The Uninvited Guest

"Ah, dear me. This is truly embarrassing. I have utterly lost face."

Han Myeong-hoe quickly scrambled to his feet, coughing repeatedly as if he had never screamed in the first place. "Ahem, ahem!"

He brushed off his badly crumpled robes, straightened his crooked gat, and desperately tried to regain the dignity of a nobleman. Considering he had been dragged over by the scruff of his neck by Jincheol just moments ago, his behavior was absurd.

I stared at him in disbelief, scanning him from head to toe.

"Scholar Han, what on earth are you doing here? And why were you tailing us?"

"Tailing you? How deeply hurtful! Didn't I clearly state at the tavern that we would meet again? I was merely strolling down Jongno Street when I happened to spot your back. Overjoyed, I was about to approach you when that brute—er, your bodyguard—suddenly ambushed me!"

Han Myeong-hoe stole a glance at Jincheol, his voice trailing off at the end.

Jincheol snorted in disbelief. "If that is true, why were you creeping behind us?"

Myeong-hoe beat his chest as if wronged. "It is a misunderstanding! Creeping behind you? I was simply going my own way... But My Lord, why are you so heavily prepared? Where are you traveling to?"

I replied flatly, "We are on our way to Asan in Chungcheong Province."

The moment he heard this, Han Myeong-hoe slapped his knee and gasped dramatically.

"Oh! What an incredible coincidence! It just so happens that my eighth cousin once removed lives in Asan, and his family welcomed a precious first grandson only a few days ago! I was just on my way to congratulate them on the birth of my newborn grandnephew!"

"Hah."

I let out a dry laugh, completely speechless. The moment I mentioned Asan, he had spun a lie without even blinking.

His sharp eye for identifying the warehouses at Mapo Wharf was certainly useful. He must have stubbornly tracked me all the way here.

I gestured with my chin toward his light, unburdened attire.

"Asan, you say. For someone traveling to celebrate a precious birth, you travel remarkably light, without so much as a single pack."

"Ah, well, that is... because I was in such a rush!"

Han Myeong-hoe's eyes darted around before he flashed a shameless grin and took a step closer.

"Since things have turned out this way and we are heading in the same direction, why not travel together? The road to Asan is long and tedious. I happen to be an exceptionally entertaining companion."

For me, there was no reason to refuse.

He is shameless, but this is Han Myeong-hoe—the legendary strategist who will one day hold Joseon in the palm of his hand. Keeping him close to observe what kind of man he is wouldn't be a bad idea.

I adjusted my grip on the reins and nodded.

"Very well. Let us travel together as companions."

Han Myeong-hoe's face lit up. He looked around and spoke again.

"But since we are traveling together, could you... perhaps spare me a horse? Walking all the way to Asan on my own two feet is a bit daunting."

"Wait, why did you even come without—"

Clicking my tongue, I surveyed our group. The horse Jincheol rode was already carrying a massive load with his heavy frame alone, and my horse certainly couldn't carry both me and a man of Han Myeong-hoe's size.

The only one left was Gaetdong-i, who was currently struggling with his reins a short distance away. Even without any extra weight, Gaetdong-i's riding skills were so abysmal that he had been performing acrobatics on his saddle the entire time.

"Gaetdong-i."

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Come over here and ride with Scholar Han."

Gaetdong-i's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Ride with that gentleman? How can two grown men fit on this narrow..."

"You are so skin and bones that the horse keeps jumping around. Placing a heavy weight behind you will balance things out perfectly. Scholar Han can take the reins for you, which will make your ride much easier. We do not have the time to go back and fetch another horse."

The moment the words left my mouth, Han Myeong-hoe bowed deeply.

"Oh, My Lord! I shall never forget this grace!"

A moment later, the large-framed Han Myeong-hoe hopped onto the back of the horse. Gaetdong-i, practically swallowed up in his embrace in the front seat, trembled with anxiety, his eyes darting wildly.

"Um, Scholar... I-I can't breathe..."

"Hush! How dare you complain to a nobleman? Just look straight ahead."

As Han Myeong-hoe snatched the reins, Gaetdong-i shrieked, flattened himself against the horse, and clung desperately to its mane.

At the ridiculous sight, even Jincheol cleared his throat to suppress a laugh.

I shook my head and pulled my reins forward.

It was around the time we left Hanyang and entered the winding roads leading to Asan.

Perhaps he had finally adjusted to the horse, or perhaps his natural talkativeness had flared up again, but Han Myeong-hoe, riding behind Gaetdong-i, began to strike up a conversation.

"My Lord, while wandering around Hanyang, I heard a truly fascinating rumor. It was about that copper smuggling case."

I didn't bother to reply, but Han Myeong-hoe paid no mind and raised his voice.

"I heard that the true mastermind behind that incident was none other than Lord Jo Mal-saeng! Heavens, to cut down that tiger-like Lord Jo in a single stroke...!"

At Han Myeong-hoe's dramatic words, the previously frozen Gaetdong-i suddenly snapped his head up.

"The scholar is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠absolutely right! I heard about it too! They say our Lord was truly magnificent at the interrogation!"

"Oh? Is that what you heard as well?"

"Don't even get me started! Even in front of the towering Lord Jo Mal-saeng, our Lord did not lose an ounce of his spirit! He simply laid out a single embezzlement ledger and shackled him, declaring that the stolen copper's value would be docked from his pension for the rest of his life! Ah, it is the regret of my life that I was not there to witness it!"

Listening to the two of them banter back ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and forth behind me, my temples began to throb.

"Scholar Han. Are you always this talkative?"

