I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 138

From Today, I Will Do Business in the Central Plains – Episode 138

< Rich Level 9 Civil Servant 2 >

While waiting for the Emperor’s decree, which could arrive at any moment, Jo Gwang-yun hurried his preparations to enter the palace.

He studied the Imperial family tree obtained from Eumyeongmun [a secret intelligence agency], grasped the subtle balance of power among them, and as he pondered over the gifts to give them, a woman he hadn’t paid attention to emerged.

“The Dowager Empress? Is the Dowager Empress still alive?”

The existence of the Emperor’s mother, the Dowager Empress, was unexpected.

Jo Gwang-yun scanned the family tree again.

After a while, he understood why the Dowager Empress’s presence was so insignificant.

The Dowager Empress was the last official wife of the late Emperor, whom he had taken in his later years. Unable to leave the Empress’s seat vacant after his aging wife passed away, he remarried a young woman. Even in old age, a man is still a man.

Preferring the prettiest, he welcomed a very young woman as the new Empress. The Dowager Empress was two years younger than her daughter-in-law, the Empress.

In the Emperor’s eyes, a young girl had taken his mother’s place, so he had no reason to look kindly upon her.

When the Emperor ascended the throne, the Empress became the Dowager Empress but was virtually banished to a remote part of the palace. Far from receiving the treatment of the highest elder of the Imperial family, she was reduced to a mere old woman in the back chambers, barely breathing.

The Emperor never visited the Dowager Empress’s residence, not even for morning greetings. Consequently, the women of the inner court, including the Empress, who was genealogically her daughter-in-law, and the concubines, did not visit her either.

The Dowager Empress was a presence that existed but was completely forgotten by the Imperial family.

“This is quite an ambiguous woman…”

He had to prepare gifts, but leaving out the highest elder of the Imperial family would be against etiquette. Yet, preparing a gift for a woman who was clearly disliked by the Emperor would only displease him.

“I have no choice. Since the Emperor dislikes her, there’s no need to go out of my way to… I’ll just consider it insurance and slip her some bribe.”

Jo Gwang-yun called Gu Seung.

“Meet with Eumyeongmun and thoroughly investigate the Dowager Empress’s family, then submit a report. Their family history, financial power, those who have advanced into the court… Ah, the Emperor would never promote anyone from that family. Anyway, gather everything and bring it to me.”

“Not the Empress, but the Dowager Empress, you said?”

“Yes.”

“I will obey.”

“Don’t forget to emphasize that this is urgent.”

“Yes, Master.”

As Gu Seung left, Jo Gwang-yun was lost in thought again. It was because of the Empress.

No matter how expensive the gift, she wouldn’t look kindly upon him. Her 친정 [family by marriage] is the most powerful in the country, so she’s not short on money. Covering it with jewels would just be a waste of money.

However, going empty-handed would also be impolite.

After 고민 [agonizing] for a while, Jo Gwang-yun finally came up with a very suitable gift.

He summoned his subordinates and ordered them to bring the most skilled carpenters and artisans who made various crafts in the capital.

* * *

Finally, the Emperor’s decree arrived.

It was not just an order for a low-ranking official to enter the palace, but an invitation to the Emperor’s brother-in-law and the only man from his in-law’s family.

Jo Gwang-yun changed into his official robes and left the house. Several carts followed him, of course.

Arriving at the main gate of the Imperial Palace, Jo Gwang-yun presented the Emperor’s decree.

The military officer of the Imperial Guard, who was guarding the main gate, already knew about Jo Gwang-yun’s entry into the palace, so he was about to let him pass without much inspection. However, the line of carts behind him was too much to simply let through.

“Jo Master… No, Jo Jubu [a low-ranking official title]. What on earth is this procession of carts?”

“Yes. Although I am entering the palace after being granted an official position, I am also visiting my in-laws for the first time as Yang Guibin’s [Imperial Concubine] older brother. How could I come empty-handed? I have prepared small tokens of my sincerity for the Emperor and the elders of the Imperial family, so please do not be too critical.”

The military officer, as well as the ordinary guards, were dumbfounded.

Numerous 친정 [family by marriage] people of the 후궁 [Imperial Concubine] had come and gone, but this was the first family to bring such an enormous amount as a small gift.

