Book 12: Chapter 24: News of Victory

State of Zhongyuan, Imperial Capital.

Imperial Palace.

Now that the sun had reached the middle of the sky, normally.

It was the time when high-ranking civil and military officials of the court should gather to conduct government affairs.

“…….”

However.

The one sitting in this wide space right now was the Emperor, and him alone.

“…….”

“…….”

Nearby, only eunuchs, palace maids, and the like quietly held their breath and moved back and forth.

Even the shadows of the civil and military officials could not be seen.

“Indeed. Since a fever is prevalent, and ministers falling ill from the fever appear one after another, how could they enter the palace?”

Exactly as the patriarchs of the Sixteen Families had said.

The civil and military officials of the court had not entered the palace, not a single one, using the lie of a prevalent fever as an excuse.

Nevertheless.

For some reason, on the face of the Emperor sitting alone in the wide hall, there was not a single speck of shadow.

Rather.

In the faintly casting sunlight.

The young Emperor seemed unable to hide his pleasant excitement, his heart pounding like a drum.

“Your Majesty.”

The voice of the eunuch guarding the entrance of the grand hall echoed through the empty space.

“Kang Sang, who once served as the Prime Minister, requests an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Tell him to enter immediately!”

Without realizing it, the Emperor jumped up from his seat and shouted.

At that undignified attitude, the old eunuch guarding his side sent a subtle signal with a dry cough, but.

“This is a matter of utmost urgency! Omit the formalities!”

The Emperor paid no heed, and on the contrary, was he not shouting to omit the formalities for granting an audience to the Emperor?

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall do so.”

The news that Kang Sang was bringing now.

The Imperial Family of the State of Zhongyuan.

Perhaps, it was a matter on which the fate of the entire State of Zhongyuan rested.

“Your Majesty!”

Soon, Kang Sang, an old man of robust build that put his age to shame, stood before the Emperor.

“Luoyang is…!”

The Emperor even stuttered in his urgency.

“How did Luoyang fare?!”

Kang Sang's stride was as powerful as that of a young triumphant general, and.

His expression was bright, and his shoulders were spread wide like a firm fortress wall.

Even before speaking.

The Emperor, who possessed outstanding capability, could tell it was good news, but.

This young Emperor could not feel at ease until he heard it directly from the mouth of this loyal old man.

“It is a victory!”

Clearly, although he heard the word victory with his ears and understood its meaning with his head.

“A victory?!”

The Emperor asked again.

“Is that fact truly certain?!”

With a face full of smiles, Kang Sang took out a small note from his breast pocket and respectfully presented it to the Emperor.

“This is…?”

Kneeling before the Emperor, who had received the note, Kang Sang reported.

“That note was delivered to me through the Luoyang Sword Family's Imperial Capital Branch.”

On that note, there were traces of the seal being torn open.

It was surely a seal that Kang Sang had broken.

“Is this seal not the seal of the Luoyang Sword Family's Supreme Executive Council?”

“It is so.”

Kang Sang replied, bowing his head.

“With the Supreme Executive Council's seal on the outside and the Eldest Young Master's personal seal clear on the inside, how could there be any falsehood or manipulation?”

Listening to those words, the Emperor opened the note with trembling hands.

What was written on the note was just a single word, even simple.

[Victory] it was so concise that it seemed as if the Eldest Young Master's elaborate personal seal was the main point.

However, the young Emperor.

From that short word.

Could feel an even greater sense of weight.

“…It is done. It is done.”

The Emperor, experiencing the sensation of strength draining entirely from his body, sat down on the spot.

“He has truly won…!”

Although he had so earnestly wished and wished for Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's victory in his heart.

On the other hand, it was an unbelievable thing.

The Eldest Young Master, who had ended his seclusion only a few months ago, had finally.

Defeated those who had built their influence over the past decade or so and won in his first war.

Since he was the young Emperor who had paid closer attention to Yeon So-hyeon than anyone else in the Imperial Family.

Since he understood better than anyone else in the Imperial Family how high the wall of reality he faced was.

He looked into the note twice, thrice, at that unbelievable achievement.

He toyed with the note as if confirming it was real multiple times, repeating the word 'victory.'

“…This sovereign is simply surprised, and it is nothing but marvelous.”

Those were the words that leaked from the Emperor's mouth as he suppressed his swelling chest and felt the reality of it.

“Your Majesty.”

