Chapter 177: Striking Gold in a Ditch (3)

“Congratulations, General!”

“Congratulations!”

So-mu arrived at Janganseong and was confused. This was because everyone he encountered within the castle was saying the same thing to him. Even the gunners of Guard Battalion and ordinary soldiers.

Even though I was receiving greetings without realizing it, I couldn’t help but feel strange.

“” ” “What happened?”

It wasn’t something that could be guessed. Two days later was the day when he and Seolhwa were scheduled to have a small wedding in secret. But how was it that everyone knew?

So-mu’s steps toward the palace turned again and headed outside the castle. It was to meet her first.

A month later, So-mu arrived at Yangjusan’s residence and headed to the kitchen. She was cooking there. He looked so gloomy that it was hard to believe he was the former leader of the Demonic Cult.

Normally I would have laughed, but there was no time for that now.

“We”re in big trouble, Yeon-mae.”

Seolhwa, holding a spatula, approached in stride. With an expressionless face, he traced So-mu’s forehead with his white jade-like left hand.

“It”s definitely a big deal. Who made my friend”s face look like this? Are you going to blow off his chin with a spatula?”

It was a wound on his forehead suffered in the last clash. It burned a little, but the wound was shallow, So-so-mu didn’t care much.

“It”s okay, it”s just a little graze. It”s not time to cook right now.”

“What is going on? A person who didn”t blink even when surrounded by enemies.”

So-mu sighed and said.

“I think it”s wrong to hold a wedding in secret. The rumors are all over, right? It”s the day after tomorrow, so how should I prepare to entertain the guests” Huh.”

Contrary to So-mu’s expectations, he was not surprised at all. He just calmly took out another bowl and set the table.

“Why are you surprised? So-so said it doesn”t matter if you invite your friends.”

He definitely said that. Because I knew the friends my daughter hung out with often. I didn’t think there would be any problem at all.

“I did. But why?”

“My daughter is a bit big. She invited a lot of friends.”

So-mu tilted his head and asked.

“””how much?”

“About 1,000 people at the snow garden alone? In addition, we invited all the Guard Battalion kids who learn magic. But it looks like you haven”t been to the military camp yet?”

So-mu couldn’t close his mouth. What happened? In any case, it was a great disrespect to not serve a meal to the guests. If there were a lot of people, you should at least distribute rice cakes.

But it had already surpassed that scale. If the situation was like this, more people will come from the military camp. It was possible that thousands, or even more than 10,000 guests would come.

The time given was only two days. I was wondering how to entertain them all.

“””.”

“I prepared it myself, so don”t worry and eat first. Looking at your behavior, it looks like you haven”t starved for a few days.”

Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything since I left here a few days ago. Although he had little appetite, he was hungry for the first time since he had traveled to many places in a short period of time.

“What do you mean”?”

“Yesterday, the government officials from the palace came and went. They said the Mingong was holding a festival at Jujak-ro. They said they were using our wedding as an excuse to create a place where all the people can enjoy together.”

The main road was a wide boulevard that stretched from the center of the castle to the palace. It was enough space for the entire population of Jangan Province to come out and eat and play.

Although I was grateful for Jang Yang’s heart, I felt a little burdened by receiving support from the corps.

“I owe a debt to the country.”

“That”s not necessarily true. They said they would support me, but I declined. I”ve already made all the preparations.”

“how?”

Seolhwa held the table with one hand. It seemed difficult to balance, but it didn’t seem to have any weight at all.

“I”ve recruited some restaurants and signed contracts so that we don”t have enough. Come on, let”s have a meal, right? Don”t we have to go to the palace as well?”

In fact, she had made reservations for every restaurant and guesthouse in Jang-an. Even street restaurants.

Merchants in Changan also welcomed him with open arms. This was because it was decided to provide unlimited food not only to the guests but also to the residents, and to charge twice the price of the food. Since I signed a contract to receive it through Taewoongbang, I did not have to worry about being ripped off.

Although So-mu didn’t know the inside story, his preparations warmed his heart.

“It was a lot of hard work. But it must have cost a lot of money. Are you okay?”

Even without calculating it, it was clear that a large amount of money had been spent. I haven’t asked about his wealth so far, but no matter how rich he was, how could she not feel burdened?

However, Seolhwa seemed not to care and said, putting a piece of meat on So-mu’s rice bowl.

“There”s nothing to worry about. I have some money left over from my time at the Demonic Cult.”

