Chapter 375
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 375
Chapter Title: News from the Qin Kingdom
Someone once said,
Half of Emperor Yi So's ruling power comes from Yi Hwan. And that Yi Hwan is an existence more fearsome than the Emperor himself.
It was an undeniable fact that no one could refute. Yi Hwan's absolute loyalty to the Emperor, backed by the military's unwavering support. The Emperor's absolute trust in Yi Hwan.
It was an impregnable fortress that no one dared breach, and upon that foundation, the Yeon Kingdom enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity.
Then why did the court ministers fear Yi Hwan?
Was it because of the cruelty he had displayed in the past?
No.
The greatest reason they feared him was precisely this: that for Emperor Yi So, Yi Hwan would do anything.
It seems I've misjudged you all.
At Yi Hwan's single remark, the room fell deathly silent.
"I never imagined I'd be reminded of the saying that still water breeds worms through you all."
"Great Prince, it's a misunderstanding. We ministers are merely doing our utmost out of loyalty to His Majesty and the kingdom. That's why it's taking time—there's no other intent."
"The Zhao Kingdom is slowly baring its hidden claws. The Southern Barbarians have formed a blood alliance with them, and the Western Commandery's movements are far from normal. We're maintaining a cooperative relationship with the Qin Kingdom for now, but in the central plains' history, there has never been eternal peace. And yet, you're still debating a matter directly tied to the kingdom's security and military strengthening?"
Boom!
The teacup on the table flew across the room.
"If you're deliberately dragging your feet because your demands regarding the Third Prince weren't met, then I'll have no choice but to do my duty."
With that, Yi Hwan stormed out.
Once Yi Hwan had left, the ministers exchanged grave looks and began to converse.
"You all know the Great Prince's temperament well, don't you? With that ruthless nature of his, who knows what he'll do? We should back down here."
"If we yield now, we'll just look foolish. Even the Great Prince can't treat the ministers of the Six Ministries lightly—we should push harder."
"The Great Prince is a man who follows through on his words. And have you all forgotten? What he showed us before His Majesty ascended the throne."
"……!"
Everyone's faces hardened.
"If that gets out, none of us here will escape unscathed. Back then, we were elevated simply because we opposed the Empress, but the situation is different now. Keep that in mind."
There were no further objections.
What Yi Hwan had shown them was information on the ministers' corruption, obtained through Go Mi.
"We should back down. His Majesty has already pardoned him anyway—it's unreasonable for us to keep demanding punishment."
* * *
Yi Hwan stepped out and immediately left the Imperial Palace.
Go Mi followed at his side and asked,
"How did it go?"
"I scared them, so they'll come to me with an answer soon enough."
"Why not just use that and be done with it?"
"They're the ones who fear it more than anyone. They'll break on their own without me needing to bring it out, so don't worry too much."
Yi Hwan paused and gazed toward the palace where Yi So resided. He wanted to stop by, but with the mood he'd set, he had no choice but to leave.
In any case, this matter had to appear as his independent action, separate from Yi So.
The fear everyone held toward him.
If Yi So's benevolent heart became mixed into that, the effect would inevitably weaken. And for the future, Yi So needed to remain the benevolent Emperor.
'I need to use this chance to decisively shift the atmosphere. Whether it's the Six Ministries ministers, the Prime Minister, the Three Excellencies, or anyone else—if they don't return to their original resolve, I'll have no choice but to cut them out.'
* * *
The next day.
Yi Hwan entered the palace and stayed at the General's Office.
The former Grand Commander-in-Chief's office was now staffed by generals handling military intelligence and administration.
Word that he was at the General's Office quickly reached the Six Ministries, and one minister visited the Prime Minister's office.
"The Great Prince has called an emergency meeting at the General's Office."
"Is that so surprising?"
"It's not just any meeting—it's an emergency one. It's the first time since it changed from the Grand Commander-in-Chief's office to the General's Office. Have you heard anything?"
"Hmm. I haven't received any reports yet……."
Despite the minister's anxious demeanor, the Prime Minister remained utterly calm. He asked,
"When do you plan to conclude on the emergency military funding the Great Prince requested? It doesn't seem like something that should be delayed this long."
"We've decided to finalize it this afternoon. Given the Great Prince's words yesterday, it'll likely be full approval."
"Full approval……."
The Prime Minister suddenly gave a wry smile.
"You still don't understand the Great Prince."
"What do you……."
"Do you truly not know what the Great Prince wants?"
"Isn't it to withdraw the push for the Third Prince's punishment?"
"Then why drag your feet when you know? His Majesty has pardoned him—why cling to it so obsessively?"
"……!"
The Prime Minister's attitude left even the minister slightly flustered.
"I'll give you one final piece of advice."
Clink.
The Prime Minister set down his teacup and continued in a firm tone.
"The people's hearts lie not with the Six Ministries, but with His Majesty and the Great Prince. Ignore that, and a great calamity could befall the Six Ministries. Bear it in mind."
"Then why have you just stood by and watched all this time?"
"Are you questioning me now?"
"That's not……."
"His Majesty commanded it. The Prime Minister's office and the Three Excellencies must never interfere in the Six Ministries' affairs. That's the kind of man His Majesty is. Yet you're putting such a man in a politically difficult position. My heart burns with discomfort over it—how do you think the Great Prince feels?"
"……."
"The greatest victims of the rebellion were His Majesty and the Imperial Family. Yet as part of reconciliation, His Majesty graciously pardoned them—why are you stirring up trouble?"
