NOVGO.NET Chapter 466 : Government Posts (6)
Chapter 466: Government Posts (6)
Biting down hard on the string of curses threatening to spill from his lips, Il-mok kept his voice flat.
“My actions today were not driven by a lust for power. I have no particular desire for the position of Holy Emperor.”
Zhuge Mun smiled gently at Il-mok’s words.
“What a coincidence. I, too, have no ambition for the position of Holy Emperor. I merely stepped forward because I did not wish to see the Empire collapse like a house of cards. Since our intentions align so well, how about joining forces to make the Empire a better place?”
Il-mok realized something from this interaction.
‘So this is what a political rival is.’
It was blatantly obvious that Zhuge Mun did not believe Il-mok’s words, and Il-mok also didn’t believe Zhuge Mun’s words.
There wasn't any actual bad blood between them. It was just the nature of their respective positions and circumstances that made it so.
Even though he realized the man sitting across from him had become his political rival, Il-mok was not overly concerned.
‘Well, he is not an idiot.’
Zhuge Mun wasn't the kind of shortsighted fool who would burn the Empire to the ground just to line his own pockets. He was the kind of man who would build the Empire up to unprecedented heights so that he could claim the fruits of its success.
“A splendid idea. It would indeed be wonderful if we could grow the Empire together.”
Thus, he was both a political rival and a political ally.
So long as Il-mok prevented Zhuge Mun from monopolizing power in the course of discussing policy together, that would be enough.
* * *
The following day.
As decided at the previous meeting, the Beggar King and the Ministry of Welfare began earnestly preparing for the transfer of the capital.
Meanwhile, several generals who were still waiting for their official appointments also led their soldiers South.
Those remaining in the Forbidden City continued their meetings on a range of issues.
In the afternoon, news of a victory arrived from the North.
“Have them deal with the remnants of the Mierqi, then return to Beijing.”
After issuing the order to the messenger, Wi Jin-hak addressed those gathered in the hall.
“It seems that the wars in both the North and South will soon be brought to an end. It’s time we properly establish the Empire’s defense system and the structure of its military offices.”
No sooner had Wi Jin-hak finished speaking than the Hidden Guard Pavilion Lord had his martial artists bring in a massive map.
It was a map that roughly depicted the Central Plains and the surrounding regions.
Looking upon it made the sheer expanse of their territory vividly apparent.
From that point onward, the meetings mainly concerned the defense system and the military administration. And as the discussion of defense arrangements continued, deliberations regarding the regional administrative system naturally followed.
These intense restructuring meetings dragged on for days.
Then came successive reports that all remnants of the Mierqi in the North had been killed or driven out, and that every remnant of the Eastern Military Command in the South had been eliminated.
A few days later, several carriages departing from the North and South arrived in Beijing one after another.
* * *
At the temporary audience hall in the Outer Palace of the Forbidden City, Wi Jin-hak sat upon the Dragon Throne at the place of honor, while the officials who always attended such audiences stood at their posts.
In the center of the floor stood a handful of men. Some were kneeling in deep respect, while others remained on their feet.
The ones on their knees were those who had already sworn loyalty to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The ones standing were the holdouts who hadn't made up their minds yet.
Wi Jin-hak first looked toward the former Northern Military Commander, Han So-ryong; Jin Gyu, the Head of the Guangdong Jin Family; and Taoist Master Nanyang, the Sect Leader of the Hainan Sect, known as the Beheading Sword Immortal.
“Thank you for coming all this way. I am Wi Jin-hak, the first Holy Emperor of the Hong Dynasty.”
In response to Wi Jin-hak’s brief introduction, the Northern Military Commander returned a military salute, while Jin Gyu and Taoist Master Nanyang offered martial salutes.
“I am Han So-ryong. The office bestowed upon me by the former Imperial Family no longer holds meaning, so I have nothing further to introduce.”
“I am Jin Gyu, Head of the Guangdong Jin Family.”
“I am Nangyang, Sect Leader of the Hainan Sect.”
Those blunt introductions were all it took to make the mood in the room turn instantly hostile.
“How dare you behave so discourteously before His Majesty!”
“You dare remain standing when you should be kneeling at once?!”
Several among the officials were masters no less formidable than Jin Gyu or Taoist Master Nanyang.
An oppressive force descended upon the two.
But right as the tension peaked, Wi Jin-hak casually waved his hand. The oppressive force bearing down on them evaporated like a mirage.
“They have not yet made their decision, so there is no need for you all to act rashly. If they choose to share the aspirations of our Divine Cult, they will naturally pay their respects to me. If they decide against it, we’ll just sit down and figure out what to do next. Understood?"
