Chapter 92
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Chapter 92
After meeting with King Sejong, the guild leaders summoned their faction members with grave expressions.
“What’s going on?”The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.
“An imperial decree has come down. We need to succeed faster than the other factions.”
Hearing their leader’s words, the faction members’ eyes lit up. After all, this was an opportunity to gain merit now that they had become part of the King’s secret operatives.
“What is His Majesty’s command?”
Facing the members’ questions, the guild leader spoke with an awkward expression.
“The command is to find ladies who meet the following criteria.”
“Yes?”
“Huh?”
Hearing the explanation, the faction members also looked perplexed.
“So you mean, among the ladies who are rumored to be kind-hearted, find one who is exceptionally beautiful, or among those rumored to be beautiful, find one who is exceptionally kind-hearted? And she must be between twelve and fifteen years old?”
“If she’s that beautiful, her figure will naturally be slender and voluptuous...”
Hearing his members, the leader nodded silently.
“Is he searching for his harem?”
“It’s not for the Gangnyeongjeon, but for the Eastern Palace. It’s a direct request from the Eastern Palace.”
Upon hearing this, all the faction members exclaimed.
“Ah! That gentleman certainly knows how to enjoy life!”
In any case, since the decree had come down, potential candidates soon emerged among the faction members.
“Another criterion is... a noble family that was once prominent but has declined, or a family just beginning to rise...”
“The second daughter of the Jo family in the West Village is pretty close...”
“The eldest daughter of the Lee family in Seongbuk-dong is also good...”
As suitable candidates started to be suggested, someone urgently spoke up.
“The second daughter of the Jo family is dangerous; rumor has it that ‘Zebi’ is targeting her!”
“The same goes for the Lee family! Leader!”
Hearing this, the guild leader’s face turned serious.
“Zebi? You mean those lowlife swindlers?”
“Yes!”
“Stop them immediately!”
“Yes!”
At the guild leader’s command, the faction members quickly left the room.
[TL/N: The so-called ‘Zebi’ were scoundrels targeting the daughters of middle-class merchants and farmers. The term originated from drummers and percussionists who played traditional Korean instruments to enhance performances. When these musicians messed up the rhythm, it would ruin the performance, particularly for female performers.
For this reason, men who manipulated women were derogatorily called “Zebi.” Zebi has evolved into ‘Zebijok,’ which roughly means “swindler,” especially in the context of the 21st century. It is the term most feared by households with daughters of marriageable age and some wealth.]
* * *
The targets of these Zebi were women who closely fit the aforementioned criteria.
These women usually belonged to families with a certain level of wealth and reputation, and were rumored to be good-looking, making them the prime prey for these swindlers.
The women who were most likely to be targeted were either those close to being engaged or those that influential men wanted to take as concubines.
If these Zebi seduced the women beyond a certain point, their accomplices would approach the woman’s parents with rumors.
“Bad rumors about your daughter are circulating, you see. I heard she’s about to get married...”
Then the parents would either have to part with a considerable amount of wealth to silence them or send their daughter as a concubine (yangcheob – a legitimate concubine from commoner background) to the influential man involved.
* * *
“It seems like it’s not too late yet!”
Upon hearing the reports from their subordinates, the guild leaders made a decision.
“Stop those Jeop-ie’s (commoners) activities! Make sure to stop them!”
“Make sure? Shall we kill them?”
“You idiots! Do you want to create chaos in the castle town?”
After a moment to gather his thoughts, the guild leader issued his command.
“Shatter all of the Jeop-ie’s legs! Make sure they can’t roam around until the decision of the Eastern Palace’s marriage is made!”
“Yes!”
Following the leaders’ decision, a large-scale Jeop-ie hunt was launched by the so-called Assasination guilds.
***
“*Pant, pant, pant!*”
In the eastern area of Hanseong, a man was running through the maze-like alleys, gasping for air. His hat was nowhere to be seen, probably fallen somewhere, and his Durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat) was stained with dirt.
The man sighed as he rounded a corner.
“Damn it!”
It was a dead-end.
Turning around, the man couldn’t take another step. Three men in black Durumagi were blocking the alleyway’s entrance.
Meanwhile, the schemers, who had heard the King’s orders through their connections in the law enforcement agency, gathered.
“What does the King mean?”
“Should we just let the scammers go?”
“Wouldn’t that cause problems with the selection of the Crown Princess?”
Amid various discussions, the smarter ones spoke up.
“This seems like a warning from the King.”
“A warning?”