Faced with the Prime Minister's icy tone, the minister could only stay silent.
"Take it as advice and leave. And out of an old man's concern, a warning: never, ever oppose the Great Prince. Understand?"
"……."
Moments later, as the minister left the Prime Minister's office, someone approached him.
"The generals who were outside the palace are rushing back in one after another. This doesn't look good."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. I just came from there."
"……!"
The minister's face hardened like stone. He recalled Yi Hwan's fierce glare from yesterday—and the brutal incidents he had carried out.
'If we don't back down now, things could really go south.'
Grip!
Sudden regret washed over him.
'Foolishly swayed by those fools talking about bolstering the Six Ministries' influence…….'
* * *
Yi Hwan sat in the General's Office workroom, sipping tea.
Go Mi sat across from him.
"A minister just left the Prime Minister's office. His face was stiff as he came out, so it seems things will go as the Great Prince desires."
"And the others?"
"They've all gathered just now."
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
Go Mi asked,
"Why summon the generals who were outside the palace? The ministers are quite unsettled because of it."
"They must have a guilty conscience."
"With the Great Prince calling the meeting, who wouldn't be anxious? Especially an emergency summons."
"It's nothing much."
"Pardon?"
"Just a way to express gratitude for their hard work so far—perhaps hold a small banquet."
"……."
"Is that so frightening?"
Go Mi let out a chuckle. He could guess Yi Hwan's true intent.
"Was it to make them panic preemptively?"
"Those without fault have no reason to fear. Of course, the opposite would be a different story."
At that moment, a general entered.
"Great Prince, the Six Ministries ministers have arrived."
"Tell them I'll be there soon."
"Yes."
The general withdrew, and Yi Hwan looked at Go Mi with a faint smile.
"They came faster than expected."
* * *
It went exactly as Yi Hwan predicted.
The Six Ministries approved twice the amount he requested and even swore never to raise issues regarding Yi Seong-ji again.
"Thank you."
That was Yi Hwan's entire response.
But before the ministers departed, he added one more thing.
"It's been a while since I visited the General's Office, so out of gratitude for your hard work, I'm thinking of holding a modest banquet. Those with time should join and have a drink."
The departing ministers looked as if they'd been smacked on the back of the head.
* * *
By evening.
Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
As always, Yi So's face never lost its smile when with Yi Hwan.
"So it's all resolved?"
"Yes. You needn't worry about it anymore."
"I hope I didn't scare the ministers too much. Still, along with the Prime Minister and Three Excellencies, they're the pillars of this nation."
"May I say something?"
"I'll wash my ears and listen to your words."
Yi Hwan moistened his throat with a sip of tea and continued right away.
"Opening avenues for speech and ruling with virtue and benevolence is good, but excess can become poison. At times, firmly push forward what Your Majesty deems right. No matter who opposes it, administer the rod. Only then will the Imperial authority stand sharp as frost, minimizing chaos in times of crisis."
"Hmm……."
"During the Dark Heaven Cult's rebellion, the Qin Kingdom suffered more damage than necessary because the Qin Emperor's authority wasn't properly upheld. How much more so when the enemy we face is the Zhao Kingdom led by Jo Yun."
Yi So, who had been nodding silently, gave a faint smile.
"After the Third Prince incident, I'd been wondering if I was doing something wrong. It left me quite confused, but hearing you now clears it up."
"Why didn't you tell me from the start?"
"Didn't you find the answer neatly without me saying a word?"
"……."
Yi So's smile deepened.
"You'll have a drink with me tonight too, right?"
"Let's go to the General's Office."
"Oh! Yes, that sounds good. Truth be told, I've known of their hard work but haven't visited once amid state affairs."
Yi So turned to Gwan Ji-baek.
"We're going to the General's Office—prepare."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
* * *
As the banquet at the General's Office was in full swing, Yi Hwan, glancing out the window absentmindedly, spotted Go Mi signaling him and stood up. Everyone, including Yi So, assumed he was heading to the privy.
Go Mi approached Yi Hwan as he stepped outside.
"Something major has happened in the Qin Kingdom—really major."
"What is it?"
"The Qin Emperor was ambushed by assassins and is currently unconscious. Seeing how Crown Prince Yang Mu, who was in Gui Prefecture, and Grand General Won Gae-se rushed back to the capital, his condition must be serious."
Even the world-renowned Yi Hwan's eyes changed.
The Qin Emperor ambushed by assassins. Shocking, yet absurd.
"The assassins infiltrated the palace?"
"No. The Qin Emperor enjoys boating as a hobby, and they struck then. The culprits behind it haven't been identified yet."
"Jo Yun sending Blood Demon followers is the highest possibility, but we can't rule out internal actors."
"Indeed."
"If internal…… then Yang Mu is the prime suspect, I suppose?"
"That's my thought as well."
"Hmm……."
Yi Hwan crossed his arms, narrowing his brow slightly as he thought of Yang Mu.
'He has ambition, but not so degenerate as to betray heavenly principles. Then it must be the Zhao Kingdom…….'
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"For now, issue emergency alerts to all units bordering the Qin Kingdom. Have the Moon Lord keep tracking the Qin Emperor's situation."
"Understood."
"But don't get too close. It could put everyone at risk."
"Yes."
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet……."
"Then come inside."
"I'll just eat at the command post."
"Come in. His Majesty is looking for you too."
"……Yes. Alright."