Chapter 17 - Jeonbuk Peak (part 1)

Unlike the times Dohyun and the wonhwa traveled through the forest discreetly, avoiding being seen by others taking the rougher terrains, they now traveled on a dirt road along with eight other royal guards surrounding him forming a rectangle shield. An Byung Ho led them in front while Yang Minhye rode near the two officials from the inspector general's office and Seung Hyun Ki from the office of special advisors. 

Jaeyong took the position of one of the royal guards to the left backside of Dohyun, the closest and best way he could keep an eye on him and the people around them. It had been three days since they left for Jeonbuk Peak, traveling during the days and resting during the nights. 

They hadn't passed any clean water sources yet but would soon need to stock up on fresh water for them and for the horses. Dohyun reached for his cylindrical bamboo tube for water only to realize it was already empty. 

Without having to ask, Jaeyong already moved closer to him, handing his own bamboo tube, "Here your highness."

Dohyun took the bottle, faintly grazing over the other's fingertips in the process, "Thanks", he said, turning his face away to drink. 

During the three days they had been traveling, both Minhye, Byung Ho, and Jaeyong had chiefly kept their eyes on Dohyun, tending to his smallest needs. More so, keeping the other two elderly officials in place, glaring at them when they'd mention inappropriate things or suggestions in front of him. To think that they had lived much longer than them, they would have at least been decent people was far fetched. 

Jaeyong though, unlike Minhye and Byung Ho, he was much more thoughtful towards Dohyun, much more gentle. He listened well when Dohyun spoke, whether about things he thought of on the road or at  night when he would converse with Seung Hyun Ki about the situation. He would often find himself randomly talking to Jaeyong to which the other just listened to him with mindful eyes. 

The officials would occasionally step in and put out their opinions, annoyed how Dohyun thought higher of the words Seung Hyun Ki spoke, if they had half of Hyun Ki's reasoning then maybe Dohyun would bat an eye more in their direction. 

"Your highness", Official Yang said, "May I ask why you have brought a mere assistant instead of an official royal scholar during this important time?" 

"Official Yang", Dohyun countered, "Then may I ask you which of the royal scholars have passed the exams at the age of nineteen? If a mere assistant can then doesn't that make him qualified enough for the position."

Official Yang silently scoffed from behind them just enough to make it hardly hearable to Dohyun, "Perhaps this young master here has passed the exams at an early age but it does not compare to years of experience-"

"If you put it that way, Official Yang, it also applies to me. Do you not question my capabilities despite my age? I may not have years of experience compared to you, perhaps it would have been better to send many officials instead?" Dohyun spoke without looking back. 

"Of course not your highness, no one can compare..."

"Then I would appreciate it if you respect my decisions and my people", Dohyun cooly said. "May I remind you officials, age and experience is not everything."

Embarrassed, Official Yang lowered his head and refrained from speaking anymore. 

Like that, another two days passed. Another two quieter days without the constant blunt remarks from Official Yang and Official Yeon towards the others. "You could have put them in their place earlier", Byung Ho said as he chugged down some water. 

Dohyun took a few steps here and there stretching his limbs as they took a short break, catching his eye, two small hares hopping off to the side. Their fur- a pinkish-gray tone paired with brown beady eyes and fluffy tails. 

"Your highness", Seung Hyun Ki said walking up to him, "I believe we should arrive by noon."

"Hyun Ki-ssi, could I bother you to ride next to me as we go, I have some questions I would like to ask", Dohyun said. 

"Then, I will surely try my best to provide fruitful answers to your questions, your highness", Hyun Ki cheerfully yet seriously replied. 

If they were to arrive before noon at the pace they were traveling at then there wouldn't be much time left before reaching their destination, with Seung Hyun Ki at his right, Dohyun raised the thoughts he had been saving for a while. 

"Jeonbuk Peak, below would be Jeonbuk village, one of the many villages that imports important ores to the royal palace. Hyun Ki-ssi, do you happen to remember who is in charge of importing these materials?" 

"There are a number of persons who can import and exchange such goods legally, but the ministry of public works has great influence over such entities, that would all fall under Kim Man Jo, minister of public works", Hyun Ki recalled. 

"If that is so, then his department would have reports of all imports and exchanges?" 

"That is correct", Hyun Ki nodded, "Though, if you wish to find those reports, it could take days before finding specific ones considering the number of sections and places the department covers; and that it is also under the inspector general's office."

There were three main offices and six ministries that were under the offices; ministry of public works, punishments, military affairs, rites, taxation, and personnel. All of which were heavily monitored by the office of the inspector general and office of censors. 

What the Inspector general's office had provided for them was merely simple documents and listings of items that were usually brought to the Golden Capital which included those brought into the royal palace after the inspection and selection procedures. The only useful information they had right now was that the products of mining from Jeonbuk Peak was one of the major suppliers of gold to the Golden Capital and that it had been that way for the past fifteen years. 

Around the time it took to burn four incense sticks, small characteristics of civilization began to appear as they grew closer to the peak; the roads forked off into different directions, some most likely going deeper into the mountains where the miners worked. 

