Solution (1)
A few days passed since then.
The refugees finished a simple investigation and headed to a village in Honam Province.
From what Jin Yeong Daehyeop had said, during this famine, the imperial family had bought a fairly large plot of farmland in Honam Province.
"Farmland?"
"It was a pretty good deal for both sides. The owner of that land happened to be in desperate need of money."
"I see."
"Actually, it seems His Majesty was deeply impressed by what you did for those rebels before."
That incident referred to how he'd pacified the band of rebels hiding in the mountains between Sungyang County and Yang-eun County in Hubei Province, letting them farm the land as tenants.
Of course, since they'd sinned, they had to farm without rent for a few years as punishment.
Moreover, the talents they'd gained back then—like Gyeong-in Juk and others—were now sweating it out for a bright future with the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Anyway, impressed by that incident?
"Whose land is this empire's soil?"
"Well, of course..."
Eh? Come to think of it, what was the right answer?
In principle, all the empire's land belonged to the Emperor. But was that true in practice?
No.
They paid taxes as a form of borrowing the Emperor's land, but every plot had owners with legal rights to it.
Perhaps anticipating my troubled expression, Jin Yeong Daehyeop smiled and continued.
"Since food is the most vital resource, land can be called power itself. Honestly, doesn't the one who owns the most land in a village reign like a king there?"
"..."
"His Majesty saw this famine as an opportunity and bought up quite a bit of land. He's still acquiring more."
I inwardly admired his words.
Truly impressive.
To use this famine as the foundation for truly strengthening imperial authority.
And that drive was incredible too.
The famine was set to last about three more years, during which many landlords would be forced to sell off their holdings.
If crop yields dropped, their income would too.
But habits of spending were hard to curb quickly.
With less income, they'd have to cut back to survive—but if they didn't, they'd have no choice but to sell land.
"However, His Majesty isn't touching the land of independent small farmers. He's merely lending them grain instead. What do you think his reason is?"
I smiled.
"Taxes?"
"As expected, sharp as ever!"
Taxes from independent farmers were a key revenue source for the empire, funding its operations.
Landlords paid taxes too, but honestly, few did so faithfully.
The Eunhae Merchant Group calculated and paid precisely.
Otherwise, any future trouble could topple everything they'd built.
Increasing imperial wealth while protecting tax-paying small farmers.
Balancing those two was no small feat... He truly is remarkable.
For the empire to know peace, such a man needed to rule it long-term.
May he live long.
Anyway, the Seowoon faction refugees would become tenant farmers on the imperial land in that village.
Not a bad deal for them.
As long as they worked hard, they wouldn't starve.
And the Seowoon faction's leader and key figures, who'd led the rebellion, were escorted to the imperial palace.
Thus, the Seowoon affair reached a close.
Not quite for me, though.
Time to head back to Guiju Province.
I opened the window of my quarters and gazed outside.
It had been summer when we arrived, but now autumn was settling in.
Then Palgap entered my room.
"Young master, the Pojeongsa is summoning you."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Young Master Dong is waiting."
Ah... he means come with him.
As I left my quarters, Dong Hang-su was already prepared, standing in the courtyard.
"Hurry up."
"Ah, yes."
He tossed out the curt words indifferently and turned away.
I basically resolved this mess too, but a simple 'good work' is too much effort?
Tch.
We headed to the Pojeongsa's office.
"Come in."
We announced our arrival and entered.
"You summoned us."
Dong Hang-su, who had bowed in greeting, tilted his head upon spotting someone else.
I already knew there was another person besides the Pojeongsa.
It was none other than Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
Dong Hang-su quickly bowed his head.
As an official, he'd recognized the golden peony tassel on the fan Jin Yeong Daehyeop carried—a mark of the Gold Guard.
They revealed their identity through small shields and golden armor for battle, swords bestowed by the Emperor, and such tassel decorations on fans.
"Greetings to the Gold Guard daehyeop."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop impassively nodded in response.
Dong Hang-su looked tense.
And understandably so—the Gold Guard wielded immense power disproportionate to their rank.
Under the pretext of serving the Emperor, they could arrest and interrogate anyone.
In the previous Emperor's reign, they'd abused that to frame disliked foes with treason.
But not under the current His Majesty.
If the Gold Guard tried it, he'd crush them.
Though, with some cocky types among them, it wasn't impossible.
Still, that image lingered, making them a terror to would-be rebels.
To lighten the mood, I smiled and asked Jin Yeong Daehyeop,
"Not leaving yet?"
"Work isn't done. And since I'm in Honam Province, there's more to handle."
"You've worked hard."
"Think it's anything compared to you?"
As I chatted amiably with him, Dong Hang-su eyed me curiously.
Truth be told, Jin Yeong Daehyeop was usually curt.
The first time I'd met him, even I—who felt no cold—had sensed his chill.
But our shared time and trust made him warmer toward me.
I turned to the Pojeongsa.
Meeting my gaze, he continued.
"The thing is, when you return to Guiju Province, I'd like to accompany you."
"You, Pojeongsa?"
Dong Hang-su's question drew a heavy nod.
