episode_0070

The letter sent by the postman during the day was quite happy news. Of course, I would have been happier if it had been Sayun’s letter.

The sender is Cheon Il-hwa from Cheonghoe Sangdan.

The story was that mine development had been completed. In other words, my investment money multiplied several times and I got it back.

I was satisfied with the information that the investment profits were stored in the battlefield of the coffin in Yangwiseong and that I could pick them up later.

I already had a lot of places to spend money in the future, so it worked out well.

Of course, investing in mines is the best way to make money.

I would like to develop the place where the gold vein is located by myself, but I cannot do that alone, and in the end, I have to link up with other places.

Mine development does not require a penny or two.

Still, one of the mines shown in Part 2 has a gold mine, and it is not far from Yangwiseong Fortress, so I think we should try to develop it by inviting Cheonghoe Sangdan later.

Anyway, now that I have good money and money, I thought I should do something I had been putting off until now.

In order to develop a base, facilities such as a sword room and amulet factory were important, but the development of farmland could not be ignored. Especially in rural areas where there is nothing to see.

Considering that if you set up a base in Heavenly Moon, you could benefit from the products produced there, developing Seomhwachon into a base for Hongseongmun would be one way to strengthen Hongseongmun.

I tapped the table and smoked a cigarette, then nodded and got up.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“I would like to go to the government office for a moment.”

Heavenly Moon was able to develop and protect the base by investing money in the government office in the base. Attacks from thieves or monsters cannot be ignored.

Of course, since Seomhwachon is located near Hongseongsan Mountain, the appearance of monsters is rare, but that does not mean that thieves and the like do not approach at all.

Although the prefecture is working hard, that doesn’t mean we can be completely safe. The elite Archdemon Cult soldiers who came there last time have already left, so it’s essential to have officers that can follow them to some extent, if not on par.

To do that, investment is the only way to survive.

In the end, it’s the budget that rules the world.

“Let’s go together.”

“Let’s do that.”

As if there was nothing else to do, Chaejin followed me out. As I was leisurely walking down the streets of Seomhwachon, Chaejin, who was standing next to me, suddenly blurted out.

“Seomhwachon seems to be more vibrant than before.”

“You can’t deny it.”

We could immediately see that people’s vitality increased simply because the quality of the products had improved.

A person’s life may seem complicated, but it is simple, and just being able to use good things improves its quality considerably.

Chaejin, who was glancing at the laughter of people passing by in the market, sneakily moved closer to me.

“Is it because of that?”

“Beopbo? I guess so. A police station was opened there, the soldiers were better armed, and patrols were made more frequently at Hongseongmun, so public security improved.”

Safety and increased quality of daily necessities. This alone can make people happier.

Chaejin nodded slightly and then smiled bitterly.

“Sometimes I think of taking classes at Munwoljeong.”

“Do you also take classes at Munwoljeong?”

“Moonwoljeong is not just at the level of the martial arts sect. While staying in Cheongho, I take care of the Cheongho neighborhood and run several businesses, thereby laying the foundation for the lives of Cheongho people.”

If that’s the case, it definitely can’t be considered the level of a sect.

Well, although the Doge was an honorary position in the Empire, he was also given a government position. Even government officials won’t be able to touch him carelessly.

“So, we also receive training on what to do when we become the heads of Moonwoljeong in the future. One of those processes is operation.”

Chaejin spoke calmly as he lightly took a step forward.

It is certainly not an easy task to run one sect, especially a sect as large as Moonwoljeong. Not only will it be difficult to manage a business or land, but also human resources.

“I’m not good at that, so I used to get scolded a lot.”

“Is that so?”

“Hehe. yes. So, I just hope that there is someone by my side who can help me later and someone I can trust.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, from that perspective, I think Seomhwachon is run quite well. It fits together perfectly, right?”

“The mayor here does a great job.”

It’s not a joke, really.

He did his job so well that even if Hong Seong-moon had not been destroyed in the first part of the chapter, he would have been able to block the attack by linking up with them in the first part.

This is something I didn’t expect, but I guess I can see it as a happy miscalculation.

If the prefect of this county were the kind of official who only likes to take money, something easily seen in Heavenly Moon, the work I would have to do would have increased several times more.

“It should be said that they work well together, right?”

“You can’t deny it.”

Either I invest and develop it, or the prefectural government manages it. Because it worked out well, we have come this far, but it is difficult to say that all the work is mine or Hyeonryeong’s alone.

I smiled and agreed with Chaejin’s words and walked, and before I knew it, I had arrived in front of the government office.

“Hmm? Welcome.”

Everyone in the government office knew my face, so I was able to go in without any inspection.

Hyeonryeong, who was working inside as usual, saw me and Chaejin, smiled, welcomed us, and guided us to our seats.

“You’re so busy, what brings you here?”

While sipping the tea he personally gave me, I handed out the documents I had prepared. After receiving it and reading it for a while, Hyeonryeong opened his eyes wide.

“So. Are you saying I don’t have to pay for the kidney expense I paid you last time?”

“Yes.”

This time, Cheonghoe Sangdan gained quite a lot of benefits due to its success in mining development. Even if I kept it to myself, where would I use it?

