Chapter 58: Letter from Hanyang [2] "Two people sent letters?"
"Yes. It seems you've earned a good deal of favor."
Seungmun laughed heartily.
Was this not the son who had been cursed as a complete wreck until not long ago?
Now he had become a proper physician, corresponding with officials in Hanyang.
And accompanying the Busa on campaign.
There was no way to describe it except as deeply moving.
"Here, take them. Read them slowly."
"Yes, Father."
Kanghyeok took the two letters from Seungmun and put them away.
His literacy had improved, but not enough for him to read them fluently in front of others.
He would have to take his time and read them later.
He might even need Yeoju's help.
"Ah, that servant you sent over."
"You mean Park Gyeongwon?"
It was still a little awkward to call him a servant.
He was staying there as a patient, not because he had come to work.
More than anything, he had not yet been paid a single coin.
Though if his treatment counted in place of wages, there would be nothing more to say.
"He's a very diligent man."
"What? He's already working?"
"Yes. Even with his bandage on, he was arranging books. And when there were characters he didn't know, he asked about them."
"Huh, is that so?"
His arm had only just been cut off a few days ago, and he was already working?
He was still taking a whole handful of medicine every day.
"Yes. Even when I told him not to, he insisted on helping."
"Hmm... he was a soldier who had been with Dolseok. I'd appreciate it if you would look after him."
"Of course. Of course. He ended up like that fighting the Japanese raiders, so how could I possibly be cold to him?"
"That's a relief."
"Good, then. I'll go attend to the guests."
"Yes, Father."
A tremendous number of people had come to Changgwon's funeral.
Among them were not only Changgwon's own guests, but many who had come to see Seungmun.
No, it would be more accurate to say there were more of the latter.
Hmm... I hardly recognize any of these faces.
At best, there were only Busa Kim Yungil and Pangwan Yi Jeongbok.
He had seen those two enough to be sick of them on the battlefield, so he had no desire to see them again here.
Maybe I should go see Yeoju.
She seemed to be holding up fairly well in her own way.
She was eating properly, and her appearance was neat.
For someone who had lost her father so suddenly, she seemed all right.
Though there was no way to know how she felt inside.
"Dolseok."
"Yes, Young master."
Dolseok had been drinking heavily with the other servants.
But when his master called, he did not delay.
"Let's go see Yeoju."
"What? If Madam finds out, she'll raise hell."
"What hell? We'll just go without anyone knowing."
"With this many people around..."
"There's that side path you lot use, isn't there?"
"Ah... yes."
He had improved compared to before, but a scoundrel was still a scoundrel.
What other son of a yangban family behaved this recklessly?
With a face full of worry, Dolseok led the way.
Fortunately, even the servants had all gone out to receive guests, so the inner quarters were actually empty.
"Come quickly, quickly."
Even so, Dolseok was nervous out of his mind.
He truly could not understand Kanghyeok's calm attitude.
"I am going quickly."
"You should be running."
"You said yangban aren't supposed to run."
"Good grief."
Now that he heard it, that was true too, so Dolseok found himself speechless.
All he could do was be careful himself, and then more careful still.
"This way."
"Oh, right."
"Inside... let's see, yes. It looks like only the young lady is there."
Without any trouble, Dolseok reached the back door of the room where Yeoju was staying.
He even noticed at once that there was only one pair of shoes outside.
"Good. Well done."
"I'll stand watch. If someone comes, I'll signal."
"Sure."
"But you must come out quickly."
"All right, all right. The way you act, it feels like you nag me too much."
Shaking his head, Kanghyeok stepped into the room.
Inside, Yeoju was sitting alone in mourning clothes.
Perhaps she had calmed down somewhat compared to before, because the tear stains on her face had dried.
She was not especially surprised to see Kanghyeok enter so suddenly.
"You came."
"Are you doing a little better?"
"I am not well, but I can endure somehow."
"I see..."
Kanghyeok dropped down and sat in front of Yeoju.
Then he simply sat there and let some time pass.
Only when his legs were just beginning to cramp did he open his mouth.
"What do you plan to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you plan to keep painting?"
"Ah."
It seemed Yeoju had already given it some thought.
Judging by the way her eyes moved and her lips parted slightly.
"Once the funeral is over, I will paint again."
"Really? Then do you plan to come to Hanyang with me?"
"Hanyang?"
"Yes. Hanyang."
This time she could not answer easily.
After thinking for a long while, Yeoju finally asked,
"Was my painting truly of help to you?"
"Of course."
There was no need to hesitate over a question like that.
He had always thought so.
"Is that really true?"
"Of course. Based on the book you illustrated, I've been finding medicinal herbs, and Yeoni and Dolseok have been learning too."
"I see..."
Yeoju lowered her head.
There was a satisfied smile on her face, but unfortunately Kanghyeok could not see it.
"So you're coming to Hanyang?"
"Yes, I'll go."
"Good. That works out well. There are people I can leave to manage the house, so you don't need to worry."
"Understood. I trust you."
Kanghyeok thought of Park Gyeongwon, who had only recently joined them.
Was he not a proper commoner by birth? And one who could even read.
It was only right to find him a house outside.
Since Yeoju's house was nearby, Kanghyeok intended to lend him that.
"Then take care of yourself. If you need anything, send word."
"Yes. Thank you for looking after me."
"No, no. This much is only natural. You're the daughter of my benefactor."
"You are my benefactor as well."
"Exactly. A strange fate, isn't it?"
Laughing heartily, Kanghyeok left the room.
