Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 59

Nine Dragons Chronicle (59)

Hwa-rin was surprised to see his uncle, Grand Prince Yeongchin. He hadn’t expected the Grand Prince to visit him directly.

“You look different, healthier, after these few years. I’m glad to see you doing well.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Call me ‘Uncle’ in private. I call His Majesty ‘Brother’ the same way.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“I’ve heard about you from my brother. I knew he intended to visit you eventually, but I didn’t expect you to come to me like this.”

“The military’s strength is vital to protecting the country. I couldn’t stand idly by after learning about the Palosuro Army’s situation.”

“Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me in detail what you’ve been doing for the past five years.”

“I was in the military.”

“The military?”

“Yes. I served for five years in the Menghosasa Blood Battle Squad, a special forces unit supported by the Heungchin Royal Guard, though I wasn’t officially affiliated with them.”

“You served in the Menghosasa Blood Battle Squad? How did you, who spent all your time in the Imperial Palace, even know about them?”

“His Majesty instructed me to serve there for five years, to experience the harsh realities of the world, like Avici Hell [the lowest level of Buddhist hell], and then to go to the Central Plains to pursue my ambitions.”

Hwa-rin told Grand Prince Yeongchin everything, holding nothing back.

“His Majesty did that?”

“Yes. He said I’d be happier pursuing my ambitions in the Central Plains than being a fool in the Imperial Palace, deceiving everyone.”

“Hmm… When did you recover from your… condition?”

“It’s not that I recovered, but the Geumje [a magical restriction or curse] was lifted.”

“The Geumje?”

“Yes. I don’t know who did it, but it was lifted when I was ten years old, allowing me to see, hear, and speak.”

“Then why did you hide it all this time?”

“I was afraid of attracting attention. I thought someone might place a Geumje on me again if they knew.”

“Hmm…”

It wasn’t a complete lie, but he omitted the fact that his mother had placed the Geumje on him.

“Did His Majesty know about all of this?”

“Yes. He knew everything when I went to see him.”

“He’s my brother, but I can never truly know what he’s thinking… You must have suffered a great deal.”

“I thought so at the time, but I don’t dwell on it now. Compared to my brothers and sisters, I’m now free to do whatever I want without worrying about anyone’s expectations.”

“You’ve matured a lot to think that way. But where did you get all this wealth? Your military salary couldn’t have been enough.”

“The spoils of war from the battlefield were far more helpful than my salary.”

“Spoils of war?”

“Yes. In war, the victor claims what the loser possessed.”

Grand Prince Yeongchin, Ju Yeong-un, nodded.

He figured the Menghosasa Blood Battle Squad must have fought countless battles, and the resulting spoils would be considerable.

“I understand. Then let’s get down to business and talk about work.”

“Work?”

“I heard you want to supply grain.”

“Yes. I can supply enough grain to feed the entire Palosuro Army without them starving, even if I do nothing else.”

“Is this a short-term, one-time offer, or can you provide a long-term supply?”

“I can continue to supply it if you wish. I’d like to, actually.”

“Do you want to supply enough grain for the entire Palosuro Army? Or only the amount needed for the military camp in Gangso Province?”

“I’d prefer to supply the entire army, but doing so would put me in direct competition with the Hwamyeong Merchant Group.”

“Why? Are you not confident in winning that competition?”

A faint smile touched Hwa-rin’s lips.

“I haven’t considered the possibility of losing a fight so far. My presence here today is proof that I’ve won all my battles up to this point.”

“Hahahaha!”

He laughed heartily at Hwa-rin’s answer.

“Yes, you have to be like that to be His Majesty’s child. You resemble him greatly.”

Hwa-rin bowed his head.

“I approve it. From today forward, the Guryong Market will supply the Palosuro Army’s grain. One hundred thousand bags per month, with a ratio of 60% rice and 40% other grains, including potatoes and sweet potatoes.”

“Will I be delivering it to the military camp?”

“No. There’s a supply depot for the Palosuro Army in Haeyeom County, Jeolgang Province. Deliver it there.”

“Grain can be stored for a long time.”

“I know. That’s why we stockpile it little by little each year.”

“Transporting 100,000 bags of grain every month is costly. I’d prefer to supply 1.2 million bags all at once, annually.”

“1.2 million bags at once?”

“Yes.”

“With that much grain, you’ll attract unwanted attention, right? That’s why the Hwamyeong Merchant Group doesn’t transport such large quantities at once.”

“The Hwamyeong Merchant Group has infrastructure in every city, making it possible for them, but this manor doesn’t.”

“Hmm…”

“If the Hwamyeong Merchant Group can’t deliver grain after the rainy season, I’ll deliver it to the Palosuro Army headquarters in Gangso Province.”

“And if the Hwamyeong Merchant Group does deliver it?”

“Then there’s nothing I can do, but shouldn’t there be a valid reason to change suppliers?”

Grand Prince Yeongchin nodded at Hwa-rin’s words.

“And look at this.”

Hwa-rin presented the record of General Najinhwa’s corruption.

“General Najinhwa, who’s in charge of military supplies, has been embezzling funds and supplies. He’s also been extorting his subordinates.”

If General Chaemusong had come, he wouldn’t have revealed this, but since Grand Prince Yeongchin came in person, there was no reason to hide it.

He believed it would be more beneficial to be officially designated as a grain supplier for the Palosuro Army and to operate through Grand Prince Yeongchin.

