The Grand Scheme
The Jungwon Kingdom was a vast empire, yet throughout its history the foreign tribes of the borderlands could never be separated from it.
No.
Rather, it was the history of war against those border tribes that formed the very core of Jungwon’s past.
The Northern Di, the Eastern Yi, the Western Rong, and the Southern Man.
And among those foreign peoples—
The countless northern tribes who ruled the vast steppes and deserts of Jungwon’s north.
And the Eastern Yi of Haedong—
These were the ancient archenemies of this great empire.
Jungwon Kingdom, Imperial Capital.
Imperial Palace.
Main Hall.
“…….”
“…….”
The afternoon sun blazed fiercely.
At an hour when the Emperor would normally have been deep in discussion of state affairs with his ministers—
Yet now, within that vast Main Hall, beneath the scorching sun, like deep shadows, only profound silence filled the space.
Not because no one was present.
On the contrary, countless people occupied the broad interior of the Main Hall.
The young Emperor seated upon the high throne.
Prime Minister Kang Sang, guarding the Emperor from a close position.
One of the current family heads of the Sixteen Imperial Families, who wielded immense power.
And the civil and military officials as well.
It was a strange sight, how so many people could maintain such silence.
“…….”
“…….”
They were waiting for news of the outcome of the Battle of Shenyang, which had continued until that morning.
“…….”
“…….”
In a tension so thick that the drop of a single needle would have made them jump, Prime Minister Kang Sang—called by some the Madman of the Imperial Capital—locked eyes with the figure standing opposite him.
In that instant their gazes met in the air, and sparks seemed to fly.
Twitch.
“…….”
Kang Sang’s wrinkled eyelids twitched as he looked down at his counterpart with his great height.
Bulge.
“…….”
Despite his small stature, the other’s eyes glared back without yielding an inch.
And well they might—for he was none other than the current family head of the Gongson Family among the Sixteen Imperial Families, and the Chief Eunuch who headed the Sari Taegam, which oversaw all major and minor affairs within the Imperial Palace.
“Chief Eunuch.”
Prime Minister Kang Sang’s heavy voice reverberated through the silent Main Hall, echoing in every direction.
Startle.
“……!”
So long had the silence been held in tension that several timid ministers flinched at the voice, then flushed with embarrassment.
“Even now—before it is too late—would it not be better to remake yourself as a loyal subject of His Majesty the Emperor?”
Yet the man who had shattered that heavy silence, Prime Minister Kang Sang, asked in a voice that did not tremble in the slightest.
“Ha…! A loyal subject?”
And Chief Eunuch Gongson Tae-rang’s snort of laughter likewise held not a trace of tremor.
He flicked his sleeve with deliberate displeasure.
“Where is there anyone who serves the Imperial House of Jungwon and His Majesty the Emperor with greater sincerity than this Gongson Tae-rang?”
Expression and gesture claimed not a shred of shame in his own words. How could a man be so shameless?
“……!”
The young Emperor nearly forgot his dignity and surged with anger in that moment—
“Hahaha!”
Prime Minister Kang Sang burst into booming laughter and naturally stepped in front of him.
“I daresay that is not something one of the family heads of the Sixteen Imperial Families—who support that lawless Yayul Nuju-cha who dares style himself a king—ought to be saying?”
The reason Terror King Yayul Nuju-cha had been able to expand his power so swiftly. Kang Sang’s words guessed, yet struck deep.
“Support, you say…”
But as expected, Chief Eunuch Gongson Tae-rang’s thick face could not be scratched in the least.
“I understand what Your Excellency the Prime Minister is saying, at least.”
“Then—”
“However.”
Gongson Tae-rang cut him off.
“That tale is nothing but baseless rumor. One among countless rumors meant to insult the loyalty of our Sixteen Imperial Families.”
Shamelessly, Gongson Tae-rang clicked his tongue openly and instead pushed back against Prime Minister Kang Sang.
“To dare raise such mere gossip in the imperial presence—I cannot regard that as the conduct of a man conscious of his place as Prime Minister of this great Jungwon Kingdom.”
Kang Sang was famous for his eccentricities and fiery temper, yet he was also a seasoned politician.
“If you did not support Yayul Nuju-cha—”
He did not fall into the other’s flow for a moment and spoke his piece.
“Then why did the Sixteen Families oppose the campaign to suppress the traitor Yayul Nuju-cha?”
“Hmph…!”
But his opponent was also one of the greatest power-holders in Jungwon. Gongson Tae-rang would not be swept away by Kang Sang’s rhetoric.
