Chapter 51
51 Water Maidens Susagan (Water Bestowed Interval). The place where water for the palace was drawn.
'Musuri' is written as Susai or Susari in Chinese characters, which ultimately means 'a person who draws water.'
So, in short, 'Susagan' also meant the space for the Water maidens.
'Most Water maidens wear identity tags when entering and leaving the palace.'
Jang-geum, a trainee of the Royal Kitchen, glanced left and right, scanning the faces of the Water maidens busily moving around.
Water maiden, literally meaning 'a person who draws water,' actually refers to female servants who take on all sorts of menial tasks such as cleaning, laundry, running errands, and managing the embers in the furnace.
Dressed in matching greenish-blue skirts and jackets, somewhere between light green and blue, most of them were girls around the age of sixteen or seventeen.
"What business do you have loitering around here?"
Startled by the sharp voice, Jang-geum turned her head to see the Susagan Sang-gung glaring fiercely at her.
Perhaps because she was in charge of supervising the low-status Water maidens, an overbearing and fastidious attitude was ingrained in her.
"I came from the Royal Kitchen. Yoon Nae-gwan sent me..."
"The Provision officer of the Royal Kitchen?"
Jang-geum quickly mentioned Yoon Nae-gwan's name as it came to mind.
As a trainee, a mere Saenggaksi, Jang-geum couldn't wander around the palace as she pleased, so she had to improvise like this.
"He said it smelled fishy today."
"...I understand. I'll check it out, so go back."
"Yes, Sang-gung Mama."
Jang-geum bowed, constantly rolling her eyes left and right.
The reason she came all the way here was for that reason.
'...There's a child I can't see. It's been like that for days.'
Jang-geum's heart began to pound as she quickly surveyed her surroundings.
Jang-geum was second to none when it came to observation and memory.
She remembered the faces of everyone she had encountered even once in the Royal Kitchen.
And, using that memory, Jang-geum had been snooping around here and there for the past few days, trying to confirm something.
'...There's only one child I haven't been able to confirm yet.'
Since Jang-geum came in, there were twenty-two Water maidens who went in and out of the Royal Kitchen.
The face of only one of them had not been seen for several days.
The place she came to confirm that face was the Susagan, where the Water maidens stayed the most.
'As expected, I can't see that child here either.'
Just as the thought that it was suspicious was growing larger and larger in her head.
The cold voice of the Susagan Sang-gung once again struck Jang-geum's ears.
"If you heard the answer, you should quickly return to the Royal Kitchen, what are you dawdling about!"
"Yes, yes. Mama."
Jang-geum lowered her head and hurriedly left the place, her heart pounding incessantly.
If the one who damaged the Wheat Flour in the Royal Kitchen warehouse was that missing child...
'It's no wonder the culprit can't be found even if the entire palace is searched.'
A chill ran down Jang-geum's body as she hurried back to the Royal Kitchen.
And.
Jang-geum was not yet aware of the existence of a shadow slowly following behind her.
'Does that mean someone deliberately...?.'
While frightening imaginations were growing in Jang-geum's head, the suspicious figure was approaching Jang-geum faster and faster.
Just then.
Suddenly, a man in Military Uniform appeared next to Jang-geum.
'Tsk!'
The figure following Jang-geum quickly hid in the shadow of the wall.
"N-, Royal guard Captain?"
"Shh."
The man in Military Uniform who suddenly appeared, Royal guard Captain Shin Su-hyeok, brought his finger to his lips.
He quickly checked that no one was around and said.
"Follow me."
As soon as they moved to a secluded place between the Royal Kitchen and the Queen's Residence, Su-hyeok asked Jang-geum.
"What happened? Do you have any idea?"
"...Yes, as expected, it seems that one of the Water maidens has disappeared."
Jang-geum's face, whispering softly, was already pale.
"Could it be that only that child has been absent from duty for a while?"
Jang-geum shook her head from side to side.
"...I once heard that child say that she needed money urgently. There's no way she would be absent from duty."
Water maiden were a kind of non-regular worker.
The more they were included in the duty roster, the more wages they received, so if they needed money urgently, they would not have taken a long break from work.
"Then there is something to check. Follow me."
