The Mad Dog Inspector of the Martial Alliance

Chapter 95 : A Change of Heart (3)

The coexistence of martial artists and merchants is not an easy task. In Yunnan, merchants were robbed of their money by martial artists and in the end, even lost their lives.

In most regions where the power of the government is not strong, the fist that is closer than the law, that is, the martial power of the martial artist, overwhelms the financial power of the merchant.

But in Luoyang, martial artists are deceived by merchants. This is something that happens because of the protection of the Martial Alliance.

It's not that merchants don't know how to use force. Not as much as Luoyang, but in places where the power of the government is very strong, like Beijing, Nanjing, and Chang'an, or where the imperial family is watching with wide-open eyes, martial artists cannot use their martial power as they please, so they are swayed by the financial power of the merchant.

Just as the world cannot be defined in one word. The martial world and the central plains are also complicated places that cannot be defined in one word.

Jang So-gil, savoring the hot tea, laughed lowly.

"Let's think from the perspective of the imperial family. A place where the power of the martial artist is strong and a place where the power of the merchant is strong. Which of the two do you think would be more of a problem in the eyes of the imperial family?"

Yang Gwan, who was sitting opposite him, closed his mouth in a straight line and, after thinking deeply, slowly opened his mouth.

"Wouldn't it be the side where the power of the martial artist is strong?"

"Why do you think so?"

"Martial artists have power. Wouldn't the imperial family have no choice but to be wary of a military group that could rebel against them?"

"That's also true. One prestigious orthodox sect can easily overwhelm a single battalion. If it's this tricky even when several are at war, what if a martial artist is used as an assassin? If we assume the worst case..."

What if the Martial Alliance Leader, the number one in the world, Gumen Long, were an assassin? If Gumen Long were an assassin, the security of the imperial family would be meaningless. He would be able to sneak in alone, slaughter hundreds of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and even take the emperor's head.

Since it was a very disloyal statement, he did not say it out loud, but the two, having the same thought, slightly frowned.

"So the imperial family is wary of martial artists. They carefully control their treatment and emphasize that the government and the martial world are non-interfering, making them realize that the worlds they live in are different. And yet, they stimulate the loyalty and righteousness in their hearts so that they do not forget that they are citizens of the Ming. The ability of the imperial family can be seen in the fact that they make such a thing, which seems impossible at first glance, possible. Even I, so..."

"You mean you, Young Master Jang So-gil?"

"What's with that tone? I am also a citizen."

Yang Gwan let out a low exclamation. Since he had lived with loyalty and righteousness engraved in his heart as a gentleman. If his lord were disloyal, he would be in a rather difficult position, so he even felt a slight sense of relief at those words.

Jang So-gil took a sip of tea and let out a sigh.

"The prestigious noble families are all local powerful families. What makes a powerful family a powerful family is the grace and virtue of His Majesty. If His Majesty does not recognize a prestigious noble family as a noble family, they become just powerful ruffians. So although martial artists also have their own loyalty and righteousness, the loyalty and righteousness of the prestigious noble families are even stronger and more blind. Therefore, to the imperial family, a region where the power of the martial artist is strong is an object of vigilance. But it cannot be said to be the root of the problem."

"Is my answer wrong?"

"That's right. The real headache for the imperial family is a place where the power of the merchant is strong, rather than a place where the power of the martial artist is strong."

"Why is that?"

"Because merchants like money."

Yang Gwan unconsciously nodded his head vigorously.

Jang So-gil, hitting his head, continued.

"A merchant will abandon loyalty and righteousness at any time for the sake of money. It's not a rare thing. Since people were born under the sky and countries were formed, there has never been a time when merchants and the country have not fought. In the extreme, there are even those who see taxes as something that should be avoided as much as possible. To them, a competent merchant is a person who is skilled in the art of not paying taxes."

"The art of not paying taxes. What an audacious statement."

"Yes. It's a very audacious thing. If even you think that much, how irreverent must they seem in the eyes of the imperial family?"

The imperial family was always short of money. Since they had driven out the Yuan and established the Ming, there were many places for money to go, but the emperor's greed was endless.

"With repeated wars in the north and the south, would the storehouses remain? So they have to squeeze out taxes somehow to fill the storehouses, but the rich merchant bastards are mostly guys who have polished their skills of not paying taxes, risking their lives."

"They won't pay obediently."

"That's right. Those guys will try to avoid taxes somehow or pay less than they should. And yet they click their tongues, calling His Majesty greedy, and laugh at those who pay as they are told as fools. If it comes to this, the common people have no choice but to die. What can they do if they are told to give more money when they have nothing to eat? The merchants avoid it, and the common people are exploited. This is the reality of a harsh tax collection."

"These bastards who deserve to be killed..."

"But what about the martial artists? If they are told to pay taxes, they pay it all as it is. Because they don't know how to evade it, they give as they are told. Now, think again. In a situation like this, would the imperial family dislike the martial artists more, or the merchants more?"

Yang Gwan, at a loss for words, sighed.

"For this reason, the imperial family has made such a mention to the Alliance Leader this time."

We are annoyed because of the merchants. Looking at Luoyang, it seems you are also quite annoyed because of the merchants. Can you cook these damn merchants?

Chuckling, Jang So-gil's shoulders shook.

"Gwan, do you understand this matter? Can you read the hidden intention in these words?"

"A hidden intention? Isn't it just that His Majesty considers the merchants a thorn in his side?"

"Hehe. Yes, let's say he considers them a thorn in his side. But why would he mention that to the Alliance Leader? What on earth does the Alliance Leader know about merchants? What can he do about the merchants of Luoyang that he would specifically ask the Alliance Leader?"