“He’s telling us not to make a fuss. The last scam hunt was too noisy, wasn’t it? We turned Hanseong upside down. He’s probably telling us to keep it down.”
“Ah! You’re really smart!”
“Ugh!”
Annoyed by the nickname he hated, one schemer glared before explaining to the chief.
“If we create a commotion like the last scam hunt, the law enforcement agencies will take action. It’s uncomfortable for both the palace and us. So if you’re going to do something, do it quietly. The King has given us a quiet warning along with a strategy.”
“Ah, I see.”
The guild leader nodded at the schemer’s explanation, while the surrounding members of the organization softly grumbled.
“Sheesh... What’s with all the roundabout talking?”
“This is why I dislike high-and-mighty people. Always acting so superior...”
“Quiet!”
Having silenced the members, the leader summarized the situation.
“Is the roundup of the ‘Jeop-ie’ finished?”
“Yes. Among those still in Hanyang, there’s no one with an able body.”
“I’ve heard that the cleanup of people in Bukchon and the Unjong-ga families is also complete.”
“Good. Then, according to His Highness’s criteria, select as many suitable members as possible! Only by selecting many can we properly sift through!”
“Understood!”
As time passed, Hyang, who received the report via the inner chamber, chuckled to himself.
“‘Zebis’? What they’re doing is like sparrows? Just because their legs are broken? All the able-bodied ones have crossed the river to the South?”
A hypothesis popped up in Hyang’s mind, who was chuckling.
“Could it be, the sparrow from the Heungbujeon tale is this ‘Zebi’?1”
***
Meanwhile, as Hanyang was in the midst of a ‘Zebi hunt,’ a trading ship arrived at Jemulpo.
Amidst a dock full of ships going back and forth between Shandong and Jemulpo, the laborers unloading cargo curiously looked at the unfamiliar ship.
“Where’s that ship from?”
“It doesn’t look like it’s from Ming.”
As the laborers showed curiosity, the soldiers in charge of inspections approached the ship that had just docked, along with military officials.
“Who are you and where are you from!”
Responding to the military official’s shout, a foreigner in official attire disembarked from the ship on a small boat.
“Greetings. I am Sayid Ahmed Mohammed Al-Otaibi, working on the Korean Peninsula from a research institute. I am on my way back from completing a mission under His Royal Majesty’s decree. Here...”
Sayid rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a scroll.
“This document contains the decree.”
After untying the scroll and checking its contents, the military official looked at Sayid.
“It’s been nearly 2 years since you returned?”
“That’s correct.”
“You’ve had a hard journey. Permission to disembark granted. Ah, don’t forget to go through customs!”
“Understood. Take care.”
Following Sayid’s signal, people started to disembark through the small boat.
“Wait!”
The military official who had been scrutinizing those disembarking raised his hand to halt them and then searched for Said.
“Look here! What’s the deal with those prisoners!”
The military official pointed at two Westerners, hands and feet shackled.
Looking at the individuals pointed out by the military official, Sayid replied with an expression indicating it was not a big deal.
“They are slaves. Shackled in case they attempt to escape.”
“Where would they escape to, they’re on a ship?”
“We are now on land, are we not?”
“Well, yes, but they’re slaves...”
“To be precise, they are glass artisans.”
__
Note 1: Korean University Newspaper, 2003.09.25.
It’s from a folklore of Heungu and Nolbu.[↩]
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 92
After meeting with King Sejong, the guild leaders summoned their faction members with grave expressions.
“What’s going on?”The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.
“An imperial decree has come down. We need to succeed faster than the other factions.”
Hearing their leader’s words, the faction members’ eyes lit up. After all, this was an opportunity to gain merit now that they had become part of the King’s secret operatives.
“What is His Majesty’s command?”
Facing the members’ questions, the guild leader spoke with an awkward expression.
“The command is to find ladies who meet the following criteria.”
“Yes?”
“Huh?”
Hearing the explanation, the faction members also looked perplexed.
“So you mean, among the ladies who are rumored to be kind-hearted, find one who is exceptionally beautiful, or among those rumored to be beautiful, find one who is exceptionally kind-hearted? And she must be between twelve and fifteen years old?”
“If she’s that beautiful, her figure will naturally be slender and voluptuous...”
Hearing his members, the leader nodded silently.
“Is he searching for his harem?”
“It’s not for the Gangnyeongjeon, but for the Eastern Palace. It’s a direct request from the Eastern Palace.”
Upon hearing this, all the faction members exclaimed.
“Ah! That gentleman certainly knows how to enjoy life!”
In any case, since the decree had come down, potential candidates soon emerged among the faction members.
