Chapters
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Chapter 17 That same day, in the inner quarters of Kim Jageun, the head of the powerful Haedong Kim clan in Hanseong— The moment Kim Jageun’s trusted subordinate reported the outcome of the royal council, Kim Jageun spoke. “Remove the local magistrates involved first. If we cut them loose first, it will look like we were the ones who dealt with the matter.” “But, My Lord, what should we do about the people whose names are written in the ledgers?” “Send them out to the provinces.…-
279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 16 Fall of 1861, at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain, Hanseong Three days ago, the white-bearded hunter had sent word through Kang-soi, a servant at the private residence, saying that the hunters wanted to come see me. I went up to the foot of Inwangsan myself. The white-bearded hunter was waiting there with eleven other hunters behind him. Nine matchlock guns had been set beside them as they sat. I sat down in front of the white-bearded hunter. “Have you come to see me?” “Yes.…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 15 Summer of 1861, Huijeongdang Hall, Changdeokgung Palace Queen Dowager Sinjeong Jo had summoned Yi Jae-myeon to Changdeokgung Palace under the pretext of paying his respects to King Cheoljong, but the moment he entered Huijeongdang, something felt different. The court eunuchs had stiff expressions, and the senior palace ladies of Daejojeon moved with unusual caution. The atmosphere was different from normal. King Cheoljong, the twenty-fifth king of Joseon, was seated in his place, but his…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 14 Spring 1861, Daejojeon Hall, Changdeokgung Palace It had been three days since I received the note sent by Queen Dowager Sinjeong Jo through her servant, Gaksim. Today, I was summoned to meet Yi Jae-myeon. We sat facing each other, with only one court lady from Daejojeon remaining by the wall. Queen Dowager Sinjeong Jo spoke first. “Lord Kim Ja-geun said he sent land to Prince Heungseon, Yi Ha-eung. Did he actually write in the letter that he wanted his son kept under control? Was he…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 13 Spring 1861, a Catholic Believer’s House in Hanseong Father Dubois arrived in Hanyang at night. It was a Catholic believer’s house inside Hanyang that his servant, Gaksim, had arranged in advance. It consisted of only a single room. Father Dubois entered, set down his belongings, and looked at Gaksim. “Thank you for your hard work.” Gaksim widened his eyes slightly before lowering his head. “Get some rest. We’ll move at dawn tomorrow.” Gaksim closed the door. I…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 12 “I’ll hear you out.” “Leave Joseon. Leave Joseon right now. I’ll make a way for you.” Father Dubois’s eyes changed. Slowly, Father Dubois opened his mouth. “I will not leave Joseon.” His voice was firm. “I must remain here with the people of this land. I did not come to Joseon to run away. I came here intending to bury my bones in this land.” I looked at the priest. It was the answer I had expected. “Father, do you know how the people of Joseon are living right…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 11 Spring of 1861, Tavern Near Maponaru, Hanseong Body servant Gak-sim had changed my appearance. I was dressed like an ordinary child from a jungin family. Instead of silk clothes, I wore cotton, and instead of a manggeon, I wore an ordinary tanggeon. Household servant Mak-soe followed behind me. The inside of the tavern was noisy. Porters and boatmen were drinking, while a group of bobusang had occupied one corner. Their bundles of goods were set down beside them as they ate their…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 10 Winter of 1860, at the Foot of Mount Inwang, Hanseong It was nearing sunset when Gang-soe, one of the servants of the residence, entered the hunter’s village at the foot of Mount Inwang. In Mak-soe’s hands was a large jug of liquor. Three or four hunters were sitting beneath the eaves of a low stone wall. The moment they saw Gang-soe, their eyes filled with suspicion. “What do you want?” Gang-soe stopped and spoke. “I heard there’s someone looking to buy tiger skins.…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 9 Autumn of 1860, Unsan County, North Pyongan Province Gang-soe arrived in Unsan County on the eighth day after leaving Hanseong. The only person who had accompanied him was Mak-soe, one of the household servants. Unsan County was a remote mountainous region deep upstream along the Chongchon River. The roads were poor, the marketplace was small, and there were not many people. Gang-soe first went to the county's land-brokerage office. It was a place where land sales were arranged, and an…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 8 Autumn of 1860, Changdeokgung Palace — Huijeongdang Hall I followed Queen Dowager Sinjeong, Lady Jo, into Huijeongdang. Two senior court ladies from Daejojeon walked ahead of us, and inside the audience chamber sat King Cheoljong, the twenty-fifth king of Joseon. My first impression was that he did not look much like a king. He had grown up in Ganghwa Island, cutting trees and working the fields. He had been king for more than ten years, yet the eyes I saw belonged to a man who had…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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