Namesake I

A long, long time ago in a Kingdom called Cheonsanju, who's name and existence will be lost in time, lived a young nobi (slave) boy called Nam. Nam lived in a small town called Asdal. The town was near the capital but they still didn’t receive many visitors making the town dependent on their own farmers for food and trade. Nam has always been the talk of the town since it was unknown where his family came from. Compared to other nobi, his family line was never registered. His parents were said to be from the south and were sold into slavery because they had committed treason but those were rumours. A year after arriving in the village, Nam was born. Their master wasn’t happy with Nam’s birth, since his business wasn't doing well and he was only making losses.

Their master wasn't good to begin with but after Nam's birth he became a tyrant. He would make Nam's parents work more than 12 hours a day. He would give them just enough food. And for the smallest mistake, he would beat them. When Nam was 3 or 4, the kingdom was hit by a great famine that caused many people to die of starvation. This included the father and mother of Nam. His master, in need of fast money, sold him a few days after his parents death to his current master. Nam still doesn't know what happened to the bodies of his parents. His old master sold the rest of his possessions and left Asdal with his wife and three children. A week later, a woodcutter found the bodies of his wife and children but the body of Nam's old master was never found.

Nam was now 17 years old and was described as a great beauty. With his long jet black hair, tanned complexion, amber colored blossom eyes and full red lips. He could make both men and women stop in their tracks when he passed by. Many had come to his masters house to buy him but thankfully his master had always declined. His master, Ping, was fond of Nam and wasn't planning on selling or sending him away. Nam was very smart and kind to the people around him, making him loved by most of the people he interacted with. Nam was sure that he got all these traits from his parents but there was nobody to ask if that was true. His popularity was the cause of envy of the lady of the house, Jie and her two sons, Shu and Zhi. Ping, unlike his wife and sons, was proud to have Nam in his household and encouraged him to go to school, something that was unheard of.

This led to even more friction between Nam and the others, especially Shu. Shu was the opposite of Nam. He was lazy, stupid and mean teenager. He didn't see the benefits of studying mainly because he really was stupid. To cover up his stupidity, he would tell people that he was inheriting his father's business anyway, so why should he study. His careless manner led to the teachers to reprimand him for being lazy and stupid. They also compared him to Nam, a mere slave boy, who was the top in his class every time. Ping also focused more on Nam than his own sons. Being a merchant he would travel around the world looking for spices and fabrics to sell. He would bring maps, books on different subjects and gadgets from his travels and give them to only Nam. His disregard for his son’s wasn't because he didn't care for them but compared to Nam, his sons had Li Jie, who took care of them and spoiled them. But Ping’s attention made Shu hate Nam even more.

One day there was a royal notice in the town square, inviting all able subjects of the country to enter in the royal civil service examination. Ping saw the notice and thought it might be a good idea to send his first born son, Shu and Nam to try out. For Shu the examination might be an eye opener and force him to stop acting like a spoiled brat. Ping hoped that it would make him take life more seriously. The thought of giving his hard earned trade away to his sons kept him awake every night. Both were too useless. For Nam it would be the best opportunity he needed to get out of slavery and not starve. Ping had always planned on making Nam a commoner on his 18th birthday. It was just that he always turned anxious by the thought of Nam having difficulty surviving on his own. By sending him to the exam, Ping was sure that Nam would have a bright future.

He didn't tell his wife and sons about his plans, instead he told Shu to take Nam with him to help him study. He also warned Shu that if anything bad happens to Nam, Shu would be disowned. Shu was shocked by his father’s harsh words. Shu turned angry. It was like his father had read his mind. The thought of disobeying didn't even cross his mind for this was the first time his father threatened him with anything. Before leaving for the capital Ping gave Nam new sets of clothes. He also gave each boy a letter. "Read it when you arrive at the capital." He told Shu before turning to Nam. "Give this letter to Jin when you get to the capital. You can find him at the silk merchants guild. Have a safe trip and hope you can come back with your heads raised high. I might come visit you before the examination." Jei had tears running down her face standing next to her husband. She glared at Nam before warning him to take great care of Shu. Ping had to rip her off her son before they could leave. Nam rolled her eyes. "People would think the young master is off to be killed." The coachman gave a disapproving shake of his head. Luckily SHu didn't hear the coachman's words or he might never make it out of their town gates.