“Another criterion is... a noble family that was once prominent but has declined, or a family just beginning to rise...”
“The second daughter of the Jo family in the West Village is pretty close...”
“The eldest daughter of the Lee family in Seongbuk-dong is also good...”
As suitable candidates started to be suggested, someone urgently spoke up.
“The second daughter of the Jo family is dangerous; rumor has it that ‘Zebi’ is targeting her!”
“The same goes for the Lee family! Leader!”
Hearing this, the guild leader’s face turned serious.
“Zebi? You mean those lowlife swindlers?”
“Yes!”
“Stop them immediately!”
“Yes!”
At the guild leader’s command, the faction members quickly left the room.
[TL/N: The so-called ‘Zebi’ were scoundrels targeting the daughters of middle-class merchants and farmers. The term originated from drummers and percussionists who played traditional Korean instruments to enhance performances. When these musicians messed up the rhythm, it would ruin the performance, particularly for female performers.
For this reason, men who manipulated women were derogatorily called “Zebi.” Zebi has evolved into ‘Zebijok,’ which roughly means “swindler,” especially in the context of the 21st century. It is the term most feared by households with daughters of marriageable age and some wealth.]
* * *
The targets of these Zebi were women who closely fit the aforementioned criteria.
These women usually belonged to families with a certain level of wealth and reputation, and were rumored to be good-looking, making them the prime prey for these swindlers.
The women who were most likely to be targeted were either those close to being engaged or those that influential men wanted to take as concubines.
If these Zebi seduced the women beyond a certain point, their accomplices would approach the woman’s parents with rumors.
“Bad rumors about your daughter are circulating, you see. I heard she’s about to get married...”
Then the parents would either have to part with a considerable amount of wealth to silence them or send their daughter as a concubine (yangcheob – a legitimate concubine from commoner background) to the influential man involved.
* * *
“It seems like it’s not too late yet!”
Upon hearing the reports from their subordinates, the guild leaders made a decision.
“Stop those Jeop-ie’s (commoners) activities! Make sure to stop them!”
“Make sure? Shall we kill them?”
“You idiots! Do you want to create chaos in the castle town?”
After a moment to gather his thoughts, the guild leader issued his command.
“Shatter all of the Jeop-ie’s legs! Make sure they can’t roam around until the decision of the Eastern Palace’s marriage is made!”
“Yes!”
Following the leaders’ decision, a large-scale Jeop-ie hunt was launched by the so-called Assasination guilds.
***
“*Pant, pant, pant!*”
In the eastern area of Hanseong, a man was running through the maze-like alleys, gasping for air. His hat was nowhere to be seen, probably fallen somewhere, and his Durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat) was stained with dirt.
The man sighed as he rounded a corner.
“Damn it!”
It was a dead-end.
Turning around, the man couldn’t take another step. Three men in black Durumagi were blocking the alleyway’s entrance.
Meanwhile, the schemers, who had heard the King’s orders through their connections in the law enforcement agency, gathered.
“What does the King mean?”
“Should we just let the scammers go?”
“Wouldn’t that cause problems with the selection of the Crown Princess?”
Amid various discussions, the smarter ones spoke up.
“This seems like a warning from the King.”
“A warning?”
“He’s telling us not to make a fuss. The last scam hunt was too noisy, wasn’t it? We turned Hanseong upside down. He’s probably telling us to keep it down.”
“Ah! You’re really smart!”
“Ugh!”
Annoyed by the nickname he hated, one schemer glared before explaining to the chief.
“If we create a commotion like the last scam hunt, the law enforcement agencies will take action. It’s uncomfortable for both the palace and us. So if you’re going to do something, do it quietly. The King has given us a quiet warning along with a strategy.”
“Ah, I see.”
The guild leader nodded at the schemer’s explanation, while the surrounding members of the organization softly grumbled.
“Sheesh... What’s with all the roundabout talking?”
“This is why I dislike high-and-mighty people. Always acting so superior...”
“Quiet!”
Having silenced the members, the leader summarized the situation.
“Is the roundup of the ‘Jeop-ie’ finished?”
“Yes. Among those still in Hanyang, there’s no one with an able body.”
“I’ve heard that the cleanup of people in Bukchon and the Unjong-ga families is also complete.”
“Good. Then, according to His Highness’s criteria, select as many suitable members as possible! Only by selecting many can we properly sift through!”
“Understood!”
As time passed, Hyang, who received the report via the inner chamber, chuckled to himself.
“‘Zebis’? What they’re doing is like sparrows? Just because their legs are broken? All the able-bodied ones have crossed the river to the South?”