"Pardon?"

"When we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first met at the tavern, you seemed to carry yourself with a fair amount of dignity."

At my pointed remark, Han Myeong-hoe cleared his throat, looking sheepish.

"Ahem, well, My Lord's exploits are the talk of the town, so I got carried away without realizing..."

I looked straight ahead, swallowing a dry chuckle. Only Jincheol, as if understanding my plight, let out a short sigh and shook his head beside me.

After riding for several days with our uninvited guest, we finally arrived at our destination: Gongsegot in Asan, Chungcheong Province.

It was the vital tax collection hub where the tax grain of seventeen southern districts was consolidated before being shipped to Hanyang, and it housed the largest jochang in the region.

There was no better stage to begin uncovering the embezzlement of Chungcheong tax grain, which had branched off from the corruption of Hwang Hui's in-laws.

However, the moment we entered the village, a strange tension hung in the air.

The peasants and merchants walking the streets stopped in their tracks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as if by agreement, stealing glances at our party. The way they whispered among themselves and quickly cleared the path for us felt incredibly unnatural.

The observant Han Myeong-hoe looked around from atop his horse and muttered, "My Lord, the atmosphere in this town is highly unusual. Everyone is staring at us."

Gaetdong-i nodded in agreement. "Indeed. They must think a royal secret inspector has descended from Hanyang."

Holding my reins, I stared straight ahead and scoffed inwardly.

It means the rumors have already spread. That the man who tore down the family of Chief State Councillor Hwang Hui is coming.

As we made our way through the village toward the Asan Magistrate's office, we hadn't even reached the gates before a commotion broke out.

A crowd of officials poured out of the government office the moment we came into view. Their movements were perfectly coordinated, as if they had known exactly what hour we would arrive today.

Lined up in front of the office to receive us were the Chungcheong Governor, the Asan Magistrate, and various local officials.

The moment I dismounted, the Asan Magistrate rushed out in his stocking feet and bowed deeply.

"Oh! You must be the Commissioner of the Office of Asset Recovery from Hanyang! You must have suffered greatly on such a long journey!"

The Governor also approached with an excessively bright smile plastered across his face.

"We have been waiting for you, My Lord. Crossing those treacherous mountain passes must have taken a heavy toll. Please, come inside."

Looking at that exaggerated smile and the familiar face of the Governor, I scoffed inwardly.

Isn't that the very same Governor of Chungcheong who sweated bullets while lending me troops when I raided Hwang Hui's in-laws? The highest administrative authority of the province, who should be sitting elegantly in his provincial office, came all the way to Asan just to greet me?

Concealing my true thoughts, I offered a genial smile and returned the bow.

"Thank you for the warm welcome. Indeed, the fatigue of the road has settled in, and my entire body is aching."

Guided by the overly attentive Governor and Asan Magistrate, I stepped into the guest house and nearly burst into laughter at the sight before me.

Laid out on the wide wooden veranda was a feast so lavish it made my jaw drop.

From rare beef skewers to all manner of delicacies, the tables were practically groaning under the weight of the food. Surrounding the tables were beautifully adorned gisaengs, waiting with bright smiles.

Furthermore, seated in the places of honor were men not dressed in official robes—the local gentry who held a tight grip on the lands of Asan, looking on with arrogant expressions.

It has only been a few days since we departed from the capital. No matter how slowly we traveled, they have already prepared a flawless feast and stood waiting. On top of that, the Governor, the Magistrate, and the wealthy local elite have all gathered.

I let out a quiet chuckle, amused by the absurdity.

This means the high-ranking officials in Hanyang mobilized the royal courier system to send an urgent warning to Asan. The ministers of the court are watching my every move.

Just then, the Magistrate quickly approached, keeping a close eye on my reaction, and poured a cup of premium rice wine until it nearly overflowed.

"My Lord, please rest easy today. When men gather, they must drink through the night to wash away their fatigue! Hahaha!"

"My, since you have gone to such trouble, Magistrate, I hardly know how to express my gratitude."

I readily accepted the cup and drained it in one gulp.

Without even dusting off the road grime from my robes, I grabbed a beef skewer and began to eat, acting completely relaxed and unbothered.

I saw the Governor and the Magistrate exchange silent, relieved glances.

Whether in my days at the modern National Tax Service or now, the methods of those trying to dodge an audit are always the same.

Smiling back at them, I subtly shifted my gaze to the corner of the courtyard.

Han Myeong-hoe had already washed his face clean and slipped in among the low-ranking local clerks, securing himself a spot.

"Hey there! The wine you pour is truly exquisite! I have not tasted anything like this even in the capital! Gaetdong-i, you must try some as well!"

"Oh, Scholar! I am glad it suits your palate. Please, have another cup!"

Han Myeong-hoe had already taken Jincheol and Gaetdong-i with him, mingling effortlessly and winning over the local clerks.

...Despite his appearance, his social skills are top-notch.

I turned back and offered a warm, harmless smile to the Magistrate and the arrogant noblemen who kept filling my cup.

By the time the feast was in full swing, Han Myeong-hoe was acting thoroughly drunk, laughing and playing along with the gisaengs.

Then, pretending to stumble as he poured me a drink, he slipped close to my side.

Though he maintained a goofy, drunken grin, his voice was low and entirely devoid of playfulness as he whispered into my ear.

"My Lord, a clerk in the corner just mentioned that an unusual number of guards were dismissed from duty tonight. Even the guards at the jochang warehouses."

Han Myeong-hoe continued:

"They must be planning to move something tonight, My Lord."

I slowly set down the wine cup in my hand.