After calming his officials, Wi Jin-hak continued as he looked at the three men.
“The fact that you have come to seek me out implies there is something you desire. Speak candidly of what you want. Our Divine Cult exists to exterminate evils. We do not persecute others merely because their ideals differ from ours.”
The first to step forward in response to Wi Jin-hak’s question was Han So-ryong.
“This old soldier only wants one thing. Let this old body guard the North and ensure that those barbarian bastards can never reach the people of the Central Plains. That is all.”
“Just as the Grand Preceptor told me. Hahaha.”
Wi Jin-hak laughed heartily, then turned to look at the other two.
Jin Gyu was the first to speak. “The aspirations of our rebel army are much the same. We wish only to protect the people of the South from the Japanese pirates who plundered them, and to drive out the corrupt officials who exploited them. That is all we seek.”
Wi Jin-hak asked in response to that forthright answer. “Did you come all this way merely to see whether our Divine Cult is also filled with corrupt officials like the Han Dynasty?”
“That is correct.”
Just as the officials’ presences began to turn savage once more, Wi Jin-hak stopped them with a gesture before asking with a faint smile.
“And what do you think, Head of the Jin Family?”
Jin Gyu answered Wi Jin-hak’s question. “At the very least, Your Majesty appears to be wholly unlike such petty men.”
He had only been standing in this room for a few minutes, but Jin Gyu hadn't survived this long as a rebel leader by being blind. If there was one thing he was confident in, it was his ability to read people.
From the effortless way the Emperor commanded his officials, to his lack of insecurity when dealing with Jin Gyu's blatant disrespect. He could tell from the dignity and composure that naturally emanated from the man that Wi Jin-hak possessed a far greater capacity than Jin Gyu himself.
Yet behind Jin Gyu stood the lives of tens of thousands of rebel soldiers who had fought alongside him.
Therefore, he could not afford to act subserviently, nor could he make any hasty judgments.
"Even so, words are cheap for men like us. Martial artists prove their worth through combat. Would you do me the honor of a duel, Holy Emperor?"
Just as the officials seemed ready to erupt again, Wi Jin-hak burst into loud laughter. “Hahahaha! Of course! That is precisely how a martial artist ought to come forward. Our Divine Cult also reveres martial prowess, so there is no reason to refuse.”
With the Emperor himself so visibly thrilled by the challenge, the officials had no choice but to bite their tongues and swallow their outrage.
They left the building and headed for the ruined Inner Palace of the Forbidden City.
The officials formed a large circle, while Wi Jin-hak and Jin Gyu faced one another at its center, separated by roughly ten feet.
“Come.”
Seeing Wi Jin-hak’s relaxed attitude, Jin Gyu steeled his resolve.
There wasn't a single flaw in the man's stance. But since it was he himself who requested the match, he could not simply concede defeat without exchanging a single move.
Whoosh!
Jin Gyu darted forward with his lightness skill and swung the black staff that had become his emblem.
As he watched the Heavenly Demon Sword wreathed in black flames clash with the black staff suffused with dark Force Qi, Il-mok had a passing thought.
‘It seems His Majesty has advanced another step as well.’
It wasn't surprising.
He had fought through countless life-or-death battles during the war.
Getting beaten multiple times by monsters like Hyeon Am and the Supreme Eunuch had probably forced him to experience some kind of martial enlightenment.
Or, maybe he had finally broken through his limits after repeatedly wrestling with the highly volatile Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
‘If he breaks through two or three more walls, he may truly bring the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to Transcendence.’
It was a terrifying prospect, yet Il-mok didn't so much as blink.
Maybe it was just the ingrained instinct of a martial artist who had spent his entire life training, but Il-mok couldn't help running a simulation of a fight between himself and Wi Jin-hak in the back of his mind.
‘If it was a fight to the death, I’m pretty sure I’d still win.’
Realizing he was casually harboring highly treasonous thoughts, Il-mok rapidly shook his head to clear it.
Meanwhile, Wi Jin-hak humored Jin Gyu for a few moves before he began to wield his sword in earnest.
Clang!
The overwhelming weight behind the Heavenly Demon Sword was too much. Jin Gyu’s arm was flung backward by the impact.
Tap.
Before anyone could even blink, Wi Jin-hak had dispersed his black flames and pressed the cold edge of his blade right against Jin Gyu’s throat.
"Is this a sufficient answer?"
Jin Gyu lowered his trembling Black Staff and dropped to his knee to offer his salute.
“Our Guangdong Jin Family shall follow the will of the Hong Dynasty.”
“Hahahaha. It is truly a most joyous matter to have such an excellent martial artist as yourself join us.”
