I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 137

< A 9th Grade Civil Servant with a Lot of Money 1 >

The Chief Eunuch, ever at the Emperor’s side, had been a direct witness to the Emperor’s growing infatuation with Yang Ryeo-cheong.

He knew, without a doubt, that Yang Ryeo-cheong would soon monopolize the Emperor’s attention, and that the Imperial family’s influence would expand accordingly. He was utterly taken aback that Yoon Joo-sung would dare to bring up the subject of such a woman’s older brother!

“Secretary Yoon, how is it that you know Lady Yang’s brother…?”

Seeing the Chief Eunuch’s suspicious gaze, Yoon Joo-sung hastily waved his hands, worried that he might be suspected of currying favor with the soon-to-be-powerful concubine.

“Please, don’t misunderstand. Jo Kwang-yoon, Lady Yang’s brother, is someone I met when I was the magistrate of Gaebong.”

The Chief Eunuch’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly at the mention of Gaebong.

Wasn’t that the place where he’d been effectively exiled? To think he would encounter the brother of the Emperor’s favored concubine in the very place he’d been sent away to…

“I learned about him while investigating his rather unusual business dealings in Gaebong.”

“A peculiar business, you say…?”

“He calls it a department store. He erects a large building in the marketplace and rents out space to merchants for a fee… I’ve heard of tenant farmers renting fields, but renting out business space was a novelty to me, so I found it quite curious.”

“Ah… you mean that rumored department store.”

“Yes. But since both the shoppers and the merchants selling goods find it convenient, I thought it was a remarkable thing. I made a connection back then, never dreaming I’d encounter him again like this.”

It was just like the old saying: ‘A loss may turn out to be a gain.’

To meet someone who would become an in-law in the very place he was exiled to! Incredible!

Given the current climate, Yang Ryeo-cheong’s position within the Imperial Palace would only grow stronger, and her brother Jo Kwang-yoon’s influence would undoubtedly increase as well.

Anyone with a connection to such a person could significantly enhance their own standing in the court.

The quick-witted Chief Eunuch realized that Yoon Joo-sung had grasped a very significant lifeline. He, the Chief Eunuch, had once looked down on Yoon Joo-sung, but now he might be the one facing pressure from him. That is, if Yoon Joo-sung hadn’t forgotten their past grievances.

The Chief Eunuch knew that he needed to rebuild his relationship with Yoon Joo-sung. The first step was to grant Yoon Joo-sung’s request and thus incur a debt.

“Such a connection…! Secretary Yoon seems to be blessed with good fortune. Haha. So, what is it you need me to do for Lady Yang’s brother?”

“Jo Kwang-yoon wishes to meet his sister, Lady Yang, even if it’s only occasionally, to ensure her well-being.”

“That’s only natural between siblings.”

“Yes, but there’s no way for him to enter the Imperial Palace, and it’s difficult for Lady Yang to leave the palace to visit her home. Especially since Jo Kwang-yoon is a merchant and doesn’t stay in Gyeyang for long. Isn’t he always traveling around Jungwon [the Central Plains of China]?”

“That’s true. It’s hard to find the time for even a single meeting… and entering the palace is no easy feat.”

“Although they are not blood-related siblings, their affection seems no less than that of true siblings. They met as solitary individuals in this vast Jungwon, so their bond must be even stronger.”

Yoon Joo-sung produced a piece of paper from his pocket.

“I researched cases of emperors throughout history who have taken commoners as concubines. Usually, before accepting a concubine, they would bestow a minor title upon the closest blood relative, either the father or, if there was no father, the older brother. This was a favor to grant them free access to the Imperial Palace.”

The Chief Eunuch understood Yoon Joo-sung’s request.

“Then I will speak to His Majesty. This is a private matter, so wouldn’t it be resolved with His Majesty’s decision alone, rather than requiring discussion in court?”

Yoon Joo-sung clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

“If His Majesty would grant him even a minor official position, it would prevent the siblings from being separated forever, so please speak well of him.”

“Oh, how can I guarantee His Majesty’s sincerity? I can only earnestly plead on behalf of Secretary Yoon.”

The Chief Eunuch also bowed to Yoon Joo-sung.

