Chapters
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Chapter 7 Summer of 1860, Hanseong — Outbuilding of Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung's Residence It was on the morning of the third day that I called Gwi-dong over and had him sit down. No one at the residence had collapsed, and Gwi-dong already seemed to have guessed why I had summoned him. “Go to the marketplace and find out what is happening. See whether people are boiling their water before drinking it, how many people have died, and if you hear anyone talking about this residence, keep your ears…-
279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 6 Winter, 1859 — Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung's Residence in Hanseong I brought out a plate, filled it with salt water, and placed it beside the window. After three days, the water had been reduced by half. After five days, almost all of it had disappeared. And after seven days, nothing remained but white powder at the bottom of the plate. I wrapped the plate in a cloth. Gaksim had been watching from beside me. “Young Master, what is that?” “The most expensive plate in…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 5 That evening, I listened toward the men's quarters. The sounds leaking out from the servants' quarters would have carried all the way to the men's quarters. And if it was Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung, there was no doubt he had heard them. As expected, Gaksim quietly approached me. “Young Master, earlier His Excellency started walking toward the servants' quarters, but then he stopped. He stood there for a while before returning to the men's quarters.” I nodded. Heungseon-gun Yi…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 4 Autumn, 1856 — On the Way Home from Changdeok Palace Throughout the entire journey out of Changdeok Palace, Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung said nothing. He remained silent inside the palanquin, and he still said nothing as they passed through the gate of his residence. I endured the silence quietly. There was no need to hurry. Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung was probably replaying everything that had happened today in his head, wondering whether I had spontaneously brought up the passage from…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 3 Autumn, 1856 — Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung’s Residence, Men's Quarters Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung opened the first chapter of the Analects. “‘To learn and, from time to time, practice what one has learned—is that not a pleasure?’ How far have you read?” Without looking at the book, I recited the opening passage. “To learn and, from time to time, practice what one has learned—is that not a pleasure? When friends come from distant places, is that not a joy? If one does not…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 2 Autumn, 1856 — Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung’s Residence, Hanseong It was deep into the night, but I kept my eyes fixed on the Analects, which lay open on my lap, and continued reading through it for the third time. Moving my lips silently, I engraved each passage into my memory one by one. The Analects consisted of twenty books and contained conversations between Confucius and his disciples, so rather than simply memorizing it, understanding the flow of the text came first. The problem…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 1 Autumn, 1856 — Heungseon-gun Yi Ha-eung’s Residence, Hanseong When I opened my eyes, the ceiling was far too low. A young servant boy was kneeling beside me, staring straight at me. His eyes were so round and black that he looked exactly like someone who had just been startled. Where am I? I stared blankly at the ceiling. My last memory was opening a can of beer in front of a convenience store after finishing overtime at work. I could still vividly remember the psssht! of the…
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279.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 23 Later That Same Day — Chakho Gabsa Training Grounds, Changdeokgung Palace Kang-soe, the servant from the private residence and a senior officer of the Chakho Gabsa, came running over. He was dressed in training clothes, with beads of sweat gathered on his forehead. Even while running, his gaze never wavered. From the moment he had heard that the king had summoned him, he had already composed himself. I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the three hundred men move…-
303.9 K • Ongoing
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Episode 22 Four Days Later, Changdeokgung Palace — Royal Council Chamber A memorial had arrived from the Office of Justice, and I unfolded it. It contained the punishments handed down to those involved in selling and buying official appointments among the local governors of Hwanghae, Pyeongan, and Jeolla Provinces. Six had been dismissed from office, three sentenced to exile, and four suspended from their positions. A separate disciplinary record had been attached for the Military Commander of…
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303.9 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 21 “Today, I have something to tell you all.” The Royal Council Chamber fell silent. The ministers’ gazes all converged on Queen Dowager Shinjeong, Jo, seated behind the screen, before returning to me. Queen Dowager Shinjeong, Jo, said nothing. I was the one who spoke first. “It has been more than two months since the Uigeumbu investigation into the sale and purchase of government offices began. Yet there is still no conclusion. Let me ask you this. Hwanghae Province, Pyeongan…
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303.9 K • Ongoing
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