[The Three Kingdoms] Golden Sun Exhibition

5 – Finding My Land (4) First disciple

If this country,

“Han (漢)”

has a point of difference from the previous era, it would be the ‘participation of women.’

-Women can also achieve official positions!

It sounds crazy but it’s true. Previously, women who were represented by daughters-in-law started to rise to high positions, which was unheard of before. Unlike the previous era where raising children and housekeeping was all women did, capable women of Han were able to reach official positions.

This is because there is a precedent for which everyone would approve.

-Thank you. Thanks to you, I won against the mad slayer and built Han.

This story goes way back, when a lofty patriarch had achieved victory against Emperor Han Wu and was negotiating the division of the conquered territory.

-Then, I will speak of a rather surprising tale right here and now.

-What is it? Please share whatever it is! A story that will make my guts tremble!

-There is a woman involved in this.

-…Yes?

-This is not a palace maiden’s tale. There is a woman among the heroes.

“Women,”

actually, to be exact.

The history of women climbing the ladder of power started from the founding of the country.

– If there is a regret in my life, it is that I didn’t make Jang Ryeong my wife.

– If there is a regret in my life, it is that I didn’t promote Han Shin sooner.

Many people contributed significantly to the survival of the patriarch from Han Wu, but the two who were most commonly mentioned were Jang Ryeong and Han Shin.

They were women.

The old patriarch was insulted for appointing women as military officers, but once the country, thanks to their brilliant strategies and cunning plans, finally defeated Han Wu’s empire, the perception changed.

If women could perform as well as Jang Ryeong and Han Shin, there was no reason why other women couldn’t rise to high offices!

From then on, women began to hold office, one by one, in later generations. Men, of course, held most of the high-ranking positions.

Most of the high-ranking positions were assigned by ‘imperial appointment.’

The absence of someone’s recommendation meant that even the most talented individuals were often assigned to mediate disputes among farmers in rural areas.

Still, those who received the recommendations of high-ranking officials were able to ascend to the office even if they were slightly lacking in abilities.

Or they could become a relative of the emperor, or in men’s cases, become an eunuch.

Men fought amongst themselves for higher offices, making it extremely rare for women in office to have their abilities recognized.

Most of these women received their imperial appointments as a member of a high-ranking official’s family.

In particular, as you ascended to the central government, it became increasingly difficult for a woman to reach a substantially high office without some prominent backing.

“Jo Maeng Deok, known as Lady Jo, is quite special in that regard.”

Sima Hui wrote the Chinese character Jo (曺) on the paper.

“Even though she was a daughter of an eunuch, her abilities were so outstanding that nobody dared to disagree with her appointment. Do you know what they say about her?”

“It is a great loss for Korea that a person who should have born a boy was born a girl.”

“That’s right. The reviews about Lady Jo are quite good. She is highly regarded among Cheonglyu scholars for answering to the original principles and governing the eunuch strictly during the Bukbo Wi period. Moreover, as she is currently leading the Gwangun and achieving victory wherever she goes, she will get a quite high position once the negotiation comes.”

“I agree. But.”

I asked Sima Hui, pointing at myself.

“That’s not why I support Lady Jo.”

“I see, because she’s a woman.”

“No, Master Suryeong. Oh, dear.”

I thumped my chest out of frustration.

“Do you think I’ll back someone just because I’m a woman?”

“If you were asked to choose one from four, you’d choose Lady Jo because she’s a woman.”

“Oh, dear.”

I felt slightly annoyed.

“It’s not that she’s a woman, but if asked to choose one of the four, yes, I would choose Lady Jo.”

“Why?”

“Because I have recently bought some land in her hometown.”

Surprised by my response, Sima Hui’s mouth dropped open.

“You’re not talking about Cho Maeng-duk, are you?”

“Just to clear up any possible misunderstanding, I think you have the timeline mixed up. The reason I wish Cho Maeng-duk well is because I own some land near her hometown. It’s not because…”

I tried to make it clear so that Sa Ma-hwi wouldn’t misunderstand.

“It’s not because she’s a woman. Where on Earth would you find a man who chases around after a woman just because of her looks?”

“You’re right. You’re not the type to swear allegiance to Cho Maeng-duk just because you’ve fallen for a woman.”

Sa Ma-hwi shrugs.

“I thought you had settled on Cho Maeng-duk because you thought she was the only one who would accept you.”

“You thought Cho Maeng-duk would accept me?”

