It was evident that raising a complaint in the same way as before would lead to defeat by Hwan and his external faction. The severity of the situation had to be communicated somehow.
“Perhaps, may I take this written complaint with me?”
“Please do so.”
After Geon handed the complaint to Ryurim, he brought up the next matter.
“We plan to increase the number of soldiers in the Gwangho Army.”
The primary purpose of establishing the Gwangho Army was to eliminate the Yurchins. Therefore, it would be inevitable to involve them in dealing with this rebellion.
As the current number of soldiers in the Gwangho Army was significantly insufficient to face the expected scale of the enemy, recruiting more capable leaders to fight was necessary.
“How many do you plan to recruit?”
“At least five hundred. The more, the better. We don’t intend to discriminate based on social status.”
It was not an exaggeration to say that half of the Gwangho Army’s existence was funded by Ryurim. Therefore, discussions with Ryurim were essential to expand its size.
“In addition, those who have served in the Gwangho Army for a long time will receive an increase in salary based on their length of service.”
In a situation where soldiers needed to be recruited urgently, attractive conditions were necessary to draw the interest of potential candidates.
Ordinary conscripts had to fulfill their military service without any compensation. In this context, the Gwangho Army’s system of providing salaries and increasing them based on the length of service was an unprecedented and generous treatment.
However, maintaining such conditions would require a substantial budget in the future.
“I will support you wholeheartedly.”
Ryurim replied without hesitation.
Most of the soldiers in the Gwangho Army were commoners.
Following Geon’s plan would not only provide jobs for commoners, stabilizing their lives, but it would also address the national defense issue that Ryurim had been pondering. It was a win-win opportunity.
“It’s reassuring to have your support.”
After sending a trusting gaze to Ryurim, Geon stood up and left.
Watching Geon’s retreating figure, Ryurim’s heart felt heavy as if a stone had settled in it.
Prince Hwan, who would inherit the throne, had many regrettable aspects despite being a capable person.
Hwan found it difficult to control his emotions easily and tended to discuss state affairs according to his mood.
Furthermore, he closed his ears to officials and the people, stubbornly adhering to his own opinions, and tended to avoid responsibility when problems arose.
In contrast, Gwangho Army leader Geon had shown outstanding talent in martial arts since a young age.
His intelligence, which couldn’t be concealed, allowed him to enter university at a young age, and his equestrian and archery skills were of a high standard.
Moreover, he harbored a compassionate heart that even the lowest commoners appreciated. Selecting talented commoners as soldiers for the Gwangho Army was evidence of this.
While taking responsibility for the livelihoods of commoners, he also strengthened the country’s defense. Thus, Geon had achieved remarkable success with the Gwangho Army.
Having a heart that loves the country and its people, without any desire for power, there was no one more suitable to be king than Geon.
Ryurim felt a sense of regret that Geon, being the son of a concubine, was pushed aside in the succession rights.
The prince who should be responsible for governing the country had no interest in national defense. What use was a crown prince who didn’t care about the country’s defense?
As the leader of this country, Geon was more suitable than Hwan.
However, Ryurim had to keep such thoughts to himself as they were akin to treason.
“An eel sits in a dragon’s seat, and the dragon is in the pond….”
As if the ground were crumbling, Ryurim let out a heavy sigh.
“The future of this country seems bleak.”
After a long time, Yeonwoo and Biyoung, who decided to spend some quiet time together, wandered around the town they used to live in.
From the backyard where they practiced martial arts together to the alley where they snacked after training, every corner was engraved with memories they had built together.
Unconsciously, the two arrived under the zelkova tree where they had made a promise by linking their pinky fingers when they were children.
Yeonwoo and Biyoung took their seats in front of the zelkova tree.
“Oraboni, do you remember? After training, we used to lean against the zelkova tree pillar and take a nap, didn’t we?”
“I remember every time.”
Even now, the zelkova tree flowers were in full bloom.
Everything remained the same, but only the children from that time had grown up. Yeonwoo, soaked in nostalgia after a long time, looked around with curious eyes.
“It seems the only ones who have changed here are Oraboni and me.”
Biyoung, sitting beside her with their shoulders touching, looked at Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo’s long eyelashes cast shadows on her white face.
“I’m the same.”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead