Episode 56
“I never thought that the head of the financial district, who must follow the principles, would be directly involved in this matter… … .”
“They even placed branches of the Gold Coin Merchants Company in other cities and monopolized furs, right?”
As a result of the investigation, the merchants who paid taxes with fur were all branches of the Geumhwa Merchants, which only changed their names.
Mu Gong-ju shook his head excitedly.
“I don’t know how this problem could have been hidden for so long.”
Doyul looked truly miserable.
Yerin, unable to see her husband like that, opened her mouth.
“Palace, don’t blame yourself too much.”
“… … ma’am.”
“It was a problem that I couldn’t help but notice no matter where I looked.”
Yerin was sincere.
I understand Doyul’s desire to do his best as a palace lord, but isn’t it a bad thing to be deceived?
Even though there was someone else who deliberately deceived me, I didn’t want Doyul to be suffering like that.
“There was no problem collecting tax revenue at all, so there was no room for doubt.”
Yerin added as if comforting her.
“Besides, if you think about it, it might be a good thing.”
“Are you lucky?”
“The head of the finance department and the head of the household did not touch daily necessities such as rice or dry goods, right?”
After hearing those words, Doyul and the two Wonju’s expressions became a little more relaxed.
That was correct.
Although this fur monopoly resulted in huge unfair profits for the Jijang family, at least these necessities of life were not touched.
That meant that there was no significant disruption to the lives of the people of Beihai Province.
“Perhaps because Binggung paid so much attention to those items, they were deliberately careful to avoid arousing suspicion.”
Yerin shrugged her shoulders.
“If the North Sea Ice Palace hadn’t looked closely at the market and made efforts to stabilize it, the situation would have gotten even worse.”
“… … okay.”
Mu Gong-ju stroked his beard with a somewhat softened expression.
“It gives me some comfort to hear the matriarch say that.”
“you’re welcome.”
Yerin smiled brightly.
But the softened mood lasted only for a moment.
“what… … “You can find out more by inquiring directly.”
Gyulwonju declared with a cold face.
“As the governor in charge of discipline in the Beihai Province, this incident cannot be ignored.”
There was life in that voice.
“We plan to punish severely so that it can become a precedent for Beihai Province in the future.”
Lord Mu Gong-won also supported what he said.
“great. “Let’s make them think that it would be better to die.”
and.
Yerin rolled her eyes.
‘The two village owners seem to be extremely angry… … ?’
I don’t think Sookmyung and Jigajang will have a very good ending.
* * *
Inside the Disciplinary Center, there were a mountain of ledgers.
These were ledgers taken from the Jiajangjang, the gold coin merchant, and the Ministry of Finance.
The investigators were carrying the ledgers and examining the contents of the ledgers. It was hectic.
Doyul and Yerin, who were watching, had a quiet conversation.
“The investigation seems to be going well, right?”
“Yes, it looks like that.”
But then.
A member of the discipline unit approached Doyul and Yerin.
“The palace lord and the matriarch.”
“What’s going on?”
“I dragged all of the Ji family head’s relatives, including the Ji family head.”
At those words, Doyul’s eyes became cold.
“Where is it?”
“He was locked up in prison.”
“What about the financial source?”
“The discipline squad members have gone to pick you up now, so they’ll probably be heading there soon.”
Although I politely said, ‘I went to pick you up.’
There was no one who did not know that Fookmyung had become a criminal and was taken to prison.
A member of the Disciplinary Service added his words.
“Lord Kyulwon and Lord Mukongong go first.”
“I understand. “Let’s go right away.”
Doyul nodded and looked back at Yerin.
“Please go, ma’am.”
“is it so.”
The two headed to the prison located underground, side by side.
* * *
The Ji family head and his family members were sitting in their seats, lost in their emotions.
“Father, what on earth is going on?”
Ga-eun’s eyes filled with tears and she raised her voice to Ga-ju Ji.
“Why were we suddenly dragged to the North Sea Ice Palace?!”
“Hey, it’s noisy! “She talks a lot!”
The head of the Ji family got very angry.
In response to her father’s anger, Ga-eun suppressed her anger and kept her mouth shut.
‘How did things end up like this?’
Ji Gaju held her head, which was in severe pain.
This morning, or more precisely, just before dawn.
Suddenly, discipline officers stormed into Jijiajang’s manor.
‘Why on earth are you doing this!’
‘…….’
‘Shouldn’t you at least know the reason why you are suddenly taken away!’
‘…….’
Even when asked why, they remain silent.
It’s also frustrating that I was suddenly dragged to the North Sea Ice Palace and put into a prison.