“Cho Maeng-duk is a woman and from Hwangwan. She’s made strides in privileged circles, but she is lacking in a variety of ways that could help her succeed here. Even if… her hair is yellow.”

“That comment might lead to a misunderstanding that you’re talking about Hwang Gunjeok.”

“I’m joking. hahahaha, this is fun. I’m enjoying myself. With you by my side at least time seems to fly.”

“Pardon?”

Something is positive here, but it feels off…?

“You asked to work here, right?”

“Yes. Any kind of work will do. Please let me work here.”

“Alright. You…”

Sa Ma-hwi stood up from her seat and lightly tapped the fan over my head.

“As a teacher at this academy, I think you could substitute for me in a few classes.”

“Pardon?”

“So, what are you waiting for? Get up and follow me. Starting now…”

Sa Ma-hwi concealed her mouth with her fan.

“We need to create a lesson plan about Mengzi. Hurry up and follow me.”

Her eyes were curved like crescents above her fan.

“Could it be…”

This woman, did she intend to accept me from the beginning…?

“Doing things together would be much faster than doing it alone. hahahaha.”

“…”

The wisdom of the elderly is truly formidable.

* * *

Jang Gak, the leader of the Taepyeong rebellion, was dead.

The leader who led the rebellion, screaming for the collapse of a dynasty, died. His brothers, the possible successors, also died.

The deceased Jang Gak was exhumed from his grave for a post-humous examination, and his death was announced across Nakyang, signalling the end of the Hwang Gunjeok Rebellion.

“It’s the final moments that are always the hardest.”

Jang Gak was dead.

The Hwang Gunjeok Rebellion was over.

However, remnants of Hwang Gunjeok’s forces continued to steal from the people all over.

Among those still donning the yellow bandanna, some were stealing from others, and others were being stolen from the higher-ups.

One thing was clear, the central government’s reach did not extend to the corners of the provinces.

The central government granted positions to those who had helped quell the Hwang Gunjeok Rebellion, but they didn’t know the real truths.

“Who would have thought Chang Cheonisa was implying suicide?”

A country falls.

Despite its long-established history, its end was heralded not by external invasion but due to internal conflicts.

The power struggles unfolding everywhere.

Familiar figures who had gained some prominence during the Huang Chao Rebellion were entrusted with regional governance for their land distribution deeds, then as governors, regents, they were appointed. The chaos that ensued was worse than the Huang Chao Rebellion itself.

“Who knew Hyeonju would turn into such a mess.”

That Son Gyeon bastard.

I had been keeping an eye on him and he completely ruined the land of Hyeonju where I live.

A few years have passed since I came to this Hyeonju.

Meanwhile, I managed to build connections with the students at the Advanced Training Institute where I worked as an instructor, and earned quite a bit of money.

In the interim, the regent ruling Hyeonju, Hyeonju Jasa, died because of Son Gyeon.

Of course, the previous regent, Wang Ye, dug his own grave, but it is undeniable that Son Gyeon provided the cause.

If we dig deeper into the root cause, it goes up to the honey water of the root, but I don’t need to worry about that.

What’s important to me now is that the mess in Hyeonju has reduced my means of earning money.

“Damn it, who knew the landowners would end up having to defend their homes?”

All the students at the Advanced Training Institute have returned to their homes. As a new regent is coming after the death of the regent, the nobility of Hyeonju started to gather in this confusing situation.

– If the children are at the Advanced Training Institute, they can be held hostage. I’ll take the child.

An extreme situation where everyone becomes an enemy and you don’t know what means they might use.

In the end, the children of the Advanced Training Institute- especially those from well-known families, returned home at the call of the guards.

The only kids left were those who came to learn Thousand Character Classic.

“It’s looking like I won’t even be able to feed myself starting tomorrow.”

This will mess up my future plans.

I wanted to live quietly in Hyeonju, but chaos has arrived.

All I can hope for is the new regent to firmly take control of Hyeonju, but according to the rumors, it doesn’t seem likely.

“Sheep, are you there?”

A familiar voice rang out from afar. There is only one person in this institute who calls me ‘Sheep.’

“What can I do for you, teacher…”

Advanced Training Master, Sama Hwi, returned to the institute holding a child’s hand. The child with a sharp gaze scanned me up and down.

“…Is she your hidden daughter, teacher?”

“What a joke. She’s a distant relative’s daughter. Say hello.”

“…Hello.”

The girl who seemed to be around 10 years old spoke indifferently.

“I am of the Sama family.”

“……”

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The dark-haired girl with a sharp gaze was truly…

“Mister, who are you?”

She had no manners.