There was a considerable amount of the Maqiao’s assets that had been stolen, but now the assets had multiplied several times as they made huge profits by investing their money. She was currently the most wealthy person in the central region. There was no intention to hide it from So-mu, but there was just no need to elaborate.

So-mu, who had no way of knowing that, felt warmed by his consideration.

“Thank you, Yeonmae. I”ll go to the palace after eating and come back in the evening.”

The almost invisible smile on Seolhwa’s face appeared for a moment, but then faded again.

“Anyway.”

***

The Ssanghugak of the palace was a place where civilian scholars and civil servants study policies and laws together and hold discussions.

The agenda items proposed here were moved to the People’s Hall once every five days, where officials review them together and make a final decision.

Jang Yang, who was sitting at the head table of the Jaminjeon Hall, looked around the audience and asked Il-gwang, who was sitting in the corner.

“Has the Great General arrived yet?”

He first asked about So-mu’s well-being in a gathering of all the military officials. His face was full of worry. This was because I belatedly heard from the Privy Council that he had left for reconnaissance in the State of Hui. He didn’t know that he left without telling her because he was worried that he would worry.

So-mu and Jang Yang, these two were indispensable to each other. For the world they want to create together.

Il-gwang looked embarrassed and lowered his head.

“Don”t worry, Mingong. Our captain is a human being who will break through even if he is surrounded by a million-strong army. Nothing will happen.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several officials couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. The solemn atmosphere in the hall became a sea of …”laughter.

“Fuha.”

“Hahahaha.

A embarrassed Il-gwang scratched his head and said.

“I”m sorry. I haven”t learned much, so I don”t know much about etiquette.”

“Huh, no. I guess the atmosphere has become brighter and better thanks to you. Then, let”s get started.”

Military Jinyuso handed over the appeal letter from Ssanghu Pavilion to Jang Yang.

“This is a proposal to introduce a reporting system for officials who commit corruption. If this is passed, anyone will be able to report corrupt people from now on.”

A kind smile appeared on Jang Yang’s face as if he was satisfied with the content.

“It”s a good agenda. As officials become more corrupt and corruption becomes rampant, the country is headed towards ruin. It must be eradicated to create a just society. However, I don”t think it will be effective as it is. Why do you think that is?”

“If a lower-level official reports the corruption of a higher-ranking official, it will be difficult to bear the repercussions. I don”t think it will be easy for him to come forward.”

Jang Yang carefully folded the petition and returned it to his.

“Please send this agenda back to Ssanghugak. I would like you to think together about rewarding the reporters and ways to protect them and appeal until the next meeting.”

“Yes, I understand. Mingong.”

Jang Yang nodded, rolled up his sleeves and said.

“Could you please bring me some Korean paper and a brush?”

One of the civil servants assisting him brought calligraphy tools and arranged them neatly on his desk.

Jang Yang rolled up his sleeves and began to engrave phrases on Korean paper.

– Only when your mind was clean and without greed can you reveal your intentions.

– You can reached far places only when your mind was at ease and calm.

“The corruption of officials stems from greed, and those who are greedy cannot have a peaceful mind. How can such people do the country”s work for the people?”

Jin Yuso bowed his head as he was handed the hanji.

“You are correct.”

“It is a virtue that all bureaucrats must have. Please hang it in a place where everyone can see it.”

“All right.”

The civil servant waiting next to him was about to hand over his next appeal. The entrance to the People’s Hall opened and the white man who had been standing guard approached and stood up.

“General So-mu has arrived.”

At that moment, Jang Yang”s face brightened. It had been a long time since he looked this happy.

“Hurry up and stop by.”

So-mu, who was already dressed in official uniform, trudged towards the head of the table and gave a handshake to Jang Yang.

“It”s late.”

“No. It looks like you had a lot of trouble. What happened?”

“The quietness of the State of Hui so far was a deception. After examining Luoyang, we found that they were preparing for a re-invasion.”

“Hmm. As expected. Did you find out any information?”

So-mu took out the production drawing of the Hoeryongpyo from her pocket and held it out.

“We were developing a new catapult using technology from the West. I personally confirmed that its power was at least twice that of a large artillery cannon.”

At that moment, all the officials tilted their headed.

What was a Great Artillery? It was a very large catapult from the Son Dynasty that was not easy to even load. However, it was hard to believe that it was more than twice as powerful.

At that time, a civil servant with a beard like a goat spoke cautiously. It was a person named Yangpyeong, who was in charge of weapons development for the Sonara.

