Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Pruning Branches (1)
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Yi Hwan and Song Cheon-mu sat facing each other.
Song Cheon-mu’s expression was brighter than it had ever been. His gaze toward Yi Hwan brimmed with awe.
“Manage your expression a bit.”
“It’s not easy. Even just sitting still, a smile comes out. Thank you for looking after my family, Great Prince.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and stared straight at Song Cheon-mu.
“Now head back to the army.”
“Yes?”
“Wasn’t your dream to become a great general? Then return to the camp, mingle with the people there, and build relationships. Don’t worry about things here.”
“…….”
Was it unexpected?
Song Cheon-mu lowered his head.
‘If even harsher things unfold ahead, you could be in danger.’
Yi Hwan couldn’t quite bring himself to say that much.
He himself had grown fond of the young man and hated to send him away, but for Song Cheon-mu’s sake, he had no choice.
“Go pay your respects to your brother and sister-in-law, then leave right away.”
“Yes.”
Song Cheon-mu rose to his feet. Then, suddenly, he prostrated himself on the floor. It was an unexpected gesture, but Yi Hwan simply watched in silence.
“I’ll await only the day Your Highness returns.”
A moment later, Song Cheon-mu departed.
Yi Hwan felt an unexpected emptiness in his chest and gave a bitter smile.
At that moment, Cheol Mu-ok entered.
“My lord, the Governor sent a summons to Minister Wang.”
“Summons?”
“Yes. It demands he appear by tomorrow morning. Even leaving now would be tight.”
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
‘This Governor is aligned with the Second Prince. Does that mean the Second Prince is making a move?’
“You should depart immediately.”
“It’s best to avoid entering official offices if possible. Go tell Minister Wang you’re conveying that he’s fallen ill and ask to delay a few days.”
“Will that work?”
“It will.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok withdrew.
Not long after, he returned with Wang Ji-kyeong. No sooner had Wang Ji-kyeong stepped inside than his eyes widened round.
“A summons from the Governor— is this truly alright?”
“First priority is uncovering why the summons was issued. Going in blind could mean never coming out.”
“……!”
“Has something like this happened before?”
“No, it’s a first for me. I can’t even begin to guess what’s going on!”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Connections exist for times like this. Mobilize every contact you have to get to the bottom of it. I’ll investigate on my end as well.”
“Ah, understood.”
After Wang Ji-kyeong left, Cheol Mu-ok asked,
“When did you arrange to meet the Moon Lord?”
“No specific time set. We can only hope she comes as quickly as possible.”
Yi Hwan steadied his gaze and sank deeply into his chair.
“The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group appears to be scheming something…….”
“Since this cropped up right after Minister Wang took a firm stance at the meeting, it’s plenty suspicious. Incidentally, I’ve heard this Governor is with the Second Prince’s faction— should we assume the Second Prince pulled some strings?”
“That’s the assumption.”
Yi Hwan interlaced his fingers, his gaze settling even deeper.
‘Perhaps we’ll clash sooner than anticipated.’
* * *
That night.
The long-awaited Go Mi came to see Yi Hwan.
Once again, she caught him off guard.
“The Governor sent a summons to Wang Ji-kyeong. Are you aware?”
“How did you know that?”
Yi Hwan let out a hollow chuckle.
He had planned to press her for the reason behind the summons the moment she arrived. Yet here she was, bringing it up first.
“I learned of it while probing dealings between the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group and the Second Prince’s side.”
“Did you uncover the reason for the summons as well?”
“A complaint arrived at the office, alleging Wang Ji-kyeong committed some injustice. However, I couldn’t ascertain the complaint’s contents.”
“And the complainant’s identity?”
“That too remains unknown. Even those handling it lacked details.”
Go Mi moved on to another point.
“But why ignore the summons?”
“I cited illness to buy a few days. We need to know what it’s about before responding.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea.
Clink.
“Now the Moon Lord must act as censor.”
“Me?”
“If my instincts hold, the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group sought aid from the Second Prince’s faction, and he obliged. Naturally, to frame Minister Wang. That would give the Yellow Dragon momentum to expand their usury operations.”
Go Mi nodded in agreement.
“What must I do?”
“What else? Bind the Governor’s hands and feet tight. Even better if you can seal his lips. Start by exposing the illegal dealings between the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group and the Governor.”
“I’ve already gathered more than enough evidence for that.”
“Then we’re set.”
“Are you aiming directly for the Second Prince?”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Think of it as pruning branches. At any rate, your first inspection as censor— make it count.”
“…….”
* * *
The following afternoon.
Warriors from the office stormed Wang Ji-kyeong’s mansion. A general bellowed in a thunderous voice,
“Wang Ji-kyeong, come forth at once and heed the Governor’s command!”
In the midst of the sudden uproar, with everyone flustered, Yi Hwan stepped outside.
“The Minister is critically ill and cannot take a single step. Speak to me instead.”
“What?”
The general narrowed his shrewd eyes, scanning Yi Hwan from head to toe. Undeterred, Yi Hwan spoke calmly.
“I am the Minister’s proxy.”
“How dare you defy the Governor’s summons! State your reason!”
“I just did. He’s critically ill and immobile. I sent word via messenger yesterday— did you come unaware?”
“Take me to Wang Ji-kyeong! I’ll verify his condition with my own eyes!”
“Follow me.”
Yi Hwan led the general to Wang Ji-kyeong’s quarters. En route, he casually remarked,
“It could be contagious. Are you certain you wish to enter?”