Smiling in satisfaction, Wi Jin-hak soon turned his head toward Taoist Master Nanyang.
Recognizing the meaning in that gaze, Taoist Master Nanyang spoke. “This old Taoist also fully understands that Your Majesty is entirely unlike such lawless men. However, our Hainan Sect has no aspirations for official office. We shall therefore return to Hainan Island and continue our cultivation. I pray your reign brings true peace to the world."
It was the same sort of answer offered by Wudang and Qingcheng.
A thought suddenly occurred to Il-mok.
‘Is it because they are true Taoists?’
One would expect frauds masquerading as Taoists to have their eyes fixed on official positions, yet all three sects had declined the offer.
Maybe all the greedy charlatan Taoists had been wiped out during the last war.
With the negotiations involving Han So-ryong, Jin Gyu, and Taoist Master Nangyang officially settled, the entourage marched back into the imperial hall.
As expected, the capable Hidden Guard Pavilion Lord swiftly unfurled two massive scrolls and hung them up on the pillars.
One was a map depicting the Hong Dynasty’s territory; the other listed the military offices.
"For his massive contributions during the war, I am promoting Ouyang Pae to Senior First Rank Official. He shall be appointed as the Grand General responsible for guarding our western borders."
“Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable!”
Unlike under the former Han Dynasty, the western frontier now lay in Xinjiang and Tibet, where it bordered the territory of the Muslims.
“Had Lord Jin not led the rebel army in the South to punish the corrupt Eastern Military Command of the Han Dynasty, it would not have been easy for our Divine Cult to chastise the Han Dynasty. I am promoting Jin Gyu to Senior First Rank Official. He shall be the Grand General responsible for guarding our sea. From this moment onward, you shall lead the navy in the South and ensure that no Japanese pirates dares harm the people of the Hong Dynasty.”
It was a rather unprecedented appointment, yet no one voiced opposition.
They had drawn up plans for if Jin Gyu agreed to merge his army, and plans for if he didn't.
Had the latter occurred, another war would almost certainly have broken out.
"Next, I appoint Yang Gwang—who brought the Gansu army to our side and bled for our cause on the battlefield—as the Grand General responsible for defending our northern borders.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable!”
For Yang Gwang, who used to just be a Provincial Commander back in Gansu, this was a massive pie falling from the sky. In the old Han Dynasty’s system, he had basically just been made the Northern Military Commander.
Then Wi Jin-hak turned to Han So-ryong, the former Northern Military Commander.
“Commander Han. It pleases me that you did not participate in the civil war to the end, but rewards are bestowed upon those who have rendered service. I shall appoint you Cavalry General of the Junior First Rank. Assist Grand General Yang Gwang and take charge of the northern frontier.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable. This humble subject is happy enough merely to be able to defend the North.”
Several more rounds of rewarding merit and explaining the frontier defense system to the military officials followed.
Once all the high military posts had been determined, only one person remained in the Hall of Scriptures without an appointment.
Everyone’s gaze naturally turned toward him, and Wi Jin-hak also looked at the old man as he spoke.
“Right Guardian. In recognition of the countless merits you rendered in the recent war, I shall appoint you Grand Marshal of the Senior First Rank, placing you as the supreme commander over all military forces guarding our four borders."
(TL Note: With this, Dokgo Ryong is essentially in the same rank as Il-mok. Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Marshal are what the Ancient Chinese call the Three Excellencies. It was the collective name for the three highest official posts in Ancient China. At some point, after the Ancestor of Milf Hunters, Cao Cao ascended, he abolished these three posts and formed his own post. Later, his son, Cao Pi, re-established these three posts.)
The Left Guardian and Right Guardian of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Il-mok, who had served as the Left Guardian, was appointed to the position of Grand Preceptor, the head of all civil officials.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Ryong, the Right Guardian, became the Grand Marshal, the head of all military officials.
It might seem odd for the Grand Marshal to share the Senior First Rank with the Grand Generals, but the same was true of the Grand Preceptor. The Ministers heading each government department were likewise of the Senior First Rank.
Yet even at the same rank, power differed according to one’s duties.
“Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable! I, Dokgo Ryong, shall always stand at the forefront of the battlefield to spread the Divine Cult’s doctrine far and wide and expand the territory of the Hong Dynasty!”
Staring at Dokgo Ryong who was busy screaming out his lungs and crying tears of joy, Il-mok swallowed a weary sigh.
‘Haa... Just guard the damn borders, you crazy old warmonger.’
They were already busy enough trying to bring order to the chaos within. They had no spare capacity whatsoever to invade foreign lands.
At least, not yet.