“To load a large-scale cannon, you need 20 cows per unit. But if it were a catapult with twice the power… it would be impossible to even load it.”

Even the great artillery was difficult to pull the rope, so it was stigmatized as a failure. But twice the power? It was natural to not believe it.

So-mu’s next words made everyone startled.

“From what I saw in person, it seemed like it would be possible to reload with only half the number of people.”

“Fire, it”s impossible. Such a weapon cannot exist in the world.”

At that time, Jang Yang sent a hand gesture to the distrustful Yang Pyeong.

“I don”t know how to read blueprints, so you might want to take a look.”

“””All right.”

Yangpyeong received the drawing. While looking at a few pages, he suddenly stiffened. After a while, my hands even started shaking. All the officials looked at him with curious expressions.

“Oh, this can”t be happening….”

Everyone’s eyes focused on Yangpyeong’s mouth. Jang Yang urged him as he hesitated.

“Go ahead and tell me.”

“What the great general said is true. The catapults of this western region cannot even be compared in power and range to the great artillery. Besides”.”

“furthermore?”

“Because it is fired using the same weight, it can continuously hit the walls at the same location. This weapon will be able to collapse any wall.”

Jang Yang nodded and fell into silence for a moment. This was not an ordinary issue.

After a while, he spoke in a dark voice.

“If Hwiguk uses this new catapult, even Hamgokwan and Yangyangseong won”t be able to withstand it.”

Hamgokwan was the core defense line of the Song Dynasty, and Yangyangseong Fortress was the last line of resistance for the Song Dynasty. I couldn’t help but feel worried.

But So-mu”s thoughts were different.

“There will be no need to worry for the time being. We have destroyed all test-produced catapults and killed the person who appears to have developed them. The government will not dare to develop this again for a while. So how about we use this new weapon?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yangpyeong agreed with an excited expression.

“With this blueprint stolen from the General, we should be able to make it.”

There was no reason to refuse. Jang Yang immediately nodded and praised him.

“General So-mu has worked really hard. I feel like I can breathe a little easier now.”

It wasn’t just Jang Yang who was happy. All officials applauded with bright smiled.

“Thank you for your hard work, General!”

“You really did a great job!”

Contrary to the atmosphere in the hall, So-mu’s expression barely changed. Because it was not yet time to feel safe.

“This is not the only thing they are preparing. In Luoyang, they are currently training elite soldiers in secret. I did not know how strong and how large their strength is, but if we do not prepare sufficiently, we will be in trouble.”

“Ahm, we need to prepare. We also need to encourage our soldiers and speed up their training. We will also spare no effort in supporting our country”s elite unit, the Wolf Fang Army.”

So-mu still had his final report left.

“and”””

He was about to open his mouth. An officer urgently came in at the entrance to the People’s Hall.

“I apologize for being rude. I have an urgent matter to report to you.”

Commander Seol Pung, who was sitting near the entrance, urged him on.

“Go ahead and tell me.”

“The signal fire has gone up at Mangundae.”

General Yang Kang, who had been watching silently, stood up.

The beacon station installed at the point where the Wei River and the Yellow River meet was his jurisdiction.

“The only time the Mangundae beacon burns is when an enemy ship is approaching from the direction of Luoyang.”

The Han River basin, south of Shaanxi, was completely under the control of the navy, but the Wei River, which flowed north of Chang’an, was still devoid of warships.

Military Jinyuso said while looking at the strategic map on the wall.

“There is still plenty of time. It would be better to wait until we land and then make a surprise attack on land.”

Just as Jang Yang was about to say something, So-mu took the initiative to answer.

“There is no need for that. We are just refugees who departed from Maengjin Port, so please welcome them warmly.”

“yes””?”

They were engineers from Maengjin Port who departed for the waterway more than a day ahead of So-mu. They were the ones who left first, but they still haven’t arrived.

“I was just about to tell you. The State of Hui was building warships on a large scale at Maengjin Port. Those coming now are engineers from the shipyard who were working there. They destroyed all the battleships except the ones they were coming on, so you don”t have to worry about them anymore.”

Everyone gaped. Jin Yuso opened her eyes and muttered.

“No way, the general did all of this”.”

It was unbelievable that these majors were created by oneself. So-mu answered calmly as if it was no big deal.

“It was just luck. Now that the enemy’s vigilance will be even stronger, it will be difficult to expect such a fluke again.”