Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Discrimination.

When the issue of the newspaper was burning in the upper world.

In a corner of the capital, a discussion that could change the political situation of the empire was taking place.

“It’s time for all of us to rise up. Haven’t we endured silently for a long time?”

“Yes, we have. This is something that we must definitely correct.”

“…”

The agricultural director, Thick Leather, closed his eyes and crossed his arms, thinking over and over.

‘They are all right, but…’

The current politics of the empire was clearly problematic, even in his eyes.

But it was a very delicate matter to bring it to public debate. It was not good to move emotionally like this.

Thick Leather looked around and opened his mouth.

“Wouldn’t it get better over time? The current situation is just a temporary phenomenon.”

“A temporary phenomenon? That phenomenon has already passed thirty years. Don’t you still know that there is nothing to gain if you don’t act?”

“Ahem. Even so, don’t speak so aggressively to the elder.”

“…I’m sorry. I think I got too excited.”

“No, I understand your feelings.”

The agricultural director graciously accepted the apology of the man.

‘Am I thinking wrong?’

The situations that had happened so far flashed through his head.

Thick Leather was a rare case among the non-Creek faction who became a director.

In the current situation where the top of the imperial politics was dominated by the Creek faction, Thick Leather’s appointment as a director was quite exceptional.

In fact, there were many rumors at the time of his appointment.

Was it because of that?

Thick Leather had become the focal point of the non-Creek faction officials from some point.

‘Phew… It’s hard.’

Of course, it was not because he wanted to challenge the authority of Creek and threaten his position.

Thick Leather was ready to give up his position as an agricultural director at any time.

What he worried about most was the fear that the great emperor he respected might think badly of him.

‘The Creek faction played a significant role in the birth of the Waktanga Empire.’

That’s why His Majesty had also shown a gesture of taking care of the Creek faction implicitly.

If not, he would have banned the preferential treatment of the Creek faction that existed implicitly in various departments.

The agricultural director expressed his feelings without hiding them.

“I’m afraid. I might upset the great emperor I respect. What if His Majesty is disappointed in me…”

Thick Leather’s weak voice made silence linger for a while.

It was indeed a matter that could be seen as confronting Kim Ki-woo’s intentions head-on.

“Your words are understandable. However, His Majesty will not think so. Didn’t he listen to all the opposing opinions so far?”

“…That was a long time ago. He doesn’t do that anymore.”

As time passed, Kim Ki-woo’s deification had progressed enough.

So even if they were directors who met frequently, they did not easily express opposing opinions as before.

The man pointed this out.

“He just doesn’t say anything, but he won’t think badly even if you do. His Majesty is fair and rational in everything.”

“If you are willing, we will go with you to the end. Please trust us!”

“…”

Their earnest tone echoed, and Thick Leather’s worries deepened.

The meeting ended like this.

But even after returning home, Thick Leather’s worries continued.

It didn’t take long.

Finally, Thick Leather made a decision.

‘Let’s do it.’

He didn’t know how the ending would turn out, but he decided to go as far as he could go.

***

After making up his mind.

His worries were long, but Thick Leather’s actions were very fast.

“So. You said you have something important to say?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Haha. Why are you so serious? You look like someone who did something wrong to me!”

Kim Ki-woo joked to ease the tense atmosphere, but the nervous face of the agricultural director did not relax.

‘He must have something important to say.’

Kim Ki-woo thought so,

Finally, the agricultural director’s story began.

“Your Majesty. The Wakan Tanka Empire is growing very fast and becoming great. I think this is all thanks to your excellent leadership.”

“Most of the credit goes to the ministers these days.”

He was 100 percent sincere.

Kim Ki-woo had been more focused on the development of mathematics and science lately, so most of the practical matters were handled by each department unless they were very important.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of us. However, I think there is a problem with the current situation of the empire.”

“A problem?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

The Minister of Agriculture narrowed his eyes and waited for Kim Ki-woo to continue.

Kim Ki-woo looked at him and guessed what he was going to say.

‘It’s about the faction issue.’

Even though he had delegated a significant part of the work to each department, he was constantly receiving major information through the Audit Office.

The Audit Office was tirelessly digging up corruption among the imperial officials and providing Kim Ki-woo with valuable intelligence.

He also knew that the voices of discontent from the non-Creek faction were growing louder.

And the Minister of Agriculture was one of them.

The picture was clear.

“Won’t you tell me what the problem is?”

As soon as Kim Ki-woo finished speaking, the Minister of Agriculture took out the documents he had brought with him.

“Would you please take a look at this?”

Kim Ki-woo took the documents from him.

