American: Native Empire 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.

Its ti for all of us to rise up. Havent we endured silently for a long ti?

Yes, we have. This is sothing 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.

Wouldnt it get better over ti? The current situation is just a temporary phenonon.

A temporary phenonon? That phenonon has already passed thirty years. Dont you still know that there is nothing to gain if you dont act?

Ahem. Even so, dont speak so aggressively to the elder.

Im 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 beca a director.

In the current situation where the top of the imperial politics was dominated by the Creek faction, Thick Leathers appointnt as a director was quite exceptional.

In fact, there were many rumors at the ti of his appointnt.

Was it because of that?

Thick Leather had beco the focal point of the non-Creek faction officials from so point.

Phew Its 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 ti.

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.

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

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

The agricultural director expressed his feelings without hiding them.

Im afraid. I might upset the great emperor I respect. What if His Majesty is disappointed in

Thick Leathers weak voice made silence linger for a while.

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

Your words are understandable. However, His Majesty will not think so. Didnt he listen to all the opposing opinions so far?

That was a long ti ago. He doesnt do that anymore.

As ti passed, Kim Ki-woos deification had progressed enough.

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

The man pointed this out.

He just doesnt say anything, but he wont 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 Leathers worries deepened.

The eting ended like this.

But even after returning ho, Thick Leathers worries continued.

It didnt take long.

Finally, Thick Leather made a decision.

Lets do it.

He didnt 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 Leathers actions were very fast.

So. You said you have sothing important to say?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Haha. Why are you so serious? You look like soone who did sothing wrong to !

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

He must have sothing important to say.

Kim Ki-woo thought so,

Finally, the agricultural directors 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 developnt of mathematics and science lately, so most of the practical matters were handled by each departnt 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.

Its about the faction issue.

Even though he had delegated a significant part of the work to each departnt, 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.

Wont you tell what the problem is?

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

Would you please take a look at this?

Kim Ki-woo took the docunts from him.

Swish.

And he opened the first page.

Hmm.

There were nas and signatures of nurous officials from various departnts.

It was the sa 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 its us or them, we are all working hard for the empire. Isnt that right? The non-Creek faction officials also worked just as hard. However, most of the ti, it was the Creek faction officials who got promoted first.

Thats one way to look at it.

Isnt this unfair? If we are all imperial citizens, we should be evaluated by the sa standards. Isnt 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 mbers.

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

Of course, if that was all, the situation wouldnt have gotten this bad.

The problem is that they favor their own kind.

The Creek faction mbers 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 erged.

Of course, Kim Ki-woo had repeatedly warned them not to discriminate against others, so they didnt 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 didnt 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 ti was no different.

He had to remain as a diator.

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 mont.

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 mbers 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 mbers wouldnt 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 monts. 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.

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

Thats not what I ant.

Isnt it? Of course, I agree with so of the points made by the agriculture director, but I find it very unpleasant that he disparages our past.

The force of the military directors sturdy steel sword was very sharp.

According to the people of the non-Creek faction, including those with thick leather, it ant 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 ca to Creek.

So they couldnt help but feel offended.

Wasnt the sturdy steel sword a warrior who had perford excellently since the first conquest war?

The agriculture director knew this fact well.

You misunderstand . I am talking about our next generation. The ones who have lived as imperial citizens since they were young. They received the sa 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 brains excellence played a big role in the scores, but the environnt 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 imdiately.

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 doesnt know that they favor the Creek faction if they are at a similar level? We are not fools!

The atmosphere in the eting room beca more heated.

It doesnt seem like it will end soon.

Neither side seed to back down easily.

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