Chapter 160

[My son, do not ask any questions and send 5 silver guan.]

This was the request Mo Kyung-hwan received a few days ago from his father back in his hometown.

‘Suddenly money?’

Mo Kyung-hwan was one of the outstanding talents from Posan County.

Currently, he held the position of Secretary in the Imperial Steward’s Office of the Guanglu Department, responsible for food served at the royal banquets.

When he was initially assigned to Guanglu, he also felt a sense of self-loathing. After all, Guanglu wasn’t a good experience if he was to rise above the fourth rank.

But, if one only considered the practical benefits, there was nothing wrong with Guanglu. As it handled a lot of money, the side income was also quite substantial.

Accommodating his father’s request wasn’t difficult.

The issue was the amount. His father was demanding a colossal sum nearly equivalent to six months of Mo Kyung-hwan’s salary.

The transfer was made through the exchange, yet Mo Kyung-hwan felt a bit worried as he sent it.

Why would his father, who had spent a long time in public office, suddenly need such an urgent amount of money?

The first person who came to mind was his younger sibling.

Mo Kyung-chung.

A brilliant younger brother who passed the local examination at a young age and became a junior licentiate.

Temptation often follows someone on the cusp of success. Merchants, courtesans, and ruffians seeking to establish connections early with future high officials. Perhaps Kyung-chung had fallen into gambling or women under their influence.

‘Sigh. That boy must not.’

It would be unacceptable for a child destined to bring honor to the family to become deeply entangled in frivolities.

Above all, Mo Kyung-hwan intended to nurture his younger sibling carefully so he could become a Counselor or Minister in the distant future, or even a Minister of the Six Ministries if possible.

And now, to let his guard down?

“It won’t do.”

It seemed he needed to set aside some time to visit his hometown of Posan County.

He wanted to believe that looking after his exceptional younger brother was also in the national interest. He planned to take leave, visit his hometown, and, if his brother had strayed onto the wrong path, ensure he refocused on his studies.

Fortunately, Mo Kyung-hwan had enough influence to do so.

Though merely a practical officer in the palace, he held unrivaled authority in his hometown, even surpassing the county magistrate.

“Director Shi. Please permit me leave. I’ve learned that there’s an issue at home.”

“Hometown?”

“My younger brother concerns me. Apparently, he may have become addicted to gambling or women. It seems my father is trying to handle the situation. I assure you I will resolve matters quickly and return. Please allow me to leave my post.”

“There’s no real problem with that.”

The sovereign was in precarious health.

Hence, Mo Kyung-hwan’s absence as the banquet’s overseer wouldn’t be an issue. No sumptuous banquets had been held since the ruler fell unconscious. How could ministers indulge in wine and food while His Majesty lay ill?

Though an official vacation wasn’t possible, quietly stepping away was feasible.

“Very well. I’ll handle your responsibilities temporarily. You may quietly return. Leave tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Mo Kyung-hwan exhaled in relief at his superior’s consideration.

…

However, his leave was canceled soon.

Due to the news from the sovereign’s chamber.

“The sovereign has passed.”

“His Majesty!!!”

All the officials from Guanglu, from its director to the lowest-ranked worker, immediately knelt in the direction of the sovereign’s chamber and began sobbing.

The news of the ruler, who had governed the nation for over thirty years by the mandate of heaven, was indeed weighty.

‘Visiting my hometown will have to wait.’

The Guanglu Department where Mo Kyung-hwan served was expected to become even busier.

Guanglu wasn’t merely responsible for banquets. It also handled food and wine for the funeral and would have many responsibilities in the new sovereign’s ascension process.

This was no time to worry about family.

…

…

Meanwhile, at the chamber.

Tang Yeon-cheol, the Crown Regent, faced the body of his late father.

And contemplated what needed to be done next.

Offering memorial rites to the deceased sovereign’s body housed in the palace, preparing the funeral coach, and composing commemorative writings honoring his predecessor were all crucial tasks.

However, there were even more pressing matters for Tang Yeon-cheol.

Ascending the throne simultaneously with the funeral.

And leading the Empire to victory in the ongoing conflict.

“Let him draft the memorial.”

This was Yeon-cheol’s command to a literary official.

He wasn’t only assigning the writing of the memorial. His plan was to delegate everything except the farewell rites before the sovereign’s departure to his officials. Yeon-cheol didn’t view this as filial impiety. During such emergency times, it was rather unusual to dedicate oneself solely to funeral arrangements.

A few hours later, dressed in mourning attire, Yeon-cheol entered the main hall.

He began discussing matters concerning the Britannia Empire with a few high officials.

