I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 153

“Then, that’s all for the morning assembly today…”

As the Emperor was about to conclude the assembly, Wei Zhongxian stepped forward to the center of the grand hall and shouted,

“Your Majesty, I, Wei Zhongxian, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, have something to report.”

“Speak.”

“Regarding the privatization issue, which has been stalled due to differing opinions, I wish to present my final opinion.”

“Final?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I seek forgiveness for my disloyalty in causing Your Majesty displeasure with the conflicting opinions of the court officials.”

The Emperor wore a peculiar smile. He was intrigued by what that sly old fox was going to say, dragging out his words like that.

“So, what is the Vice Minister’s final opinion?”

“I humbly accept the concerns of many officials that allowing the cultivation of wasteland may lead to a shortage of taxes.”

“Oh, so you mean to abandon that proposal?”

“No, Your Majesty. I mean that I will not bring it up again until Your Majesty orders a re-discussion.”

“Then, what should we do about the salt pan development?”

“Salt pans are different from land. Since we can increase salt production additionally, I believe it is right to proceed with it.”

The Emperor looked at Wei Zhongxian, who had his head bowed, and smiled.

“So, you mean to concede one and push for the other.”

“How dare I trade on state affairs? If there are officials who oppose the salt pan development to the end, I hope Your Majesty will make a decisive decision.”

The Emperor’s gaze turned to Yun Juseong.

“Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yun Juseong bowed respectfully.

“Wasn’t it Vice Minister Yun who most vehemently opposed privatization?”

Yun Juseong bowed his head even deeper instead of answering.

“What do you think? An elder statesman of the court is coming forward like this; are you still going to oppose it?”

Yun Juseong frowned as he racked his brain.

He had to read the Emperor’s mind. The tone had changed, even mentioning the elder statesman. It was clear that he meant to compromise at this point.

“I, Yun Juseong, dare to speak.”

“Speak.”

“Salt plays a significant role in strengthening the national treasury. Therefore, everything, including its production, must be transparent.”

“Enough with the obvious! Just tell me your opinion on whether to implement it or not.”

He had read the Emperor’s mind.

The privatization of salt pans was the Emperor’s will. It was clear that he wanted to expand the salt pans to replenish the national treasury.

“I believe that the privatization of salt pans should be implemented, but discussions to ensure the transparency of the department in charge should continue.”

Yun Juseong concluded by targeting the salt monopoly merchants’ unjust profits and the officials who received those profits as bribes.

“Then, do you have a plan to ensure that transparency?”

Yun Juseong even felt like he had been had [tricked].

It was strange that Wei Zhongxian suddenly conceded, and it was also strange that the Emperor chimed in as if he had been waiting for it. He even suspected that the Emperor and Wei Zhongxian had conspired in advance to corner him.

“I, who support the privatization of salt pans, have been pondering that plan…”

Yun Juseong’s suspicion turned into conviction when Wei Zhongxian cautiously interjected. All of this was the Emperor’s will.

Now that he knew the Emperor’s intentions, he had to shut his mouth.

Wei Zhongxian glanced at Yun Juseong and continued,

“The idea of expanding the salt pans and transferring the work to the private sector rather than the government was what Ju Bu [a low-ranking official title] Jo Gwangyun saw from a merchant’s perspective.”

“That’s right.”

The Emperor’s eyes twinkled.

“Therefore, he will understand this matter best, and his position is also Geumjo Jubu [official title in charge of finance]. I believe he is suitable for this task. Moreover!”

Wei Zhongxian spoke non-stop, worried that Yun Juseong might object.

“He is already a wealthy merchant who has made a lot of money, so he won’t even look at corrupt money like bribes. He has no acquaintance with the officials of Geumjo and does not know the salt monopoly merchants, so there will be no room for corruption. Therefore, he is the most qualified person to maintain the transparency that Minister Yun is talking about.”

As soon as the name Jo Gwangyun came out, Yun Juseong realized that all his predictions had been wrong.

It wasn’t that the Emperor and Wei Zhongxian had agreed in advance, but that Jo Gwangyun and Wei Zhongxian had joined hands.

And he was convinced that all of this came from Jo Gwangyun’s head. Wei Zhongxian wasn’t smart enough to manipulate Jo Gwangyun.

‘What on earth is that Jo Gwangyun up to?’

Yun Juseong pondered, then came to his senses when he felt the Emperor’s gaze.

“Tell me freely what all the ministers think of the Vice Minister of Personnel’s opinion.”

It seemed like he was talking to all the ministers, but in reality, he was singling out Yun Juseong.

The court officials had already noticed that the Emperor was very pleased with Wei Zhongxian’s opinion and that they should not oppose it.

Since the Emperor’s question was directed at Yun Juseong, the ministers did not open their mouths.

“I believe it is appropriate.”

Yun Juseong closed his mouth after saying this.

“It’s been a long time since the opinions of the ministers have been so 一致 [yīzhì – consistent], and I feel much more at ease. Then, I will entrust this matter to Ju Bu Jo Gwangyun, so let’s end the morning assembly today.”

Yun Juseong did not miss the faint smile of Wei Zhongxian.

That smile was a sign of victory.

* * *

That day was a very busy day.

A person secretly visited Wei Zhongxian’s house and informed him that the salt pan issue had been handled well, and not long after, a eunuch came with the Emperor’s decree.

