I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 168

< Discovering the Emperor's Heart 3 >

“Aaaaaaagh!”

A scream rips through the air, thick with the stench of burning flesh.

Ju Sangbang’s body is a ravaged landscape, every inch bearing the mark of torture. There’s no untouched skin left to brand with the red-hot iron, yet his screams confirm he still feels every agonizing moment. It’s the signal that the torment can continue.

“The Deputy Director of the Chancellery, that weasel who whispers advice in His Majesty’s ear, was lining his pockets with money from a salt merchant, acting like a petty tyrant! And you were his accomplice! Have you no shame?”

“Hwa…Hwanghyo, I…didn’t I confess everything? Please…stop the torture. Please…”

Unable to endure the excruciating pain, Ju Sangbang trembled like a leaf, desperately begging for mercy.

It was a maddening, infuriating situation. The instant he saw the glowing iron, he had spilled everything he knew.

Yet the torture hadn’t ceased, leaving him utterly lost and broken.

“Everything? How dare you try to deceive me! Guards! Continue until the complete truth is wrenched from his lying mouth!”

At Hwanghyo’s sharp command, the guards resumed their brutal work, pressing the searing iron against his flesh.

Hwanghyo understood the grim calculus of torture. Only by pushing Ju Sangbang to the very brink of consciousness, to a point where he could barely distinguish life from death, would the truth, or at least what the Emperor wanted to hear, emerge.

After enduring relentless branding and savage beatings, Ju Sangbang had fainted countless times before Hwanghyo finally called a halt to the torment.

“So, you devoured all this wealth yourself?”

Hwanghyo tapped the incriminating ledger, his expression skeptical.

“I highly doubt that. You certainly didn’t spend this fortune alone. Who did you share it with? Tell me every single person who even caught a whiff of this money. Confess honestly, and I promise to end this torture.”

“Damn it! There’s no one else! Please, just end this nightmare.”
Hwanghyo desperately wanted to believe Ju Sangbang, who even in his broken state, insisted he acted alone. In a way, he did believe him.

But the Emperor’s unwavering command echoed in his mind.

The one who accepted the bribes wasn’t alone; there had to be a network of complicit individuals involved.

Hwanghyo also felt a pang of pity for Ju Sangbang. The Emperor clearly had a specific name he was determined to extract. But Hwanghyo didn’t know who that was.

So, a litany of names had to be produced, and he could only pray that the Emperor’s target was among them.

“Everyone, leave the room.”

Hwanghyo ordered the men wielding the clubs and irons.

As they reluctantly set down their instruments of torture and filed out, Hwanghyo leaned close to Ju Sangbang’s ear, his voice a low whisper.

“Deputy Director. I want this to end as much as you do. But this is the Emperor’s will. I can’t stop with just you. His Majesty intends to bring this matter before the entire court, and heads will roll. Do you understand?”

Ju Sangbang knew he was trapped, his fate sealed.

If the Emperor had set his sights on him, no saving hand would reach him. Even Wi Chung-Hyon, whom he had trusted and faithfully served, would likely turn a blind eye to his plight.

And…

He didn’t even know which name to offer up. The only one who possessed that knowledge was the Emperor himself. If he uttered the wrong name, the torture would simply continue, an endless cycle of pain.

“Hwa…Hwanghyo, please, save me. Why don’t you try to discern His Majesty’s true intentions and tell me? That way, you won’t face reprimand either. You know that’s true, don’t you?”

The truth itself was irrelevant; what mattered was the confession the Emperor desired. It was an absurd predicament where the confessor and the one demanding confession were forced to collaborate, desperately seeking a way out.

* * *

The court was as frigid as the Emperor’s gaze, the air thick with unspoken tension.

“I, Yun Juseong, dare to speak. A person entrusted with advising His Majesty on matters of state has accepted enormous bribes, an act tantamount to insulting the Emperor himself. He must be severely punished!”

As Yun Juseong initiated the attack, a barrage of accusations followed in rapid succession.

“He received a vast sum of money from the salt trade, a vital source of national revenue, which is the same as embezzling taxes. Taxes are the lifeblood of His Majesty’s governance, and Ju Sangbang has undermined the very foundation of our nation. He deserves to be punished by death!”

“Punish him severely!”

As the chorus of demands for harsh punishment swelled, Wi Chung-Hyon’s heart burned with anxiety.

One of his most trusted allies had been dragged to the Sinhyungsa [a government torture facility] and was being slowly broken. He had to save him, but the Emperor’s expression was an impenetrable mask of coldness.

If he dared to defend Ju Sangbang even slightly, the storm of accusations would instantly turn against him.

Wi Chung-Hyon realized that this matter couldn’t be resolved within the confines of the court; he would have to find another way.

* * *

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Please, save my father!”

“Wife, what are you saying? Calm yourself and tell me what has happened from the beginning.”

King Pyungwon attempted to soothe his wife, who had burst into his chambers, weeping hysterically.

“My father has been taken to the Sinhyungsa and is being subjected to unspeakable torture!”

“What? Your father-in-law? Why?”

“It’s a blatant conspiracy orchestrated by a group of malicious individuals. They claim my father accepted money from a merchant, which is utterly preposterous!”

King Pyungwon’s mind went blank with fear.

Because he carried the blood of a potential heir to the throne, he was destined to be eliminated for even the slightest transgression, like dew evaporating in the morning sun.

That’s why he had always been meticulously careful about everyone around him, acutely aware that his brother, the Emperor, was constantly watching his every move.

But his father-in-law’s predicament threw everything into chaos!

He thought more about preserving his own life than ensuring the safety of his wife’s father in the face of her desperate pleas.

“Wife, I will investigate this matter. Remain here, inside the house, and do not act rashly. If you do, neither you nor I will be safe.”

King Pyungwon donned his official robes and hurried towards the Imperial Palace.

The one he sought out in secret at the Imperial Palace was Wi Chung-Hyon.

“Minister Wi, what in the world is happening?”

Wi Chung-Hyon bowed deeply to King Pyungwon, his voice hushed.

“The Deputy Director of the Chancellery is accused of accepting bribes from a salt monopoly.”

“Is that true?”

“Whether it’s true or not is almost irrelevant at this point, but…it appears to be true. They claim to possess irrefutable evidence. And the Deputy Director has reportedly confessed.”

King Pyungwon closed his eyes, his face etched with worry.

If there was concrete evidence and Ju Sangbang had confessed, the situation was irreversible.

“What is the mood in the court?”

“The younger officials seem to view this as an opportunity to advance their own agendas and are clamoring for severe punishment. The momentum is quite alarming…”

“What about His Majesty?”

“Your Highness, do you truly believe a court official could be subjected to such brutal torture without His Majesty’s implicit approval? The Emperor’s favor has clearly shifted, emboldening them to act with impunity.”

“Minister Wi, I implore you, please save my father-in-law.”

King Pyungwon grasped Wi Chung-Hyon’s hands tightly, his voice filled with desperation.

“Your Highness, I desperately want to help the Deputy Director, who I consider a friend. But…”

“I’m not asking for him to be acquitted. Just keep him alive.”

Wi Chung-Hyon sighed, observing King Pyungwon’s pathetic state.

“I will plead with His Majesty on his behalf. Your Highness…”

“I understand. I won’t involve myself directly. That’s why I’m appealing to you in this manner, isn’t it?”

Wi Chung-Hyon also had a vested interest in saving Ju Sangbang. If he were executed for accepting some bribes, it would send shockwaves through his entire network of subordinates.

The reason he could wield them like extensions of his own will was because he served as their safety net, their protector.

* * *

That night, Wi Chung-Hyon secretly visited Jo Kwang-Yun’s residence.

“Oh, Great Minister! What brings you here at this late hour…? Please, come inside.”

As soon as Wi Chung-Hyon stepped into the room, he turned to Jo Kwang-Yun, his eyes blazing with anger.

“Are you stabbing me in the back like this? Was offering me three shares of the salt field development rights merely bait to set me up for a fall?”

“What are you talking about? Stabbing you in the back?”

“Deputy Director Ju Sangbang! You reported him, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct. But what do you mean by ‘reporting’? I simply discovered the bribery ledger and handed it over to the inspector. I must not have even a hint of suspicion in this matter…”

Wi Chung-Hyon was taken aback by Jo Kwang-Yun’s ready admission, expecting him to feign ignorance.

As soon as Wi Chung-Hyon had learned about the salt monopoly’s bribery scandal, Jo Kwang-Yun had immediately come to mind.

This kind of corruption had been a customary practice for years, but the emergence of concrete evidence suggested Jo Kwang-Yun’s involvement.

“Don’t you realize that Ju Sangbang is one of my men? Cutting off my limbs is the same as attacking me directly!”

