“An empty nameplate? No way!”
‘Could it be that the corrupt officials are using forbidden black magic? Selling positions like it’s some kind of magic trick!’
From a lowly barbarian to an instant identity reversal, just like that!
In this world, simply passing the preliminary exam grants you the title of ‘Seongwon’, and special treatment, even if you’re just a ninth-rank minor official. Despite being looked down upon as a mere black-haired peasant, it means you become someone the people of the Central Plains must bow their heads to.
Gu Jook really seems to have prepared a masterstroke.
“It’s a small gift from the Head of Guards, but it’s far too big for me to accept!”
I flatly declined.
“I have no interest in a barbarian life starting with a minor official position.”
Days are busy with increasing my reputation and making money.
I already have several businesses underway, battling over the successor title at Man Geum Battlefield, and there’s no way I’ll be messing around at the government office writing documents on criminals.
“Do you think being beside the Inspector would get you even bigger gifts? Do you think Jung Mun-won would be considerate enough to give you something?”
The Head of Guards must have taken my refusal the wrong way.
“Hahaha! A gift from the Inspector? I always pay for my drinks!”
“Tsk tsk. Is that Inspector simply sucking the blood out of poor Ho Pil? That problem child truly has no awareness. No wonder he’s acting like that!”
“He’s a better person than you think.”
“Did someone fail the Great Examination? Now that you got a job, shouldn’t you be thinking about who to support and who to push away? You’re just setting everything around you ablaze! If you stick with that kind of guy, you’ll get burned alive!”
Gu Jook’s chubby face turned beet red from his excitement. The stress of being around the Inspector must be heavy. Better watch out for high blood pressure!
“It seems that many people have unfavorable views of him.”
I smiled warmly, as if I were a subordinate thinking of my superior.
“There’s no one else to drink with, so I’m drinking with you! Yeah… Since he’s made a move, he’ll probably rise high, right? But you know, does Jung Mun-won look like someone who’s flexible enough to pull you up with him?”
“Hahaha…”
I had already received a scouting proposal once, so there was no need to mention it.
“Then what are you going to do? How long are you going to be clinging to a lowly position without rank? A man should aim for something greater!”
The Head of Guards gestured toward the empty nameplate.
“It’s a so-called fascinating gift that makes my heart race, but…”
What I want is money. What do I care for empty nameplates?
“Are you worried you might anger Jung Mun-won?”
“That’s not the worry at all.”
How do I persuade him to pay back the money?
“No? Then let me give you a piece of advice since you’re getting a position. The political world is all about deciding who your friends and foes are. If you wrap this up smoothly, I can put you in a position in my governing region. If you keep doing well, you might even reach the Head of Right Guards, and you won’t have to mix with that Inspector!”
“I’m not hesitating for such reasons.”
If only he had given me the money from the start, things would have been much easier. But since he doesn’t intend to pay, what can I do?
Let’s stick to the plan.
“Then?”
“In light of being forced onto the political stage, I was wondering if it’s possible to become friends with both the Inspector and the Head of Guards.”
I feigned a shy smile, acting as if I were an inexperienced youth with little social know-how.
‘Never should I turn against the Head of Guards.’
In my heart, I wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him down for cash. But I’m just Ho Pil, a barbarian. My counterpart is the Head of Guards. He’s not someone I can get money from by shouting.
I have to get him to hand over the cash without any hostility.
“Hmm… Now I see that Ho Pil is quite the greedy person. But the political world is not a place where a mere commoner can dictate terms. If you can grasp a single string, you should see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Even someone in a position like the Head of Right Guards is trying to grab onto the Head of Guards’ string. The advice to pick a solid string over half-heartedly clutching two seems fair enough.
“You’re right. I must have been foolish.”
So, what now?
“Then hurry up… What?!”
He tossed the empty nameplate into a corner.
Angry glares pierce through the air.
How dare a mere Ho Pil refuse his proposal. Gu Jook’s eyebrows twitched as if feeling humiliated.
No matter. I meet his fiery glare with a smile.
“Wanting to be friends before someone is about to be dismissed? That was a bit greedy.”
“What… what are you saying?”
Gu Jook’s anger turns into confusion.
If I were a clean and upright Ho Pil, I would just gracefully exit without revealing anything to someone like you.
But I’m Kang Yoon-ho, the prospective son-in-law of Man Geum-jeon. I’m here to ensure you pay back that money you borrowed.
If Gu Jook is always my superior, I can’t exactly demand him to pay me back. How could I ask a higher-up for money they owe? I’d only end up requesting and getting rejected.
I lifted the wine bottle beside me with a cunning smile.
Using the term ‘dismissal’ would adjust our relationship a bit.
“Before I speak, may I pour you a drink?”
It’s all about sharing drinks.
——–
Inside the room where all the courtesans have just left.
Gu Jook, who just moments ago wore a proud expression, now looked at me wide-eyed, holding out his cup.
“While it’s true that I’ve been placed on this political stage against my will, it doesn’t mean I’ve neglected my duties.”
The image the Head of Guards has of me is that of a bumbling youth caught in political strife against a noble official. I need to fully utilize these two images now.
“You’ve fulfilled your duties?”
I cleared my throat and shifted to a tone that the Head of Guards was already familiar with.
“Head of Guards Gu Jook is one of the most corrupt of all officials! He harshly squeezes the common people until their laments reach the heavens. Ho Pil Kang Yoon-ho must uncover evidence of your tyranny and corruption until the strike protests come to an end.”
“Jung Mun-won…! That guy is definitely…”
Just kidding.
“I’m Kang Yoon-ho. It’s true that I have an empty name, but I’m not someone who would ignore the commands of an Inspector. I’ve been investigating diligently.”
“So, what have you found?”
The Head of Guards asked with a tone that seemed to mock his own insignificance.