Minutes later they had entered what seemed to be the gates of this village, wooden fences and barriers stood tall surrounding the land inside, yet another bustling village. However, one could instantly tell the liveliness of this village to be far from that of the Golden Capital; people were arguing with one another, closing the doors of shops with slams… one could describe the scene with three words, confusion, impatience, and gloom. 

There was a foreboding sense of difficulty and complication that would make one hesitant to continue inside. Nevertheless, Dohyun nodded his head to Byung Ho and they made their way in. 

The crowds of people slowly stopped their activities as the larger group of people continued through the slimming dirt road. Their stares soon turned into menacing glares and looks of distrust as they subconsciously made way for them to pass. 

Dohyun remained calm as he observed the crowds, in the corner stood a young girl thinly clothed carrying a baby in her hands, a few houses to the side sat an old man on the ground watching as they passed. 

"You!" A tremulous voice shouted from the crowd. Turning his head, Dohyun saw a boy around the age of fifteen pointing a finger at him. "Are you the ones who have stolen our hard work?" 

"Enough boy! You'll get yourself killed", another man spoke from the crowd, slapping the boy on the back.

The boy persisted as he shook his head out of anger, "So what? We're all going to die at this rate anyways!" He looked at them once before scoffing in disgust, "Look at them all healthy and well while the rest of us here wither away each day, mister you hit me now but haven't you also suffered enough?" 

Before he could say anything else, two of the royal guards jumped down from their horses heading towards the boy. 

"Don't!" Dohyun shouted, the guards looked back as he shook his head at them, "He's just a boy, we came here to help with the situation", he said, flicking his eyes back to their horses telling them to retreat. 

"People of Jeonbuk Peak, his highness Grand Prince Bu Dohyun had come to assist with the situation you are all facing, please stand by for the meantime" Byung Ho announced to the crowd instantly gaining a wave of gasps from all directions. 

"Grand Prince Bu Dohyun"

"The prince himself really came?" 

The people immediately bowed out of fear and dared not to make eye contact with the prince, with just a few words added before his name a crowd of angry glares instantly vanished. 

The boy from before also bowed but still snuck looks at the prince, wondering if he were to be hanged for addressing him in such a way, cold sweat trickled down his back. Not being able to take it any longer, he dashed away out of sight. 

Dohyun wanted to follow him and ask what he meant by asking if they were the ones who stole their hard work, was it that their products were not being paid for? Was there a deeper case of exploitation happening under their eyes? He looked towards Jaeyong but the other had his usual expression, the 'I don't care about anything except for his highness's safety' , which honestly, right now gave Dohyun some sort of comfort knowing he had a seasoned fighter by his side. 

Finally making it to the village head's residence, five people were standing outside awaiting their arrival, all bowing deeply to greet his highness. 

"Your highness", a middle-aged man spoke with a worried face. 

"We seek the village head", Minhye said, dismounting his horse, followed by the others. 

"Lee Sun Kwan, your highness, how may I be of help to you?" the man said. 

Dohyun walked forward and greeted him with a bow, "Lee Sun Kwan-ssi, it would be best to converse inside, I would like to get a detailed explanation on the situation." 

"Of course, your highness", Lee Sun Kwan said, leading the way into the residence. Once they were seated inside, three house ladies poured them tea and offered a variety of foods. 

Dohyun sat in the middle, to his left was Seung Hyun Ki and to his right were Official Yeon and Official Yang. In the corner of the room stood Jaeyong and Byung Ho while the other guards positioned themselves outside, surrounding the property. Neither of the two needed to be inside but Dohyun had already guessed if one decided to enter then surely the other wouldn't miss out, the other probably being Byung Ho. 

After everyone had been tended to did Lee Sun Kwan speak, "I humbly ask his highness to turn a blind eye just this one to my people's behavior, they are hungry and feel wronged by the sudden changes made, though they aren't really that sudden, it impacts our livelihood gravely."

"What do you mean by the sudden changes, Lee Sun Kwan-ssi?" Dohyun asked. 

"Your highness, the people of Jeonbuk Peak are used to humbly comfortable lifestyles given that our source of income used to sustain us greatly. More than fifty percent of our products are sold directly to the Golden Capital while the other percent goes to various places throughout the region. 

People understand when prices throughout the other regions vary from place to place and time to time but for the most part, the Golden Capital has always been consistent with buyers and prices. 

Around six months ago prices dropped significantly, we were told that the demand was low and buyers were becoming sparse. The people were able to deal with it given that the price for gold and silver had always been more than enough to keep the village prosperous, that was until a few months ago. 

Prices dropped even lower, to the point that it would be senseless to sell anymore. At first we tried to bargain with the buyers and resellers but to no avail, eventually we lost half of our usual buyers at the Golden Capital in a blink of an eye. 

The people couldn't take it any longer and tried to fight back but in the end, we couldn't do anything since we were threatened that the major buyer would switch sellers leaving us with no stable source of income. Since then, these people have been working nonstop for nothing, for a pay worth two spoonful of rice."