Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 59

 

 

“What? You saw them, what do you mean by that…? I did see the government officials.”

 

Jung Myeong’s words. At this, Manager Jang showed an expression clearly indicating this was the first he’d heard of it.

Conversely, Gal Tae-gyeong seemed to have completely understood.

 

“Physician, were you aiming for this?”

“Won’t you know if you go and see?”

“I’m having trouble following what you two are discussing?”

“My explanation was insufficient. Let me tell you about it. The officials you saw weren’t squad leaders and constables, were they?”

“Oh. That’s right.”

“By any chance, weren’t they wearing the uniforms of government forces?”

“Huh. How did you know that?”

“As I thought. I knew it would be so.”

 

Manager Jang was amazed seeing Jung Myeong sitting there as if seeing a thousand li away.

 

“How on earth did you know?”

“Because I induced this. Now, let’s go.”

“…Well, I’ll be.”

“Let’s go then.”

 

At that, Jung Myeong just shrugged his shoulders and led them.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Going out, he could see the government forces.

Looking at their insignia, they belonged to the Hangzhou Guard. The place where he had administered medicine.

The problem was the person in the center of them.

 

‘This is more than I can handle.’

 

Seeing this, Jung Myeong instinctively knew the matter had grown serious.

It was fine that government forces had come. He had set the stage for that to happen.

The problem was the rank of the person who had come to find him.

 

‘To think a Chiliarch would come directly.’

 

Chiliarch.

If a Centurion commanded a hundred soldiers, a Chiliarch was one who commanded a thousand soldiers.

Even in Hangzhou, the provincial capital, there were only ten such positions.

 

“I am Jang Baek-ho, Chiliarch of the Hangzhou Guard.”

 

Among them, Jang Baek-ho.

He was quite well-known in Hangzhou.

Because he was favored by the Guard Commander above him.

In other words, it meant that someone favored by the highest commander of the Hangzhou Guard had personally come to this place.

Someone incomparable to Captain Jang, who merely commanded the constables of one county, had appeared.

 

‘The matter has become seriously big.’

 

While Gal Tae-gyeong beside him was even more shocked and trying to calm his startled heart,

Jung Myeong stepped forward with a calm expression.

 

“I have always heard of your reputation, Commander.”

“Huh. Is that so?”

“Even when I tried not to listen, I couldn’t help but hear. Your fair and just character in taking care of the guard post while being responsible for Hangzhou’s defense constantly reaches even this small medical clinic.”

“You’re gilding this incompetent military man.”

“Gilding? Isn’t this already a well-known fact throughout Hangzhou?”

 

Jung Myeong engaged in small talk with Jang Baek-ho, softening the atmosphere in advance.

Jung Myeong wasn’t particularly flattering him.

Jang Baek-ho’s reputation was indeed a well-known fact.

He was from a prestigious family in Hangzhou and was predicted to be the next Guard Commander.

Given the military’s nature of being heavily checked by the central government, if he was known to such a degree, one could understand the aspect he possessed.

A brief chat.

It was different from when the squad leader had visited before.

The atmosphere was gentle.

Jang Baek-ho also appropriately received this and then got to the main point.

 

“Could you briefly visit the Hangzhou Guard? We’ve already spoken about the house arrest.”

“It would be an honor.”

 

It was an invitation. A courteous invitation that wasn’t high-handed.

Jung Myeong readily agreed to it.

 

“Then let us escort you.”

 

For some reason, Chiliarch Jang Baek-ho moved as if escorting an honored guest.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The distance to the Hangzhou Guard wasn’t far.

Jung Myeong arrived quickly.

Here, he couldn’t help but be greatly surprised once more.

 

‘This is a bigger shot than I thought. When did someone who should be at the Regional Military Commission get here?’

 

Chiliarch. Above him was the Hangzhou Guard Commander.

He too was a high-ranking person. He was responsible for the defense of the provincial capital Hangzhou.

 

‘In terms of my previous life, that would be battalion commander level. Actually, considering it’s the provincial capital, that position is no different from regimental commander level.’

 

However, someone even higher than that Hangzhou Guard Commander appeared.

Provincial Commander!

The one responsible for the defense of the entire provincial capital. He had come out.

 

‘He may be called division commander level. But his actual power is far greater than that.’

 

This place is Hangzhou. Both the provincial capital and a place where all kinds of interests converge.

Therefore, those who guard this place are elite troops.

The Provincial Commander’s role is to keep the Provincial Administration Commission and Provincial Surveillance Commission in check.

In other words, this man was brought in to check and balance the administrative and judicial branches!

A considerably high-ranking person had appeared.

Facing him, Jung Myeong confidently performed a cupped fist salute and paid his respects.

 

“Physician Jung Myeong greets the Provincial Commander, sir.”

“Hooh…”

 

Provincial Commander Eom Maeng, who had a gentle impression despite his rank.

His gaze toward Jung Myeong changed.

It wasn’t a fierce change.

Rather, it was a look filled with curiosity.

 

“You must have worked hard coming such a long way.”

“Thanks to the Provincial Commander’s consideration, I didn’t feel it was difficult at all.”

“Hehe. Is that so? Hearing you say that lightens my heart.”

 

The Provincial Commander collected his gaze.

Maintaining a smiling face, he showed warmth unbefitting his position.

However, Jung Myeong did not let his guard down.

 

‘He might become something even greater than Provincial Commander, right?’

 

It might have been different before.

After being caught in the physicians’ schemes, Jung Myeong had looked into Hangzhou’s power holders.

From what he knew, the man before his eyes was no ordinary person.

