The broom, held upside down, struck the beggar squarely in the chest.
Technically, it would be more accurate to say the beggar's abs hit the end of my broom.
The law of action and reaction is strict. I was grateful, in a twisted way, that it was the broom breaking instead of my arm, as I toppled backward.
It was a dire moment, yet my status window showed no change.
That confirmed the cold, hard truth: I was by no means a beneficiary of luck. Those guys wouldn't save me or give me a chance if I truly died—they would simply exact their due.
I need to run.
As I prepared to make the ground my runway, just like during the face-slapping ceremony, my eyes widened.
The beggar undoubtedly the strongest on this land—was bent over in pain, groaning on the ground.
Even as I brushed the dirt off and stood, he couldn't straighten himself. While I pondered what had happened, Jangbok came running over.
"This one trusted only you, my lord! You have overwhelmed the thief with marvelous martial skill, yet what are you doing? Bind him up and toss him in the warehouse! After a good beating, the magistrate will administer proper punishment!"
I smacked Jangbok on the head for almost killing my master and promptly overruled his orders.
"No, just bring me a cooked meal. And some new clothes as well."
"Huh?"
"You were the one who needlessly antagonized someone who meant no harm in the first place. Don't you want to follow orders before your stingy, dishonorable household earns a disgrace?"
All the household servants praised my mercy as much as they did my martial prowess. Jangbok scratched his throbbing scalp he had no room to argue.
The beggar's condition was, I suspected, exactly what I thought.
He had likely suffered an acute stomach spasm after prolonged hunger combined with sudden stress.
Those familiar with such pain know it's unbearable even for a grown man. Of course, everyone would continue believing I had struck the pressure points with the broom, so I let that misconception stand.
Knowing this, I was careful with how I treated him.
Feeding someone whose insides have been twisted from starvation all at once—rice or meat—could be fatal.
Instead, I started him on porridge, gradually waking his digestive system while supplementing nutrients. That was why I had asked for gruel instead of rice.
Fortunately, his body was naturally resilient. The beggar regained his vitality in just a day.
He recovered so vigorously that even Jangbok grumbled. Our household wasn't wealthy, and it seemed as if an outsider might plunder all the grains in one day.
Still, I felt pleased.
"That one really eats like his size suggests," I said.
The beggar, sitting on the porch, scooped rice into his mouth like he had never seen a spoon before. Aside from a small dish of soy sauce and pickled radish, there were no side dishes—but watching him eat with such gusto, he'd make a huge hit on a modern mukbang YouTube channel.
After washing him much to Jangbok's protest, "Why all this hot water for a beggar?"—he didn't even seem particularly old. Perhaps only a few years older than me.
I could only guess, because the beggar had said nothing about himself. It wasn't out of secrecy, but rather...
"Th-thank you! Thank you!"
It seemed he hadn't fully learned language yet.
Most likely, he had been separated from his parents as an infant and left without care. Later, in true Joseon fashion, he may have been sold or taken in, working every day without proper development of intellect.
Fortunately, unlike modern Korea, the minimum intelligence required here was remarkably low.
With just that strength, he could charge anyone and cause havoc—but he could also show gratitude to the one feeding him, and read social cues. That was all the intelligence needed here. He even understood when I asked his name.
"I'm Geoji."
"No, I know you're a beggar. What's your actual name?"
The beggar frowned deeply, then repeated: "Geoji. Geoji."
"Your name is Geoji?"
I nodded without laughing. Among Joseon's lower class, many carried such names—what others called them casually became their legal name.
Wait a moment...
Memories of Kim Unhaeng stirred in my mind, recalling an incident some twenty years ago.
Once, a palace maid named Sunjeong had ground human and fox bones to curse Crown Prince Hyojang (Yi Haeng) and Princess Hwasun, while also attempting poisoning.
This occurred in 1730, the sixth year of King Yeongjo.
The culprit was caught, executed, and all accomplices perished. Court records showed that the deceased were clearly commoners. Yeongjo didn't want the matter to spread further into the aristocracy.
Some even suspected the incident was tied to the Soron faction after Yi In-jwa's rebellion. The person running errands between the curse supplier and the executor was named Geoji.
Of course, that Geoji was executed. The one before me couldn't be him.
But what if the executed Geoji had a child?
Perhaps the child was taken away before the father's death, growing up half-educated, knowing only the father's name.
Various court documents from Yi In-jwa's rebellion mention a strong man named Geoji. If my beggar inherited that physique, his father must have been a formidable warrior.
If that Geoji had survived the rebellion and aided in assassinations before dying, then—
Though purely speculative—I felt tense.
Treason could be prosecuted merely on suspicion. If anyone thought like me, they could find fault and ruin me.
Yet I needed him. Such a low-probability risk could not make me pass up a talent like him.
After deliberation, I made my decision.
I consulted my parents and wrote a letter to my elder brother (the helplessness of being the youngest with no authority). Then, I brought Geoji before the servants.
"I'll drop the first character of your name, since calling a healthy person 'beggar' is embarrassing. From now on, you'll be Oji. I won't ask where you've come from—just eat the meals I provide."
