10. Love and Peace (1)
Yi Ilje was gone. Raise a toast.
Well, he'll probably be reinstated soon, but whatever position he comes back to, it won't be Inspector of Chungcheong Province.
Worried about revenge from the court later? What did I do wrong to Yi Ilje? The barley was discovered in Cheongju, wasn't it? Take it up with the Cheongju magistrate.
Besides, it was only because he was here that the inspector caused trouble. If I were in the central government, swarming with Noron faction scholars above and below, trying to control me? Not so easy.
Above all, the biggest achievement was that Hong Gyehee, someone like an uncle to me, was assigned as the new Chungcheong Inspector.
Now, in the inspector's "inspection," my position will always be slightly off. That is the science of Joseon.
Of course, unlike during Yi Ilje's tenure, I immediately went to pay my respects when the new inspector arrived.
I had already spent nearly all my money preparing travel expenses and gifts. Now there's barely anything left.
I can eat from the official residence, but the problem is our family. My father really can't make money.
From now on, a "performance bonus" is absolutely necessary. I immediately started my duties as a local magistrate.
In an era with poor communications and minimal population movement, local governance could honestly be left to local elites.
But why did Joseon send magistrates even to the countryside?
If each region ruled itself in its own way, it wouldn't just create moral corruption but also administrative and economic inefficiency.
The reason Seomunpyo executed the shaman wasn't just for human sacrifice.
Because people fled, the city near the Yellow River, U-seong, became desolate.
Apartment prices fell. Any 21st-century Korean can understand that anger.
In reality, after Seomunpyo, U-seong laid the foundation to become one of China's major cities, and a center for various warlords and dynasties. The most famous are probably Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.
Thus, magistrates were trained in Confucian ritual and ethics to serve as "regional consultants."
Seomunpyo, as part of that consulting, "restructured" shamans and local elites. He also handled flood control projects, though not famous.
Of course, there are smart people in the provinces.
The most notable is Hong Daeyong, who often comes by now.
Talking to him, his past was mediocre, but he was smart. More of a flexible thinker.
However, in a large company, you can't have insiders handle restructuring. They have conflicts of interest. That's why Joseon had the 상피제 system.
Therefore, I am the only one who can make Mokcheon-hyeon prosperous. The responsibility is heavy.
I'm probably the only one who can make my family prosperous too.
First, I immediately eliminated the hesitant and meddling minor officials.
The Shin brothers, who had formally been my assistants, were officially dismissed.
I reported to the inspector that the previous assistants were replaced due to illness affecting their duties. Nicely worded.
Unfortunately, Yeon's prayers didn't seem very effective.
Eoji returned only three days later. I can't even be sure if prayers were offered, but officially, I didn't know anything.
After a few months as magistrate, I realized my reports were surprisingly well regarded.
Not because the content was exceptional, but because my handwriting was excellent.
No joke. The first rule of a good report: easy to read quickly. Reports exist so leaders of vast organizations can manage limited time efficiently. My top exam ranking also helped.
So work went smoothly. The new assistants were carefully chosen from those likely to support me.
The assets of Shin Manheung, Shin Jiheung, and their allies were confiscated.
Since this was a big deal, I formally reported it to the inspector.
Because I had paid a fast-track approval fee recently, permission came through automatically.
Too fast. He probably wanted a cut too.
Still, this was progress. My momentum rose as I dramatically brandished the command baton.
"Direct servant of His Majesty! The exalted Chungcheong Inspector! You are ordered to severely punish the treacherous assistants!"
The inspector answers only to the king.
While in practice he can't completely ignore other central offices, formally he reports directly to the king.
That's how Yi Ilje could report directly and get removed.
"Those men not only embezzled funds but also slandered the magistrate trying to oversee justice. This insults His Majesty and constitutes high treason!"
By stating the facts, I gave courage to my subordinates who had to raid the local elites' homes.
Then I gave the real order.
"Bring every last filthy coin back to the treasury. No resistance will be tolerated. Anyone who defies the magistrate will face strict law!"
