Everything may be prepared well, but that doesn’t mean things will go as expected.
SWOOP!
Just like when you drop a fishing hook with bait, it doesn’t mean you’ll catch a fish right away!
WHOOSH!
You need to scatter some bait.
FLING!
You have to wake up the sleeping fish. Make them hungry for the bait, so they become eager to eat!
GRRRL!
The biggest bait. They should be so eager that they swallow the hook whole.
SWISH!
So, what bait should I use?
“Parents?”
“My mother passed away from a plague when I was young, and my father died a few years ago.”
It was now my turn to be the bait.
“Why did you come to the Central Plains?”
“I was born a man and wanted to see the wider world.”
“Seems like there was no reason to stay in Joseon.”
Looks like I was from a lowly family or a commoner. There was mockery in their words.
“I’ve never felt a lack of love or learning in my life, just like you don’t feel any lack in our conversation right now.”
“Hmmm.”
Don’t they know? I’ve been well-educated in foreign languages since childhood. They beat around the bush.
The truth was, being in a merchant family, I had many opportunities to learn foreign languages. But I didn’t need to mention that.
“Next, what about you Joseon folks…?”
Trivial questions followed. Especially the main focus was my black hair, which was the Elders’ Council’s biggest concern.
“Joseon is a country that studies Confucius…”
I countered their ridiculous questions.
No matter how far Joseon is from Hubei Province, it shouldn’t be that they think I’m out there causing problems like a barbarian in the Central Plains with just an axe.
“Studying Confucius? Is that why those people are causing so many problems in the Central Plains?”
“Right! Those with black hair are a group that covets other men’s women, that’s a well-known rumor!”
Of course, there are some similar cases.
“It is said that ‘harsh governance is worse than tigers.’ Most Joseon people would rather starve than stay behind in their hometown, and they head to the Central Plains. When trying to survive and rolling around at the bottom of society, they often get involved in problems. How could one’s nature be different just because their hair color is different?”
It’s not just in this world that immigrants occupy the lower classes of society.
Countless movies and dramas have documented the stories of immigrants dreaming of the American Dream, to the point where you can’t even count them.
“Your words flow like clear water. Yet, the behavior of Joseon people isn’t something that came up overnight!”
“I know that too. That’s why in Wuhan, I personally lead the Joseon people to help them settle in without causing problems.”
“Exactly! You’re saying you lead such a group? Pay attention, Head of Family!”
They’re nitpicking everything. It feels like I’m submitting my resume in the job market.
As a struggling student, I thought I was living diligently, but when trying to find a job, all I have to show are decent grades and university name. I am being ripped apart and slaughtered in the job market.
I have many stories of what I am, but out on the vast sea, I feel helpless with nothing to do.
GULP!
While it seems like the Elders’ Council wants me to just drop down and humiliate myself, I’m way past that stage of suffering.
Of course, I don’t plan to beg them to treat me kindly or let us love one another.
What I am is a vast, boundless ocean. If sharks try to swallow me, I’ll use a fishing line to show you how to fish!
SWISH!
It was time to move.
“Hah…”
I instantly changed my color from sincere to fatigued. I purposely displayed a tired expression, taking deep breaths.
The other side consisted of old members of the Elders’ Council. A bad attitude would undoubtedly draw reactions.
“What kind of attitude is that?”
“Where do you think you’re sighing in front of the elders!”
How dare I show a bad attitude while giving them bait to chew on. The sharks are closing in.
“I apologize. I couldn’t help it because I’m so disappointed in the Jeongal family.”
“What, what did you say?!”
“Are you insulting the Jeongal family right now?”
The reactions were good.
All eyes were on my attitude. Unaware of what I was revealing, I opened my mouth without changing my demeanor.
“Is this the place where I, Kang Yoon-ho, am evaluated to be a suitable match for the Jeongal family?”
“What did you just say?!”
“What do you think this place is?!”
Their furious voices echoed loudly in the room. It’s a problem that martial artists raise their voices when they get angry.
With multiple angry gazes directed at me, it feels like a wave of standardized fury is crashing down.
Don’t panic. Stay steady.
If I shake, everything will collapse. I laughed even when a sword was held to my neck, so a group of sharks that have no intention of coming ashore should be dealt with more shamelessly.
