I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 167

< Discovering the Imperial Mind 2 >

Seeing him display a moderate amount of flexibility reminds me that he is, without a doubt, a merchant.

“You’re giving me a chance to take credit. I’ll gladly accept it.”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Wi Chung-hyeon took the documents Jo Kwang-yun handed him and made him promise as he tried to get up.

“Make sure I don’t have to worry about Consort Yang’s pregnancy.”

“She is the child of a commoner concubine. Even if it’s a son, he won’t be able to become the Emperor’s successor. The officials won’t bow their heads before a man with a lowly mother, will they? The court will surely oppose it with one voice… I believe His Majesty isn’t reckless enough to make such an unreasonable move.”

Wi Chung-hyeon seemed pleased with Jo Kwang-yun’s answer, nodding with a smile.

“I’ll contact you soon. Let’s meet again then.”

“Please do. I hope you share the rice well.”

Jo Kwang-yun bowed and left.

Now it’s time to prepare the gift for the Emperor.

Jo Kwang-yun, leaving Wi Chung-hyeon’s house, headed straight to Yun Ju-seong’s residence.

“Master Jo, the court is buzzing. Do you know why?”

“Is it because of Consort Yang?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The woman His Majesty cherishes most is pregnant. If she even gives birth to a son, the future will change drastically.”

Jo Kwang-yun understands Yun Ju-seong’s excitement.

Rather than the future changing, it means the future is becoming uncertain. It means power and generations may be replaced.

“Master, a son or a daughter… Isn’t it ridiculous to entrust the future to something like this?”

Yun Ju-seong calmed down at Jo Kwang-yun’s meaningful words.

“I’ve shown you an ugly sight again. I’m ashamed.”

“Don’t mention it. Rather, how about preparing in advance for a future that will change drastically?”

“Prepare?”

“Yes. Even if Consort Yang gives birth to a son, what use is it without the power to support him? We need to gradually expand our influence from now on.”

“His Majesty doesn’t bring new *Sarim* [Confucian scholars] into the court, so the court is completely stagnant.”

“There are two ways to expand. Either we increase our size or cut off one of the opponent’s hands or feet.”

Yun Ju-seong’s eyes sparkled.

“Are you suggesting I impeach Wi Chung-hyeon? You’ve been in and out of the court, so you know it’s impossible, right? Didn’t you feel their strength?”

“I said a hand or a foot, not the head.”

Jo Kwang-yun took out one of the bribery ledgers that Gil Baek-mi had given him.

“Wouldn’t Ju Sang-bang be at least a hand?”

“Ju Sang-bang? Ju Sang-bang, the Chief Secretary?”

Yun Ju-seong hurriedly opened the ledger.

“While in a position to decide on various policies by His Majesty’s side, he guaranteed the salt monopoly and pocketed money. Isn’t this enough to warrant impeachment?”

It’s more than enough to warrant impeachment, but he’s such a big figure that it’s scary to step forward.

Yun Ju-seong’s expression was dark, but he didn’t say he couldn’t do it.

Jo Kwang-yun brought him such a good opportunity, so impeachment is his responsibility. Moreover, Ju Sang-bang is Wi Chung-hyeon’s closest aide, so it can deal a blow that cuts off not just one hand, but both.

“Where did you get this?”

Yun Ju-seong shook the ledger and asked.

“I obtained it while investigating salt merchants. As I ran around trying to figure out the existing structure, all sorts of corruption came to light.”

“Surely there’s more besides this, right?”

“Of course, but deal with that first.”

“No. These things should be revealed all at once…”

“You’re still far from understanding scheming or tactics.”

Jo Kwang-yun raised his hand and covered Yun Ju-seong’s mouth.

“If you reveal everything, they’ll come up with countermeasures. If there’s a smart guy, he’ll even counterattack. But if we have more evidence of corruption, they can’t act recklessly, because they might be counterattacked. One by one, every time the opponent makes a move. That’s the way to do it.”

Yun Ju-seong nodded silently.

He completely abandoned the confidence that just because he’s good at writing, he’ll be good at politics. Half of politics is a deal, and the one who is best at this deal is right in front of him. He has no choice but to follow the words coming out of his mouth.