“What? Contagious?”
“The physician warned against anyone approaching.”
The general recoiled momentarily, then raised his voice.
“Open the door. I’ll inspect from here!”
Yi Hwan opened the door.
The general flinched again. Wang Ji-kyeong lay there drenched in cold sweat, his face as pallid as a corpse’s.
Yi Hwan spoke evenly.
“Who would defy the Governor’s order? Yet even the sternest law spares a dying man from summons, no? Upon recovery, he will duly comply— kindly bear with us until then.”
It was then.
Wang Ji-kyeong, who had lain motionless as if dead, erupted into violent coughs.
“Cough! Cough!”
The startled general staggered back a step.
“Care to see more?”
“N-no!”
Only then did Yi Hwan close the door.
Thud!
He produced a money pouch from his bosom and pressed it into the general’s hand.
“It’s not much, but please accept it. In return, I ask that you explain the full circumstances to the Governor.”
“Ahem!”
One might typically refuse once or twice, but the general pocketed it without hesitation.
“Then I shall report to the Governor that he lies bedridden! He must respond to the summons upon recovery, however!”
The general departed.
Yi Hwan entered Wang Ji-kyeong’s room. Wang Ji-kyeong cracked his eyes open and fixed him with a stare.
“He’s gone?”
“Yes.”
He sprang up.
“I thought I’d suffocate! And why is it so infernally hot!”
“The drug’s effects should fade by evening. Sponge down with cold water in the meantime.”
In truth, Yi Hwan had prepared and administered a drug to Wang Ji-kyeong— one that blanched the face, fevered the body, and induced profuse sweating.
“I’ve followed your lead thus far, but the anxiety is unbearable. Is this truly wise?”
“As I’ve said, no one can predict what awaits upon entering the office. Resolving it from outside remains the optimal path— trust me and wait.”
Grip!
“It has to be that Yeom Yu-gwang scheming! As if I wouldn’t know he’s colluding with the Governor!”
Yi Hwan met the furious Wang Ji-kyeong’s gaze and replied steadily.
“It may be the Second Prince who’s pulling strings, not the Governor.”
“The Second Prince!”
Wang Ji-kyeong’s eyes bulged.
“For that reason, it might require substantial funds. If necessary, bribes will see us through this crisis.”
“Will bribes even work?”
“I know enough about the Governor. First, we grasp the full picture— money talk comes later. Excuse me.”
Yi Hwan returned to his quarters.
Cheol Mu-ok awaited him there.
“As instructed, the Moon Lord and Ju Tae have trailed the general.”
* * *
Clop clop!
A grin refused to leave the general’s face.
‘As expected, these jobs pay the best. I’d been irked by the dry spell, but this is the finest haul in ages.’
Leaving Wang Ji-kyeong’s mansion, his first act had been inspecting the pouch.
‘Expected silver, but gold instead. Wang Ji-kyeong truly is loaded. Heh heh heh.’
Rather than silver, the pouch held hefty gold ingots— worth several years’ salary converted.
The general hummed a tune.
Today, the world seemed utterly splendid. How far had they traveled?
Thud thud!
Horses kicked up dust as they charged from ahead. The general scowled.
“What lunatics ride so recklessly on the official road?”
“We’ll halt them.”
Two warriors advanced, shouting at the oncoming riders.
“Stop!”
Neigh!
The pair of horses halted right before them.
It was Go Mi and Ju Tae, disguised in human skin masks.
Before the warriors could bark orders, Go Mi drew a plaque from her bosom and presented it.
“Governor’s courier?”
“……Censor!”
The general’s eyes flew wide. He recognized the emblem at once. He hastily schooled his features and posture, bowing low.
“Unaware it was the Censor, I committed grave rudeness! Mercy, please!”
“Seize that man at once!”
“Yes!”
Ju Tae dismounted and strode toward the general. The general recoiled in alarm.
“Seize me? What crime have I committed to warrant this?!”
“Guilt can be sorted later. Dismount at once!”
“This is absurd…….”
Ju Tae gazed up at the dumbfounded general and said flatly,
“Noncompliance means we force the issue.”
“C-Censor! There’s some misunderstanding! This lowly one is guilty of nothing!”
“So talkative.”
Thwack!
Ju Tae seized the general’s leg and yanked. The man tumbled limply to the ground.
Thud!
“Urk!”
Go Mi addressed the warriors with one final command.
“You lot, follow as well!”
“Yes!”
* * *
Atop the mansion’s roof.
Yi Hwan and Go Mi stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing toward the Imperial Palace. Moments later, Go Mi turned to Yi Hwan and spoke first.
“Confirmed: the courier general is the Governor’s nephew.”
“You’ve secured him properly?”
“Yes. Additional intelligence reveals ties between the Second Prince, the Governor, and the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group run deeper than anticipated. But is it truly safe to proceed this way?”
“We must ensure the Second Prince cannot step forward.”
“If their funding dries up, won’t the Second Prince retaliate? Acting rashly could invite backlash.”
“Are you concerned for me?”
“Not only for the Great Prince, but repercussions could reach His Highness the Crown Prince as well.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“The Empress is no Emperor. The Second Prince even less so. I have it all planned— deliver this to the Crown Prince’s Palace. Our next meeting will be at my sister’s residence.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi tucked away the missive Yi Hwan proffered and turned to leave. Yi Hwan nearly added something but held his tongue. He watched her melt into the darkness, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
“At least she’s consistent. Heh heh heh.”