Chapter 64
Pruning (3)
The head of the Yellow Dragon Trading Company, Yeom Yu-gwang, went to visit the Governor (Taesu).
As always, the governor’s face split into a wide grin as he received the gifts Yu-gwang had brought.
“Hahaha! You really shouldn’t have. Please, sit.”
Yu-gwang took his seat and immediately asked,
“How did things go with Wang Ji-gyeong?”
“I sent him a summons, but he claimed he was bedridden and refused to come. So I sent my nephew instead, but I haven’t heard back yet. That fellow loves his liquor, so he’s probably off drinking somewhere.”
“For a man who lives off elixirs to claim illness—he must truly fear the summons. Why didn’t you just ignore his excuses and have him dragged here by force?”
“Elder Wang is no ordinary man, and his connections are not insignificant. If I mishandle this, it could backfire. Better to settle this calmly. After all, it’s still within the Buddha’s palm, isn’t it?”
Just then, a maid entered with tea, briefly pausing their conversation.
After taking a sip, the governor asked,
“I heard you’ve had several clashes with him. They say there were many casualties. What exactly happened?”
“Just the usual between rivals. Nothing to concern yourself with.”
“Are you certain I don’t need to be worried?”
“Once Wang Ji-gyeong is dealt with, there will be no further trouble. I’m relying on you, Governor.”
Yu-gwang drank the tea calmly. It was Longjing tea—once supplied by the Song clan and famed as the finest in the land.
Clink.
“Have you met with the Second Prince?”
“I entered the palace but did not meet him. I’ll have to try again next time.”
“Of late, it seems that man has grown wings. His support base is expanding, and recently, one of his people was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Army. That gives him formidable influence over the military—like a tiger gaining wings, don’t you think?”
“Then, when will the great undertaking begin?”
“Watch your tongue!”
The governor’s eyes widened. He pressed a finger to his lips and whispered,
“Be cautious with your words.”
“My apologies. I’ll be careful.”
The governor continued in a solemn tone,
“When the time comes, you’ll be informed. For now, focus on your proper role.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
At that moment, the door opened and a general entered.
“Governor, an Imperial Inspector (Eosa) has arrived.”
“Did you say… Inspector?”
“Yes, you should see him at once.”
The governor’s eyes grew wide.
“Why would an Inspector suddenly…?”
The Imperial Inspector, called the blade of the Censorate, was the official all others feared most—for they never came with good news.
“Quickly—remove these gifts!”
“Yes, sir!”
The general hurried to clear away Yu-gwang’s gifts. But then the doors swung open again, and new figures entered.
“Constable, put that down.”
“…!”
Gomi presented her Inspector’s token to the governor.
His flustered expression changed in an instant once he confirmed it was an Inspector appointed by the Crown Prince’s palace.
Can a man’s face change so quickly? The governor instead raised his voice.
“Outrageous! Even as an Inspector, you cannot simply barge in like this!”
Gomi’s eyes were cold as ice.
But before she could reply, another man stepped forward.
“How dare you insult His Highness the Crown Prince?”
It was Guan Zhibai, a commander of the Crown Prince’s palace, exuding a fearsome aura.
“To behave rudely even after seeing the Inspector’s token—is that not the same as insulting His Highness himself?!”
“You—how are you here…?”
The governor’s eyes widened even further as he recognized Guan Zhibai. Though they held equal rank, Guan Zhibai—known as the Crown Prince Yi So’s shadow—was someone even he could not afford to offend.
Meanwhile, Yu-gwang felt a chill.
Of course he knew who the Inspectors were.
Why now, of all times? Why did they strike while I’m here?
A dreadful sense of foreboding welled up in him, though he tried hard to keep his composure.
Watching him closely was another figure—Yi Hwan, disguised as an Inspector’s guard. Beside him were Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok, also dressed in guards’ uniforms.
“The guards will restrict all entry and exit!”
“Yes!”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae bolted the doors and stood guard. Yi Hwan, belatedly remembering his disguise, also stepped back into position.
Gomi stepped forward.
“You are Yeom Yu-gwang, are you not?”
“…I am.”
“Arrest him!”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan moved to comply.
Was my answer too quiet? he wondered absently, even as Yu-gwang shouted in alarm,
“What crime have I committed to deserve this? At least tell me the reason!”
“The crimes you’ve committed are countless. Details will be revealed later—now, come with us!”
“What crimes… ugh!”
Yu-gwang groaned as his knees buckled. Yi Hwan had forced him down and quickly bound his arms.
“Constable, open that!”
The local constable, trembling, opened the package he carried. Two large golden toads gleamed brilliantly within.
Damn it…
Yu-gwang clenched his eyes shut. He knew he was caught with no escape.
Under Gomi’s interrogation, the governor surprisingly admitted to taking them—but insisted they were gifts, not bribes.
But that wasn’t all.
Using the evidence gathered so far, Gomi pressed further, exposing layers of corruption between the governor and Yu-gwang. The governor kept his eyes closed and gave no answer; Yu-gwang remained silent as well.
They knew resisting was useless. They resolved to keep their mouths shut until they reached the palace.
Yi Hwan smiled inwardly.
The Empress and the Second Prince won’t be able to save you now.
Prince Yi Tae-ji’s brows sharpened like blades.
“What did you just say?”
“The Crown Prince exposed the corruption of the governor and the Yellow Dragon Trading Company. He raised it during the court assembly, and the Chancellor has already moved to bring it into public debate.”
