Chapter 23 — Mountain Survey (3)
A few days later, a notice was posted in the county marketplace.
[On the third day of the coming month, a survey will be conducted around Mount Yeongchwi to inspect for slash-and-burn fields. Entry into the mountain is prohibited. Anyone who enters despite seeing this notice will be severely punished.]
It was a public notice posted by the Ibang.
Before the actual inspection began, he had put it up to prevent any possible accidents.
Most of the county's residents couldn't read.
But since news traveled quickly by word of mouth, there was no difficulty understanding what the notice said.
"Goodness, is it already that time of year?"
Scratch. Scratch.
"The Ibang really is thorough. Who'd still dare practice slash-and-burn farming these days...?"
"Come on, man! The magistrate will be returning to Hanyang soon, won't he? He's probably making one last inspection before he leaves."
Nod. Nod.
"Hmm. That's true. So it's already almost time for the magistrate to leave...."
"There isn't another official as honest and capable as him in all Eight Provinces of Joseon. Guess the good days are almost over!"
At that moment, someone quietly pushed through the murmuring crowd.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"...Hm? Haven't seen your face around here before."
The man was Jeongmu.
And...
After carefully reading the notice, Jeongmu smiled.
Just as I expected!
Everything was proceeding exactly as he had predicted.
Under ordinary circumstances, perhaps things might have gone differently.
But with Kim Jiseok's personality, there was no chance he would treat the final inspection of his term carelessly.
And if that was true, then naturally, the Ibang would post a public notice announcing the survey beforehand.
Of course.
Before a local clerk goes into the mountains for an official inspection, notice must be posted in advance.
At first glance, a survey intended to discover illegal slash-and-burn fields seemed like something that should be conducted secretly.
But in reality, there was no choice.
Hunters and officials often mistook people for wild animals in the mountains, leading to fatal accidents.
So whenever government officials entered a mountain on official business, advance notice had to be given to prevent loss of life.
Once such a notice was posted, not only government tiger hunters but even licensed hunters who relied on hunting for a living would be punished if they entered.
Naturally, they stayed away.
But...
There are always exceptions.
There was a weakness in the system.
Yeongsan isn't the only place with access to the mountain.
Grit!
That damned bastard!
Last time, some ignorant countryside brat somehow managed to humiliate me...
But this time will be different.
Jeongmu had come down to Yeongsan County for the sake of a larger future plan.
But once, he too had been an oerip yulsa, an independent legal practitioner who fought fiercely over legal reasoning in Hanyang.
As an oejibu who made his living through law and logic, his pride had been deeply wounded when Doyul overwhelmed him.
Go ahead and try your best.
This time... I'll crush you so thoroughly that you won't even be able to open your mouth.
With renewed determination, Jeongmu hurried his preparations.
From here on... it's a race against time.
His destination was Eonyang County, which bordered Yeongsan County on the opposite side of Mount Yeongchwi.
The Ibang climbed the mountain diligently.
In one hand, he held a topographical map.
In the other, he leaned on a walking stick.
"What a magnificent sight."
Partway up the mountain, the Ibang stopped and looked back toward the village.
They had barely begun climbing, yet the people below already looked as small as ants.
"..."
Looking over the scenery, the Ibang fell into thought.
"...What in the world have I been doing all this time...?"
In exchange for financial support from Park Jeongdo, the Ibang had participated in his schemes.
When he first began helping Park Jeongdo, he intended to leave Yeongsan eventually anyway.
And at the time, all he thought he was doing was placing seals on documents.
So he hadn't felt much guilt.
But now...
"I... caused unbearable harm to countless people."
Only now did the Ibang truly understand the extent of what he'd done.
"...There is no time to waste if I want to reduce the damage even a little. But..."
He knew he needed to confess everything to Kim Jiseok quickly.
Yet the Ibang still couldn't make himself move.
"What I did was my own crime. Naturally, I should pay the proper price for it...."
As he climbed, he muttered bitterly.
"...But I won't be the only one harmed."
He thought of Isu.
If he confessed his crimes, there was a good chance he would be reduced to lowborn status.
The Ibang could accept becoming a slave himself.
But...
If his own foolish choices dragged his son into slavery too, that was another matter entirely.
"Still... I can't delay any longer."
After agonizing over it for a long time, the Ibang finally made up his mind.
"...Once this survey is over, I'll tell him everything."
The Ibang hoped that if he clung to the magistrate and begged desperately enough, kindhearted Kim Jiseok might spare Isu from punishment.
He had no expectation of being forgiven himself.
But...
"I have no choice but to take responsibility before it's too late."
Resolving himself, the Ibang continued forward.
Stare.
"..."
"..."
And behind him...
Doyul and Donggu were secretly following.
Doyul recalled his earlier conversation with Kim Jiseok.
"Magistrate, when you say I should climb the mountain... are you asking me to watch whether the Ibang conducts the survey properly?"
"I like how quickly you understand things."
Kim Jiseok had worn a complicated expression.
He clearly hated giving one subordinate an order to secretly watch another subordinate he had once trusted.
Fortunately, however, contrary to Kim Jiseok's fears...
"Donggu."
"Yes, Young Master."
The Ibang looked somewhat troubled by his own thoughts, but otherwise showed no especially suspicious behavior.
He held the topographical map in one hand and inspected the mountain carefully.
No matter how Doyul looked at him...
"...To me, he just looks like a hardworking official carrying out the magistrate's mountain survey."
Donggu seemed to agree.
"That's what it looks like to me too. Doesn't seem like he climbed the mountain with some other purpose."
Unaware that the two were following him, the Ibang examined a thick patch of brush and muttered.
"Hm. I see no sign of burning. There aren't even traces of people passing through here. Still, since I've come this far, I should inspect everything carefully before descending. Better that than leave any problem behind."
Watching the Ibang focus entirely on the survey, Doyul secretly let out a breath of relief.
...Should I call this a good thing?
Right. I've only heard one side of the story so far.
There may be circumstances I don't know.
Maybe the Ibang isn't as bad as I thought. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding...
