A few days passed after that.
The displaced people finished a simple investigation and were sent off toward a village in Hunan Province.
From what I heard from Warrior Jin Yeong, the Imperial Family had purchased quite a large tract of farmland in Hunan during this famine.
“Farmland?”
“It was actually a pretty decent deal for both sides. The owner happened to be in desperate need of money.”
“I see.”
“Apparently His Majesty was deeply moved by what you did for those rebel peasants before.”
By that, he must mean when I calmed the rebel band who’d turned into Forest bandits in the mountains between Sunyang County and Yang-eun County in Hubei, then arranged for them to tenant-farm land.
Of course, because they had committed crimes, they had to farm for several years without paying any rent.
And the talents we gained then, starting with Gyeong In-juk, were now sweating and working hard at the Eunhae Merchant Group for a brighter future.
Anyway, so His Majesty was moved by that?
“Whose land do you think this empire’s land truly is?”
“Well, of course…”
Huh? Now that I think about it, what am I even supposed to say?
In theory, every single piece of land in the empire belongs to the Emperor. But in practice, is that really true?
No.
People pay land taxes in the sense that they’re renting the Emperor’s land, but every parcel still has an owner who holds the rights to it.
Maybe he expected my troubled expression, because Warrior Jin Yeong smiled and went on.
“Food is the most important resource there is, so you can say land is power. Honestly, doesn’t the person with the most land in a village rule like that village’s ruler?”
“…”
“His Majesty decided to treat this famine as an opportunity and bought up quite a lot of land. He’s still buying more even now.”
I inwardly marveled at Warrior Jin Yeong’s words.
He really is incredible.
To turn this famine into the very foundation to truly strengthen imperial authority.
And honestly, that drive is amazing too.
The famine is expected to last about three more years, and during that time a good number of landlords will end up putting their land on the market.
If a field’s yield drops, that means the income they get from it drops too.
But it’s not so easy to suddenly cut back on the lifestyle they’re used to.
When your income shrinks, you need to spend less if you want to survive, but if you don’t, in the end all you can do is sell your land.
“However, His Majesty isn’t touching the land owned by small independent farmers. He’s only lending them grain. Why do you think that is?”
I smiled.
“Taxes, right?”
“As expected, you’re sharp!”
The taxes paid by independent farmers are a major source of the empire’s income. That’s what keeps the empire running.
Landlords also pay taxes, but honestly, there are almost none who pay them honestly.
Our Eunhae Merchant Group calculates and pays them accurately, though.
If something goes wrong down the line, everything we’ve built up could come crashing down because of it.
Growing the Imperial Family’s wealth while also protecting the independent farmers who pay taxes.
Balancing those two things is no easy task… His Majesty really is amazing.
Someone like that needs to rule this empire for a long, long time if the empire is to remain at peace.
I hope he lives a long life.
Anyway, the displaced people who had been with the Seoun Sect were going to become tenant farmers cultivating the Imperial Family’s land in that village.
For them, that really wasn’t a bad outcome.
As long as they worked hard, they wouldn’t have to worry about starving to death.
Meanwhile, the Seoun Sect’s Sect Master who led the uprising and the other key figures were escorted to the Imperial Palace in chains.
And just like that, the business related to the Seoun Sect was wrapped up.
My business, however, wasn’t over yet.
It felt like it was about time to return to Guizhou.
I opened the window of my quarters and looked outside.
When I first came here it had still been summer, but before I knew it, autumn was creeping in.
Right then, Palgap came into my room and spoke.
“Young master. The Commissioner is asking for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Young Master Dong is waiting for you as well.”
Ah… so I’m to go with him.
When I stepped out of my quarters, Young Master Dong Hang-su was already waiting in the yard, fully prepared.
“Let’s hurry.”
“Ah, yes.”
He tossed out the words carelessly and turned around.
I basically handled this whole matter, but is it really that hard to say a simple ‘good work’?
Tch.
We headed for the Commissioner’s office.
“Come in.”
We announced our arrival, then went inside.
“I heard you called for us.”
Young Master Dong Hang-su clasped his fists in salute, but then he noticed someone else and tilted his head slightly.
I already knew there was someone other than the Commissioner inside.
