I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 196

Jo Gwang-yun’s subordinates were all assembled.

Their lord, Jo Gwang-yun, wore a solemn expression.

“Go immediately to the residences I told you about and ask everyone to come to the club. Tell them I have something urgent to discuss, and they will come without delay.”

“Yes, sir!”

The subordinates responded loudly and scattered.

The ministers who had even the slightest connection to Wi Chung-hyeon.

And the families of the imperial concubines.

They were now like ships without captains, adrift in the vast ocean. A single large wave could capsize or destroy them.

Shaken with fear, they needed a captain they could trust and follow—this time, a captain who could save their very lives.

Jo Gwang-yun, aiming to take that leadership role, hurried to the club.

As the ministers began to gather one by one, filling the large banquet hall, it was as if the entire court had been moved there.

“I know you must be in disarray due to the great upheaval, but I thank you for responding to my call.”

When Jo Gwang-yun appeared and bowed politely, the ministers, who had previously been arrogant, bowed deeply.

“Not at all. At this time, when the nation’s survival is at stake and everyone is in chaos, we desperately need your insight, State Affairs Official Jo.”

“State Affairs Official? You will soon be Royal Uncle… Haha.”

“Ah, I beg your pardon for my discourtesy. Minister Jo.”

He had gone from a low-ranking State Affairs Official to a Minister in no time. Soon, he would be Royal Uncle.

“Royal Uncle? Please don’t say such things. It hasn’t even been a day since His Majesty passed away.”

Jo Gwang-yun quickly waved his hand. However, the expressions of the ministers, quick-witted and eager to survive, did not change.

He was the only adult relative of the sole heir, Yi Hwang.

Seongwon-gun was already branded a traitor, and there was no news from Grand Prince Pyongwon at the edge of the Central Plains. Even if Grand Prince Pyongwon rushed back, it would be too late to seize power in the royal court.

Now, the power of the royal family was simply a matter of who would embrace Yi Hwang.

The Queen Dowager or Jo Gwang-yun?

They seemed to want it to be Jo Gwang-yun.

In particular, the ministers who were relatives of the imperial concubines had to prevent the Queen Dowager from seizing power at all costs. They knew what kind of retaliation they would face for standing behind the Queen and ignoring the Queen Dowager.

“Minister Jo, the throne must not be left vacant for even a single day. The chief mourner at the Emperor’s funeral must also be an Emperor.”

It was nothing short of urging him to hurry and address the matter.

“Now, Minister Jo, if you have anything to say to us, please do not hesitate. We will all stand by your side.”

The power of the money he had been spreading was showing its effect once again.

With Wi Chung-hyeon gone, the justification for receiving money from Jo Gwang-yun had also disappeared. He was someone who might become the highest authority, so instead of receiving money, they might have to offer it to him.

Jo Gwang-yun, standing before them now, held both money and power in his hands. In the future, to seize the ends of the money and power he distributed, they would have to stand not by his side, but beneath him.

Jo Gwang-yun knew well that he needed to receive their help now in order to have them under his feet someday.

“Then, I will first tell you what I am concerned about.”

Everyone perked up their ears.

“The Queen Dowager I saw in the court today is by no means an easy person to deal with.”

Everyone nodded. No one had thought that the Queen Dowager, who had lived as if dead for so long, would have such strong determination and bold drive.

“The power of the royal family is clearly in the hands of the Queen Dowager now. And she will never let go of that power.”

“That’s right. Didn’t you all see it today? The way she dismissed the Queen and Vice Director Yi in an instant. It was as if we were seeing His Majesty.”

“It’s even more than that. I expected that the Queen would be confined to her residence, preventing outside access, to maintain at least minimal authority. But she was immediately imprisoned in the jail, wasn’t she? Even His Majesty would not have been so harsh.”

Those who were filled with excessive anxiety were the families of the three concubines and five noble ladies. They thought there was a very high possibility that the Queen Dowager would use schemes to destroy their families.

Jo Gwang-yun carefully opened his mouth.

