King Yeongan was rumored to be short in stature, capricious, atrocious and licentious.
He had been criticized for using half of the country's entire budget solely for the construction of beautiful palaces for the Queen Dowager and his favorite Concubine.
His policies were deemed flawed by government officials and he was said to be absent in many of the cabinet meetings.
And what an odious fate to have been summoned to appear before the King.
These were thoughts that went through Kim Moon-gun's mind as he was carried in a chair palanquin out of Hanyang.
Nearly two hours later, King Yeongan arrived at the flooded communities. He alighted from his horse and tied the animal so he could explore on foot.
After assessment he realised the situation was critical.
Homes, crops and livestock were lost because of the flooding.
Residents were walking through flooded streets carrying items on their head and backs. While others stood outside their flooded homes counting their losses.
Some whose homes were filled with water were trying to salvage property, children stood along flooded streets crying for assistance.
Given the scale of the disaster, King Yeongan concluded that emergency shelters, clean water, food and money along with other essentials were needed.
Amidst all this chaos King Yeongan spotted Kim Moon-gun moving amongst the residents, chatting to some and donating money.
King Yeongan decided to follow his new Chief Royal Secretary to be.
While preoccupied with the business of stalking Kim Moon-gun, the King by accident bumped into a young boy. The child fell to the ground while his precious rice cake landed in the mud.
The child began to wail.
Kim Moon-gun helped the child up and offered money to replace the rice cake. And then he walked over to the King.
King Yeongan bowed his head and said: "I am sorry."
Kim Moon-gun slapped him hard across the cheek.
His Majesty took the slap in his stride, bowed his head and offered the apology again. "I am so sorry. It was careless mistake on my part."
Moon-gun would have none of it. He saw what happened as the careless entitlement of the aristocratic class in their treatment of the lower classes.
He slapped King Yeongan again.
Now King Yeongan realized Moon-gun was being callous and spiteful without a just cause.
Kim Moon-gun went on for a third slap.
This time the King caught his hand before it reached his cheek again.
The grip was tight and Moon-gun could not easily free himself without his captor's permission.
For a moment Moon-gun found this strange nobleman intimidating. He was tall, broad shouldered and as their eyes were locked together, he had uneasy feeling that he could read his thoughts.
Moon-gun tried to free his hand only for the grip to tighten again. This stranger exuded mystery and a fatal charm that was impossible to dismiss.
Then out of the blue Moon-gun wondered what it would be like to be kissed by him.
King Yeongan released Kim Moon-gun's hand and simply walked away.
King Yeongan paced up and down in front of the golden throne, his hands held behind him.
In a short moment from now Kim Moon-gun would enter the throne hall and bow before him.
His heart squeezed a little as he became perturbed.
"Your Majesty," a Eunuch called from behind the closed doors of the throne hall, "Mr Kim Moon-gun has requested to see His Majesty."
King Yeongan quickly went up the steps and sat upon the golden throne. He gestured to Eunuch Jo to bring down the screen.
Only his figure could be seen from behind the screen.
"Enter!"
Eunuch Jo announced.
The doors open and kim Moon-gun enters the hall. He walks slowly towards the golden throne.
He kneels down and bows his head before the throne. He stands up and repeats this action two more times.
"Long live the King. May His Majesty always be in good health."
King Yeongan spoke from behind the screen.
"I have three riddles. If you answer all three correctly you will be my Chief Royal Secretary. But if you fail in your attempts, you will be guillotine."
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