Dolseok, who had been looking around in every direction like a meerkat, finally let out a sigh of relief.
"You're back."
"Yes. You go back and drink again now."
"Yes, Young master. Thank you."
Because Seungmun had opened his storehouses without any restraint, the belts of everyone who came had loosened as well.
That was to say, everyone was able to eat and drink without pause. With their bellies full, only kind words came from their mouths.
Naturally, the object of those words was Changgwon. The heroic deeds he had shown in Eotan-myeon were worthy of commemoration, and no one could object to that.
"There was no one like your father."
"I owe your father a debt."
Words like that reached Yeoju's ears one after another.
Friends such as Heo Nanseolheon also came from time to time to offer her comfort.
There could be no disagreement that all of this gave her great strength.
Thanks to that, the hearts of Kanghyeok and the others were also much more at ease.
"Yeoju really does seem fine now."
Kanghyeok was on horseback.
"Yes, Yeoni said the same."
Dolseok was holding the reins.
They were on the road to visit the Busa for the first time in a while.
"Yeoni and Makbong said they were going to look into whether there are places worth visiting in Hanyang, right?"
"Yes. There are a few sandaenori troupes, so that's a bit of a problem... but they said not to worry."
"Good. What if something happens on the road to Hanyang? Those two absolutely have to stay together."
"Yes. They're not the sort to say one thing and mean another."
At first he had called them rough brutes and the like, but now the way he defended them like friends was a little funny.
Though Kanghyeok was in much the same position himself.
"Young master, we're here now."
"All right."
Kanghyeok quickly dismounted.
No matter who he was, even Kanghyeok could hardly stay on horseback insolently in front of the Busa.
"But why did you come in person? You could have just sent the medicine."
"Ah, today I didn't come because of that. I came because I have a favor to ask."
"So there is no medicine?"
"There is that too."
"I knew it."
"He's the Busa, after all."
By now, it was impossible even to imagine Busa Kim Yungil without Viagra.
Ever since he had started receiving those prescriptions, he had become absurdly happy.
Even now, the moment he heard Kanghyeok had come, he was hurrying over.
At least he still had the dignity of a Busa, so he had not come barefoot.
"Oh, you've come. Without even sending word."
"I thought I might be troubling you."
"Come now, what kind of thing is that to say between us? Come, come inside."
"Yes, sir."
Because the Busa stepped forward personally, even the soldiers did not know how to react.
Who on earth would have to arrive for the Busa himself to come all the way to the main gate?
Whatever the answer, even the Gwanchalsa probably would not be enough.
"What are you all doing? Can't you see we have a guest?"
Only after the Busa barked at them did they finally move.
A few hurriedly brought in a table of drinks, while someone else brought even rare hangwa.
"Haha. These fellows have grown a bit lax since the victory."
Laughing heartily, the Busa entered the sarangchae.
There were folding screens set up, and silk-finished cushions and mats spread out.
They were clearly not items one could easily prepare from official salary alone.
"Come, sit."
The Busa sat down first and invited Kanghyeok to sit as well.
"Yes, sir. Dolseok, wait here for a moment."
"Yes, Young master."
Dolseok neatly arranged the shoes Kanghyeok and the Busa had taken off, then naturally withdrew to the rear.
Thanks to that, Kanghyeok was left facing the Busa alone.
Putting on all the dignity he could, the Busa looked at Kanghyeok.
"So, what brings you here today?"
"Yes. I came because I have a favor to ask."
"Is that so? Then of course I must hear it. What is it?"
The Busa nodded first without even hearing what it was.
He seemed to know very well exactly how one won the loyalty of subordinates.
Kanghyeok found himself newly impressed by the Busa's skill in using people and began to speak.
"It's just that there is a medicinal substance I need."
"A medicinal herb? I already told the apothecary. If there is anything you want, take whatever you like."
"This medicinal substance is difficult to obtain, so the apothecary does not have it."
"So there is such a thing. All right, what is it?"
The Busa's attitude was truly one of someone ready to give away his liver and gallbladder alike.
Viagra really is terrifying.
As Kanghyeok fingered the silk pouch he had brought with him, he said,
"It is called Seomsu. Toad venom."
"Toad? Huh. Something like that is used as medicine?"
"Yes. I think it would be very useful in treating severely injured patients."
"I see. If you go into the hills, it should not be too hard to catch them. I'll give orders to my soldiers."
"Thank you, sir."
"That settles your business, then?"
The Busa pulled the table of drinks the servants had brought closer.
Then he filled a cup to the brim and handed it to Kanghyeok.
"Kanghyeok."
"Yes, sir."
"Have you no thought of going to Hanyang?"
"What? Ah, actually, some friends invited me, so I was thinking of going once."
At Kanghyeok's answer, the Busa smiled faintly.
"No... not for that reason. It's just that I think I'll be going to the Ijo soon."
"The Ijo... does that mean you are to become Panseo?"
"Tut, my good man. How can you say such a thing so loudly? Nothing has been decided yet."
He hurried to hush him, but judging by how broadly he laughed, it seemed he really was going to become Ijo Panseo.
The head of the office responsible for the state's personnel appointments was asking whether Kanghyeok had any intention of going to Hanyang.
In other words, was he asking whether Kanghyeok had any intention of entering office.
Ordinarily, that was something he ought to seize at once.
But right now, King Seonjo sat on the throne.
If this goes wrong, I could truly be screwed...
Applied glossary reference for Heo Nanseolheon, Hanyang, Busa, Pangwan, Gwanchalsa, Seomsu, Eotan-myeon, apothecary, and King Seonjo.
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