Chapter 188 (2/2)

“My mother has wondered a lot about you. She is not here, though. She is back in her hometown in Asan now.”

“Oh, I see.”

Though Kanghyok didn't know much about Joseon, he studied a lot about the Soonsin family.

Of course, he learned mostly from watching popular soap dramas about Soonsin Lee on TV in modern Korea.

'To the best of my knowledge his mother's last name is Byon…'

She deserved the most credit for having made Soonsin what he was.

“Anyway, I'm glad to see you face here, Kanghyok.”

“Me, too, brother.”

They kept exchanging cups in a cheerful mood, enjoying delicious side dishes.

A bit drunk, Soonsin opened his mouth,

“Haha. I've got something to boast to you, but I couldn't reveal it in my letter to you.”

“Really?”

What could it be?

Kanghyok leaned over to Soonsin before he knew.

“What is it, brother?”

“Well….”

If his friend was hesitant, Kanghyok probably punched him in the head.

But Kanghyok's partner now was the Sacred Hero of Joseon, Soonsin.

“You really make me curious, brother. What is it?”

Soonsin smacked his lips for a moment and then said, “Well, I've been a.s.signed to a post in the northern area.”

“Northern area?”

“Yes, the government decided to dispatch me to North Hamgyong Province.”

At this time the northern area was a troubled place in terms of living. Besides, it was often attached by the Yurchen soldiers.

n.o.body except for Soonsin would be proud of his a.s.signment to the northern area.

'Something strange, though.'

Kanghyok looked at Soonsin's leg that he fixed sometime ago.

'It was less than a year that I fixed his broken leg. How can the government give him such a post?'

Wasn't Soonsin 34 years old when he first got a government job? That meant he had to wait another four years for a government service. That's what he remembered from his history textbook when he was in modern Korea.

'Am I wrong? Did I get confused?'

Soonsin got curious when Kanghyok made a surprised look.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“No, no. I think it's about time you entered a government service.”

“Haha. All thanks to you. How could I be a.s.signed such a post if you didn't fix my left leg?”

“I see. Did you take another state exam on martial arts?”

“Yes, there was a special exam session.”

“Special exam session?”

“Yes. By the way, a guy named Joon Huh, who was just admitted to the Royal Medical Service, cured Prince Yimhae's smallpox.”

“Aha, Doctor Huh… Smallpox?”

“Yeah, I heard that Dr. Huh cured him who was almost given up as a hopeless case. That's why the government staged a special state exam. I was pretty lucky.”

As expected, Joon Huh was an extraordinary doctor.

It was only a couple of months ago he started working at the Royal Medical Service. But he already achieved something great.

'Was it thanks to Dr. Huh that Soonsin got a government job after pa.s.sing the special state civil exam?'

If that's the case, how fortunate Soonsin was!

But Kanghyok began to worry if there was a gathering storm of j.a.panese invasion of Joseon.

If the invasion took place much earlier than Kanghyok expected, that would be the worst scenario for Kanghyok.

“I'm not worried at all, Kanghyok. Isn't it natural for a soldier like me to be a.s.signed to a dangerous place?”

That was true.

And that's why Soonsin crushed the j.a.panese army's invasion of Joseon in 1592.

It was hard to find any general like him in the world navy history who brought about such brilliant achievements as he made in the naval battles.

“By the way, I heard from the mayor that you refused his offer to recommend you to the Royal Medical Service.”

Kanghyok regretted that the mayor had a light mouth.

Obviously the mayor talked to everyone he met about Kanghyok's rejection of his offer.

With a bitter smile he nodded,

“Yes, that's right.”

“Haha, you must be a genuine doctor to do so. By the way, once you enter a government service, I think there must be a right job for you.”

“As you say so, let me think it over.”

“Sure, sure. You don't have to rush, though.”

Soonsin didn't want to put pressure on him at this point.

“Oh, I hear you also eradicated smallpox.”

“Yes, I was lucky…”

“Haha. There is a widespread rumor that the sick cow with smallpox was essential in curing the patients.”

“Yes, as far as smallpox was concerned, I could use the cow as something like medicine.”

At that moment, somebody opened the gate all of a sudden.

Simultaneously Soonsin stood up.

“Daegam(Lord) I mentioned to you a moment ago has just arrived.”

“Daegam?”

“Yes, stand up and get ready to greet him.”

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