A hypothesis popped up in Hyang’s mind, who was chuckling.
“Could it be, the sparrow from the Heungbujeon tale is this ‘Zebi’?1”
***
Meanwhile, as Hanyang was in the midst of a ‘Zebi hunt,’ a trading ship arrived at Jemulpo.
Amidst a dock full of ships going back and forth between Shandong and Jemulpo, the laborers unloading cargo curiously looked at the unfamiliar ship.
“Where’s that ship from?”
“It doesn’t look like it’s from Ming.”
As the laborers showed curiosity, the soldiers in charge of inspections approached the ship that had just docked, along with military officials.
“Who are you and where are you from!”
Responding to the military official’s shout, a foreigner in official attire disembarked from the ship on a small boat.
“Greetings. I am Sayid Ahmed Mohammed Al-Otaibi, working on the Korean Peninsula from a research institute. I am on my way back from completing a mission under His Royal Majesty’s decree. Here...”
Sayid rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a scroll.
“This document contains the decree.”
After untying the scroll and checking its contents, the military official looked at Sayid.
“It’s been nearly 2 years since you returned?”
“That’s correct.”
“You’ve had a hard journey. Permission to disembark granted. Ah, don’t forget to go through customs!”
“Understood. Take care.”
Following Sayid’s signal, people started to disembark through the small boat.
“Wait!”
The military official who had been scrutinizing those disembarking raised his hand to halt them and then searched for Said.
“Look here! What’s the deal with those prisoners!”
The military official pointed at two Westerners, hands and feet shackled.
Looking at the individuals pointed out by the military official, Sayid replied with an expression indicating it was not a big deal.
“They are slaves. Shackled in case they attempt to escape.”
“Where would they escape to, they’re on a ship?”
“We are now on land, are we not?”
“Well, yes, but they’re slaves...”
“To be precise, they are glass artisans.”
__
Note 1: Korean University Newspaper, 2003.09.25.
It’s from a folklore of Heungu and Nolbu.[↩]
Chapter 92After meeting with King Sejong, the guild leaders summoned their faction members with grave expressions.What's going on?The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Nvl1n.An imperial decree has come down. We need to succeed faster than the other factions.Hearing their leader's words, the faction members' eyes lit up. After all, this was an opportunity to gain merit now that they had become part of the King's secret operatives.What is His Majesty's command?Facing the members' questions, the guild leader spoke with an awkward expression.The command is to find ladies who meet the following criteria.Yes?Huh?Hearing the explanation, the faction members also looked perplexed.So you mean, among the ladies who are rumored to be kind-hearted, find one who is exceptionally beautiful, or among those rumored to be beautiful, find one who is exceptionally kind-hearted? And she must be between twelve and fifteen years old?If she's that beautiful, her figure will naturally be slender and voluptuous...Hearing his members, the leader nodded silently.Is he searching for his harem?It's not for the Gangnyeongjeon, but for the Eastern Palace. It's a direct request from the Eastern Palace.Upon hearing this, all the faction members exclaimed.Ah! That gentleman certainly knows how to enjoy life!In any case, since the decree had come down, potential candidates soon emerged among the faction members.Another criterion is... a noble family that was once prominent but has declined, or a family just beginning to rise...The second daughter of the Jo family in the West Village is pretty close...The eldest daughter of the Lee family in Seongbuk-dong is also good...As suitable candidates started to be suggested, someone urgently spoke up.The second daughter of the Jo family is dangerous; rumor has it that Zebi' is targeting her!The same goes for the Lee family! Leader!Hearing this, the guild leader's face turned serious.Zebi? You mean those lowlife swindlers?Yes!Stop them immediately!Yes!At the guild leader's command, the faction members quickly left the room.TL/N: The so-called Zebi' were scoundrels targeting the daughters of middle-class merchants and farmers. The term originated from drummers and percussionists who played traditional Korean instruments to enhance performances. When these musicians messed up the rhythm, it would ruin the performance, particularly for female performers. For this reason, men who manipulated women were derogatorily called Zebi. Zebi has evolved into Zebijok,' which roughly means swindler, especially in the context of the 21st century. It is the term most feared by households with daughters of marriageable age and some wealth.* * *The targets of these Zebi were women who closely fit the aforementioned criteria.These women usually belonged to families with a certain level of wealth and reputation, and were rumored to be good-looking, making them the prime prey for these swindlers.The women who were most likely to be targeted were either those close to being engaged or those that influential men wanted to take as concubines.If these Zebi seduced the women beyond a certain point, their accomplices would approach the woman's parents with rumors.Bad rumors about your daughter are circulating, you see. I heard she's about to get married...Then the parents would either have to part with a considerable amount of wealth to silence them or send their daughter as a concubine yangcheob a legitimate concubine from commoner background to the influential man involved.