44 HIS DEATH PART III (2/2)
The King sits back to the throne and sighs, ”This is not a good situation, if the words spread until out of the Palace, the people might demand the General to be stripped from his title, there will be uproar.”
From the way I'm seeing this, the King is surely worried about other things, the one that instigated this might hold hatred towards the General or worse, he is supporting such words and his hatred is towards the King. Both situations are not in favour for the General.
If the person is holding hatred against the General, then spreading those words might cause retaliation of them who had long been restless of his position and how near he is to the throne. They might demand him to be stripped from his title or worse, executed in the name of treason.
But, if the person is holding hatred against the King, then his action is merely to instigate a cold war. Nobody knows of what the King's thinking about the General, only one person… the Royal Advisor. If he is the one that spread those words or there had been no such incidents but merely his stage play, he is using the King's weakness for his evil plans.
Both end with the General's fall.
”Should I execute them, Your Highness?” The Royal Advisor suggests.
”No, they merely heard from someone that might purposely do it due to some personal grudges towards the General. Killing them is unnecessary.”
Suddenly the Royal Advisor stands up and says, ”Your Majesty, what about we send the General to the South Border,” he suggests.
”Why so?”
”The people will be worried if the General stays too long in the Palace and due to the rumours, they will feel restless and concern about you, Your Majesty. Let the General be away from the Palace and during that time I will find the perpetrator behind this.”
The King contemplates, ”The Jin Clan in the South Border is known for their barbaric nature and their hatred towards the Mings. If by fault these words made known to them, they might retaliate against the General. It is such an unsafe place.”
”The South Border is far away from here, Your Majesty, I'm sure that no one have heard of these words just yet, it's probably safer there for the General than here,” The Royal Advisor says and then he adds, ”I'm sure you are worried about the General's safety as well, Your Majesty, but sending him away is a better choice for now.”
Then the King nods, ”Alright. Eunuch Moon, call the General.”
As I glance over at the Royal Advisor, I could see a smirk on his face but he quickly washes it away.
”What now?”
***
”Your Majesty, I was about to visit you,” the General greets the King.
”Of what purpose, Older Brother?”
”I was going to ask for your permission to go to the North Border, I would like to monitor some progress. There were some casualties and destruction caused by the battle with the Mings before and I would like to check how are they progressing with the restoration,” the General explains.
The King raises an eyebrow, ”Hmmmm.”
'He's doubting him.' I thought as I'm assessing the situation.
”There's nothing to be worried about regarding the matters in North Border. I have sent Lieutenant Ji to handle the situation over there,” the King says.
The General looks at the King questioningly.
”I have another mission for you instead, General Lee,” the King's voice turns authoritative.
”What is it, Your Majesty?”
”Go to the South Border.”