Episode 608
Yongseongun carried out Melon’s orders almost perfectly.
In just three hours, I’ve got all the information Melon requested about the canal, and she’s currently looking through it.
It was a huge amount.
But who is Melon?
He is the crown prince of the Milos Empire and a talented person who graduated at the top of his class at the academy.
It had already long since transcended the human species.
Memorizing, seeing, acquiring.
We shouldn’t look at all of this from a human perspective.
Around Melon, there were dozens of documents floating in the sky.
Melon’s thoughts deepen as she slowly looks at them.
“… … There are a lot of problems.”
As the people around him looked at the materials together with the soliloquy that came out without thinking, Yeongwol raised his head.
to be honest.
Examining each one like this was merely a process of ‘confirmation.’
“As you may have guessed, the Director, it’s not that the Western Continent was unaware of the Eastern Continent’s problems. They simply turned a blind eye to them.”
Melon raised her head.
“They need only one thing. A public official who will turn a blind eye to smuggling and justify it. In that sense, Raymond Beck, who was there before you, was the perfect public official. He fed you everything, turned a blind eye to everything, and even forged documents.”
however.
“This is a bit much. As far as I know, the appropriate market price for an item is one nyang of gold, but this document says it is worth tens of nyang. It’s not consistent, either. Ten years ago, it was written as five nyang of silver… … There’s also a problem with the taxes paid to the Milos Empire. This is so much so that it’s strange that no audit is being conducted.”
“There’s nothing we can do about it. The Milos Empire has long since let go of the issues that are happening on the Eastern Continent, and frankly, there’s no problem with the books, and it would be strange to come to the audit in the first place. Why?”
“Because there are a lot of people who receive it?”
“Yes. It is safe to say that the Tianhasung Canal rules the entire Eastern Continent. The amount of money coming and going exceeds hundreds of millions of nyang every day. Some people do not want to make a problem out of it, some do not want to bring it up, and some are forcibly covering it up so that it is not revealed. This is not talking about the Eastern Continent, but the Western Continent. That is because there are an enormous number of merchants heading to the Western Continent through this canal.”
It wasn’t the end.
“Is that item you were talking about just now, by any chance, the ‘Cheonilmok’?”
Melon nodded.
“That Cheonilmok is an item that only comes from the Nanman region of the Eastern Continent. To be exact, it’s safe to say that the Nanman region has a monopoly. Even if you raise an issue that the current price is different from the price at that time, and the price on the ledger, if the Nanman region says that it was like this back then and is like this now, and that Cheonhaseong was like that back then but is like this now, only the person who raised the issue looks funny. Of course, if you dig deeper, from that point on, they’ll start taking up arms against each other.”
“It means the roots are too deep.”
“yes.”
Actually, there was no need to explain it in a complicated way.
The Eastern Continent belongs to the Milos Empire. Even if it is granted autonomy, its status as an empire will not change.
And by belonging to the Empire, the city of Tianha is given one obligation.
That’s taxes.
The Milos Empire collects taxes from the ‘nobility’ and the ‘upper class’, that is, the ‘commercially active group’.
Cheonha Seong was paying less taxes than he should have and was preventing anyone from raising the issue.
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Substitute.
“I can’t even tell how much it’s all intertwined.”
“… … If you want to turn it over, I’ll help you somehow, but honestly, it’ll be harder than everything I’ve done so far.”
Melon closed her eyes for a moment.
In reality, it was more serious than expected.
Melon turned her head. She looked straight into Yeongwol’s eyes and asked.
“Your Majesty, didn’t you know this?”
“… … I don’t think you don’t know. I just.”
“just?”
“You’re just pretending not to know. Honestly, if Your Majesty steps in, things will be resolved right away. Those who committed crimes will be punished, and those who were harmed will be compensated. Probably.”
“maybe?”
“Aren’t you hoping someone will solve it?”
Melon smiled strangely.
“The person who solves the problem is responsible for the result?”
“… … Yes. I don’t think they will hold me responsible. The person in the position of Emperor wouldn’t be that petty.”
Melon asked.
“You don’t look that emotional. What’s the reason?”
“… … .”
“Because you are a descendant of the Shingyo?”
