I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 181

“Your Majesty, I have something urgent to say to you, even if it may sound disrespectful.”

*Something urgent to say*—Wei Zhongxian was requesting a private audience right then and there.

“Speak.”

The Emperor did not dismiss those around him, refusing the private audience.

“Your Majesty! Please, have mercy and listen!”

Wei Zhongxian cried out desperately, and the Emperor said with a stern expression, “Director Wei, if you intend to speak your true feelings honestly, what does it matter who hears? Does your sincerity need to be known only to me and hidden from others?”

“Your Majesty, that is not what I meant…”

“If it is honesty that cannot be spoken to all, how can it be called true?”

Wei Zhongxian gritted his teeth at the Emperor’s seemingly unreasonable demand.

“I fear that others may misinterpret Your Majesty’s profound intentions.”

To Wei Zhongxian’s bold statement implying the Emperor might not be speaking sincerely, the Emperor replied as if he had been waiting for it.

“If there is something to hide, one should not lie but simply not speak of it at all. But in discussing state affairs, what would I have to hide? I wouldn’t mind if all the people knew.”

Wei Zhongxian’s complex mind raced.

In the past, when the Emperor had declared his intention to promote Consort Yang to the rank of Noble Consort, not many had opposed him.

So, tomorrow, when Yoon Juseong announced the edict appointing him as Senior State Councillor [a largely ceremonial position], how many would step forward to demand the edict be withdrawn?

Excluding his own blood relatives, would there even be ten? If there were not many objectors, he would have to prepare to retire to his hometown immediately. He could not risk such danger.

He had to stop it right here, before the edict was announced. Wei Zhongxian decided to negotiate and stood up, straightening his kneeling posture.

“I, Wei Zhongxian, dare to speak to Your Majesty.”

Before Wei Zhongxian could finish his sentence, the Emperor called out, “Chief Secretary Yoon Juseong!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“From this moment on, you are to record every single word of the conversation between me and Director Wei, without missing a single detail. Furthermore, you are not to interject under any circumstances.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Yoon Juseong went to the desk and prepared his writing tools.

His heart sank when he heard that it would be recorded, but he could not back down now. Opposing the recording would imply he intended to say something he shouldn’t.

The Emperor looked back at Wei Zhongxian, who then opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, the position of Senior State Councillor has always been an honorary title for ministers retiring from the court. Does bestowing that position upon me mean that Your Majesty wishes me to submit my resignation first?”

“I am well aware of what the position of Senior State Councillor entails. My intentions are no different.”

Wei Zhongxian almost stumbled at the Emperor’s blunt words.

“Is it perhaps because of Consort Yang’s rank? Is it because my sister is the Empress, and Your Majesty sees me as an obstacle to elevating Consort Yang to Noble Consort?”

The Emperor’s expression changed subtly.

“Does Director Wei see me as a petty man who would dispose of court officials over trivial matters of the inner court [the Emperor’s personal household and affairs]? If so… I am disappointed. Has your once sharp mind rusted? Is it truly time for you to retire to your hometown?”

Yoon Juseong, who was writing down their conversation, was also astonished.

The Emperor had called the inner court trivial. This meant he did not care much about concubines or noble consorts, and perhaps not even the Empress.

“What does it matter if a concubine becomes the consort? What matters in the inner court is only my favor. Is it not so?”

“But, Your Majesty…”

Wei Zhongxian tried to speak, but the Emperor raised his hand to stop him.

“The only difference between a concubine and the consort is this: the moment she becomes the consort, her child is no longer illegitimate but becomes the heir. Is this not what you, your family, and your sister the Empress are concerned about?”

At least one thing was certain: the Emperor had decided to be blunt and direct today.

Wei Zhongxian recalled what Jo Gwangyun had said recently.

– The Emperor will eliminate everyone for the sake of his successor.

“Is Your Majesty removing me to prevent the rise of in-laws? I, Wei Zhongxian, will resign from my position and cease all entry to the palace the moment the First Prince is named Crown Prince. Please, believe in my loyalty.”

Wei Zhongxian bowed deeply to show that his words were sincere, but the Emperor still wore a mocking expression.

“You are still repeating absurd thoughts and absurd words.”

Wei Zhongxian read the Emperor’s expression and bowed again.

“I am foolish and have failed to understand Your Majesty’s high intentions. Please, enlighten me.”

He asked directly to avoid further guessing. The Emperor spoke slowly and clearly.

“I believe that what one does not win for oneself can be easily lost at any time. Crown Prince? That is not something I bestow upon someone I favor, but something one of the two princes must seize. The prince whom I acknowledge, whom all court officials acknowledge, and whom all the people accept—that is the Crown Prince.”

At that moment, it was as good as declaring that there would be no succession by the eldest son.

“The second child, who was just born, is neither the eldest nor legitimate. Therefore, that child must strive to be many times better than the First Prince to become the Crown Prince.”

The current Emperor was qualified to say such things.

He had not inherited the throne but had seized it by killing his brothers.

“If the imperial family is like this, then the court should naturally be a place for those who seize power.”

Yoon Juseong, who had been writing diligently, felt a strange heat and excitement. He knew exactly what the Emperor wanted.

