Chapter 205 (1/2)

Chapter 205: Chapter 78

Yorip Chung.

Kanghyok felt scared to hear it when someone other than Yoju mentioned it.

In fact, he freaked out.

'Looks like Hanghong didn't know about his a.s.sociation with Yoju…'

Probably Hangbok he didn't.

For Changkwon, Yoju's father, was not a well-known figure like Yorip.

Moreover, who could know his daughter Yoju?

n.o.body except for Kanghyok's party knew that Yoju had been disguising herself as a man up to now.

Making a silly expression, Kanghyok replied,

“As I am not learned enough, I don't know much about Yorip Chung.”

That was true.

Without Yoni's a.s.sociation with him, Kanghyok would not have cared at all.

“Hummm….”

Hangbok just nodded his head.

A tense atmosphere was palpable between them.

Hangbok quietly recalled his erstwhile conservation with Kanghyok.

When he visited Sungryong Yu's house, Hangbok discussed with Sungryong about the j.a.panese envoy Tachibana Yas.h.i.+ro and talked about establis.h.i.+ng ties with j.a.pan.

At that time Kanghyok was listening quietly to their conversation, so Hangbok thought he was very reticent.

Hangbok found out later that Kanghyok was not learned enough to join their debate.

He realized that Kanghyok knew little about worldly affairs except for the medical field.

“Yeah, I know you're not interested in worldly affairs,” said Hangbok.

Kanghyok almost let out a sigh of relief at his remarks.

“You should be very careful from now on. If you're ever tied to him in one way or another, you had better break off connection right away.”

“Why are you so sensitive about him? Is he involved in something dangerous?”

“Hummm”

Hangbok gave a sigh instead of replying.

And then he smiled, patting Kanghyok on the shoulder.

“Well… I'm going to be discussing with Lord Sungryong about it today when I see him anyway. Remember what I have just told you. Got it? As you said you didn't know about Yorip, you should stick to it. I don't want to get you involved.”

“Me involved?”

“Haha. Let's go. He's waiting for us.”

“Oh, I see.”

Having said something significant like that, Hangbok walked away with long strides.

While following him, Kanghyok kept recalling what he said.

'As you said you didn't know about Yorip…? I wonder if he already knew about the incident involving Yoju.'

If that's the case, Kanghyok would be in big trouble.

But at the same time Kanghyok felt relieved because Hangbok guaranteed that he should not be implicated in it.

While Kanghyok was turning it over in his mind, he and Hangbok arrived at Sungryong's house.

“Milord, this is Hangbok Lee with the education and culture ministry,” he spoke loudly before the gate.

“Oh, let him in!” Sungryong shouted.

At his order a servant opened the gate immediately.

Taking off his leather shoes, Hangbok went straight to Sungryong's room.

“How are you, sir?”

“I'm alright. Oh, you're here with Kanghyok!”

Sungryong gestured with a hearty laugh when he saw Kanghyok through the door gap.

“Come on in!”

When both came in, there was an old man with pet.i.te body, who got there early.

Given the atmosphere, they didn't yet start any drinks.

But the old man's lips were very reddish, suggesting he was a heavy drinker.

“Oh, I didn't know you got here already, sir,” said Hangbok.

Given his att.i.tude, obviously the old man's position in the government was very high.

Kanghyok hastily lowered his head, introducing himself,

“How do you do, sir? My name is Kanghyok Paek.”

The old man laughed at his remarks.

Sungryong on his side introduced the old man quickly.

“This is vice premier Chul Chung.”

“Chul Chung…! Sorry I haven't recognized you. It's my great honor to meet you like this.”

In modern Korean any student preparing for colleges must have heard about Chul Chung in a textbook, the author of four famous special poems longing for the king. They had a hard time memorizing the poems he wrote after he had been banished to a remote place.

Kanghyok was no exception. He could recite Chul Chung's poems in the textbook even now.

Looking at Kanghyok with an embarra.s.sed expression on his face, Chul commented,

“Did you say it was a great honor to see me?”

“Yes, milrod.”

That was true. Chul Chung was vice premier, above all.

It was only natural that a civilian like Kanghyok, who had yet to enter the government service, should pay due respect to him.