Chapter 168: Min-gong. The One Who Serves the People (3)
Jang Yang, who founded the State of Su, did not allow anyone to call him emperor. Instead, a new title, Mingong , was used.
He didn’t even hold a coronation ceremony. Although the country was officially opened, nothing immediately changed significantly. It just allowed me to get more done.
Now, Jang Yang was looking around the palace with about twenty of his subjects.
“Now, in order to build the imperial family, wouldn’t we have to send out the civilians of the palace? We would need to recruit eunuchs and court ladies, we would need facilities for them, and we would need a lot of palaces to maintain national prestige.”
Jang Yang, who was walking ahead, scolded someone who had just opened their mouth.
“For whom are the eunuchs? For whom are the court ladies? According to what you say, do we need to build a royal palace like Qin Shi Huang for the sake of national prestige? Such authority will lead to the tyranny and corruption of the military subjects, and will lead to the suffering of the common people.”
“I’m sorry. My thoughts were short.”
Jang Yang walked up to him and patted his shoulder.
“In our country of Su, there are only institutions for the public good, and there will never be an imperial family. If we do not give preferential treatment to the military and ministers, those who are greedy will not do the country’s work. Only those who truly care for the people will walk this path. We must work hard together to make it happen.”
Everyone bowed their headed once. Yang Yeon-jeong, who realized his feelings, concluded the story.
“In the future, there will be no restrictions on entry to the palace, and children will be able to run around and play as much as they like now.”
Jang Yang nodded once with a satisfied smile and continued moving. Yang Yeon-jeong was assisting on the right, and So-mu was assisting on the left.
While there was silence, Yang Yeon-jeong asked a question.
“As the country has changed, revisions will need to be made in many areas, including taxation methods and national laws. Do you have any thoughts on this?”
“Of course. But how can I say that all of my ideas are the best? Also, how can I say that there are people who have better ideas than me? I have to fully consider all aspects and make the most ideal decision.”
At that moment, Jang Yang’s steps stopped. Before her eyes were two magnificent pavilions facing each other.
Officer Kwak Cheol came and explained.
“It is a pavilion called Ssanghugak. It was built as a place for the Empress to enjoy her rest, but it is now empty.”
“This would be a good place.”
“What do you mean?”
“How about making the hall on the left a place for civilian scholars to study, and using the hall on the right as a place for civil servants to study policies and laws?”
“That’s a good opinion. If civilian scholars and civil servants discuss and check each other and develop policies, we will most likely be able to produce an ideal result that is not biased towards one side or the other.”
“I think the same thing. Then, it would be good if Commander Kwak Cheol pushes ahead with this matter. The agenda items presented here will be moved to the People’s Hall once every five days, where the officials will review them together and make the final decision.”
“All right.”
The soldiers’ steps gradually became lighter. The process of doing and creating something for the people couldn’t help but be fun.
The people they encountered throughout the palace bowed their headed or cheered, cheering them on.
Jang Yang’s steps headed toward the military area where the military camp was located.
The soldiers’ training was quite good. Each of their sharp and spirited eyes showed that they were strong soldiers.
At that time, the soldiers walking down the street flinched at the same time due to the sudden explosion of alcohol. Except for So-mu.
Kwaang-! Kwakwakwang-!!!
It was a small vacant lot on the right. The light flashed with a loud noise and then disappeared. There, about a dozen soldiers were clutching long spears.
“What was that just now?”
The soldiers who discovered Jang Yang stood up with their feet together. One of them, an officer, quickly approached and reported.
“This is the new weapon we are developing, Hwachang .”
No one knew about this. At that time, So-mu stepped forward and took one.
There was a small round barrel hanging from the tip of the spear, and it smelled of gunpowder. After looking around, he showed it to Jang Yang and said.
“It has a firecracker attached to the end of the spear and explodes when the string is pulled. This itself will not have any power, but it will be able to momentarily surprise the enemy and then deliver a blow.”
“It would be helpful if we faced opponents of similar skill level.”
“It may be effective at first, but once the enemy gets used to it, it will no longer work. And I think it will be more effective when used by mounted units rather than infantry.”
“Hmm. That would be a good idea. You won’t be able to use it all the time, but it will definitely be helpful in a few battles. But whose work is this weapon?”
The officer bowed his head and said.
“I… designed it.”
“What is your name?”
“It’s called Dugyeom.”
Jang Yang spoke to him with a satisfied smile.
“Thank you for your hard work. Thanks to you, our cavalry unit has become stronger. You have done a great job.”
“Thank you.”
“Hehe. Thank you for your hard work. I will visit here again soon.”
After looking around the military camp, the military officials headed back to the main street of the palace.
For a while, there was no time to rest even for a moment. A series of political meetings were scheduled to be held.
***
Wolf Fang Squad’s training hall.
Il-gwang was watching the training of the crew with his back turned. Then, when I felt a sign of presence and turned around, I saw a girl no taller than my waist, aiming a small sword.
“Come on, Uncle Il-gwang.”
It was So-so who came to play at the training ground after a long time. Il-gwang snorted with a laughable expression.
“You’re not afraid to challenge your uncle. If you defeat Hyeonjeong or Cheong-hae, I’ll deal with you.”
“The other uncles are busy.”