It was none other than Warrior Jin Yeong.
Young Master Dong hurriedly lowered his head.
Since he held an official post, he recognized the golden peony ornament hanging from the tassel on Warrior Jin Yeong’s fan.
The Embroidered Guard revealed who they were with the small shields they used in battle, their golden armor, the Emperor’s bestowed swords, and the ornament hanging from their fan’s tassel.
“I greet you, Great Hero of the Embroidered Guard.”
In response to that greeting, Warrior Jin Yeong simply nodded, expressionless.
Young Master Dong’s face was tense.
Of course it was. The Embroidered Guard wielded terrifying power for their rank.
So long as it was in the name of the Emperor, they could arrest and interrogate anyone.
Back under the previous Emperor, they even abused that authority and framed people they didn’t like with treason.
But under the current Emperor, that doesn’t happen.
If an Embroidered Guard tried something like that, His Majesty would crush that Embroidered Guard personally.
Well, it’s possible there are still a few Embroidered Guards with more guts than sense, so you can’t say it never happens at all.
Even so, people’s perception doesn’t change easily, and for those plotting rebellion, they’re still a terrifying existence.
To lighten the mood a little, I smiled and asked Warrior Jin Yeong,
“You still haven’t left?”
“My work isn’t done yet. And since I’m in Hunan anyway, there are things I need to take care of.”
“You’re working really hard.”
“As if it could compare to what you’ve done.”
When I spoke with him in such a familiar way, Young Master Dong looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Truth is, Warrior Jin Yeong is usually on the curt side.
The first time I saw him, even someone like me who doesn’t feel the cold could sense a chill.
But thanks to the time we’ve spent together and the trust we’ve built, he treats me gently.
I turned my head and looked at the Commissioner.
Meeting my gaze, he began to speak.
“As it happens, when you return to Guizhou this time, I intend to accompany you.”
“Commissioner, that’s your wish?”
In response to Young Master Dong’s question, he nodded heavily.
“Even if this affair was their scheme, it happened because someone infiltrated my household. It’s my failure for not managing my own house properly.”
He let out a sigh.
“They say one must cultivate oneself, then govern the family, then rule the state, and only then can one bring peace under heaven. Only once I control myself and properly manage my own household can I rightly govern Hunan…”
I gently tried to console him.
“Please don’t blame yourself too much. Honestly, who could have seen through their plot? We were fortunate that the worst was avoided.”
“Yes, that was thanks to His Majesty’s grace and your help. In any case, I intend to personally go to the Guizhou Commissioner of Land Affairs and apologize for this matter.”
He turned his head toward Warrior Jin Yeong and spoke.
“After that, I plan to request an audience with His Majesty and resign from the Commissioner’s post.”
“…!”
So he really is thinking of stepping down!
It seemed this whole incident had truly shocked him.
At his words, Warrior Jin Yeong gave a wry smile.
“As expected of His Majesty.”
“…?”
The Hunan Commissioner looked confused at that, and Warrior Jin Yeong took a silk letter wrapped in red satin from his robe.
“His Majesty instructed me to deliver this if you spoke of resigning, Commissioner.”
The Commissioner dropped to his knees on the spot, respectfully received the letter, and opened it.
“…”
He bit his lip. From how his eyes reddened, it looked like the letter had moved him deeply.
Just what did His Majesty write to get that kind of reaction?
“Khuh! His Majesty’s grace is boundless.”
Warrior Jin Yeong flicked his eyes at us.
A signal to step outside.
So we left the office, and Warrior Jin Yeong asked me,
“When do you plan to return to Beijing?”
“I’m planning to head back as soon as I finish things up here. It won’t take long.”
“His Majesty seems to have something urgent he wants to discuss with you.”
“Understood. I’ll return to the capital as soon as I can.”
He nodded, then offered a farewell.
“Then I’ll take my leave. And don’t be too hurt if I don’t see you off on your way out.”
“Just the fact that you came all the way here already makes me happy.”
“Then I’ll see you in Beijing.”
“Take care on your way back.”
Young Master Dong and I clasped our fists to him. When we raised our heads, he was already far off in the distance.
“You.”
Young Master Dong called out to me.
