61 Geoncehondong 2 (1/2)
Suns.h.i.+n's house was very humble, and reminded Ganghyuk of Changgweon's house. In fact, it was the same for Yeoju, causing her to break into tears, only managing to move after some while.
However, Ganghyuk did not notice it because he was far in the front, looking around with gladness.
'This is the house of Chungmugong.'
He had arrived at the home of the famous person whose statue was erected in Gw.a.n.ghwamun Plaza. Moreover, he was standing beside him as well.
Due to all this, he did not pay attention to Yeoju at all.
”It seems that you have started your training.” Ganghyuk pointed at the scarecrows lying on the floor here and there. Some of them were cut into two with a sharp blade.
”Yes, I have. I must train myself hard. You gave me a new lease of life after all, so I have to make the best use of it.”
”Where did you get these straws?”
”I have a friend I asked to supply it.”
”But, it seems that the amount is not enough.”
”I owe him too much, so I cannot expect any more than this.”
”Heo…”
Ganghyuk felt sorry for him. He would be the admiral who would save the country. But, he was poor right now, and had difficulties to get even straws sufficiently.
”I will get straws from tomorrow using my servants.”
”No, no... It is alright.”
”Don't worry. They work very well.”
Ganghyuk looked back and saw the bandits in the group, who looked shabby. They got water and firewood for the group everyday, and waited on the group on the way to Hanyang.
Of course, there was another reason to that.
”Hey! Master asked a question, and you did not answer? Would you like to have a battle again?” Yeoni and Makbong goaded them on.
”Yes, yes! We can do anything.”
As they were beaten too much, they could be manipulated to Ganghyuk's liking. Hence, they answered that they would prefer doing manual labor. That could not be true, but it satisfied Ganghyuk nevertheless.
”Did you hear?”
”Haha... Thank you.”
”I am honored to help you.”
”Please come in.”
”Yes, brother.”
With that, Ganghyuk proceeded to enter the place. But before that, he turned around and said to the group, ”Stay here. They will give you some food too.”
As a result, everyone except Ganghyuk stayed in the hall. Anyway, Dolseok liked it better there. As far as he knew, Suns.h.i.+n was a very difficult person.
Although they were both n.o.blemen, he was very different from Ganghyuk, who was much easier to deal with compared to Suns.h.i.+n.
'The room is very narrow.'
Suns.h.i.+n's room was quite a small one indeed, with red earth visible in patches. But, it was very clean and without any dust, which reflected Suns.h.i.+n's character.
'It was good for me to lease a house in advance.'
The governor was very rich. When Ganghyuk asked him if he had a house in Seoul, he asked back about where the latter wanted one. He had one in Geoncheondong, and the size of the house could not be compared with this one at all.
”I am sorry as it is shabby.”
”No, no! It is good.” Ganghyuk was embarra.s.sed as if Suns.h.i.+n had read his mind.
”Sit down, here. I prepared it specially for you. I don't know if you will like it.”
If Lee Suns.h.i.+n had prepared for him specially, what would he not like? Ganghyuk was willing to even eat earth if he gave it to him.
”Here it comes…” Suns.h.i.+n pointed at the maid who brought in the table. Ganghyuk noticed that even the maid was very orderly. She was totally different from Dolseok, who thought and behaved freely.
He did not know if it was because of the tradition of the family or if Suns.h.i.+n trained maids well.
'It is said that Lee Suns.h.i.+n was from a good family.' He did not know it before he came to Joseon. He might not have known it if Seungmun had not told him about the other's family.
'Although his family is poor now, they used to be a great family if we go back to their ancestors.'
His great-great-grandfather, Lee Byeon, was a Daejehak in Hongmungwan, a Grade 2 official; and his great-grandfather, Lee Geo, was the Vice Minister of Defense, a Grade 3 official. His grandfather, Lee Baikrok, was involved with Gimyosahwa, which was why their family fell.
While he was thinking all this and clicking his tongue because of pity, the maid laid down the table.
”What do you think of this? I hunted it as I heard that you liked meat.”
”Wow! What is this?”
That was a pheasant grilled on fire. It looked very tasty indeed.
”Do you like it?”
”Yes, it is the best, brother!”
Gangyuk would have been grateful even if given mud to eat, but he was given meat here. He was so moved that he wanted to give him a deep bow by touching his forehead, palms, knees, and toes the ground.
He felt already full because of thankfulness.
”Well, don't stare it like that. You can't eat the meat with your eyes. Haha... I think this drink will be good, too.”
”Oh, oh!”
”Let's have a drink!”
”Yes, brother!”
Ganghyuk drank the liquor that Suns.h.i.+n poured while laughing. He thought of drinking slowly, but it disappeared in his mouth in a moment.
'What is this?' It was the best thing he had ever in Joseon. It was very simple and with a depth, but not too heavy. It was a very luxurious drink that did not match the host's poverty.
”Brother, this one is really good!”
”Is that so? I am glad to hear that.”
”Where did you get it?”
”I didn't get it. My mother made it.”
”Wow…! Wonderful!”
”Mother wanted to see you very much, but she went to Asan by chance.”
”Ah!”
He was ignorant of history, but he knew quite many things about Suns.h.i.+n. Most of that information came from dramas in his previous world, and some was told by Seungmun in this world.
Considering that Ganghyuk forgot what Seungmun had told him almost right away, he still knew quite many things about Suns.h.i.+n.
'His mother's family name was Byon, I think.'
She was a great mother who made Suns.h.i.+n what he was. She could be remembered as 'Wise Mother'.
”I am very glad to see you!”