I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 186

< Living with the Enemy 5 >

“Even if the Empress Dowager’s influence is minimal now, the imperial court’s laws are strict. Have you forgotten?”

“How could I? Of course, I know. But there’s someone even the Empress Dowager can’t touch. We just need to bring him to the imperial court.”

“Who is it? Who are you talking about?”

“The Emperor’s brother. What do you think?”

*He* seems to have put some thought into this. A plan that even considers the Emperor’s brothers.

“Which brother are you referring to…?”

“Of course, Prince Seongwon. You know very well that Prince Pyeongwon is out of the question, right? If *he* appears, it’s like cooking porridge and giving it to a dog [a waste of effort].”

He is intelligent, prudent, and of good character, someone the officials would like. If such a person appears in the imperial court without an Emperor, he wouldn’t just check the Empress Dowager; he might even be given the Emperor’s throne.

Jo Gwangyun clapped his knee.

“You’ve come up with a truly brilliant plan. With Prince Seongwon, we can chase the Empress Dowager back to her quarters. If the Emperor’s grown brother is firmly in place, the young Empress Dowager won’t be able to act recklessly.”

It was the first time in a while that Jo Gwangyun agreed with him, so Wi Chung-hyeon, excited, continued to ramble on.

“Isn’t he the greatest playboy in the world? And he can’t resist a beautiful woman.”

“Oh, so you’re planning to tie Prince Seongwon to Consort Yang?”

“You’re quick to catch on. If Prince Seongwon sees Consort Yang, would he stay still? He’ll definitely try to take her. But she’s the Emperor’s woman, so he won’t be able to do anything.”

“When the Emperor passes away, the imperial concubines are all supposed to leave the palace, but those with children can’t go outside.”

“It’s possible if there are no children.”

Wi Chung-hyeon stared at Jo Gwangyun and said.

“Haven’t you been saying you’d kill your nephew? So, he must be eliminated. And if your nephew is alive, he’ll be an obstacle to the succession.”

“So, you’re going to get rid of the Emperor, and I’m going to get rid of my nephew…”

Each of them committing a crime makes them definite accomplices and an alliance that cannot be betrayed.

“Prince Seongwon will receive a territory far away and settle there, and Consort Yang will be quietly sent along with him. The two of them will live happily ever after there.”

“Prince Seongwon should make the First Prince the Emperor immediately and then leave.”

“Exactly. What do you think?”

Wi Chung-hyeon’s eyes twinkled as he waited for Jo Gwangyun’s answer.

It seemed a bit clumsy, but it was quite plausible.

The Emperor’s cause of death needs to be changed from poisoning to sudden death, and the Empress Dowager has to step back because of Prince Seongwon. And the most important thing is whether Prince Seongwon wants Yang Ryeo-cheong more than the throne and will give up the Emperor’s seat.

Jo Gwangyun didn’t mention these problems. Instead, he said what Wi Chung-hyeon wanted to hear.

“The plan is good, but one thing is missing.”

“What is it?”

“The Empress will gain absolute power as regent, and you will once again hold the court in your hands… What do I get?”

Wi Chung-hyeon answered without hesitation.

“I’ll give you the position of Daesanoeng [Grand Minister of Agriculture]. And the land development rights you gave up halfway. I’ll let you take charge of that again. You can take the reclaimed land, sell it all off, or take all the taxes that come from it. Do whatever you want.”

The Daesanoeng manages the taxes and grains that are paid from the provinces to the central government, in other words, a finance minister-level position with a salary of two thousand *seok* [unit of measurement for grain]. It seems that Jo Gwangyun is a merchant and manages a courier company, so he found a suitable position.

And even a huge amount of land. He was being too generous. Suspiciously so.

“In addition, you will give a lot of help to Jo Ga-jang in expanding throughout the Central Plains, right?”

“Is that even a question? Jo Ga-jang needs to make a lot of money so that our family can take responsibility, right?”

“Is that even a question? You are the best family in the country, so you should enjoy the luxuries that come with it.”

