Chapter 150
Chapter 150
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Counterattack
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Three days later in the morning, Go Mi came to see Yi Hwan.
“The situation seems even more serious than it first appeared.”
“Tell me.”
“There are quite a few Yi Clan natives in the Golden Army, and starting a few days ago, they've been staging a sit-in demanding the abolition of discrimination against Han Clan natives. Upon investigation, it turned out Yeom Hong-bo had been frequently meeting with Yi Clan instructors. It seems his scheme was indeed at play.”
Yeom Hong-bo's name came up again.
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
“He was planning to shake things up from the roots.”
“Are you just going to send Yeom Hong-bo off to the Northern Legion like that?”
“Even if he did it to slander me on behalf of the Empress, from a third party's perspective, he did something that needed to be done eventually. Killing a man like that would only backfire on us.”
“Why not just eliminate him quietly?”
A smile tugged at Yi Hwan's lips at Go Mi's words.
“That's unexpected. To hear such words from the Moon Lord.”
“Yeom Hong-bo is the most dangerous type of person. The kind who cloaks evil in the guise of justice, you might say? I've seen too many of his sort. And whenever we let them be, the outcome was always the worst.”
“No need to worry. I've already sent a messenger to Commander Gwak, so he'll handle it properly.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of his tea.
Clink.
“Make contact with Hwa Ryeong. Check on what's happening there.”
“......”
Go Mi's expression changed instantly.
Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Why are you two always on such bad terms?”
“She's a woman who betrayed us once. Who knows when she might betray the Great Prince again?”
“She doesn't seem the type. So try to get along.”
“Then I'll take my leave.”
Go Mi stood up.
“Report back after making contact.”
“......Yes.”
Slam!
The door closed louder than usual. Yi Hwan gave a wry smile.
‘Women, anyway.’
Yi Hwan finished the rest of his tea and stood.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae were waiting outside.
“Are they all gathered?”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan headed to the training grounds of the command headquarters.
Nearly two thousand warriors had assembled on the grounds.
They were the ones who had gone on strike under the pretext of demanding pay raises. In other words, the ones who had fallen for Yeom Hong-bo's agitation.
What was surprising was that even quite a few of the key centurions in the Golden Army were among them.
As Yi Hwan entered the grounds, the warriors saluted in formation.
“Loyalty!”
‘The discipline has gone to hell too.’
Yi Hwan stared at Yeom Hong-bo and the generals standing at the front.
“Have all the warriors on the list responded to the summons?”
“All present, sir.”
Yi Hwan gazed at the warriors.
They all held their breath, wondering what he would say. Yi Hwan spoke.
“Starting today, all of you will be temporarily dispatched to the Northern Legion. The generals standing up front will lead you.”
Murmurs erupted.
Yeom Hong-bo and the other generals' faces paled. As Yeom Hong-bo opened his mouth to speak, Yi Hwan continued.
“Transferring Golden Army units to another command is not permitted by law. Therefore, this is a temporary dispatch. Your performance there will factor into your evaluations and pay raises, so learn well, train hard, and contribute to the Golden Army's advancement. That is all.”
Yi Hwan turned and left immediately.
“Great Prince!”
Yeom Hong-bo rushed forward but was blocked by Cheol Mu-ok and forced back.
Cheol Mu-ok called out lowly to the warriors, infusing his voice with inner energy.
“Refuse, and it's mutiny. Desert, and it's desertion. I trust you all understand.”
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The Empress's face twisted savagely as she received the middle-aged man's report.
“He sent Yeom Hong-bo to the Northern Legion?”
“Yes. Along with five other generals and nearly two thousand warriors—all dispatched.”
“Hmph! The law explicitly states Golden Army units cannot be sent to other commands! Order them back immediately!”
“The thing is, it's framed as a temporary dispatch, so there's no issue at all, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“I consulted the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Rites, and they confirmed a dispatch carries no problems.”
“......!”
The whites of the Empress's eyes reddened slightly—a telltale sign of her rising fury.
Crunch.
Her delicate hand clenched, veins bulging.
The middle-aged man added another report.
“This morning, the Golden Army requested a budget increase. They're asking for an additional three million taels of silver starting next year.”
“Hmph! Out of the question!”
As the Empress snorted derisively, the middle-aged man continued with a troubled look.
“If you refuse, Your Majesty could face the full backlash of the pay movement that General Yeom stirred up. Perhaps the Great Prince requested the increase precisely to force that outcome.”
“......!”
The Empress's gaze sharpened.
“If it looks like the pay raises were blocked because Your Majesty refused the budget increase......”
Crunch.
Tendons rose on the back of the Empress's hand resting on the arm of her throne.
‘That bastard used the fact that the Palace of Illusory Flowers controls budget execution to shift the blame onto me by requesting the increase.’
After the Emperor's seclusion, the Empress had seized control of finances first and foremost. For an empress to execute the kingdom's treasury was unprecedented in Yeon Kingdom history. Thus, that authority had become a power rivaling a million-strong army.
Throb.
The irony of being ensnared by her own scheme brought on a sudden headache.
‘To be outmaneuvered by him again......’
* * *
Good news arrived.
The requested budget increase had been approved. Yi Hwan immediately summoned his key commanders.
“Starting next year, we'll raise the warriors' stipends. However, we'll differentiate based on usual performance and contributions, so evaluate fairly without bias.”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
“Thank you, Great Prince!”
The generals brightened.
In truth, during Yi Hwan's absence, the pay movement had caused them more anxiety than anyone.
As all rejoiced, Yu Woo-seong said gravely.
“I'm worried it might look like we're empowering General Yeom. He didn't start that movement for the warriors, after all.”
