[The Three Kingdoms] Golden Sun Exhibition

Chapter 8

8 – Becoming a Teacher (3)

The center of everything is the capital, Nakyang.

I was tired from Hwang Gun’s rebellion and content with the peace of Sookyeong Academy.

However, the effects of what happened in Nakyang naturally hit Hyungju as well.

One year ago, the Sipsangsi Incident I had during my time teaching children at the academy also took place in Nakyang.

While I was growing crops in the field, a great crisis occurred in Nakyang.

It’s possible that Hanetaesu was part of the background for Samaui’s descent. Still, I thought the crisis in Nakyang was probably the biggest influence.

“Among ten high officials, Sipsangsi killed the great general Ha Jin. The young soldiers under Ha Jin revolted and killed the high officials. But someone else took hold of the court while this was happening…”

“Dong Jungyeong. Dongtak.”

Samaui carefully watered the crops grown in the field with her petite hands. She indeed cherished the water I brought from the distant river.

“The absolute worst thief, trying to steal even the emperor’s authority.”

“That’s right. He is the biggest thief in the country. He built his power in Yangju, in the west, and took control of the court in one fell swoop. Then, Uya, what would you do if you were a bureaucrat in the court?”

Samaui tilted her head at my question.

“It would depend on whether I was an ally of Chungnyu or Taknyu.”

“Let’s say you’re on the side of Chungnyu. Nine out of ten Taknyu would be under Dongtak.”

“I think I need to lay low…”

Samaui pondered for a while and finally spoke.

“If I don’t have a firm resolve, I would probably wait and look for an opportunity, right?”

“Right. But Uya, if you ever want to become a great person, you should know this. Heaven’s favor is given to everyone, and people have to seize the opportunity themselves. Be careful not to ruin things because of indecision.”

It looks like Dongtak’s power is currently immense.

Of course, his power is physically grand, but it’s not enough to oppose the entire region.

“Dongtak has too many enemies. He doesn’t know when to be content with his place. He is too focused on filling up his people, and the threats by swords and spears will eventually end someday.”

“Are you saying Dongtak is going to die? I think he won’t. Dongtak has incredible soldiers.”

“Even an earthworm wriggles when stepped on. No matter how much they threaten with an army, the ambitions of the vassals cannot be blocked. They are all quietly waiting for now, but once the spark catches fire, it will spread uncontrollably.”

I dug around the soil where seeds were not sown in the field with a stick.

“North and west region, Yeonju. After Hwang Gun’s rebellion, local military leaders spread out everywhere and were accumulating power. Alone, it won’t be possible, but if many gather their strength, it won’t be easy for Dongtak.”

“Will the vassals gather?”

“They will. It’s unsure who will stop them, but the vassals’ greed is stronger than you think. For example… yes.”

I drew three circles with Nakyang as the center.

“First, there’s Won Boncho. I told you about him last time, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. I heard he’s a madman who got the top honors twice. Moreover, one of them was not even his biological mother.”

“Right. Won Boncho is ambitious. Over the period of twice being the top honoree, he earned the favor of many people. His ambition is strong, but such people tend to neglect and underestimate young people around them as they age.”

“How did you know?”

“When you are too successful when you’re young, you tend to judge everyone around you according to your standards as you get older.”

I therefore know of an old man who died of old age.

“He might say he had a tough time, but in our perspective, he caused quite a mess. No matter how hard he tried, he was still rich. Has he ever tilled a field? Or eaten grass roots?

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“And then he’d later say, ‘Back in my day…’. I wouldn’t recommend supporting Won Bon Cho.”

The reason I’m talking like this is simple.

It’s to discuss who the Somay clan will support in the future.

“Let alone Won Gong Ro.”

“You mean Won Soo?”

“Yes. That honey-drunkard would even rant about honey on the battlefield and get himself killed. Aside from Won Ga’s lineage, there’s nothing else to speak of. If I had to choose one of the two from Won Ga, I’d rather choose Won Bon Cho.”

Although he has quite a broad influence, he is petty and stingy. He’s wealthy, but doesn’t know how to spread his wealth and has lived a life of privilege.