“Jo… Jo Jubu. E… Even if it’s a gift, it’s too much to just let it pass. I’m afraid we’ll have to investigate.”

“Of course. However, there are fragile items, so I ask that you handle them with care.”

“We will. Hey, you there.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t examine even one item carelessly, but these are precious items to be presented to the Imperial family. Handle them with care.”

“Understood.”

The guards began to search the carts. But soon, they realized that it was impossible to properly investigate. They were filled with items so expensive that they were afraid to even touch them.

Realizing that damaging even one item would be difficult to compensate with several years’ worth of 녹봉 [official’s salary], no one could touch them.

The military officer sighed at the guards’ hesitant 모습 [appearance].

There was no choice. Even he was afraid to touch them.

“Just go in. This is enough.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed.

“Then, may the 수레 꾼 [cart pullers] who came with me also enter the palace?”

“That is not allowed. Jo Jubu, please enter the palace first. I will call someone. I will arrange for them to pull the carts to Haanggung, Yang Guibin’s residence.”

Gu Seung’s long sigh, filled with anticipation, could be heard from the rear of the carts.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Jo Gwang-yun lowered his head slightly and passed through the main gate.

Once inside the Imperial Palace, Jo Gwang-yun took a deep breath.

He knew that the air in the Imperial Palace was no different from the outside, but it felt different. It was the air that the ruler of this vast Central Plains breathed in and out.

Thinking that he was breathing the same air, he felt closer to his grand plan of taking the Central Plains into his grasp.

Also, the highly raised 의화문 [ceremonial gate] came into his sight.

Passing through that gate would lead to 의화전 [ceremonial hall], the center of power in this country. The Emperor’s decree instructed him to enter 의화전 [ceremonial hall].

The Emperor’s personal office was 의립전 [hall of establishing will].

It meant the place where the Emperor established (立) his will (意).

의화전 [ceremonial hall] was the place where the officials gathered and combined (和) the Emperor’s will (意) into one.

The Emperor’s decree specified the exact time, so it was clear that he had 맞춰 [timed] the end of the morning 조희 [court assembly] with the officials.

It seemed like he was trying to 과시 [show off] the Emperor’s 위엄 [majesty], and there was also an intention to test him.

He waited again in front of 의화문 [ceremonial gate].

Soon, a 내관 [eunuch] ran up and bowed.

“Congratulations on entering the palace, Jo Jubu. I will escort you to 의화전 [ceremonial hall].”

Jo Gwang-yun passed through the inner gate, 의화문 [ceremonial gate], and walked slowly across the 넓은 광장 [wide plaza].

He didn’t know what the Emperor would say or what attitude he would show, but he only needed to show one 모습 [appearance].

A frugal merchant and a 충직한 신하 [loyal subject]. Any words or actions beyond this were 금물 [forbidden].

Finally arriving at the entrance of 의화전 [ceremonial hall], a 계단 [staircase] that seemed to cause the 착각 [illusion] of being endless 펼쳐졌다 [unfolded].

Ninety-eight 계단 [stairs]. Nine (九) symbolizes 장수 (長壽) [longevity], and eight (八) symbolizes 완벽 (完璧) [perfection]. Climbing these 계단 [stairs] would lead to a 넓은 대전 [grand hall], and at the end of it, the 존엄한 [dignified] Emperor, who held this country in his hands, would be waiting for him.

Soldiers 도열 [lined up] on both sides of the 계단 [staircase]. One hundred and ninety-six 창날 [spear blades], reflecting the sunlight and 번쩍거리는 [glittering].

The direction of the 창날 [spear blades] was towards the sky, but the 날카로움 [sharpness] was directed at Jo Gwang-yun. With a 당당한 걸음 [confident stride] that was not 위축 [intimidated], he climbed the 계단 [staircase], passed through the 활짝 열린 문 [wide-open doors], and stepped into the 대전 [grand hall].

He had finally come this far.

“Long live the Emperor!”

One bow.

“Long live!”

Two bows.

“Ten thousand years!”

Three bows.

Jo Gwang-yun 외치고 [shouted] loudly until his 목이 터져라 [throat burst] and 납작 엎드렸다 [prostrated] on the 바닥 [floor].

After a while, the 대내관’s [chief eunuch] 또렷한 목소리 [clear voice] could be heard.