“No need for concern. Just evaluate him as is. For now, return to your units and spread the news to the men.”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
“Thank you, Great Prince! Thanks to you, we subordinates can finally relax!”
Soon after, all departed except Yu Woo-seong.
Yu Woo-seong asked.
“Did the budget really get approved?”
“Exactly the three million taels I requested.”
“Unexpected. I thought the Empress would block it outright.”
“Truth be told, I hoped she would. If she had, I could've pinned all the blame on her.”
“I hadn't realized you were thinking that far ahead. Either way, it would've been a win for you, Great Prince.”
“Something like that.”
Yu Woo-seong marveled.
Then Go Mi entered.
“Great Prince, the Second Prince was ambushed by assailants on his way back to the palace.”
“The Second Prince?”
“Yes. It was fierce—many of his martial artist escorts were killed or wounded.”
“And the Second Prince?”
“Yes. Only minor injuries.”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, subtly furrowing his brow.
“Not the Crown Prince, so who would target the Second Prince?”
“Why are you so sure it's not the Crown Prince's Palace?”
“The Crown Prince isn't the type. The Moon Lord should know that better than I do.”
“Then the Third Prince is the prime suspect. I heard he was badly scarred in an attack by assailants from the Southern Legion.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
“If he suspects the Second Prince as the mastermind, it's natural he'd retaliate. If the Third Prince did target him, it's good for us. Nothing's more fatal than infighting. Dig a bit more, just in case.”
“Understood.”
“Don't push into dangerous territory. Both sides will be on high alert.”
“Understood. Also, His Highness the Crown Prince has left the Western Legion and is en route to the palace. Barring any issues, he should arrive in two days.”
“Good work. Come on, let's head to my sister's place.”
“Yes.”
* * *
The entire Song family buzzed at news of Yi Hwan's arrival. Yi Yeong was busy preparing food herself, while Song Cheon-ho sweated profusely cleaning the annex where Yi Hwan would stay.
Seeing the clan alive with energy for once, Song Cheon-ho wiped his brow and smiled faintly.
“A house with people in it should look like this......”
Just then, a warrior came running.
“Minister Wang has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
Moments later, Wang Ji-kyeong entered.
Two warriors followed, their arms laden with gifts.
“Come in, Minister Wang.”
“I hurried here as soon as I heard the Great Prince was coming! I haven't kept him waiting, have I?”
“You're early—he won't be here for a bit. Come on in first.”
Song Cheon-ho handed his pruning shears to a servant and led Wang Ji-kyeong to the main hall.
No sooner had they sat than Song Cheon-ho asked.
“Is it true the head of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group was released?”
“Yes. The Empress sent a special envoy to free him. I'll have much to ask the Great Prince about it when he arrives.”
Yeom Yu-gwang, head of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group imprisoned by Yi Hwan, had been released days ago. It put the Song family and Wang Ji-kyeong on high alert.
Wang Ji-kyeong in particular had bolstered his guards with extra martial artists out of fear of retaliation.
“That man won't stay quiet. We can't act rashly thanks to the Great Prince, but I'm worried for you, Minister.”
“Rumor has it he's summoned dozens of martial artists who dominate the Liaoning region. I've reinforced my own, but we'll have to watch the situation. At least the Great Prince returned just in time.”
“We'll discuss it when he arrives.”
“That's why I rushed here. By the way, has His Highness the Crown Prince returned too?”
“No idea.”
“If he has, that would ease one worry.”
It was then.
“The Great Prince has arrived.”
* * *
“Brother!”
Yi Hwan gazed at Yi Yeong emerging from the kitchen.
Her hands were wet from cooking.
‘Has she lost some weight?’
Yi Yeong's face looked a bit pallid.
“Brother, you're not hurt anywhere, right?”
“As you can see, I'm fine.”
“Great Prince!”
Song Cheon-ho emerged from the main hall. Wang Ji-kyeong followed, his hefty frame practically bounding forward.
“I greet the Great Prince!”
“It's been a while, Minister Wang.”
“Seeing you safe and sound puts my mind at ease! You have no idea how worried I was when I heard you'd gone to the battlefield—this belly of mine has slimmed right down!”
Yet to Yi Hwan's eyes, it looked even more protruding.
Song Cheon-ho stepped forward.
“Please, come inside.”
Yi Hwan turned to Yi Yeong.
“Leave the work to the servants and come with me.”
“Yes. I will, Brother.”
Then a young girl bowed her head.
“Ga-yeong greets the Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan looked at the girl.
Paeng Ga-yeong was the daughter of Paeng Mu-wi, commander of the Southern Legion. Her stunning beauty made it hard to believe she was the child of the bandit-like Paeng Mu-wi.
“Are you settling in alright?”
“Yes. Her Highness has taken good care of me—I'm living worry-free.”
“Good. You come too.”
As Yi Hwan headed to the annex, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae spent the reunion with the Song family's resident warriors.
“Any trouble?”
“No. Lately, the villains have been scarce. By the way, is it true you beheaded Han Seom, Jo Kingdom's fierce general?”
“The rumors reached here already?”
“Of course. It's the hottest topic in the capital right now.”
Ju Tae asked.
“What about our exploits?”
“Nothing.”
“......Hmph. We took plenty of enemy heads ourselves, but the world is unfair, eh.”
Then one warrior spoke up.
“The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's head, Yeom Yu-gwang, was released. And he's called in a bunch of martial artists who rule Liaoning—looks like he's gunning for Minister Wang.”
“The Empress let him out, huh.”
“Obvious. With you and His Highness away, she saw her chance. So, shouldn't we toss him back in?”
“Orders will come soon. Alright, let's head in.”
“Eat plenty!”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae entered the annex too.