Sniper Elite (2)
Hong Dae-yong's comment about "risking trouble for personal reasons" wasn't entirely empty words.
I agreed with him.
But why come personally? I'm busy.
Besides, we're not exactly on personal terms, are we?
Just like when he set up that board at the Hong Gate before, the government office isn't some community center—or, no, a welfare center—where anyone can stroll in freely.
If Hong Dae-yong weren't from a prestigious family, he would have been cut off immediately for exposing himself to a situation like dogs on the hottest day of summer.
I didn't even need to step in. That level of risk was already handled by our office's weakest gatekeeping slaves.
Only the Korean government would patiently tolerate someone barging in saying, "Hey, I want to eat with your headman! How about a sauna too?"
Come to think of it, why did I even want to become a civil servant in Korea?
As long as my status window wasn't worse than an offense charge, being a local official here felt better. I haven't experienced the modern side, but I imagine it's similar.
Modern civilization? It's convenient enough here. Ask for a meal, and it comes out, whether from the office kitchen or a 21st-century voice-activated rice cooker—it's the same.
Anyway, I wasn't hoping Hong Dae-yong would get kicked out.
Really, I wasn't. I just thought that, as a modern conscience, rules should be applied fairly.
You think I'm being inconsistent with the tavern scene? You need to reconsider the meaning of "fair."
While I was mulling this over, Hong Dae-yong continued speaking energetically.
"The magistrate's reputation for strict administration has reached even Cheonan in our county.Foolish small-minded people compare your actions to the tyrannical officials of the Tang dynasty, claiming you oppressed shamans and tormented respected clerks to death, but they speak out of ignorance. As a magistrate, how could you fail to regulate social conduct or educate wayward locals?"
Wait, are you subtly insulting me?
Though the part about clerks being beaten is true, is there really a rumor involving Yeon?
Within Mokcheon, hardly anyone suspects.
It's not that I beat everyone into survival of the fittest.
The reason is simple: Yeon was famous, so her movements were obvious.
As a public official, my own movements were naturally visible.
But we haven't met since the tavern rap battle.
Before that, was that even reasonable?
Even if our current king's mother was a servant, hierarchical protocol still matters… I didn't dwell on it.
Which prime minister is having romances with a shaman? From what I heard, it's not even romance—it's a depraved tale.
Jeong Nan-jeong? She was a commoner, but there were no female entertainers in formal politics. And if she had been, at least she would have been a concubine—a kind of safe zone. Shamans are different.
Besides, Yun Won-hyung didn't care. Even if he married a commoner, he could have been prime minister. His sister was the queen.
In short, the rumors were ridiculous. Yeon would probably laugh if she heard them.
But there's one person who could make ridiculous moves like this.
Shin Man-heung, surviving his 70s despite installments, was letting people roam freely outside.
The intent was obvious: "We'll charge interest on the installments and beat him even more."
And the rumors had reached the ears of the Ho-seo aristocratic families.
Given his status, Hong Dae-yong's role in the local community was natural. He would gather local opinions and deliver them to me.
Honestly, it didn't even suit him. The Namyang Hong family was nationally prominent.
So why was he so earnest until just now?
If my goal was advancement in the court, it made sense to stay on good terms with a historical figure like Hong Dae-yong.
That was my goal, so I didn't care much.
He had never passed the civil service exam in his lifetime. So, what use was he?
I was discussing becoming the top-ranking official.
A gentleman chooses friends carefully.
Even if I didn't know top-tier ministers like Yi Il-je personally, I knew of modern practical scholars at least academically. By the 21st century, practical scholarship had waned, but my professors were still 20th-century scholars.
Many practical scholars had failed the civil service exam in their youth.
Was it because of lack of connections? Some, like Park Je-ga or Lee Deok-mu, were illegitimate sons and ineligible entirely.
But even among legitimate heirs from prestigious families, it was the same.
Park Ji-won and Hong Dae-yong barely gained office in middle age. Probably via recommendation or family influence.
Of course, not all practical scholars were weak. Jeong Yak-yong was a notable exception.
Yet, why would practical scholars focus on physics, mathematics, engineering, or economics—considered heretical then?
Because they weren't part of the mainstream.