Swish.

And he opened the first page.

“Hmm.”

There were names and signatures of numerous officials from various departments.

It was the same on the next pages.

From high-ranking officials to low-level ones.

The number of officials who signed was very large.

“They are all officials who share my intentions. We are…”

“Is it because of the Creek faction?”

Kim Ki-woo cut to the chase, as he felt like he would beat around the bush otherwise.

The Minister of Agriculture flinched at that.

“…You already knew what I was going to say.”

He opened his mouth again with a determined expression.

“Of course, we all acknowledge that thanks to the efforts of the Creek faction, the foundation of the empire has been established. But that was in the previous generation. Now, whether it’s us or them, we are all working hard for the empire. Isn’t that right? The non-Creek faction officials also worked just as hard. However, most of the time, it was the Creek faction officials who got promoted first.”

“That’s one way to look at it.”

“Isn’t this unfair? If we are all imperial citizens, we should be evaluated by the same standards. Isn’t that written in the constitution? That all citizens of Wakan Tanka Empire are equal under Your Majesty.”

Kim Ki-woo nodded his head.

Not only in politics, but also in a large portion of the upper class of the empire, there were many Creek faction members.

They had a head start from the beginning, so they had an easier time securing their positions.

Of course, if that was all, the situation wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

‘The problem is that they favor their own kind.’

The Creek faction members had a huge pride in being chosen by His Majesty as a great tribe.

Therefore, they cared more for their own people than others.

A culture of pushing and pulling each other had gradually emerged.

Of course, Kim Ki-woo had repeatedly warned them not to discriminate against others, so they didn’t do it openly, but it was happening under the surface.

With this behavior of the Creek faction, the dissatisfaction of other factions had been accumulating.

‘And finally, their dissatisfaction has erupted.’

Of course, Kim Ki-woo could have reduced this privilege if he tried.

But he didn’t do that.

He had always tried to minimize his political burden and move forward. Thanks to that, he had built such a solid foundation.

This time was no different.

He had to remain as a mediator.

When social conflicts arose, he had to help them have enough consultation with each other and then make a decision. 

That was the best way.

‘If they want to get rid of injustice, they have to raise their voices.’

So Kim Ki-woo had been quietly waiting for this moment.

And now, the non-Creek faction had grown enough to be able to make such a voice in the imperial politics.

Of course, the Creek faction members still held tight to the top positions, but most of the rest were either non-Creek or neutral.

If they started to speak with one voice like this, even the Creek faction members wouldn’t be able to ignore them easily.

Kim Ki-woo gave him a final warning.

“If you want to fix the current situation, you will have to face conflicts with many directors. There will be many difficult moments. Are you still willing to continue?”

“…Do you see our opinions negatively, Your Majesty?”

“Haha. Why would I? I have no reason to dislike them.”

“Then, no matter how it ends, I want to see it through.”

The face of the agriculture director showed determination as he finished speaking.

***

This discussion shook the imperial politics.

“Some might think that all the directors gathered here are vile people if they hear this.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Isn’t it? Of course, I agree with some of the points made by the agriculture director, but I find it very unpleasant that he disparages our past.”

The force of the military director’s sturdy steel sword was very sharp.

According to the people of the non-Creek faction, including those with thick leather, it meant that they had risen to the director position not because of their abilities, but because of their backgrounds.

The current directors were people who had worked hard since Kim Ki-woo first came to Creek.

So they couldn’t help but feel offended.

Wasn’t the sturdy steel sword a warrior who had performed excellently since the first conquest war?

The agriculture director knew this fact well.

“You misunderstand me. I am talking about our next generation. The ones who have lived as imperial citizens since they were young. They received the same education regardless of their faction. But, once they entered public service, they faced subtle discrimination.”

“Really? How can you say that for sure? I admit that the Creek faction officials advanced faster. But, that was only because they were more skilled. In fact, the test scores of the Creek faction were always high.”

That was true.

The brain’s excellence played a big role in the scores, but the environment also had a great influence.

And the people of the Creek faction tended to devote more passion to studying than others.

It was because of their pride in being Creek faction and their parents’ desire to raise their children as elites.

But the agriculture director countered immediately.

“Heh. Do you really think that there was no bias in the promotion process when most of the officials involved were from the Creek faction? Who doesn’t know that they favor the Creek faction if they are at a similar level? We are not fools!”

The atmosphere in the meeting room became more heated.

‘It doesn’t seem like it will end soon.’

Neither side seemed to back down easily.

It was obvious that finding a solution would be a difficult task, as it was a very sensitive issue.