“Has the Prime Minister forgotten the Northern War once raised by the Old Demons?!”
He rather scolded Kang Sang in a loud voice.
“The results of that Northern War were nothing short of catastrophic! The people’s lives were ruined, and countless young men lost their lives in the north!”
Gongson Tae-rang raised a hand and pointed as if to pierce Kang Sang.
“Was it not you yourself who opposed the Northern War at that time and even cast off your official robes?!”
His roar shook the Main Hall.
“And now you would wage war against the north again!”
When Gongson Tae-rang stretched a hand behind him, a waiting minister hastily drew a bundle of documents from his robes and offered it.
“Do you see these documents?!”
Gongson Tae-rang held the bundle high for all to see and shook it.
“These are accusations from every quarter claiming that Prime Minister Kang Sang maintains an improper relationship with the leading military-supply families of Jungwon!”
Ministers close to the Sixteen Families deliberately murmured louder.
“Heavens, look at that.”
“So that was the background. No wonder he kept singing about suppression, suppression.”
“Hmph.”
But Kang Sang laughed while digging in his ear.
“That, too, is nothing but baseless rumor.”
Having served as Prime Minister across two emperors, he had endured every manner of smear for a long time. The reason he had kept his post was that he was the most neutral and incorruptible Prime Minister in Jungwon’s history.
“Do you have a proper accuser, or even grounds for such talk?”
If one pushed steadily like this, those without substance would eventually fold.
However…
“Proper grounds, you say?”
Grinning, a clear smile flickered across Gongson Tae-rang’s face.
Before Kang Sang, sensing something ominous, could speak, Gongson Tae-rang continued.
“The Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan, Yeon So-hyeon, whom you pushed for as commander of the suppression force and finally succeeded in appointing.”
Gongson Tae-rang cast the document bundle to the floor and drew a thin letter from his own robes.
“That is…?”
Though he recognized the letter at a glance, Kang Sang feigned ignorance, and the Chief Eunuch kindly answered.
“A document containing testimony proving that you moved according to the ‘directives’ of Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.”
Until now Kang Sang had kept his neutrality, never growing unnecessarily close to anyone either within or without.
But now he had a patron in the Eldest Young Master.
“That public accusation.”
Kang Sang’s voice dropped low.
“Can you take responsibility for it?”
“Of course.”
The Chief Eunuch licked his unusually red lips and continued.
“I will add in advance that this witness’s credibility is exceedingly high.”
“…….”
Murmur murmur.
This time it was not stirred up by those loyal to the Sixteen Families; every civil and military official truly gasped and murmured in shock.
“By now you must have realized.”
Turning toward them, the Chief Eunuch said.
“There are countless families in our Jungwon Kingdom connected directly or indirectly to the military-supply trade. But which stands first among them?”
Though none answered aloud, all thought the same answer.
The Luoyang Sword Clan.
The greatest and foremost family in Jungwon. There was no enterprise they did not touch. And in fact, it was an open secret that the Luoyang Sword Clan had enjoyed enormous wartime profits during the last Northern War.
“However outstanding his abilities are said to be, to seat that Yeon So-hyeon—still only in his teens—in the commander’s seat, and even to restart a war that once failed—”
He raised the thin letter of testimony high, and every gaze followed it upward.
“A young man overflowing with ambition, stirring up an unreasonable war to win merit and become the next family head of the Sword Clan. And an old man who, sunk in senile greed, reversed his retirement and returned.”
The Chief Eunuch’s mouth stretched into a long, ugly smile.
“Now do you all understand how things stand?”
There were many leaps of logic, and even the testimony itself was still unverified—yet even so.
“…So the rumors were true?”
“…Indeed. Even a pine tree cannot stay green for a thousand years.”
A public accusation was a double-edged sword. The Chief Eunuch of the Sari Taegam, standing at the pinnacle of power, was in no position to gamble something that could cast him into the abyss in an instant.
It did not take long for the murmuring that spread through the Main Hall to return as angry voices.
“Prime Minister!”
“Explain yourself regarding the accusation!”
Perhaps because great expectation brings great disappointment. The voices of condemnation came even louder from the minority of Emperor-loyalists.
“I heard that the Eldest Young Master’s influence of the Sword Clan played a large part in your return to the palace as well!”
“Clarify your relationship with the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Clan properly!”
Prime Minister Kang Sang’s expression had hardened like stone.
“…….”
His jaw was firmly set, and his robust body, unfitting for his age, remained upright—yet the ministers no longer felt from him the usual force of presence.
…Where did it leak? Who? How?
