Chapter 205: Chapter 78
Yorip Chung.
Kanghyok felt scared to hear it when someone other than Yoju mentioned it.
In fact, he freaked out.
‘Looks like Hanghong didn’t know about his association with Yoju...’
Probably Hangbok he didn’t.
For Changkwon, Yoju’s father, was not a well-known figure like Yorip.
Moreover, who could know his daughter Yoju?
Nobody except for Kanghyok’s party knew that Yoju had been disguising herself as a man up to now.
Making a silly expression, Kanghyok replied,
“As I am not learned enough, I don’t know much about Yorip Chung.”
That was true.
Without Yoni’s association with him, Kanghyok would not have cared at all.
“Hummm....”
Hangbok just nodded his head.
A tense atmosphere was palpable between them.
Hangbok quietly recalled his erstwhile conservation with Kanghyok.
When he visited Sungryong Yu’s house, Hangbok discussed with Sungryong about the Japanese envoy Tachibana Yashiro and talked about establishing ties with Japan.
At that time Kanghyok was listening quietly to their conversation, so Hangbok thought he was very reticent.
Hangbok found out later that Kanghyok was not learned enough to join their debate.
He realized that Kanghyok knew little about worldly affairs except for the medical field.
“Yeah, I know you’re not interested in worldly affairs,” said Hangbok.
Kanghyok almost let out a sigh of relief at his remarks.
“You should be very careful from now on. If you’re ever tied to him in one way or another, you had better break off connection right away.”
“Why are you so sensitive about him? Is he involved in something dangerous?”
“Hummm”
Hangbok gave a sigh instead of replying.
And then he smiled, patting Kanghyok on the shoulder.
“Well... I’m going to be discussing with Lord Sungryong about it today when I see him anyway. Remember what I have just told you. Got it? As you said you didn’t know about Yorip, you should stick to it. I don’t want to get you involved.”
“Me involved?”
“Haha. Let’s go. He’s waiting for us.”
“Oh, I see.”
Having said something significant like that, Hangbok walked away with long strides.
While following him, Kanghyok kept recalling what he said.
‘As you said you didn’t know about Yorip...? I wonder if he already knew about the incident involving Yoju.’
If that’s the case, Kanghyok would be in big trouble.
But at the same time Kanghyok felt relieved because Hangbok guaranteed that he should not be implicated in it.
While Kanghyok was turning it over in his mind, he and Hangbok arrived at Sungryong’s house.
“Milord, this is Hangbok Lee with the education and culture ministry,” he spoke loudly before the gate.
“Oh, let him in!” Sungryong shouted.
At his order a servant opened the gate immediately.
Taking off his leather shoes, Hangbok went straight to Sungryong’s room.
“How are you, sir?”
“I’m alright. Oh, you’re here with Kanghyok!”
Sungryong gestured with a hearty laugh when he saw Kanghyok through the door gap.
“Come on in!”
When both came in, there was an old man with petite body, who got there early.
Given the atmosphere, they didn’t yet start any drinks.
But the old man’s lips were very reddish, suggesting he was a heavy drinker.
“Oh, I didn’t know you got here already, sir,” said Hangbok.
Given his attitude, obviously the old man’s position in the government was very high.
Kanghyok hastily lowered his head, introducing himself,
“How do you do, sir? My name is Kanghyok Paek.”
The old man laughed at his remarks.
Sungryong on his side introduced the old man quickly.
“This is vice premier Chul Chung.”
“Chul Chung...! Sorry I haven’t recognized you. It’s my great honor to meet you like this.”
In modern Korean any student preparing for colleges must have heard about Chul Chung in a textbook, the author of four famous special poems longing for the king. They had a hard time memorizing the poems he wrote after he had been banished to a remote place.
Kanghyok was no exception. He could recite Chul Chung’s poems in the textbook even now.
Looking at Kanghyok with an embarrassed expression on his face, Chul commented,
“Did you say it was a great honor to see me?”
“Yes, milrod.”
That was true. Chul Chung was vice premier, above all.
It was only natural that a civilian like Kanghyok, who had yet to enter the government service, should pay due respect to him.
“Do you know anything about me?”
“Oh, I don’t...”
When Kanghyok hesitated a bit, Sungryong and Hangbok burst into laughter.
“As I’ve told you, it’s his way of speaking.”
