I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 179

< Why is the Emperor Doing This? 1 >

“Why is the Empress Dowager, barely breathing in the Imperial Palace, doing this?”

“Whoever becomes the next Empress Dowager will face the same fate: utter isolation, without a single shred of power in the Imperial Palace or the court. That must be His Majesty’s intention.”

“Guarding against in-laws has always been the norm.”

Wi Chung-hyun smirked, as if it was nothing new. Clearly, he didn’t think much of it, now that his power was soaring.

“I have often left the Central Plains [historical term for the central area of China] for business and traveled to the border countries.”

“What nonsense are you going to spout now?”

“There was a king on the border who killed all his brothers to become king, a path similar to His Majesty’s.”

Wi Chung-hyun chuckled. How many emperors hadn’t killed their brothers to seize the throne? In fact, it would be much easier to find cases where someone ascended to the throne without bloodshed.

“But as soon as that king appointed his eldest son as crown prince, he orchestrated a bloodbath against his maternal family, not just once, but twice.”

“Are there cases where someone has two maternal families? What nonsense…”

“He appointed the eldest son as crown prince, then deposed him and appointed the wise third son as crown prince. And he wiped out even that crown prince’s maternal family.”

“His Majesty will do the same?”

Jo Kwang-yun, seeing Wi Chung-hyun’s mocking expression, gave a bitter smile.

“Whether you believe it or not, sir, is not my concern. But I am certain. That’s why I have already submitted a petition to His Majesty, asking him to strip me of my official position. His Majesty said he would do so as soon as the salt field development is completed.”

Wi Chung-hyun’s attitude remained unchanged even after Jo Kwang-yun’s words.

“I already don’t trust you. You say in front of me that you will get rid of everything, but you insisted on showing sincerity directly to the officials. And you did. Isn’t this action laying the groundwork for the future?”

“That’s just for my business. It’s not unusual for a merchant to give money to officials.”

Jo Kwang-yun stood up.

“His Majesty has already taken care of even Prince Pyongwon. It’s all for the sake of succession. This will continue in the future, and I am just avoiding the danger.”

Jo Kwang-yun bowed to Wi Chung-hyun, left his last words, and turned away.

“I fully understand your distrust of me, sir. But as a merchant, I will still show sincerity to you. Please make a wise decision.”

Some of Jo Kwang-yun’s words were sincere. In particular, the thought that the emperor would not just watch his in-laws was an honest one.

If Wi Chung-hyun also starts to have these doubts, the plan will unfold much more easily.

* * *

Yoon Ju-seong entered the palace early in the morning and waited for the emperor in front of Euirip Hall. This was because he had to advise the emperor on his opinions before the morning assembly.

In particular, since there was a royal celebration last night, it seemed there would be many questions today.

As soon as Emperor Naseon arrived at Euirip Hall, Yoon Ju-seong bowed.

“Your Majesty, congratulations. It is a great blessing for the Imperial Family.”

The emperor gave a slight smile and entered Euirip Hall.

“There are many things to discuss today. Let’s hurry.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as he entered Euirip Hall, the emperor said,

“Since a prince has been born, I will issue a general amnesty. Tell me the appropriate scope.”

The amnesty is not intended to show the emperor’s generosity, but to ensure that the amnesty recipients, when released from prison, know that it is because of the newborn child and feel gratitude towards the child. The more benefits of the amnesty, the more blessings the child will receive.

“How about releasing everyone except those guilty of treason and murder?”

“Everyone?”

The emperor frowned, and Yoon Ju-seong understood the meaning.

“Of course, the target should be limited to commoners and those of lower status. Criminals from noble families have already betrayed Your Majesty’s grace.”

The emperor smiled, indicating he had given the right answer.

“I am thinking of raising the rank of Royal Consort Yang, who gave birth to the prince. Give me your opinion.”

It was a difficult question.

A concubine from a commoner background. According to the Imperial Palace’s laws, raising her rank from Royal Consort to Noble Consort is the most appropriate.

If the emperor’s thoughts were within the bounds of the Imperial Palace’s laws, he wouldn’t have asked. The emperor is clearly thinking of raising her to Imperial Noble Consort, not just Noble Consort.

Since he had already decided on the answer, Yoon Ju-seong was just perplexed.

“If you raise her to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, there will be strong opposition from the court. Isn’t Royal Consort Yang a commoner?”

“I heard the political answer, but what is your personal opinion?”

“I am an official who eats the country’s salary. It is not appropriate to express personal thoughts.”

He cannot easily say what the emperor wants to hear, because he doesn’t know when it will become an arrow and come back to wound him.

“You’re difficult… If I can’t even ask you your thoughts, who can I have a frank conversation with? Speak.”

Yoon Ju-seong knows that this is also politics. So he said the most political thing.

“The rank of Noble Consort would be praising Royal Consort’s merits, while the rank of Imperial Noble Consort would seem like Your Majesty is considering the succession. Please be aware.”

“Why? Do you think that Imperial Noble Consort is the first step for me to appoint that child born yesterday as crown prince?”

“Isn’t it a perception that it *can* be appointed, not that it *is* for appointment?”

The emperor continued to smile as if he found this conversation interesting.

“Then what do you think? Which of the two princes should be the crown prince?”

Yoon Ju-seong did not hesitate at all. This question has a correct answer as a subject.

“The eldest son’s succession is the law of the Imperial Family.”

“Sometimes, when necessary, we choose the wise one, not the eldest.”

“The eldest son has no opposition from anyone, but choosing the wise one must have a justification to persuade the opponents. No one yet knows the wisdom of the two princes.”

The emperor stopped smiling and asked again.

“The rank of Imperial Noble Consort will face strong opposition from the court, right?”

