Crushing Defeat (3)
I inwardly stuck out my tongue at Jin Yeong Daehyeop's words.
The Emperor had ordered them transported hanging upside down, but Jin Yeong Daehyeop was no ordinary man for carrying it out so thoroughly.
Still, I probably would've done the same.
After giving them a good thrashing first, that is.
"But did he really take bribes?"
"He denied it at first, but eventually confessed. They even found about a hundred gold notes in his private safe."
"……."
That amount left no doubt—it was definitely bribery.
No matter how long Ji-hyeon saved his official salary, he could never have amassed that much.
"He planned to take the money, quietly resign, and live off it in luxury."
So Ji-hyeon, who knew Hyeonjeong best as its magistrate and father figure, had sold its people to pirates while dreaming of wealth and glory for himself.
"Wow! What a scumbag."
"I agree."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop nodded and asked me,
"We're heading back to Beijing early tomorrow morning. Care to join us?"
"I appreciate the offer, but I have business here."
"Business?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Since I've gotten involved in this place's affairs, I need to wrap it up properly."
"May I ask what that is?"
"Gambling."
"……?"
Jin Yeong Daehyeop looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"The people here racked up huge debts from gambling. But with the pirates wiped out, those debts are gone."
"True enough."
"So what's left for them? Defeat? Emptiness?"
I gave a wry smile.
"What lingers strongest is the thrill they felt while gambling. As long as they remember that rush, they'll dive back in eventually."
"……."
"This is a small village. If gambling debts tangle up their money again, the cozy home these two officials protected will fall apart. I want to prevent that."
"So you have a way?"
"Ideally, getting them to recognize their limits would be best. But if it were that easy, the world would be full of sages."
I continued,
"I'm a merchant, so I'll use a merchant's methods."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop, watching me, burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! I'm dying to know what you'll do, but I won't ask. I don't want to spoil my own fun."
I smiled.
"One more thing—on your way, could you drop the two officials at the academy? I'd be grateful."
"Consider it done. No worries."
.
.
.
The next morning.
The criminals were loaded into portable prison carts and departed for Beijing.
These carts had been specially made on the Emperor's orders—to transport them hanging upside down from the ceiling.
Thus unfolded the bizarre sight of them all dangling like pendulums, heads down.
"Father, why are those people like that?"
"Because they committed a grave crime, my child."
And it was turning into exemplary punishment.
Two days on those bumpy roads in that state—they'd bounce around, crashing into each other. They'd suffer plenty.
Considering their crimes, though, it was the least they deserved.
"Branch Leader."
I turned at the voice calling me.
It was Man-suk Gwan-saeng and Yun-byeok Gwan-saeng.
"We'll head out first, then."
"Safe travels. And good luck on the civil service exam."
"Yes, sir. I'll pass for sure."
"I'll pass too."
"Oh, and Man-suk Gwan-saeng."
"Yes?"
"The academy head tore up your withdrawal letter."
"Ah……."
Man-suk Gwan-saeng's eyes reddened.
"So go thank him."
"Yes, I will."
After seeing them off, I handed Jin Yeong Daehyeop a scroll.
"What's this?"
"A sort of report for His Majesty."
"Got it. I'll deliver it."
With that, Jin Yeong Daehyeop and his group set off for Beijing.
"Palgap."
"Yes, young master."
"Did you look into what I asked?"
"Of course."
"Let's go."
We headed to the tavern Palgap had scouted.
Business wasn't booming, but the location was perfect.
"Good. We'll buy this place."
"Understood. I'll tell the owner."
I-pil Musang tilted his head curiously.
"Why buy this spot, though?"
"Oh, to turn it into a gambling house."
"Pardon?"
"Doesn't make sense, right? Why would I open a gambling den?"
They all nodded.
"I've lived a short life so far, but I know one thing for sure about gambling."
Counting my past life, it wasn't short at all—but they didn't know that.
"In moderation, it's fine entertainment. The problem is when it goes too far."
"Fair point."
"That's why I'm making this place. Rooting out gambling is tough, so I'll minimize the damage."
I went on,
"There are three things you never find in a gambling house. Know what they are?"
They pondered deeply but stayed silent.
Most people wouldn't know.
"Windows, roosters, and mirrors."
"……?"
I explained to them.
"No windows because daylight reminds people of time, breaking their immersion. It keeps them lost in the game."
"Heavens!"
"No roosters nearby either. A cock's crow at dawn might make them think, 'I've pulled an all-nighter! This has to stop!' and feel remorse."
"Now that you mention it……."
"And no mirrors. When lost in gambling, people forget to eat or sleep, turning haggard."
I continued,
"Seeing their reflection sparks self-loathing—'What am I doing?'—and drives them out. These three absences trap people deeper."
"That's terrifying!"
"So I'll put all three here."
A reverse psychology play.