It didn’t matter what bad blood existed between them in the past. They could support each other and increase their power together in the future.

They exchanged bright smiles and greetings, but Yoon Joo-sung’s face twisted in a grimace as he turned away.

He felt humiliated by his situation, having to bow his head to such a eunuch, and he was disgusted by the political landscape where such eunuchs wielded power.

* * *

“Oh my, Ryeo-cheong’s calligraphy is so different from her face. Haha.”

“Your Majesty… I’m just a commoner who barely escaped illiteracy.”

The Emperor embraced Yang Ryeo-cheong from behind as she practiced her writing, and laughed heartily.

“You’re not a commoner anymore. You’re a Noble Lady of the 3rd rank. Make sure to practice writing a little bit every day.”

“A little bit?”

“You have to stay right by my side for the rest of the time, so you can only practice a little bit. Haha.”

As the Emperor held Yang Ryeo-cheong tightly, the Chief Eunuch entered and cleared his throat softly.

“Ahem. Your Majesty.”

The Emperor released his embrace.

“What is it? Are the court officials barging in all at once?”

“No, it’s just that there’s something urgent to attend to…”

“What is it?”

“There’s currently a vacancy for a captain in the Imperial Guard. The guard is an important position that protects Your Majesty’s safety, so if the vacancy remains unfilled for too long…”

The Emperor made a displeased sound.

“The guard can manage a captain’s duties on their own, so there must be something special if you’re bringing this up.”

“That’s right. There’s a memorial recommending a military officer from Anhui Province…”

The memorial had to pass through the Emperor’s hands. An emperor who neglected state affairs would simply pass the memorials on to the court officials, but the current Emperor did not neglect his duties.

“Bring the memorial.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Chief Eunuch searched through the pile of memorials and found the one submitted by the Regional Commander of Anhui Province.

The Emperor quickly unfolded the memorial, read through it, and tossed it back to the Chief Eunuch.

“He’s a man who has achieved great merit in suppressing the Japanese pirates in the South Sea. That’s enough. Issue a decree.”

“Understood.”

The Chief Eunuch slowly retreated, then paused.

Seeing this, the Emperor spoke.

“What is it? Is there another memorial that I need to review?”

“It’s not a memorial, but some officials are cautiously offering their opinions…”

“Not submitting a memorial means they’re criticizing me. Why? Are they worried because I skipped the morning assembly?”

“No, it’s about Lady Yang.”

“What?”

It was as if sparks flew from the Emperor’s eyes.

“Who dares to speak of my private life?”

At the angry voice, the Chief Eunuch prostrated himself on the floor.

“It’s not like that, it’s about Lady Yang’s brother.”

“What? Her brother?”

“Yes. Currently, Lady Yang is the only person among the Inner Court’s [the Emperor’s personal staff] family who cannot enter the Imperial Palace.”

“Entering the Imperial Palace?”

The anger faded from the Emperor’s face. Yang Ryeo-cheong perked up her ears and focused intently on their conversation.

“Didn’t I order that private exchanges between the Inner Court and their families be restricted?”

“That’s true, but they still convey news if something happens to the family. But Lady Yang is blocked from even that.”

“Hmm…”

“Moreover, Lady Yang’s brother is a merchant, so he doesn’t stay in the capital for very long. Frequent visits are out of the question.”

The Emperor relaxed his expression and smiled slyly.

“I can guess which official cautiously offered that opinion.”

The Chief Eunuch, feeling guilty, prostrated himself even lower to conceal his expression.

“The young ones without any connections in the Inner Court would never want to miss this opportunity. If Lady Yang were to become pregnant, the power structure that has hardened like stone could change, so they must have high expectations.”

Fortunately, the Emperor interpreted it as a power struggle rather than a personal request.

“Ryeo-cheong!”

At the Emperor’s call, Yang Ryeo-cheong scurried over and stood before him.

“What do you think? Do you want to meet your brother in the Imperial Palace?”

Yang Ryeo-cheong swallowed hard and cautiously spoke.

“As my brother says, I am a married woman now. However, if something serious were to happen to my brother, if I could at least hear the news, I would be satisfied.”

