I Became the Crown Prince of a Ruined Country

10 – Unravel and Weave

After a few more conversations, Heidan returned to Pyeongwon-gun’s room.

Pyeongwon-gun’s mouth opened in the silence.

“Come out now.”

At those words, a figure emerged from the folding screen behind Pyeongwon-gun’s back.

A sturdy body that could be called a longevity and a face with thick lines exuding strength. Among Pyeongwon-gun’s diners, he was the most trusted mother of Pyeongwon-gun.

When Handan was besieged by the Qin army. Mosu, who was the first-class contributor who obtained reinforcements from the state of Chu, and who became the protagonist of Nangzhongjichu (囊中之錐) and Mosujacheon (毛遂自薦), was trusted by Pyeongwongun more than any other diners.

Among the diners of Pyeongwon-gun, which has a great reputation, it is the best in name and reality.

Before the siege of Handan, Mosu, who had not been able to reveal any presence among 3,000 diners, was said to have risen to the forefront with the achievement of concluding a joint army.

Again this time, Pyeongwon-gun tried to hide Mosu behind a folding screen and seek his help.

As a result, Pyeongwon-gun made its own judgment before listening to Mosu’s advice.

Maybe that’s why? The mother grumbled.

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“At this rate, there is no value in hiding behind the folding screen. If it was going to be like this, why don’t you leave me in the banquet hall as well?”

It was not a vassal, but the tone was too harsh. However, Pyeongwon-gun laughed casually.

“Ha ha ha. Then you think I made a mistake?”

“No, that was great.”

Mosu didn’t really get angry, so he corrected his attitude at this point.

Mosu thought of the boy who had just been in this room. I couldn’t see his face, but I seemed to vaguely see his features just from the sonorous voice.

“I really didn’t think he was 9 years old. Calling him Hang Tak wasn’t bullsh*t.”

Pyeongwon-gun widened his eyes in amazement at Mosu’s evaluation.

It was the first time Pyeongwon-gun had seen Mosu praise someone so easily.

Among the diners, Mosu criticized 19 people who only picked the elite, accusing them of being insectivores, and criticizing King Cho, who had gone through all sorts of battles, such as living as a hostage in the Qin Dynasty as a crown prince and dramatically escaping, saying that he was still no better than a child.

I thought he would give such a high evaluation without seeing his face and only listening to his words. Pyeongwon-gun himself, who was persuaded by Heidan, was also unexpected.

Hana Pyeongwon-gun also had no disagreement with the evaluation of the parent. Pyeongwon-gun calmed his surprise and added his words.

“It’s Hang Tak…yes. If Hang Tak actually existed, it would have been a good comparison.”

“What do you mean…?”

“The story of Hang Tak is a story made up by Nibu’s disciples to honor their teacher. Nibu listens to even such a young child and tries to fill in what is lacking, but what do the country’s queens and chief ministers do not listen to Nibu’s words? Do you?”

“Well, for such an intelligent boy he should have been known after that, but there was no other story. There was an inside story like that.”

“On the other hand, that child is real. He is an amazing talent. Idea, action, responsibility… There is nothing missing. If even the military leader is outstanding, he might really become the second coming of King Soyang.”

Even if he does not become a king, he is a timber that will have a reputation that encompasses the world like the four noblemen of the country.

Pyeongwon-gun saw it in Heidan.

Even though the eyes of those who have hope are looking at a dark world, they contain a brilliant light hidden inside.

My childhood self was like that too. Although he is now covered by the dark clouds of Jangpyeong, how can he be forgotten? It was a nostalgic and sad past.

“But Mosu, aren’t you curious?”

“What do you mean?”

“What on earth did that child see and experience to discuss the strength of our Jo Nara?”

As if asking everything, Mosu answered right away.

“Isn’t it Yeompa Sanggun? Because there is no one in the Dead Sea who does not know about his name beyond Zhao.”

“Well. That’s not all. Yeompa’s ability is one of the best in the world. I’m proud of it, but Yeompa is too old for that young child to worry about.”

“What do you think, Pyeongwon-gun?”

“Is the man who defeated the Xiongnu 10 years ago still in Anmen?”

The Xiongnu, a northern nomadic tribe that is most annoyed by all of the countries located in the northern part of the Central Plains.

