Chapter 05 – Yi Gwal’s Rebellion, Recruiting Talent Is the Rule in Turbulent Times (2)
It was not unusual for a noble family to own two houses.
Not everyone held official positions that required them to be out and about constantly, and even if someone reached the rank of dang sanggwan, no matter how talented, it would be difficult without the support of the family, so they would naturally have a main residence.
My uncle had, until a few years ago, served the deposed king in secret in Hanyang, so he had a separate house for just my father and me.
Normally, the main house would have a wife or a lady who hadn’t gone to Hanyang, but unfortunately, my uncle was single, and my father was a widower.
“The day is cold. Light the fire in the house.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“I’ll do it. Young Master.”
“No, let the children handle the chores. Mr. Kim, would you step inside the room for a moment?”
It was a bit amusing to call the steward Kim “Mr. Kim.” A steward was essentially a servant, so addressing him so politely seemed funny.
However, since Mr. Kim had once defected and then served under Admiral Yi Sun-sin as Commander Kim Jun-sa, this level of respect within this household was hardly strange.
“News has come from those we sheltered while Uncle served as a soldier in Pyongan Province. It says, ‘Deputy Commander Yi Gwal has rebelled, and he has allied with Han Myeong-ryeon, County Governor Gi Ik-heon of Gowon, and Uhu Yi Su-baek of Hamgyeong.’”
“What’s written here is only a fraction of the truth. Moreover, from rumors I’ve heard on the way, their proclaimed cause is the restoration of the deposed king and the enthronement of the new monarch, right?”
“That’s correct. Furthermore, the people of the northern provinces always distrust the court. This rebellion will likely grow bigger than expected.”
Though some historical details had changed slightly, the major events remained the same.
The rebels were still rebels, and those trying to profit by siding with them remained so.
Why did Yi Gwal rebel? Some said it was because he wasn’t appointed as Commander-in-Chief; others blamed King Injo for sending only a mere inspector.
To me, at least, the reason boiled down to this: was he just a villain, or a villain with a backstory? I had no interest in listening to long-winded excuses.
“The news came from Pyongan in January. As there’s been no word of the enemy leaders being defeated or clashes taking place, they must be hiding somewhere.”
“If I were them, I’d need to accomplish two things.”
“One must be to capture Hanyang as quickly as possible, right?”
“Exactly. Very astute. The other is to seize weapons.”
Even knowing the historical outcome and receiving information from networks my uncle had planted, I still didn’t understand why Yi Gwal had started the rebellion.
Since it was such an ill-prepared uprising, there would be no one willing to hand over weapons to aid them.
“Chances are, they’ve already accomplished that. Reports say that Yeongbyeon and the Yeongbyeon palace have suffered disturbances.”
“In that case, I’ll take the longest possible detour to conserve weapons. Korea’s mountains are rugged, but I can follow ridges to avoid government offices and military patrols, just like So Seo-haeng bypassed Geumbyeong Mountain to cross Milyang Fortress.”
“There’s been no news of battles or arrests in Pyongan. So they likely haven’t left the province.”
“I agree. My thoughts align with yours, Young Master.”
As warmth spread through the room, a sense of determination rose. My opinion and that of the seasoned Commander Kim coincided.
Kim’s expression showed pride and surprise. Apologies, but this was all something I had learned from the exams.
Even when you know the answer, you must lead the process convincingly to avoid exposing your sources. Revealing that I was a divination master would serve no good.
“South of Pyongan. Yet it’s a plain, impossible to pass unnoticed. The first clash will happen in Hwangju.”
“What will you do, Young Master?”
“There’s nothing a few militia can do immediately. Let’s hope the rebels are annihilated in Hwangju.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll send someone to inform the military authorities in Hanyang that we’ve received this news and update them on our plan.”
The government troops confronting Yi Gwal’s forces would be defeated in Hwangju and along the upper Yeseong River. Soon, the rebels would reach Hanyang. By then, the terrified city would call in soldiers from Chungcheong to defend the capital.
Every place Yi Gwal passed would see the emergence of bloodshed—real or fabricated.
I would simply wait for the right moment.
Lunar Calendar – Tuesday, February 8, 1624
Yi Gwal’s army advanced on Hanyang without any change.
Government troops could not stop Yi Gwal’s rapid progress, and the rebel forces were steadily growing in strength.
Rumors that the rebel forces had crossed the Yeseong River spread panic among Hanyang citizens.
The court panicked at news that the rebels had clashed with government troops on the 2nd and had won. Alarmed, the Grand Chancellor revealed his best move:
He ordered Lee Wan, a Chungcheong soldier, to gather provincial forces and march to Hanyang to defend the capital and suppress the rebels.
Lee Wan, nephew of Yi Sun-sin, was a man whose eyes shot fire and whose words were lightning. And my own household increasingly received visits from people trying to see me.
“Ah… you are Mr. Sim from Hwangju?”
“Yes, correct. I am Sim Hak-gyu from Dohwa Village, Hwangju.”
