I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 129

< Preliminary Maneuvers 2 >

Anhui Province Military Commissioner Ju Seon welcomed Jo Gwang-yun as if his long-dead father had returned from the grave.

“Oh, who have we here? Commandant Jo!”

“Have you been well, sir?”

The Military Commissioner clasped Jo Gwang-yun’s respectfully folded hands.

“How could I not be well? I’m doing splendidly. It’s all thanks to you. Haha.”

He distributed some of the Namgung family’s land deeds to the people and sold off the rest. He offered a portion of the money from the land sales to influential officials in the court and used the remainder to aid the impoverished.

The people’s praise was effusive, and the Emperor even sent a personal letter commending his consideration for the populace.

Even with all that, many land deeds still remained, so it was natural that he was enjoying a period of prosperity.

“It is because you, sir, govern the people with virtue. I have done nothing.”

Jo Gwang-yun was as humble as possible.

“Yes, well, what brings you here so suddenly?”

“I came to see you, sir, with a rather delicate request.”

Jo Gwang-yun lowered himself even further.

“If it’s your request, I’ll grant you anything within my power. Don’t hesitate to speak.”

“Sir, what do you think of Jang Cheong-un, whom I introduced? Is he a talent worth keeping by your side?”

The Military Commissioner slapped his forehead.

“Ah, I almost forgot. I should thank you for that as well. Haha. You truly have a keen eye for talent. Commandant Jang is indeed a valuable asset. He’s quick-witted, his martial prowess is equal to a hundred men, and he doesn’t speak carelessly. He is a truly trustworthy friend. He’s my right-hand man now.”

“I am glad I did not disappoint you, sir.”

The Military Commissioner, who had been regarding the respectful Jo Gwang-yun with a satisfied expression, now adopted a slightly hardened look.

“Does your request perhaps have something to do with Commandant Jang?”

“It is difficult to hide anything from you, sir. Yes, it does. I would like to ask you to recommend Commandant Jang for a higher position.”

“Recommend? Does that mean you want me to let him go from my side?”

“Does the specific location truly matter? Since you already value Commandant Jang so highly, he will forever be your right-hand man, in spirit.”

The Military Commissioner thought silently for a moment, then nodded.

“That’s right. Commandant Jang is not one to easily sever ties. Perhaps it’s because his father was a highly skilled martial artist, but he possesses a strong sense of loyalty. When I brought him here from the desolate lands of the South Sea, where he was covered in the blood of pirates and spent endless days fighting, he has served me exceptionally well.”

“If you recommend such a capable man to a higher position, wouldn’t that also reflect well on you, sir?”

“A higher position, you say…?”

“The Imperial Palace.”

“The Imperial Palace?!”

The Military Commissioner’s eyes widened.

“How about the Vice-Captain (衛長) of the Imperial Guard?”

His expression changed. This time, he looked troubled.

“My friend, do you think such an important position can be obtained simply with my recommendation? No, before that, the position of Vice-Captain must be vacant before I can even consider recommending Commandant Jang, right?”

“May I dare to ask just one thing? Wouldn’t it be advantageous to have one of your trusted subordinates within the Imperial Palace, sir?”

“Of course, it would be! But I’m telling you, there are no vacancies!”

“I will create one.”

“What? You? How?”

“When I first met you, sir, you did not believe that a mere Changryong Gate [a minor military faction] could defeat the Namgung family, but the result was the Namgung family’s destruction. There are ten Vice-Captain positions in the Imperial Guard. Creating one of them is easier than destroying the Namgung family.”

Military Commissioner Ju Seon stared at Jo Gwang-yun’s confident demeanor for a while, then nodded.

Recommendation and appointment are separate matters. Even if Jang Cheong-un doesn’t get the position, nothing will change, and he will not lose anything.

Writing a recommendation letter does not require a large sum of money or great effort.

All he has to do is write a letter, but if it succeeds, he will have done Jo Gwang-yun a favor.

And isn’t Jo Gwang-yun the type to repay favors with substantial rewards?