Wi Chung-hyeon was relieved when Jo Gwangyun nodded in agreement with a satisfied look.

*What* can’t I give with words? This country will be in the hands of the Wi family anyway. And isn’t Jo Gwangyun going to be a corpse anyway?

“Then the first thing we need to do is bring Prince Seongwon to the imperial palace. He’s in the north.”

“Of course. If you agree with my plan, I’ll send a letter right away.”

“Hurry. The north is far away. So…”

But Wi Chung-hyeon raised his hand to stop Jo Gwangyun from speaking.

“Before that, there’s something I need to confirm.”

“Please, speak.”

“Your nephew. What are you going to do with him?”

Jo Gwangyun paused for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“If His Majesty dies suddenly, and his son also dies suddenly, everyone will be suspicious. An accidental death is appropriate.”

“An accident?”

“Yes. The stroller that the First Prince is using now. I’m going to make another one and give it to Consort Yang. My men will cause the accident. Very naturally.”

“Ah. That’s… a good idea.”

Wi Chung-hyeon smiled and raised his glass.

“I’ll say it again, can I trust you?”

“I want to say the same thing. Don’t stab me in the back. As you know, I have connections in the Murim [martial arts world]. And they consider revenge as a virtue, paying back exactly what they suffered.”

Jo Gwangyun subtly raised his energy and pressured Wi Chung-hyeon.

Wi Chung-hyeon, feeling a bit of fear seeping into his body, hurriedly said.

“We’ve joined hands to fight a common enemy, so there’s no relationship more trustworthy than this.”

“It’s a bit unfortunate that the common enemy is the Emperor. Haha.”

Jo Gwangyun also raised his glass.

The two of them emptied their glasses at once, like the three heroes making a vow of brotherhood in the Peach Garden [a famous scene from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms].

* * *

Returning home, Jo Gwangyun immediately called Gu Seung.

“From now on, you have to handle a very important task. There must be no mistakes.”

“Yes, Head of the Family. I will never disappoint you.”

Gu Seung waited for Jo Gwangyun’s instructions with a tense expression.

“Go and watch Wi Chung-hyeon’s house right now. Someone will definitely come out on horseback. You can catch up with him with your lightness skill [ability to move swiftly and silently], right?”

“Of course.”

Gu Seung answered confidently.

“Follow him out of the capital to a place where there are few people and kill him. And if you search his person, you’ll find a letter. You have to get that.”

“No problem.”

There were no questions. For Gu Seung, the reason, the contents of the letter, were neither important nor necessary to know. It was just a task that had to be done because it was the Head of the Family’s order.

“That letter will determine our fate. Keep that in mind.”

Gu Seung bowed his head once more to Jo Gwangyun, who emphasized it again, and ran out.

Jo Gwangyun couldn’t rest either. The most urgent task now is to secure Prince Seongwon.

Jo Gwangyun flew through the darkened night.

The noodle shop at the corner of the central market was already dark and deserted, but he was sure that Eumyeongmun’s [Shadow Cloud Gate’s] eyes wouldn’t miss him.

As expected, he heard footsteps in the distance, and Bi-rim approached, shaking his head.

“Aren’t you sleeping? Even though you don’t have an official position?”

Bi-rim grumbled, and Jo Gwangyun smiled and said.

“Are you treating me like I’m unemployed just because I don’t have an official position? The head of Jo Ga-jang is busier than a government official. You’re also working day and night.”

“I came out because you’re a special person. Usually, I ignore it and go to bed comfortably.”

“Spare me the theatrics… I’m in a hurry, so I’ll get straight to the point. Eumyeongmun also has connections to Dongrim, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then find out where Prince Seongwon is now. I need to know his exact location.”

“Prince Seongwon, you mean the…”

“That’s right.”

“The reason you’re looking for the greatest playboy in the imperial family… You’re not going to answer anyway, right?”

Jo Gwangyun nodded.

“Hurry.”

