Chapter 17 — The Only Correct Answer (3)
Doyul looked at Isu and spoke slowly.
"Even nowadays, there are people who gain freedom through payment, so it would be difficult to call this special treatment. Wouldn't you agree, Isu?"
Isu answered weakly.
"...I suppose so."
Seeing how dejected he looked, Doyul smiled in satisfaction.
Whew. That feels refreshing.
...He still had some growing to do as a person.
"Compared to throwing other families into chaos, confiscating every possession of a distinguished statesman, and turning everyone connected to him by blood into lowborn people... I believe this is the better choice. What do you think?"
Isu stared blankly at Doyul.
Even people guilty of serious offenses are sometimes allowed to buy their freedom if they are elderly or have special circumstances.
Then in a situation this complicated, there really is no reason to deny manumission through payment....
Lee Isu knew about manumission through payment.
The reason he hadn't thought of it was simple.
He had understood the case as one where a slave had concealed his status.
Not one where a yangban had now become subject to slave status.
But if Doyul's interpretation was accepted...
If Kim Dorim only became a slave at the moment his grandfather's status was discovered...
...Then the entire situation can be resolved through manumission.
At first, Isu hadn't understood why Doyul kept distinguishing between "having been a slave" and "having to become a slave."
Now that he understood the difference, it felt enormous.
The more Isu examined Doyul's logic, the more flawless it seemed.
Did he ignore the law?
[The child of a slave shall be regarded as a slave. If someone is discovered to be the descendant of a runaway slave, that person shall also be regarded as a slave.]
No.
Doyul merely delayed the point in time from which the statute took effect.
He still followed the rule that the child of a slave was to be treated as a slave.
Did he minimize harm?
Yes.
He eliminated the damage that would spread to other families.
And he prevented the unjust confiscation of all Kim Dorim's property.
Did he reach a just result?
Yes.
He prevented an excessive punishment while still preserving the purpose of the law and imposing a definite consequence.
Of course, some might criticize the fact that Doyul had pushed back the timing of the statute's application.
But it was obvious that refusing to do so would create far greater social chaos.
Therefore...
Even Isu, who valued principle above all else, could not deny that this was the best solution.
He's truly a genius under Heaven...!
Isu remembered what had happened not long ago.
"You! You were thinking the magistrate's achievement as a Tamhwarang wasn't actually that impressive, weren't you?"
He had picked a fight with Doyul out of nowhere.
And then...
"Just because your status is higher! You looked at the magistrate's achievement like it was nothing because you think you could do the same if only you took the main state examination!"
He had even said something outrageous like that.
Yet Doyul had still protected him without asking for anything in return.
Scholar Kang possesses wisdom I could never hope to reach.
In both skill and character... I've completely lost.
Isu had been thoroughly defeated.
Strangely, though, he felt relieved.
And then...
"Scholar!"
Doyul flinched.
"That startled me. Why are you suddenly shouting?"
A powerful emotion surged inside Isu.
It was the same feeling he had experienced when Kim Jiseok, whom he once disliked, encouraged him and became someone he respected.
"As expected... you really are incredible, Scholar!"
"...?"
Hot-blooded young Lee Isu had several people he respected.
First was the king, the parent of Joseon.
Second were the parents who had given him life.
Third was Kim Jiseok, magistrate of Yeongsan County.
And now, there was one more.
Dun!
"After Magistrate Kim, there is no one more suited than you to become the next magistrate of Yeongsan County!"
"...?"
Doyul was stunned by the completely unexpected statement.
Kim Jiseok burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! What a masterpiece!"
"...Excuse me? What are you suddenly talking about?"
Isu struck another dramatic pose.
"But even someone as extraordinary as you!"
Kim Jiseok and Doyul both fell into thought at Isu's sudden change of attitude.
Their thoughts, however, were completely different.
What is this kid doing now?
With so many talented young men... the future of this county is truly bright.
The final person young Lee Isu had chosen to admire...
"Would still need an excellent local clerk to become his hands and feet! Someone... like me!"
"Excuse me? ...What?"
Was the mysterious legal prodigy from the modern era.
Kim Jiseok watched the two young men bicker with a satisfied expression.
Things have become somewhat complicated.
But looking at it another way, what greater blessing could there be?
Isu pointed dramatically.
"Scholar! No matter how impressive you may be! And no matter how intelligent and strong Donggu may be! As long as you are human, you will surely have weaknesses!"
Doyul stared at Isu, who had suddenly begun worshipping him.
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"That means someone must exist to fill those weaknesses! Surely a person like me would be absolutely necessary!"
"Excuse me?"
Kim Jiseok watched the pair and sank into thought.
Then... what should I do with the two of them?
He carefully reviewed both answers.
First, Kang Doyul's response had been flawless.
There was no question about that.
And although Lee Isu's answer had fallen short compared to Doyul's, Isu was still undeniably talented.
If Isu had been allowed to prepare for the main state examination, he might have achieved an excellent result.
His circumstances simply did not permit it.
This alone proves that talented people exist throughout the Eight Provinces of Joseon.
Even while Kim Jiseok considered the matter, Isu continued trying to sell himself to Doyul.
"There is an old saying, biikjo yeonriji."
"...What are you trying to say?"
Isu spoke smoothly, as though his tongue had been coated in oil.
"The biikjo are two birds that must fly together, and yeonriji refers to branches of separate trees that grow intertwined."
Dun!
"To soar far with a great ambition!"
Dududun!
"And to protect Joseon even against the fiercest storm!"
"..."
