Chapter 473: There Sure Are a Lot (4)
Galhyeon blinked in confusion, clearly not grasping my words right away.
I calmly explained my intentions.
"I place great importance on character and ability. The fact that he gave his all even under such a petty lord means his character passes muster. And since he intrigued me with this operation, his skills pass too."
"……."
"That's why I'm making this offer. These provisions are His Majesty's benevolence for the empire's starving masses. Daring to touch them means they'd have no grounds to complain even if put to death."
At my words, he bowed his head deeply.
"But if you agree to serve under me, I can spare your life. I'd have to plead for mercy on your behalf with the commander, of course."
I glanced subtly at the Gold Guard commander.
He thought highly of me.
So he was tolerating my actions now.
"So choose. What will it be?"
"……."
Just then, the chieftain bellowed from the side.
"You bastard! You coward, trying to save your own skin? This is all because of you, so just die and be done with it!"
Perfect timing to butt in.
I chuckled and said,
"You don't want to keep serving a bastard like that, do you?"
Then Galhyeon spoke up.
"To be honest... I have no loyalty left to my lord. I've repaid the grace of him saving my life."
He continued,
"It's just... I'm sorry for the others who've ended up in this mess because of me. Most of them became refugees from this famine. They just wanted one full belly... and now it's come to this because of me. How could I betray them and save myself?"
That look in his eyes... I'd seen it before, in my previous life.
Back then too, he'd rejected my offer not for the chieftain, but for the others in the bandit lair.
This makes me like him even more.
It meant he wasn't the type to overlook injustice out of blind duty.
He just had a sense of humanity.
"Very well. Then if you agree to work under me, I'll spare the refugees in your lair too."
"Pardon? Is that... really true?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I accept your offer."
"Understood."
I approached the commander.
"Commander, I believe this incident arose because these refugees couldn't overcome their hunger. Though they attempted to seize the provisions, none were actually taken."
"That's true enough."
"In such circumstances, execution seems overly harsh. These refugees are capable of tilling the soil and farming if given land. Wouldn't that bolster our military grain supplies?"
"You have a point. With the ongoing poor harvests, our military stores aren't ample as it is."
The Gold Guard commander was a soldier.
To him, logistics were vital, so citing military grain had hit the mark.
"So how about making them tenant farmers on imperial palace lands, serving corvée labor there?"
"That's a fine idea. Executing all of them did feel a bit off-putting."
"Also, we shouldn't ignore their individual talents. So I'd like to take this strategist with me."
"You?"
"Yes. The work I do is also at His Majesty's command, for the empire's people. Assigning him as a slave under me for corvée labor strikes me as fitting punishment."
"Logical enough. But... what about the chieftain? Corvée for him too?"
"No. If we spare him, who do you think these men would heed during labor?"
"I see."
Understanding my point, the commander nodded and ordered the Gold Guard,
"Kill him."
"Yes, sir!"
At that, the chieftain paled and thrashed about, pleading desperately.
"Sp-spare me! Please... ple...!"
Slash!
His head was severed cleanly and rolled across the ground. Those watching turned ashen-faced.
Then they shot me grateful looks.
Soon, the remaining lair dwellers were dragged out by the Gold Guard. Those who resisted were cut down on the spot.
I couldn't ask them to overlook that much.
Most in the lair were elders, women, and children.
Terror etched their faces, but hearing they wouldn't be killed brought visible relief.
Our group, along with the provision convoy, set off again, the bound refugees trailing behind the Gold Guard.
There was a reason I'd arranged for them to labor on imperial palace lands.
Those I'd previously put to work on Eunhae Merchant Group lands had targeted us.
But these ones had hit provisions bound for Beijing and clashed with the Gold Guard.
So naturally, they owed corvée to the palace.
And laboring on palace lands wasn't a bad setup.
They wouldn't earn money, but they wouldn't starve either.
Once the term ended, they could sign contracts and draw wages.
This reflected His Majesty's intent to increase self-farming yeoman through savings for land purchases.
Yeomen paid taxes.
And taxes funded the empire.
You needed money to do anything for the nation; without it, unrest brewed.
The emperor's power stemmed from the people's hearts, after all.
His Majesty is truly sharp.
But that plan hinged on laborers finishing terms, saving up, and buying land.
So I was steadily buying land across the empire.
For them to become yeomen, someone had to sell land—but who would after famines turned to bountiful harvests?
Thus, my plan: buy now, sell to them later for a modest profit.
Not exorbitant gains, just prudent provision for the future.
.
.
.
.
We arrived safely in Beijing.
A day later than Seo-u Warrior's estimate, likely due to the swelled numbers and moving with the refugees.
Anyway, as we headed to the imperial palace, we witnessed an unexpected sight.
In the open square before the palace stood wretches strung up like ornaments, battered and broken.
They were the traitors who'd not only plundered Chunggyeong Fortress but, fearing exposure, imprisoned its lord and tortured Prince Juhyeon.
Publicly displaying them like this meant the interrogations were done.
Yet no Gold Guard or Embroidered Uniform agents among them.