Jangbok and the household's union of regular employees vehemently opposed this unexpected appointment.
"What if someone of unknown origin brings trouble?"
"Surely a runaway criminal!"
"That one eats like three people. Our storehouse will be emptied overnight!"
But I was firm. Since my father approved, I held the hiring authority.
"Since the passing of Commander Jang, thugs and murderers are rising in the capital. With Oji here, reckless men won't dare wander about. Don't you know Confucius said, 'Since I obtained Zilu, I have not heard evil words in my ears'? [Shiji]"
The servants stared blankly. I modified my explanation.
"Stop grumbling and welcome Oji warmly. From the day I drew the divination sticks, the one outside the gate was a noble person; to dismiss him would be unlucky. We need someone anyway why create unnecessary trouble?"
By 'unpleasant,' I didn't mean my mood was upset. In superstition, it signifies a minor disaster one must avoid, and the locals would instinctively comply.
Even without prior friendships, true gentlemen could become lifelong friends at first encounter [傾蓋如舊, Kongzi Jiayu]. Meeting someone through letters is no less beautiful.
We toasted as young scholars responsible for Joseon's future.
Thus, the raid party I would lead to seize the "beast" of the civil service exams was forming.
Meanwhile, I didn't expect much from Park Ji-won.
Park Pil-gyun sending someone over was already help; it wasn't that he knew any special tutors. I had no intention of copying exam answers from the tutor.
So when a young man barely older than me arrived as Park Pil-gyun's guest, I was unsurprised.
But I was wrong. Koreans were smarter than I expected.
His name was Go Bong-hwan. Upon entering, he immediately looked over Oji.
Anyone would glance at such a strong man with curiosity even I had passed by without noticing.
Once we formally greeted and began conversation, Go Bong-hwan brought up Oji first.
"I've received word from the Vice Minister. Upon visiting Kim's household, I see for myself—truly, I've never seen such a vanguard. Your elder brother has prepared thoroughly for passing the exams and elevating your family."
I was taken aback. That a young man had seen through what even my father hadn't.
Go Bong-hwan was correct.
Oji was recruited as a vanguard for the civil service exams. Though competent as a servant, that was his primary purpose.
The first priority in exams was not bribes or connections—it was positioning.
Thousands of candidates competed for the front rows. Failure to secure the lead meant failure to even read questions properly, let alone submit answers.
It was far more brutal than lining up for a modern concert. Bones broke, flesh tore, and many died so much that the court discussed it, yet never issued countermeasures.
Hence, aspirants often hired strong men to clear the path, earning payment or answer copies. Some vanguards even passed the exam simultaneously with their employers.
By then, it was a professional trade, with strongmen from across the country seeking jobs in Seoul.
I, however, could not hire one. Outsiders were illegal in the exam hall and could be punished, so I made Oji part of my household. In a sense, tradition returned vanguards were originally household servants.
And young Go Bong-hwan had guessed my intentions.
Through subtle conversation, he indicated Park Pil-gyun knew as well. A sitting vice minister wouldn't be unaware of exam customs.
I stayed calm, ensuring I didn't rush. One more confirmation was needed.
I spoke indirectly, as Go Bong-hwan had.
"I humbly asked the Vice Minister for guidance, risking embarrassment, to devote myself to this study. I hope my audacity does not offend you."
"Don't worry. The Vice Minister was pleased with your diligence and personally recommended me despite his busy schedule."
Good. Park Pil-gyun would push me. Originally, I only expected minor influence on exam graders; now, this was far greater.
Go Bong-hwan was not merely a writing tutor. He came as a Gyeobeok a master for exams.
The Gyeobeok was akin to a top tutor. Unlike modern exam tutors, he could even prepare answers on my behalf. With his calligraphy skills, I wouldn't even need a copyist.
Originally, I planned to hire a tutor myself. But now, fortune had rolled in naturally.
Go Bong-hwan confirmed it.
"As someone from a modest household, it would be difficult to gain recognition as a candidate. The Vice Minister has afforded me the honor of introducing me to a noble family's son. I am grateful."
It seemed he had no interest in office but in truth, he intended to earn by other means, confident in his skills.
The subtlety of Joseon dialogue is exhausting, but necessary. As I adjusted, Go Bong-hwan seemed to understand and smiled meaningfully, producing several small books.
"They summarize quotes from ancient classics to the twenty-four histories, and writings emulated by modern scholars useful for exam references."
I skimmed through and could not help but admire them.
"Not at all comparable to the writings sold on the street!"
These key-point summaries had existed since the civil service exam system began, but Go Bong-hwan's were far more precise and organized sorted by field and era, linked to current court policies. He was truly a top tutor.
I immediately stood and bowed.
"How fortunate for someone ignorant like me to receive your guidance. I shall repay your kindness generously."
Impressed by his presentation, I subtly proposed he become my Gyeobeok. He agreed graciously in Joseon fashion.
Even without long acquaintance, two true scholars could become lifelong friends at first meeting. Through words, we had formed a bond.
Our raid party to seize the civil service exam's "neck" was thus coming together.