I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 113

< Killing Two Birds with One Stone 3 >

“Teacher Jang, I need to study the classics. Could you find me some outstanding scholars?”

Jang Cheon-yang’s eyes widened.

“Why the sudden interest in studying? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of entering politics?”

“Do we do politics with words? I plan to do politics with money, so I’m not looking to learn the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. Oh, and the more scholars, the better. Find me all the outstanding ones you can. Ah… I also need a physician. A famous one, preferably from the Imperial Medical Academy.”

Jang Cheon-yang, without understanding why, set out to find scholars and physicians.

Jo Gwang-yun wasn’t looking for hidden talents buried in obscurity but rather already famous and proven scholars and physicians, so it didn’t take too long.

Jo Gwang-yun invited them all to one place, treated them to a feast, and showed them the utmost courtesy.

“I was wondering if you gentlemen might be interested in a trip to Sichuan [a province in southwestern China known for its rich culture and cuisine].”

Having been suddenly invited by the wealthiest man in Kaifeng [a major city in ancient China], they initially thought it was just a chance to meet and greet. But Jo Gwang-yun’s unexpected proposal left them dumbfounded.

“Sichuan?”

“Yes, I will guarantee your safety. Furthermore, I will prepare a very large and comfortable carriage to ensure you have no discomfort during the journey, and at each stop, you will enjoy the local specialties to delight your palate.”

The scholars, who were always stuck in their rooms reading, had their eyes light up, and the royal physicians, who had retired from caring for the emperor and were now treating a few ailing commoners each day, were also tempted by Jo Gwang-yun’s offer.

However, not knowing Jo Gwang-yun’s hidden intentions, they were hesitant to accept so easily.

“I appreciate the kindness, but it wouldn’t be right to be so indebted.”

They politely declined, but Jo Gwang-yun knew their hearts.

“Indebted? On the contrary, I am asking for this favor precisely because I intend to be greatly indebted to you all. Haha.”

“Indebted? What could Master Jo possibly need from old men like us?”

“I seek to borrow your heaven-like wisdom. What greater favor could there be?”

Hearing that he wanted to borrow their wisdom, they thought it was a good opportunity.

They figured they could listen to the teachings of ancient sages during the journey to Sichuan and dispel the boredom.

Also, since Jo Gwang-yun was a merchant and a martial artist, they thought he might need the help of physicians.

Since it wasn’t a completely free trip, the scholars and physicians readily agreed, and since such luxury didn’t come often, they all happily prepared for the trip to Sichuan.

On the morning of their departure to Sichuan, the three scholars and two physicians felt their hearts sink.

They could withstand the aura emanating from the thirty or so martial artists with swords at their waists and backs. Even though they were old, they had lived long lives.

In particular, scholars who had served in the court and royal physicians who had survived the cutthroat imperial palace could withstand most auras.

However, the grandeur of the large and luxurious carriage, which made even the emperor’s carriage look shabby, was unprecedented.

It felt as if getting into this carriage would be an act of high treason against the emperor.

“What’s wrong? Please forgive me if the carriage is too shabby. I had to prepare it in a hurry…”

“No, it’s just too extravagant, making us feel burdened. Don’t worry about it.”

The old men carefully brushed off even the slightest speck of dirt from their shoes before cautiously boarding the carriage.

Jo Gwang-yun suppressed a laugh at their actions and joined them in the carriage.

As the carriage moved, the old men continued to chatter, initially because it was the first step of a long journey.

But after about an hour, they turned to Jo Gwang-yun and asked.

“Master Jo, what exactly is the reason for bringing us along? From what I can see, you’re going to Sichuan for business, but our wisdom, as you call it, is unlikely to be of much use in business, is it?”

“That’s right. Noble scholarship and life-saving medicine are unlikely to help with business.”

“Then what is it? Isn’t it time you told us?”

Jo Gwang-yun smiled, opened a bundle, took out books, and handed them to them.

“What is this…?”

The scholars and physicians widened their eyes at the covers of the books they received.

Plum Blossom Swordplay.

“It’s a martial art of Mount Hua [one of the five Great Mountains of China, known for its Taoist temples and martial arts].”

“We know that much. Where on earth did you get this?”

Even though they were far removed from the martial world, they knew that the martial arts of the Nine Sects [major schools of martial arts] were not to be passed on indiscriminately.

“I didn’t steal it or buy it with money, so please put your suspicions aside. I received it directly from the Mount Hua sect leader. There are complicated circumstances, and I need to learn the martial arts of Mount Hua.”

“You?”

“Yes. In a way, I’m like a direct disciple, but outwardly, I’ve become a lay disciple. After all, I ate Mount Hua’s spiritual elixir, the Subterranean Divine Pill.”

“What? The Subterranean Divine Pill?”

As expected, the physicians showed great interest when the name of the medicine came up.

“Yes. Thanks to that, I’m said to have a body very suitable for learning martial arts.”

The old men, being men, had their eyes sparkling at the mention of martial arts.

“So, you have to learn the martial arts of Mount Hua because you ingested the Subterranean Divine Pill?”

“Yes. That’s the promise I made with Mount Hua.”

“Then why give us the martial arts manual instead of just learning the martial arts yourself?”

Their curiosity was about to explode, as the story was so interesting.

“I’ve skimmed through the martial arts manual once. But the content… well… I was speechless…”

Jo Gwang-yun sighed once.