“How long has she been suppressed? If she tries to compensate for that time, she will not be satisfied with Vice Director Yi and the Emperor’s blood alone. I don’t know how much blood will soak the royal family.”

“Then, does Minister Jo have any plans?”

As if he had been waiting for it, Jo Gwang-yun spoke to someone.

“What does the Director of the Royal Academy think about this matter?”

Director of the Royal Academy, Gwon Young-seon, seemed a little surprised by the sudden question.

He was merely the head of an educational institution without much power. He had stepped back from the front lines of politics, and the only reason he came here was that his eldest daughter was Consort Hyeon, the Emperor’s second official wife [a high-ranking concubine].

“Well… I don’t know.”

This short answer showed what kind of person he was.

Not only did he have no desire for power, but he also had little interest in political issues. With a little thought, one could see that the only person in the royal family who could stand against the Queen Dowager was Consort Hyeon, the Emperor’s widow.

Although she had been forgotten even more than the Queen Dowager because she had been frail and sickly for a long time, Yi Hwang had to become the adopted son of Consort Hyeon, the official wife, in order to sit on the Emperor’s throne.

The moment he became the adopted son, the regency would be the responsibility of Consort Hyeon, not the Queen Dowager. Now that the Queen had become a traitor, Consort Hyeon would be crowned as the new Queen.

The Queen of the regency.

The pinnacle of power.

The moment Jo Gwang-yun asked the Director of the Royal Academy, the other ministers could guess what Jo Gwang-yun was thinking.

“Oh, I see.”

“As expected, Minister Jo is a meticulous person who doesn’t miss a single thing.”

As everyone’s eyes turned to him, Director of the Royal Academy, Gwon Young-seon, suddenly put his hands together and bowed his head slightly.

“I have something to say to Minister Jo.”

“Please speak, Minister Gwon. I will listen carefully.”

“All I want is for my daughter, Consort Hyeon, to enjoy a more comfortable life. She is so frail that discussing state affairs or getting involved in politics may worsen her illness.”

He publicly stated in front of the ministers that he had no desire for power.

Seeing him worry about what would happen if he got involved in the power struggle now that the Emperor had been poisoned, he was nothing more and nothing less than a scholar.

“Then, I will ask just one thing.”

When Jo Gwang-yun spoke politely, Gwon Young-seon bowed his head again.

“Please speak, Minister Jo.”

“Who do you think should be the pillar of the court, representing the young Yi Hwang?”

Everyone only looked at Gwon Young-seon’s mouth. He had to open the gate.

Only when the father of Consort Hyeon, the first in line for the throne, stepped down could Jo Gwang-yun naturally step forward.

“I will follow and support the person who can guarantee the safety of Consort Hyeon and the well-being of our family.”

It was a statement that wanted confirmation before starting.

“If I make a promise, would I also be qualified?”

Jo Gwang-yun blatantly revealed his ambition, but Gwon Young-seon did not object.

“I do not doubt the qualifications of Minister Jo, who is the only relative of Yi Hwang.”

Having heard a satisfactory answer, Jo Gwang-yun looked at the other ministers with sharp eyes and said.

“What do the others think?”

“Are you talking about this? There is no one more qualified than Minister Jo.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Jo Gwang-yun uttered even more blatant words.

“I am just a lowly commoner merchant. It seems unreasonable for someone like me to say that I am qualified…”

“Once Yi Hwang sits on the throne, there will be no one more noble under the heavens. Who would call the maternal uncle of such a person lowly? No one would dare to utter such outrageous words.”

As they all nodded in unison, Jo Gwang-yun respectfully put his hands together in front of them and bowed.

“It is just a vague thought of an unqualified person, but I am truly grateful that you think so highly of me. If the time ever comes for me to do my utmost for the royal family, I will pour everything I have into the prosperity of the royal family, this country, and your families.”

He disguised it as humility, but the meaning he was trying to convey was clear.

He urged a deal to promise wealth and glory if he held power, and the ministers understood perfectly.

“Those are truly the words we have been waiting for. Now, all that remains is for Minister Jo to spread his wings wide.”

Now that the deal had been made, all that was left was to drink a celebratory drink.

