I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 82

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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 82
Once Jun stepped away from his brother, Seonwu approached him and asked.
“The person just now is the elder brother who is competing with you for the position of family head, right?”
“That’s right. I have several brothers, but he is the most outstanding among them.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
What were friends for?
If Jun was treated unfairly within the family because of his brother, Seonwu was more than willing to step in at any time.
But Jun shook his head.
“No. Even though we are rivals, it’s an internal affair of the family. Please stay out of this, no matter what.”
“Really? If you say so.”
It wasn’t right to meddle too deeply in someone else’s family matters anyway.
“But remember, I will always have your back. Just call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks, even if it’s just words.”
“By the way, if your brother stays ahead, will you just hand over the position of family head without a fight?”
“I’ll have to hand it over then.”
“Eh? Seriously?”
“Aren’t you also uninterested in competing for the imperial throne?”
Faced with his friend’s counterattack, Seonwu momentarily gasped.
“My, my. You caught me.”
“Your current position is just right for you too, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I already have more than enough wealth and power. Why engage in a pointless competition with my royal brothers? It would only shorten my lifespan.”
History had proven that if things went wrong during a struggle for the throne, even imperial royalty could be wiped out.
“The Wulin is enough for me.”
“Well, you were reincarnated with your eyes set on the Wulin in the first place.”
“Are you really okay with not becoming the family head?”
“Well, it’s not like I’m giving up in advance because I hate fighting with my brother. But if he is recognized by the family members through a clean contest, I don’t want to overturn that result by borrowing your power.”
“How neat.”
“I just don’t know if my brother will trust my intentions, though…”
Jun looked at his elder brother.
‘He is a smart man, so surely he won’t make a reckless move.’
He hoped so.
Truly.
“Anyway, that wraps up the matters regarding the Zhuge Clan.”
“Most of the court officials probably don’t know you are behind this, but you’ve strictly whipped the Wulin into shape, haven’t you?”
“Did it turn out that way?”
“Of course. Look at what happened to the Namgung Clan, and even our Main House acted like this. Just watch. Soon, the other clans will willingly pay their taxes before your majesty… No, they don’t know it’s you, but they’ll do it before the majesty of the Imperial Court.”
“That will likely be the case.”
If they were quick-witted…
“Ahem, a massive amount of unexpected money will flood into the state finances, making it quite prosperous.”
“I suppose so.”
“It should be spent on good causes. The ministers won’t waste it on strange things, will they?”
“If you’re worried, why don’t you set the policy yourself?”
“I should. Ah, right. The Interest Rate Restriction Law will probably be released soon, right? To help it take root, how about the Imperial Court sets an example and uses that money to participate as a market manager?”
“Hmm, if poorly managed, it will just become a honey pot for corrupt officials to share among themselves. But since it’s still the early days of the nation’s founding, it might be fine.”
“Why do you say such ominous things?”
“Would anything change just because I didn’t say it?”
Seonwu could only sigh because of how sharply Jun talked back.
‘Damn, but he’s not wrong.’
He was supposed to be a chivalrous xia, so why was he now worrying over whether the people’s lives would improve or worsen if public financing was implemented with the surplus budget?
‘Should I leave it to the ministers? Tell them to think carefully about whether it will be good or bad, and do a good job?’
At the exact same time.
The working-class court officials, who were barely finishing the draft of the Interest Rate Restriction Law, felt an inexplicable chill.
They had all mastered martial arts to some degree, and thanks to formations, the government offices within the Palace were always comfortable in both summer and winter.
Yet, for some reason, they felt a chill.
“Ahem, why do I suddenly have a strange feeling that our workload is about to increase…”
“Why did you have to say that out loud?!”
“They say the mouth is the source of calamity, so beat that fellow soundly.”
The first person who voiced that feeling out loud was beaten up.
However, even such an exorcism ritual was useless.
Because Seonwu had already made up his mind.
“Yes, let’s tell them to execute it carefully. I’ll also warn them that if the level of corruption exceeds a certain point when I inspect it later, I won’t just stand by. Instead, they can just hire more officials.”
Since Seonwu was not a malicious boss who only increased the workload without expanding the staff, the officials weren’t actually going to die.
Though, as with any job, a period of overload would be unavoidable until the newly hired individuals settled into their positions…
If the officials suffered a bit so that the country and the people could live better, wasn’t that enough?
