Chapter 3

Chapter 3 — Oe... Jibu?

"Would you like some?"

Kim Jiseok offered Doyul tea with a gentle expression.

...Tea?

In Joseon, alcohol was far more commonly served to guests.

Yet for some reason, the magistrate preferred tea.

"This tea was difficult to obtain from Ming. I enjoy alcohol as well, but once you begin drinking, you eventually become drunk. It wouldn't do to indulge in it in broad daylight. Everything has its proper time."

"...Thank you."

Maybe it's because he's the protagonist. He certainly has a distinctive personality.

Kim Jiseok smiled warmly at Doyul.

"No need to be nervous. I've served in this region for nearly five years now, yet I regret that I failed to notice such an outstanding scholar living nearby. I only called you because I wanted to have a conversation."

"You're praising me too highly."

"How long have you studied the classics? Naturally, you intend to take the state examination?"

It was the kind of conventional question normally asked of any scholar.

The problem was...

Doyul had arrived in Joseon only moments ago.

"...Yes."

He became extremely cautious, afraid he might say something strange.

...Hm?

Kim Jiseok noticed the discomfort on Doyul's face.

Hmm. A man wise enough to reason as he did shouldn't change expression over a simple polite question without a reason.

And from Jiseok's perspective, there was only one obvious explanation.

"Are you perhaps preparing for the legal examination?"

The legal examination was one of Joseon's miscellaneous civil examinations.

In modern terms, it was somewhat comparable to an examination for judicial officials.

However, its status was much lower than that of the main civil service examination, and it was mostly taken by members of the jungin class.

In other words, the magistrate was indirectly asking whether Doyul belonged to a social class barred from taking the main examination.

Donggu nearly jumped out of his skin.

"T-There's no way! The Young Master wouldn't even dream of taking one of the miscellaneous examinations...! Gasp! S-Sorry! I was so shocked that I spoke out of turn!"

A servant interrupting like that could have been severely punished.

But the magistrate let it pass.

"The fault lies in remaining silent when one ought to speak, not in speaking the truth. Pay it no mind."

"Th-Thank you, sir!"

Jiseok fell into thought.

Of course. I already assumed he was a commoner of good status after seeing that scholarly confidence and intelligence.

Kim Jiseok examined Doyul more carefully.

Hmm. His face carries deep worry. There must be a story behind it...

Doyul was clearly dressed like a scholar.

But the hem of his robe was worn.

Even the strings of his gat were in poor condition.

Jiseok misunderstood completely.

I see. He's a scholar from a fallen family.

Preparing for the state examination required a great deal of money.

Stories of impoverished scholars passing the examination and transforming their fortunes were common in novels, but reality was very different.

For many poor provincial scholars, simply gathering enough travel money to reach Hanyang was difficult.

He possesses the intelligence to succeed, but poverty has left him unable to answer confidently.

A brilliant scholar unable to devote himself properly to study because of his impoverished family.

Having reached his conclusion, Jiseok called for one of the government servants.

"Someone! Bring rice and meat! I wish to reward this man!"

"Excuse me? Me?"

"Indeed."

Jiseok smiled gently.

"This is a reward for the excellent answer you gave me earlier, so do not refuse it."

He even invented a convenient justification.

He worried that if he simply offered food out of charity, Doyul's pride might make him refuse.

...Why all of a sudden?

Of course, Doyul had only been cautious because he was afraid of saying something strange.

So the magistrate suddenly offering him a reward left him grateful and confused.

"...Th-Thank you."

"Study diligently. Even in Hanyang, I have rarely seen anyone as wise as you. As long as you do not abandon your ambitions, I am certain you will accomplish great things someday."

The magistrate smiled.

He kept the rest of his thoughts to himself.

I will consider how I might help you as well. A truly outstanding talent... must eventually serve at the royal court.

And so...

Immediately after arriving in Joseon, Doyul obtained both the magistrate's attention and a supply of food.

Inside a thatched house that looked as though it might collapse at any moment...

Donggu happily prepared a meal with the rice and meat they had received from the government office.

He seemed pleased not only about the food, but even more so that the magistrate had acknowledged Doyul.

"Young Master! Please eat!"

"...Yeah. Thanks."

But unlike Donggu, I couldn't bring myself to smile.

The house was far too poor.

I already knew I wasn't some wealthy young master because the clothes I was wearing were almost rags.

But this was worse than I expected.

"You really surprised me during the trial. What an extraordinary talent you showed!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Now all that's left is for you to pass the main state examination with a bang and rise in the world!"

Am I supposed to be the hope of this household?

Unfortunately, I had absolutely no interest in restoring the family.

I had to change the ending of this historical drama.

The problem is that I don't even know its story...

The title of the drama was New Magistrate Chronicles.

Judging from that, the broad story probably followed Kim Jiseok's rise through the ranks.

"And the protagonist's exploits get really exciting! He starts as a magistrate, but later on... Oops! I almost spoiled it! Watch it yourself! Hehe."

...I never thought Nayoon's words would actually help me.

Since the drama's events were probably centered around Kim Jiseok, maintaining a connection to him would most likely help Doyul reach the ending and eventually change it.

To change the ending, I first need to get somewhere near the ending. For now, staying close to the magistrate is probably my best move.

Considering I'd even received a gift from him, I'd apparently left a very good impression.

But...

If nothing memorable happened before the magistrate's term ended and he returned to Hanyang, he would naturally forget about me.