But one thing bothers him.

“Master Jo, there’s another reason why I said to reveal it all at once.”

“Please tell me.”

“It’s true that Ju Sang-bang is Wi Chung-hyeon’s hands and feet, but he’s too big. The Emperor’s favor towards him is also deep.”

“So you mean it’s burdensome if he’s the only target, so let’s lump them together.”

“That’s right.”

Yun Ju-seong spoke a little more cautiously.

“And do you know who his son-in-law is? It’s Prince Pyeongwon, His Majesty’s younger brother. If we strike Ju Sang-bang, Prince Pyeongwon will also be on the chopping block.”

That’s what Jo Kwang-yun wants. His goal isn’t to go to Wi Chung-hyeon through Ju Sang-bang, but to Prince Pyeongwon.

“Isn’t that up to His Majesty’s will? If His Majesty has no intention of touching Prince Pyeongwon, he’ll end it with Ju Sang-bang. Isn’t that right?”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, Yun Ju-seong handed the ledger back.

“Have Hwang Hyo, the Commissioner of the Justice and Procuratorate Office, take this ledger.”

The Commissioner of the Justice and Procuratorate Office is in charge of trials and inspections.

“He is known for being upright. He doesn’t care about Wi Chung-hyeon, so he’ll arrest Ju Sang-bang right away. Then, I and several other officials will submit impeachment petitions to gauge His Majesty’s thoughts.”

A smile slowly spread across Jo Kwang-yun’s face.

Now he also knows how to use other people as knives. It’s a remarkable development.

“I will do that. It’s also right in terms of procedure.”

Jo Kwang-yun took the ledger and quietly retreated.

* * *

In a remote part of the Imperial Palace, there is a place that everyone shudders at just looking at. A place where once you’re dragged in, you come out half-crippled: the *Sinhyungsa* [interrogation and torture division].

Investigation, interrogation, and torture.

A place where they can do anything to get the words they want from the criminal.

Jo Kwang-yun visited this place.

The place where the officials stayed was clean and tidy, but for some reason, it smelled like blood, so he couldn’t help but frown.

“Are you not Master Jo Kwang-yun? What brings you here?”

Hwang Hyo, the Commissioner of the Justice and Procuratorate Office, was surprised by Jo Kwang-yun’s appearance.

“Are you at peace, Master?”

“Did you come to say hello? That’s enough outside.”

Hwang Hyo handed a chair to Jo Kwang-yun, who was looking around curiously.

“Sit down. I don’t think it’s a greeting.”

“That’s right. I found something suspicious… I think you should take care of it.”

Jo Kwang-yun took out the ledger from his arms and handed it over politely.

“What is it? This is?”

Hwang Hyo opened the ledger.

“Please take a look and tell me.”

Jo Kwang-yun glanced at Hwang Hyo’s expression as he examined the ledger.

He hasn’t confirmed that he has an upright character yet, but he was able to quickly confirm that he has a fiery temper.

Before he even saw half of the ledger, he threw it away and shouted.

“This son of a bitch! A Chief Secretary is selling his power to make money? Even the salt managed by the state!”

At this point, it seemed that Ju Sang-bang would be dragged to the *Sinhyungsa* before the day was over.

Hwang Hyo, who had vented his anger, poured out questions to Jo Kwang-yun.

“Where did you get this?”

“I went to Bokgeon Province for a salt field inspection. At the news that I had arrived, salt merchants flocked to me like bees.”

“They’re trying to meet you and ask for favors.”

“That’s right. But there was a man who came to me in the middle of the night, and he handed me this ledger and complained. There is a merchant who commits all sorts of evil deeds with the Chief Secretary on his back. He mixes soil with salt and sells it, and pours water into the salt warehouses of competing merchants. His evil deeds are beyond description, but because of the Chief Secretary’s backing, even the *Hyeoncheong* [local magistrate] only watches.”

Hwang Hyo’s face turned red as Jo Kwang-yun spoke with exaggeration.