In a brief moment, countless thoughts flashed through Kang Sang’s mind. But he could find no clear answer at once.
“Prime Minister Kang Sang!”
Gongson Tae-rang’s voice rose.
“Even now, confess the truth and summon Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon to the Imperial Palace!”
Kang Sang closed his eyes once, then opened them.
The deliberation was brief. There was no need to weigh what was more important.
“…That is impossible.”
“What kind of—!”
“In its place!”
Cutting him off, he took a great step forward.
“This body will immediately suspend all duties of the Prime Minister and faithfully submit to investigation by any agency whatsoever.”
“That means…”
Gongson Tae-rang’s eyes flashed.
“You admit to all the suspicions?”
“No.”
Prime Minister Kang Sang firmly shook his head.
“I make it clear that this measure is voluntary and temporary cooperation solely to prove my innocence.”
“…….”
While the ministers of the assembly shouted something or other, Gongson Tae-rang’s mind finished its calculations swiftly.
Half a success.
However, if at this critical juncture he could separate Prime Minister Kang Sang from the Emperor—it was sufficient gain.
“Very well.”
Gongson Tae-rang nodded and opened his mouth.
“I accept your voluntary proposal—”
“Wait!”
Ordinarily, Gongson Tae-rang would have finished his words without so much as blinking—but he dared not now.
“It was not the Prime Minister who sought to seat Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon of the Sword Clan as commander of the suppression force.”
Because his counterpart was none other than the Emperor of Jungwon.
“Your Majesty.”
Like a snake’s head turning toward new prey.
“What Your Majesty means by that is…?”
Gongson Tae-rang’s eyes bulged as he turned them on the Emperor.
“Your Majesty…!”
Prime Minister Kang Sang cried out in alarm.
The Emperor had to be protected to the very last. A Prime Minister could be replaced, and even the Eldest Young Master, though not replaceable, would leave only a great vacancy—but the Emperor of Jungwon, who carried the sacred bloodline, was only one, and no one could take his place.
If the Eldest Young Master’s northern expedition failed, the responsibility had to fall on the Prime Minister and the Eldest Young Master. Only then could a “next opportunity” exist.
“I will make it clear.”
The Emperor raised a hand to stop Kang Sang and spoke as if declaring.
“It was by my will that Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon was appointed commander of the suppression force.”
“……!”
“……!”
The ministers’ eyes widened like lanterns.
“That means—”
“Furthermore.”
Cutting off the Chief Eunuch, who was excited by an unexpected opportunity, the Emperor continued.
“I also declare clearly in this place that the Northern Expedition is likewise my will, and proceeds according to my decision.”
“Your Majesty…!”
Toward Kang Sang, who tried once more to stop him, the Emperor shook his head.
I cannot send the Prime Minister from my side at this critical time.
“…….”
Through the Emperor’s unwavering eyes, Kang Sang could feel firm resolve and decision.
We will die together if we die, and succeed together if we succeed.
“Hmph…!”
Gongson Tae-rang stepped forward with a deliberate sigh.
“Well, well.”
He rubbed his palms together like a man with delicious food before him.
“Then, if I may dare summarize—should the Northern Expedition fail, am I to understand that Your Majesty the Emperor will personally bear that responsibility?”
“Of course.”
The Emperor lifted his chin high.
“But I—and the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Clan who acts in my will—will absolutely not fail.”
When had that mere stripling of an Emperor grown such boldness?
“But, Your Majesty…”
Gongson Tae-rang sneered inwardly at such an Emperor while outwardly wearing a look of concern.
“In that event, not only Your Majesty but the honor of the Imperial House itself would be greatly damaged.”
He raised a hand and pointed to the broad entrance of the Main Hall.
“If by any chance—”
The Emperor swallowed dryly, unseen.
“Word were to arrive this very moment that the Eldest Young Master had been defeated at Shenyang—”
At that moment.
“Your Majesty!”
As if on cue, an old eunuch of the palace rushed in, shouting.
“News of victory!”
The old eunuch who had refused to follow the Chief Eunuch of the Sari Taegam and had served the Emperor for long years shouted in a voice that forgot his age.
“The Eldest Young Master of the Sword Clan has won the first battle at Shenyang! And it is a great victory!”
In that instant—with a lurch—
“……!”
Gongson Tae-rang’s face twisted.
And at the same time, bright smiles settled on the faces of the young Emperor and Prime Minister Kang Sang.
“My good man, Chief Eunuch.”
The Emperor said with a smile toward the Chief Eunuch.
“It seems the time for me to take responsibility has not yet arrived.”
“…….”