Establishing the Martial Academy (1)
It's been a while since I've been to the imperial palace.
Almost two months, I suppose.
I'd left for the Northern Sea Ice Palace around mid-March, and now it's already early May.
This spring has been nonstop too.
I followed Jin Yeong Daehyeop into the palace and arrived at the Emperor's office.
A moment later.
"Enter."
"Yes."
I stepped into the office and offered the utmost courtesy.
"Raise your head."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
I lifted my gaze to meet the Emperor's eyes.
"Where have you been these past few months? You've been gone far too long."
It was tricky to explain in detail, so I carefully shifted the topic.
"Did Your Majesty miss me?"
"Indeed."
"……."
I was joking, but you say it so seriously—now I feel embarrassed.
"There's much work to be done, but few capable hands. You came to mind."
So, you're saying you regretted not being able to use me.
Worth sneaking away in the night.
If I hadn't bolted as Seo Hyang Sojeo advised, the Emperor would've pinned me down, and I might've missed the Ice Cold Summit entirely.
Well, I could've gone anyway.
But it would've been a nightmare getting there.
"I see."
"Anyway, I received a report that you annihilated the infamous Blood Bird Pirates in Namgyeong. What happened?"
He wants the full story from my perspective.
I explained the entire sequence of events to the Emperor.
"……And that's how it went."
I continued.
"They not only tampered with goods our Eunhae Merchant Group had diligently prepared, but they dared to obstruct Your Majesty's will. They deserved execution, so that's what I did."
"Well done."
The Emperor nodded approvingly, praising me.
"Those who gnaw at the empire's interests must be purged."
"Your Majesty, this incident brought one thought to mind."
"What is it?"
"The importance of training skilled martial officers."
"Are you saying the empire's current martial officers lack skill?"
I have to tread carefully here.
"Of course, the empire's martial officers are already highly competent. But Your Majesty, the purpose of a martial academy is an investment in the future."
"An investment in the future?"
"Yes. We merchants have a saying for times like these."
I grinned and said,
"You're not planning to quit the business after just a day or two, are you?"
The Emperor burst into roaring laughter.
"Hahaha! Exactly! Exactly!"
He looked at me and continued.
"This rascal still has a silver tongue."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Only if the empire steadily produces exceptional talents to lead it will its future shine bright."
Yes!
I clenched my hidden fist beneath my sleeve.
"For this, I require Your Majesty's aid."
"My aid?"
"In nurturing future talents, is there anything more vital than a good teacher?"
"True enough."
"Thus, I humbly request Your Majesty issue an edict to summon fine instructors from the various martial sects and clans."
No matter how stiff-necked the sects and clans, they'd bow before the Emperor's command.
Unless they wanted to end up ruined.
The Emperor eyed me for a moment before speaking.
"So, what's the real intent behind this?"
"Pardon?"
"I know you—you never do anything at a loss. Volunteering for such a hassle means you're after something."
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Has he seen through me already?
"Money?"
"……!"
I flinched and bowed my head.
The man was the Emperor.
Best to come clean.
"Building a martial academy costs quite a sum, does it not?"
"It does."
"Yet these officers will become the empire's future assets. Covering all costs from our Eunhae Merchant Group alone is burdensome."
I pressed on.
"Handing full management to the palace would only breed bureaucracy and abuse."
"Tch……."
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
He knew full well.
A palace-run academy would devolve into a playground for nobles' children, squandering taxes in idleness.
"We already have the example of Hyeonghwa Academy. Follow that model."
"Not a bad idea."
"It's what I devised for the empire and Your Majesty."
"And you'll skim some gravy off the top for me."
"……."
I glanced at the Emperor's face.
"Very well. Proceed as you suggest."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
Just then, an eunuch's voice came from outside.
"The Minister of War seeks audience."
The Emperor replied,
"He's finally here. Let him in."
That's it—this is the real reason he summoned me.
The Minister of War entered and paid his respects to the Emperor.
"Raise your head."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
"I've called Eunhae Merchant Group's Vice Unit Leader Eun Seo-ho. Tell him what you wish."
"Yes."
He cleared his throat and turned to me.
"I've heard of your exploits. You wiped out those vile Blood Bird Pirates?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"A truly heroic deed."
"You overpraise me."
"But I hear the archers who loosed arrows played a major role?"
"You mean the Silver Wind Archery Unit?"
Now I get what he wants.
"Yes, the Silver Wind Archery Unit. Their prowess sank pirate ships in one volley. Such warriors worry me if turned to ill ends."
"Do you mean 'ill ends' like aiming at Your Majesty?"
He bristled at my words.
"How dare you speak so recklessly!"
"If it came across that way, my apologies. But I'm no good at beating around the bush. And……."
I glanced at the Emperor.
"Your Majesty seems bored."
The Minister looked up at the Emperor and flinched.
"Minister of War."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"My time is precious. Is yours not? Or have you been hiding your talents while wasting it?"
"Gasp! N-no, Your Majesty!"
"Get to the point."
"Yes! Your Majesty."
With a tense face, he turned to me.