Due to the military’s nature, he was someone who held power while being checked by the central government.

Someone who had an even higher position planned for the future.

That person was the Provincial Commander right before his eyes.

There were even rumors that his being here instead of the capital was his own choice.

It was no wonder Jung Myeong tightened the reins of tension.

 

“However, this is strange.”

“What is strange? If you would teach me, I would gratefully accept it.”

“Even with my consideration. Isn’t it also strange to feel this situation too lightly?”

“…If the Provincial Commander has something he wishes to say, please tell me. I will carefully take note of it.”

 

The Provincial Commander tightened those reins even more.

As if he knew nothing of his previous leisure. Suddenly showing stern eyes, he asked Jung Myeong.

 

“I ask honestly. Why did you do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you suddenly shake up the military officers?”

 

It was a question containing many things.

And it was clearly intended to catch Jung Myeong off guard by asking suddenly.

 

‘He’s talking about distributing the medicine.’

 

It was understandable why this man was acting this way.

Provincial Commander. He was someone who looked far ahead.

 

‘He wants to rise up. To secure a key position in the central political circles.’

 

His ambition was a widely known fact.

Therefore, paradoxically, he was incorruptible.

Because he had great ambitions for central advancement, he wouldn’t do anything that could cause him trouble.

Contradictory, but that’s why he was an upright official.

 

‘So he can’t help but care about those below too. To rise up, he needs to be able to embrace both above and below.’

 

For him, he had no choice but to react sensitively to changes among the military officers.

So he must have investigated.

 

‘He must have found out in detail what I did.’

 

The evidence was calling Jung Myeong out like this.

He had noticed that Jung Myeong was trying to shake up the board.

That Jung Myeong had dragged a problem that immediately involved the County Magistrate, and even the Vice Governor, all the way to the military side.

 

‘It’s also why I deliberately distributed the medicine only to the military side.’

 

For the Provincial Commander, this was a sensitive issue.

Cheap and high-quality spirit medicines and wound healing ointments.

While it was good that these were distributed and the skills of military officers under the military improved.

He wouldn’t want to accumulate wrongdoings for that purpose.

 

‘I need to explain this well here. Since he’s essentially a military officer, it would be better to be direct.’

 

The opponent was also sharp. And aggressive.

If this was the case, Jung Myeong decided to throw off his mask instead.

 

“If you put it that way… I think it would be better for me to speak directly as well. Would that be alright?”

“Speak.”

“I know that the Provincial Commander intends to discuss the realm.”

“Huh. The realm? You’re talking nonsense.”

“Aren’t you someone too great to be contained by the provincial capital?”

“Hehe.”

 

He first struck at his ambition.

Then a reaction came.

 

“That said, the vessel that contains me must not be cracked.”

“Even the vessel itself is precious?”

“That’s right.”

 

The vessel. He was referring to the fortress city of Hangzhou.

This place, Hangzhou, which was no different from his stronghold, was a stepping stone for his advancement to the Central Government!

He could not tolerate anything that would shake this vessel.

When a half-affirmative response came back, Jung Myeong spoke with certainty.

 

“Let me say again that I have absolutely not done anything to crack the vessel.”

 

That he had not desired anything whatsoever.

There was no way the Provincial Commander would take this at face value.

 

“Huh? It seems like you’re already acting in a way that shakes the vessel?”

“Shaking it?”

“The three types of medicine!”

 

Finally, he directly mentioned the medicine.

 

‘Good. I’ve come this far well.’

 

His opponent was cunning.

Just getting a direct mention could be considered progress.

Jung Myeong felt a small sense of achievement and asked.

 

“Is there something I desired through that medicine?”

“Aren’t you about to desire something now? You came all the way here for that purpose!”

“I came because the Provincial Commander summoned me.”

“Weren’t you waiting for that summons?”

 

Weren’t you waiting for that summons?

He must not lie in response to that question.

Here, he had to convey his message well.

 

“I was waiting, but I did not desire any favors.”

“…Ha! What contradictory words!”

“No. If I had desired something, the vessel would have cracked, but if I desire nothing, wouldn’t it merely serve to enlarge the vessel?”

“You don’t desire compensation for enlarging that vessel?”

“Yes!”

 

It was true that he had delivered the medicine and created this meeting.

But it wasn’t a bribe. Because he desired nothing.

So it wasn’t corruption either.

At this, the Provincial Commander’s patience snapped.

 

“How dare you! Do you speak falsehoods to me!”

 

However, Jung Myeong calmly answered again.

 

“Let me say it again. I do not want you to take my side. Nor do I want the Provincial Commander to make any major changes for my sake.”

“Then?”

 

Jung Myeong’s unwavering attitude.

The Provincial Commander seemed to sense something and asked back.

 

‘I’ve come this far well. This is the last part.’

 

He had to answer well.

If he answered wrongly and created a misunderstanding.

 

‘I’ll die.’

 

He was a dead man walking.

Even if he had reached not just peak level but super peak level, if the Provincial Commander wanted it, he would be killed.

Because he was someone who possessed that much power.

 

‘Phew. Let’s go. I need to complete the first stage of the plan.’

 

Jung Myeong took a deep breath and stated his purpose.

 

“What I desire is only one thing. Just open a fair game for me.”

“A fair game?”

“Yes. A game where no underhanded schemes take place. Isn’t that originally what the Provincial Commander should do?”

“Hooo…”

 

Jung Myeong’s words telling him to fulfill his duty.

At his words, as if finding it interesting, the corners of the Provincial Commander’s lips curved into a small arc.

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