As Prophet - Chapter 58



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Episode 58. Instead, you have to pay money.

The Yangju military officer seen through the eyes of the Grand Prince was a moving experience in itself. He endured his shortcomings and devoted himself to education and training. What was lacking was made up for with the body of the officer and was completed with the passion of the instructors. It was a place where the thought of wanting to help naturally arose.

The prince, who was uncomfortable with being in Hanyang, came down and participated in training every day. He followed the kids diligently and competed in martial arts with the instructors, and gradually achieved things he had never experienced before. However, when there were less than two months left for the civil service examination, Lee Ki-moon, the head of the training center, came to visit.

It was the time when the sun was high and I would read the scriptures to the children. I changed the study to the study of the scriptures during the hot midday.

Baek Ui-hyeong came forward to greet them.

“Oh, everyone is here.”

“What brings your Majesty the Dojeong all the way here?”

“Ahem. Didn’t I say I’d come once? Ahaha! It’s spacious and nice.”

As Dojeong looked around, the instructors he had seen before approached him and greeted him. Then, Dojeong saw the face of a person he should not have seen here.

“Ah, no, Grand Lady! Grand Lady.”

As Dojeong bowed deeply, the great general who was raising his staff smiled brightly.

“It’s the government.”

“Why is Your Majesty the Grand Prince here?”

“I’m a student. I’m studying again.”

“Oh my god.”

“More than that, Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

“I said I would stop by sometime before.”

The general pointed upward.

“The Lord is teaching the children. You will have to wait a moment.”

“How can I respect others when you are here?”

“Didn’t you come to see the governor?”

“Of course, that’s true.”

“Then wait and see before you go.”

“I must know why Mom is here.”

“I intend to learn properly from the excellent martial artist. I don’t want to be stabbed to death by a blind sword while wandering around the streets of Hanyang.”

There is bone in the horse. The road is bent deeper.

“Who would plot against the Great Prince? You are worrying too much.”

“Please write that on the spot where I die.”

“mama.”

The general came close to Dojeong and whispered softly in his ear.

“If you don’t become king, you will be killed!”

Dojeong stepped back, gained some distance, and then shouted loudly.

“These are words that are absolutely true!”

The sound was loud, so the children who were studying turned their attention to it. The prince came closer and whispered.

“The kids don’t know that I’m a grand prince. I’m just called Mr. Young here. Please refrain from using titles and honorifics. I don’t want to lose the position I worked so hard to get.”

Dojeong bowed deeply. The general turned around and muttered.

“Take care of your work.”

Whether Dojeong was watching or not, the great general swung his long staff in the wide training ground. The staff, which was more than three times the height of a person, swung gracefully and filled the air. Dojeong glanced at it and noticed that the great general’s martial arts were no ordinary skill. He had heard that he was good at playing around with various military officers, but he had thought that he was just playing around with the great general’s dignity, but today, when he saw it, his staff skills were no ordinary skill.

There’s nothing I can do since I’m in class. I sat down on the half-built veranda under the guidance of Baek Ui-hyeong, and the military officers who accompanied me filled the seats next to him.

I came to pick him out because I thought he was an excellent warrior, but the Grand Prince is studying. How should I interpret this? The old man Lee Gi-moon thought about it. Should I say that he knew that he was not the only one who knew his excellence? Could it be that the Grand Prince was working to make him his own? Isn’t this an age where pure learning is possible?

On one side, boys were studying, and on the other side, adults were practicing hard in a place that looked like a training center. The sound of teaching children could be heard clearly from the veranda. It seemed to be 『Elementary Learning』.

Without asking or requesting, Baek I-jeong, carrying a sword, came and handed me a bowl of water.

“It will be over soon. Just wait a moment.”

I didn’t know how long I would have to wait and was vague about it, but he came over and kindly explained it to me.

“Are we acquainted?”

“Yes. We didn’t talk, but I saw you when I stopped by the training center.”

“Are you also taking the military service examination?”

“I wish I could, but I’m not qualified.”

“That’s right. Discrimination has gotten worse in this new country, where women are not allowed to have sex.”

“It’s been a while since we came to a new country. I guess that’s how it is, so I accept it and live with it.”

“Whose daughter did you say you were?”

“I should tell you what you said, but I’m worried that it will bring shame to my family. I can’t take the military service exam, and I’m doing it secretly because I like it, so I hope you understand.”

“Oh my. This must be Kyushu, a place you know.”

“That’s right.”

The gentleman who answers with dignity and grace is not an ordinary lady. If you look into it, there is nothing you cannot do. Since you brought Baek Sa-ban’s letter, she must be a lady from Baek Sa-ban’s house.

“Okay, then let’s change the subject. How are you doing with your studies, young lady?”

“I’m just starting to follow along. And I’ve only been studying for a short time, so I’m still learning.”

While Baek Yi-jeong was killing time, elementary school ended. The children came out like a waterfall. They were scared to come out and scattered in all directions. They didn’t just come out, they screamed.

“Wow!”

“iced coffee!”

“It’s over!”

Reading time must have been the most difficult time for children. They are at an age where it is difficult to sit still.

Dalcheon came down with a big smile, greeted them, and guided Dojeong to the main hall.

“You said you just started, but it’s starting to take shape.”

Dalcheon turned around at the entrance to the main hall and pointed downwards, explaining the layout plan one by one.

“It’s still far away. There’s a four-story building over there, a training ground here, and an auditorium over there. We’re planning to build a warehouse and kitchen over here, and a livestock shed across the street.”

“Why don’t you just build a training center?”