The subordinates, realizing the strength behind their backers, were overjoyed.
"Yes, sir!"
The first to surrender, Gongsaeng Cho Mandeuk, and the first of the six precincts to pledge loyalty, Hyungbang Song Pilje, rushed and cleaned everything. Being from Hyungbang, it looked appropriate.
Whether Hyungbang or not, they had to go. Otherwise, the resistance faction that supported Shin Manheung would retaliate against them.
If I didn't eliminate the resistance before leaving, they'd be killed. They would work diligently.
Because I had struck swiftly, the total wealth was hard to calculate. Many assets couldn't be converted to money.
After hearing the results, I clicked my tongue.
"Why does this one say one thing and that one say another?"
"Apologies, sir. The subordinates are ignorant. Some must have hidden assets. We will investigate immediately."
Cho Mandeuk, the field commander, bowed deeply.
Well done, Mandeuk. If the total were exact, it'd be more troublesome.
I said generously.
"No, since you punished the criminals, morale should not drop."
Be magnanimous. Remember Xiang Yu's lesson.
If you complain about a minor share after obedience, who would follow you next?
"I will handle it, so step back. Hyungbang, take this and enjoy some beef soup. Let the kids even sip some rice wine and gnaw a leg."
They bowed, grateful not just for the bonus but for my handling of the aftermath.
"Sir's grace is boundless."
After they left, I recorded the "minimum estimate" in the ledger.
This is now the treacherous officials' property. Recovering this alone suffices.
Too much, my share shrinks; too little looks suspicious. Sense is needed.
Compared to the real total, even after giving subordinates and Hong Gyehee their shares, plenty remains. Naturally, that's my performance bonus.
Studying for the civil service exam at Noryangjin finally paid off.
This is a real-world administrative precedent: the "budget performance bonus."
Joseon had no related law, so I, knowing future knowledge, introduced it.
Like an otherworldly hero inventing guns and steam engines. I'm not an engineer, but a civil official.
I didn't just hand over cash in shopping bags like a mafia boss.
I didn't know the exact total, but it was much more than Mokcheon-hyeon's official budget.
How much did these bastards pocket?
So I could show a taste of what follows me could get.
Now, the Mokcheon-hyeon office, purged of factionalists, was united. The song of magistrates' loyal defenders would resonate.
My modern-style consulting continued.
In companies, consultants first cut labor costs. Fire staff, stock rises. Shareholders care about short-term profit, not long-term value.
So I disbanded Mokcheon-hyeon's army.
Why? Maintaining it was crazier.
Why could I beat Shin Manheung easily?
Even unarmed, the local soldiers couldn't stand against one person. True "scum."
Sure, soldiers got paid from the government, but still needed food and weapons. In a gun era, the government manages that.
Pay for it properly. Civil support, basically.
Why an army here, not a border? Most security issues were caused by the soldiers themselves.
Joseon was traditionally governed by virtue and education. Weapons and war are inauspicious. "Those who know the Way do not handle weapons" [Dao De Jing]. Mokcheon-hyeon's motto: Love and Peace.
Hey, soldier. Join construction work with the assistant. Even North Korea names construction brigades as "Guards Division."
Thus, the youth assault corps plan was completed. Not only soldiers but also family members of resisting officials "volunteered" to atone and joined.
Rest assured, the ledger shows a perfect elite force.
Why? How's it different from Joseon army upkeep?
Yi Ilje built a super fortress, but I can build a "Quantum Trooper." Who knows, thieves would fear it.
Gunpowder? Not needed. Maybe sell 200 geun for civilian hunters; old powder can't be used anyway.
Caught? Inspector is dad's friend. Later inspectors might notice, but would report "stolen," problem solved.
Emperor Qin gathered all weapons to make golden men. Europe has "swords to plowshares."
Love and peace are the best.
Disbanding the army left the rebel issue.
Some agitators still dreamed of Gyeong Deoryeong's return in Gyeryongsan, riding the wave of Yi Injo's uprising.
But rebels aren't summoned from a demon realm. They're just Joseon people.
