Chapter 352
Chapter 352
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 352
Chapter Title: Hanjo's Appearance
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Golden Army headquarters, Go Mi's office.
Hwa Ryeong entered carrying tea and a heap of fruit.
"Take a break and do it. You'll wear yourself out at this rate."
"I'm almost done."
Go Mi set down her brush and stretched grandly. Ever since returning first, she had been busier than anyone.
"How's the situation with the enemy forces?"
"Still at a stalemate."
"Any word from the Great Prince?"
"No. Nothing yet."
"Ah, at least wet your throat while you're at it."
"Thanks."
Go Mi took a sip of the tea Hwa Ryeong offered. As Hwa Ryeong peeled fruit, she asked,
"When do you think the Great Prince will return?"
"He safely escorted Ban Go, which was the goal from the start, so he should be back soon."
Just then, the door opened and Ju Tae entered.
"Any news about our lord?"
"None today, either."
Ju Tae sat beside Hwa Ryeong and popped a piece of fruit into his mouth.
"Should I go look again?"
"Better to wait a bit longer. You might cross paths if you go now."
The three who had returned first could do nothing but wait for Yi Hwan. Heading back down risked missing each other on the road.
"Our Yeon Kingdom really seems to have entered an age of peace. I went to the markets, and people's faces looked completely different from before. Come to think of it, great rulers always appear at unexpected times, don't they?"
"What do you mean?"
"Honestly, how many people would have predicted a few years ago that His Majesty would ascend the throne? Nine out of ten probably thought the Empress would rule or that Second Prince Yi Tae-ji would become emperor. I was one of them."
Go Mi simply smiled faintly.
Ju Tae spoke in a somewhat listless tone.
"To be honest, all the bloody work or the things that would draw hatred were handled by our lord. If the Dark Heaven Cult rebellion had dragged on like in the Qin Kingdom, causing massive damage, things would have turned out differently."
"You're right. That was the clearest turning point. It elevated the Golden Army's prestige, and after that, we could support His Majesty without any interference."
Hwa Ryeong chimed in.
"When they hung the Dark Heaven Cultists' heads on the city walls, I wondered if that was okay, but it became a powerful warning that no one would be spared, wiping out all the disloyal elements across the Yeon Kingdom. Thanks to that, the people are safer. He's truly remarkable."
The three enjoyed their tea and fruit while chatting idly.
How much time passed?
"May I come in?"
A familiar voice drifted in from outside.
"If you're here, come in."
The door creaked open.
The one entering was Gong Son-do, who hadn't been seen for a while.
"I'm back! Haha!"
"Welcome back."
"You survived, huh?"
Everyone greeted Gong Son-do warmly.
Ju Tae asked,
"How'd the errand go?"
"Who do you think I am? Of course I brought him. But he said this place wasn't suitable, so he's staying at an inn."
In truth, Gong Son-do had been away for nearly a year carrying out a certain mission in Haedong.
"I'm starving. Got anything to eat?"
"Give us a moment. We'll prepare a meal right away."
Ju Tae smirked and asked,
"Shouldn't you have gone straight to our lord first upon returning?"
"Where is he?"
"You sure found him quick."
Ju Tae explained the recent events, up to Cheol Mu-ok heading north to North Yeon with Tae-seon.
"I already heard about that."
"Then why the long face?"
"I'm jealous. Some get to marry a princess, while others don't even have a lover to share tea with. Sigh."
"Shut it and eat some fruit."
It was then.
Whoooosh!
Suddenly, military salutes boomed from outside.
Ju Tae muttered, furrowing his brow.
"They only salute like that for our lord."
"Has he returned?"
Boom! Boom!
The salutes rang out again in succession.
As Ju Tae jumped up to open the door, it swung open first, revealing Yi Hwan.
* * *
The aroma of the long-awaited Dragon Well tea seemed to cleanse him down to his core.
Clink.
"He's staying at an inn?"
"Yes. I'll bring him this evening."
"No. It wouldn't be right not to visit personally after he made the long journey at your request."
"Yes, sir."
Go Mi asked,
"When will you enter the palace?"
"I'm just coming from paying respects to His Majesty."
"Ah... I see."
Hwa Ryeong offered the peeled fruit and said,
"Rest thoroughly for a few days. Even the world's greatest master needs rest."
"Are those two together?"
He meant Ban Go and Cha Ryong.
"Yes."
"How's the mood?"
"Unexpectedly, Cha Ryong seems much brighter since Ban Go arrived. He's eating nearly twice as much as before, even though he used to refuse meals."
"Where's Yang-chan?"
"He's probably in the prison with them now. He visits them almost once a day to talk, and whatever the reason, Cha Ryong's demeanor has definitely improved. Anyway, what do you plan to do with them...?"
Before Yi Hwan could answer, Hwa Ryeong pouted.
"'I'll tell you later,' right? I knew it."
"Nothing's decided yet. I'll let you know when it is."
"I knew you'd say that."
The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Yi Hwan, feeling as if he were back home, spoke more than usual.
A short while later, Yi Hwan stood.