They couldn't be exposed in life—or death.
Gongho was absent too.
More to uncover? Or was His Majesty tugging ropes with the Murim Alliance over him?
Anyway, it showed His Majesty's fury: not corpses, but living men hung upside down.
Yet no one pitied the gruesome display.
Their crimes had been widely proclaimed.
Seeing it stirred memories of my past life.
Back then, Chunggyeong's lord hung like that. Now it was set right.
To the refugees we brought—who didn't yet know their fate—it was pure terror.
No need to be that scared...
His Majesty was fearsome in many ways, but not one to abuse power capriciously.
Still, it nipped any escape attempts in the bud—silver lining?
Soon we reached the palace gates.
"Then we'll take our leave."
I nodded to the merchant group leaders who'd escorted me.
"Yes, I'll be in touch."
I wanted to head to the Beijing branch too, but duty called: report to His Majesty.
Confirm the mission success, explain the refugee handling.
Only then could I secure permission to take my new talent.
With the perpetual palace entry pass His Majesty granted, I could enter without leave.
Using it like this, huh. Sigh.
Feels like he gave it to squeeze more work out of me.
A moment later.
I gained audience with His Majesty alongside the commander.
We performed obeisance; he praised our merits.
"You labored hard."
"No, Your Majesty. This subject merely followed your command."
"I hear you brought others along?"
As expected of the emperor.
The Gold Guard daehyeop with us had likely reported it.
He'd been there but focused on guarding provisions at my request.
His involvement might've escalated things.
"Yes. Truth be told, there was an unfortunate incident en route with the provisions."
He detailed the events.
"...Had it not been for Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho, we might not have completed the mission."
He's praising me too much...
I quickly prostrated myself.
"This subject merely offered what little aid he could, Your Majesty. Leading that vast convoy safely and resolving the incident were entirely the commander's achievements."
"Your words ring true."
His Majesty nodded.
"It was no small task. That's why I entrusted it to you."
"I am at a loss for words, Your Majesty."
"Your success in delivering the provisions merits great reward. I grant you fifty bolts of silk."
"Your boundless grace humbles me."
"You may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He turned to me.
"You stay."
I planned to, Your Majesty.
Once the commander left, His Majesty addressed me.
"The refugees' punishment shall proceed as you petitioned."
"Your grace is boundless."
"You must fancy that Galhyeon's talents."
"I merely thought them too valuable to waste."
"Well, putting the scheme's architect under you... fitting chastisement."
Why does that feel barbed?
No, I'm slaving for my subordinates' welfare, and he calls it 'fitting chastisement'...
My underlings aren't suffering that much... ahem.
Thinking of Seo-hyang's clerks and Hyeonpung Kingdom staff killed the thought.
"Anyway, you truly rested deeply as I instructed."
"The sleeping draught you provided for this mission worked splendidly."
"Bang Hyo-yu said the same."
Sigh...
So it was Bang Daein's favored sleeping agent. No wonder it was so effective.
"This trade's haul will give us breathing room. For that, I'm grateful to you."
Gratitude shone in His Majesty's gaze.
I'd proposed and executed the trade flawlessly.
"Such words embarrass me, Your Majesty. I spoke only for my own gain."
"Yet the empire benefits, so my thanks stand."
"If you truly feel so, may I make one petition?"
His Majesty looked intrigued.
"What is it?"
"Our merchants plan a joint memorial. Please ensure its passage."
"What could it entail to warrant that?"
"It concerns the liquor ban."
"Liquor ban?"
"Yes. We can bring far more grain than this shipment."
I reported the memorial in advance for one reason.
Time.
Even ministers' debates wasted precious days.
We had time before next sailing, but brewing took quite a while.
* * *
"Galhyeon! Come out."
At the Gold Guard's call, Galhyeon emerged from the prison cell. He glanced at the refugees still inside.
In the cell, he'd begged their forgiveness.
It was his plan being seen through—and his lack of countermeasures.
The refugees assured him it wasn't his fault. Their kindness touched him deeply.
During confinement, he'd reflected deeply on Eun Seo-ho's words, repenting over and over.
Looking back, he'd fallen into self-admiration.
He'd stuck with the petty chieftain for the refugees' sake, but constant flattery as "Strategist" had inflated his ego.
This fiasco had shattered his pride and delusions.
"Farewell."
"Yes, Father, Mother, and Brother."
"May fortune follow you wherever you go."
"You too, stay well."
Galhyeon bid them goodbye and told the Gold Guard,
"I'm ready."
As he exited, someone awaited him.
"I'm Yeo Eung-am, Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho's bodyguard. Looking forward to working with you."
"The pleasure's mine."
He followed Yeo Eung-am to the Beijing branch.
"Branch Leader, I've brought him."
"Welcome."
Eun Seo-ho greeted him with a bright smile.
"One thing upfront: you're a slave now, so nowhere to run."
He couldn't fathom what tasks awaited, nor why the man stressed his status and warned of no escape.
Yet instinctively, stepping back unbidden, he'd sensed it.
His future.