"Though this was their scheme, it happened because an intruder infiltrated my household. My failure to manage my house properly."
He sighed.
"As the saying goes, 'cultivate self, regulate family, govern state, pacify world.' Only after mastering myself and my house can I properly administer Honam Province..."
I gently comforted him.
"Don't blame yourself too much. Who could have foreseen their plot? Fortunately, the worst was averted."
"Indeed, thanks to His Majesty's grace and your aid. Anyway, I plan to apologize directly to Guiju's Pojeongsa."
He turned to Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
"Then, I'll meet His Majesty and resign my post."
"...!"
Even considering resignation!
He must have been deeply shaken.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop grinned at that.
"As expected of His Majesty."
"...?"
The Honam Pojeongsa looked puzzled, and Jin Yeong Daehyeop drew a red silk-wrapped letter from his bosom.
"If you were thinking of resigning, he said to deliver this."
The Pojeongsa knelt right there, reverently accepting and unfolding it.
"..."
He bit his lip. His eyes reddened—he seemed deeply moved.
What on earth did it say to elicit that reaction?
"Ahem! His Majesty's grace is boundless."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop signaled us with his eyes.
Time to leave.
We exited the office, and he asked me,
"When do you plan to return to Beijing?"
"Right after wrapping this up. Won't take long."
"His Majesty has important matters to discuss with you."
"Understood. I'll head up as soon as possible."
He nodded and bid farewell.
"Then I'll be off. Don't feel too slighted that I won't see you off on your way."
"Your visit alone is joy enough."
"See you in Beijing."
"Safe travels."
Dong Hang-su and I bowed. When we looked up, he was already far away.
"You."
Dong Hang-su called to me.
"Yes?"
"Just what is your true identity? Why is the Ice Face Flame Sword daehyeop smiling and chatting with you?"
Ice Face Flame Sword was Jin Yeong Daehyeop's famed title.
Meaning a face like ice wielding a sword like flame—likely from his chill demeanor and extreme yang martial arts.
"Moreover... His Majesty consulting with you? The Ice Face Flame Sword wouldn't jest about His Majesty..."
I just smiled silently.
Sheesh. Jin Yeong Daehyeop too.
He'd noticed how Dong Hang-su treated me and given a warning.
Don't handle him carelessly, or it'll end poorly.
Dong Hang-su's legs began to tremble.
"Y-You... you're more formidable than I thought."
Suddenly using honorifics—hard to get used to.
"No need for that. Just speak casually. How could a young lowly merchant like me hear formal speech from a noble official like you?"
But he looked even more troubled.
It felt good seeing that, but if he kept it up, it'd make me uncomfortable too. Time to end it.
"Shall we head back, then?"
"Yes."
That evening, the Pojeongsa sent word via servant about our departure schedule for Guiju Province.
We'd leave the day after tomorrow.
He had much to prepare if he'd be away for some time.
Plus, going to apologize meant preparing suitable gifts.
After dinner, I strolled the rear garden to aid digestion and sort my thoughts.
There ahead was the Pojeongsa.
I bowed.
"Have you dined?"
"Yes. And you?"
"Yes, thanks to you—deliciously."
"Walk with me a bit."
"Of course."
He seemed to have come out for the same purpose.
It was now the ninth lunar month, so mornings and evenings should chill, but Honam Province was still warm.
Still, with the pretty flowers, strolling the garden was worthwhile.
"I heard from Jin Yeong Daehyeop. His Majesty holds you in high favor."
"His Majesty merely cherishes my humble talents."
"His Majesty despises useless retainers."
True enough.
"And this time, I clearly saw why he values you."
He stopped and met my eyes.
"I heard you met my fourth son a few days ago."
"Yes."
I briefly pondered telling him the truth, but he spoke first.
"Is it what I'm thinking?"
"Pardon?"
"Does my fourth harbor feelings for Ja-ryeong?"
"..."
I didn't answer. No need.
"Haa... I knew he took interest in her, but I never imagined his feelings ran so deep."
His face complicated, he continued.
"As you've seen, he rarely expresses his heart."
"..."
"Sigh. If he'd confessed his feelings for Ja-ryeong, I'd have matched them. Back when marriage talks with her were ongoing, my third was just following my lead."
His tale made me pity the fourth son even more.
"Did you tell my fourth about that incident?"
I shook my head.
I hadn't decided what to do yet.
"Then, one favor?"
"What is it?"
"Keep this from my sons."
"..."
"As Honam Pojeongsa, hiding the truth is improper, but it's a foolish father's plea."
If they learned, the fourth would blame himself.
For nearly killing the woman he loved with his own hands.
In his past life, Ja-ryeong the maid really had died.
And the third would resent the fourth for nearly killing his fiancée.
The already fragile-hearted fourth might not endure the guilt and take his own life.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss—and this was such a case.
"I will."
"Thank you."
"But eventually, the truth will come out. Especially since they've been sent to Beijing."
"I'll ask His Majesty through Jin Yeong Daehyeop."
Ah... clever.
No issues then.
"That aside..."
He looked at me and continued.
"What do you think of the Murim Alliance?"