Still kneeling, Kang Sang reported.

The slight trembling of emotion in his voice reached the Emperor deeply as well.

“I congratulate you on the victory.”

At this very spot of the past Imperial Palace, which was going crazy with the illusion that the Northern War would bring.

He had taken off his official robes right in front of the Emperor and handed them back.

For all those long years.

He was an old man who had to chew over and chew over his 'defeat.'

To that Prime Minister, whose end of his long career in public office had been finished with a defeat, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's victory was.

Like the sound of a drum announcing the start of a new history, forgetting all those defeats.

“Soon, the news of the Eldest Young Master's victory will echo through this Imperial Capital as well.”

The note stamped with the seal of the Supreme Executive Council had arrived before anyone and anything else to Kang Sang and the Emperor.

Just as Kang Sang said.

Soon, the news from Luoyang would spread to the Imperial Capital, heating up the political circles of the Imperial Capital.

“Once that happens, the civil and military officials who were holed up in their homes using fake excuses like a fever under the direction and coercion of the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Families will compete to enter the palace.”

Which would become the ember to revive the authority of the Emperor and the Imperial Family.

The time of the Imperial Palace, which had been stopped by the formidable power of the Sixteen Families to block the Yangtze River waterway expansion and maintenance project and to prevent the reappointment of Kang Sang as Prime Minister.

Would finally begin to flow.

“This palace will seethe with civil and military officials once again.”

Kang Sang, who pointed to the empty space with his hands wide open, raised his head and looked at the Emperor.

“Over the past years, they were the ones who only took care of their own families rather than looking after the people.”

Kang Sang's gaze seemed to breathe fire.

“Over the past years, they were the ones who clung to the feet of the strong and filled their bellies with the falling crumbs.”

That gaze, sharper than the precious sword of the Imperial Palace.

“Now, are you mentally prepared to face them all?”

It was so.

The Eldest Young Master's first victory was the 'first' victory.

If he had handed over the ember of reform to the Emperor through that victory.

It was they, who were nothing more than a handful, who had to face all the ministers of various ranks and cultivate that ember of reform.

“Of course.”

The Emperor did not avoid Kang Sang's sharp gaze in the slightest and watched him head-on.

“This sovereign has completed his resolution.”

An opportunity dreamed of even in sleep had arrived.

The young Emperor's eyes burned fiercely.

And intensely, enough to match Kang Sang.

“The Eldest Young Master challenged the impossible and handed over this priceless opportunity to this sovereign.”

The Emperor spoke syllable by syllable as if pledging to himself.

“Just as he did to this sovereign, this sovereign will also not betray his expectations.”

At those words, Kang Sang laughed joyfully.

No matter what, how, or how hard the lower ministers, the people, or the Eldest Young Master worked.

There were also those who regarded it simply as their own blessing they were born with and took it for granted.

However, this Emperor was not.

“Right now.”

The Emperor spoke first.

“What is there that this sovereign can do for the Eldest Young Master?”

If Kang Sang had brought up this topic first.

It would have looked like a solicitation for a price, making for a considerably awkward scene.

Therefore, for the sake of the old and loyal old man, the Emperor spoke first.

“…More than anything else, for now, first.”

Kang Sang expressed his gratitude to the Emperor and continued speaking.

“I have heard that there are currently many large and small problems with the guardian family of Luoyang.”

Even.

If that request was regarding the military power of Luoyang, it was bound to be a matchlessly sensitive matter.

“If it is the guardian family of Luoyang, you mean the control of the entire Luoyang government army.”

The Emperor spoke calmly and lightly, but Kang Sang's mouth ran dry.

“Does the Eldest Young Master wish for the right to appoint that guardian family?”

Those words were equivalent to asking for the military power of Luoyang.

“…Rather than wishing for it, it is the Eldest Young Master's thought that it would be good to grant the control of the military to those who are more qualified.”

The Emperor laughed cheerfully at the sight of Kang Sang vaguely slurring his words.

“It is also the first time this sovereign has seen you, who were always only straightforward, use diplomatic expressions.”

“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Kang Sang blushed and wore a troubled expression.

The Emperor, who was laughing as he looked at that expression, replied firmly.

“Very well.”

The Emperor did not leave the slightest room.

“I will issue an imperial decree stamped with this sovereign's royal seal so that it can be done according to his will.”

With this.