It would be better to just use it to develop the island village.

“Aren’t you expanding fiscal austerity here and there because of those costs? I heard that the cost of strengthening the fence surrounding the village will be reduced.”

“Uh. That’s right.”

“There are many times when I receive help from the prefecture…”

It was like that the last time we had a meeting.

“If anything else happens, I think I will have to ask the government office. They say it’s instead… but they don’t charge equipment costs.”

“Huh… I feel like I always end up in debt.”

“Isn’t it all about helping each other? And if you have some spare time, the cost will be used as the cost of maintaining the dignity of the prefect…”

“What dignity can there be for someone like me? haha. Anyway, thank you very much. Hmm… I’d like to at least make a door named after the owner of the house.”

Normally, if you invest a lot, they build a bridge or gate with the investor’s name written on it, but if you have the money to spend on something like that, I would like to build more defense facilities in addition to training soldiers.

“Still, there is something I would like to ask you. You said that the recent movements of the Safa factions are unusual.”

“Safa’s… ah. exactly. It was a Black Lotus affair, right? It is said that some damn bastards there were caught arbitrarily possessing gunpowder, and several factions were exterminated, and they went to the battlefield to atone for their sins.”

The wise man clicked his tongue and spoke as if he was in a very bad mood. I agreed with him and continued.

“But the atmosphere among the factions is still ugly, and you never know when something will happen.”

“So?”

“As I said earlier, I invested in a mine this time and made some profits. And as a result of that investment, we were able to obtain good quality iron.”

“Oh…”

“That’s what I’m saying. Can you expand the defense facilities further? I think something like a guard, a fence, or a watchtower would be okay…”

“It’s definitely not a bad offer. It would definitely be helpful if there were defense facilities…”

Of course, that level of attack or defense may not have much effect on the martial arts people who have high-level defense facilities. But you can’t just sit still, right? Also, among those attacking, there are not only high-level martial artists.

“Even low-level martial artists are dangerous to the villagers.”

“That’s also right…. Hmm. I understand. I will proceed with that part positively.”

“I will also contribute to the cost.”

“Huh. You don’t have to do that.”

Even though I thought it would be nice, I just laughed when I saw him pull it out. The magistrate cleared his throat softly and took out a booklet.

“Anyway, ever since the Grand Demon Cult elites arrived last time, I wanted to increase the quality of the weapons used by the soldiers. There are weapons that can be purchased right now in the booklet sent from the center of the empire. Let’s try to get some of them.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, I am more grateful. And is there anything else you’d like to say?”

I shook my head at the Hyeonryeong, who smiled brightly as if he would listen to whatever I wanted.

does not exist.

Right now.

After meeting with the mayor, I headed to the prosecutor’s office with Chaejin.

There I met unexpected people.

“Huh? Why you?”

“Oh. Guest lord! Hello!”

Sayoon and Yuhui were the ones who smiled brightly and greeted them. While Chaejin and I were surprised that the two of us, who got along well like best friends, were in the prosecution room, Noya came out laughing.

“Oh. Landlord, are you here? I was just looking at Miss Yu’s hands.”

Sayun just sat back and smiled, and Noya was pointing at Yuhee’s outstretched hand.

“Why are you looking at your hands?”

“Because a sword must fit well in the hand. That lady said her sword is enough, so it’s okay, but if you’re going to make a sword for Hongseongmun later, shouldn’t you make it fit?”

There was a similar event in Heavenly Moon. Show your hand and make a weapon to match it.

I saw Sayoon.

“Why don’t you guess it too?”

“This sword is enough for me.”

“So?”

There was nothing more to say to Sayun, who held her sword dearly. So what would you say?

Let’s help Noya get it later when he needs a really good sword.

“Ah. And a good season will come soon.”

“Hehe. exactly? Good. Anyway, I received an old sword from Hongseongmun a few days ago and gave it to me as a new sword yesterday.”

“Well done.”

“Mmm. no. Originally, if there were members of the martial arts faction who had their weapons maintained in this way, they would help them if something happened. And from what I heard, they said they would patrol at Hongseongmun and help with village affairs.”

“Of course.”

“Because I have heard of Hong Seong-moon’s reputation. There’s nothing wrong with helping them. ah. And the Sword Saint came and went earlier.”

“…Yes?”

What does this mean again?

I looked at Chaejin, and she tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

Sayun and Yuhee said something to us.

“Master said he would go to the guesthouse now.”

“He said that he should meet the guest owner after taking a walk around the village.”

me?

Why me?

It’s not like I’m asking you to join me.

Nothing in particular comes to mind.

In the end, I tried to think about it, but I couldn’t come up with a suitable answer, and in the end, I ended up returning to the guest house without much success.

And, from there, I felt like I knew why.

“…Hello.”

“Good night.”

In the backyard of the inn, I saw Geomseong sitting alone on the bench where I always burn tobacco.

“What brought you here?”

I sent Chaejin in first. Only after seeing her nervously entering did Geomseong stand up and ask.

“I came here because I have a few things I want to ask.”

That’s good.

I also had something I wanted to ask.