I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 11

Even though he anticipated some deception, Yang Cheong brought a stack of ledgers and placed them before Jo Gwangyun.

“These are the ledgers for the past two years. As you said, pretending to look through them should be more than sufficient.”

It would be more than enough to feign interest, and more than enough to uncover discrepancies.

If he could pinpoint even a minor flaw, wouldn’t it be simple to expose a whole network of corruption connected to it?

Besides, this wasn’t some sophisticated accounting system, but a straightforward cash book.

“Thank you for understanding my position. I have to at least make a show of working to protect my position.”

“Don’t exaggerate… If you find anything suspicious, verify it with me first. You can manage that much, right? I also need to ensure I don’t lose my position due to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Of course. I’m well aware that we’re in the same predicament, sister. Don’t worry.”

The eyes of the two, each concealing their true intentions, were filled with distrust, yet their faces wore smiles.

After Yang Cheong departed, Jo Gwangyun glanced through the ledgers briefly, then frowned and pushed them aside.

He had expected to find only a small imperfection, but a gaping hole became apparent as soon as he opened the ledgers.

“So, this is the game you’re playing?”

Jo Gwangyun gathered the ledgers and went to find Yang Cheong.

“There shouldn’t be much there, right? The Mukdo Association [Likely a fictional organization] takes all the profits, so there shouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary.”

Yang Cheong greeted Jo Gwangyun with a smile and immediately began to complain.

“Not all of it, surely? How can the Mukdo Association take more money than you earn…? Are you raising some kind of cash cow, sister?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Where would I find a cash cow?”

Jo Gwangyun nearly laughed at Yang Cheong’s bewildered expression.

He forgot that they wouldn’t be familiar with Aesop’s fables in the Central Plains [A region in East Asia, often used as a setting in historical fiction].

“Ah, I mean, I’m curious how you generate money from nothing.”

Yang Cheong’s expression shifted at Jo Gwangyun’s question.

It was the haughty and superior expression that only someone with exclusive information could display.

“There are certain aspects of our business that shouldn’t be recorded in the ledgers. Why? Didn’t Lee Daein inform you about that aspect? If you haven’t heard, it implies you’re not meant to know yet.”

Things that shouldn’t be recorded in the ledgers…

It clearly indicated that they were engaged in illicit activities.

Jo Gwangyun scratched his head.

“Well… I suppose I’ve wasted my time completely. The crucial part is a business that can’t be documented in the ledgers, but I’m unable to investigate that… I understand. Then I’ll be on my way.”

Yang Cheong was somewhat surprised when Jo Gwangyun turned to leave without another word.

“Brother, wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not even asking what it is? Aren’t you curious?”

“No. I already mentioned that I’m not interested in business, didn’t I? So, this is more convenient for me. It’s also easier to report to Lee Daein.”

The word ‘report’ troubled Yang Cheong.

She was well aware that even the same information could be interpreted differently depending on the reporter’s intentions.

“Really? How are you planning to report it?”

“Truthfully.”

“What?”

“Unable to grasp the situation.”

“What? Are you seriously going to report that?”

“Then what else can I do? It’s the truth.”

Lee Hakrin’s warning not to be territorial echoed in Yang Cheong’s mind. Anyone could tell that the ledgers weren’t missing because of illegal activities, but because they were being deliberately concealed.

Seeing Yang Cheong’s hesitant eyes, Jo Gwangyun said,

“You don’t trust people, sister.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I told you, I’m not interested in business and I’ll just pretend to do it. And I said that we’re in the same boat, so let’s rely on each other… But you’re concealing everything until the very end, aren’t you?”

“It’s the truth. There are things that can’t be recorded in the ledgers…”

Jo Gwangyun smirked and interrupted Yang Cheong.

“Sister, the more dangerous the business, the more illegal it is, the more meticulously you have to record it. That’s how you prevent money from disappearing. If you don’t keep records, all the individuals involved in that illegal business will be desperate to steal money, won’t they?”

Suddenly, Yang Cheong’s expression changed.

The wavering eyes became steady, and the high-pitched voice lowered.

“You’re clever after all. No wonder Lee Hakrin brought you here.”

Jo Gwangyun was taken aback by Yang Cheong’s change in demeanor, but he didn’t reveal it. This was the turning point for their relationship.

“Okay. I’ll show you the secret ledgers. But… you have to pay a fee.”

“A fee? You’re asking me to pay to see the ledgers?”

“No. I have to receive money to show them.”

Yang Cheong placed a jingling money pouch on the table, and Jo Gwangyun examined the contents without hesitation.

Shining silver coins. Quite a substantial amount.

“This is sufficient for the ledger viewing fee, and how many more of these can you give me as a fee for me to act as your colleague… no, your right-hand man?”

As Jo Gwangyun shook the pouch full of silver coins, Yang Cheong burst into laughter.

“Haha. I knew it. You’re just like me. Money is everything, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious? You can even bribe a ghost with money. Hehe.”

Jo Gwangyun was dumbfounded that a middle-aged woman who was completely absorbed in the thrill of embezzlement considered him one of her own, but he joined in.

“Anyway, let’s clarify this. Please answer me.”

“What? Ah… Don’t worry. I’ll give you four or more of these every month.”

Yang Cheong said, pointing to the pouch full of silver coins.

Jo Gwangyun took the silver coin pouch with a satisfied expression.

“Now, show me the real ledgers. Once I examine the business situation, I’ll make some serious money.”

Yang Cheong smiled at Jo Gwangyun’s empty boast, but she didn’t forget the final warning.

“Brother. Don’t misunderstand. As you’ll see in our business, there are many unsavory aspects. So, naturally, there will be many individuals who handle those unsavory aspects, right?”

“You’re not suggesting that I take on those unsavory tasks, are you?”

“Of course not. I mean, if you ever stab me in the back or betray me, those individuals will come after you. You understand what I mean, right?”

It was a threat to kill him if he betrayed her.

“Just keep your promises. Then we’ll be in the same boat forever. Hehe.”

Jo Gwangyun took the silver coin pouch and stood up.

* * *

The secret ledgers that Yang Cheong provided were clearly incomplete, but he didn’t rush back to complain.

It wasn’t the way to treat a future partner to demand full transparency from the outset. Once trust was established, the secrets would be revealed, and they would confide in each other even without being asked.

Now, he had to grasp the overall picture with the limited ledgers and gradually investigate the vague details.

First, he opened the thickest ledger.

“Oh my, this prostitution… It’s thriving regardless of the era.”

From brothels to gambling, illegal liquor production, and human trafficking.

Slave trading was legal, so it was clear that they were kidnapping and selling commoners.

Jo Gwangyun clicked his tongue as he reviewed the records of extensive illegal activities.

“Tsk, tsk. You’re engaging in activities like this, so you’re known as the Black Faction [Likely a fictional criminal organization]. I should arrest them all and serve them some prison food. Hehe.”

It was a soliloquy, but it wasn’t without purpose.

Jo Gwangyun was planning to eliminate them. If he cut off their funding, Yang Cheong and Yoo Chusaeng’s lifelines would be in jeopardy.

Even if it meant sacrificing his own interests, he had to clear away the obstacles around him.