Although the Emperor had died, the ministers raised their glasses.

It was more enjoyable and hopeful to celebrate new power than to mourn dead power.

* * *

The next morning, Jo Gwang-yun put on mourning clothes and entered the palace. Guided by a eunuch, he entered Uirip Hall, where the Queen Dowager, also dressed in mourning clothes, greeted Jo Gwang-yun.

“Welcome, State Affairs Official Jo.”

After Jo Gwang-yun paid his respects and finished his greetings, a court lady carefully carried in a baby.

“This is the first time State Affairs Official Jo is seeing him, isn’t it? This is Yi Hwang. He is State Affairs Official Jo’s only nephew.”

Jo Gwang-yun carefully held the baby with a touching expression.

Holding the baby in his arms, he was reminded of the day this baby was born.

The memory of holding the newborn baby in his arms and running through the imperial palace was vivid… The seed of someone he didn’t even know was now about to become the Emperor.

Old sayings are never wrong.

How could the seeds of kings, lords, generals, and ministers be separate?

The Queen Dowager smiled as she saw Jo Gwang-yun’s pleased expression.

“He looks just like Noble Consort Yang, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He really looks just like her.”

At the Queen Dowager’s gesture, a court lady approached and took the child back.

“Everyone, leave the room. I need to have a serious conversation with State Affairs Official Jo.”

When she gestured again, everyone, including the chief eunuch, left Uirip Hall.

As the watching eyes and listening ears disappeared, the Queen Dowager bowed respectfully to Jo Gwang-yun.

Jo Gwang-yun was startled and prostrated himself before the Queen Dowager.

“Your Majesty, I cannot accept this. Please withdraw your gesture.”

“I want to repay your grace, but you are already the wealthiest man in the Central Plains. This is all I can offer my benefactor. If there is anything you want, tell me.”

This was just the beginning, and there was a lot to give and take.

Jo Gwang-yun carefully said while prostrating himself.

“How dare I call it grace? I was just doing what I had to do. Please don’t keep it in mind. It is an honor just to be able to serve the Queen Dowager with all my heart.”

Was he hiding it to the end? Or did he really not have anything? The Queen Dowager carefully examined Jo Gwang-yun, who was prostrating.

“Just the fact that the Queen Dowager is holding Yi Hwang in this vast imperial palace is enough to repay your grace.”

Was he telling her to take good care of his nephew?

“You are truly only giving endlessly without asking anything of me. I am losing face. Haha.”

“Then, Your Majesty, I have a very small request.”

“Really? Please say anything. How can I treat the request of my benefactor carelessly?”

The Queen Dowager said, welcomingly.

“I put down my official position and avoided entering and exiting the palace to avoid the misunderstanding of the rise of the maternal relatives, but now Yi Hwang is my only family. Moreover, he is still a newborn baby… To be honest, I want to see Yi Hwang, who I wouldn’t mind putting in my eyes [a Korean expression meaning ‘cherish greatly’], even if it’s just occasionally.”

“Of course. Isn’t he your nephew in private? It is unacceptable for an uncle not to be able to see his only nephew. I will discuss with the court officials to give you an official position.”

Look at this? Discuss?

“I am grateful, Your Majesty.”

Unlike his resentful heart, he had to say polite words.

It was certain that the Queen Dowager was already wary of him.

The Queen Dowager was just a grandmother in terms of lineage. Moreover, she was a woman who had spent half her life in the imperial palace, and there was little she could do with a boy as he grew up.

Also, boys naturally follow men. Besides, wasn’t he a maternal uncle who had seen the world to his heart’s content? He had many stories to tell and many things to do together. The more time they spent together, the more he would feel like a father rather than an uncle, and he would follow him.

The current Queen Dowager did not even need to consult with her subjects. Since it was a family matter of the royal family, no subject would object to giving Jo Gwang-yun an official position as the maternal uncle.

The word ‘discuss’ meant that she would separate Yi Hwang, the source of power, from Jo Gwang-yun and monopolize Yi Hwang.

The power she had tasted for just one night had changed the Queen Dowager.

End