“Ah! I’m sorry. I was just thinking that any Joseon person standing here would say the same thing.”
How long will they keep attacking me just because of my black hair? I answered as if I was tired of it.
“Marriage is a matter between families! Did you really not know that when you came to the Jeongal family?”
Everyone looked like they were about to smack me in the head right away. It seemed like my words were quite beneficial for the elders.
Good. Now, let’s slow down.
“I thought the great Jeongal family would be different.”
BAM!
I grabbed their attention.
“What did you say?”
I took a moment to breathe before answering.
I didn’t care if their angry gazes struck my face. I calmly surveyed the faces of the Jeongal elders.
Like a prime minister from a thousand years ago, or like a strategist who wouldn’t bend to opinions even before countless generals, I spoke confidently.
“Indeed, it is difficult to understand one’s inner thoughts from outer appearances. So, observe their ability to discern a matter through questioning, and grasp their intentions to corner them to see how they respond. Thirdly, let them speak about their plans so you can assess the depth of their intelligence, and note their courage through warning them of disasters. Finally, make them drunk to observe their true nature and tempt them with wealth to see if they are righteous. Lastly, assign them tasks to discern if they are sincere. This is how one should understand a person’s nature.”
“What do you mean…?”
“That’s the way to understand people. A saying I keep in mind as someone who will manage others.”
A saying to remember for obtaining people. As I answered with a smile, their expressions shifted from anger to surprise. The faces of the Elders’ Council began to change.
It was only natural.
“Y-you, a Joseon person, knew of Mu-hoo’s words?”
What I had just said were Zhuge Liang’s words.
“I loved reading stories from the Three Kingdoms since I was a child. Especially the tale of Shu Han set my heart ablaze. After being left alone in this world, I wanted to see the vast world I had only heard about in stories.”
Some members of the Elders’ Council exchanged looks.
‘The difference between a Korean admiring General Lee Soon-shin and a foreigner admiring General Lee Soon-shin is massive right from the start!’
Even to think that I have engraved the words of my ancestors in my heart. Elders, how can you bear to watch this national pride unfold before you?
“…”
In a moment, I could sense what it meant to be seen again.
“Ha! So the black-haired ones can read the Three Kingdoms, huh?”
Of course, there were still elders who didn’t change their gaze. That’s alright. I’m about to kick the national pride TV into high gear again.
“When the Head of Family took me to the Hongcheonmirijin, I didn’t show it, but I was extremely thrilled. The Jeongal family I know! The way of understanding people I learned from Mu-hoo was right there before my eyes.”
WOW! Zhuge Liang! The understanding of people! The black-haired Joseon person is in awe of the formation! Why is he so happy?!
I exaggerated my excitement with a colorful facial expression.
“Cough! Cough! I did reflect the spirit of my ancestors to choose a successor!”
“You…?”
Some members reacted as if they couldn’t contain themselves.
“That’s why I promised the Head of Family. I’d come out in seven days. I should show you who I am!”
I glanced at my father-in-law, who had been silently listening, wanting to earn some points, then surveyed the Elders’ Council for more points.
I wanted to show them that I’m someone who keeps my promises according to understanding people. Although I was thrilled by the promise for passing the formation that doesn’t work on me.
Success can be pretty no matter how you package it.
“…”
A few nodded, indicating that they’d understood my words.
Now, it was time to divide the sides again. I turned my head to the members of the Elders’ Council, who were still dissatisfied.
“But did those earlier questions even have meaning?”
As Zhuge Mu-ho said, do not judge by appearance. Why do you only look at my black hair?
“As I said…”
SWISH!
I pressed on quickly.
“In a thousand years, has the Jeongal family reduced to judging a person’s nature by their appearance? Is this how a prestigious family over a thousand years behaves?”
“This brat!!!”
You are mistaken. I’m using my ancestor’s sayings as a shield against those who wield authority.
Do not attack my flaws any longer.
To direct them to the bait I want, I added one more word.
“Or is this just the Elders’ Council’s way?”
THUD!
“Your arrogance soars to the heavens!”
Their anger erupts. Some couldn’t hide their fury and looked ready to wield their canes.
“Head of Family! Are you really going to keep watching?!”
“How can you say that kind of thing to an elder’s question!”
“Isn’t it true that you’re the one getting riled up by constantly attacking my faults?”