‘Mm-mm, King Sejong the Great would also agree that I’m right.’
As an imperial prince and a king of the empire, he shouldn’t be calling him that, but King Sejong the Great in Seonwu’s heart was still King Sejong the Great.
Having made his decision, Seonwu stretched.
“Now that I’ve seen both the Zhuge Clan and the Namgung Clan thoroughly, shall we finally move on to the next place?”
“How are we going to move? Since we are already in Hubei Province, Wudang?”
“No, I’m going to drop by Wudang and Shaolin last. I have to save the best for last.”
‘This guy used to save his favorite food only to get it stolen all the time.’
Jun chuckled at the unchanging habit.
He felt that even after being reborn, Seonwu was still Seonwu.
However, in this life, there would be no one brave enough to steal Seonwu’s food.
“Then where?”
“Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan. We will loop around in that order. After that, we’ll go to Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei.”
“Hmm, so a full circuit around the country. That sounds fine.”
“You’re coming with me, right?”
“Of course.”
Jun looked back at his elder brother, who was standing a bit far away.
Whatever the other brothers might be like, Zhuge Junye possessed the capability to fully gather the support of the family members during his absence.
‘Conversely, the contributions I make outside alongside Seonwu might become so great that they render such support meaningless, but…’
Whatever the case.
Right now, he simply wanted to travel the world with the friend he had reunited with after twenty years.
“Then, let’s say our goodbyes to the family head and set off.”
There was still so much of the Wulin they had yet to explore.
“Oh, this body is also excited at the thought of sightseeing in this changed world.”
The Demon-Subduing Divine Dragon Sword chimed in from the side.
As for Absolute Shadow, he merely followed silently.
* * *
Just as Jun had predicted, the actions Seonwu took this time thoroughly stirred up the entire Wulin.
The Hebei Peng Clan.
Currently among the Five Great Clans, they were recognized as the ones doing the best right after the Namgung Clan.
The reason was that only the Namgung Clan and the Peng Clan possessed one of the Top Ten Masters.
The Thunder Tiger Blade Venerable.
Peng Yueliang, the head of the Peng Clan who was called by that title, fell into deep thought after hearing the news of the incidents that had occurred in the Namgung Clan and the Zhuge Clan.
“Hmm, what do you think we should do?”
He asked his son, the Blade Dragon Peng Tianjie.
Generally, the martial artists of the Peng Clan were said to be simple-minded, but his son was an exception.
While he wasn’t quite on the level of the person called the Earth Dragon of the Zhuge Clan, he still didn’t seem like a typical martial artist of the Hebei Peng Clan.
“The Zhuge Clan is smarter than us.”
Acknowledging it so cleanly was also a sign of wisdom.
“And they prostrated themselves before the Imperial Court to receive absolution for the past forty years.”
“Instead, they will be tight on funds for a while since they have to pay ten years’ worth of back taxes.”
“Compared to being saved from a crisis where the clan could have perished, it’s not even a large sum of money.”
“That is true.”
No matter how precious money was, what use would it be if the clan was destroyed?
“Our Main House did not receive such favor, but still, those past tax omissions would be a weakness if the Imperial Court decided to investigate them thoroughly.”
“If they used something like that as a weakness, wouldn’t the whole world fall into anxiety?”
“Of course, since we don’t stand out like the Namgung Clan, that is true. But what if several other families do the same thing after the Zhuge Clan?”
“…Indeed.”
What if even the Ximen Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan followed the Zhuge Clan’s example?
By then, even if the Hebei Peng Clan underwent a belated investigation, those other families wouldn’t feel anxious.
Because they would have already cleared their own slates.
Furthermore, what about the mid-tier clans, even if they weren’t part of the Five Great Clans?
Taking this opportunity to clear forty years of tax evasion with just ten years’ worth would certainly tempt many of them.
“Some will hesitate, and some will follow the Zhuge Clan. And as they follow one by one, before we know it, it will become the trend.”
“It will.”
“Even if we don’t do it, someone among the other clans will ride this wave. Rather than our Main House following belatedly at that time, it’s better to act quickly right after the Zhuge Clan.”
“Yes, it’s correct to utilize the wisdom of striking first in this situation.”
Satisfied that his son’s words were reasonable, the Blade Venerable nodded with satisfaction.
“We should organize our ledgers.”