If well-prepared and connected, local soldiers wouldn't matter. Mokcheon-hyeon troops are useless.
My reasoning was correct: rebels aren't otherworldly.
But I overlooked one thing. Joseon had three realms, not just human and demon: the animal realm.
My Love and Peace policy faced a critical challenge from here.
It happened while the youth assault corps was doing reservoir work.
Cheap labor-intensive project, lots left for me if labor costs minimized.
Not easy, so I worked overtime.
Suddenly, a commotion.
"S-s-sir!"
I was closing double ledgers without being noticed. Fortunately, the young commander was illiterate and didn't see.
Thanks to stamina-enhancing passive skills, night work wasn't exhausting.
One young commander burst into the office.
Annoying.
"What's the disturbance at night?"
Out of breath, he couldn't speak. Finally, he shouted:
"It's a tiger!"
"Tiger? So what?" I thought, then kicked my seat and jumped up.
I reacted strongly for a reason. Normally I'd ask why the commander didn't gather the army first.
But I disbanded it.
The assistant is busy with construction anyway.
And this tiger seemed no ordinary one. I forgot manners and ran after the commander.
"The tiger dared to attack where people had fires?"
Joseon is like a tiger apartment complex. One male tiger needs an area nearly the size of Seoul.
Yet Joseon seems overpopulated with tigers. They agreed to share territory.
Humans didn't just feed them for free. They had long resisted predators.
Thus, everyone knew tiger behavior. I allowed fires at night to protect workers.
Yet one almost unseen beast was in our area.
"Sir, it's a large tiger!"
Not a leopard, but a tiger. Big problem. Two species, different threat levels.
Contrary to some misunderstandings, Joseon people could distinguish tigers from leopards. Like modern humans distinguish Great Danes from Chihuahuas—they're all "dogs," just differently scaled.
"They are still resisting!"
"Yes, sir. There's a hole dug for work. They try to drive it away with sticks and torches. I ran here as soon as I heard to save lives."
Commander Kim Hyeongju judged well. Lucky for me. Original soldiers are easier to control than pure civilians.
Arriving near the scene, I caught my breath and touched my forehead.
Distant flashes and roars were identifiable. A massive shadow prowled.
"Anyone with a gun?"
"Mountain shooters live far. Powder would take too long."
Damn. I sealed guns and powder for 30 minutes to prevent trouble.
Many villagers were present with rakes and hoes but didn't dare approach.
Anyone stepping forward risks the tiger's explosive short-range charge. Guns ineffective.
Someone whispered:
"Could it be Magistrate Eoji…?"
Eoji, famed in Mokcheon-hyeon, called the Red Flower. No one survived ten lashes from him. Even ten days he wouldn't bloom fully.
But intelligence is humans' main weapon. Sorry, Eoji, the tiger likely smarter. Eoji is gone anyway.
I took a deep breath. Didn't want this.
I grabbed the bow I always strung at night in case of assassins.
"I'll do it."
"S-sir?"
Unbelievable. Me, a civilized person, facing the top predator of this world.
Worse: if my archery skills became known, everyone would demand I become a general.
I began shooting arrows rapidly. No time to adjust bow strap.
I ordered remaining arrows stuck in the ground for easy retrieval. Mistakes could be fatal.
People moved quickly. Once arrows scattered, I aimed and fully drew the bow.
Then I felt certainty.
Though not clearly visible, I could not be mistaken. We made eye contact.
With the tiger's spine-chilling roar, a message appeared:
[Active Skill "Yi Seong-gye's Archery" activated.]
Notes:
All officials in this chapter are fictional.
The youth assault corps is a North Korean forced labor unit. Mainly criminals, corrupt, or worthless. Often used in mines and construction. Names differ by location.
Historically, 200 geun of gunpowder was stolen from Mokcheon-hyeon five years later; culprit unknown.
"Swords to plowshares" is famous. Original from Isaiah.
만작 (manjak) is a slow, full draw of a bow.
'홍' (red) can mean "vivid, fresh, healthy."