“No, that’s absolutely not true.”
Melon stared blankly at Yeongwol.
Finally, Yeongwol lets out a sigh.
“… … I think you are discriminating too much against the Eastern Continent.”
“okay?”
“Yes. The Lord of Heaven, Ryu Jin, cannot be seen as a good person, but he cannot be seen as a bad person either.”
“What is the reason?”
“At least Ryu Jin is the person in this world who cares for the Eastern Continent the most.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. No matter what the process is, Ryu Jin’s actions will ultimately help the Eastern Continent. If a ‘king’ is born, the people of the Eastern Continent will gladly accept Ryu Jin as their king. That’s the kind of person Ryu Jin is.”
Melon, who had been thinking for a moment, snapped his fingers.
Then, all the data floating around returns to its place.
Yeongwol asked Melon, who was standing up from her seat.
——————
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“Are you going to go now?”
“Okay. You too. Take all of that.”
“All of that?”
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“If you’re short on hands, bring Yongseongun too.”
“… … Your name.”
* * *
Ryu Jin, who had been making a strange expression, immediately asked the Sahonje next to him.
“Do you think those two are the only ones who are on the commissioner’s side?”
“Yes. As of now, I think it’s right to consider those two as full-fledged members of the Blue House.”
It was a situation where this conversation had to happen inevitably.
Now Ryu Jin has received the report.
Melon, Yeongwol, Yongseongun.
There is a report that three people are coming here now.
This place was important to Ryujin and Melon.
In such a situation, it is natural to bring someone whom both parties can trust.
Time passed like that.
The door on the other side opened and three people appeared.
Ryu Jin bursts into laughter.
“Have you come to sell your goods? If you had a lot of luggage, you should have told me. You could have sent someone.”
“Not to that extent.”
Melon sat silently across from Ryujin.
The distance between them is about 150cm.
And in between, there was a table about a meter across. The man next to Ryu Jin stood up and placed a glass in front of Melon.
The alcohol is slowly poured into it.
“This is ‘Elf Wine’ specially airlifted from the Western Continent for our Crown Prince. You’ve probably already had it a lot, but I hope you think of it as my sincerity.”
Then he gestured lightly as if telling me to drink it.
Melon did not refuse.
There is no reason to ride something like poison, and it doesn’t matter if you ride it. Melon’s body is now more than just impervious to poison.
Melon poured the elf wine into her mouth in one go. It was refreshing. The taste was also excellent. A smile came to her face.
Ryu Jin also laughed.
“How, do you like it?”
“Yes. It is definitely a top-grade elf wine. It must have been hard to obtain, but you managed to obtain it.”
“There is nothing that the world cannot save. Let’s have another drink.”
Before that.
There was something to do.
Melon raised his hand. Then Yeongwol and Yongseongun, who were standing behind Melon, put down the dozens of documents they were holding on the table.
Ryu Jin’s eyes shine.
“Yeah, I was wondering that too. What the heck is that?”
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“It’s about the extraordinary events that have occurred in the Cheonhasung Canal over the past several decades.”
“It’s out of the ordinary… … .”
“I know there are quite a few problems with smuggling, as listed here.”
Ryu Jin made an expression as if he was hearing this for the first time.
“Really? I don’t know, other than things are going well, but have you had any problems? It’s a four-year-old affair. Is there a problem with our canal?”
“No, my lord.”
Melon chuckled.
“If you play with the bull, you will get hit by the horns.”
“How can someone who cannot tame a single ox lead this great organization?”
“That’s excessive. What is the purpose?”
“Okay, purpose. Speaking of which, what exactly is your purpose?”
Ryu Jin leaned forward.
“Crown Prince of the Milos Empire, Daniel Milos, why did you hide your identity and enter the Academy under the name of Melon? To gain recognition from the world? Well, why on earth? Why on earth did you choose to take such a difficult path instead of the easy one?”
“… … .”
“If someone who didn’t know saw it, they would think that he was just taking lessons as a crown prince, and that he was making a mess of the Eastern Continent by becoming an inspector in order to gain recognition from the emperor and the people. But that’s not me.”
A cool smile appears on Ryu Jin’s lips.