* * *It seems like it's not too late yet!Upon hearing the reports from their subordinates, the guild leaders made a decision.Stop those Jeop-ie's commoners activities! Make sure to stop them!Make sure? Shall we kill them?You idiots! Do you want to create chaos in the castle town?After a moment to gather his thoughts, the guild leader issued his command.Shatter all of the Jeop-ie's legs! Make sure they can't roam around until the decision of the Eastern Palace's marriage is made!Yes!Following the leaders' decision, a large-scale Jeop-ie hunt was launched by the so-called Assasination guilds.****Pant, pant, pant!*In the eastern area of Hanseong, a man was running through the maze-like alleys, gasping for air. His hat was nowhere to be seen, probably fallen somewhere, and his Durumagi traditional Korean overcoat was stained with dirt.The man sighed as he rounded a corner.Damn it!It was a dead-end.Turning around, the man couldn't take another step. Three men in black Durumagi were blocking the alleyway's entrance.Meanwhile, the schemers, who had heard the King's orders through their connections in the law enforcement agency, gathered.What does the King mean?Should we just let the scammers go?Wouldn't that cause problems with the selection of the Crown Princess?Amid various discussions, the smarter ones spoke up.This seems like a warning from the King.A warning?He's telling us not to make a fuss. The last scam hunt was too noisy, wasn't it? We turned Hanseong upside down. He's probably telling us to keep it down.Ah! You're really smart!Ugh!Annoyed by the nickname he hated, one schemer glared before explaining to the chief.If we create a commotion like the last scam hunt, the law enforcement agencies will take action. It's uncomfortable for both the palace and us. So if you're going to do something, do it quietly. The King has given us a quiet warning along with a strategy.Ah, I see.The guild leader nodded at the schemer's explanation, while the surrounding members of the organization softly grumbled.Sheesh... What's with all the roundabout talking?This is why I dislike high-and-mighty people. Always acting so superior...Quiet!Having silenced the members, the leader summarized the situation.Is the roundup of the Jeop-ie' finished?Yes. Among those still in Hanyang, there's no one with an able body.I've heard that the cleanup of people in Bukchon and the Unjong-ga families is also complete.Good. Then, according to His Highness's criteria, select as many suitable members as possible! Only by selecting many can we properly sift through!Understood!As time passed, Hyang, who received the report via the inner chamber, chuckled to himself.Zebis'? What they're doing is like sparrows? Just because their legs are broken? All the able-bodied ones have crossed the river to the South?A hypothesis popped up in Hyang's mind, who was chuckling.Could it be, the sparrow from the Heungbujeon tale is this Zebi'?1***Meanwhile, as Hanyang was in the midst of a Zebi hunt,' a trading ship arrived at Jemulpo.Amidst a dock full of ships going back and forth between Shandong and Jemulpo, the laborers unloading cargo curiously looked at the unfamiliar ship.Where's that ship from?It doesn't look like it's from Ming.As the laborers showed curiosity, the soldiers in charge of inspections approached the ship that had just docked, along with military officials.Who are you and where are you from!Responding to the military official's shout, a foreigner in official attire disembarked from the ship on a small boat.Greetings. I am Sayid Ahmed Mohammed Al-Otaibi, working on the Korean Peninsula from a research institute. I am on my way back from completing a mission under His Royal Majesty's decree. Here...Sayid rummaged through his sleeve and pulled out a scroll.This document contains the decree.After untying the scroll and checking its contents, the military official looked at Sayid.It's been nearly 2 years since you returned?That's correct.You've had a hard journey. Permission to disembark granted. Ah, don't forget to go through customs!Understood. Take care.Following Sayid's signal, people started to disembark through the small boat.Wait!The military official who had been scrutinizing those disembarking raised his hand to halt them and then searched for Said.Look here! What's the deal with those prisoners!The military official pointed at two Westerners, hands and feet shackled.Looking at the individuals pointed out by the military official, Sayid replied with an expression indicating it was not a big deal.They are slaves. Shackled in case they attempt to escape.Where would they escape to, they're on a ship?We are now on land, are we not?Well, yes, but they're slaves...To be precise, they are glass artisans.__Note 1: Korean University Newspaper, 2003.09.25.It's from a folklore of Heungu and Nolbu.
