Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 393

Chapter 393
“An amusing and respectable notion, you claim?”
“Indeed, though I require some information first.”
“Then feel free to inquire to your heart’s content. You have thoroughly piqued my interest.”
Elder Geolhwang regarded me with an expression brimming with both amusement and curiosity, openly welcoming my questions.

I commenced without delay.
“Concerning Majeun—Horse-Hoof Silver—who is responsible for its production? Their appearances are so inconsistent, I concluded they weren’t minted directly by the imperial authorities.”
I spoke of the high-value silver currency used in the Central Plains, named for its distinctive horse-hoof shape. I had employed it on several occasions and even kept a few pieces aboard my vessel. Yet the variations in their form had prompted my question.
This was the initial confirmation required for my scheme.

“Majeun, is it? Discussing significant sums already… My interest is certainly heightened.”
Elder Geolhwang offered a slight smile before launching into his explanation.
“Majeun is crafted by silversmiths holding official licenses. Any individual with the correct authorization may produce them, which accounts for their differing appearances. Even the Tang Clan possesses this capability. Wouldn’t you agree, Mandok Shingun?”
Just as I had suspected!
This implied that with the right permits, anyone could mint it—our clan included.
Feeling encouraged, I sensed my plan beginning to coalesce. Then Grandfather appended,
“He is correct, So-ryong. The Tang Clan can indeed manufacture Majeun. However, every batch must be verified for its weight and purity by a certified appraiser from the governing body. Only then does it become lawful tender. Why do you inquire?”
“It requires certification?”
“Yes. The penalty for being discovered using uncertified Majeun ranges from a public flogging to a death sentence.”
“…Concerning.”
That detail made me recoil internally.
Execution. Chilling.
I had held out hope this world might be slightly more forgiving, but clearly that was not the case.
Then again, even in my previous life, producing counterfeit money was a capital offense in numerous nations. Undermining the financial system is a grave transgression.
I let out a sigh, feeling my optimistic demeanor dim. It was then that Elder Geolhwang inquired,
“Why that particular expression?”
Experiencing a twinge of guilt for having raised everyone’s expectations, I came clean.
“To be perfectly honest… I was contemplating fabricating fake Majeun and channeling it into the Five Venoms Sect’s commercial dealings.”
“Counterfeit silver?”
“Yes. I reasoned that by establishing a substantial trade agreement or a continuous business arrangement, we could pass the forged silver to them. Once the revelation that all of it was fake spread, the impact would be severe.”
“But I now understand that would be unlawful.”
Instead of reprimanding me, however, Elder Geolhwang leaned closer, his intrigue growing.
“You speak of fake silver… meaning alloyed with copper or similar? That is a common ruse. But their own assessors would likely detect it swiftly.”
“No, not that method. My technique would be impossible to detect unless they were to slice the silver open.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, but… given it violates the law, I suppose I must abandon the idea.”
I clarified that my process would replicate the weight and external purity perfectly—only an examination of the interior would expose the deception.
Elder Geolhwang stroked his chin pensively, displaying no indication of reproach—only mounting fascination.
“That is ingenious. I cannot be certain of the purity level your counterfeits would achieve, but if the quality is sufficiently high… this could indeed be viable.”
“You believe so? But wouldn’t such a deception provoke economic turmoil if it became widespread?”
I expressed my apprehension. Ultimately, silver served as currency here as well. Counterfeiting had the potential to destabilize whole areas.
Yet Elder Geolhwang shook his head serenely.
“How many individuals in this world actually transact with such large amounts of silver?”
He had a point. Majeun was a high-denomination silver form, utilized solely by the affluent.
Still, I frowned.
“But what if they break it down into smaller portions? Fifty-liang Majeun is frequently used in commerce—compact enough to circulate broadly.”
Elder Geolhwang gave a soft chuckle.
“Your concern is valid. However, since they are masquerading as merchants from Daewolguk, we can focus on them specifically. A method exists to execute this without harming others.”
Wait—there is?
Before I could pose the question, Hwa-eun spoke up, her voice bright and clear.
“Oh! You are referring to Dragon Silver, correct?”
Her tone suggested this was common knowledge.
Even Grandfather nodded.
“Precisely.”
“Dragon Silver?”
Hwa-eun directed a radiant smile toward me as she elaborated, in the manner of a personal instructor.
“Dragon Silver is a unique form of Majeun reserved solely for foreign trade. It is shaped identically to standard Majeun, but it bears the inscription ‘Dragon Silver.’ It is not valid for use within the Central Plains—its purpose is exclusively for trade with external kingdoms.”
“I see.”
So, it functioned as a foreign-exchange equivalent of silver.
Elder Geolhwang resumed the explanation.
“That is why your scheme is feasible. If you can produce Dragon Silver with adequate purity and authenticity, you can orchestrate a significant disruption—without injuring innocent commoners.
Only the Five Venoms Sect will bear the consequences. In Daewolguk, only high-ranking nobles manage foreign commerce. Should those nobles find they were compensated with counterfeit silver, it is those scoundrels who will face the repercussions.”
Absolutely—if the aristocrats of Daewolguk realized they had been tricked, the Five Venoms Sect would be deemed entirely responsible.
And it would extend beyond simple repayment. They could face torture or execution for the audacity of deceiving the nobility.
Yes. This is perfect. I can proceed with the plan.
As I nodded to myself, Elder Geolhwang added with a light laugh,
“When you mentioned having a sound idea, I presumed you intended to utilize the children. I was informed you aided the princess in eradicating the pirates at Yizhou, after all.
Had those vessels been scuttled at sea, no one could have connected the assault to us—not even Daewolguk could have instigated a diplomatic protest.”
As anticipated from a spymaster, he was thoroughly briefed—even on my clandestine support to the princess in removing the Yizhou pirates.
Still, my strategy was not so crude or direct.
Sinking ships risked harming innocent crew members, and moreover, it would not address the core issue.
But introducing a toxin into their economic bloodstream? That was far more aligned with my approach.
I emitted a low, dark chuckle.
“Merely destroying ships would inflict harm, but it would not be a decisive strike.
For all we know, they possess other revenue streams. If they are operating via Daewolguk’s trade channels, they must be profiting from them as well.
Destroying ships might sever a connection, but not the source. This method is superior, wouldn’t you agree?”
They had already forfeited their brothels and restaurants due to the actions of the Alliance and the Hao Clan.
Now we had uncovered this new trade route.
If we could excise it with precise, undetectable efficiency—the effect would be far more potent.
Elder Geolhwang nodded with evident approval.
“Yes, I do believe your approach is more captivating. But inform me—how precisely do you intend to create this false silver?
You do not strike me as the sort to employ commonplace deceptions.”
He leaned in, fascinated.
I answered with an assured smile.
“Well, I am the Tang Clan’s son-in-law. I intend to employ poison.”
“Poison?”
The eyes of everyone present widened.
It was not every day one heard a claim about fabricating counterfeit silver using poison.
“You plan to create silver from poison?”
“Using poison?”
Even Grandfather and Hwa-eun exchanged looks of disbelief.
Then, as every gaze fixed upon me, I softly patted Ranghyang’s head and smiled.
“Yes. And not merely any poison—Ranghyang’s.”
—Kyuu? Kyuki?
Hearing her name, Ranghyang turned to me, her antennae quivering with heightened anticipation.
Hwa-eun blinked, perplexed.
“Ranghyang’s?”
She was clearly wondering how I intended to transform Ranghyang’s venom into silver.
But for this plan… she was essential.
“Yes. After all, Ranghyang’s venom is luminescent.”
—KyuKIT!?
Of everyone in the room, Ranghyang appeared the most astonished by my declaration.