“I am only in charge of the salt field development rights, so I brought it here because I thought it would be better for you to handle this matter. I don’t know if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“What are you talking about! You did well. I’ll take care of this. You can go back now.”

“Yes, Master.”

Jo Kwang-yun bowed and left the *Sinhyungsa*, and Hwang Hyo straightened his clothes and headed to the *Uiripjeon* [Emperor’s office].

* * *

“Your Majesty, Hwang Hyo, the Commissioner of the Justice and Procuratorate Office, is here.”

At the announcement of the eunuch, the Emperor said.

“Let him in.”

Hwang Hyo knelt before the Emperor.

“What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty, I, Hwang Hyo, report that I have found an official who used the power of his office to exercise preferential treatment for the salt monopoly.”

“Salt monopoly?”

The Emperor frowned, because it’s an open secret.

“If you catch all the preferential treatment, quite a few officials will be revealed, right?”

“The crime is serious and there is undeniable evidence, so I am reporting it.”

“Evidence?”

“Yes. It is a ledger of bribes given over the past several years. The amount is…”

“Stop!”

Hwang Hyo closed his mouth at the Emperor’s shout.

“Isn’t there anyone who doesn’t know, even if there’s no evidence? I turn a blind eye to it because it increases the wealth of the officials. Are you doing this because you don’t know?”

Hwang Hyo gritted his teeth and lowered his head even deeper.

The Emperor turns a blind eye with various excuses, so the corruption of the officials is even more rampant.

Should he risk his life to make a plea at this time? But he couldn’t open his mouth because he might be misunderstood as removing only one person since he couldn’t eradicate everything.

“So, who is the owner of the ledger?”

“It’s the Chief Secretary.”

“What? You mean Ju Sang-bang?”

“That’s right.”

The Emperor stood still as if frozen, then reached out his hand.

“Ledger!”

As Hwang Hyo carefully raised the ledger, the Emperor quickly began to flip through it.

After skimming through the ledger, the Emperor rolled it up and held it in his hand, pacing back and forth.

“Hwang Hyo!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you check the amount?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Don’t you think it’s too much?”

“Yes?”

Hwang Hyo blinked, not understanding the Emperor’s intention at the sudden words.

“I mean, don’t you think it’s too much for one person to receive as a bribe? It seems like Ju Sang-bang didn’t embezzle it alone, but shared it with someone, so I’m saying this.”

Ah, he means to involve several people, not just one.

“Such suspicion is certainly possible.”

“Right? This is a bit too much.”

The Emperor paced back and forth again.

Hwang Hyo guessed that the Emperor was using this case to pick out the officials to get rid of.

The Emperor seemed to have made up his mind and said to the eunuch.

“Bring Chief Secretary Ju Sang-bang here immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The eunuch ran out like an arrow.

After a while, Chief Secretary Ju Sang-bang rushed in, not knowing what was going on.

“Long live Your Majesty, long…”

“Quiet!”

Ju Sang-bang, who was kneeling and bowing, closed his mouth after being hit in the head by the ledger thrown by the Emperor.

“I’m ashamed that I discussed state affairs with you and listened to your opinions. Aren’t you ashamed of the title of Chief Secretary!”

“Your… Your Majesty, what did I do…”

“Look at that ledger! It’s a detailed record of the bribes you received from the merchants. Do you still not know your crime?”

Ju Sang-bang hurriedly picked up the ledger and opened it.

The more he flipped through the ledger, the more Ju Sang-bang’s complexion turned pale.

Just looking at that appearance, it was as good as admitting that he had already received bribes.

The Emperor shouted again.

“Hwang Hyo!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take that guy away and reveal his crimes clearly. You can torture him until he confesses everything.”

“I obey your command.”

Since he was allowed to torture him, it was only a matter of time before he revealed the charges.

“Your… Your Majesty!”

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you taking him away quickly?”

As the Emperor turned away, the eunuch shouted first.

“Hey! Drag this guy away!”

The guards outside dragged Ju Sang-bang away like a dog, and Hwang Hyo carefully retreated.

Hwang Hyo was a little excited because the Emperor’s will and his will were the same.

< Discovering the Imperial Mind 2 > End