59 Letter From Hanyang 3 (1/2)
People would always have a desire to possess power, and Ganghyuk was no exception. He wanted to be a Congressman in that world. But, he felt that it would not be feasible, so he gave it up soon.
'It is tempting indeed.'
The proposal of the governor could be realized. However, there were too many disadvantages.
'I feel stuffed in the house already, and the palace will be worse.'
Ganghyuk liked freedom as a part of his nature, and he was from the other world, which was much freer. Hence, he did not have the confidence to live in the palace.
”Why? Don't you like to be on office?”
It seemed that Ganghyuk had shown all his agony on his face, allowing the governor has read his face.
Ganghyuk answered with an embarra.s.sed smile. ”Yes…It is a really good offer, but I…”
”Okay. You can change your mind at any time.”
”Sure, sir.”
”You just need to remember that I will go to Hanyang to work in Internal Affairs.”
”Yes, sir.”
The governor left some room for Ganghyuk and drank the liquor. Ganghyuk followed him, finding it to be quite tasty. It seemed that they had same taste in liquor.
”By the way, it is said that the daughter of Changgweon is still in your house.”
He seemed to have some suspicion as he was beating around the bush. As he knew that they were together from Anseong to Eotanmyeon, he might have had some thoughts. It could be a reasonable suspicion from his perspective.
”Yes, we could not leave her in an empty house. So, my father gave her the detached house.”
”Good! She is not a bad candidate for your spouse.”
At this point, he did not have just a suspicion; he had a firm misunderstanding. Ganghyuk shook his hands to deny it. He would have to marry someday if he had to live in Joseon, but it was not the time right now.
He would rather go to the palace and serve King Seonjo.
”No, sir. My father did that because she is the daughter of his student.”
”Yes, I think so too.”
He seemed to not believe Ganghyuk's explanation, but fortunately, he did not continue talking on that matter.
At that moment, Clerk Lee Jeongbok arrived. He opened the door carefully and came inside.
”Your lords.h.i.+p, I have something to discuss with you.”
”Hey, why do you call me lords.h.i.+p? Not yet.”
The governor laughed even though he spoke to Jeongbok like that. Jeongbok confirmed in response, ”You will be a minister soon, so you deserve the t.i.tle of lords.h.i.+p.”
”Heo heo... You make too much fuss like Ganghyuk.”
It was better to laugh together. Actually, it was a little funny indeed. So, Ganghyuk laughed loudly.
”Congratulations!”
The three of them ended up laughing for a while before stopping. The governor had work to attend to.
”Good! Ganghyuk, I have to work now.”
”Yes, sir. I will be leaving.”
”I will take care of what you said.”
”Thank you, sir.”
With that, Ganghyuk left the room hastily. When he got out, Dolseok was telling his story from the battlefield. A group of soldiers were gathering and listening in with interest.
”Then, my master picked up the bag. You know the bag, right?”
”Yes, I know.”
”You mean the black one?”
Although he had heard a part of it, it seemed that he had bluffed a lot. Ganghyuk did not want to interrupt him, so he approached him slowly.
”He hit the masked man with the bag, and the masked man collapsed.”
”Then?”
”Then I stabbed immediately.”
”Wow! Wonderful!”
He had clearly told a lie, but it sounded real as he told the story with pa.s.sion and color.
”What are you doing?”
”Ah, Sir!”
Dolseok bent his head quickly as if he were caught in the middle of bad behavior. The other soldiers bowed as well.
”Lord Baik!”
”Scholar!”
”Doctor!”
They used different t.i.tles, but they all greeted him with respect.
”Good. How is your arm.”
”It is good. Thank you, sir.”
”How is your stomach?”
”I am much better now, sir.”
The soldiers showed their small or big wounds. Some of them were treated by Dolseok, and some were treated by Ganghyuk.
”Ok, ok. May I take Dolseok now?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Let's go. Don't bluff too much.”
”Yes, sir.”
Dolseok ran hastily to the stable while hiding his embarra.s.sment. Ganghyuk opened his mouth after getting on the horse.
”Dolseok…”
”Yes?”
”Did you have fun telling a lie?”
”Lie? Why do you use such a word?”
”Ok, it's good. By the way, are you good at climbing?”
”Yes, sir?” Dolseok asked him back without knowing his fate.
Ganghyuk pointed at the hill ahead laughing. The hill did not look attractive, because there was a thick growth in the woods on it.
”I mean, are you good at climbing such a hill?”
”Yes, I did it in the past...to cut firewood.”
Before he became the body servant of Ganghyuk, he had to do house ch.o.r.es like the other servants. These days, he worked like an a.s.sistant rather than the body servant, so his status had changed a lot.
Dolseok could not remember when was the last time he had gathered firewood and carried an frame on his back.
”Good!”
”Will you go to the mountain?”