Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 787

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 787
After exchanging pumpkin tea instead of alcohol for some time, Ju Wang finally opened his mouth.
“I’ve already heard the message. You’re planning to install water and sewage systems throughout this entire Gangso Province?”
“Yes.”
“Since I’ve already experienced the benefits in Ju Wang’s residence, I have no complaints. Once you’ve tasted convenience, you can’t go back to the old ways.”
“It’s also more hygienic that way. There’s less risk of wells being poisoned.”
*gulp*
Ju Wang-ya swallowed her tea and spoke.
“Wherever enemies swept through, corpses would be dumped in the wells. The water would rot, making it impossible to rebuild the villages ever again.”
War was brutal.
No matter what humans could imagine, war was always more cruel than that.
Jin Cheon-hee responded.
“It’s the same even among Gangho masters fighting each other. Commoners die from drinking poisoned well water in the middle of conflict, but that’s precisely why the Black Sect earned its name.”
“I see.”
“Well, and if water and sewage systems aren’t properly maintained, they become a source of waterborne diseases. So we need careful design from the start and continuous management afterward.”
“That must cost a fortune.”
“Yes. Construction itself is expensive, and maintenance costs afterward are substantial.”
“Lang-lang!”
At his call, Yu Rang-hu entered through the door.
“You called for me, Wang-ya?”
Yu Rang-hu, dressed neatly in official robes, entered slowly.
Though official robes typically featured silk with embroidery, Yu Rang-hu’s were clearly made from inexpensive fabric.
‘Hmm, considering Ju Wang’s power and wealth, she could dress far more elaborately… Ah. Could it be she’s worried about bringing criticism upon Ju Wang?’
She, a mere performer by origin, had risen to become Ju Wang’s consort.
Though the Emperor himself had issued her appointment and given her the name Yu Rang-hu, naturally in this hierarchical society, many watched this with disapproving eyes.
She seemed cautious, doubly cautious, lest it damage Ju Wang’s reputation in any way.
‘Hmm, she could relax more in front of me.’
Ju Wang-ya spoke.
“Hahaha, my husband is quite knowledgeable in administration. After receiving the name Yu Rang-hu from the Emperor, she studied mathematics and is now faster with calculations than most officials.”
“Oh my, that’s impressive. Mathematics is a discipline where fundamentals are crucial, so it must be difficult to learn from the beginning.”
“Right?”
Pleased that Jin Cheon-hee acknowledged her, Ju Wang-ya shrugged her shoulders happily.
“Lang-lang works so hard, yet few recognize it. I’m grateful at least you understand her worth.”
“No, Wang-ya. I’m merely someone of humble origins who learned some skills…”
Ju Wang-ya stopped Yu Rang-hu from continuing.
“Not that again! Ilgwang, speak up for her.”
“Really, why do you use a Gangho alias? You have the title of Provincial Governor but never use it.”
Jin Cheon-hee grumbled and said this.
“You’re truly impressive. And the clothes you’re wearing—are they official robes?”
“Yes, Governor Jin. Currently, I serve as a Deputy Administrator.”
Provincial Administrator.
Originally in the Three Kingdoms era, the Provincial Administrator was the direct aide to the highest official of each province, whether called the Provincial Inspector or Provincial Governor.
While the position itself ranked below the Provincial Governor, its authority exceeded theirs.
In this current age, provinces have been renamed as regions in administrative nomenclature, making the Provincial Administrator the direct aide to the Regional Governor.
“As the consort of King Ju Wang, the Governor of this region, I obtained the position of Provincial Administrator to assist with administrative matters.”
“Ah, thank you for the explanation. Then should I discuss practical matters with the Provincial Administrator?”
Since the Emperor bestowed the name Ju Wang, it was proper by the current Hwa Empire’s protocol to address her as the Provincial Administrator of Ju.
Ju Wang-ya spoke.
“Yes, that works well. Installing water systems is what it is anyway, but I don’t know the details. Ha ha ha! And arithmetic is terribly difficult, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Well, normally people don’t do it themselves anyway.”
In truth, even the Provincial Administrator didn’t handle the work directly—she delegated to subordinates.
In the current empire’s understanding, arithmetic was handled by the lowest-ranking officials.
In that sense, Yu Rang-hu was exceptional.
He studied so diligently precisely because he loved Ju Wang-ya so much.
Ju Wang-ya spoke.
“Well, since I also owe you a debt from before, let me make one thing clear.”
“Yes?”
“If there’s someone who needs crushing, crush them to your heart’s content. I’ll grant you immunity in this province. Act first, report later.”
Immunity.
She’d granted an absurd authority.
Though Ju Wang-ya was known for her generosity, I never imagined she’d support me to this extent.
“But what if I harbor ill intentions?”
“I trust you.”
Trust what?
That I can summon the Celestial Daggers in both hands?
As Jin Cheon-hee’s mouth gaped like a fish, Ju Wang-ya spoke as if exasperated.
“Why wouldn’t you be grateful when given something like this? Why are you panicking and at a loss?”
“It’s too much!”
“Ugh, give and complain.”
Ju Wang cursed and scratched his ear with his pinky finger.
“Among us, you’re the one who doubts yourself the most. Considering what you’ve done for the imperial family and the empire, you should be far more arrogant.”
“That is…”
“You should say ‘thank you.’ Your sister is backing you.”
At those words, Jin Cheon-hee’s eyes widened slightly.
It could have been merely a jest. Someone unfamiliar would think it was casual between close people.