Jo Kwang-Yun, who had been wearing a blank expression, suddenly turned serious.

“I had no idea.”

“What?”

“How would I know who the Great Minister’s ‘limbs’ are? I’m just a businessman who occasionally interacts with the court. How would I be privy to the intricate power structures and factions of the court officials?”

Wi Chung-Hyon was rendered speechless by Jo Kwang-Yun’s brazen attitude.

“I even ordered the salt transport to be suspended at the courier company I operate to avoid any potential involvement in this matter. It was a lucrative business with substantial transportation fees, but I willingly sacrificed it. How could I condone the illegal collusion between merchants and officials? I would inevitably become a suspect myself.”

“So you genuinely didn’t know? About the relationship between me and the Deputy Director?”

“I can’t help it if you choose not to believe me. I have no obligation to prove my innocence. Please, judge the situation as you see fit, Great Minister.”

Wi Chung-Hyon, having regained his composure, sighed heavily.

“Well, how could someone like you possibly understand the complex web of relationships within the court…”

Jo Kwang-Yun looked intently at Wi Chung-Hyon and said,

“It seems this situation has escalated significantly, considering you’re personally involved, Great Minister.”

“Indeed. His Majesty has issued a strict order to uncover the complete truth. Ju Sangbang is currently enduring severe torture in the Sinhyungsa.”

“He must be stubbornly denying the accusations. But it’s futile…”

As Jo Kwang-Yun let that slip, Wi Chung-Hyon’s eyes narrowed, a spark of suspicion igniting within them.

“You know something?”

“About the bribery ledger. It’s recorded in excruciating detail, making it nearly impossible to deny.”

“Aha!”

Wi Chung-Hyon nodded slowly.

“No wonder Ju Sangbang confessed so readily…”

This time, it was Jo Kwang-Yun’s eyes that widened with surprise.

“He confessed easily?”

“Yes. I heard he admitted everything as soon as they presented him with the ledger.”

“Then why is he still being subjected to such brutal torture in the Sinhyungsa?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t that peculiar? He’s already confessed everything, so what more are they trying to extract from him?”

Wi Chung-Hyon’s jaw dropped in astonishment.

“Wha…What is going on here…?”

Jo Kwang-Yun closed his eyes, feigning deep contemplation, patiently waiting for Wi Chung-Hyon to grasp the implications of his words.

“You…do you have any idea what’s happening?”

“Shh! Just a moment…”

The more he prolonged the suspense, the more anxious Wi Chung-Hyon would become.

Jo Kwang-Yun opened his eyes wide, adopting a dramatic tone.

“Great Minister! Is the Deputy Director perhaps your right-hand man?”

“Well…you could say that. He conveys my thoughts to the Emperor’s inner circle, ensuring they are accurately represented.”

“This is a grave matter. His Majesty didn’t issue a strict order merely to apprehend one Deputy Director. He’s envisioning a much grander scheme.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Wi Chung-Hyon’s eyes widened in alarm, and he trailed off, unable to articulate his growing fear.

“Could it be…? Me…?”

Jo Kwang-Yun nodded slowly, confirming his worst fears.

“They’re torturing him to force the Great Minister’s name from the Deputy Director’s lips. He received a substantial amount of money, and they’re planning to frame it so that the funds ultimately flowed into the Great Minister’s pocket. Am I mistaken?”

Wi Chung-Hyon’s face turned ashen.

If his name were to come out of Ju Sangbang’s mouth, the Emperor would be wielding a sharp and formidable weapon. A single swing of that weapon would result in the loss of countless lives, including his own.

Jo Kwang-Yun suppressed a triumphant smile as he observed Wi Chung-Hyon’s terrified demeanor.

He had successfully navigated eight or nine stages of his plan, nearing his ultimate goal.

Now, he simply needed to wait for Wi Chung-Hyon to plead for his assistance. It wouldn’t be long.

“Is His Majesty truly targeting me?”

“Isn’t it obvious, given the current circumstances?”

“What should I do? I can’t simply allow myself to be defeated like this.”

Jo Kwang-Yun cautiously broached the subject.

“Great Minister, what if…?”

“What is it? Do you have any helpful suggestions? Tell me quickly!”

“If another name were to emerge from the Deputy Director’s mouth, it seems likely that this entire situation would be quietly resolved.”

“Another name? Whose?”

“King Pyungwon.”