After thinking for a moment, Il-gwang began to relaxed her hands. I thought it was a good idea to take a break from being bored.
A cheerful crunching sound came out from his grasp.
“Then, let’s see how much my nephew’s skills have improved. He got beaten up by his uncle and never told his father?”
“Okay, uncle!”
After finishing speaking, So-so started rushing towards Il-gwang.
However, the opponent was a master who had reached the state of hwagyeong. It wasn’t easy to find loopholes. So-so sprinted to the left and aimed at his flank.
Il-gwang was making no movement with a wry smile on his face.
“Come on in. Uncle is busy, so I’ll finish it quickly.”
The moment Il-gwang finished speaking, So-so quickly approached his left side.
“yap!”
A beam of light shot towards the front. But Il-gwang knew that this was a mistake. So instead of avoiding it, I tried counterattacking.
A fist larger than So-so’s face drew a curved line. Although it looked threatening on the outside, it carried very little internal power, so even if it did hit, it would not cause any harm.
Buaaaagh-!!!
Il-gwang’s fist cut through the wind and made a fuss. This was because So-so recovered his attack and retreated again.
“Why don’t you come in? Are you scared?”
As soon as he finished speaking, So-so swung his sword again from Il-gwang’s right side. But it was the same this time too. Just as Il-Gwang was about to launch a counterattack, he retrieved Cho-Sik and hurriedly retreated.
He sensed that the attack would be blocked even without having to hit it. I knew it instinctively because I had numerous experiences in sparring with my father and teacher.
“Hmph. I don’t think I can beat my uncle.”
So-so became sullen. No matter how much he was the heir to the Sword Saint and the Jade Flower Goddess, he still couldn’t handle the Flower Sutra.
Il-gwang giggled and laughed as if he knew that would happen.
“Do you understand now? Then this time, I will not move from this position and will only deal with you with one hand. Come again.”
“phew.”
There was no chance of winning if we dealt normally. So-so pulled the sword over his shoulder and caught his breath. At the moment when Il-gwang snapped his finger to approach, a strong spirit emanated from his small body.
“Hey!”
So-so started sprinting. It looked like a puppy charging at a bull.
It was about time when one corner of Il-gwang’s mouth went up.
The bladeless small sword escaped So-so’s grasp and began tearing through the air.
Whirring!
It was a secret sword technique that applied the sword technique learned from Yeon Seo-hwa. The small sword that spun and advanced quickly became closer to Il-gwang.
But this was no problem. Il-gwang’s hand, filled with internal power, struck down the small sword in one go. Next, it was the moment when his vicious grip was about to grab his nephew.
Suddenly, with a dazzling flash, So-so’s body disappeared.
Flash!
For a moment, Il-gwang was taken aback and felt a cold sensation on the back of his head. Before I knew it, So-so was swinging his right foot behind his head.
This technique that caught Il-gwang by surprise was Seomjeonbiyeongbo , the Sword Saint’s new technique.
Il-gwang quickly rotated his upper body half a turn and urgently blocked it by raising his left wrist.
Kwaang-!
A tingling sensation passed through my wrist. Although he had a small body, the strength he put into it was not something that could be ignored.
So-so, whose attack was blocked, quickly spun to the other side in the air and threw a roundhouse kick.
“yap!”
It was an amazing combo, but there was nothing that could be done as long as Il-gwang was prepared.
Paang-!
A small foot passed by the bridge of Il-gwang’s nose as he leaned his upper body.
And by the time he straightened his posture again. So-so was delivering a fatal blow from below.
A regime where one held the center of gravity with the left hand, rotates, and thrusts toward the top. It was a technique he taught me.
The technique was a one-second, one-stroke mountain.
The giant Il-gwang’s right hand spread wide and wrapped around the child’s fist.
Whoops-!!!
It seemed like a huge bell was ringing in the training hall. A small moan escaped Il-gwang’s mouth at the heavy blow delivered through his grasp.
“Ugh.”
Even though there was a little shock, Il-gwang’s face was smiling.
So-so, who was grabbed by the hand, was embarrassed. How can they withstand the power of Il-gwang? No matter how much force I applied, it didn’t even move.
At that time, Il-gwang’s left hand moved towards the child’s forehead. At that moment, the curled index finger opened wide and flew away.
Taaaak-!
“Aya!”
So-so clutched his forehead and looked like he was crying. Looking at her eyes, he seemed to be feeling unfairly treated.
“Huh. Bad uncle, you used both hands!”
“Haha, you guy. This is what fighting is all about. If you believe it, you’re a fool. If you know how great your uncle is, don’t be so fussy in the future.”
“Hmph! I’ll come back tomorrow. We’ll see.”
So-so picked up his sword, put it on his belt, and left the training ground, clutching his forehead.
“too bad…….”
The more I thought about it, the more resentful I became. No matter how much I thought about it, there was no way to win now.
But So-so didn’t know yet. How great it was that a master of flower techniques was able to use both hands.
‘I need to ask my teacher to teach me another technique.’
So-so headed to the barracks with a grumpy face. Today was a day off at Seolhwawon, so we had other plans.
I went into Wolf Fang Squad’s barracks and took the Mountain Lord’s leash and snacks. Did you hear So-so’s popularity? The growling sound of a wild animal could be heard from the back yard of the barracks.
“Wait, Darong! I’ll be there soon.”