With those words, Shin Su-hyeok turned and headed somewhere.
Jang-geum followed closely behind him with a very nervous face.
* * *
The same day, morning, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geunjeongjeon Hall.
In a place where the three chief state councilors, as well as Second Vice Minister Seong Hui-an, Second Vice Minister Im Sa-hong, and other key officials of the court were present.
Kneeling in the middle and paying respects was the six-year-old Crown Prince.
And what was on the throne in front of him was not his father Yeonsangun, but the Ming Dynasty envoy Liu Jin, holding an imperial edict.
"Establishing the legitimate son as the eldest son is the way of things since ancient times, so determining the heir should also follow this way."
The voice of the envoy reading the imperial edict echoed loudly throughout the main hall.
The official reason why the Ming Dynasty envoy came to Joseon was to perform this ritual.
The investiture of the Crown Prince.
An act in which the suzerain state of Ming Dynasty, so-called Celestial Dynasty, approved the Crown Prince of the vassal state of Joseon.
"There is nothing greater than serving above and caring below with the duty of a vassal state. You must maintain etiquette and follow righteousness so that you will not be ashamed of your ancestors, so be careful. Therefore, I enlighten you."
Of course, it was Joseon's inherent right to decide who to make Crown Prince.
However, only when the Ming Dynasty envoy came down, read the imperial edict, and the Mangwolrye (a ceremonial greeting toward the Celestial Dynasty) was performed could he be officially called the 'Crown Prince.''
After the reading of the imperial edict was over and the sounds of cheers and shouts of long live echoed chaotically, the Ming Dynasty envoy and Yeonsangun were able to sit face to face side by side.
'...The main point starts now.'
Facing Yeonsangun, who was sitting with his eyes wide open, the Ming Dynasty envoy Liu Jin wore a sly smile and slowly opened his mouth. Then, the interpreter's translation immediately followed.
"The Emperor has bestowed items such as ramie fabric and woolen cloth and has permitted the investiture of the Crown Prince of the Joseon Kingdom, so he congratulates you."
At the envoy's words, Yeonsangun replied with a bitter smile.
"It is all thanks to the virtue of the Great Man, so tell him that I will bestow generous favors without being stingy."
When the investiture was issued, it was customary to give something in return to the Ming Dynasty delegation that brought the imperial edict.
This was called 'generous favors.'
So, the basic attitude of the delegation was to take advantage of the event, which was close to a formality, and engage in so-called 'gapjil' (abuse of power).
'Holding a troublesome culinary competition is all part of that. They're making a fuss with a ritual to get some extra rice cakes.'
To Yeonsangun, who was full of suspicion about what that laborious groundwork was aiming for, the Ming Dynasty envoy Liu Jin nonchalantly brought up the topic.
"But I don't know if the King is aware, but it's about Joseon ginseng, which is said to be the best in the world."
His attitude was quite gentle, but his eyes were as sharp as a beast of prey aiming for its prey.
"Since it is difficult to transport fresh ginseng (ginseng that has not been dried) for a long time, your country's merchants process and sell it in the form of White Ginseng or Red Ginseng. However, it seems that there are stories that its efficacy is not consistent."
Suddenly, at the words that found fault with the efficacy of Joseon ginseng without any rhyme or reason, Yeonsangun had nothing else to say but a general answer.
"Ginseng is where the energy of heaven and earth gathers and affects people, so it cannot always be the same."
"The King's words also make sense, but could it be due to an improper steaming method?"
However, Liu Jin continued to speak with a smiling face, but maintaining sharp eyes.
"...So, what do you think if our Ming Dynasty merchants directly collect and process ginseng in your country and take it away? What does the King think?"
As soon as he heard those words, Yeonsangun let out a ridiculous laugh as if he was dumbfounded.
This was almost like giving up Joseon's right to collect ginseng.
It was a blatant attempt to take the biggest export item, which was no different from a national key industry, for free.
Moreover, it was obvious that Liu Jin himself would play the role of the intermediate distribution network that laid the golden eggs.
"...Joseon's steaming technique may not be as lacking as you say."
"Hmm. Won't that be naturally revealed at the Farewell banquet?"
