Secret of the Two Kings (89 CHAPTERS - ON HOLD)

제 14 부

[A MONTH AGO - TANG EMPIRE]

The Prime Minister had a conversation with the emperor of the Tang Empire in a pavilion above an artificial lake. As Jung Ho admired the exquisite architecture of the entire palace, the Emperor handed him the old, brown book. 

"Your Majesty, what is this?" Jung Ho said after sipping his black tea.

"Prime Minister Jung Ho, that is the ancient almanac of Northern Wei—the most accurate almanac ever existed. It comes with all the calculations of all major heavenly body events: eclipse, solstice, equinox, seasonal changes—everything!" the Tang Emperor said.

Jung Ho's eyes grew large, knowing he was holding a very precious possession. 

The Tang emperor smiled. "You can take that. Consider it as a present for Silla has always been Tang's consistent trading partner. Send my regards to your king when you come back. 

"If you worry too much, I have ordered my priestesses to create a copy especially  you."

Jung Ho took another sip and bowed his head. "Your Majesty, I know that this book is not for free. Why do you want to give this to a weak kingdom like Silla, considering that this almanac is one of a kingdom's most valuable asset?"

The Emperor laughed and shook a finger at Jung Ho. "That is the reason why I really like you. You are frank! You are intelligent! Well, I will go straight to my point. Not only an almanac you can possess, but you can also have all the things that we enjoy... in one condition."

Jung Ho's brows met as his eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What is it, Your Majesty?"

The Emperor sipped his tea and blurted, "Make Silla... our territory!"

He continued, "If you have succeeded, you can have all the privileges that this empire is enjoying. I have heard that you are still not in good conditions with Balhae. Make Silla, Tang's territory, and these disputes will end. I would be more willing to help. I know you would like my offer."

~~•~~

Chil Yook and Lady Min were surprised upon hearing the Prime Minister's story. The two could not believe that their master had played a wager with the Tang's Emperor just for his plan to succeed. 

"So it was the Emperor of Tang who had helped you?" Chil Yook asked.

"I have a different feeling for this, Your Excellency. I trust your skills, but I guess you have just had an irrevocable wager with the Tang Emperor, now that you have taken the almanac," Lady Jang worried.

Jung Ho sniggered, "Trust me. I know just how to play with this."

Chil Yook suddenly cut in and asked another question, "How about the almanac that Lady Jang had?"

The Prime Minister smirked, remembering his conspiracy with Lady Jang.

~~•~~

[A DAY BEFORE THE ECLIPSE - MT. TOHAM TEMPLE]

The day when the King convinced Lady Jang to show him all of the things she was using to predict the eclipse, unknown to him, Lady Jang met with the Prime Minister secretly at her sacred room, where she did all of her rituals. 

"Lady Jang, it has been two weeks since you have received the almanac that I had delivered to you, and yet you still do not have results. I need the exact time and date of the eclipse." The Prime Minister glowered.