What is the feeling when you see the pale-faced owner of the Golden Flower Merchant sitting across from you?
‘Unbelievable!’
Ji Gaju felt her heart sink.
Since the owner of the gold coin merchant has been dragged into the situation, it would be wiser to think that all illegal activities related to the gold coin merchant have been uncovered.
However, I thought fate would take care of the matter… … .
Ji Gaju gritted her teeth.
‘Where is this incompetent thing and what is it doing?!’
From what I heard from Geumhwa Sangdan and Sookmyung, there was pressure being put on nearby dry goods merchants in relation to the supply of fur.
It was said at first glance that there were several fist fights during the process.
‘It’s impossible not to get involved in difficult tasks while running a business.’
Even though she consoled herself, Gaju Ji felt uneasy.
In the first place, furs for the North Sea Ice Palace were delivered using various ghost merchants.
So, I hope they won’t be caught for monopolizing the fur… … .
‘So, are you saying that because of the dispute between the merchant and the dry goods merchant, the family of the head of the household was held responsible and everyone was dragged to jail?’
That cautious North Sea Ice Palace owner?
At that time, unable to overcome a suspicious feeling, the head of the family briefly clicked her tongue.
“Let go of this!!”
Someone was grabbed and dragged away by a discipline member.
The person who goes on a rampage, scratching and kicking the disciplinary team members’ cheeks, is that person.
“Let go of this hand!!”
It was fate.
Ji Gaju opened her eyes wide.
‘No, why is fate here…? … ?!’
Shouldn’t we be busy getting things done by now?
What if Fate is dragged here too?
Bleep-squeak!
The door to the prison where the Ji family members were sitting opened.
The discipline team pushed Sookmyung into the prison.
“Please enter, Lord Finance.”
“Are you just telling me to go in here?”
Fate sharpened his eyes and glared at the discipline member.
But the disciplinarian just had an expression on his face.
“yes. “This is something the palace lord directly ordered.”
“what?”
Fate was astonished.
“What do you mean, the palace lord gave an order?”
“It is difficult for me to give details.”
After a long struggle, the discipline team forcefully pushed Sook Myung into the prison.
“I will never forget this rudeness!”
Sookmyung shouted, blood rising in her neck.
However, the discipline officer did not even pretend to hear.
Clap!
The door was closed.
The members stood in front of the prison.
The sight of them being tightly guarded to prevent them from escaping seems similar to dealing with criminals.
“how… … “How could you do this to me?”
Fate suddenly distorted his face.
“I am the financial head of the North Sea Ice Palace!”
Clap! Clang, clank, clank!
Unable to overcome his anger, Sookmyung grabbed the iron bars roughly and shook them wildly.
“I will never forget this rudeness and will definitely repay you!”
But then.
A calm voice asked Sookmyung.
“okay? How do you plan to repay me?”
It was Doyul.
Next to him were Yerin, Mukwonju, and Gyulwonju.
Sookmyung clung to the iron bars in shock, as if she would faint.
“Gu, palace lord!”
“Do you have something to say?”
In response to Doyul’s calm question, Sookmyung parted his lips to somehow make an excuse.
“Well, so… … “All of this is a misunderstanding!”
“misunderstanding?”
Doyul asked back crookedly.
How did Sookmyung interpret that reaction? He nodded enthusiastically.
“yes! It is true that Beihai Province entrusted some of the tax-related work to the Jinhwa Merchants, but in other cities, other merchants in addition to the Jinhwa Merchants also carried out the work… … .”
“Finance Wonju, don’t disappoint me any further.”
Doyul shook his head.
“I already checked.”
“Tuesday, if you say confirm…” … ?”
“The merchants who were in charge of business in other cities are also branches of the Geumhwa merchant.”
Doyul coolly pushed up the corner of his lips.
“why? “I changed the name, business owner, and even the documents, so you thought I wouldn’t recognize you?”
“Palace lord!”
“They lied so carefully.”
… … By any chance, did you find out everything?
Sookmyung opened and closed his lips several times, but could not get the words out.
Doyul asked a question in a calm tone.
“Couldn’t you have taken care of the people a little more with that sincerity?”
“…….”
Yerin narrowed her eyes and stared at Sookmyung, who was chewing his lips.
‘Well, even if there were ten mouths, there wouldn’t be anything to say.’
That’s because the North Sea Ice Palace believed in fate and entrusted him with the important position of head of the Finance Center.
Even if Doyul jumped up and said that it was an insult to the North Sea Ice Palace, there was nothing to say.
Rather, Doyul’s calm reaction is surprising.
Doyul sighed briefly.