“Rise (起立).”

“망극하옵니다 [I am deeply grateful].”

Jo Gwang-yun 천천히 일어나 [slowly rose] and stood with his 허리를 약간 숙인 [waist slightly bent].

He was standing, but he didn’t 들지 [raise] his 고개 [head].

In his 시선 [gaze] towards the 대전 바닥 [hall floor], he could see the 용’s 문양 [dragon pattern], and at the end of this 문양 [pattern], the Emperor would be.

“I should have called you earlier to 치하 [congratulate], but I was 늦었다 [late].”

The Emperor’s 음성 [voice], low but 또랑또랑한 [clear].

“황은이 망극하옵니다 [I am overwhelmed by your grace]. The 은혜 [favor] of bestowing an 관직 [official position] upon a 미천한 백성 [humble commoner] is as vast as the 하해 [sea].”

“How could I 치하 [reward] the 공 [merit] of taking care of Yang Guibin with a 하찮은 벼슬 [insignificant title]? But it is a matter of 절차 [procedure], so don’t think too 섭섭하게 [disappointed].”

“I am just 감읍 [moved to tears] at your 은혜 [grace].”

Jo Gwang-yun had to 숙여 [lower] his 고개 [head] as much as it would not go down any further.

“So, you were called Jo Gwang-yun?”

“That is correct, 폐하 [Your Majesty].”

” 들라 [Raise] your 고개 [head].”

Jo Gwang-yun 천천히 들었고 [slowly raised] his 고개 [head], and at the same time, he felt the 날카로운 눈빛 [sharp gaze] 쏟아지는 [pouring down]. It was the 눈빛 [gaze] of the 대신들 [officials] 도열 [lined up] on the 좌우 [left and right] of the 대전 [grand hall].

The 눈빛 [gaze] of dozens of 대신들 [officials] 쏘아보는 [staring] was more 날카롭다 [sharp] than the 창날 [spear blades] of the 병사들 [soldiers] 도열 [lined up] on the 계단 [staircase].

The 의붓오라비 [step-brother] of the 후궁 [Imperial Concubine] that the Emperor 총애하는 [favors]. A 장사치 [merchant] with no 근본 [background]. A 자 [fellow] who had a 일말 of 가능성 [slight possibility] to 결딴낼 [ruin] the 나라 [country] by 업고 [carrying] the 후궁 [Imperial Concubine] on his 등 [back]. That was the 의미 담긴 [meaning contained] in the 대신들’s [officials’] 눈빛 [gaze].

Although they were 부패하였고 [corrupt] and 가진 자들 [those who possessed] with 욕망 [desires] that could not be 짐작할 [fathomed], only those who had survived 생과 사 (生死) [life and death] on 세 치 혀 [three-inch tongue – silver tongue] were standing here now.

Their 꼿꼿한 자존심 [unyielding pride] was no 모자람 [less] compared to the 심후한 내공 [profound inner strength] of a 강호 고수 [martial arts master], and their 욕망 [desire] to 원하는 [want] a 더 높은 자리 [higher position] was 컸다 [greater] beyond comparison with a 무림인 [martial artist] 원하는 [wanting] 절세 신공 [peerless martial art].

Jo Gwang-yun 무시하고 [ignored] their 경멸 어린 눈빛 [contemptuous gaze] and 들었다 [raised] his 고개 [head] towards the Emperor’s 용안 [face]. If it weren’t for the 용상 [dragon throne], he would have looked like an 평범한 중년 [ordinary middle-aged man]. His 인물 [features] was 좋았다 [good]. It must be the 복 [blessing] of having a 미인 [beautiful woman] as 모친 [mother].

“I heard you were a 상인 [merchant]…?”

“I am a 미천한 장사치 [humble merchant] who 먹고 사는 [makes a living] thanks to the 은덕 [virtue] of 폐하 [Your Majesty].”

He had to 낮추어야 [lower] his 몸 [body] as much as possible. He had to show everyone that he was just a 아주 낮은 미개한 인간 [very low uncivilized human], an 인간 [human] that there was absolutely no need to 경계 [be wary of].