“Director Wei, you have now risen to the highest position in this country and wield power befitting it. Your family’s support may have been the starting point, but you cannot deny that you have seized that position solely through your own strength.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

“But now you must be thinking differently. You must want to maintain your power, for generations to come. To do so, the best way would be for your nephew to become the Crown Prince and inherit my throne.”

“Absolutely not. Please, withdraw those words, Your Majesty.”

Wei Zhongxian fell to the ground again, but the Emperor simply waved his hand.

“I am not blaming you. How can I fault the human nature that seeks power? However, greed is forbidden. Your bloodline must seize that position, not inherit it. If so, then no matter who becomes the Crown Prince, no matter who sits in this seat, you will have unshakable power and be able to choose the Crown Prince with an unbiased eye, will you not?”

Overwhelmed by the Emperor’s tremendous statement, Yoon Juseong forgot the Emperor’s strict order. He put down his brush, knelt, and bowed his head.

“Your words are truly wise. I, Yoon Juseong, am honored beyond compare to serve Your Majesty, the most enlightened ruler, so closely.”

The Emperor looked at Yoon Juseong with a displeased expression and said, “Stop talking nonsense and pick up your brush!”

Yoon Juseong jumped up at the Emperor’s scolding.

Wei Zhongxian was already in a daze, unable to even hear Yoon Juseong’s words.

The Emperor had declared today that the Crown Prince would be chosen not by birth order but by merit, and he had declared a purge of all court officials.

From now on, one would not gain office through family or parental influence but would have to seize power solely through skill and ability.

Wei Zhongxian’s own relinquishment of power would be the beginning of that.

“Even the merchant Jo Gwanghyun, the head of the Jo family, said he would not enter the palace to avoid the public perception that he was benefiting from his nephew. How shameful would it be if officials from prestigious families expected to take positions due to their parents’ influence, and if parents expected to pass on their power to their children? How is that not a worse thought than that of a merchant?”

The Emperor’s reproachful words did not register.

Wei Zhongxian was unsure how to respond to the Emperor’s declaration.

Should he rally the officials to make the Emperor retract his words, or should he step back to avoid driving the situation into more dangerous territory? It was not an easy decision.

A wrong move could lead not only to his own downfall but also to that of his sons, brothers, and nephews… his entire family could be expelled from the court.

Wei Zhongxian barely managed to open his mouth.

“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions, so I will take my leave.”

The Emperor simply nodded lightly. He wanted to receive the letter of resignation immediately, but pulling too hard would break the string.

And the intelligent Wei Zhongxian would clearly understand one fact.

If Wei Zhongxian defied the Emperor’s will, his nephew would never become the Crown Prince.

The Emperor turned to Yoon Juseong and said,

“Did you write down everything without missing a single word?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Good. Everyone, leave. I will be working only in the Euirip Hall [a specific hall within the palace] for the time being.”

Yoon Juseong and Wei Zhongxian retreated quietly, each with a completely different demeanor—one lightly, the other with reluctant steps.

* * *

“You were truly awe-inspiring, Your Majesty. Your majesty seemed to cover the world.”

After the two had left, the Chief Eunuch said with a moved expression.

“He is not an easy opponent. It is still a long way off. A thousand miles to go.”

The Chief Eunuch carefully watched the Emperor’s expression and cautiously opened his mouth again.

“But, Your Majesty. Did Head Jo truly read Your Majesty’s intentions and act accordingly? If so, is he not a truly clever man?”

The Emperor chuckled.

“He is clever, but he is not following my intentions. He is using a method to avoid the downpour [a metaphor for impending disaster]. As you said, he is more intelligent than anyone else.”

“Avoiding the downpour?”

“All he holds is his nephew. He does not know whether that nephew will be named Crown Prince or not, so he has retreated. If his nephew is named Crown Prince, the downpour will have stopped, and the dark clouds will have cleared, so he will rise from his crouched position. I do not know in what form he will reappear, but he is a much more dangerous man than the court officials.”

The Chief Eunuch had no intention of informing Jo Gwangyun of the Emperor’s thoughts. The Emperor’s will was too firm, and rashly moving at this time could endanger his own neck.

“Chief Eunuch.”

The Chief Eunuch shook off his complex thoughts at the Emperor’s call.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Summon Do Youngjeon, the head of the Western Wing [a faction within the court]. Quietly.”

The Chief Eunuch ran out as if flying.

A short while later, when Do Youngjeon entered the Euirip Hall, the Emperor said to those around him,

“Everyone, leave.”

When the Emperor had secret talks with the heads of the Western Wing or Donglim [another faction], even the Chief Eunuch often left the room, so everyone left the Euirip Hall.

Do Youngjeon stood before the Emperor, tense.

“What are the officials up to these days?”

“Since Your Majesty does not attend the morning assembly, everyone is anxious.”

“I know that even here. What else?”

“There are no particular issues. However, they frequent a courtesan house called the Gulakbu.”

The Emperor frowned.

“Are they still men even in their old age?”

“Rather, it is rumored that there are many exceptionally beautiful courtesans in the Gulakbu… I wonder if it is just curiosity.”

The Emperor did not intend to make an issue of the court officials frequenting courtesan houses, so he did not say anything else.

“The reason I have secretly summoned you is because I have an urgent order.”

“I obey your command.”

“Investigate Jo Gwangyun, the head of the Jo family. What he has been doing for the past year, what he is doing now… every detail.”