“I suspected something, but this is beyond anything I imagined.”

“Based on this, remove General Najinhwa from his position, and announce that you’ll be accepting bids for grain suppliers again. I’ll bid through the Guryong Market.”

“Hmm…”

“As I said earlier, it’s easier to act with a reason, and you can use that reason to counterattack anyone who retaliates or interferes.”

Grand Prince Yeongchin nodded.

“Amazing. You even think about that.”

“The Menghosasa Blood Battle Squad specializes in annihilating opponents, so I naturally learned and mastered such tactics. It’s nothing special.”

“Less than 1% of those who join the Menghosasa Blood Battle Squad survive and are discharged. You survived and were discharged, so what could be more amazing than that?”

Hwa-rin bowed his head. Grand Prince Yeongchin, looking at Hwa-rin with satisfaction, took something from his robes.

“Take these.”

One was Hwa-rin’s Guryong Token, and the other was a copper nameplate with a blue dragon engraved on the front, signifying Grand Prince Yeongchin’s residence, and the words “Palosuro Army” engraved on the back.

“This nameplate allows you to enter and exit the Palosuro Army’s supply depot. Guard it carefully; you can’t enter without it.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It’s true that I’m giving you preferential treatment because we’re family, but if you don’t deliver the grain on the agreed-upon date, the contract will be canceled, so keep that in mind.”

“I will.”

“Since your uncle is here, aren’t you going to offer me a drink?”

“Of course. Please wait a moment.”

“I need plenty of alcohol; I have a lot to discuss with you today.”

“I’ll prepare it, Uncle.”

* * *

“Still, isn’t it a bit much for a member of the royal family to run a brothel?”

One more person was present at the drinking party between Grand Prince Yeongchin and Hwa-rin: Dongseodok.

He was participating in the drinking party, but he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Anyone who attempts to assassinate the emperor or a member of the direct royal family faces the extermination of their entire family and the confiscation of all their property, regardless of the reason.

This applies whether they knew the person was royalty or not, because the assassination attempt itself is an act of treason.

‘What should I do?’

“Dong Dae-in, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look well.”

“No, no, Your Highness.”

If he didn’t know Grand Prince Yeongchin’s true identity, he might think the two were conspiring to commit fraud. Unfortunately, he had met Grand Prince Yeongchin before and greeted him at that time.

‘I thought he was a military figure, but he’s a member of the royal family… What should I do?’

To survive, he would have to kill not only Grand Prince Yeongchin but also Hwa-rin. But that was nearly impossible.

Even if he succeeded, several people saw Grand Prince Yeongchin entering the Guryong Market, making it difficult to escape notice.

—Control your expression. My uncle might misunderstand.

Dongseodok was startled by Hwa-rin’s telepathy.

—Postpone our reckoning until later and just drink tonight. If you can’t control your expression, I’ll tell my uncle the truth.

Dongseodok changed his expression at Hwa-rin’s threat and addressed Grand Prince Yeongchin.

“Wangya [a respectful title for a prince], isn’t it time to entrust our merchant group with the production of weapons like swords and knives? We can make them better than the current supplier, the Geumyang Merchant Group.”

“Is that so? But contracts can’t be broken until their expiration date. You can bid when the supply contract comes up for renewal in five years.”

“Are you giving me a chance?”

“I don’t know. It’s a bid, so you have to win the competition to get the chance.”

“I’ll do my best. Wangya, let me offer you a drink.”

“Do so.”

Dongseodok filled Grand Prince Yeongchin’s glass with alcohol. Grand Prince Yeongchin couldn’t handle the alcohol and went to bed first. Only Hwa-rin and Dongseodok remained, and Dongseodok was kneeling in front of Hwa-rin, his forehead touching the floor.

“Please save me. I didn’t recognize Your Highness.”

“I didn’t say I was going to kill you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Dongseodok had already erased the previous events from his mind.

“But I can’t simply let you live after you tried to kill me, can I?”

“Then…”

“Let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“Hand over the mine you’re developing in Mount Otae as the price for your life.”

“The mine?”

“Hand over all the workers and technicians working at the Mount Otae mine. Of course, you’ll continue to pay their wages! Then I won’t reveal the fact that you tried to kill me.”

Dongseodok’s expression twisted.

The Mount Otae mine was recently developed, and experts guaranteed that minerals could be mined there for at least 50 years.

It was a harsh deal to hand over a mine that could generate huge profits for free, and to continue paying the workers’ wages.

It was a deal in name only, but it was no different from extortion.

“Do you think it’s too much? Consider carefully: which is more profitable, losing one of the dozens of mines you own, or losing everything, including your family’s property?”

It was a choice in name only, but Dongseodok had no choice.

“I will hand over the mine, technicians, and workers in Mount Otae to the Guryong Market. Our merchant group will also pay their wages.”

In the end, Dongseodok had no choice but to hand over the mine. Hwa-rin smiled brightly at his decision.

“And there’s something you need to keep in mind.”

Dongseodok looked at Hwa-rin.

“If the fact that I’m a member of the royal family comes out of anyone else’s mouth, I’ll assume you revealed it. I can’t guarantee what will happen after that. Do you understand?”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Hwa-rin unexpectedly gained a mine that could generate huge profits due to Grand Prince Yeongchin’s visit.

‘Hehe, they’re sorely mistaken if they think it’ll end with just this one mine.’