It was the Emperor’s strict order to entrust the privatization of salt pans entirely to him and to proceed without any setbacks.

Just as he was about to enjoy the joy of gaining a great interest [benefit], he also received an unexpected letter.

It was Yun Juseong’s message to come to his house secretly at night.

Yun Juseong, who had brightly lit the fire, looked at Jo Gwangyun with a stern expression and said,

“Did you have any discussions with Wei Zhongxian?”

“My lord. I’m exhausted from coming secretly. Please give me some tea so I can wet my throat. Haha.”

“Don’t laugh. I’m asking seriously, so please give me an honest answer.”

Jo Gwangyun stopped laughing.

“My lord.”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“Do you have to know everything I do?”

“What?”

“I am not your subordinate. I will only do what I have to do, and you only have to do what you have to do. Isn’t that right?”

Yun Juseong’s beard trembled.

“Are you saying that now? Don’t you know what kind of person Wei Zhongxian is? He’s a guy who commits all kinds of corruption by using the power in his hands! To join hands with such a person!”

Jo Gwangyun said with a firm face.

“You should say that to the court officials, not to me. I think you’re mistaken because I go in and out of the imperial palace. I’m just a merchant, not a scholar-official. Do you understand?”

Yun Juseong’s eyes widened. It was because Jo Gwangyun’s expression was unusual.

“The reason why I brought you back to central politics from the provinces is not only to give you a chance to spread your wings but also to have you use your great power for me. If your will conflicts with my purpose, you should naturally put aside your will and serve my purpose. Isn’t that right?”

Yun Juseong couldn’t say anything. He had already forgotten that he had bribed corrupt eunuchs and ministers to get here.

“I can even eliminate your political enemies if necessary. But I can’t believe you’re unhappy with me trading with Wei Zhongxian. If you’re going to take only what you need, is that an equal trade? Even if you’re a politician, you should have at least some business ethics. Give and take. Don’t you know?”

Yun Juseong avoided Jo Gwangyun’s eyes. He accurately grasped his situation with the word trade.

Jo Gwangyun is no longer his sponsor. He is just a trading partner chosen from among many court officials. Trading partners can be changed at any time.

Jo Gwangyun drove a wedge into Yun Juseong, who was avoiding his eyes. It may have been a warning.

“Looking at the situation so far, I wonder if I have overestimated you too much. How long has it been since you returned to the center, and you’re still stuck in the position of Vice Minister? There are many scholar-officials who follow you, but most of them are young Confucian scholars who have not yet entered the government. When will you build your power and seize control of the court?”

Yun Juseong could only gasp for breath as the issue of ability was raised.

“I have never invested as much as I have in you. But I haven’t seen the fruits of that investment yet. I hope you will prove that my investment is not in vain as soon as possible because words can be changed at any time.”

Jo Gwangyun got up from his seat.

“And don’t whine about things like this. You lost to Wei Zhongxian on a political issue. Blaming others for your defeat is something that only children do. That’s why your position is not yet solid.”

Yun Juseong sighed as he watched Jo Gwangyun’s back as he threw his last words and left.

Because Jo Gwangyun’s every word was as painful as if it were piercing his lungs.

* * *

Jo Gwangyun sent carrier pigeons to all the security agencies he managed, instructing them to find out the details of salt transportation, and ordered Jeon Jang and Changryongmun to compile and report on the current status of all salt merchants.

The Emperor’s decree will soon be sent to the provinces. Now that they are about to lose the salt they have been monopolizing, they will come running to him to maintain their monopoly, and the officials who are in collusion with them will also come.

But the one Jo Gwangyun is waiting for is not them.

The one at the apex of all these related people. He has to negotiate with that person.

The head of the Sichuan Brocade Association is the one at the apex of the silk trade. Likewise, there must be someone who controls the supply and demand of salt and determines its price.

But he has not yet identified that person. Salt is managed much more strictly than silk, so the black hand must be hiding very deep.

But he will surely show himself when the Emperor’s decree on salt privatization is issued.

He must wait patiently until then.

Even before the Emperor’s decree was sent to the provinces, many people visited Jo Gwangyun. They were all court officials who had been making money thanks to the salt monopoly.

But Jo Gwangyun only had Gu Seung deliver a message and did not meet them directly.

“I’m sorry, but Ju Bu Jo told me to convey this message. He is concerned that meeting with court officials privately as the brother of the imperial concubine’s brother may cause misunderstanding of the rise of in-laws [undue influence]. Also, although he has an official position, it is not high enough to discuss state affairs, so he said that he would not have much to talk about with the eminent minister. He asked if it would be better to exchange letters if there is anything you need.”

There was no fool who would leave a request in writing and create future troubles. Everyone had no choice but to grumble and return.

After another month, this time, salt merchants flocked to him.

Likewise, Gu Seung greeted them outside the door.

“Now, Ju Bu Jo Gwangyun is acting as an official of Geumjo, not as the head of the Jo family. Officials must be fair and will not give special favors to anyone. He is promoting the salt pan business, so he says that there will be no meeting with merchants who handle salt now or in the future. He also conveys his apologies for making you come a long way for nothing.”

As expected, merchants who handle money were more persistent than officials. They kept coming every day and guarded the front of the house even after hearing a clear refusal, but after a month, no one was looking for Jo Gwangyun anymore.

And finally, a letter that made Jo Gwangyun move flew in.

End