In order to defeat them, King Muryeong, the previous king, even wore their costumes and learned their horseback riding skills to fight them. However, the Xiongnu did not disappear even in the face of the armed forces of King Muryeong and the knights of the Guardians, which can be said to be the heyday of the Zhao Dynasty.

The dreaded war with the Xiongnu, which seemed to last forever, surprisingly ended in an instant.

By a man seated right at the inner gate.

“Ah… no way.”

“If we judged the potential of our country by looking at him, that child might have amazing talents beyond what we thought.”

What kind of future lies ahead of that mysterious boy? Pyeongwon-gun looked at the fortune carefully.

Shall we walk the royal road of becoming the fifth gentleman against the Qin Dynasty, which is aiming for the central plains, like Pyeongwon-gun and the four noblemen did?

If not, will he take the hegemony of the Northeast like King Soyeonyang?

“Nothing to worry about. Either way, that kid will remain a friend of our Jo Nara.”

This is the sponsorship for that. Pyeongwon-gun had the confidence to make it that way.

§

Arriving in front of the changed lodging, we opened our mouths without asking anyone first.

“This is…Really…”

“Wow! From now on, this is our place!”

Luxurious tile-roofed house on a different level from Mook in the past. It was also a mansion with as many as three outbuildings. Compared to the time when he lived in the palace of Yan, he was not far behind.

Pyeongwon-gun used it as a residence for diners, but the number of diners decreased and the house became empty? Pyeongwon-gun’s financial ability to have several mansions like this is amazing.

I shrugged my shoulders as I heard the cheers erupting around me.

“Yes. You won’t have to worry about eating and sleeping from now on.”

At my affirmation, the attendants even shed tears.

Although there was a truce, Cho Nara is a potential enemy. Being treated badly in such a place must have been the only thing I was worried about not knowing when I would get angry.

As much as the heartache was severe, the relief was bound to be great.

Looking at them, I realize the weight of responsibility I am carrying.

Those dozens of people were holding on just looking at me. Not because I gave them any special grace, just because they were born into royalty.

For me, I was grateful for their expectations and dedication, but it was also burdensome. However, it seemed that this work could ease the burden a little.

‘It’s like this now, how hard it will be to become a king…….’

If I hadn’t had memories of my previous life, I wouldn’t have worried like this. Then you would have thought that enjoying power was as natural as breathing.

However, I could not shake off all the sensibilities of modern people, and I was clearly feeling the weight of power.

‘Let’s worry about this later and enjoy the joy of this moment for now.’

I can’t stay upright forever.

I made up my mind, comforted the attendants, and went inside.

Although the residence grew in an instant, the servants immediately took on their own tasks and went to work, befitting experts who had already worked in the Yan palace.

The amount of work must have doubled, but their faces were full of smiles.

I felt like there was no place for me to intervene, so I backed away.

“Oh, come to think of it.”

As I looked around, an idea suddenly came to my mind. The golden-eyed child he saw on the day he obtained the patronage of Pyeongwon-gun.

War orphans are common, but wouldn’t it be quite famous with that color of eyes?

I wanted to ask about the child, so I went to Hankyung. But Hankyung, caught in my sight, seemed too busy for me to talk to easily.

Before being my writing teacher, Hankyung, who was acting as a general manager, was busy moving to take root in a new home.

Even so, Hankyung stopped what he was doing and looked back at me, despite the muttering that I couldn’t hear well because it was so small that he seemed to have kept his nerves open.

“Young master? Did you call me by any chance?”

“Huh? Ah, it’s nothing special. Just do what you’re doing.”

Execution of official duties takes precedence over my simple curiosity.

You must have gained personal freedom anyway. If you’re a famous kid, you’ll come to know about it naturally while walking around Handan.

“Should I go out here?”

Yeah, that would be better.

All I have to do in the mansion is to move my scarce belongings into the room, but even that was already done for me by a lady-in-waiting.

I wanted to be a hindrance at best, so I grabbed one of the attendants nearby and shouted.

“Hankyung! I’ll give thanks to Pyeongwon-gun and come back!”

Although I said I was going to see Pyeongwon-gun, I secretly wanted to see him again in my heart.

However, there was no reunion with the child that day.

And the next day, and the next day again.

Meeting that child again was a story after a little more time had passed.