The Military Commissioner cleared his throat and acted magnanimous.

“How can I ignore your request? I will put my heart and soul into writing a letter that will move the Emperor’s heart. Haha.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed respectfully.

“I am deeply grateful for your generosity, sir.”

The second knot was also untied.

* * *

Returning to the capital, Jo Gwang-yun first met with Eumyeongmun [a secret intelligence organization].

“Investigate the identities of the ten Vice-Captains of the Imperial Guard in detail. From their family background to their current status. Where they live, how old they are, what their families are like, etc. Find out everything.”

The man from Eumyeongmun gave a knowing smile.

“Our Commandant seems to be taking a great interest in the Imperial Palace these days.”

“You too are taking a great interest in what I do these days. Unnecessary curiosity always invites disaster.”

“Oh, no, sir. I was just saying.”

“Your mouth too. It is often the source of trouble.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man exaggeratedly clamped his mouth shut.

“I trust you will handle it quickly.”

As Jo Gwang-yun made his final confirmation, the man nodded silently.

The second person he met was Yun Ju-seong, the official with whom he had been closely associated for the longest time.

From Magistrate of Gaebong to now holding the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works, he had risen to a central political position, thanks to Jo Gwang-yun’s assistance.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yun Ju-seong immediately asked a question.

“Do you perhaps know of a place called ‘the Club’?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. You are the owner, aren’t you?”

“That is correct. But why would you, sir, who are so far removed from drinking and entertainment, know about the Club?”

Yun Ju-seong looked somewhat embarrassed.

“These days, all the high and low officials are boasting about going there to drink with the courtesans. It’s utterly pathetic.”

Jo Gwang-yun looked at Yun Ju-seong without smiling and said,

“Do you perhaps need a list of the officials who frequent the place?”

“What?”

“I am keeping detailed records of the dates and times they visit, what drinks they consumed, and which courtesans they spent time with.”

“You…?”

Yun Ju-seong couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Frankly, it is not so reprehensible for men to indulge in alcohol and women. But what I am very curious about is where they got the money they are spending so lavishly. You may not know this, sir, but the prices at the Club are not cheap.”

“Is this a clue to their corruption?”

“Perhaps. Well, I have no intention of blackmailing them with this information. I started recording it to make the officials who spend a lot of money customers of Joga Jeonjang [Jo Gwang-yun’s business]. But if it can be used in various ways, that wouldn’t be bad either.”

“You are going to use that list in various ways someday, aren’t you?”

“Depending on the situation. So, sir, please continue to stay away from alcohol and women, as you do now. Haha.”

Yun Ju-seong could not bring himself to laugh along.

He knew well that Jo Gwang-yun was not a simple merchant. The fact that such a man had created a luxurious establishment like the Club was not just to make money. Perhaps many officials would be manipulated by Jo Gwang-yun.

Jo Gwang-yun spoke to Yun Ju-seong, who was lost in thought.

“Actually, the reason I asked to see you was not to talk about this, but because there is something I would like you to help me with.”

“Oh? Me? What is it?”

“My master has a son. A military officer with excellent character and high martial skills.”

“A military officer who is the son of a Jianghu [martial arts world] person? That’s quite rare. An official as a son, whom martial artists hate the most.”

“My master does not rate his martial arts so highly, so he did not force him to follow the path of a martial artist. Anyway, that friend is currently a Commandant in Anhui Province.”

“Oh ho. That’s not a low position at all… He must be very skilled.”

“Even the Military Commissioner of Anhui Province praises him highly.”

“Then why? It seems he will have no problem rising in the world even without my help.”

“The Military Commissioner of Anhui Province will soon write a recommendation letter. For him to become a Vice-Captain of the Imperial Guard.”

Yun Ju-seong’s face instantly hardened. The Imperial Palace! What trick is he planning this time?

Jo Gwang-yun smiled again.

“My only personal motive is to repay my master’s kindness. My master’s son has great ambition. His dream is to become a Great General of this country. I am just trying to help him get one step closer to that dream. Please do not misunderstand.”