"Ahem. I wish you'd hand that archery unit to the palace."
Wow……he really went there?
No shame?
I swallowed a scoff and spoke.
"I understand your concerns, Minister. We displayed their might before Your Majesty precisely to clear obstacles from your path."
"I-is that so?"
"I'm saddened if that intent wasn't conveyed."
"……Ahem."
"And just to confirm—are you coveting the unit?"
"W-what nonsense! Absolutely not. I merely fear a merchant group wielding such power privately."
"I see. I fully understand."
I continued.
"Our Eunhae Merchant Group can yield the unit to the palace. The archers would serve the throne directly—how could we not rejoice? Ah, would they become Gold Guards then?"
"……."
The Minister blinked.
No quick answer.
"If not, are you asking for them as disposable pawns? They're empire citizens too—how could you think of using and discarding them!"
I dropped to my knees and bowed to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty! This won't do. Please understand!"
The Emperor, who had listened silently, spoke.
"They are my cherished subjects. How could a father do such a thing? Rise."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
"And Minister of War."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"If they join the palace, they're Gold Guards. Why hesitate on the obvious?"
Because he lunged greedily without thinking that far.
The Minister stammered out,
"Y-yes, Gold Guards."
"And Minister. I've invested heavily in training them. You wouldn't take them without compensation—that'd violate merchant ethics."
"R-right. Ahem. How much did it cost to train them?"
"One hundred twenty silver taels per person."
"Gasp!"
He jumped in shock.
"W-what absurdity! Even elites don't cost that much! Are you inflating to deceive me?"
I calmly shook my head.
"Absolutely not. They were for pirates, so we built multiple training ships, and their gear……."
As I listed costs and procedures, the Minister's face drained of color.
"This is the bare minimum, as it's for the palace."
"I-see."
"Plus, as specialists—not ordinary warriors—their monthly pay is substantial. Five silver taels each. I believe that's fair. So, Minister, can you guarantee their salaries?"
"……."
The Minister looked utterly cornered.
"I bore those costs solely to fulfill Your Majesty's trade decree."
I pressed on.
"I've done the War Ministry's job, yet instead of support, you demand them."
"……."
The Emperor interjected.
"Minister. Did you come to me without a plan, just to meet the Vice Unit Leader?"
"Y-Your Majesty…… that's not……."
The Minister faltered.
As War Minister, he saw me as mere merchant riffraff.
And with the Emperor present, he figured I'd cave.
If he'd prepared properly, it'd have been tough—but his underestimation let me seize the advantage.
"Minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I wonder if I should keep you as War Minister."
"Gasp!"
He prostrated in horror.
"F-forgive me! This humble servant has shamed himself!"
"You know that much."
"……."
"Even a hunter gives his all for a single rabbit. You showed no preparation—likely planning to crush him with my authority."
"……."
Hit the mark—he's speechless.
"Vice Unit Leader Eun Seo-ho already divined my concerns and proposed a martial academy. Archery will be taught there too."
……Huh?
I hadn't planned that far.
"Isn't that right?"
"Ah, yes. Indeed."
Dragged into it by the Emperor. Damn.
"How commendable."
"……."
"Thus, by my name, I permit the Eunhae Merchant Group to operate the archery unit. Anything more?"
"N-no."
"Then leave us."
The Minister slunk out like a rain-soaked pup.
The Emperor chuckled and turned to me.
"You handled that well, as expected."
"A heads-up would've been nice."
"Would it have changed anything?"
"……."
No.
"And you must've guessed the real reason."
Yeah, figured.
"Still, that fool as War Minister…… tch!"
The Emperor tsked in distaste.
"Anyway, as discussed, I'll approve the archery unit."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
"In return, smash every pirate you see and keep foreign trade safe."
"Of course."
"You're dismissed."
"Yes."
I withdrew from the Emperor's office.
Can't let my guard down around him for a second.
Even I, who rarely sweats, was drenched.
Somehow got roped into teaching archery at the academy too.
Then Jin Yeong Daehyeop approached.
"Audience over?"
"Ah, yes."
"The War Minister shuffled out looking like a sad puppy."
Right—rumor has it the Gold Guards and War Ministry don't get along.
Don't they draw from the ministry?
Some backstory there, probably.
"I seem to have earned his enmity."
"No need to worry."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop smirked.
"Who'd dare touch you? Worst case, I'll tattle."
"Pardon?"
"That office you hold—it's for times like these."
Oh, right. Censor.
Thanks for the reminder, Daehyeop.
He continued.
"Oh, and those prisoners you took—we've approved changing their labor sites per your request."
"My thanks."
Thanks to the ex-pirates, we learned the wine thieves were Blood Bird Group members.
And gleaned key intel.
We shortened their terms as promised, but since they helped more than expected, I repaid by requesting lighter labor sites—from construction to something less grueling.
Come to think of it, the black qi around those ex-pirates had faded lately.
Master said even villains shed black qi if they reformed.
But erasing it fully takes great effort.
Their qi lightened right after I showed them a glimpse of the Silver Wind Archery Unit's power.
Why's that?
Turned over a new leaf?