"And limit bet sizes too."
Then Seo-u Musang asked,
"But what if they gamble elsewhere?"
"That's why I asked Jin Yeong Daehyeop to deliver that letter."
"How's that related?"
"It's a message to His Majesty: Make it law that gambling outside state-approved houses earns corvée labor."
"……."
"So this isn't my gambling house—it's the nation's."
I had good reason to be so bold.
In my past life, I'd thought of this too, but it was too big for one person.
Yet the Emperor had implemented it.
Seeing that, I'd thought he was no ordinary ruler.
He couldn't refuse my proposal now.
* * *
Days later.
Laughter echoed through Beijing's palace, shaking the rafters.
"Hahahahaha! Look at this punk?"
"Your Majesty, please mind your dignity."
"But it's too impressive! Guess what he says? Set up state-run gambling houses."
"Pardon?"
"And……."
The Emperor explained Eun Seo-ho's proposal to the eunuch.
"Ho? Quite the ingenious plan."
"As you say. You know the harm gambling inflicts on the people."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"When I demand solutions, those stiff-necked fools prattle about moral education and virtue…… Tsk tsk."
"……."
"I'd love to lop off those thick heads, but it'd just tire me out…… Sigh!"
The Emperor shook his head.
"But this kid's scheme—how brilliant!"
The eunuch could tell the Emperor was utterly delighted with Eun Seo-ho.
'No wonder. I'd carry him on my back too.'
Suddenly, a thought flashed in the eunuch's mind.
"Your Majesty. I have one request."
"What is it?"
"Grant Young Master Eun's request, but staff some of the workers with our agency's members."
"He already suggested that."
"Pardon?"
"A gambling house would be another ear on the people's sentiments. Plant our eyes and ears there, he said."
"Ah……."
The eunuch felt grateful toward Eun Seo-ho.
'Repayment for leaning on the Ministry of Personnel a bit when buying the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch?'
But it was overly generous for mere repayment.
'No wonder I have to help him again…… Heh heh.'
As the eunuch thought this, the Emperor gazed fondly at Eun Seo-ho's report-cum-proposal.
Implementing this will involve endless debates and delays. Thus, I propose operating it under the imperial treasury.
Gambling houses were golden geese, so this felt sweetly tempting.
'This kid's too good for the merchant world…… Should I drag him here?'
The Emperor shook his head.
He was still a young shark.
And this palace was too dangerous for one so small.
Better to reel him in grown, when he could protect himself fully.
'Why do I feel like even now, this pup could chew through those sly courtiers?'
* * *
The Emperor's edict was posted on Hyeonjeong's walls.
It approved my proposed "gambling laws."
First as a pilot here, expanding empire-wide within five years.
A brutal famine would rage for those five years.
Afterward, old taverns and brothels could be snapped up cheap, easing the imperial purse.
A new Ji-hyeon arrived with his entourage.
People sent by the Emperor to manage the village's gambling house.
And among them, a familiar face.
An imperial eunuch I'd seen at the palace, now in plain clothes—likely from the Eastern Depot.
His friendly expression suggested he appreciated my idea of using the house as the Emperor's eyes and ears.
What goes around comes around.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, branch leader."
"His Majesty mentioned you. Please show us the new place."
"This way."
I led them to the freshly made gambling house.
"Oh!"
"Ooh……."
Their eyes widened.
It was dazzlingly ornate.
"Isn't it a bit too flashy?"
"Has to be to draw people. Even for reform, it's a business. No one wants losses earning His Majesty's ire."
"Fair enough."
"Come inside."
Windows everywhere let daylight flood in—no lamps needed.
Square pillars held mirrors at every angle.
Sit anywhere, and you'd see yourself.
Ceiling mirrors too.
"Ceiling ones catch cheaters for intervention."
"Smart."
I explained the facilities and policies.
"……Run it like that."
"Your advice is invaluable."
The man entrusted with operations was one handling imperial finances—talent the Emperor had headhunted from merchant guilds on my recommendation.
In my past life, he'd been brought in the same way for the same venture.
Both lives, same man, same business.
I could trust him.
He'd run it brilliantly before, filling the treasury.
The court used that wealth for the people's welfare, winning loyalty.
A virtuous cycle.
"His Majesty sends this as thanks—and compensation for buying and renovating."
"Thank you."
I politely took the pouch, peeked inside.
A hefty stack of banknotes.
I fought a grin, bowing deeply.
.
.
.
On the road back to Beijing.
"So you handed the whole thing to the palace in the end?"
I nodded at Palgap's question.
"I couldn't leave the village as-is after meddling, but gambling's beyond one man's power. It's the state's job."
"So, hands-off nose-picking again?"
"Huh, is that how it looks?"
I scratched my cheek; my entourage chuckled.
Wonder how the three exam rounds went by now. Curious about the results.