Leaving only the last word, Jo Gwangyun disappeared, and Bi-rim took a long breath.

“What is he planning to do with the useless Prince Seongwon that he’s looking for so urgently?”

Bi-rim became very curious about what Jo Gwangyun was up to.

* * *

Eumyeongmun was a little faster than Gu Seung.

The next afternoon, Bi-rim entered Jo Gwangyun’s room as if a shadow was seeping in.

“There must be several watching eyes, you avoided them well, right?”

“You know that the owner of those eyes is Seo Ik, right?”

“I don’t pay much attention to the blind, what about what I asked you to find out?”

Bi-rim frowned and waved his hand.

“Dongrim has also abandoned him.”

“Huh? Abandoned?”

“They stopped monitoring him closely a long time ago. He’s been holed up in a brothel in the north for as long as three or four months, or as short as a month. So, they decided there was no need for close monitoring. At least Prince Seongwon meets with the local magistrate every time he moves, so they only grasp his approximate location.”

It’s not like the meticulous Emperor.

“Does His Majesty know this fact?”

“It’s something he asked for His Majesty’s permission.”

It means they’ve completely let their guard down. Did they judge him to be a playboy who enjoys life without any ulterior motives?

“Then where is he now?”

“He’s in a county called Jucheon (酒泉) in Gansu Province (甘肅省). It’s a place where those passing through Yumen Pass (玉門關) gather to say their last farewells.”

“You don’t know more details?”

“If you want to find Prince Seongwon, you can search all the brothels in Jucheon.”

Bi-rim bowed his head.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Why don’t you listen to the history of Jucheon and go?”

As Jo Gwangyun said with a smile, Bi-rim disappeared like smoke. Soon after, his telepathic message was heard.

“I’ll take the information fee in silver. Old stories don’t make money.”

At his telepathic message, Jo Gwangyun chuckled and took out paper and ink.

After quickly writing down the short content of finding Prince Seongwon in Jucheon, Gansu Province, he sealed it tightly and called a quick-footed warrior.

“Take this to Changryong Gate in Gaebong. From there, send a carrier pigeon to Changryong Gate in Gansu Province.”

The warrior tilted his head.

“Head of the Family. We have carrier pigeons here, why…?”

“Aren’t there guys watching us with fierce eyes outside? Those guys will surely snatch the carrier pigeon.”

“Ah, I forgot. I’m sorry.”

Jo Gwangyun patted the shoulder of the warrior who quickly bowed his head.

“Move carefully so you don’t get tailed. Go quickly.”

“Yes. Head of the Family.”

As the warrior disappeared, Jo Gwangyun waited for Gu Seung.

Now, if he gets Wi Chung-hyeon’s letter, the preparations to use Prince Seongwon are all done.

That night, Gu Seung returned. A few drops of blood on his clothes tell of his success.

“You worked hard. Wasn’t it difficult?”

“He was just a strong man, what… I finished it quickly.”

He didn’t ask about the aftermath. He’s the kind of guy who will finish it cleanly.

“The letter?”

“Here it is.”

Gu Seung took out the letter from his chest.

Jo Gwangyun read the letter and put it in the desk.

The Emperor misses his brother, but he can’t express his private feelings, so he only sighs. *It asks* how about returning quickly to confirm the brotherly love? That was the content.

It may seem like nothing, but all the important things are in it. Wi Chung-hyeon brought Prince Seongwon to the capital. That alone is enough.

Jo Gwangyun said to Gu Seung, who seemed a little tired.

“Change your clothes and go to the club.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you ask what’s going on?”

“You’ll tell me if you need to.”

Jo Gwangyun smiled at Gu Seung’s steadfast answer.

“Take a good rest there for three or four days. Enjoy the courtesans as much as you want.”

Gu Seung quickly waved his hand.

“No. It wasn’t that difficult, what.”

“I know. The reason I told you to rest well is because there’s a more difficult task waiting for you. Enjoy it while I tell you to rest.”

Gu Seung smiled slightly.