The Emperor held Yang Ryeo-cheong’s hand tightly, pleased with her answer.

“Good. If I can’t even fulfill Ryeo-cheong’s simple wish, how can I call myself her husband? And I’m also very curious about what might happen if a great merchant of Jungwon meets with a court official. I can’t miss that interesting sight. Haha.”

After laughing loudly for a while, the Emperor muttered.

“Lady Yang’s brother is a merchant, so I should give him a position related to that. Let’s see… where would be good?”

The Emperor, pacing around the inner palace, stopped as if struck by a good idea and gave an order to the Chief Eunuch.

“Lady Yang’s brother is a merchant, so it would be good to give him a position in the Ministry of Finance (金曹) [Jin Cao, one of the Six Ministries in ancient China].”

The Ministry of Finance is in charge of currency, salt, and iron. Since he’s a merchant who handles money, he thought of currency.

“Wouldn’t it be plausible to appoint him as a Registrar (主簿) [Zhubu, a low-ranking official] of the Ministry of Finance?”

The Registrar is a low-ranking clerical position of the 8th rank.

“That’s a truly excellent idea.”

The Chief Eunuch readily agreed, and the Emperor grabbed a brush.

At the sight, Yang Ryeo-cheong knelt down and burst into tears.

“Your Majesty has bestowed an official position upon my brother, so how can I ever repay this grace, which is as vast as the sea…? I am overwhelmed.”

The Emperor’s heart softened at the sight of Yang Ryeo-cheong’s tears.

To think that the sight of a woman crying would stimulate his lust…

* * *

“Lord Jang. Someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived. They say they’re bringing the Emperor’s decree soon, so prepare yourself.”

“A decree?”

“Yes. They only said it was an appointment letter.”

Jo Kwang-yoon jumped to his feet.

“Prepare the robes and hurry up with the preparations to receive the imperial order. Quickly!”

The maids in the house moved busily, and Jo Kwang-yoon changed into clean clothes.

Standing in the courtyard and waiting for the person from the Imperial Palace, the door opened and a eunuch entered.

“Jo Kwang-yoon, receive the Emperor’s order!”

As the eunuch held up the scroll containing the decree, Jo Kwang-yoon prostrated himself on the floor.

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live.”

The eunuch unfolded the scroll and read it aloud.

“…Raising a young girl who lost her parents and was left alone is a virtuous act that all people should emulate.

…His dedication to commerce and his contribution to further improving the markets in each region are also recognized.

Therefore, Jo Kwang-yoon is appointed as the Registrar of the Ministry of Finance, 8th rank. Jo Kwang-yoon, receive the order.”

He gives various justifications, but it’s just an official position that serves as an Imperial Palace entrance pass.

Jo Kwang-yoon stood up again, bowed three times, and respectfully received the decree.

“Lord Jo, congratulations. You are now a respectable official of this country.”

The eunuch’s congratulations continued, followed by the Emperor’s words.

“You will be ordered to enter the palace soon. Until then, you are not allowed to enter the Imperial Palace, so be aware of that.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The eunuch bowed to Jo Kwang-yoon and turned to leave.

Gu Seung slyly followed the eunuch as he left the house and slipped him a jingling silk pouch [a small bag for carrying money].

“This is a small token of appreciation from our Lord Jang. Please don’t refuse the gesture.”

“Oh my, thank you. I will put it to good use. Haha.”

Gu Seung sent off the brightly smiling eunuch and hurriedly ran back into the house.

“Lord Jang, congratulations! You have finally obtained an official position.”

“Congratulations, my foot. This isn’t an official position, it’s just an entrance pass.”

Jo Kwang-yoon tossed the scroll into a corner of the room.

But Gu Seung picked up the scroll as if it were a precious treasure and carefully placed it on the desk.

“Lord Jang, but what kind of position is the Registrar of the Ministry of Finance?”

“It’s a low-level position that manages documents.”

He hadn’t expected a high position. He only needed an entrance pass, but he was dumbfounded when he actually saw the official position.

After all that fuss, the position he got was just a 9th grade civil servant at the mint.

< A 9th Grade Civil Servant with a Lot of Money 1 > End