“‘Plum blossoms are by the roadside (路傍),’ ‘butterflies dance (蝶舞),’ ‘falling (落落),’ ‘dizzying (頻紛),’ ‘blooming in full splendor (滿開)’… It’s all filled with such nonsense.”

“That’s how they explain the profound meaning of martial arts. That’s why not just anyone can learn advanced martial arts.”

“I don’t think so.”

Jo Gwang-yun firmly shook his head.

“I think it’s because the martial arts masters have little education.”

Everyone was startled by the unexpected remark. Jo Gwang-yun ignored their reactions and continued.

“You gentlemen have devoted your lives to literature and medicine. But martial arts masters have spent their lives wielding swords. They wouldn’t have had much time to study. In terms of writing alone, you are masters of the highest order, while martial artists are only third-rate.”

They didn’t even hear Jo Gwang-yun’s praise. It was because it was such an unconventional statement.

“Isn’t there also the saying ‘all streams flow to the sea (萬流歸宗)’? If you gain great enlightenment through martial arts training, then writing…”

“Do you really think so? I haven’t heard that Shakyamuni [the founder of Buddhism], who is said to have attained the greatest enlightenment in the world, was proficient in martial arts, even though the saying ‘all streams flow to the sea’ comes from Buddhism.”

Faced with Jo Gwang-yun’s rebuttal, the great scholars asked a question rather than arguing.

“Then, going back to the beginning, I’ll ask again. Why are you giving us this martial arts manual?”

“I would like you gentlemen to look at the incomprehensible words in the martial arts manual and write down your opinions.”

“Our opinions?”

“Yes. After all, writing is open to interpretation, isn’t it? Since one word can have many meanings, there will be many interpretations of this martial arts manual. I want to see what you gentlemen interpret it as in very simple terms.”

They understood Jo Gwang-yun’s intention but still tilted their heads.

“I don’t know much, but I’ve heard that martial arts is about enlightenment. We don’t know martial arts, so we might come up with interpretations that are completely different from enlightenment. Would that be okay?”

“A martial artist called the First Sword of Mount Hua said that even when looking at the same martial arts manual, everyone gains different enlightenment. Doesn’t that mean everyone has different interpretations? It’s okay.”

Only then did the old men nod their heads.

They were people who had only studied the writings of Confucius and Mencius [central figures in Chinese philosophy]. Having only seen writings that discussed the principles of humanity and the world, they were now encountering a completely new field of martial arts, and their eyes were filled with curiosity.

“Also, the inner energy formulas and mental cultivation methods must be closely related to the human body. I hope you, Elder, will also take a close look and interpret them very easily.”

“Is that so? I’ve always wanted to know how martial artists control their inner energy.”

The physicians also happily opened the books.

Jo Gwang-yun couldn’t help but smile as the teachers became engrossed in the martial arts manual.

With a little flexibility, martial arts training isn’t that difficult.

* * *

Born scholars love reading more than eating, and outstanding physicians love unraveling the secrets of the body more than anything else.

They had left home for a tour of the martial world, but even in the carriage and in the luxurious inns, they only focused on reading and discussing, paying no attention to the scenery.

“No, no. ‘Falling plum blossoms become rain (落梅成雨).’ This cannot be seen as describing the appearance of plum blossom petals falling. It would be more like the appearance of snow falling, not rain. We must emphasize the rain (雨). It means the sword must be thrust straight down.”

“Oh, that’s an even more incorrect interpretation. Rain (雨) also has the meaning of ‘many,’ doesn’t it? So, instead of seeing it as the shape of plum blossom petals falling, we should interpret it as many plum blossoms falling. That is, the sword path (劍路) must have many changes.”

“I think so too. Look at the previous phrase of ‘falling plum blossoms become rain.’ ‘Falling plum blossoms flutter (落梅紛紛).’ Flutter! Just looking at this, rain (雨) means ‘many.’”

The scholars were busy sharing their opinions, examining the meaning of each word.

“Snow (雪) means cold, so this formula might mean winter.”

“Then does that mean we should cultivate inner energy in the cold? The human body can withstand the cold, but we should always avoid the cold, shouldn’t we? Coughing, the root of all diseases, is a signal to avoid the cold.”

“Then how do you interpret it, Royal Physician?”

“Snow and winter are the energy of yin (陰), aren’t they? Just as we control the overflowing energy of yang (陽) with the energy of yin, this formula seems to mean suppressing the energy of yang as much as possible.”

The physicians even felt frustrated. The world of inner energy, which is difficult for ordinary people to understand. The phrases that deal with that inner energy felt like standing in front of a huge wall, just like when they first encountered medical texts.

But the martial arts manual was their new game.

The old men were re-experiencing their teens when they first began to open their eyes to learning. The study of a different world that had nothing to do with them sparked a desire to challenge themselves as scholars and physicians. Their bodies were withering, but their minds were becoming younger.

Jo Gwang-yun received the parts they had finally interpreted and read them as if reading a novel.

If the Plum Blossom Swordplay martial arts manual was a difficult problem set, the interpretation was a clear answer key. He slowly read and swung his sword when he fully understood it.

If there was even a slight hitch in the movement of the sword or the operation of inner energy, he would turn back to that part, and the old men would have to study hard again.

The time it took to smoothly unfold the twenty-four stances of the Plum Blossom Swordplay was not long.

Also, the time it took for the body to remember the stances, not just the head, was greatly reduced.

As expected, when studying is difficult, the help of a tutor is a shortcut to good grades.

< Killing Two Birds with One Stone 3 > End