“You repaying your master’s kindness? I thought you didn’t learn martial arts? Didn’t you just borrow his name because of the Changryong Gate?”

Yun Ju-seong wanted to grant Jo Gwang-yun’s request as much as possible. Wasn’t his return to central politics entirely thanks to Jo Gwang-yun? If he had asked him to promote his master’s son to a central government position, he would have nodded without hesitation.

But the Imperial Guard, who protect the Emperor?!

What if he was plotting something that would threaten the Emperor’s life?

He was also reluctant because it was his master’s son. Although he is a military officer, he is a martial artist with deep connections to the martial world. The further the martial world is from the Imperial Palace, the better. Their earth-shattering martial arts are always a threat.

Moreover, the reason why Jo Gwang-yun, who has not even learned martial arts, is trying to put his master’s son in the Imperial Palace, even mentioning his master’s kindness, seemed suspicious no matter how he looked at it.

Seeing Yun Ju-seong’s suspicious eyes, Jo Gwang-yun only smiled.

Just then, as Jo Gwang-yun’s silk clothes parted, sharp daggers became visible.

“Huk-!”

A gasp escaped from Yun Ju-seong’s mouth, and thirty-two daggers flew around at high speed, surrounding Yun Ju-seong.

“Thanks to my master, I have learned quite useful martial arts. Now I am capable enough to protect myself wherever I go.”

“T, take this away… Take this away quickly! What are you doing?”

It was also amusing to watch Yun Ju-seong’s flustered and exaggerated reaction.

After a moment of hesitation, Jo Gwang-yun retrieved the daggers, and Yun Ju-seong sighed in relief.

“So, you have learned such martial arts.”

“I am also quite skilled with the sword, but I cannot draw it in front of you, sir. Hehe.”

Jo Gwang-yun, who had learned martial arts.

It was a very unfamiliar sight to Yun Ju-seong.

“I will say again, this is a pure request without any conspiracy or scheme. Would it be difficult?”

Yun Ju-seong shook his head.

“When the recommendation from the Military Commissioner of Anhui Province comes up, I will actively help. But I don’t know when the position of Vice-Captain of the Imperial Guard will become vacant, so we will have to wait indefinitely.”

Jo Gwang-yun lightly bowed his head.

“That will be up to my master’s son’s luck. If he is lucky, it will be soon; if not, he may wander around the provinces. I think my job is done just by offering assistance.”

Yun Ju-seong was relieved by Jo Gwang-yun’s words. It was not a demand to create a position by force, but just a sign of goodwill with no time limit.

It seemed like he had worried for nothing.

* * *

After carefully checking the identities of the ten Vice-Captains that Eumyeongmun had handed over, Jo Gwang-yun pointed to one person.

“Gu Seung. Bring this man here secretly. If the owner of the Club asks to meet, he will come out of curiosity.”

The next morning, Imperial Guard Vice-Captain Ok Yeop-myeong (沃葉明) was tired from two days of night duty, but he could not refuse Gu Seung’s offer because he was looking forward to seeing the Club, which was rumored to be magnificent.

Guided by Gu Seung, he toured the Club’s garden, which was like a paradise, and then went up to a splendid pavilion.

Although it was chilly winter weather, a few fires lit in the brazier added warmth, and the view of the snow-covered garden was quite charming.

“Please wait a moment, and the Commandant will be here soon. Please warm yourself with a cup of warm wine.”

As Gu Seung stepped back, Ok Yeop-myeong quickly drank a glass of wine to warm himself.

Just as his body was getting warm from the brazier and the alcohol, the owner of the Club appeared.

“Thank you for visiting despite my urgent request, Vice-Captain Ok.”

“You’re welcome. Opportunities to see such a place are rare.”

Ok Yeop-myeong remembered something he had forgotten while touring the Club.

Why would someone who owns such an amazing place want to meet him?

< Preliminary Maneuvers 2 > End