They had ability but couldn't advance socially.
Even Jeong Yak-yong would have struggled without King Jeongjo. Others were similar.
If I were a monarch, I might have taken an interest in practical scholars. They brought new ideas, modern perspectives, and political benefit. That's what King Yeongjo was doing.
But I needed friends who could mutually support and build a powerful alliance… or, to put it more philosophically, exchange learning and virtues.
For that, traditional Confucian elites were ideal.
Being friends with Park Ji-won was more about his grandfather than the man himself.
Park Pil-gyun supported my family in the Shinwon incident. Ignoring that would be foolish. He was also a benefactor personally.
But Hong Dae-yong… I didn't see what he could give me.
The problem was that Hong Dae-yong wanted to be close to me.
"I assumed you, the magistrate, had come alone to strictly uphold the law without household distractions, but it seems you truly have remained unmarried until now."
Another matchmaking attempt?
I wasn't in a rush to marry. I needed connections and coins, not to live alone.
But, sorry, your introduction is inadequate.
Sure, your family is excellent, but the results vary depending on connections.
If I were marrying into your family, bring a high-ranking official as mediator. Don't you have plenty?
I want zero losses from a strategic marriage.
Even among prominent families, there are levels.
If Hong Dae-yong is the best candidate among the bride's relatives, then… fail. At least he should have passed the civil exam and held a key post.
Me? Not a key post, due to the Tagubong incident. Otherwise, I would be in Hongmungwan or Saheonbu. And as mentioned, a wife's family usually outranks a husband's.
I reused my excuse from Park Ji-won:
"I was busy studying, now busy with official duties. Besides, my ledger shows no merit yet, why worry about marriage—"
"No, your achievements are remarkable at such a young age. Your busy schedule has nothing to do with marriage, which should follow parents' wishes."
Zuo Zayong's wisdom doesn't work here.
Besides, this guy is a step above Park Ji-won.
"I have a younger cousin in my family, raised with virtue and filial piety, fully suited for a hero…"
Why the rush?
I turned the conversation subtly, pretending to be a shy young man hesitant to respond.
"While I am grateful for your regard, dealing with such a prestigious family is beyond my humble abilities. Moreover, as marriage follows parents' wishes, discussing it while away from home seems inappropriate."
"That makes sense."
Hong Dae-yong agreed readily.
Was it because of my humility or the parental excuse? Fine, let's say it was the latter.
He continued smoothly:
"In urgent matters, one sometimes uses temporary measures."
In writing, it's ordinary advice. But his intonation conveyed a hidden meaning.
Impressive. A musician, perhaps?
I understood, remembering the flow he displayed in the tavern rap battle.
This urgency wasn't about my age.
"What guidance will you provide me?"
"Shin Man-heung in Mokcheon is descended from an old gentry family, now affluent though not nobility, with extensive connections in Ho-seo. Even a provincial governor would hear of them during his term."
Here it came. Yi Il-je was involved.
Not punishing me directly for reprimanding local officials yet, he looked for another excuse. Hong Dae-yong knew this.
The rumors he brought up initially? To shape perception before the provincial governor could.
The message was clear and blunt:
"Clear the messy rumors through marriage and ally with us. As fellow Noron, we will support you against the Soron governor!"
Hong Dae-yong was a minor faction known as Northern Learning, but aligned with the Noron. Even if inexperienced, this was factional politics.
I knew I had become a topic at court due to King Yeongjo's whims, but I hadn't expected to be at the eye of such a storm.
"I understand. Still, I won't accept marriage hastily just because the provincial governor is threatening."
Marriage here would be premature and appear desperate.
I didn't need Yi Il-je as an essential marital ally. I had his notes on the super-advanced fortress in Pyongan—enough leverage.
So my earlier dismissal of Hong Dae-yong as useless was canceled. Combining him with Yi Il-je's notes made a stronger position.
Even without passing the civil service exam, Hong Dae-yong left a historical mark for a reason.
Power? Accept this forbidden book and receive the universe's hidden truths.
Hong Dae-yong rejoiced. I understood his intentions and accepted the alliance, giving him a gift far more meaningful than being my cousin-in-law.