“I think it would be better if the facilities and conditions were right, but there is a limit to what one can do with one’s financial resources. If we build a few more buildings, put up a fence, and solidify the ground, we can have a place where those children can run and play. Okay, okay, please take your seats over here.”

When the two sat down across from each other, Dalcheon asked first.

“What’s going on?”

“Didn’t you say you’d stop by sometime?”

“I thought you were just saying.”

“Oh my, could it be that I did that?”

“When I came down to the summer, I noticed that people’s words were really frivolous.”

“Ahem, there are people who greet others like that in their daily lives. Did you really think that I would be one of those people?”

“Yes, I couldn’t find a reason for you to come. We’re not that close… … .”

Dojeong sat up straight with his legs crossed, making a ‘heung’ sound.

“It’s just like a congratulatory message.”

“No. How could I?”

“Ahaha, same thing. If someone like you educates and trains our soldiers, I think the military that protects our country will become more solid.”

“I have already declined.”

“You need to think carefully before you speak. I’m not the type of person to give up just because you don’t listen.”

“If you don’t like me, that’s fine.”

“Why? It’s a mess because others can’t do it.”

“I don’t value the things of the world that much.”

“Do you see it as a vain wave? Like the monks?”

“Similar, but not the same.”

The government changed the subject.

“If you came knowing that I would reject you, then I don’t know if it makes sense.”

“Ahem. Then I guess you have another suggestion. Ahaha.”

Dojeong Lee Gi-moon suddenly thought that Dalcheon’s smile was clear and pure.

“There’s a bit of intimidation involved.”

“Oh, that’s scary.”

“Well… … If you don’t listen to my request, I plan to send the people who need education here.”

“evil!”

Dalcheon wrapped his head in the shape of a child’s head, suitable for an adult.

“Is this scary enough?”

“Why on earth are you doing this to me?”

“The history of martial arts has been cut off. In this era, no one is a warrior. This is because martial arts are looked down upon and socially fixed. However, the country is not something to be protected. To the south are the Japanese pirates, to the north are the Jurchen, and to the west are the Ming Dynasty. It feels like walking a tightrope. This peace was truly obtained by chance. This is an international situation that can never be peaceful.”

“Ahem, the Jurchen are a bit fierce. The Ming Dynasty has many people and good weapons, but they are a bit shabby, like uncooked people.”

“Do you know?”

“Well, to us, the Three Hans and Liaodong are the same land. Just as we go from Hanyang to Yangju, we go to Myohyangsan and Baekdusan beyond Geumgangsan, and even to Hongsan and Nohoahosan as if they were our neighbors.”

“Please train our generals.”

“Send it. Instead, you have to pay money. People in government often try to get by for free. This is not charity. This floor and this pillar, it’s all money.”

“I thought it was clear and clean because it came from the mountains, but it has changed a lot.”

“There are so many people who want to do things for free without paying. I’m really worried about what will happen to our country because of this.”

“Anyway, if you send someone, I promise to make him your master!”

Since it was an unrelated matter, the work progressed smoothly. Dalcheon was terrified.

“No, I’m a master? I can use all eighteen weapons freely.”

“Is that why you came all the way here? What I want is my mastery.”

“Oh my, my goodness. He told me to bring barley and cook rice.”

“Then we must do it. It is for the country.”

“Oh, what has this country done for me that I should devote myself to it? Do you know who is living in poverty, worse than the Jurchen chieftain? This country is worse than the Ming military officer who came on an expedition without knowing anything.”

It’s not just a complaint. Dalcheon was looking at the country itself relatively.

“Will it be difficult?”

“There must be a reason for that, but there are people who can do it and people who can’t.”

“For example?”

“Your Majesty the Dojeong is an excellent warrior, but that is all. It is too late for me to use my strength.”

“So you’re saying I’m sending the young guys?”

“Anyone who does not meet the standards will be sent back.”

“Oh my.”

“I will not accept it if the reason is disloyal.”

“How picky.”

“What if someone I taught goes out and does something bad? That wouldn’t work, would it? I don’t teach people who would be used as private soldiers by those in power. At the very least, I only teach people who are proud of their swords.”

“How would you know that? I’m not a fortune teller.”

“I will use a fortune teller to check the before and after and accept it.”

“There will be an aptitude test and a fortune-telling test.”

“I heard that Your Majesty also receives the names, dates of birth, and official positions of the four ancestors (names, dates of birth, and official positions of the father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and maternal grandfather) and the list of guarantors (guarantors) and makes them take the test. Are they just receiving them for show?”

“That’s not it… … .”

He cut me off before my words got too long.

“Anyway, that’s true.”

“Are you really not going to come and teach me?”

“The government is the scariest thing in the world. I prayed for the New Year to avoid getting caught up in it. How bad must it be for the people to do that?”

“It’s a prayer that no lawsuits arise. It’s not something that needs to be addressed to the government.”

“Isn’t that it? If the judge does the right thing, what’s there to be afraid of in court? Even if you go, you’ll only end up losing money. The litigation costs are enormous, and even if you win, you won’t be compensated for your losses. That’s because those who play with the law use it as they please. The rule of law will collapse. The foundation that supports society will collapse. What standards should the people live by?”

“Oh my, that’s very sharp. The local officials of Joseon are very capable.”

“Those who enforce the law apply the law to their own taste.”

“That’s a huge leap.”

“I haven’t seen many cases, so I’ll stop here. For one reason or another, I try to stay away from government and political circles.”

“Ahem, I think I got burned.”

“It’s not that you can’t do more than that.”