“Your 겸손 [humility] is 지나치구나 [excessive]. I heard that it has been a long time since you rose to the 반열 [rank] of a 거부 [tycoon] who is 손꼽는 [renowned] in the Central Plains… You can’t be a 미천한 장사치 [humble merchant].”

“I am 삼고 이것저것 조그만 장사 [engaging in various small businesses] as a 호구지책 [means of livelihood] thanks to the 은총 [grace] of 폐하 [Your Majesty].”

“I heard that you even 운영 [operate] the 중원 제일의 전장 [Central Plains’ top pawnshop]. Saying that it is a 조그만 장사 [small business] is 지나친 겸손 [excessive humility]. Haha.”

The Emperor 터트리자 웃음 [burst into laughter], and the 대신들 [officials] also 미소 지었다 함께 [smiled together].

Indeed, wasn’t 따라가는 [following] even the Emperor’s 감정 [emotions] the 도리 [duty] of a 진정한 신하 [true subject]?

“If I 알기로 [know correctly], if it is a 전장 [pawnshop] that is 세 손가락 안에 드는 [within the top three] in the Central Plains, I heard that it has more 금은 (金銀) [gold and silver] 쌓여 [piled up] than the 황실 [imperial family], is that 사실 [true]?”

“All the 금은 [gold and silver] in the Central Plains is the 주인이시옵니다 [property] of 폐하 [Your Majesty]. I am 감당키 어렵사옵니다 [unable to handle it].”

Several 대신들’s [officials’] 표정 [expressions] were not 좋지 [good].

They 감지했기 때문이다 [sensed] the 위험 [danger] that if the Emperor 따지고 들었다 [inquired about] the 출처 [source] of the 금은 [gold and silver] 쌓인 [piled up] in Jo’s 전장 [pawnshop], their 행적 [deeds] of 축재한 [accumulating] an 엄청난 부 [enormous wealth] would be 드러날 고스란히 [revealed completely].

Fortunately, the Emperor was more 궁금해 [curious] about something other than the 전장’s [pawnshop’s] 돈 [money].

“I 탄복 [admire] after 듣고 [hearing] the 인연 [relationship] between Jo Jubu and Yang Guibin. It is not 쉬운 일 [easy thing] to 맡는 [take on] that 자식 [child] who was 홀로된 [orphaned] when it was 단지 [merely] a 거래 관계 [transactional relationship] of 사고파는 물건 [buying and selling goods]. I heard that 상인 [merchants] do not 관여치 [interfere] in 일 [matters] that has no 이문 [profit], so how did you 베풀었느냐 [bestow] 은혜 [favor]?”

과연 [indeed], what 대답 [answer] did the Emperor want to 듣고 [hear]?

“I was in a 관계 [relationship] that 거래하는 [traded] with 귀인마마’s [esteemed lady’s] 선친 [late father] with 의 (義) [righteousness].”

“의 [righteousness]?”

“That is correct. I only 구매 [purchased] 차 (茶) [tea] from that 분 [person], and that 분 [person] also only 공급했습니다 [supplied] to me. Since it was a 관계 [relationship] 맺어진 [formed] with 의 [righteousness], it was 실천하는 도 [practicing the way] even if there was no 눈앞의 이문 [immediate profit]. Also, 실천하는 도 [practicing the way] is 바로 [precisely] 더 큰 장사이옵니다 [bigger business].”

“장사라 [business]?”

A 장사치 [merchant] 논하는 도 [discussing the way]. Does a 놈 [fellow] who does 큰 장사 [big business] think a little differently? The Emperor began to 바라보기 [look at] Jo Gwang-yun 흥미롭게 [interestingly].

“That is correct, 폐하 [Your Majesty]. My 업 (業) [business] is 보관하는 [safeguarding] the 재산 [property] of 생면부지의 사람들 [strangers]. If there is no 신용 [credit] and 신뢰 [trust], my 업 [business] cannot be 유지 [maintained]. The 모습 [appearance] of 애쓰는 [striving] to 보호하기 [protect] even 생명 [life] rather than 재산 [property] is the 행동 [action] of a 장사치 [merchant] who can 얻을 수 있는 [obtain] the 가장 큰 신뢰 [greatest trust].”

The Emperor’s 표정 [expression] 다시 굳어졌다 [hardened again]. Even 거두는 어린애 하나 [taking in a child] was for 장사 [business]?