"I've heard of this book, yet never obtained it despite sending people to Seoul…! It's not surprising that the magistrate, having topped the exam, possesses it."
I didn't realize my Fundamentals of Mathematics had already reached Ho-seo. He had tried the exams and failed repeatedly; this was the perfect gift.
I presented it as "a chance acquisition" and offered guidance:
"If you wish to understand the hidden interpretations, visit me. I have heard them directly from the author, whose name I cannot disclose."
"Indeed, the scholarship of prestigious families never disappoints. I shall come prepared with gifts to seek instruction."
Gifts! Excellent for social bonding.
"Ha. Now you and I are friends through life and death; a fragrant bottle of wine is enough to convey understanding."
If he only brought wine, I'd be gone.
"I am once again impressed by the magistrate's integrity and refinement."
As expected of a Confucian. Hong Dae-yong bowed and withdrew politely.
Sniping is hard labor.
Perfect concealment and precise targeting require meticulous, persistent effort.
In my case, this continued until the end of spring.
It wasn't too exhausting. Receiving Hong Dae-yong's offerings brought me ease.
Daily office supervision eased a bit.
Indeed, wealth reduces stress; stress hinders kindness [As Mencius said: "Those with steady resources have steady minds"].
Direct trade with locals needed time to be effective. It was also the lean season.
Other business plans waited until Yi Il-je was dealt with; I lacked funds.
Officials' money? A good idea, but better after handling Yi Il-je.
I first documented Yi Il-je's corruption, my situation, and future plans, sending it to Seoul. My trusted aide Jang-bok acted as messenger.
Together with Hong Dae-yong, it appeared as if a young nobleman and his attendant traveled for study.
There's a clear reason anyone would guess. Hong Dae-yong was a messenger for the Namyang Hong family and connected to two rising figures in the Andong Kim clan.
Who else could connect them?
Why connect them? Not just shared Noron allegiance.
As mentioned, my father had broad connections. Despite eccentric hobbies, he could not be ignored by traditional Confucian elites.
Moreover, even eccentrics have friends in similar positions.
The highest-ranking friend? Hong Gye-hee, current Minister of Punishments and a respected scholar. My father called him a confidant.
He was also involved later in critical events surrounding Crown Prince Sado, but that's another story.
For now, Hong Gye-hee acted as expected.
He waited to "place my bullet directly in Yi Il-je's groin," as it were.
The central oversight had already heard of Yi Il-je's corruption; he was ready for action.
Hong Gye-hee acted out of friendship with my father and care for me, but also political opportunity.
By standard promotion practices, after Yi Il-je was removed, the next Chungcheong inspector would likely be Hong Gye-hee. He couldn't act prematurely.
He stoked Noron officials dissatisfied with Yi Il-je, awaiting the right moment.
That moment came when spring barley ripened.
Agriculture is the foremost duty of local magistrates—and, indeed, of all officials.
I monitored the harvest reports closely. Barley during lean season was particularly critical.
It was then that I sensed heaven had granted the perfect timing.
I returned and handed a letter to Jang-bok to send to Seoul. A real act of care. The recipient's family was there.
Then I sent someone to the Cheongju inspectorate via official channels.
Yi Il-je reacted immediately, despite Shin Man-heung's misbehavior.
A scientific ruler had finally opened a portal to Mokcheon.
Receiving the advance notice, I prepared myself and looked outside.
The small barley fields of Mokcheon swayed beautifully under the summer sun, despite the poverty.
Historical Notes:
Although Kim Un-haeng met Hong Dae-yong early, historically Hong Dae-yong had a close friendship with Kim Yong-gyeom, Un-haeng's father. This chapter depicts an earlier encounter.
At this time, Hong Dae-yong's cousins would later marry notable figures, connecting his family to Namyeon-gun and Kim Jeong-hui.
Hong Gye-hee, a high-ranking official, returned from Japan in 1748 as a communication envoy.
Hong Gye-hee and Kim Yong-gyeom were both confidants and connected by marriage in the next generation.
Joseon magistrates weren't supposed to bring families to their posts to prevent corruption. Hong Dae-yong's visit is symbolic.
"Cheong-yo" refers to clean officials in key positions—essentially the elite track in government service.