“Yes, I found something.”
“What?! What did you find?!”
If you’ve filled your cup, then drink up! What are you spilling it for?
‘Ending the strike with insufficient force won’t cut it.’
There are less than ten days until the exam concludes. The amount of money that the Head of Guards borrowed is too vast to repay in a short time.
To make him pay, I must put pressure on him for repayment once this gathering ends.
No way someone who hasn’t repaid their debts so far would easily pay up. Thus, I need to prepare one more card.
“It all traces back to the impeachment of the Inspector, resulting in our Head of Guards’ predicament.”
I walked around the room with my hands behind my back.
The criminal is right here. Who could it be? Time for a detective-style explanation!
“You’re talking about that incident where Jung Mun-won nearly got dismissed? What does that have to do with me?”
There was a tense undertone in the Head of Guards’ irritated voice.
“Upon his impeachment, the Head of Guards had to pay a significant amount of money to the central government. And the evidence presented by the Inspector was unexpectedly compelling.”
“…….”
The Head of Guards’ eyes narrowed. Why? Does something seem familiar?
“The problem is that the Head of Guards had to spend a hefty amount of money for his own survival. The central government probably demanded a colossal sum.”
“Hmm…”
“The Head of Guards is in a dilemma. How can he urgently gather such a large sum? Right! Let’s squeeze the lower-ranking officials! It’s the kind of brilliant idea you’d expect from someone whose life’s work has been to exploit the common folk.”
I looked at Gu Jook with a mocking smile, as if to say I already know everything. You paid the Head of Guards, didn’t you?
“If what you say is true, then I’m the victim here.”
Seems like these days it’s no crime to provide the money for bribes. I chuckled and continued.
“You just told me that the political arena is about making friends and foes, didn’t you? The Head of Guards has political sense; he wouldn’t squeeze his lackey to create enemies. Thus, the Head of Guards extends a proposal to you.”
“What proposal?”
I picked up my empty cup, pouring my own drink.
You will have to drink what I pour you, but I am not going to drink what you pour. I emptied my cup, gazing at the Head of Guards as if interrogating a suspect.
“Head of Guards, you have confiscated prime land from its owners under the pretense of flood control projects.”
“……!”
“The landlords protested furiously, yet remarkably, it was settled in an instant. As if some agreement had been reached at a higher authority.”
“That’s a baseless accusation! Where do you get off slandering me?!”
The Head of Guards’ eyes quivered. Did he realize he’d been caught? Countless thoughts rushing through…
I adopted a delightfully contrived excuse, savoring every moment.
“Yes, it’s just a hunch. It could very well be an unfounded suspicion.”
Indeed, the transaction between the Head of Guards and the Inspector was so thoroughly hidden that it seemed dust would not stir.
“Are you saying you’re going to corner someone without evidence?”
“But still, I wouldn’t have made a fuss about it like this.”
The Head of Guards’ face became stiff, as if amusement was no longer needed.
——–
I didn’t conduct any extraordinary investigation or make grand deductions.
‘I’ve seen the Head of Guards’ corruption ledger back in the day.’
I already had a conversation with the Inspector wrapped up.
The Head of Guards Gu Jook?! I’ve kept my eyes on him too.
Remember when I gave up trying to link both the Head of Guards and the Inspector before?
I found my suspicions converging. But I lacked concrete evidence. Pulling landowners under the pretext of flood control straddles the line between legal and illegal. I need to find evidence of corruption, but even if their names were written in the corruption ledger, it’s difficult to use it as evidence.
Time to shake Gu Jook a little.
“Are you suggesting I actually found evidence?”
Your voice, man. I wish I could record this right now!
It’s now time for the noble Ho Pil Kang Yoon-ho to shine! Returning to the stance of casual walking, I casually observed Gu Jook with a relaxed expression.
“You said the Inspector is someone oblivious to the ways of the world. Yes, I agree—he seems to have spent a lifetime studying only to narrow his perspective.”
“What does that mean?”
“The reality is, I grasp the currents of the world quite well. I understand how money flows.”
“Money flows?!”
“Given that you’re the Inspector, I believe you must have already given up on it. The corruption ledgers seized from the Head of Guards show us something cautious: the names of those who provided bribes are not explicitly listed, so there’s no solid evidence.”
The funds provided to the central government by the Head of Guards count as a bribe, but the Head of Guards also received cash from Gu Jook in exchange for benefits. Yet there was no evidence in the matter at hand.
The undeniable proof of Gu Jook providing money to the Head of Guards is nowhere to be found.
“You really found evidence…!”
I smiled and nodded.
“Consider the situation back then. He needed an enormous sum quickly. Additionally, if a bribe didn’t arrive before any evidence, the Head of Guards’ neck would be on the line! The Head of Guards, pressed against the wall, squeezes Gu Jook for money and manages to raise it after a few days. Here’s where the problem arises.”
Most mistakes happen due to time constraints.
“Would you like me to show you the corruption ledger again?”
“Honestly, I have a hunch about something. I’d like to look into this together with Miss Zhuge.”
“No matter how much you searched, you shouldn’t find anything of value!”
Contrary to the Inspector’s expectations, Miss Zhuge and I found what we needed.
“It’s a problem, you say? What exactly do you mean?”
“No matter how much one has, it is impossible to come up with a massive chunk of cash overnight.”
“……!”
How did the Head of Guards manage to raise a huge amount of money in such a short time? How could Gu Jook provide such funds to the Head of Guards in just a few days?
More importantly, which barbarian could lend that kind of cash all at once?
Now the question is, how do I get my money back from the Head of Guards?
“Head of Guards, you recently borrowed a considerable amount of money from Man Geum Battlefield.”
The secret ledger and the corruption ledger.
The answer lies within those two ledgers.