“That’s right.”

At Yoon Ju-seong’s cautious answer, the emperor was silent for a while, and when he opened his mouth again, unexpected words came out.

“Royal Consort Yang’s older brother said he would give up his official position and prohibit entry to the Imperial Palace. What do you think?”

It was the easiest question for Yoon Ju-seong.

“I think that Jo Kwang-yun’s duty is that of a merchant, and it is a behavior that suits that duty.”

“But wouldn’t his thoughts have changed now? His sister gave birth to a prince?”

“Isn’t the fact that he has already submitted a petition to Your Majesty mean that he will not be shaken at times like this? Rather, I think it is right to regard it as commendable.”

“Is that really so?”

The emperor muttered words that seemed to know but not know, and said to the chief eunuch.

“Prepare the way. I will go to the morning assembly.”

* * *

The congratulations of the officials echoed loudly in the main hall, and a great amnesty was issued.

Wi Chung-hyun hoped that Joo Sang-bang would also be pardoned, but he soon realized that hope was in vain.

“…I am going to raise the rank of Royal Consort Yang, who gave the Imperial Family a precious descendant, to praise her efforts. What do you think, gentlemen?”

The officials, who thought it was a natural step, simply bowed their heads.

“It is a proper disposition.”

Wi Chung-hyun waited for the emperor’s decision with his head bowed.

“Then I will raise Royal Consort Yang to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort of the first rank. What do you think?”

The court was as silent as if cold water had been poured on it at the sound of making a concubine the legal wife.

A woman who is the sole recipient of the emperor’s favor even gave birth to a son. The emperor’s heart can be understood enough, but it is too unconventional.

Everyone was just looking at each other and couldn’t open their mouths. The most surprised person was not Wi Chung-hyun but Yoon Ju-seong.

Considering the conversation he had with the emperor a little while ago, it should be Noble Consort, not Imperial Noble Consort. But as soon as he entered the court, he completely changed his attitude.

In an instant, Yoon Ju-seong remembered one word from the emperor.

– The rank of Imperial Noble Consort will face strong opposition from the court, right?

The emperor did not ask Yoon Ju-seong for his opinion. He is observing the reaction representing the court officials. So the emperor is now inducing opposition from the officials.

Yoon Ju-seong looked at the officials.

Everyone is exchanging glances and waiting for someone to step forward first. But there was also the case of Joo Sang-bang a while ago, and it is breaking the joy of the father who saw his son yesterday, so it is difficult for anyone to come forward easily.

The old officials were busy watching Wi Chung-hyun’s eyes.

Wi Chung-hyun was staring intently at the floor of the main hall with a stiff expression.

One of the old officials, who was observing the situation, opened his mouth on behalf of Wi Chung-hyun.

“Your Majesty, it is truly wonderful that Royal Consort Yang gave birth to a prince and illuminated the Imperial Family, but I think the rank of Imperial Noble Consort is not appropriate.”

“Why is that?”

The emperor’s expression also hardened.

“Royal Consort Yang is a concubine. The laws of class are strict, and the laws of the Imperial Family are even stricter. The rank of concubine ends with Noble Consort.”

“Don’t you know that there have been many cases where concubines have risen to the position of empress by giving birth to a prince?”

“Your Majesty, the only reason a concubine can rise to the position of empress is because the position was vacant. There are Empress and Hyunbi Mama [another term for a high-ranking concubine] in the current Naemyeongbu [the organization of female officials in the palace]. Please be aware.”

“Please be aware!”

Several old retainers repeated and prostrated themselves on the floor.

The emperor glanced at Wi Chung-hyun, but he did not move.

“I am not just trying to raise the rank of Royal Consort Yang in consideration of her merits. Royal Consort Yang has no connection to the Imperial Family. Her older brother, Jo Kwang-yun Jubu [a title for a merchant], has already submitted his resignation. Even though she gave birth to a prince, she has no place to lean on in the Imperial Family, so I want to raise her rank. This is the heart of a husband before the law.”

The court officials were agitated by the news that Jo Kwang-yun had resigned from his position.

However, there are quite a few officials who can never tolerate a commoner disguising herself as a legal wife.

“Your Majesty, the heart of a husband is private. Rank is the same as an official position, and it is not possible to bestow an official position by privately violating the law. Please be aware.”

Wi Chung-hyun’s expression, who was not saying anything, became even stiffer.

He was feeling with his whole body that everyone was saving their own skin now.

In the past, the main hall would have been roaring with the sound of a thousand injustices, but today only two people are stepping forward to raise their voices, and the rest are just pretending to agree.

It’s not just because the emperor cherishes the concubine and that concubine gave birth to a son.

‘Jo Kwang-yun, this bastard…’

Wi Chung-hyun was curious about how much money Jo Kwang-yun had spread.

Not a single one of the guys who took money from him is coming forward.

The fact that they are watching this much means that they have spread money that is equal to his power. If he moves the officials with power, that guy bought the court officials with money.

The emperor looked around at the officials and said with a smirk.

“Since that is your opinion, I will consider it a little more.”

Yoon Ju-seong’s doubts deepened as he saw the emperor stepping back without insisting any further.

He retreats obediently even though only two or three people come forward to oppose him.

At this point, he knows better than anyone that he can fully enforce it if he makes a big noise and stays in Taecheon Palace [likely a location within the palace] for two or three days.

‘Maybe…?’

Isn’t he retreating because there isn’t much opposition, paradoxically?

Was he trying to find fault by setting up a confrontation with the officials over this issue?

Or… was he trying to identify in advance the guys who would oppose when he puts the newborn baby born yesterday as the successor?

Questions continued to arise, but one thing is clear.

Wi Chung-hyun and his forces are shaking a lot.

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