“Honestly, it’s very unpleasant seeing someone do literally nothing while others work their bones off!”

“I see. And about the others?”

“Other than them…”

There are a few people who come to mind.

But before talking about the future, we should discuss what’s happening right now.

“You can’t water the crops that little.”

“Ugh….”

Somay clenched his teeth as he tried to sprinkle water onto the fields from a wooden bucket.

“Well, it’s pointless to water like this when it’s going to rain anyway!”

“Even if it’s going to rain, that doesn’t mean you should slack off in your work. Don’t you remember? One of these ten fields is your part to take care of.”

I tapped a sign that read ‘Somay’s Field’ with my hand.

“This year it’s one, but next year it’ll increase to two. How can you manage a region if you can’t even maintain a small vegetable garden?”

“…Hmph.”

He was stung, but Somay grudgingly watered the plants.

“Just wait for the rain. I won’t let you off the hook.”

“Oh, really? What will you do?”

“…If I ever become a high-ranking official, I’m going to make you work a lot.”

Somay threatened me with a playful smile.

“Hold to the command of the Governor.”

“Yes, Governor. Please give your orders.”

“Since the work is done, get dressed and prepare a meal.”

“Yes, sir.”

I cleaned up the farming tools. Apart from the field that Somay was tending to, all the others were my responsibility, but the area wasn’t too large, so it was something I could handle alone quickly.

And then.

“Excuse me.”

“…Huh?”

A familiar voice came from the entrance of the schoolhouse. I grabbed my cloak and stepped outside.

“Who is it…?”

“…Daughter?”

“Superior?”

A woman with a familiar face appeared in front of me, dressed in official clothes. Her expression hardened at the sight of the student by my side.

“Do you have a daughter…? Ah, no. Considering your age….”

“She is a distant relative of this academy’s master. She is my student.”

“…Ah, I see. You surprised me.”

The woman let out a deep sigh of relief.

“I heard that you were here and I came to find you, Wol Yeong.”

“……Nice to see you, Mun Yak.”

Sun Wook.

She had visited the Su Gyeong Academy.

* * *

“Congratulations on your promotion, superior.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s nothing more than a humble position. I couldn’t do more for the royal family…it was impossible.”

Sun Wook, who I hadn’t seen in a long time, looked quite worn out. Her eyes were filled with fatigue, and she seemed tired.

“Why are you like this?”

“…Can we have a serious conversation?”

The look in Sun Wook’s eyes as she looked at me was really serious.

It seemed as though she hoped the conversation we would have in this room would not spread outside.

“Of course. This is Hyung Joo. It’s a remote area, far from the center. And I am nothing more than a humble man working in an academy. Please feel free.”

“Dong-tak.”

The moment I heard the name, my stomach churned.

“Mr. Yang Juja, Dong-tak is threatening the royal family by placing himself in a powerful position. He even tries to appoint people who suit his taste, even to the emperor.”

“…I’m aware of the story.”

With Samawi starting to show interest in central politics, I started to visit the pub every three days to get quick news, even if it was rumor.

I listened to the news of Nakyang from travelers and peddlers coming from afar, and I was in the process of teaching Samawi about current politics and how to survive based on that news.

“Having taken all of General Ha-jin’s military power for himself, even the emperor must be a joke to him. Anyone who stands out among the local warlords will be branded a rebel and killed. Remember Dong-tak’s actions, he will even forge the emperor’s edicts.”

“Yes. I have decided to… go into exile due to his tyranny.”

“Yes? You mean to discard your official position?”

“…No. I have decided to go to the countryside. The governor of Yeongcheon recommended me, and I am to work there.”

“I see. That’s good. The center…the bloodbath will continue.”

“…You know?”

“Yes?”

Sun Wook continued with a sullen face.

“The bloodbath is ongoing. Sado, Wangyoon, tried to assassinate Dong-tak, but failed.”

“…I never thought he would do such a thing. I thought he was too old to commit such a daring act.”

“Yes. Someone else committed the act.”

“Who?”

“…Cho Maeng-deok.”