“Yes?”
“Just who in the world are you? Who are you, that that Ice-Faced Flame Sword Great Hero speaks to you with a smile?”
Ice-Faced Flame Sword was Warrior Jin Yeong’s title.
It meant he wielded a blazing sword with an icy face, and it seemed he’d earned that name thanks to his unique chill and his extreme yang martial arts.
“On top of that… His Majesty wants to consult with you. There’s no way that Ice-Faced Flame Sword Great Hero would joke about His Majesty…”
I just smiled without saying anything.
Honestly. Warrior Jin Yeong…
He realized Young Master Dong’s attitude toward me was a bit off and warned him.
That if he treated me carelessly, he wouldn’t find it very fun.
Young Master Dong’s legs started to shake.
“Y–you’re a much more important… person than I thought you were.”
Him suddenly speaking in honorifics really threw me off.
“You don’t need to speak so formally. I’m just a lowly young merchant. How could someone from an official family address me with honorifics?”
But his expression only grew more awkward.
Seeing that face did feel nice, but if he kept acting like that, I’d be uncomfortable too. Time to stop pushing it.
“Then let’s head back.”
“Yes.”
That evening.
Through a servant, the Commissioner informed us of the schedule for the trip to Guizhou.
We would depart the day after tomorrow.
Naturally, if the Commissioner was going to be away from his post for quite some time, there was a lot he needed to prepare.
And since the purpose of this visit was to apologize, he also had to prepare appropriate gifts.
After dinner, I walked through the back garden of the outer residence to help my food digest and sort out my thoughts.
That was when I saw the Commissioner up ahead.
I clasped my fists.
“Have you had dinner?”
“I have. Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I ate well.”
“Walk with me for a bit.”
“Yes, sir.”
It seemed he’d come out to stroll in the garden just like I had.
Now that it was the Ninth Month, the mornings and evenings should have been starting to get chilly, but maybe because this was Hunan, it was still hot.
Even so, the flowers were beautiful, so walking the garden was worth it.
“I heard from Warrior Jin Yeong that His Majesty favors you.”
“His Majesty is merely taking pity on my meager talents.”
“His Majesty detests useless officials.”
On that point, he was absolutely right.
“And this time, I was able to clearly see why His Majesty values you.”
He stopped walking and looked straight into my eyes.
“I heard you met my fourth son a few days ago.”
“Yes. I did.”
I hesitated, wondering if I should tell him the truth. At that moment, the Commissioner spoke.
“By any chance, is what I’m thinking correct?”
“Yes?”
“Is it true that Fourth is in love with Jaryeong?”
“…”
I didn’t answer.
There was no need to.
“Haah… I knew he was very interested in Jaryeong, but I never imagined his feelings were that earnest.”
With a complicated expression, he continued.
“As you’ve seen yourself, that boy isn’t very good at expressing what’s in his heart.”
“…”
“If he’d told me he had feelings for Jaryeong, I would have married the two of them. When Jaryeong’s engagement was being discussed, Third was basically just willing to go along with whatever I decided.”
Hearing that made the Commissioner’s fourth son seem even more pitiful.
“Have you told Fourth about that tea?”
I shook my head.
Because I still hadn’t decided what I should do.
“Then could I ask you for a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Please keep this from my sons.”
“…”
“Honestly, as the Commissioner of Hunan, it’s wrong of me to hide the truth, but this is a request from a foolish father.”
If they ever found out what had happened this time, Fourth would be crushed by guilt.
He’d have to live with the fact that he almost killed the woman he loves with his own hands.
In my previous life, Lady Jaryeong really had died.
And then Third would resent Fourth for nearly killing his fiancée.
Fourth is already a fragile child.
If that happened, he might not be able to endure the guilt and end up taking his own life.
They say ignorance is bliss, and this was exactly one of those situations.
“I’ll do as you ask.”
“Thank you.”
“But someday the truth will come out. Especially since those people have been sent to Beijing.”
“I plan to ask His Majesty for a favor through Warrior Jin Yeong.”
Ah… so that was his plan.
In that case, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Leaving that aside…”
He looked at me and continued.
“What do you think of the Murim Alliance?”
–TL Notes–
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