Plenty of operations were already underway.

For instance, they were indirectly attacking Britannia through a third country.

“…A total of 10,000 catties of salt peter and 23,000 catties of raw opium have reached the Darien Kingdom. They’ve already started local production there, and it’s planned to circulate through merchants into the Empire. A detailed plan is ready for your review.”

Chinguk (the Empire) had already established a neighboring small kingdom as its production base, bribing several local nobles with funds, albeit temporary expenses.

Once they indulged, the bribed nobles were as good as shackled. Even if they initially agreed out of greed for wealth, they could no longer act independently having accepted it. The risk of retribution from Britannia would keep them aligned.

“They will soon heed our directives without any bribes.”

That wasn’t all.

Chinguk had also covertly disseminated morphine production techniques within the Empire.

They had contacted individuals purged by the heiress apparent of the Britannia Empire with the intent to recruit them.

Of course, attack wasn’t the sole focus.

Defense was equally critical.

A complete blockade?

That was never a realistic expectation.

Rather, what Tang Yeon-cheol had requested were precise estimates of drug influx into Chinguk.

Fortunately, the officials of Chinguk were competent.

“The Empire’s opium farms are estimated to total no more than 210 hectares.”

“After accounting for their domestic consumption and exports to the Great Forest, only limited quantities remain. Moreover, cultivation for other narcotics may not even have begun.”

“The influx of drugs into our territory is undeniable, Your Majesty. However, their harmful effects will be limited. I assume they will target officials for maximum drug efficiency.”

The Empire lacks raw materials.

Yet its capacity to produce deadly drugs would target key figures.

Alternatively, they might attempt local production in Chinguk.

This latter scenario was daunting.

Nevertheless, Chinguk already controlled the regions producing essential morphine raw materials like salt peter. Morphine required more than just opium and slaked lime. And heroin, more terrifying than morphine, depended on morphine initially.

‘It can be stopped.’

And we can win.

Tang Yeon-cheol clenched his fist, confident in victory.

***

The two major drug factions within the Academy: the Academic Faction and the Noble Faction.

They self-destructed in a fierce fight that left four dead.

But the drug-addicted students didn’t vanish.

Drugged students continued to roam the campus. The drug dealers were charged with inciting riots but couldn’t drag the users along.

Thus, I was discussing countermeasures with Siena while eating oatmeal.

“What if we just distribute it?”

Siena’s suggestion wasn’t about lethal doses.

“Officially supply something?”

“Something moderate. Like caffeine.”

Caffeine, the mildest of mild stimulants.

If we mass-produced caffeine pills containing about 150 milligrams of pure caffeine and sold them cheaply, perhaps the students who liked drugs would be satisfied while munching. Compared to digitalis or ephedrine syrup, it was far less dangerous.

If caffeine proved insufficient, amphetamine was an option.

Daily necessities up to amphetamines would keep students functioning normally while feeling the desired effects.

It felt odd going through such lengths to save them,

“But we can’t help it, Alan. We can’t kill everyone.”

“…”

“There are some we must save: relatives within my extended family use drugs, as does Lord Grant’s second son. It’s hard to dispose of those with too high a status or extraordinary talent. It’s better to sustain them on safe substances.”

Siena’s measured suggestion. These days, her moderation didn’t even surprise me.

If students using high-dose caffeine or amphetamines reached higher cultivation realms, the belief in these drugs might become even more entrenched.

Perhaps an era would come where non-users were regarded as fools.

“Still better than dying from toxic herbal concoctions.”

For us, it was quite a moderate solution.

But we couldn’t instantly create soft drugs.

“Your Excellency Siena.”

A maid approached, delivering a note.

Seeing its contents, Siena narrowed her eyes and smiled. It seemed to be good news for her but potentially shocking for others.

She then turned to me, a bright smile on her face.

“Alan, you remember the promise we made after making the fentanyl?”

Of course, I remembered.

“Engagement?”

“Yup. We agreed to hold an engagement ceremony just before the war intensified.”

Siena said this while licking oatmeal off her lips,

And added playfully,

“The Jin Emperor is dead?”

The death of the sovereign.

It meant a new sovereign openly hostile to us would ascend the throne.

In my opinion, there was no better time than now. Siena clearly realized this and was requesting the fulfillment of our promise.

After pondering briefly, I nodded.

“Alright. If a simple public announcement is acceptable.”

“Yup, I’ll tell my sister.”

The event would be tomorrow.

Though many would be surprised by the sudden engagement, it likely wouldn’t last long.

Because items had already entered Jin Country.

Compared to whatever occurred or would soon occur there, our engagement would merely be a minor family event.

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