"I'll get some sleep for now, so don't wake me unless it's urgent."
"Yes. Sleep well."
"Rest well, sir!"
"Get some rest."
* * *
It was truly the soundest sleep in ages.
Yi Hwan glanced briefly at the sunlight streaming through the window.
He chuckled unwittingly. He'd fallen asleep around mid-afternoon yesterday, and now it was morning.
Gazing at the dazzling morning sun, he even wished time could stop like this.
But reality came knocking immediately.
"Great Prince, are you awake?"
"I'll be out shortly."
Yi Hwan dressed and stepped outside. Go Mi, Gong Son-do, and a young man bowed toward him.
Gong Son-do said,
"This is the friend I mentioned."
"Hanjo greets you."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yi Hwan."
Soon, the four sat around a round table.
Gong Son-do introduced Hanjo first.
According to him, Hanjo was originally from Dongyeong but got caught in some incident, crossed over to Haedong, and settled there.
'No wonder his accent was off.'
Yi Hwan had asked for Hanjo on Cheol Mu-ok's recommendation.
*The world's finest swordsmith is in Haedong. Keep him by your side, and he'll be a great asset.*
"Feel free to speak casually."
"Yes. That would make me more comfortable."
"Good. So your family has handled ironwork since your ancestors' time?"
"Yes. My family was considered the top artisan house in Dongyeong. We exclusively forged swords for the imperial house and the military for generations..."
Hanjo briefly recounted his life story. It had been a truly tumultuous one.
"Will you join me from now on?"
"Since Brother Cheol follows you, I too will trust and follow the Great Prince."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"I'll do my utmost to make my skills of some use."
Yi Hwan felt pleased.
He'd brought Hanjo to bolster the army's strength with his ironworking prowess. Arming the entire force with superior swords would naturally enhance their power.
"No family back in Haedong?"
"No. None."
"That's fortunate."
Then Gong Son-do spoke up.
"There's been word for a long time in Dongyeong that they're searching for this friend, and it's even reached Haedong. More precisely, they're looking for the heir to his family."
"They've come to Haedong?"
"Seems like it."
"Then they might track him here."
"Yes. So it's best to keep him near you, Great Prince, where it's safest."
"Do that."
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you."
Yi Hwan eyed Hanjo.
His features were ordinary, but an unmistakable solidity and steadfastness—uncharacteristic of a Dongyeong man—shone through in places.
'Not bad.'
* * *
The Yeon Kingdom's capital maintained the most perfect public order in its history.
Of course, it was thanks to Yi Hwan and the Golden Army he led.
People admired Yi Hwan and followed the law voluntarily, but the brutality he'd shown during the Dark Heaven Cult rebellion had also played a major role.
"The streets look incredibly clean. Oh, look at those orderly street vendors."
Hwa Ryeong exclaimed nonstop as she looked around the markets. Even alleys that would normally be littered with trash were spotless, as if someone had just swept them.
Go Mi turned to Yi Hwan and said,
"I heard the merchants are taking turns cleaning voluntarily. And the price-gouging scams that were a problem have mostly vanished."
"Did someone order it?"
"No. As I said, it's a spontaneous change. If only the other cities near the capital would follow suit."
"It'll change on its own with time."
The group was heading north through the markets. It was an area clustered with six forges, which people called the Iron Road.
"Will they sell willingly?"
"I have a plan. Just watch."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan planned to buy out all six forges, consolidate them into one, and provide space for Hanjo.
Soon, upon entering the Iron Road, Yi Hwan met each forge owner in turn. It took a full two hours, and when he emerged from the last one, he wore a satisfied expression.
Contrary to expectations, all six had agreed to his proposal. He hadn't used any pressure from his authority; rather, the owners and the artisans working under them seemed even more delighted.
"They're happier than we are? What magic did you work, Great Prince?"
"Who knows."
Hwa Ryeong, who couldn't hold back her curiosity, asked Yi Hwan point-blank as he approached.
"Did you threaten them?"
"As if."
"Then why are they so happy? Did you promise them a huge bonus?"
"I offered generous compensation for each forge, let those who wanted stay on, and promised wages above the agreed rate based on production volume. They accepted readily."
Go Mi said in surprise,
"Then we won't need to hire extra hands."
"We'll need more assistants. I plan to produce as many weapons as possible."
"Ah, yes."
Yi Hwan turned to Hanjo.
"You handle the layout. I can build additional structures if needed. For mass production weapons, don't handle them yourself— just guide where they're short."
"Understood. So I just need to make swords and blades for generals of captain rank and above?"
"Won't that be too much alone?"
"Of course it would. I checked the workers earlier, and a few have excellent handiwork. Assign them to me."
"Do that."
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
"Moon Lord, devise the most efficient route to and from the Iron Road. As someone skilled in mapmaking, I trust you'll do better than anyone."
"For iron and weapon transport?"
Yi Hwan nodded silently and said,
"It needs to accommodate at least two carts side by side. Minimize turns as well."
"Understood."
"Let's go eat."
"You're going to see Her Highness the Princess?"
"Yeah."
"Yes, sir!"