He said he's been in this county for nearly five years. Considering a magistrate's normal term... it wouldn't be strange for him to leave at any time.

Since this was a television drama, events would probably unfold quickly.

I didn't have the luxury of sitting around and thinking forever.

I needed to act quickly.

The problem was that I had no idea what I could do to leave a lasting impression.

"Should I really start preparing for the state examination? I should've listened more carefully to Nayoon and the others."

"Excuse me? Of course you should! What are you talking about? And who are this older sister and these older brothers?"

Passing the state examination and gaining Kim Jiseok's favor might bring me closer to him.

But I couldn't rely on that plan alone.

If I got assigned to some completely different post, I'd be trapped.

There was no time to think leisurely.

Yet a small action could have enormous consequences, so moving carelessly was also dangerous.

Urgh. And this family's poverty is a huge problem too. Forget changing the ending. At this rate, I should worry about starving to death first.

I had no clear method for changing the story.

And now I had to worry about making a living.

As my worries deepened...

"Ahem! Is... anyone home?"

"Huh?"

"Wh-Who is it?"

A man suddenly came looking for me.

The visitor appeared rather startled by the shabby thatched house.

"Ahem. Your scholarship is so remarkable that I assumed you'd live in a magnificent tiled mansion. It seems you're a truly incorruptible scholar."

Doyul glanced at him before responding.

"As you can see, I'm only a scholar who spends his days reading, so my circumstances are somewhat... difficult. I'd appreciate your understanding. But may I ask why you've come?"

As Doyul trailed off, the man hurriedly waved his hands.

"Oh, no! I'm the one who appeared unannounced. Please don't say that! Ahem. My name is Ppaengi, a merchant from the capital."

"...Excuse me?"

What?

"Is something wrong?"

Thinking he'd misheard, Doyul asked again.

"Your name is...?"

"Ppaengi. Ppaengi."

How can someone's name actually be Ppaengi?

In Joseon, surnames were mainly used by the yangban class, while ordinary people often used native Korean given names.

To a modern person's ears, those names could sound rather... distinctive.

Ppaengi tilted his head.

"Is there some problem?"

"...No. Nothing. So why did you come looking for me?"

"Ahem! The truth is, I happened to watch the trial earlier. I was deeply impressed by what you said. Even in the capital, I've never seen a scholar as wise as you!"

"Ah... Thank you."

"The reason I've come is that I'm facing a very difficult situation... and desperately need the help of someone wise."

What is he getting at?

"...And?"

"So I thought perhaps I might humbly ask for your help. It wasn't easy finding where you lived! Ahem!"

Even while speaking, Ppaengi kept glancing around as if worried someone might overhear.

I can't even take care of myself yet, and he wants my help? Is this guy serious?

Doyul's expression visibly hardened.

Ppaengi noticed immediately and hurried to add something.

"Of course! If you resolve the matter successfully, I certainly won't forget to compensate you!"

...What kind of problem is so serious that he's offering money for my help?

Before Doyul could finish organizing his thoughts, Donggu's face transformed like that of an angry demon.

"Stop!"

...Stop?

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting after coming all the way here? Do you have a death wish?"

"Ahem. That's not what I meant. Goodness, let me finish what I'm saying..."

Doyul found both the stranger and Donggu's furious reaction strange.

Ppaengi, however, seemed to have expected this response.

"Ahem! Is there really any need to get angry? People have sought the help of learned scholars since ancient times. What is wrong with a foolish commoner asking a wise scholar for assistance...?"

"Stop avoiding the point! You're asking our Young Master to work as an oejibu, aren't you?! Do you take me for a fool?"

...Oejibu?

Donggu glared daggers at him.

Ppaengi suddenly changed the subject.

"Ugh, is it going to rain? My joints are aching..."

"Would you like me to make your joints ache whenever it rains?"

"E-Eek!"

Donggu had an innocent face, but his body was solid as stone.

He seemed naturally built like a strongman.

The skinny Ppaengi recoiled in terror.

"Our Young Master is destined to receive an official post from the nation, yet you dare come here asking him to act as an oejibu? Are you saying you want to die?"

"Th-That's not what I meant...!"

The furious Donggu grabbed Ppaengi by the collar and was about to throw him outside.

But Doyul couldn't stop thinking about the word oejibu.

I've definitely heard that term before. Where was it...?

It didn't take long for him to remember.

"If the magistrate is basically the judge, then isn't that the only legal profession in Joseon? There weren't lawyers back then."

"Apparently there were."

"What?"

"They were called oejibu or something. Joseon had lawyers too."

Right.

They said an oejibu was basically a Joseon-era lawyer.

"Donggu, wait!"

"Young Master? What is it?"

"Leave him alone."

Both Donggu and Ppaengi turned toward him at once.

"...Let's at least hear what he has to say."

"A-Ahem! Scholar! What extraordinary mercy!"

"Young Master! What are you saying?!"

...So he came here because he wants me to represent him?

Doyul began thinking.

An oejibu isn't exactly the same as a modern lawyer... but it would probably give me plenty of opportunities to appear before the magistrate.

Maybe this could help me catch the magistrate's attention quickly.

Hmm.

A lawyer in Joseon.

On top of that, one of his secondary worries might have just been solved.

Doyul smiled.

"It won't hurt to listen first. We can decide afterward."

"Exactly! A most reasonable statement!"

...Looks like I won't have to worry about starving anymore.