Seven days after leaving home, they finally reached the capital and Nam was more than happy to get rid of Shu by then. To get to the capital takes actually four day but because of Shu’s complaints it has taken seven long days. Shu had complained about everything. It started with the carriage driving too fast but when they slowed down, he complained that it was too slow. The coachman was about to lose his cool, when Nam pleaded with him to ignore Shu's words. "Uncle. He's just testing you. You don't want him to say bad things to his mother or father about you. Will be in the capital soon. Then you are free of him." The coachman looked at Nam's sweet smile. He calmed himself down. "You're right." The first night Shu complained that the tent he slept in was too small and too stuffy. He demanded that Nam get him a new tent but they were in the middle of nowhere. After walking in the dark for hours, Nam finally found a small town where he could get a new tent. When he came back Shu had already fallen asleep. Nam slept in the new tent just to spite Shu.

The next morning when Nam showed him the new tent, Shu just scoffed and said he won't use it. Nam was ready to kill him when he discovered that Shu had also ruined the new clothes master Ping had given him. Nam feigned ignorance and said nothing. He reminded himself that it was worth it since he had 'borrowed' Shu's money pouch to buy the tent. Furthermore he could now use the tent because he knew Shu would never let him sleep in the same tent. Nam started to pray that his stay in the capital didn't include Shu. The coachman brought them to Shu's aunts, Jian house. He said farewell to Nam before driving off. Jian looked at the carriage in disbelief. "What a rude man." Shu pouted before complaining about the 'awful' trip. After getting Shu settled at his Jian house,Nam excused himself to deliver the message. Jian lifted her nose up. "I want you back before dinner." Nam shrugged leaving the house. Before leaving he had asked one of the house maids for directions. Within a few minutes he had already found the silk guild. If he had looked around more, he would have seen amazing and wondrous things. At the guildgate he requested an audience with Jin. Without a delay he was ushered into a spacious room full of weird and wonderful items. "What do we have here?"

Nam turned to see a large, round man walking into the room. " Jin?" Jin nodded. Jin had a friendly face full of wrinkles. Nam looked closely at his face but he had a hard time guessing Jin’s age. Jin had dark brown eyes with full bushy brows. His hair, if you could call the fine, frizzy, and wiry strands on his head hair, was brown with gray streaks. Jin was wearing bright colors that didn't match and made Nam's eyes hurt. Nam bowed before quickly handing Jin the letter. After taking the letter for Nam, Jin read its contents with intress. Nam saw Jin's eyes turn from curiosity to amazement to pure mischief. "Well, Well. The old crook." He looked up to see Nam looking at him. “Your Ping’s servant…” Jin scratched his hair making it look more and more like a bird nest. "Can you read?" Nam nodded. "Did you read the letter?" Nam shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Sit down." Jin pointed at a chair before walking back to the door. He threw it open. "Mule! Get us some refreshments." He yelled to an empty hall before closing the door again. He turned to Nam before taking place in the other chair. His butt hadn't yet touched the chair when the door opened to reveal a man, much slimmer than Jin, walked in. The man, Mule, had big brown doe eyes with nearly no brows. His red cheeks were bright red and big like a baby’s. Mule was wheezing from running over. His hands were full with a tray of drinks and food. Nam stood up to help him set the table but Jin stopped him.

"In this guild you're my guest. Ping didn’t send you here to work. Now sit down." Mule didn't look at all offended. He quickly arranged the refreshments in front of them. He turned to leave but was stopped by Jin. "Mule, I need you to get me clothes for the young master." Both Mule and Nam gave Jin a confused look. "Ping wants you to take the royal civil service exam." Nam's eyes turned big while Mule gave a low whistle. "But they won't let you dress as a beggar. Ping is more than confident that you will pass. If... when you pass, your status as a slave will be dissolved." Jin looked at Mule. "Mule! Why are you still here! We need new clothes! They have to be a mix of everything. You know what I mean?" Mule gave a short nod before running out of the room. Jin shook his head before turning back to Nam. "There is more. Ping has given you a name to use.

He has named you Nam Mu, it means Tree. Do you like it?” Nam Mu lip was shaking. “Ping wants you to be strong, tall and useful as a tree." Nam Mu had tears in his eyes. "Can you even talk?" Nam Mu's head snapped up. "Sorry. Forgive me. It's just that most people don't want slaves to talk to them." Jin shook his head looking disgusted. "Well you're not a slave anymore. You, Nam Mu..." He looked at the letter again. "Are the son of his good friend. Mister Nam Gil, from Goryeo. Nobody can't refute that except for his son Shu and his family. But don't worry, Ping has made sure that they will all keep their mouth shut. So it is best to stop referring to yourself as a slave. Do you understand me?"