Liu Jin crookedly raised the corners of his mouth and showed that sinister smile.
Only then could Yeonsangun realize.
That everything was ultimately a blueprint for this moment.
After questioning Joseon's steaming technology, he would bring Ming Dynasty merchants directly to this land to dig up ginseng.
The culinary competition at the Farewell banquet was to create that excuse.
'Was it because of this that you wanted to taste Joseon cuisine using ginseng?'
Yeonsangun's mouth still had a smile on it, but his eyelids were twitching with anger.
"Then what will the envoy bet?"
"Bet?"
"It's as if Joseon has put up the right to collect ginseng in the culinary competition, so shouldn't the great country also put up something appropriate to match?"
Hearing those words, Liu Jin snorted.
He had heard that the King of Joseon was a reckless madman, but it seemed that he was not a completely stupid person.
"Then, does the King of Joseon have anything he desires?"
"Lychee, Longan, Betel nut. And promise to send a certain amount of sugarcane and Wheat Flour every year."
Hearing those words, Liu Jin suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
He was discussing a serious matter involving the interests of the country, but he was asking for his favorite fruits.
He was indeed an interesting person as he had heard.
Moreover, he was trying to receive this in such a rough and ready way, as if he were bargaining in the marketplace.
"Good! I will do so."
Liu Jin was already one of the richest men in the continent.
He didn't have the guts to hesitate over just this much.
Moreover, the culinary competition that would take place in a few days was a battle that he could not possibly lose.
'So, the priority is to accept the conditions desired by the Joseon side and draw them into the bet.'
Now, the culinary competition was no longer a matter of petty pride.
From now on, it had turned into a fight for rice bowls, which was more terrifying than any dispute in the world, with huge interests at stake.
* * *
After the meeting.
Even after the delegation and key officials had all left the hall, Yeonsangun remained alone in the main hall for a long time, lost in thought.
'...There may be someone inside the court who is colluding with them.'
This was a thought that had been lingering in Yeonsangun's mind for some time.
Wasn't it because Ji-young and Sungjae were worried about that that they insisted on going to get the utensils themselves?
It was then that Royal guard Captain Shin Su-hyeok approached.
"Your Majesty, it is the Royal guard Captain."
"Did you find out?"
At Yeonsangun's question, Su-hyeok lowered his voice and carefully replied.
"I have not yet been able to grasp the circumstances of the Wheat Flour being damaged, but I have discovered the body of a Water maiden who was entering and leaving the Royal Kitchen outside the Sigumun Gate."
"In this situation, a Water maiden who was entering and leaving the Royal Kitchen has died?"
Yeonsangun, who would not have paid any attention to a Water maiden who died outside the palace under normal circumstances, had a voice echoing in his head the moment he heard those words.
'...There are utensils that I absolutely need.'
'...I don't know how the words are leaking.'
'...I'm going to find the Blacksmith of Anseong.'
Suddenly jumping up from his seat, Yeonsangun immediately issued a stern order and practically ran down the main hall.
"Listen! Prepare for Gangmu (Martial Arts) right now!"Gangmu (Lecture on Military Affairs)." The King's hunting.
Originally, it was a court event held twice a year according to strict rituals and procedures.
It was Yeonsangun who went out to this 'Gangmu' whenever he felt like it, so to put it nicely, he had built a system that allowed him to ride out at any time.
"Prepare the fastest one among the horses in the inner stable, Eungsangbaek!""
Amidst the Royal Guard who were making a fuss at the sudden order, Yeonsangun strode out, throwing away his Ikseongwan hat.
So, Royal guard Captain Shin Su-hyeok hurriedly approached and carefully asked.
"Then, Your Majesty, where will the destination of this Gangmu be...?"
"South. I will head to Anseong."
A look of bewilderment momentarily flashed across Su-hyeok's face.
That place was not a hunting ground with Restricted area set up, so why was he going there?
"Your Majesty, I am sorry, but that place is not a hunting ground..."
"Hyah!"
Before he could finish speaking, Yeonsangun had jumped onto the back of the prepared white horse and was running like the wind.
※Author's Note
Lychee, Longan, and Betel nut are actually fruits that Yeonsangun demanded from the Ming Dynasty.