“Why do you seek an audience with the General? He is not here and seldom sees visitors.”
“I must speak with him. It is small, but important…”
Today’s third visitor, Mr. Sim, cautiously produced a silver toad from his sleeve, symbolizing loyalty in repayment. Despite his name, Sim Hak-gyu appeared to be in a comfortable situation.
Hwangju merchants who moved between Hanyang, Gaeseong, and Pyongan had earned large sums, so this was not unusual. Yet, merely a silver toad was hardly enough to impress.
“Oh, presenting such an impious object! Who’s out there!”
“No! This is merely a silver toad for repayment, to be delivered to the General, Young Master…”
“You! Truly! Guards!”
“Oh! Forgive me! I beg forgiveness!”
I snapped the toad’s eyebrow and summoned my retainers beyond the room.
“You were called, Young Master?”
“Yes. The guest is leaving. Escort him out.”
“Oh! I’m sorry! I have overstepped my bounds at the house of the Deputy Commander!”
Seeing the robust men enter, Mr. Sim prostrated himself desperately. I waited briefly, as if pondering, then discreetly let them go.
“Rise. You plead too much; I’ll overlook it this time.”
“Yes! I understand! I know! A shameless merchant overstepping! Forgive me!”
“Anyway, what’s the matter?”
Sim knew that revealing all his cards at once would be disadvantageous. But by the time he had reached here, he had exhausted other options.
In Hanyang, rumors suggested: “Before life flashes before your eyes, visit the house of the Chungcheong soldiers.” That much said it all.
“My only son has suffered. Rebels have stolen all the rice he was managing.”
“Then report the villains to the authorities.”
“Well…”
“You can only hold back once.”
“Oh, I… I understand. The situation is…”
In truth, Sim Hak-gyu’s good-hearted son, Sim Chung, had given grain to would-be rebels hoping to gain favor.
Thus, Sim could not report the incident, yet doing nothing risked execution when the northern expeditionary forces arrived. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Sim had come to save his son, but ironically, had to negotiate with a merchant victimized by a rebellion linked to a deposed king.
“Sir, you are a distinguished General. There must be a way! I’ll do anything!”
“Avoiding the label of rebel is no simple matter.”
“Please help me, Young Master. There’s no answer anywhere else. If turned away, my son will be executed, and our family ruined. I’ll do whatever you say! Anything!”
The desperate father cried and sobbed, his tears running down his wrinkled face. It was not shameful—it was parental.
But this was no ordinary matter. If it were merely Yi Gwal and his mercenaries in the north, it might end with painful but manageable losses. Yet since the rebellion involved the deposed king, Chancellor Neungyang was inevitably irritable.
Of course, there’s no impossibility for a skilled fixer. Wash in high-concentration cleansing water, dry with Feng-dun methods, and seal with a note: “100% loyalty to the country. Made by the Deoksoo Yi Clan.”
“Here’s the plan. Mr. Sim, provide all military grain to General Lee Wan, leading troops from today.”
“Is that enough?”
“Not quite. Can you contact your son?”
“Yes. I will find a way.”
“Good. Next, create a map of Hwangnam. That should suffice.”
“Thank you! I will do so!”
Half tears, half snot, Sim bowed repeatedly. I instructed strict secrecy to prevent the sound from leaking outside.
I had secured a wealthy merchant. Though most of his fortune would go to the army to survive, a successful merchant would succeed again.
In a few days, the rebels would reach Hanyang. Then more people would voluntarily come to us.
Yi Gwal would test Hanyang lightly, realize public support was weak for King Injo, and turn north to Anryeong. So little fighting would happen inside Hanyang.
Whether it did or not, I had to prepare for the “fever time” of national upheaval.
This was not evil. No extortion, no future traps—just easing the anxiety of the wealthy.
Even in a modern era where AI draws pictures, shamans still avoid buying buildings. This was far more scientific and ethical.
War cannot be waged without money and people. We needed capable men to take to Uiju.
Chungcheong soldiers’ role in Yi Gwal’s rebellion was certain. Thus, my uncle becoming the Uiju magistrate was also certain.
This meant my uncle and father would confront the Later Jin army in Uiju.
Protecting the Uiju fortress, and ultimately, possibly dying with the gunpowder storage—such a future was unacceptable.
I had to consume everything useful to ensure it would not fail. The more desperate and indebted, like Mr. Sim, the better. Orphans with everything at stake—ideal.
Guilt? Never. I am not like Song Si-yeol, who blocked progress for principle.
“We will stop it. By any means. Absolutely.”
It was not an emotional matter. Just the primary drive to save family, the secondary to save the country and change history.
Thirdly, I wished to imprint: “Our Injo has changed.” But that was not something I could do alone.
Yes. Let’s just prevent Neungyang from causing trouble. One person at a time. Injo, just one person.
I will try to prevent him from pounding the ground at Samjeondo too. One person’s duty only, Injo.