“In addition, unlike the Zhuge Clan, our Main House would be taking the lead without even having received a favor.”
“Oh, meaning?”
“If we act quickly, the Imperial Court might give us an extra gift.”
“Oho.”
“Right now, the Namgung Clan has been penalized regarding their allocation of Spiritual Medicine. That means there will be a surplus of Spiritual Medicine left over.”
“Meaning we might receive a bit more?”
“It’s not something I can say for certain.”
“It’s worth anticipating a little. I shall hurry.”
* * *
And so, the Hebei Peng Clan moved into action right after the Zhuge Clan.
They didn’t perform a fluid prostration in sackcloth like the Zhuge Clan did, but simply confessed calmly to the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.
That, too, was very characteristic of the Hebei Peng Clan.
In addition, unlike the head of the Zhuge Clan, the head of the Peng Clan held a seat among the Top Ten Masters of the Jianghu.
Since his standing warranted different treatment from the court, it was a situation where he didn’t need to go as far as prostrating in sackcloth.
And to this rapid voluntary reporting, the Imperial Court gave the exact same answer.
Since the deficiencies over the forty years were partly due to the country’s systems not being fully established, they were told to settle only ten years’ worth of taxes.
Furthermore, a separate message was secretly delivered behind the scenes.
[The Peng Clan will have the opportunity to purchase a portion of the Spiritual Medicine that the Namgung Clan failed to receive.]
“Haha, you are no less capable than the Earth Dragon.”
At the Blade Venerable’s satisfied words, the Blade Dragon Peng Tianjie shook his head.
“No. The Earth Dragon… The Sword Dragon looked down on him, but his depth in this kind of strategy is greater than mine. One must not regard him merely as a master of formations.”
“Just by not looking down on him, you are already better than the Sword Dragon.”
“I think so too.”
Underestimating the enemy leads to defeat, so look at the current plight of the Sword Dragon, who used to look down on the Earth Dragon as if a king were looking down on a subject.
“Come to think of it, word is going around the world that the junior disciple of the Eunhak Sect, who captured the Demonic Monster of the capital, should take over the title of Sword Dragon.”
“Oho, that’s a rumor that would make the Namgung Clan lose their minds.”
“Since they have no wealth left, if they even lose their honor, it’s the end for them.”
“Hmm, since it’s something happening far away, it has nothing to do with our Main House, but let’s wait and see.”
“Yes, if those two ever come to Hebei in the future, I would certainly like to build a friendship with them.”
* * *
Once even the Hebei Peng Clan followed the Zhuge Clan, many people realized that this was now the grand trend.
Various martial arts clans and sects lined up one after another to pay their taxes voluntarily.
The Ministry of Revenue was highly pleased with the pouring budget.
Of course, within a few days, they had to hear Seonwu’s instruction to establish public finance with that money through the mouth of the Emperor.
“Execute it well.”
“I accept your command.”
In front of the imperial voice, the Minister of Revenue merely accepted the order.
‘Because the work can be done by grinding down the lower fellows.’
The only ones who would scream were the working-level staff.
At least it was fortunate that the Interest Rate Restriction Law had just been fully completed at this point.
On the other hand, the common people, especially those who had suffered greatly from the high interest rates of the Yama Debt Ring, shouted praises for the Emperor’s holy grace.
“Ah, he must be busy keeping the demonic monsters at bay, yet he even cares for our livelihoods.”
“He truly is a benevolent ruler.”
“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!”
Those who hadn’t directly experienced the damage wondered if it was really that significant, but they too felt that the country was looking after their lives regardless.
“Times are already better compared to the past, but it seems things are about to get even better…”
* * *
Seonwu, who had caused those cheers of praise to ring out, had now crossed over into Jiangxi Province as a group of three, or rather, four.
“Let’s see, the famous one here is the Huangbo Clan? Although they aren’t part of the Five Great Clans, the martial arts of this family should be worth seeing, right?”
“Yes, Senior Disciple.”
Absolute Shadow replied instantly, but Jun was a bit worried about the future.
‘At this rate, is the Huangbo Clan going to end up like the Namgung Clan too?’
“And the Yige in Fujian is also famous.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s visit them all in order.”
‘Surely the Yige will be fine, right?’
Jun desperately hoped so.
‘If they haven’t committed any sins, they should be fine, but…’

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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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