Chapter 197 (2/2)
Then, he began to beat Pyonsu again.
Now, Hangbok could not let the name of Yorip Chung go out through his ear.
How could he form his own faction in Hanyang when he went down to his hometown long time ago after resigning from his government post and formed an armed group Taedonggye?
Hangbok hurried to him and tried to wake him up, but Pyonsu already pa.s.sed out with beating.
“What did he say at the end of his remarks?”
“He mentioned something like Chung…”
Dolsok, who had a good memory, said, “He mentioned Yorip Chung.”
“Can you take responsibility for your reply?” The way Hangbok asked him was stern and straightforward in a clear departure with his happy-go-lucky att.i.tude a moment ago.
Dolsok just swallowed saliva in his dry mouth without replying immediately.
“Why won't you reply quickly?”
“Oh, yes, that's right. He clearly mentioned Yorip Chung.”
“He said that?” Kanghyok cautiously cut in.
Though he heard of Yorip Chung in a history textbook, he could not remember exactly who that person was.
“Why are you so sensitive at his name?”
“No, nothing. I just know him personally…” Hangbok slurred.
Obviously Hangbok was hiding something, given his slurring.
“Oh my G.o.d… I think my men made a mistake if you personally knew Yorip Chung.”
Kanghyok apologized to Hangbok, looking at Pyonsu's men who fell to the ground here and there. Some of them were severely injured as a result of Makbong's merciless beating.
“Never mind. Let me take this guy with me.”
Hangbok said, pointing at Pyonsu who pa.s.sed out.
“Sure, sir.”
“Yes, you don't have to be in a rush to treat my wife. Let me give you the date later.”
“Got it. Actually, I needed some preparation time, too.”
“Good. Enjoy that fugu. Hahaha.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hangbok was now back to his relaxed moods as usual.
Carrying Pyonsu on his horse, he disappeared in no time.
“Whew!”
The tense atmosphere created by Hangbok's tough questioning didn't disappear instantly.
In particular, Dolsok, whose eyes met with Hangbok's directly, was still reeling from shock.
Hangbok was happy-go-lucky until the name 'Yorip Chung' was brought up.
“Who the h.e.l.l is that n.o.bleman?” asked Makbong, who was breathing out roughly.
“Oh, his name is Hangbok Lee, currently senior director with the education and cultural ministry.”
“Oh, I see…”
Though Makbong didn't know how high Hangbok's t.i.tle was, he felt it was quite a high government position.
“Looks like this is a big deal, with names like Hangbok Lee and Yorip Chung,” said Yoju, who were holed up in the crowd while the fighting was going on.
“Oh, it's you, Yoju. You might know something more about this. Why is Hangbok so sensitive about Yorip?”
“Don't you know Yorip Chung?”
“No idea.”
“Originally Yorip was from a commoner's family. He was on close terms with Yi Lee and Hon Sung, and held many important government posts thanks to his erudite learning.”
“Really? What kind of position?”
“He held the t.i.tle of jwarang, a high-ranking HR position with the education and cultural ministry. Oh, he also held the post of suchan, a high-ranking position Hongmunkwan (Academy of Letters).”
“Come to think of it, my father also mentioned his name several times.”
Kanghyok didn't listen carefully at that time because he was not interested.
“Anyway, Yorip was affiliated with the political faction of Soin, but he began to mingle with those of its political rival Tongin, and even began to criticize Yi Lee and Hon Sung, the giants of his own faction Soin.”
“Oh, I see.”
As far as Kanghyok could remember, Hangbok was affiliated with Soin, and that devout discipline of Yi Lee.
Kanghyok felt Hangbok must have bad feelings about Yorip Chung.
“Because of Yorip's turning coat, he got the support from many members of Tongin. Of course, he was attacked by Soin.”
“Got it. He might be regarded as a betrayer to Soin.”
“He was forcibly sent down to his hometown after he lost favor with the king, and I hear he is staying in Cholla Province. He doesn't seem to mingle with Tongin people because of this political persecution.”
“Got it.”
If that's the case, n.o.body had to worry about Yorip because he was forced out.
“Then, why is Hangbok so wary of Yorip?”
“I hear that Yorip has formed Taedonggye in Jinan and currently he is actively involved in its activities.”
“Taedonggye?”
“Yes, what I heard from my father was it was kind of an armed guerrilla group.”
“Armed group?”
While he was hearing Yoju's explanation, something flashed into his mind.
Yorip Chung. He was a revolutionary man in his time.
Though Kanghyok didn't remember exactly what it was, Yorip was involved in a serious coup known as the Purge of Yorip Chung's gang in 1589.
“Hmm…”
“I think I could understand why Hangbok was so sensitive to his name.”
Kanghyok nodded quietly.
Some of Pyonsu's members began to come to their senses, moaning.
“What should I do?” asked Dolsok.
“Take all of them to that house.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, what I mean is that house in Hanyang that the mayor rented to me for free.”
“Oh, I see… Are you going to test them as a guinea pig?”
“Yes, in return for my treatment of their injuries.”
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