Matchlocks and Northern Expedition (5)

If the Ministry of Military Affairs plans everything necessary to wage the war, including the transport of military provisions, the Ministry of Taxation is responsible for securing the budget to carry out those plans.

In other words, after the Ministry of Military Affairs, the Ministry of Taxation is the office currently suffering most under the crushing workload.

Even my father-in-law, known as the Ministry of Taxation's ace troubleshooter, was being worked like a dry rag wrung out to the last drop, and up close, he didn't look very well.

He must have been worked to the bone.

"Our son-in-law is truly remarkable. I hold only a minor post in the Ministry of Taxation, so I haven't taken on any major responsibilities, yet I'm so overworked that I feel as though I'm about to die. But there isn't much sign of fatigue on our son-in-law's face."

"Is that so? To be honest, I've been having a hard time too, since my workload has increased."

"Overtime is a daily occurrence at our Ministry of Taxation, but I hear the Ministry of Military Affairs hardly ever works late?"

The only reason this is possible is that Right State Councillor Jo Mal-saeng does a good job of prioritizing the work that can wait and the work that must be done immediately, while I process it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Honestly, without Jo Mal-saeng, our Ministry of Military Affairs would be experiencing an even worse overtime hell than the Ministry of Taxation.

"Well, seeing as our son-in-law came to our house to see me instead of spending this precious holiday with my daughter, you must have something you want to ask of me. I would like nothing more than to have a drink and chat with my son-in-law after so long, but I don't have the energy. Please understand."...