“He also said the same thing to me, though I didn’t do anything great. Haha.” Sungryong and Hangbok laughed simultaneously at Kanghyok’s expression of ‘honor.’
‘Looks like these guys still don’t know who they are.’
As someone who was thrust back into Joseon from modern Korea, Kanghyok just felt frustrated at their innocent reaction.
While he was agonized for a moment, he suddenly recalled Chul Chung’s poem ‘Samiingok,’ the Dedictorial Verse for the King.
He memorized the poem so religiously in high school that he could vaguely recite it.
“I still have your poem ‘Samiingok’ memorized. I can’t forget it because I was so impressed with it, sir.”
“Really? Samingok? I think there are not many who have heard about it.” Chul Chung said with a satisfied smile, looking at Kanghyok.
“Can you recite it?
“Yes, milord.”
Clearing his throat a bit, Kanghyok tried to recall that poem as best as he could.
And he recited the first few lines of that long poem without any difficulty.
“Wow, you’re great!”
“How come you could recite his poem well like this!”
“I initially thought Yunkil was lying when he mentioned that you’re good at composing poems, but you are really doing wonderful.”
They all praised him, impressed with his poetic skills.
Fortunately Kanghyok could recite that long poem from beginning to end.
“Hahaha. I like you, man,” said Chul Chung, constantly smiling at him.
Sungryong was as surprised and said, “I didn’t know you loved Lord Chung’s poem so much like this.”
“Me, too. You’re great!” seconded Hangbok.
“I’m so flattered, sir.”
Thanks to Kanghyok’s talent show, the atmosphere was much more relaxed now.
Chul filled his cup, laughing loudly.
“Hahaha, Sungryong, this guy you have introduced me is quite interesting.”
“That’s why I maintain a close relationship with him.”
“When I heard you praised him, I simply thought he was good at medical skills only. But he has a talent for writing, too.”
Kanghyok felt it was a bit funny for Chul to praise him simply because of his recitation of the vice premier’s poem, but he also laughed along with Chul.
At that moment he had a hunch that he had to.
And he could confirm it when Hangbok opened his mouth,
“By the way, as for Yorip Chung...”
“Oh, do you have any update on his whereabouts?”
Unlike Chul who asked quickly, Sungryong shut his mouth.
Though he was on close terms with Chul, the giant of the political faction Soin, Sungryong was affiliated with its rival Tongin.
And as Yorip belonged to Tongin, Sungryong was not immune from any political backlash related to Yorip.
Hangbok continued,
“I was tipped off that some members of Taedonggye were doing activities in Hanyang.”
“Really? Not Hwanghae Province?”
“Nope. They even had a name called Kwanghee Acrobatic Group.”
“Acrobatic group? For what?”
Now, it was Hangbok and Chul who were having a dialogue.
Sungryon just listened to their conversation.
And Kanghyok was quietly drinking as he couldn’t cut in.
“By sheer luck I caught Pyonsu, the leader of that acrobatic group thanks to Kanghyok.”
“Really? Haha, Kanghyok seems to be good at martial arts,” said Chul.
Obviously Hangbok was trying to earn Kanghyok due credit.
‘Thanks, Hangbok.’
Putting down his cup, Kanghyok lowered his head to him.
“But the thing is this guy called Pyonsu was so resistant that we’ve run into trouble forcing him to confess about his ties with Yorip.”
“Then, how did you get to find out his ties with Yorip?”
“Well, I heard it from the people in the market. And there was a guy who said he saw Sungbok Byon contacting that acrobatic group.”
“That’s not so clear. It might be a personal mistake for a nobleman to run an acrobatic team, but it’s not the subject of punishment.”
Thanks to Chul’s ruling, Sungryong felt a bit relieved.
“Lord Chung’s right. Hangbok, it looks like you’re overreacting.”
“But milord, it is very suspicious that as a leader of an acrobatic group, Pyonsu was so resistant to revealing his ties with Yorip. We need to force any confession from him.”
“You said he wouldn’t open his mouth. Is there any other way to have him confess?”
Hangbok’s title at the time was jwarang, or senior director with the ministry of education and culture, and he was under the direct control of its minister Sungryong.
Accordingly Sungryong knew well how severely Hangbok tortured Pyonsu to extract his confession.
“Well, I know some great method.”
“Really?”
Feeling sorry, Hangbok turned to Kanghyok and said, “As I hear, this guy is pretty good at torturing people.”