Chapter 188 (1/2)

Chapter 188: Chapter 61

Soonsin's house was small and humble.

It was so small as to remind Kanghyok's party of Changkwon's house.

In fact, Yoju, recalling that, sobbed for a while before coming in.

As Kanghyok was ahead of her, he couldn't notice it.

He was just looking around, as if he was deeply moved.

'Is this the house of Chungmugong General Soonsin Lee?'

The greatest Admiral in Joseon's history.

In modern Korea Kanghyok saw his bronze statue in the center of Kwanhwamun Sqaure in downtown Seoul.

And now he was standing in that very house of the greatest general in Joseon.

“Looks like you resumed practicing your martial arts, general.”

Pointing at several scarecrows in the yard, Kanghyok said.

“Oh, yes. As you fixed my broken leg, I think I have to practice hard.”

“I see. By the way, where do you get these rice straws?”

“I know a n.o.bleman that I am paling around. I get them from him.”

“But it looks like they're not enough for your practice.”

“Well, I'm in a position to ask, so I just thank him for this.”

“Gee….”

Kanghyok's voice was full of regrets at his remarks.

General Lee would emerge as the very one who could save Joseon from j.a.panese invasion.

Nonetheless, he didn't have enough rice straws to practice his martial arts.

“Let me order my servants to get them as much as they could, starting tomorrow.”

“Oh, you don't have to go to the trouble of…”

“No, sir. They don't care about doing manual work. Right?”

Kanghyok then turned back. Several thieves who followed his party were hesitating to reply.

“Hey, folks. Why don't you reply to your master's question? Are you ready for a good beating?”

Dolsok shouted at them.

“Oh, yes, yes. We like manual labor!”

Clearly they read the master's mind.

“You heard them, general?”

“Hahaha. Thanks, Kanghyok.”

“It's an honor to help you, brother.”

“Let's come in now.”

“Yes, brother.”

Kanghyok came into his room, while the other members of his party stayed on the main floor.

'Gee, his room is so small…'

Here and there was even red clay exposed on the floor.

But his room was spick and span with no dust at all, revealing Soonsin's fine personality.

'I think I did well to have asked the mayor to rent me a good house in Hanyang.'

The mayor was a wealthy man, indeed.

When Kanghyok asked him if he had any house available in Hanyang, he said in the positive, and even asked Kanghyok what type of house he wanted.

The mayor had a real estate in Konchondong, whose size put Soons.h.i.+n's house in the shade.

“Isn't this place too small?” asked Soonsin.

“Pardon? Oh, no. I like it,” said Kanghyok.

“Have a seat. I've prepared some special food for you. I wonder if you can like it.”

Kanghyok was ready to enjoy any food that Soonsin said he prepared specially.

“Oh, here he comes.”

Soonsin pointed at his personal servant bringing a dining table with food.

Though he was no more than a servant, he was disciplined.

He was a big contrast with Dolsok who was far from military discipline.

'I hear Soonsin's family was great in old days.'

In fact, Sungmun told him before that though his family was poor now, it once boasted of a great family tree.

Byon Lee, his great-great-grandfather, served as the education minister and Koh Lee, his great-grandfather, was deputy defense minister.

But his family declined in power and wealth when his grandfather Paekrok Lee was persecuted amid the factional fighting among scholars in 1519.

While Kanghyok was smacking his lips, feeling sorry about the decline of the Soonsin family, his personal servant put down the table.

“How about this food? As I heard you liked meat, I went out and hunted a pheasant in person.”

The pheasant was roasted with charcoal, stimulating Kanghyok's appet.i.te.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, it's the best meat I've ever enjoyed, brother.”

“Great. Let's enjoy it over drink. You will like this alcoholic, too.”

“You bet, brother.”

“With a hearty laugh Kanghyok emptied a cup filled by Soonsin.

'Which kind of alcoholic is this?'

It was the best liquor that he had enjoyed since he landed in Joseon.

“Brother Soonsin, I love this liquor so much.”

“Really? I feel better as you like it.”

“Where did you get this?”

“My mother has brewn it by herself.”

“Wow, she is great, brother.”