
Hong Gye-hui fleetingly imagined the king fainted seated.
Daughter-in-law's maid-fondling king might have lewd tolerance, but at his age? Risky.
Audiences were nominally policy talks, really health checks. Apothecary Chief Kim Jae-ro stepped forward.
"Your Highness! Are you well?"
Lee Geum paused longer in silence, then spoke.
"......This leaves no room to debate the Japanese scum's guilt."
"I-indeed, Your Highness. That's why they never punished Sukmyojo smugglers: lewdness worship runs so deep, how'd they know sin from virtue?"
Lee Geum feigned ire, ordering:
"Filthy to even see more. Burn every last treacherous picture!"
Yet his voice lacked the snap of imprisoning Lee Cheol-bo earlier.
Ever-frank Equal Levy Minister Park Mun-su remonstrated.
"Your Majesty's decree most fitting, but foreign ties demand precise proof as just commanded. Burn all, and what convicts the Japanese?"
Park Mun-su's logic left no gaps. Lee Geum reluctantly nodded assent.
"Yeongseonggun's counsel—no other. Seal these pictures tight. As said, all ministers unite under harmony's banner to handle this crisis."
Courtiers withdrew, decree in hand.
What followed was pure harmony.
Pictures never leaked—yet by next day, every high official knew. Cross-faction triumph.
All raised banners to purge vile Japanese. Confiscate their pics on sight as ironclad proof for true moral statehood.
Waegwan's indefinite closure decreed instantly.
As Chae Je-gong assessed, ginseng was their ploy—Joseon swapping for bellflower? Unthinkable immorality.
Joseon blameless now.
Lee Geum mobilized troops. Overturn Mun clan's fallout, boost sovereign might—nothing like foreign policy.
But Crown Prince initiated this; Lee Geum's "ginseng war" success empowered him too.
"Monarch cleans prince's mess" strained the regent pose.
Mismatched facts, plus surging prince faction.
Lee Geum knew, but couldn't help it. Political recovery needed a big win.
"Draft stern missive rebuking Tsushima lord. Assemble all southern Liberation Vanguards at Busanpo. Dongnae Magistrate Yi I-jang, Investigator Kim Unhaeng, all generals: hold firm till main force arrives."
Waegwan overseer Yoshida Shichizaemon thought things couldn't worsen.
Yet when "I'll plead to save your neck" Kim Unhaeng and Yi I-jang ghosted after pocketing massive bribes, dread chilled his spine.
His hunch nailed it.
Gyeoyu year (1753) summer: Seven Liberation Vanguards from Honam and Yeongnam swarmed Busanpo, scenting cash.
Before royal orders arrived.
Only explanation: Timelord Ancestor returned to avenge Imjin.
Shichizaemon gaped, collapsing.
Author's Note
1. Early Waeran: General Jeong Bal fought valiantly against numerically superior Busan invaders. Joseon's defense doctrine: hold initial assault, summon nearby forts.
Trouble: Won Gyun got the call. He (without fighting) torched his fleet and fled. Thus Imjin War opened with defeat.
2. Suyangdaegun's Gyeuyujeongnan is "difficulty"; in-story Gyeuyujeongnan is "chaos." Not official titles.