"That is certainly a strange thing."

A way to stop the tax evasion of merchants?

Using Luoyang as a model to change the policies of other cities, provinces, and villages?

This was not the job of an inspector. It was not even the job of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Since it was a matter of law and policy, it was a matter that the civil and military officials should worry about and solve.

Law and policy were the work of officials.

Why was such a task entrusted to the Alliance Leader?

"Heok!"

Yang Gwan, who had thought that far, suddenly got goosebumps.

"Don't tell me, His Majesty...!"

"Yes. His Majesty is personally asking me. How will you solve this matter that the civil and military officials have given up on? What should be done? He is asking for the opinion of an orphan from Sichuan. Even going so far as to let me hear the jade sound through the mouth of the Alliance Leader."

Jang So-gil burst into a fit of laughter.

It was a laugh that showed both joy and anger at the same time.

"So, I have to choose one thing regarding this matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Whether to remain in the Martial Alliance as I am. Or to enter the imperial court and become an official."

Jang So-gil's laughter stopped.

He erased his smile and gritted his teeth.

"There's no choice to be made."

* * *

In the deepest part of the Martial Alliance's main headquarters, the 'Stone Sentinel Maze', the pride of the Zhuge Clan, was spread out. Among the eight gates in the eight directions, only one was a gate of life, and the seven were gates of death. The number one formation of strange gates in the world, which took a life with a single mistake, refused the entry of those who were not permitted.

In that deepest part was the pavilion of the number one in the world, Gumen Long.

The Martial Alliance Leader had many enemies. Even if he was the best martial artist in the world, he needed rest.

Besides, the family of the number one in the world was not the number one in the world. They needed a safe home.

That was why this pavilion had to be the safest place in the world.

"Huhu."

In such a pavilion, Gumen Long, who was silently drinking with a table of wine in front of him, grinned.

Then his wife, Madam Seo, who was pouring the wine, blinked her eyes.

"It seems something good has happened. It seems to be a rather joyous occasion. Won't you tell me what it is?"

"Oh, wife, how did you know my heart?"

"It's been years since you've smiled like that, how could I not know?"

"Was that so? Have I lost my smile for that long?"

The Great War against the Demonic Cult was good. There was a fight, there was victory, and there was honor and glory.

But after the Great War against the Demonic Cult ended, only the honor of the victor remained. There was no more fighting, struggle, or satisfaction.

The fight against the blood-sucking insects that rushed in from all sides was not the fight that Gumen Long had desired. In the days of being bitten and having his blood sucked, Gumen Long had lost his smile.

"The inspector made me happy today."

"That inspector you always praise, again?"

Pretending to be jealous, Madam Seo slightly puffed up her cheeks.

To think she already had three children. She was still as beautiful as ever.

That fellow would be furious if he knew. No, was he already doing so?

Gumen Long smiled, caressing his wife's cheek.

"Listen. His Majesty has given me a secret order."

"His Majesty? What kind of order was it?"

"He told me to devise a plan to catch the many who are evading taxes, and to set up a model in Luoyang."

"How absurd. If he thinks that's possible, I doubt if His Majesty's head is right. It seems his day to die has finally come."

A sharp voice. It also contained contempt and anger.

Madam Seo had cried sorrowfully for seven days after the death of her sworn sister, the wife of Emperor Jianwen. One could guess that their relationship was no ordinary one.

Gumen Long, gently stroking her back, said.

"I also do not think that is possible. That fellow probably doesn't think it's possible either."

"Then why is he doing that?"

"He is testing the inspector."

He had confirmed Jang So-gil's tracks, and had also verified his ability. After confirming it, he became greedy. He wanted to have him.

The emperor was originally a greedy person. His ability to collect outstanding talents and use them like trash was the best in the world.

It was only natural that he coveted Jang So-gil.

"But since he is already an inspector of the Martial Alliance, there is no justification to take him. So he is testing him. Whether he is a person with enough ability to be taken away, ignoring the justification. Or if he is just a carp that has to be let go. He wants to confirm it with his own eyes."

"That can't be all."

"Heo, that's right."

"He must be aiming for alienation."

The master of all things in the world is watching you. Feel that sea-like grace and come to me.

Madam Seo, who had instantly seen through Emperor Yongle's intention, bit her red lips.

"A sinister and shabby human. A demon, a viper, a monster that doesn't even look like a person."

"Wife, I'm afraid someone will hear."

"...I'm sorry."

Although it was inside the Stone Sentinel Maze, one had to be careful with one's mouth.

Gumen Long, with a faint smile, turned the cup and offered her a drink as well.

Since her throat was dry, Madam Seo, knowing it was a strong wine, downed it in one gulp and asked again.

"But what was so happy about it?"

"The inspector said so."

I have a way to solve it. But the imperial family will not be happy.

Is that still alright?

Jang So-gil had said so with cold eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"What was that way?"

"It was a merchant guild."

"What? A merchant guild?"

"That's right. A merchant guild directly run by the Martial Alliance. He said he would create the best and largest merchant guild in the central plains, surpassing the first, second, third, and fourth ranks."

A martial artist has the path of a martial artist.

A merchant has the path of a merchant.

These two paths were originally paths that would not cross.

"He said he could do it. Yes, he probably can. But that is something only that fellow can do. The imperial family would not even be able to imitate it. So what does this mean?"

Gumen Long once again smiled with satisfaction.

"It means that fellow is staying in the Martial Alliance. So of course I'm happy."

(End of Chapter)