***
To produce the counterfeit silver, I required access to the Tang Clan’s confidential poison-forging facilities—resources not granted to just anyone. And since the procedure and our subsequent discussion likely involved the clan’s guarded secrets, I requested that Elder Geolhwang allow us a few days.
“If you could return in three days’ time, I will have several samples prepared for your inspection.”
“Understood. I am immensely curious to see how you will accomplish this… but if poison is involved, I can surmise it pertains to Tang Clan secrets. I shall take my leave for now.”
With a respectful nod, Elder Geolhwang departed. This left me with Grandfather Mandok Shingun and Hwa-eun.
“Grandfather, I need to inquire about a few matters, if you don’t mind.”
“So now I am your next subject for questioning, am I? Proceed; I am eager to learn how you plan to transmute poison into silver.”
With Geolhwang gone, I turned to Grandfather. I needed to ascertain if the clan already possessed certain rare components. I had three substances in mind—one already obtained through Ranghyang’s venom.
But without the second, I would need to synthesize it from its base elements, a very time-consuming process. If the Tang Clan already had it in their stores, everything would proceed much more rapidly.
“So… would we happen to possess a type of poison that dissolves flesh upon contact, reacts fiercely with water, and is capable of corroding metal? Something that must be kept in a container like porcelain or black jade?”
“A poison with those properties, hmm…”
Unaware of its precise name, I described its characteristics.
Grandfather fell quiet, deep in thought. The silence felt interminable.
Then Hwa-eun, who was standing nearby, interjected,
“Might he be referring to Seokdamjeong?”
Seokdamjeong? “Stone Gall Extract?” What sort of name was that?
Apparently, that was the term— “stone gall.” Whatever that signified.
Grandfather nodded slowly.
“Yes… that would be the one.”
“I will fetch some. Let us test it, So-ryong.”
“It should be on my desk,” Grandfather added. “Bring it here.”
“Alright!”
I waited with bated breath as Hwa-eun hurried out. I recalled from my past life that ancient Arabic alchemists had synthesized sulfuric acid as early as the eighth century, and that Chinese records mentioned analogous compounds.
If it is what I believe it to be… please let it be true!
Shortly, Hwa-eun returned carrying a small black bottle.
She removed the stopper and let a single drop fall onto a steel rod.
—Tsssss…
The drop sizzled upon contact, smoke rising as the metal rapidly hissed and corroded.
“Seokdamjeong darkens when exposed to sunlight, so we keep it in obsidian bottles. It is clear and lacks scent, but breathing its vapors can be fatal.”
Darkens in sunlight… colorless… lethal fumes…
Yes! This is it. Sulfuric acid!
I had located my second component. The plan was now formally in motion.