Chapter 113 — Recess (休廷)
The conversation between the two went on without end.
The king was captivated by Yeong-u's blunt, unfiltered speech.
Its raw vividness—something he had never heard before—brought reality into sharper focus.
But the assembled officials grew increasingly uneasy at every word Yeong-u spoke.
What seemed like a discussion of the military revealed, in truth, long-festering problems within the bureaucracy itself.
Organizations are formed to work more efficiently.
Roles are divided, responsibilities defined, and systems of communication established.
But when an organization loses its purpose, something else emerges—and that very thing was now unfolding across the Goryeo army.
At first, they denied it.
Then they narrowed it down, calling it a problem of only a few.
Some even claimed that a thoughtless Nangjang was exaggerating matters that did not even exist.
They struggled to conceal the naked truth exposed through his blunt words.
Unable to endure it any longer, the Chief Councillor requested a recess.
"Your Majesty, much time has passed. Perhaps we should pause briefly and continue afterward."
"I know you intend to alter the situation during that time."
"That is not so. We merely wish to take a short rest…"
"Very well. We shall recess and resume this afternoon."
"Your command."
Those determined to remove Yeong-u from the court ground their teeth.
But inside the palace, there was little they could do openly.
Like a classroom thrown into chaos before the next lesson begins, the court erupted during the break.
A report came in: Yeong-u had entered the palace carrying poison.
Someone had seen the items he had surrendered at the gate.
They seized upon it as an opportunity.
While Yeong-u spoke beside the royal recorder, the Dragon Guard suddenly seized him.
"This man carries poison."
It was both true and false.
He had indeed carried it—but not with malicious intent.
They were tools he had long used in battle.
Over time, while gathering herbs in the wild, their quantity and variety had grown.
"With this amount, he could poison hundreds. He may already have released it within the palace."
A mere conjecture—but spoken as certainty.
"We must evacuate the palace immediately and conduct a full investigation. The evidence has been secured."
The so-called evidence was nothing more than a few small leather pouches.
Yeong-u let out a quiet sigh.
The courtyard before Hoegyeong Hall fell into chaos.
Voices shouted that the king must not return.
Security must come first.
Some even claimed the culprit stood among them.
Palace attendants blocked the king's path.
No doubt they had been promised something.
The king knew this was manipulation, not loyalty.
Even so, he halted.
Without verifying the truth, he dissolved the meeting on the grounds that poison had been brought into the palace.
Yeong-u let out a hollow laugh.
He stepped before General Jang Hak-won of the Geumowi.
Spreading his arms, he said,
"Will you arrest me?"
Jang shook his head.
"Must I join their game as well?"
"They say I brought poison. If you do not act, they will come for you too."
"Robbed in broad daylight… while wide awake."
The situation had become absurd.
Soon after, the meeting was formally adjourned.
Yeong-u felt a deep regret.
He believed more needed to be said—only then could things be rebuilt.
He had spoken not even half of what he intended.
Part of him felt relieved.
Another part remained suffocated.
No one below seemed willing to set things right.
A thought surfaced—
Nothing will change, no matter what is said.
He remembered who had said it.
So Cheol-ryong.
The military leadership passed by, glaring at him.
Not one among them stood free of blame.
They had all risen through the same methods and now enjoyed power and privilege.
Their true duty had become preserving their positions.
The meeting itself existed to maintain that very system.
The world remained peaceful.
Nothing had yet happened.
He even found himself wishing that the Jurchens would not attack the Liao.
Oppression, perhaps, could be endured for the sake of stability.
Park Geun-su grabbed his arm.
"Let's go."
"Why?"
"The mood is wrong."
"Isn't it always like this?"
"They're working together. They mean to remove you."
"I can just leave. I'll head north."
"That would be best."
"And the men?"
"Send them up later."
"Then I'll go at once."
"You leave now. Immediately."
"I only just made it home."
"Home is not the problem. Your life is."
An hour later, the king summoned Yeong-u.
With the meeting broken, he intended to speak with him directly.
"Your Majesty, the Nangjang has already departed."
"Why?"
The court attendant answered,
"Many sought his death after today's events."
"…I see."
"They needed to silence him. The entire military is shaken."
The king muttered,
"Then his words must have been true."
The eunuch Deuk-heon added quietly,
"Words are heard differently depending on where one stands."
"How did you know?"
"General Park Geun-su sensed the danger and sent him north."
"He had just come home on leave… what of his family?"
"He would have been beaten to death."
"…This is madness."
The king sighed deeply.
Meanwhile, Yeong-u left the palace, gathered his belongings, and went to Do Gyeong-taek's house.
Among his subordinates, Gyeong-taek alone had a decent home within the capital.
Peering over the wall, Yeong-u met Gyeong-taek's gaze.
"Nangjang-nim!"
Gyeong-taek sprang to his feet.
Yeong-u beckoned him closer.
"No time."
He explained the situation quickly.
Gyeong-taek's face tightened.
For a moment, it sounded as if leave had been revoked entirely.
"I'm heading back first. You return when your leave ends."
"Yes, sir!"
Gyeong-taek scolded him lightly.
"Why do you always stir things up? Sometimes it's better to let things slide."
"I can't stand hearing nonsense."
"That's how people rise."
"How long do they think they'll live like that?"
"You need to leave now. Don't go home again."
"Then tell them for me."
"I will. I'll explain everything tomorrow or the day after. You're really going straight north?"
"You said it yourself."
"You can't stay in Gaegyeong. You've become a public enemy."
Yeong-u tapped his stomach.
"Still… I feel lighter."
"Can't you just get along?"
"They're all the same."
"Not everyone is. Your standards are too rigid."
"Then I'm the one at fault?"
"I didn't say that."
Yeong-u sighed and took the reins.
"I'm going."
"Stay safe."
Yeong-u quietly left Gaegyeong.
The gate guards, already aware of the events with the Geumowi, bowed deeply and let him pass.