Baek Po-in’s expression was grave. Yi Tae-ji’s face hardened as well.
“That man attended the assembly?!”
“Yes. I only learned after it had already happened.”
By law, all officials of Yan were now required to attend assemblies—a change not made by the Emperor, but by the Empress herself.
“How much has the Crown Prince’s faction uncovered?”
Unease showed plainly on Yi Tae-ji’s face.
The governor was one thing, but if the Yellow Dragon Trading Company fell, the flames might reach him as well.
He jumped to his feet.
“I must see the Empress Mother!”
“Her Majesty has not yet returned to the palace.”
“…!”
Yi Tae-ji sat back down, realizing he’d forgotten that the Empress was still away at the hot springs in Changbaek.
Baek Po-in spoke again.
“First, we must use the Embroidered Guard to discover how much the Crown Prince’s palace has learned. If they know too much for us to intervene…”
He trailed off, then sighed, speaking in a firm voice,
“…you may have to abandon the Yellow Dragon Trading Company.”
The prisoners’ escort began.
Yu-gwang kept his eyes closed, pondering how to escape this crisis. Though shaken at first, he had regained his composure.
If the Second Prince steps in, this can be resolved easily.
That was the very reason he had spent countless fortunes to build such a powerful backer. He trusted in that support completely. The real question was why this had happened in the first place.
This all began after I crossed paths with Wang Ji-gyeong. Could it be… he has the Crown Prince behind him?
Since Guan Zhibai—known as the Crown Prince’s shadow—was involved, Yu-gwang could not help but suspect collusion between the Crown Prince and Wang Ji-gyeong.
I’ve heard rumors Wang Ji-gyeong has been investing heavily in the Song clan lately. Could that be related?
His doubts only deepened.
Throb!
A headache flared, and Yu-gwang let out a long breath, opening his eyes—only to flinch.
Yi Hwan, walking alongside the carriage, was staring straight at him.
Why does that man’s gaze feel so familiar…?
Scheming will do you no good. Even if you were reborn a hundred times, you’d never escape.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze forward again, relaxed. The sky was so clear and dazzling it almost hurt to look at.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to the plan he’d laid.
He fixed his eyes on Gomi’s back. Her role had been crucial, and she had carried it out perfectly.
If this had been the Second Prince’s faction, it would’ve been troublesome.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Soon, the palace came into view. Yi Hwan glanced back at Yu-gwang and the governor.
Yu-gwang sat with eyes closed, motionless, while the governor was actually smiling.
[He must truly have faith in the Second Prince.]
Cheol Mu-ok sent a voice transmission.
[Yu-gwang may survive, but that man is doomed. If the Second Prince has any sense, he’ll have him silenced before this scandal reaches his door. Since we don’t plan to touch the Second Prince directly, his chances of dying are even higher.]
[Wouldn’t it have been better to keep him alive, to use against the Second Prince later?]
Yi Hwan shook his head.
[What matters now is cutting off the Second Prince’s source of funds. Men like him can always be replaced—perhaps with someone even bigger.]
[May I ask something?]
Cheol Mu-ok immediately asked,
[Have you done this sort of thing many times before?]
[Why do you ask?]
[Because everything is unfolding exactly as you intended. Without experience, that would be nearly impossible.]
[This is my first time.]
“…!”
In his own era, he had never needed to step in himself. His three kings and subordinates had handled everything for him.
[Watch and learn. In time, you’ll be the ones doing all of this.]
Their entry into the palace was without incident.
Only the crowd of onlookers, drawn by the news, delayed them somewhat.
The governor and Yu-gwang were imprisoned not in the Embroidered Guard’s dungeons or the Eastern Depot’s, but in Biwol’s prison. Normally, Inspectors’ arrests were held by the Embroidered Guard.
But since the Guard leaned toward the Second Prince, they had to use Biwol’s prison instead.
Yi Hwan then went straight to the Crown Prince’s palace, accompanied by Gomi, Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju Tae.
Crown Prince Yi So came out personally to greet them.
“Welcome back.”
“Do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”
“I’ve already had a grand feast prepared. Come, let’s eat!”
Inside the residence, Yi Hwan removed his human-skin mask. Hastily made, it had been too thick and poorly ventilated, leaving his face drenched in sweat.
“How did the assembly go?”
“Exactly as we hoped. The Inspector will handle the investigation directly, so there’s no chance of interference. You’ve all done very well.”
Smiling, Yi So turned to Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae.
“You’ve brought them here—so they aren’t truly Inspectors. Are they your subordinates?”
“Not subordinates, more like comrades. Friends.”
“The way you speak of them… they must be very important to you. Please, take good care of my younger brother.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae bowed deeply.
But inside, they were astonished—by how Yi Hwan spoke to the Crown Prince.
Earlier, Ju Tae had asked Cheol Mu-ok,
[Is it really okay for him to act like that in front of the Crown Prince?]
Cheol Mu-ok hadn’t answered—because he was wondering the same.
Yet strangely, there was no sense of impropriety. It felt completely natural.
[Well, if he’s the heir of the Lord of the Castle, this much is only fitting.]
Cheol Mu-ok finally replied after a long pause.
Ju Tae nodded.
[I agree.]
[By the way, weren’t we going to drop the honorifics with each other?]
[Shall we?]
[Let’s.]
[Alright then.]