Ryu Jin wasn’t stupid. And he has a place to be. He can’t be stupid.
“It may have been different when you were at the Academy, but your actions on the Eastern Continent are far from acceptable.”
Ryu Jin winked one eye.
“It doesn’t seem to have been altered, but why? Has it been altered?”
“No way.”
“That’s right. Shouldn’t we see it as an awakening rather than a transformation? Ask yourself this. Why did you do that? Why did you want to cross the line? It seems like you’re thinking of absorbing the Hoecheon Church, reforming it into the Cheonmasingyo Church, and even taking over Cheonhasung, but is that just to gain recognition from the world as the crown prince? Don’t do that. Let’s not do that.”
Ryu Jin grabbed the table with both hands.
He seemed to have an idea.
“What do you think moves people?”
“It must be desire.”
“Yes, desire. This desire is also a very implicit word. Is the being you are seeking recognition from the Emperor?”
“… … .”
“There must be someone other than the Emperor, for example, an Empress. Or.”
“Or?”
“Or lovers.”
“… … .”
“Look at this, ah, aren’t they lovers? Not lovers, but someone you want to think of as a lover… … . If that’s enough, then it’s understandable that you should wake up.”
Melon, no, Daniel, was expressionless the whole time.
But there were bound to be very subtle changes in emotions, and Ryu Jin noticed them.
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“How interesting. You are truly an interesting man. Blood is thicker than water, but why didn’t everyone notice this? Now that we’re on the subject, who is it? Who on earth could shake the Crown Prince’s heart like this and have such a big impact on the direction of his life?”
Daniel didn’t answer. He wasn’t sure about his own thoughts, and now, thanks to Ryu Jin’s words, he was starting to get a vague sense of it.
That was enough talk about Daniel. Now it was time to move on to Ryu Jin’s story.
“What is your purpose?”
The one who reacted to the word ‘that side’ was the Sahonje who was holding the elf wine.
His brow furrowed and his hands twitched, but he didn’t step forward. He didn’t even step forward.
Ryu Jin said.
“Purpose? What purpose?”
“Raymond Beck was a man of exceptional talent, worthy of Your Majesty’s attention. He may have lacked in military force, but his convictions and determination to lead the world to the right path were firm. Such a man covered up corruption in the world and became a public official who received the world’s salary. It was obvious to anyone that he was influenced by you. He was clearly moving for some purpose. His intention must be the same as yours, but what is it?”
I was curious.
Ryu Jin was clearly a person who had little interest in personal gain.
Why on earth would someone like that commit corruption in the canals of Cheonhasung?
Bribing and buying public officials.
Why on earth do you do that?
There must have been some purpose, and Daniel was always curious about that purpose.
And Ryu Jin didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding that purpose from Daniel at least.
“independence.”
Daniel’s brow furrows at those short words.
“Independence?”
“Yes, Independence, the West Continent and the East Continent are far apart. And the two continents are tied together as one nation called Milos, as you know. From beginning to end, from the very core, everything you do is under the control of the Milos Empire. I want to make a variable in this matter.”
“Variable… … What does that mean?”
“Why shouldn’t there be a ‘King’?”
“… … .”
“The problem arises because there is no king of the Eastern Continent, whether in name or not.”
“… … .”
“The Milos Empire created an inspection office on the Eastern Continent. It’s just one, and that inspection office is also an administrative office and a supply office. You send a few people to a small building and they do all that? It’s not like you’re joking around. If you’re going to rule, you have to rule firmly, right?”
That wasn’t a wrong statement.
“It is highly probable that the Emperor has left the Eastern Continent empty for your training as the Crown Prince, but it is excessive. It is so excessive that we intend to struggle to survive. First, we will create a king. And then we will become independent.”
“… … .”
“The roots of the Milos Empire are in the Western Continent. The Milos Empire remains only in the Western Continent and interacts with the Eastern Continent. That is the world I want to create. Why? Is that too unexpected?”
“Yes. That’s unexpected. Is it possible at all?”
A soft smile appears on Ryu Jin’s lips.
“of course.”
That smile was a very confident smile.
The conclusion was simple.
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Ryu Jin of Cheonha Castle is preparing for independence from the Milos Empire.