In the future, it would be impossible for large-scale enemies to enter Luoyang and run rampant as if it were their own home.

Kang Sang threw himself flat on the ground.

“Your Majesty! Your grace is matchless—!”

“And.”

The Emperor's words did not end there.

“Currently, is the post of Luoyang Governor not vacant?”

As the Emperor knew.

The post of Luoyang Governor, who had thrown away his position and fled, was currently being performed as an acting governor by the Vice Governor.

“That is so, but…”

To Kang Sang, who wore an expression of half-belief, the Emperor nodded cheerfully.

“This sovereign will appoint the person recommended by the Eldest Young Master as Governor.”

Half of the power held by the Emperor comes from the right to appoint.

Furthermore, the post of Governor of Luoyang, the largest city in the State of Zhongyuan called the Moon Palace.

Was a position that countless people would scramble for with fire in their eyes.

The Emperor had spoken of delegating a part of the power to control them to Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“Your Majesty…!”

Therefore, the old eunuch had no choice but to show a surprised expression, but.

“I know.”

The Emperor raised his hand first to stop the old eunuch's concern.

“Of course, the final appointment will be made by this sovereign directly.”

It meant that the Governor would be the person chosen by Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, but by keeping the procedures, he would prevent any leakage of the Imperial Family's dignity.

“…….”

Kang Sang swallowed his saliva.

No matter how much the procedures were followed.

The figures living in the chaotic political circles of the Imperial Capital would have no way of not knowing that the decision was practically made by Yeon So-hyeon.

The Emperor.

Was willing to give power to Yeon So-hyeon even at the cost of cutting down the power he could obtain himself.

“Also, in the future, there is no need to deliver the Eldest Young Master's requests to this sovereign so cautiously.”

The young Emperor also relieved the burden from Kang Sang's shoulders.

“Since you all and this sovereign are in the same boat, and are like comrades dreaming the same dream together.”

The young Emperor clearly displayed his trust in Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“Comrades must be able to exchange necessary stories without addition or subtraction.”

What words would be needed?

Kang Sang prostrated himself deeply.

“I will keep it in mind…!”

The Emperor was delighted.

“By the way, before that.”

A slight playfulness appeared on his face.

“Kang Sang, I have a gift for you.”

As the Emperor nodded, the old eunuch quickly brought out a prepared bundle and handed it to Kang Sang.

“Your Majesty, what is this…?”

At the gold bundle clearly bearing the pattern of the Yellow Dragon that symbolized the Emperor, Kang Sang wore a reluctant expression.

“What are you waiting for? You just need to check it yourself.”

At the Emperor's expression, which was even triumphant somehow, Kang Sang, unable to hide his puzzled look, untied and unfolded the bundle.

“Your Majesty… this is?!”

It was the Prime Minister's official robes.

“It is the official robes of that day, which you took off and left in front of this sovereign.”

The official robes that Kang Sang had thrown off while opposing the Northern War.

The Emperor had gathered those official robes personally.

Storing and maintaining them.

Like this.

Able to return the Prime Minister's official robes to Kang Sang directly once again.

Waiting only for this day.

“…….”

The eyes of Kang Sang, who had no lack of being called iron-faced, instantly.

Turned red all at once over a single set of official robes.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Looking at such Kang Sang, the Emperor rubbed the bridge of his nose and continued speaking.

“In the future, please take good care of this lacking sovereign.”

The Emperor requested of the loyal old minister.

“Prime Minister Kang.”

In the old minister's reddened eyes, hot tears like candle wax were flowing before anyone knew it.

“Your servant, Kang Sang. I obey the command of Your Imperial Majesty!”

Kang Sang replied to the Emperor's grace in a thunderous voice.

“May you live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

In this wide space.

The minister was, although, only one person.

However, the Emperor's heart was simply as reassured as if he had obtained a thousand armies and ten thousand horses.

* * *

At that time, the main gate of the Luoyang Sword Family.

“Open! All gates, open!”

From the first gate that recycled the ancient earthen fortress.

Including the gates of the Luoyang Sword Family's double fortress walls built over generations.

“They say open the gates!”

All gates, large and small, were being opened simultaneously.

“Open the gates!”

That was, considering the strict security system of the Luoyang Sword Family, an extremely unusual sight.

However, that.

If it was for the person currently approaching the Luoyang Sword Family.

Was now a matter of course.

“The Eldest Young Master has returned!”

Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

Return.