On the contrary, a few elders have been nodding their heads, seemingly waiting to speak.
“O Elder Oh!”
“What? Isn’t that the kid who passed the Hongcheonmirijin? We could afford to be a bit kinder here.”
“O Elder Oh! Are you defending him for just obtaining such a scroll?!”
“It’s nothing trivial!”
“O Elder Oh!”
“What I mean is, I could say it like that. He’s been piling on the attacks. Can’t you let the kid speak for a moment?”
“I think we’ve got enough questions for now.”
“O Elder Il?”
So that old man was Elder Il. He had been quietly stroking his beard since he first sat down.
“If there are words left to be said, then go ahead and say them.”
As expected, Elder Il isn’t something to be trifled with. Once permitted, all members of the Elders’ Council stopped talking and looked at me.
Now everyone has congregated near my bait!
LET’S GO!
It’s time to turn on the act calmly.
“Zhuge Mu-ho was not someone who merely proclaimed the understanding of people. He left proof of it right before my eyes for over a thousand years.”
WOOSHH!
The proof lies within. I slowly turned my head and made eye contact with everyone in the room.
“Are you saying that Mu-ho left proof right before your eyes?”
Proof of Zhuge Liang? What do you mean? I drew their interest one more time with a question and answered.
“I heard that the silver hair back then was a hair color that was frowned upon.”
“Are you referring to Lady Huang? That’s just a story from a long time ago!”
“Yes. Just like my black hair now.”
“…!”
Proof that does not disappear even after a thousand years—the silver hair color passed down among the direct descendants of the Jeongal family.
What that hair color signifies.
“Zhuge Mu-ho did not concern himself with the outer appearance or background of others. He married not simply based on Lady Huang’s appearance, but rather due to her talent.”
I came seeking the Jeongal family because I believed they did not judge people based on hair color. That’s the type of person I respect, Zhuge Mu-ho. Then how could a group like the Elders’ Council judge a person merely based on hair color?
Using the authority of the founder to stab at the authority of the Elders’ Council.
“Are you saying you are on the same level as Lady Huang?!”
“That’s preposterous!”
Screams erupted from the stabbed area.
“How dare I compare myself, who is still admired to this day and will continue to be admired for thousands of years, to a couple of legends? I merely hope that today, if the nature is true and the talent exists today, then irrespective of any limitations, I would like the Jeongal family to accept it unhesitatingly like they did back then. I just want you to remember where that virtue originates from!”
BOOM!
No need to be surprised. Keep pushing.
“Having assessed your talent through Hongcheonmirijin, do you now ask for them to acknowledge your talent?”
Their laughter came out like scorn.
“It was never easy to become the successor of Man Geum Battlefield as a person with black hair!”
“If you didn’t have any impressive qualifications, you wouldn’t even be here!”
True, being the successor of Man Geum Battlefield only meets the bare minimum conditions.
Elder Jang Noya knew this, which is why he kept it a secret from the Jeongal family until the very end.
“I have a small reputation in Wuhan as Ho Pil.”
“Even if you passed the exam, you’d be lacking! Are you babbling about a position without any salary?!”
In a family where passing the exam is quite common, even those who have solved several murder cases or caught fake Shadowless Thieves.
I’m just a black-haired Ho Pil, a position of little significance.
That’s alright.
“How about the title of the owner of the Tea Bookstore?”
Merely the owner of a bookstore. In a situation where even being the successor of Man Geum Battlefield and the title of an esteemed Ho Pil doesn’t help, the title means nothing of value.
“The Tea Bookstore?”
However, now it’s different.
“When I stepped out of the Hongcheonmirijin, I witnessed something fascinating.”
What unfolded was undeniable to all members of the Elders’ Council.
“I suppose you mean to flaunt your friend’s achievements?”
“Correct. In fact, the Tea Bookstore is not famous for the store itself, but for something else.”
NOD!
I nodded slowly, naturally, just like bait that appears to come alive on a fishing hook.
“Indeed, Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes is a fantastic novel. But what does that even matter?”
“Well, Ho Pil’s literary talent is indeed commendable! But what does that have to do with your talent?”
“That’s right! Just because Lord Seo Seo recommended the work doesn’t mean it became Lord Seo Seo’s work!”
“I wrote that novel myself.”
“…What?”
“I am Ho Pil.”