But I clearly understood it meant bloodline.
‘Indeed… she’s different from the Emperors.’
The Emperors had never granted Jin Cheon-hee immunity either.
Of course not.
It was only natural that if Jin Cheon-hee made any mistake later, he would receive punishment according to imperial law.
But Ju Wang-ya was taking responsibility for that as well.
“…I understand.”
“Anyway. Go on. Do whatever you want.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Why was that?
For some reason, my eyes grew blurry, so I hardened my gaze and quickly left the room.
* * *
I headed to the office with Yu Rang-hu.
“I didn’t expect the Prince to handle affairs directly.”
Prince—a title for the son-in-law of a king who married the king’s daughter.
Ju Wang-ya, the daughter of the Previous Emperor, was also married to someone bearing this title.
“If I may be frank, it’s not easy to find trustworthy people.”
As I said this, I mocked myself slightly—recalling how I’d once been a spy for Hao-mun.
Then I continued.
“Moreover, it’s difficult to find capable individuals. Recently, though, we’ve been able to discover many talented people from Baek Hwan-hu.”
“Oh! So the young talents from our Baek Hwan-hu have been helpful! That’s wonderful!”
My eyes sparkled with delight.
It was deeply gratifying to see the young people I’d raised becoming lights in the world.
“Haha. Indeed. Speaking of which, take a look at this budget.”
Yu Rang-hu said this and showed me a document.
“What is this…?”
“The budget for Gangso Province. The surplus reserves aren’t particularly abundant. In fact, the greatest problem is likely that roughly half of the allocated budget is disappearing in all directions due to corrupt officials.”
Had he grasped the situation to this extent?
That statement didn’t end with merely being skilled at arithmetic.
It meant Yu Rang-hu understood the practical workings to that degree.
My eyes changed as I looked at him.
“My, that’s a serious matter.”
“There’s no such thing in Baekrin County, is there? In fact, that’s why the King granted the entire Gangso Province to the royal estate. Do you know that originally, a royal estate could only encompass a county—not a province or prefecture?”
“I didn’t know that.”
“That was the original rule. But this time, she was granted a province.”
“The ministers must have resisted strongly.”
Yu Rang-hu nodded slightly.
“It was actually less than expected. It came right after a storm of blood swept through the imperial palace. However, installing water systems immediately is impossible. The Emperor did provide the budget, but… we need to clean things up first.”
Clean things up?
I waited for Yu Rang-hu’s next words.
“As I showed you earlier, the corruption among officials runs very deep. The Emperor is currently wielding iron-fisted rule worthy of historical record, yet it still cannot be eradicated. Gangso Province is the same. If we proceed with construction using the budget the Emperor provided, we will inevitably run short of funds midway.”
Send ten, and only two arrive.
This is a saying widely spread throughout official circles.
When everyone takes a spoonful here and there, that’s what happens.
‘Even in Baekrin County, such things happen occasionally.’
Of course, nine out of ten arrive.
Sometimes we don’t know where that one went.
From this point on, it becomes troublesome, but not something we can’t resolve.
However, this only works because it’s within the scope of what I can handle, and because the absurdly massive Baekrin Medical Guild operates behind the scenes.
But when looking at the entire Empire, the story changes.
The Empire is dozens of times larger than Baekrin’s forces.
Moreover.
Ju Wang had only recently arrived at his post in Gangso Province.
As the Governor of Gangso Province and master of the Prince’s residence, his control over the local officials wasn’t particularly strong yet.
Of course, Ju Wang had his retainers, but they were still in the process of taking over their positions….
Proper administrative procedures would be difficult to implement.
Yu Rang-hu could do anything for the King.
He desperately hoped that Ju Wang wouldn’t be heard calling Cheon-chul an ignorant fool who’d been seated as a consort.
Yu Rang-hu spoke.
“So I would hope that you, Prefect Jin, would serve as a secret inspector. Confiscate the assets of corrupt officials and make an example of them, ensuring that the budget granted by the Emperor doesn’t leak away. What do you think?”
I nodded.
“I was planning to do it anyway, so this works out well.”
I recalled those days in Baekrin’s forces when I’d rooted out corruption.
Yu Rang-hu bowed deeply to me.
Normally, since I was his subordinate, he shouldn’t have shown such elaborate respect. But with just the two of us here, unseen by others.
He could discard his pride for the sake of the King.
He’d already abandoned it when he received my help and confessed the truth to Ju Wang.
“I’m counting on you.”
* * *
Outside Hangzhou.
A man with a massive frame was restless and spoke.
“Come now, you seductive thing. Why won’t you come off!”
He tapped his soft belly as he spoke.
The man was already naked, and his manhood glistened, smaller than a baby’s finger.
A palace-like mansion. And in its deepest inner chamber, surrounded by layers of guards.
At a glance, the man was no ordinary wielder of power.
And before him, a captivating beauty smiled seductively.
“Hehe~ There’s no need to rush, my lord.”
Saying so, she deliberately hid her body behind silk curtains.
As one layer of clothing slipped away, her naked silhouette reflected in shadow.
Then another layer, and another.
A sound like butterfly wings fluttering echoed, and the man couldn’t restrain himself, rushing behind the silk curtains.
“You’re so coquettish! My heart is pounding so hard I can’t contain it….”
In that moment, white hands gripped the man’s soft neck from both sides.
‘It should be a woman’s slender body, so why are these hands so large and muscular…?’
Before I could think further, there came a sickening crack—
The man’s neck snapped, and he died instantly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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