Van Tandozh (Yongwol)

Joseon, 1455, Yeongwol County

A cold and merciless wind of change swept across the Joseon Kingdom. Young King Danjong, who had ascended the throne at such a tender age, was betrayed by the closest person to him—his own uncle. In the blink of an eye, he went from master of destinies to exile. While the usurper celebrated his victory in the capital, a modest procession bearing the former king into exile made its way along the dusty roads to the godforsaken county of Yeongwol.

Meanwhile, in Yeongwol itself, lost among the harsh mountains, an unexpected bustle reigned. The village headman, Uhm Heung-do, a cunning and resourceful old man, tired of looking at the hungry eyes of his fellow villagers, heard astonishing news: if a nobleman were exiled to the village, then, to prevent him from starving to death and disgracing the ruling dynasty, caravans with provisions would be sent from the capital. And then they would live like paradise! Inspired by this idea, Uhm Heung-do launched into a frenzy of activity. He exaggerated the village's poverty in his reports, bribed inspectors with rotten fish and crumbling huts, striving to prove that their village was the most remote backwater worthy of hosting an exiled aristocrat.

And finally, the long-awaited day arrived. The entire village, anticipating imminent abundance, turned out to greet the "respectable gentleman" who would save them from starvation. But when, instead of a venerable bearded man, a thin, pale youth, almost a boy, dressed in simple clothes, with a haunted gaze but a proud bearing, emerged from the modest palanquin, silence reigned. It was Yi Hong-wi, the former king. He was taciturn and seemed afraid of his own shadow, but sometimes, out of old habit, a note of authority would creep into his voice, and he would sharply command, "Be silent! "